bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and quantification of necrotic tissues and morphology in multicellular ovarian cancer tumor spheroids using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Yan Feng , Gunay Gokhan , Valerio Trisha I. , Wang Chen , Wilson Jayla A. , Haddad Majood S. , Watson Maegan , Connell Michael O. , Davidson Noah , Fung Kar-Ming , Acar Handan , Tang Qinggong
Published: May 2021

The three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroid model is a critical tool for high-throughput ovarian cancer research and anticancer drug development in vitro. However, the 3D structure prevents high-resolution imaging of the inner side of the spheroids. We aim to visualize and characterize 3D morphological and physiological information of the contact multicellular ovarian tumor spheroids growing over time. We intend to further evaluate the distinctive evolutions of the tumor spheroid and necrotic tissue volumes in different cell numbers and determine the most appropriate mathematical model for fitting the growth of tumor spheroids and necrotic tissues. A label-free and noninvasive swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging platform was applied to obtain two-dimensional (2D) and 3D morphologies of ovarian tumor spheroids over 18 days. Ovarian tumor spheroids of two different initial cell numbers (5,000- and 50,000- cells) were cultured and imaged (each day) over the time of growth in 18 days. Four mathematical models (Exponential-Linear, Gompertz, logistic, and Boltzmann) were employed to describe the growth kinetics of the tumor spheroids volume and necrotic tissues. Ovarian tumor spheroids have different growth curves with different initial cell numbers and their growths contain different stages with various growth rates over 18 days. The volumes of 50,000-cells spheroids and the corresponding necrotic tissues are larger than that of the 5,000-cells spheroids. The formation of necrotic tissue in 5,000-cells numbers is slower than that in the 50,000-cells ones. Moreover, the Boltzmann model exhibits the best fitting performance for the growth of tumor spheroids and necrotic tissues. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can serve as a promising imaging modality to visualize and characterize morphological and physiological features of multicellular ovarian tumor spheroids. The Boltzmann model integrating with 3D OCT data of ovarian tumor spheroids provides great potential for high-throughput cancer research in vitro and aiding in drug development.
Transport-based pattern recognition versus deep neural networks in underwater OAM communications
Authors: Neary Patrick L. , Nichols Jonathan M. , Watnik Abbie T. , Judd K. Peter , Rohde Gustavo K. , Lindle James R. , Flann Nicholas S.
Published: May 2021

Comparisons between machine learning and optimal transport-based approaches in classifying images are made in underwater orbital angular momentum (OAM) communications. A model is derived that justifies optimal transport for use in attenuated water environments. OAM pattern demultiplexing is performed using optimal transport and deep neural networks and compared to each other. Additionally, some of the complications introduced by signal attenuation are highlighted. The Radon cumulative distribution transform (R-CDT) is applied to OAM patterns to transform them to a linear subspace. The original OAM images and the R-CDT transformed patterns are used in several classification algorithms, and results are compared. The selected classification algorithms are the nearest subspace algorithm, a shallow convolutional neural network (CNN), and a deep neural network. It is shown that the R-CDT transformed images are more accurate than the original OAM images in pattern classification. Also, the nearest subspace algorithm performs better than the selected CNNs in OAM pattern classification in underwater environments.
Polarization-dependent spatial channel multiplexing dynamic hologram in the visible band
Authors: Duan Yihui , Zhang Fei , Pu Mingbo , Guo Yinghui , Xie Ting , Ma Xiaoliang , Li Xiong , Luo Xiangang
Published: May 2021

