bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intestinal injury and vasculitis biomarkers in cats with feline enteric coronavirus and effusive feline infectious peritonitis
Authors: Gülersoy Erdem , Ok Mahmut , Üney Kamil , Durgut Murat Kaan , Parlak Tuğba Melike , Ekici Yusuf Emre
Published: October 2023

Objective

To investigate intestinal injury, repair and vasculitis biomarkers that may illuminate the progression and/or pathogenesis of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) or feline enteric coronavirus (FECV) infection.

Materials and methods

A total of 40 cats with effusive FIP (30 with abdominal effusion, AE group; 10 with thoracic effusion, TE group) and 10 asymptomatic but FECV positive cats (FECV group), all were confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction either in faeces or effusion samples. Physical examinations and effusion tests were performed. Trefoil factor‐3 (TFF‐3), intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I‐FABP), myeloperoxidase‐anti‐neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (MPO‐ANCA) and proteinase 3‐ANCA (PR3‐ANCA) concentrations were measured both in serum and effusion samples.

Results

Rectal temperature and respiratory rate were highest in the TE group (p < 0.000). Effusion white blood cell count was higher in the AE group than TE group (p < 0.042). Serum TFF‐3, IAP and I‐FABP concentrations were higher in cats with effusive FIP than the cats with FECV (p < 0.05). Compared with the AE group, TE group had lower effusion MPO‐ANCA (p < 0.036), higher IAP (p < 0.050) and higher TFF‐3 (p < 0.016) concentrations.

Clinical significance

Markers of intestinal and epithelial surface injury were higher in cats with effusive FIP than those with FECV. Compared to cats with abdominal effusions, markers of apoptosis inhibition and immunostimulation to the injured epithelium were more potent in cats with thoracic effusion, suggesting the possibility of a poorer prognosis or more advanced disease in these patients.
Towards Early Dark Energy in string theory
Authors: McDonough Evan , Scalisi Marco
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Early Dark Energy (EDE) is a prominent model to resolve the Hubble tension, which employs a dynamical axion with a periodic potential. In this work, we take first steps towards the embedding of this model into stable compactifications of string theory. First, we provide a pedagogical review of the EDE scenario and its main challenges. Second, we construct a simple supergravity toy model using only minimal ingredients. Already at this level, we can understand the origin of the harmonics of the EDE scalar potential in terms of a delicate balance of the leading terms from separate non-perturbative effects. Third and final, we embed the model into a KKLT-type compactification, with the EDE scalar field realized by a two-form axion. We find that a successful embedding, with all moduli stabilized, requires restrictive assumptions, which are lacking at present a known string theory implementation mechanism, both on the Pfaffians and on the exponents of the non-perturbative terms responsible for the EDE dynamics. We point out that such non-generic conditions reflect well known challenges of the EDE model and further investigation might guide us towards a conclusive resolution. An alternative viewpoint suggests that rather than serving as the foundation for a string theory embedding, these conditions might instead indicate that EDE is, in fact, incompatible with string theory, at least in the realizations we study here. Further investigation will be needed to ascertain the status of EDE in string theory.
Next-to-leading power resummed rapidity distributions near threshold for Drell-Yan and diphoton production
Authors: van Bijleveld Robin , Laenen Eric , Vernazza Leonardo , Wang Guoxing
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We consider Drell-Yan production and QCD-induced diphoton production and compute their rapidity distributions up to next-to-leading power (NLP) in the threshold variable. We give results for rapidity distributions of the Drell-Yan process up to NNLO accuracy and show that a factorised structure occurs for the leading logarithms (LL) at NLP, generalising the result at leading power. For diphoton production, we generalise methods based on kinematical shifts to find the NLO cross section up to NLP for rapidity distributions. From the results for these two processes, we derive resummed cross sections at NLP LL accuracy that are double differential in the threshold variable and the rapidity variable, which generalise results for single differential resummed cross sections.
Resonances and Weighted Zeta Functions for Obstacle Scattering via Smooth Models
Authors: Delarue Benjamin , Schütte Philipp , Weich Tobias
Published: October 2023

We consider a geodesic billiard system consisting of a complete Riemannian manifold and an obstacle submanifold with boundary at which the trajectories of the geodesic flow experience specular reflections. We show that if the geodesic billiard system is hyperbolic on its trapped set and the latter is compact and non-grazing, the techniques for open hyperbolic systems developed by Dyatlov and Guillarmou (Ann Henri Poincaré 17(11):3089–3146, 2016) can be applied to a smooth model for the discontinuous flow defined by the non-grazing billiard trajectories. This allows us to obtain a meromorphic resolvent for the generator of the billiard flow. As an application we prove a meromorphic continuation of weighted zeta functions together with explicit residue formulae. In particular, our results apply to scattering by convex obstacles in the Euclidean plane.
Anästhesie bei organtransplantierten Patient:innen
Authors: Fiala Anna , Breitkopf Robert , Sinner Barbara , Mathis Simon , Martini Judith
Published: October 2023