In this work, we propose dynamic holography based on metasurfaces combining spatial channel multiplexing and polarization multiplexing. In this design, spatial channels can provide up to 3N holographic frames, which not only increase the possibility of dynamic control but also increase the privacy of the holographic display. This design is also sensitive to polarization, so it further expands the spatial channel capacity. For the left and right circular polarization incident light, there are different dynamic pixel schemes. Therefore, this approach holds promise in the holographic display, optical storage, optics communication, optical encryption, and information processing.
Multiplex qPCR discriminates variants of concern to enhance global surveillance of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Vogels Chantal B. F. , Breban Mallery I. , Ott Isabel M. , Alpert Tara , Petrone Mary E. , Watkins Anne E. , Kalinich Chaney C. , Earnest Rebecca , Rothman Jessica E. , Goes de Jesus Jaqueline , Morales Claro Ingra , Magalhães Ferreira Giulia , Crispim Myuki A. E. ,   Brazil-UK CADDE Genomic Network, Singh Lavanya , Tegally Houriiyah , Anyaneji Ugochukwu J. ,   Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa, Hodcroft Emma B. , Mason Christopher E. , Khullar Gaurav , Metti Jessica , Dudley Joel T. , MacKay Matthew J. , Nash Megan , Wang Jianhui , Liu Chen , Hui Pei , Murphy Steven , Neal Caleb , Laszlo Eva , Landry Marie L. , Muyombwe Anthony , Downing Randy , Razeq Jafar , de Oliveira Tulio , Faria Nuno R. , Sabino Ester C. , Neher Richard A. , Fauver Joseph R. , Grubaugh Nathan D.
Published: May 2021

With the emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants that may increase transmissibility and/or cause escape from immune responses, there is an urgent need for the targeted surveillance of circulating lineages. It was found that the B.1.1.7 (also 501Y.V1) variant, first detected in the United Kingdom, could be serendipitously detected by the Thermo Fisher TaqPath COVID-19 PCR assay because a key deletion in these viruses, spike Δ69–70, would cause a “spike gene target failure” (SGTF) result. However, a SGTF result is not definitive for B.1.1.7, and this assay cannot detect other variants of concern (VOC) that lack spike Δ69–70, such as B.1.351 (also 501Y.V2), detected in South Africa, and P.1 (also 501Y.V3), recently detected in Brazil. We identified a deletion in the ORF1a gene (ORF1a Δ3675–3677) in all 3 variants, which has not yet been widely detected in other SARS-CoV-2 lineages. Using ORF1a Δ3675–3677 as the primary target and spike Δ69–70 to differentiate, we designed and validated an open-source PCR assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 VOC. Our assay can be rapidly deployed in laboratories around the world to enhance surveillance for the local emergence and spread of B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1.
A method for achieving complete microbial genomes and improving bins from metagenomics data
Authors: Lui Lauren M. , Nielsen Torben N. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: May 2021

Metagenomics facilitates the study of the genetic information from uncultured microbes and complex microbial communities. Assembling complete genomes from metagenomics data is difficult because most samples have high organismal complexity and strain diversity. Some studies have attempted to extract complete bacterial, archaeal, and viral genomes and often focus on species with circular genomes so they can help confirm completeness with circularity. However, less than 100 circularized bacterial and archaeal genomes have been assembled and published from metagenomics data despite the thousands of datasets that are available. Circularized genomes are important for (1) building a reference collection as scaffolds for future assemblies, (2) providing complete gene content of a genome, (3) confirming little or no contamination of a genome, (4) studying the genomic context and synteny of genes, and (5) linking protein coding genes to ribosomal RNA genes to aid metabolic inference in 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies. We developed a semi-automated method called Jorg to help circularize small bacterial, archaeal, and viral genomes using iterative assembly, binning, and read mapping. In addition, this method exposes potential misassemblies from k-mer based assemblies. We chose species of the Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) to focus our initial efforts because they have small genomes and are only known to have one ribosomal RNA operon. In addition to 34 circular CPR genomes, we present one circular Margulisbacteria genome, one circular Chloroflexi genome, and two circular megaphage genomes from 19 public and published datasets. We demonstrate findings that would likely be difficult without circularizing genomes, including that ribosomal genes are likely not operonic in the majority of CPR, and that some CPR harbor diverged forms of RNase P RNA. Code and a tutorial for this method is available athttps://github.com/lmlui/Jorgand is available on the DOE Systems Biology KnowledgeBase as a beta app.
KCTD19 and its associated protein ZFP541 are independently essential for meiosis in male mice
Authors: Oura Seiya , Koyano Takayuki , Kodera Chisato , Horisawa-Takada Yuki , Matsuyama Makoto , Ishiguro Kei-ichiro , Ikawa Masahito
Published: May 2021

Meiosis is a cell division process with complex chromosome events where various molecules must work in tandem. To find meiosis-related genes, we screened evolutionarily conserved and reproductive tract-enriched genes using the CRISPR/Cas9 system and identified potassium channel tetramerization domain containing 19 (Kctd19) as an essential factor for meiosis. In prophase I,Kctd19deficiency did not affect synapsis or the DNA damage response, and chiasma structures were also observed in metaphase I spermatocytes ofKctd19KO mice. However, spermatocytes underwent apoptotic elimination during the metaphase-anaphase transition. We were able to rescue theKctd19KO phenotype with an epitope-taggedKctd19transgene. By immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry, we confirmed the association of KCTD19 with zinc finger protein 541 (ZFP541) and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1). Phenotyping ofZfp541KO spermatocytes demonstrated XY chromosome asynapsis and recurrent DNA damage in the late pachytene stage, leading to apoptosis. In summary, our study reveals that KCTD19 associates with ZFP541 and HDAC1, and that both KCTD19 and ZFP541 are essential for meiosis in male mice.
Antibiotic resistance among Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from dairy cattle feces in Texas
Authors: Manishimwe Rosine , Moncada Paola M. , Bugarel Marie , Scott H. Morgan , Loneragan Guy H.
Published: May 2021

In several developing countries, studies on antimicrobial resistance among bacteria from food animals are rare mostly because of under-resourced laboratories. The objective of this study was to develop and field-test a low cost protocol to estimate the isolate- and sample-level prevalence of resistance to critically important antibiotics among Escherichia coli and Salmonella isolated from dairy cattle feces. Using a predesigned protocol, fecal samples were collected to isolate non-type-specific E. coli and Salmonella using selective media without antibiotic supplements. Besides, samples were screened for E. coli and Salmonella isolates not susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins and quinolones using selective media supplemented with cefotaxime (1.0 μg/mL) and ciprofloxacine (0.5 μg/mL), respectively. All bacterial isolates were further tested for antibiotic susceptibility using disk diffusion. Bacterial isolates not susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins were tested for extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype using the combination disk test. Molecular methods were performed on selected bacterial isolates to identify and distinguish genetic determinants associated with the observed phenotypes. Among 85 non-type-specific E. coli isolated from MacConkey agar without antibiotics, the isolate-level prevalence of resistance to tetracycline was the highest (8.2%). Among 37 E. coli recovered from MacConkey agar with cefotaxime, 56.8% were resistant ceftriaxone. Among 22 E. coli isolates recovered from MacConkey agar with ciprofloxacin, 77.3% and 54.5% were resistant to nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin, respectively. Sixteen Salmonella were isolated and only one demonstrated any resistance (i.e., single resistance to streptomycin). Among E. coli isolates not susceptible to ceftriaxone, an AmpC phenotype was more common than an ESBL phenotype (29 versus 10 isolates, respectively). Whole genome sequencing showed that phenotypic profiles of antibiotic resistance detected were generally substantiated by genotypic profiles. The tested protocol is suited to detecting and estimating prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria isolated from food animal feces in resource-limited laboratories in the developing world.
Differential requirement of NPHP1 for compartmentalized protein localization during photoreceptor outer segment development and maintenance
Authors: Datta Poppy , Cribbs J. Thomas , Seo Seongjin
Published: May 2021