Organtransplantierte Patient:innen, die sich einem operativen Eingriff unterziehen müssen, der nicht im Zusammenhang mit ihrer Transplantation steht, können die betreuenden Anästhesist:innen vor große Herausforderungen stellen. Einerseits gilt es, die Transplantatfunktion in der perioperativen Phase sorgfältig hinsichtlich des Auftretens einer etwaigen Abstoßungsreaktion zu überwachen. Andererseits müssen die laufende Immunsuppression ggf. bezüglich des Wirkstoffes und/oder des Applikationsweges den perioperativen Erfordernissen angepasst sowie das sich aus ihr ergebende erhöhte Infektionsrisiko und mögliche Nebenwirkungen (wie z. B. Myelosuppression, Nephrotoxizität, Beeinträchtigung der Wundheilung usw.) in das perioperative Behandlungskonzept integriert werden. Des Weiteren sind möglicherweise persistierende Komorbiditäten der Grunderkrankung sowie physiologische Spezifika infolge der Organtransplantation zu beachten. Hierbei kann auf die Expertise das jeweiligen Transplantationszentrums zurückgegriffen werden.
Genetic control and prospects of predictive breeding for European winter wheat’s Zeleny sedimentation values and Hagberg-Perten falling number
Authors: Muqaddasi Quddoos H. , Muqaddasi Roop Kamal , Ebmeyer Erhard , Korzun Viktor , Argillier Odile , Mirdita Vilson , Reif Jochen C. , Ganal Martin W. , Röder Marion S.
Published: October 2023

Key message

Sedimentation values and falling number in the last decades have helped maintain high baking quality despite rigorous selection for grain yield in wheat. Allelic combinations of major loci sustained the bread-making quality while improving grain yield. Glu-D1, Pinb-D1, and non-gluten proteins are associated with sedimentation values and falling number in European wheat.

Zeleny sedimentation values (ZSV) and Hagberg-Perten falling number (HFN) are among the most important parameters that help determine the baking quality classes of wheat and, thus, influence the monetary benefits for growers. We used a published data set of 372 European wheat varieties evaluated in replicated field trials in multiple environments. ZSV and HFN traits hold a wide and significant genotypic variation and high broad-sense heritability. The genetic correlations revealed positive and significant associations of ZSV and HFN with each other, grain protein content (GPC) and grain hardness; however, they were all significantly negatively correlated with grain yield. Besides, GPC appeared to be the major predictor for ZSV and HFN. Our genome-wide association analyses based on high-quality SSR, SNP, and candidate gene markers revealed a strong quantitative genetic nature of ZSV and HFN by explaining their total genotypic variance as 41.49% and 38.06%, respectively. The association of known Glutenin (Glu-1) and Puroindoline (Pin-1) with ZSV provided positive analytic proof of our studies. We report novel candidate loci associated with globulins and albumins—the non-gluten monomeric proteins in wheat. In addition, predictive breeding analyses for ZSV and HFN suggest using genomic selection in the early stages of breeding programs with an average prediction accuracy of 81 and 59%, respectively.
Identifying crustal contributions in the Patagonian Chon Aike Silicic Large Igneous Province
Authors: Foley Michelle L. , Putlitz Benita , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Renda Emiliano M. , Ulianov Alexey , Siron Guillaume , Chiaradia Massimo
Published: October 2023

The volcanic rocks of the Chon Aike Silicic Large Igneous Province (CASP) are recognized as magmas dominantly produced by crustal anatexis. Investigating the zircon of the CASP provides an opportunity to gain further insight into geochemical and isotopic differences of the potential magmatic sources (i.e., crust versus mantle), to identify crustal reservoirs that contributed to the felsic magmas during anatexis, and to quantify the contributions of the respective sources. We present a combined zircon oxygen and hafnium isotope and trace element dataset for 16 volcanic units of the two youngest volcanic phases in Patagonia, dated here with LA-ICP-MS U–Pb geochronology at ca. 148–153 Ma (El Quemado Complex, EQC) and ca. 159 Ma (western Chon Aike Formation, WCA). The EQC zircon have 18O-enriched values (δ18O from 7 to 9.5‰) with correspondingly negative initial εHf values (− 2.0 to − 8.0). The WCA zircon have δ18O values between 6 and 7‰ and εHf values ranging between − 4.0 and + 1.5. Binary δ18O-εHf mixing models require an average of 70 and 60% melt derived from partial melting of isotopically distinct metasedimentary basements for the EQC and WCA, respectively. Zircon trace element compositions are consistent with anatexis of sedimentary protoliths derived from LIL-depleted upper continental crustal sources. The overlap between a high heat flux environment (i.e., widespread extension and lithospheric thinning) during supercontinental breakup and a fertile metasedimentary crust was key in producing voluminous felsic volcanism via anatexis following the injection and emplacement of basaltic magmas into the lower crust.
Integrated genotype–phenotype analysis of familial adenomatous polyposis-associated hepatocellular adenomas
Authors: Tóth Marcell , Kirchner Martina , Longerich Thomas , Stenzinger Albrecht , Schirmacher Peter
Published: October 2023