Nephrocystin (NPHP1) is a ciliary transition zone protein and its ablation causes nephronophthisis (NPHP) with partially penetrant retinal dystrophy. However, the precise requirements of NPHP1 in photoreceptors are not well understood. Here, we characterize retinal degeneration in a mouse model of NPHP1 and show that NPHP1 is required to prevent infiltration of inner segment plasma membrane proteins into the outer segment during the photoreceptor maturation. We demonstrate that Nphp1 gene-trap mutant mice, which were previously described as null, are likely hypomorphs due to the production of a small quantity of functional mRNAs derived from nonsense-associated altered splicing and skipping of two exons including the one harboring the gene-trap. In homozygous mutant animals, inner segment plasma membrane proteins such as syntaxin-3 (STX3), synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25), and interphotoreceptor matrix proteoglycan 2 (IMPG2) accumulate in the outer segment when outer segments are actively elongating. This phenotype, however, is spontaneously ameliorated after the outer segment elongation is completed. Consistent with this, some photoreceptor cell loss (~30%) occurs during the photoreceptor maturation period but it stops afterward. We further show that Nphp1 genetically interacts with Cep290, another NPHP gene, and that a reduction of Cep290 gene dose results in retinal degeneration that continues until adulthood in Nphp1 mutant mice. These findings demonstrate that NPHP1 is required for the confinement of inner segment plasma membrane proteins during the outer segment development, but its requirement diminishes as photoreceptors mature. Our study also suggests that additional mutations in other NPHP genes may influence the penetrance of retinopathy in human NPHP1 patients.
Genome-wide identification of ABCC gene family and their expression analysis in pigment deposition of fiber in brown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Sun Na , Xie Yong-Fei , Wu Yong , Guo Ning , Li Da-Hui , Gao Jun-Shan
Published: May 2021

ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters are a class of superfamily transmembrane proteins that are commonly observed in natural organisms. The ABCC (ATP-binding cassette C subfamily) protein belongs to a subfamily of the ABC protein family and is a multidrug resistance-associated transporter that localizes to the tonoplast and plays a significant role in pathogenic microbial responses, heavy metal regulation, secondary metabolite transport, and plant growth. Recent studies have shown that the ABCC protein is also involved in the transport of anthocyanins/proanthocyanidins (PAs). To clarify the types and numbers of ABCC genes involved in PA transport in Gossypium hirsutum, the phylogenetic evolution, physical location, and structure of ABCC genes were classified by bioinformatic methods in the upland cotton genome, and the expression levels of these genes were analyzed at different developmental stages of the cotton fiber. The results showed that 42 ABCC genes were initially identified in the whole genome of upland cotton; they were designated GhABCC1-42. The gene structure and phylogenetic analysis showed that the closely related ABCC genes were structurally identical. The analysis of chromosomal localization demonstrated that there were no ABCC genes on the chromosomes of AD/At2, AD/At5, AD/At6, AD/At10, AD/At12, AD/At13, AD/Dt2, AD/Dt6, AD/Dt10, and AD/Dt13. Outside the genes, there were ABCC genes on other chromosomes, and gene clusters appeared on the two chromosomes AD/At11 and AD/Dt8. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that some ABCC proteins in G. hirsutum were clustered with those of Arabidopsis thaliana, Vitis vinifera and Zea mays, which are known to function in anthocyanin/PA transport. The protein structure prediction indicated that the GhABCC protein structure is similar to the AtABCC protein in A. thaliana, and most of these proteins have a transmembrane domain. At the same time, a quantitative RT-PCR analysis of 42 ABCC genes at different developmental stages of brown cotton fiber showed that the relative expression levels of GhABCC24, GhABCC27, GhABCC28, GhABCC29 and GhABCC33 were consistent with the trend of PA accumulation, which may play a role in PA transport. These results provide a theoretical basis for further analysis of the function of the cotton ABCC genes and their role in the transport of PA.
Agonistic autoantibodies against ß2-adrenergic receptor influence retinal microcirculation in glaucoma suspects and patients
Authors: Hohberger Bettina , Hosari Sami , Wallukat Gerd , Kunze Rudolf , Krebs Johann , Müller Meike , Hennig Till , Lämmer Robert , Horn Folkert , Muñoz Luis E. , Herrmann Martin , Mardin Christian
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Agonistic β2-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies (β2-agAAb) have been observed in sera of patients with ocular hypertension and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). They target the β2-receptors on trabecular meshwork, ciliary body and pericytes (Junemann et al. 2018; Hohberger et al. 2019). In addition to their influence on the intraocular pressure, an association to retinal microcirculation is discussed. This study aimed to investigate foveal avascular zone (FAZ) characteristics by en face OCT angiography (OCT-A) in glaucoma suspects and its relationship to β2-agAAb status in patients with OAG.