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant syndrome caused by a germline mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, characterized by numerous colorectal adenomas. In addition, FAP patients may develop extraintestinal manifestations. Several cases of hepatocellular adenomas (HCA) detected accidentally in FAP patients have raised the so-far unsolved question of whether they represent a specific manifestation of FAP or a mere coincidence. To investigate the incidence of liver tumors in FAP patients, we analyzed our diagnostic database from 1991 to 2021. Among the 58 hepatic mass lesions identified, five HCAs occurring in three patients with FAP were identified, and comprehensive morphological, immunohistological, and molecular analysis employing targeted next-generation sequencing was conducted for characterization. The HCAs in this study showed no cytological or histological atypia. They displayed a diffuse, strong positivity for glutamine synthetase but no nuclear beta-catenin immunostaining. In two patients, the adenomas showed moderate immunoreactivity against serum amyloid A. Consistent with the diagnosis of FAP, molecular profiling revealed a pathogenic germline mutation of the APC gene in all analyzed adenomas as well as deleterious somatic second hits. All somatic mutations were localized between codons 1345 and 1577. No mutations were found in the catenin beta 1 gene. HCA in FAP patients can be a specific, although rare, neoplastic manifestation of this inborn disease and represents a distinct subgroup of HCAs. These benign tumors represent an important differential diagnosis for hepatic metastases in FAP patients and require adequate clinical and molecular (diagnostic) assessments for optimal patient guidance.
Evaluating the accuracy of a cataract surgery simulation video in depicting patient experiences under conscious anesthesia
Authors: Sella Ruti , Lian Rebecca R. , Abbas Anser A. , Fuller Spencer D. , Bentley Sean S. , Fukuoka Hideki , Afshari Natalie A.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy of a point-of-view cataract surgery simulation video in representing different subjective experiences of patients undergoing the procedure.

Methods

One hundred consecutive post-cataract-surgery patients were shown a short simulation video of the surgery obtained through a porcine eye model during the first postoperative week. Patients then answered a multiple-choice questionnaire regarding their visual and tactile intraoperative experiences and how those experiences matched the simulation.

Results

Of the patients surveyed (n = 100), 78% (n = 78) recalled visual experiences during surgery, 11% recalled pain (n = 11), and 6.4% (n = 5) recalled frightening experiences. Thirty-six percent of patients (n = 36) were interviewed after their second cataract surgery; there was no statistically significant difference between anxiety scores reported before the first eye surgery and second eye surgery (p = 0.147). Among all patients who recalled visual experiences (n = 78), nearly half (47.4%) reported that the video was the same/similar to their experience. Forty-eight percent of the patients recommended future patients to watch the video before their procedures, and more than a third (36%) agreed that watching the video before surgery would have helped them to relax.

Conclusions

Our model reflects the wide range of subjective patient experiences during and after surgery. The high percentage of patients who found the video accurate in different ways suggests that, with more development, point-of-view cataract simulation videos could prove useful for educational or clinical use. Further research may be done to confirm the simulation’s utility, by screening the video for subjects before operations.
Let Us Halt the Resurgence of Protectionism: Trade Openness, Innovation Ecosystem, and Workforce Diversity in the Knowledge-Based Economy
Authors: Soral Prakriti , Pati Surya Prakash , Singh Sanjay Kumar , Del Giudice Manlio , Degbey William Y.
Published: October 2023

Protectionist economies impede the free flow of capital and labor across national and corporate borders, which limits the production, access, and diffusion of knowledge required to create novel solutions. However, further investigation is needed into the knowledge and innovation pathways/mechanisms to stop or at least reduce protectionist trade policies in order to stimulate the innovation ecosystem and develop a diverse workforce. Through a sequential mediation of venture capital and collaborations, our study investigates the relationship between trade openness and workforce diversity by adopting the knowledge-based view and building on the four pillars of the knowledge-based economy. Utilizing archived data, our analysis verified this connection. The theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Identification of Diagnostic Biomarkers for Compensatory Liver Cirrhosis Based on Gut Microbiota and Urine Metabolomics Analyses
Authors: Chen Yingjun , Chen Shaoxian , Xu Chandi , Yu Li , Chu Shanshan , Bao Jianzhi , Wang Jinwei , Wang Junwei
Published: October 2023

Liver cirrhosis is one of the most prevalent chronic liver disorders with high mortality. We aimed to explore changed gut microbiome and urine metabolome in compensatory liver cirrhosis (CLC) patients, thus providing novel diagnostic biomarkers for CLC. Forty fecal samples from healthy volunteers (control: 19) and CLC patients (patient: 21) were undertaken 16S rDNA sequencing. Chromatography-mass spectrometry was performed on 40 urine samples (20 controls and 20 patients). Microbiome and metabolome data were separately analyzed using corresponding bioinformatics approaches. The diagnostic model was constructed using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. The optimal diagnostic model was determined by five-fold cross-validation. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to clarify the relations among the diagnostic markers. 16S rDNA sequencing analyses showed changed overall alpha diversity and beta diversity in patient samples compared with those of controls. Similarly, we identified 841 changed metabolites. Pathway analysis revealed that the differential metabolites were mainly associated with pathways, such as tryptophan metabolism, purine metabolism, and steroid hormone biosynthesis. A 9-maker diagnostic model for CLC was determined, including 7 microorganisms and 2 metabolites. In this model, there were multiple correlations between microorganisms and metabolites. Subdoligranulum, Agathobacter, norank_f_Eubacterium_coprostanoligenes_group, Butyricicoccus, Lachnospiraceae_UCG_004, and L-2,3-Dihydrodipicolinate were elevated in CLC patients, whereas Blautia, Monoglobus, and 5-Acetamidovalerate were reduced. A novel diagnostic model for CLC was constructed and verified to be reliable, which provides new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of CLC.
A Mindful Path Toward Prejudice Reduction: Key Mindfulness Facets and Mediators for Promoting Positive Intergroup Relations
Authors: Fuochi Giulia , Boin Jessica , Lucarini Alice , Voci Alberto
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Mindfulness might promote an open, accepting, less stereotypical view of people belonging to other social groups. We hypothesized positive cross-sectional (H1) and longitudinal (H2) associations between dispositional mindfulness — especially the Observing facet — and positive intergroup outcomes (i.e., better intergroup attitudes and contact experiences, lower intergroup prejudice, higher deprovincialization), and that those associations would be mediated by dispositional curiosity and reflection (H3).

Method

We tested H1 in Study 1 (two waves, 1-month interval, n = 102) and Study 2 (cross-sectional, n = 679), with linear models in which attitudes and prejudice toward immigrants, contact with immigrants (only in Study 2), and deprovincialization were predicted by mindfulness facets. We tested H2 in Study 1, with cross-lagged path models replicating the cross-sectional analyses, and H3 in Study 2, with structural equation models in which Reflection, Joyous Exploration, Stress Tolerance, and Social Curiosity mediated the relationships between facets of dispositional mindfulness and intergroup outcomes.

Results

Results largely supported hypotheses. Consistent with H1, in Studies 1 and 2, Observing was associated with all intergroup outcomes; in Study 2, Describing was associated with higher deprovincialization, better attitudes, and lower prejudice, and Nonjudging with higher deprovincialization and positive contact. As for H2, we found a unidirectional association from Observing to attitudes. Concerning H3, we found mediating paths between some mindfulness facets and intergroup outcomes through Reflection, Joyous Exploration, Stress Tolerance, and Social Curiosity.

Conclusions

Results support the possibility to build prejudice reduction interventions grounded on mindfulness, to increase awareness of negative stereotypes and openness to differences among people.

Preregistration

The study was not preregistered.
Integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing reveals the poor prognostic value of ABCA1 in gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Shen Kaiyu , Ke Shuaiyi , Chen Binyu , Gao Wencang
Published: October 2023

Purpose

ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) is a potential prognostic marker for various tumor types. However, the biological effects and prognostic value of ABCA1 in gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) remain unknown.

Methods

GAC-associated single-cell RNA and bulk RNA-sequencing (bulk-seq) data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases, respectively. The differential expression of ABCA1 between GAC and normal gastric tissues was analyzed based on the bulk-seq data. Additionally, the relationship between ABCA1 expression and various clinicopathological features was explored. Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were performed to establish the prognostic value of ABCA1. The relationships between ABCA1 expression and anti-tumor drug sensitivity and immune checkpoints were also explored. Finally, the biological functions of ABCA1 were evaluated at the single-cell level, and in vitro studies were performed to assess the effects of ABCA1 on GAC cell proliferation and invasion.

Results

ABCA1 expression is significantly elevated in GAC samples compared with that in normal gastric tissues. Clinical features and survival analysis revealed that high ABCA1 expression is associated with poor clinical phenotypes and prognosis, whereas Cox analysis identified ABCA1 as an independent risk factor for patients with GAC. Furthermore, high ABCA1 expression suppresses sensitivity to various chemotherapeutic drugs, including cisplatin and mitomycin, while upregulating immune checkpoints. ABCA1-overexpressing macrophages are associated with adverse clinical phenotypes in GAC and express unique ligand–receptor pairs that drive GAC progression. In vitro, ABCA1-knockdown GAC cells exhibit significantly inhibited proliferative and invasive properties.

Conclusion

High ABCA1 expression promotes an adverse immune microenvironment and low survival rates in patients with GAC. Furthermore, ABCA1 and ABCA1-producing macrophages may serve as novel molecular targets in GAC treatment.
Land use/land change detection and determination of land surface temperature variation in green belt (Nasirabad) district of Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Raza Ali , Syed Neyha Rubab , Fahmeed Romana , Acharki Siham , Hussain Sajjad , Zubair Muhammad , Almohamad Hussein , Alao Joseph Omeiza , Rahman Md. Naimur , Abdo Hazem Ghassan
Published: October 2023