Material and methods

Thirty-four patients (28 OAG, 6 glaucoma suspects) underwent standardized, clinical examination including sensory testing as white-on-white perimetry (Octopus G1, mean defect, MD) and structural measures as retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness, neuroretinal rim width (BMO-MRW), retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL) thickness, and inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness with high-resolution OCT. FAZ characteristics were measured by OCT-A scans of superficial vascular plexus (SVP), intermediate capillary plexus (ICP), and deep capillary plexus (DCP). FAZ-R was calculated (area FAZ (SVP)/area FAZ (ICP)). Using cardiomyocyte bioassays we analysed serum samples for the presence of β2-agAAb.

Results

(I) Total mean FAZ area [mm2]: 0.34±0.16 (SVP), 0.24±0.12 (ICP), and 0.49±0.24 (DCP); mean FAZ-R 1.58±0.94. No correlation was seen for FAZ-R with MD, RNFL, BMO-MRW, RGCL thickness and INL thickness (p>0.05). (II) ß2-agAAb have been observed in 91% patients and showed no correlation with MD, RNFL, BMO-MRW, RGCL thickness and INL thickness (p>0.05). (III) FAZ-R correlated significantly with the β2-agAAb-induced increase of the beat rate of cardiomyocyte (p = 0.028).

Conclusion

FAZ characteristics did not correlate with any glaucoma associated functional and morphometric follow-up parameter in the present cohort. However, level of β2-agAAb showed a significantly correlation with FAZ-ratio. We conclude that β2-agAAb might be a novel biomarker in glaucoma pathogenesis showing association to FAZ-ratio with OCT-A.
Darcy-Forchheimer hybrid nanofluid flow over a stretching curved surface with heat and mass transfer
Authors: Saeed Anwar , Alghamdi Wajdi , Mukhtar Safyan , Shah Syed Imad Ali , Kumam Poom , Gul Taza , Nasir Saleem , Kumam Wiyada
Published: May 2021

The present article provides a detailed analysis of the Darcy Forchheimer flow of hybrid nanoliquid past an exponentially extending curved surface. In the porous space, the viscous fluid is expressed by Darcy-Forchheimer. The cylindrical shaped carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) and Fe3O4 (iron oxide) are used to synthesize hybrid nanofluid. At first, the appropriate similarity transformation is used to convert the modeled nonlinear coupled partial differential equations into nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations. Then the resulting highly nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations are analytically solved by the utilization of the “Homotopy analysis method” (HAM) method. The influence of sundry flow factors on velocity, temperature, and concentration profile are sketched and briefly discussed. The enhancement in both volume fraction parameter and curvature parameter k results in raises of the velocity profile. The uses of both Fe3O4 and CNTs nanoparticles are expressively improving the thermophysical properties of the base fluid. Apart from this, the numerical values of some physical quantities such as skin friction coefficients, local Nusselt number, and Sherwood number for the variation of the values of pertinent parameters are displayed in tabular forms. The obtained results show that the hybrid nanofluid enhances the heat transfer rate 2.21%, 2.1%, and 2.3% using the MWCNTs, SWCNTs, and Fe3O4 nanomaterials.
Genome-wide analysis of gibberellin-dioxygenases gene family and their responses to GA applications in maize
Authors: Ci Jiabin , Wang Xingyang , Wang Qi , Zhao Fuxing , Yang Wei , Cui Xueyu , Jiang Liangyu , Ren Xuejiao , Yang Weiguang
Published: May 2021