The current study determined the changes in Land Use/Land Change (LU/LC) and variation in land surface temperature (LST) in the Green Belt (Nasirabad district) area of Balochistan, Pakistan. To achieve this, we used GIS software (ArcMap 10.7.1) to analyze remote sensing data acquired from Landsat imagery taken in 1993, 2003, 2013, and 2023. A supervised classification technique using the maximum likelihood algorithm (MLC) was applied to generate a ground-truth LU/LC classification. Based on our findings, almost 415.28 km2(− 12.89%) of formerly undeveloped land has been transformed into urban neighborhoods and green spaces during the last three decades. Between 1993 and 2023, the study area gained 288.29 km2(8.94%) of vegetation and 136.10 km2(4.22%) of settled land. Minimum, maximum, and average LST changes were recorded as 7.50, − 5.06, and 1.22 °C for the whole thirty years. Overall, the analysis data showed that an increase in human settlements in the area investigated led to a rise in mean LST (1.22 °C). Finally, GIS and RS may be used together to track land usage over time, a crucial piece of data for eco-friendly planning. While the LU/LC and LST provide valuable insights into the rational and optimal use of land resources, the implications of policy remain constrained.
Design of a cable-driven parallel robot for landmine detection
Authors: Jomartov Assylbek , Tuleshov Amandyk , Kamal Aziz , Abduraimov Azizbek
Published: October 2023

A cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) for landmine detection, mounted on a vehicle is developed in this work. In the CDPR, the end effector (EE) is suspended on flexible cables, in contrast to the rigid links in traditional parallel robots. Compared to traditional parallel robots, the CDPR have lower inertial characteristics and higher payload-to-weight ratio, resulting in a high speed. The CDPR for landmine detection operates in search mode, lowers the end EE to the possible lower position and the metal detector scanning the minefield. After scanning the area of the minefield, limited by the workspace of the CDPR in the X, Y plane, the information received is transmitted to the sappers. Tests of a prototype of a CDPR for landmine detection showed good performance of its work for detecting landmine.
Application of microalgal-ZnO-NPs for reusing polyester/cotton blended fabric wastes after modification by cellulases enzymes
Authors: Darwesh Osama M. , Al-Balakocy Naser G. , Ghanem Ahmed , Matter Ibrahim A.
Published: October 2023

Polyester/cotton (PET/C) blended fabric wastes are produced daily in huge amounts, which constitutes an economic loss and an environmental threat if it is not reused appropriately. Modern textile waste recycling technologies put much effort into developing fabric materials with unique properties, such as bioactivity or new optical goods based on modern technologies, especially nano-biotechnology. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were biosynthesized using the aqueous extract of Dunaliella sp. and immobilized on PET/C waste fabrics after enzymatically activated with cellulases. The produced Dunaliella-ZnO-NPs (10–20 nm with a spherical shape) were characterized by High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (SEM-EDAX), and some functional groups, such as CH, CO, NH, and CN (due to the presence of carboxyl, proteins and hydroxyl groups), were detected, revealing the biosynthesis of ZnO-NPs. The analysis showed that the resulting ZnO-NPS had potent antimicrobial effects, Ultraviolet (UV) protection capabilities, and no cytotoxic effects on the normal human fibroblast cell line (BJ1). On the other hand, enzymatic treatments of PET/C fabric waste with cellulases enhanced the immobilization of biosynthetic nanoparticles on their surface. Modified PET/C fabrics loaded with Dunaliella-ZnO-NPs showed antibacterial and UV protection capabilities making them an eco-friendly and cost-effective candidate for numerous applications. These applications can include the manufacture of active packaging devices, wastewater treatment units, and many other environmental applications.

Graphical abstract
Preoperative pulmonary evaluation to prevent postoperative pulmonary complications
Authors: Tuna Mehmet Eren , Akgün Metin
Published: October 2023

Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) arise from a complex interplay of patient, surgical, and anesthesia-related factors. Despite their significant impact, there are currently no standardized guidelines recommending a comprehensive preoperative approach to assessing patients with PPC risk factors. Preoperative pulmonary evaluation (PPE) plays a pivotal role in identifying underlying patient conditions, undiagnosed diseases and optimal treatments. PPE involves systematic identification of patient, surgical, and anesthesia-related risk factors. Severe PPCs include atelectasis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism, and worsening chronic lung disease. Surgical urgency, type, duration, approach of the surgical procedure, and comorbidities influence PPC rates, with cardiac, thoracic, abdominal, and vascular surgeries being particularly vulnerable.

Patient-related risk factors encompass non-pulmonary and pulmonary factors. Aging populations increase surgical demand, with advanced age and frailty predicting higher morbidity and mortality risks. Conditions like congestive heart failure, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and smoking heighten PPC risks. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, interstitial lung diseases, pulmonary hypertension, previous pulmonary thromboembolism, acute respiratory infections, and COVID-19 impact pulmonary risk profiles. Surgery and anesthesia-related risk factors include the site of surgery, operation time, and emergency surgery. Surgery near the diaphragm elevates PPC risk, while longer operation times correlate with increased PPC incidence. Emergency surgeries pose challenges in risk assessment. Anesthetic techniques influence outcomes, with regional anesthesia often preferable. Neuromuscular blocking agents impact PPCs, and protective ventilation strategies can mitigate complications.

As current literature lacks a comprehensive approach to PPE, in this review, we present a comprehensive approach to preoperative pulmonary approach to surgical patients to help in risk stratification, further optimization, as well as shared decision making between the surgeon and the patients and their family prior to consenting for a major surgical procedure.