Gibberellin-dioxygenases genes plays important roles in the regulating plant development. However, Gibberellin-dioxygenases genes are rarely reported in maize, especially response to gibberellin (GA). In present study, 27 Gibberellin-dioxygenases genes were identified in the maize and they were classified into seven subfamilies (I-VII) based on phylogenetic analysis. This result was also further confirmed by their gene structure and conserved motif characteristics. And gibberellin-dioxygenases genes only occurred segmental duplication that occurs most frequently in plants. Furthermore, the gibberellin-dioxygenases genes showed different tissue expression pattern in different tissues and most of the gibberellin-dioxygenases genes showed tissue specific expression. Moreover, almost all the gibberellin-dioxygenases genes were significantly elevated in response to GA except for ZmGA2ox2 and ZmGA20ox10 of 15 gibberellin-dioxygenases genes normally expressed in leaves while 10 and 11 gibberellin-dioxygenases genes showed up and down regulated under GA treatment than that under normal condition in leaf sheath. In addition, we found that ZmGA2ox1, ZmGA2ox4, ZmGA20ox7, ZmGA3ox1 and ZmGA3ox3 might be potential genes for regulating balance of GAs which play essential roles in plant development. These findings will increase our understanding of Gibberellin-dioxygenases gene family in response to GA and will provide a solid base for further functional characterization of Gibberellin-dioxygenases genes in maize.
Increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease among patients with age-related macular degeneration: A nationwide population-based study
Authors: Wen Li-Yen , Wan Lei , Lai Jung-Nien , Chen Chih Sheng , Chen Jamie Jiin-Yi , Wu Ming-Yen , Hu Kai-Chieh , Chiu Lu-Ting , Tien Peng-Tai , Lin Hui-Ju
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the risk of Alzheimer’s disease among patients with age-related macular degeneration and its association with confounding comorbidities.

Method

This was a population-based, retrospective cohort study. By accessing data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, we identified 10,578 patients aged 50–100 years who were newly diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration between 2000 and 2012 and 10,578 non- age-related macular degeneration individuals. The comorbidities assessed were osteoporosis, diabetes, cirrhosis, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Results

Patients with age-related macular degeneration had a 1.23-fold increased risk of their condition advancing to Alzheimer’s disease (aHR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04–1.46). The younger patients were diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration, the more likely patients got Alzheimer’s disease (50–64 age group: aHR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.04–3.73; 65–79 age group: aHR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.02–1.58; 80–100 age group: aHR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.78–1.45). In addition, there were significantly higher risks of Alzheimer’s disease for patients with cirrhosis (aHR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.09–2.06) in the age-related macular degeneration cohort than in the non-age-related macular degeneration cohort.

Conclusion

Patients with age-related macular degeneration may exhibit a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease than people without age-related macular degeneration.
Prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated risk factors among adult residents of Shenmu City, China
Authors: Gao Huiping , Wang Haiying , Shan Guangliang , Liu Rui , Chen Haiyuan , Sun Shengli , Liu Yonglin
Published: May 2021

Objective

Dyslipidemia is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. By collecting the blood lipid profiles among adult residents of Shenmu City in Shaanxi Province, China, we aim to assess and elucidate the prevalence and risk factors of dyslipidemia in this city.

Method

Stratified multistage sampling was used to survey 4,598 permanent adult residents in five areas of Shenmu (2 communities in the county seat, 2 in the southern area and 2 in the northern area) from September 2019 to December 2019. Questionnaire surveys and physical examinations were conducted. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26.0.

Results

The average level of total cholesterol (TC) is 4.47mmol/L, that of triglyceride (TG) 1.32mmol/L, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 1.27mmol/L, apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) 1.44g/L, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 2.7mmol/L and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) 0.97g/L. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (HTC), hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), low high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and high low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) is 22.4%, 33.3%, 14.5%, and 5.81%, respectively, and the overall prevalence of dyslipidemia is 48.27%. Furthermore, blood lipid levels and prevalence of dyslipidemia vary by region, age, gender, occupation and educational level. Nine risk factors of dyslipidemia were identified, which are living in county seat or northern industrial area, increasing age, male, overweight or obesity, abdominal obesity, smoking, hypertension, abnormal glucose metabolism (pre-diabetes or diabetes) and hyperuricemia.