Graphical Abstract
Digital real estate: a review of the technologies and tools transforming the industry and society
Authors: Naeem Nida , Rana Irfan Ahmad , Nasir Abdur Rehman
Published: October 2023

Real estate plays a crucial role in driving national economies. However, the process of transferring properties and engaging with various stakeholders can be hindered by a lack of adequate information, complex procedures, and excessive paperwork. The advent of digital real estate has revolutionized the industry and how stakeholders interact. The present study aims to conduct a bibliometric and systematic review of digital real estate, utilizing historical, institutional, country, and keyword analyses for the bibliometric review and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines for the systematic review. Through thematic analysis, the study identified four key themes for transforming digital real estate: information communication technologies, data collection technologies, data networking tools, and digital decision-making systems. Additionally, the study proposes a digital real estate transformation framework that can assist stakeholders, urban planners, and decision-makers in embracing digital tools and technologies. The study concludes that digital real estate has the potential to revolutionize future urban planning and real estate development through the use of decision support systems and advanced technologies.
Review of airborne oceanic lidar remote sensing
Authors: Chen Weibiao , Chen Peng , Zhang Hongwei , He Yan , Tang Junwu , Wu Songhua
Published: October 2023

Airborne oceanic lidars act as an active remote sensing technique have been proved to be one of the most effective and reliable means of oceanic profile remote sensing. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the principles, methodologies, applications, and prospects of oceanic lidar remote sensing. A survey of the previous studies and works related to these techniques is presented in this paper, emphasizing the different mechanism in system design as well as data processing algorithms and their applications in the remote sensing of oceanic environmental parameters. The airborne lidar systems with multi-channels are designed to significantly improve the data quality and resolution of oceanic biological and geographic profiles. Algorithms for biological product retrieval and simulation based on typical radiation transfer models are described here to stimulate future research into ocean biogeochemistry. The advancement of airborne lidar applications in the near future is also presented.
Long-term health impacts of COVID-19 among 242,712 adults in England
Authors: Atchison Christina J. , Davies Bethan , Cooper Emily , Lound Adam , Whitaker Matthew , Hampshire Adam , Azor Adriana , Donnelly Christl A. , Chadeau-Hyam Marc , Cooke Graham S. , Ward Helen , Elliott Paul
Published: October 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic is having a lasting impact on health and well-being. We compare current self-reported health, quality of life and symptom profiles for people with ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 to those who have never tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection and those who have recovered from COVID-19. Overall, 276,840/800,000 (34·6%) of invited participants took part. Mental health and health-related quality of life were worse among participants with ongoing persistent symptoms post-COVID compared with those who had never had COVID-19 or had recovered. In this study, median duration of COVID-related symptoms (N = 130,251) was 1·3 weeks (inter-quartile range 6 days to 2 weeks), with 7·5% and 5·2% reporting ongoing symptoms ≥12 weeks and ≥52 weeks respectively. Female sex, ≥1 comorbidity and being infected when Wild-type variant was dominant were associated with higher probability of symptoms lasting ≥12 weeks and longer recovery time in those with persistent symptoms. Although COVID-19 is usually of short duration, some adults experience persistent and burdensome illness.
An interferon-integrated mucosal vaccine provides pan-sarbecovirus protection in small animal models
Authors: Yuen Chun-Kit , Wong Wan-Man , Mak Long-Fung , Lam Joy-Yan , Cheung Lok-Yi , Cheung Derek Tsz-Yin , Ng Yau-Yee , Lee Andrew Chak-Yiu , Zhong Nanshan , Yuen Kwok-Yung , Kok Kin-Hang
Published: October 2023

A pan-sarbecovirus or pan-betacoronavirus vaccine that can prevent current and potential future beta-coronavirus infections is important for fighting possible future pandemics. Here, we report a mucosal vaccine that cross-protects small animal models from sarbecoviruses including SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The vaccine comprises a live-but-defective SARS-CoV-2 virus that is envelope deficient and has the orf8 segment replaced by interferon-beta, hence named Interferon Beta Integrated SARS-CoV-2 (IBIS) vaccine. Nasal vaccination with IBIS protected mice from lethal homotypic SARS-CoV-2 infection and hamsters from co-housing-mediated transmission of homotypic virus. Moreover, IBIS provided complete protection against heterotypic sarbecoviruses, including SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron variants, and SARS-CoV-1 in both mice and hamsters. Besides inducing a strong lung CD8 + T cell response, IBIS specifically heightened the activation of mucosal virus-specific CD4 + T cells compared to the interferon-null vaccine. The direct production of interferon by IBIS also suppressed virus co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 in human cells, reducing the risk of genetic recombination when using as live vaccines. Altogether, IBIS is a next-generation pan-sarbecovirus vaccine and warrants further clinical investigations.
Construction of a novel prognostic model in skin cutaneous melanoma based on chemokines-related gene signature
Authors: Ding Xiaoxia , Wang Wenwen , Tao Xiaohua , Li Zhiming , Huang Youming
Published: October 2023