Conclusion

The blood lipid levels and dyslipidemia prevalence of adults in Shenmu City are higher comparing to national averages of China. Combining risk factors of dyslipidemia, early detection and public health interventions are necessary in high-risk population for associated cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases prevention.
A feature fusion deep-projection convolution neural network for vehicle detection in aerial images
Authors: Wang Bin , Xu Bin
Published: May 2021

With the rapid development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, vehicle detection in aerial images plays an important role in different applications. Comparing with general object detection problems, vehicle detection in aerial images is still a challenging research topic since it is plagued by various unique factors, e.g. different camera angle, small vehicle size and complex background. In this paper, a Feature Fusion Deep-Projection Convolution Neural Network is proposed to enhance the ability to detect small vehicles in aerial images. The backbone of the proposed framework utilizes a novel residual block named stepwise res-block to explore high-level semantic features as well as conserve low-level detail features at the same time. A specially designed feature fusion module is adopted in the proposed framework to further balance the features obtained from different levels of the backbone. A deep-projection deconvolution module is used to minimize the impact of the information contamination introduced by down-sampling/up-sampling processes. The proposed framework has been evaluated by UCAS-AOD, VEDAI, and DOTA datasets. According to the evaluation results, the proposed framework outperforms other state-of-the-art vehicle detection algorithms for aerial images.
Attitudes and perceptions of next-of-kin/loved ones toward end-of-life HIV cure-related research: A qualitative focus group study in Southern California
Authors: Javadi Sogol S. , Mathur Kushagra , Concha-Garcia Susanna , Patel Hursch , Perry Kelly E. , Lo Megan , Taylor Jeff , Kaytes Andy , Little Susan , Gianella Sara , Smith Davey , Dubé Karine
Published: May 2021

As end-of-life (EOL) HIV cure-related research expands, understanding perspectives of participants’ next-of-kin (NOK) is critical to maintaining ethical study conduct. We conducted two small focus groups and two one-on-one interviews using focus group guides with the NOK of Last Gift study participants at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Participating NOK included six individuals (n= 5 male andn= 1 female), including a grandmother, grandfather, partner, spouse, and two close friends. Researchers double-coded the transcripts manually for overarching themes and sub-themes using an inductive approach. We identified six key themes: 1) NOK had an accurate, positive understanding of the Last Gift clinical study; 2) NOK felt the study was conducted ethically; 3) Perceived benefits for NOK included support navigating the dying/grieving process and personal growth; 4) Perceived drawbacks included increased sadness, emotional stress, conflicted wishes between NOK and study participants, and concerns around potential invasiveness of study procedures at the EOL; 5) NOK expressed pride in loved ones’ altruism; and 6) NOK provided suggestions to improve the Last Gift study, including better communication between staff and themselves. These findings provide a framework for ethical implementation of future EOL HIV cure-related research involving NOK.
The application of a workflow integrating the variable reproducibility and harmonizability of radiomic features on a phantom dataset
Authors: Ibrahim Abdalla , Refaee Turkey , Leijenaar Ralph T. H. , Primakov Sergey , Hustinx Roland , Mottaghy Felix M. , Woodruff Henry C. , Maidment Andrew D. A. , Lambin Philippe
Published: May 2021