Skin cutaneous melanoma, SKCM, is one of the most aggressive treatment-resistant tumours. Despite the fact that the BRAF oncogene and immunological checkpoints such as PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 have enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of SKCM, the subsequent resistance mechanisms and remedies have raised concerns. Chemokines have a significant role in the immunological milieu of tumor, which may increase the efficacy of checkpoint blockade and serve as a possible therapeutic intervention route. However, there is still no chemokine-based typing and risk model to provide a prognosis and therapeutic efficacy assessment for SKCM patients. In this study, we verified the distinct differences of prognostic stratification as well as immune characteristics between two chemokine-related clusters in SKCM patients. Two clusters of DEGs were discovered to be primarily enriched in B and T cell receptor signaling pathways as well as TNF signaling via NF-kappa-B. Based on 14 prognosis-related DEGs from aforementioned two clusters (CCL8, GBP2, GBP4, SRNG, HLA-DMB, RARRES3, HLA-DQA1, PARP12, APOL3, IRF1, HLA-DRA, UBE2L6, IL2RA and CD38), a chemokine-related 14-gene prognostic model was established. At the same time, researchers explored differences between the low-risk and high-risk groups in clinical traits, the proportion of infiltration of 22 different types of immune cells, and how well medications worked. The risk score model’s immunotherapy and prognostic predictions were also confirmed in testing groups. Based on the finding, we can claim that there is a clear link between chemokines and TME in SKCM. The risk score may perform as a trustworthy prediction model, giving therapeutic benefits for both chemotherapy and immunotherapy, as well as being beneficial for clinical decision making in SKCM patients.
Performance of baseline FDG-PET/CT radiomics for prediction of bone marrow minimal residual disease status in the LyMa-101 trial
Authors: Bodet-Milin Caroline , Morvant Cyrille , Carlier Thomas , Frecon Gauthier , Tournilhac Olivier , Safar Violaine , Kraeber-Bodere Françoise , Le Gouill Steven , Macintyre Elizabeth , Bailly Clément
Published: October 2023

The prognostic value of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) at baseline or the predictive value of minimal residual disease (MRD) detection appear as potential tools to improve mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients’ management. The LyMa-101, a phase 2 trial of the LYSA group (ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT02896582) reported induction therapy with obinutuzumab, a CD20 monoclonal antibody. Herein, we investigated the added prognostic value of radiomic features (RF) derived from FDG-PET/CT at diagnosis for MRD value prediction. FDG-PET/CT of 59 MCL patients included in the LyMa-101 trial have been independently, blindly and centrally reviewed. RF were extracted from the disease area with the highest uptake and from the total metabolic tumor volume (TMTV). Two models of machine learning were used to compare several combinations for prediction of MRD before autologous stem cell transplant consolidation (ASCT). Each algorithm was generated with or without constrained feature selections for clinical and laboratory parameters. Both algorithms showed better discrimination performances for negative vs positive MRD in the lesion with the highest uptake than in the TMTV. The constrained use of clinical and biological features showed a clear loss in sensitivity for the prediction of MRD status before ASCT, regardless of the machine learning model. These data plead for the importance of FDG-PET/CT RF compared to clinical and laboratory parameters and also reinforced the previously made hypothesis that the prognosis of the disease in MCL patients is linked to the most aggressive contingent, within the lesion with the highest uptake.
Three-dimensional non-approximate Coulomb interaction between two trapped quantum particles
Authors: Lizama Nicolás Z. , Carrasco Sebastián C. , Rogan José , Valdivia Juan Alejandro
Published: October 2023

The two trapped quantum particles interacting problem is generalized to three dimensions, and the exact Coulomb potential is used. The system is solved by expanding the wavefunction in terms of the isotropic harmonic oscillator eigenfunctions and Hydrogen atom eigenfunctions independently, showing that each one results in a prime approximation for different domains of the normalized coupling constant of the relative interactions, suggesting that the combination of the basis is enough to build a well-suited base for the non-approximate problem. The results are compared to previous works that use a model of approximate finite-rage soft-core interaction model of the problem to give insights into the many-body states of strongly correlated ultracold bosons and fermions. We conclude that the proposed three-dimensional approach facilitates the distinction between bosons and fermions while the solutions given by the expansions better define the behavior of the particles for repulsive potentials. In addition, we discuss the substantial differences between our work and the previous approximate model.
An interpretable machine learning approach to study the relationship beetwen retrognathia and skull anatomy
Authors: Makaremi Masrour , Vafaei Sadr Alireza , Marcy Benoit , Chraibi Kaadoud Ikram , Mohammad-Djafari Ali , Sadoun Salomé , De Brondeau François , N’kaoua Bernard
Published: October 2023

Mandibular retrognathia (C2Rm) is one of the most common oral pathologies. Acquiring a better understanding of the points of impact of C2Rm on the entire skull is of major interest in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this dysmorphism, but also permits us to contribute to the debate on the changes undergone by the shape of the skull during human evolution. However, conventional methods have some limits in meeting these challenges, insofar as they require defining in advance the structures to be studied, and identifying them using landmarks. In this context, our work aims to answer these questions using AI tools and, in particular, machine learning, with the objective of relaying these treatments automatically. We propose an innovative methodology coupling convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and interpretability algorithms. Applied to a set of radiographs classified into physiological versus pathological categories, our methodology made it possible to: discuss the structures impacted by retrognathia and already identified in literature; identify new structures of potential interest in medical terms; highlight the dynamic evolution of impacted structures according to the level of gravity of C2Rm; provide for insights into the evolution of human anatomy. Results were discussed in terms of the major interest of this approach in the field of orthodontics and, more generally, in the field of automated processing of medical images.
Identification of an exosome-related signature associated with prognosis and immune infiltration in breast cancer
Authors: Guo Qiaonan , Pan Kelun , Qiu Pengjun , Liu Zundong , Chen Jianpeng , Lin Jianqing
Published: October 2023

Exosomes, nanosized vesicles, play a vital role in breast cancer (BC) occurrence, development, and drug resistance. Hence, we proceeded to study the potential prognostic value of exosome-related genes and their relationship to the immune microenvironment in BC. 121 exosome-related genes were provided by the ExoBCD database, and 7 final genes were selected to construct the prognostic signature. Besides, the expression levels of the 7 exosome-related genes were validated by the experiment in BC cell lines. Based on the signature, BC patients from the training and validation cohorts were separated into low- and high-risk groups. Subsequently, the R clusterProfiler package was applied to identify the distinct enrichment pathways between high-risk groups and low-risk groups. The relevance of the tumor immune microenvironment and exosome-related gene risk score were analyzed in BC. Eventually, the different expression levels of immune checkpoint-related genes were compared between the two risk groups. Based on the risk model, the low-risk groups were identified with a higher survival rate both in the training and validation cohorts. A better overall survival was revealed in patients with higher scores evaluated by the estimation of stromal and immune cells in malignant tumor tissues using expression (ESTIMATE) algorithm. Subsequently, BC patients with lower risk scores were indicated by higher expression levels of some immune checkpoint-related genes and immune cell infiltration. Exosomes are closely associated with the prognosis and immune cell infiltration of BC. These findings may contribute to improving immunotherapy and provide a new vision for BC treatment strategies.
Attitudes and factors influencing organ donation decision-making in Damascus, Syria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Soqia Jameel , Ataya Jamal , Alhomsi Rawan , Soqia Horiya , Kakaje Ameer , Saadoun Rakan , Hamzeh Ammar
Published: October 2023

Organ donation is vital to saving lives, but its success depends on people's willingness to donate organs. This descriptive cross-sectional survey aimed to investigate attitudes towards organ donation in Damascus, Syria. Understanding attitudes is crucial for the success of organ donation programs, especially in countries with similar settings. This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey aimed at understanding patients’ attitudes towards organ donation in Damascus, Syria. Data was collected through a carefully constructed validated survey through face-to-face interviews. 600 participants were randomly interviewed, 62.8% agreed to donate their organs after death, with helping others being the primary reason. Religious beliefs were the primary reason for organ refusal in males, while for females, it was lack of knowledge and religious beliefs. However, there were no significant differences between genders or educational level and age groups in the acceptance of organ donation. The percentage of those who agree to donate their organs after death encourages taking an effective step to build an integrated donation system, not just a center. Bearing in mind that there is no correlation with age, gender or even educational level, which means that the system may include different groups of society.
Strategic sustainability practices in intercropping-based family farming systems: study on rural communities of Iran
Authors: Ataei Pouria , Mottaghi Dastenaei Afshin , Karimi Hamid , Izadi Nasim , Menatizadeh Meysam
Published: October 2023

This paper reports a realistic analysis of a region using Grounded Theory (GT) to provide a sustainable model for family farming systems based on the intercropping system in rural communities of Iran. Furthermore, the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) was applied to assign weights to the criteria and sub-criteria of intercropping and monocropping systems. According to the model, the main phenomenon was “sustainability in the family farming system based on intercropping”. In this model, the causal factors were found to include behavioral and attitudinal motivators. Micro- and macro-factors were identified as the interfering factors in family farming systems based on intercropping. Social factors, economic components, and environmental potentials were the contextual factors of this system. Finally, the consequences included the conceptual development and evolution of sustainability, socioeconomic transformation, and ecological-environmental transformation. The results of FAHP showed that the environmental criterion was ranked the first among all criteria underpinning the sustainability of the intercropping system.
Joint triplet loss with semi-hard constraint for data augmentation and disease prediction using gene expression data
Authors: Chung Yeonwoo , Lee Hyunju
Published: October 2023

The accurate prediction of patients with complex diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), as well as disease stages, including early- and late-stage cancer, is challenging owing to substantial variability among patients and limited availability of clinical data. Deep metric learning has emerged as a promising approach for addressing these challenges by improving data representation. In this study, we propose a joint triplet loss model with a semi-hard constraint (JTSC) to represent data in a small number of samples. JTSC strictly selects semi-hard samples by switching anchors and positive samples during the learning process in triplet embedding and combines a triplet loss function with an angular loss function. Our results indicate that JTSC significantly improves the number of appropriately represented samples during training when applied to the gene expression data of AD and to cancer stage prediction tasks. Furthermore, we demonstrate that using an embedding vector from JTSC as an input to the classifiers for AD and cancer stage prediction significantly improves classification performance by extracting more accurate features. In conclusion, we show that feature embedding through JTSC can aid in classification when there are a small number of samples compared to a larger number of features.