Radiomics–the high throughput extraction of quantitative features from medical images and their correlation with clinical and biological endpoints- is the subject of active and extensive research. Although the field shows promise, the generalizability of radiomic signatures is affected significantly by differences in scan acquisition and reconstruction settings. Previous studies reported on the sensitivity of radiomic features (RFs) to test-retest variability, inter-observer segmentation variability, and intra-scanner variability. A framework involving robust radiomics analysis and the application of a post-reconstruction feature harmonization method using ComBat was recently proposed to address these challenges. In this study, we investigated the reproducibility of RFs across different scanners and scanning parameters using this framework. We analysed thirteen scans of a ten-layer phantom that were acquired differently. Each layer was subdivided into sixteen regions of interest (ROIs), and the scans were compared in a pairwise manner, resulting in seventy-eight different scenarios. Ninety-one RFs were extracted from each ROI. As hypothesized, we demonstrate that the reproducibility of a given RF is not a constant but is dependent on the heterogeneity found in the data under analysis. The number (%) of reproducible RFs varied across the pairwise scenarios investigated, having a wide range between 8 (8.8%) and 78 (85.7%) RFs. Furthermore, in contrast to what has been previously reported, and as hypothesized in the robust radiomics analysis framework, our results demonstrate that ComBat cannot be applied to all RFs but rather on a percentage of those–the “ComBatable” RFs–which differed depending on the data being harmonized. The number (%) of reproducible RFs following ComBat harmonization varied across the pairwise scenarios investigated, ranging from 14 (15.4%) to 80 (87.9%) RFs, and was found to depend on the heterogeneity in the data. We conclude that the standardization of image acquisition protocols remains the cornerstone for improving the reproducibility of RFs, and the generalizability of the signatures developed. Our proposed approach helps identify the reproducible RFs across different datasets.
A biochemical mechanism for time-encoding memory formation within individual synapses of Purkinje cells
Authors: Mandwal Ayush , Orlandi Javier G. , Simon Christoph , Davidsen Jörn
Published: May 2021

Within the classical eye-blink conditioning, Purkinje cells within the cerebellum are known to suppress their tonic firing rates for a well defined time period in response to the conditional stimulus after training. The temporal profile of the drop in tonic firing rate, i.e., the onset and the duration, depend upon the time interval between the onsets of the conditional and unconditional training stimuli. Direct stimulation of parallel fibers and climbing fiber by electrodes was found to be sufficient to reproduce the same characteristic drop in the firing rate of the Purkinje cell. In addition, the specific metabotropic glutamate-based receptor type 7 (mGluR7) was found responsible for the initiation of the response, suggesting an intrinsic mechanism within the Purkinje cell for the temporal learning. In an attempt to look for a mechanism for time-encoding memory formation within individual Purkinje cells, we propose a biochemical mechanism based on recent experimental findings. The proposed mechanism tries to answer key aspects of the “Coding problem” of Neuroscience by focusing on the Purkinje cell’s ability to encode time intervals through training. According to the proposed mechanism, the time memory is encoded within the dynamics of a set of proteins—mGluR7, G-protein, G-protein coupled Inward Rectifier Potassium ion channel, Protein Kinase A, Protein Phosphatase 1 and other associated biomolecules—which self-organize themselves into a protein complex. The intrinsic dynamics of these protein complexes can differ and thus can encode different time durations. Based on their amount and their collective dynamics within individual synapses, the Purkinje cell is able to suppress its own tonic firing rate for a specific time interval. The time memory is encoded within the effective dynamics of the biochemical reactions and altering these dynamics means storing a different time memory. The proposed mechanism is verified by both a minimal and a more comprehensive mathematical model of the conditional response behavior of the Purkinje cell and corresponding dynamical simulations of the involved biomolecules, yielding testable experimental predictions.
Speed-related but not detrended gait variability increases with more sensitive self-paced treadmill controllers at multiple slopes
Authors: Castano Cesar R. , Huang Helen J.
Published: May 2021

Self-paced treadmills are being used more frequently to study humans walking with their self-selected gaits on a range of slopes. There are multiple options to purchase a treadmill with a built-in controller, or implement a custom written self-paced controller, which raises questions about how self-paced controller affect treadmill speed and gait biomechanics on multiple slopes. This study investigated how different self-paced treadmill controller sensitivities affected gait parameters and variability on decline, level, and incline slopes. We hypothesized that increasing self-paced controller sensitivity would increase gait variability on each slope. We also hypothesized that detrended variability could help mitigate differences in variability that arise from differences in speed fluctuations created by the self-paced controllers. Ten young adults walked on a self-paced treadmill using three controller sensitivities (low, medium, and high) and fixed speeds at three slopes (decline, -10°; level, 0°; incline, +10°). Within each slope, average walking speeds and spatiotemporal gait parameters were similar regardless of self-paced controller sensitivity. With higher controller sensitivities on each slope, speed fluctuations, speed variance, and step length variance increased whereas step frequency variance and step width variance were unaffected. Detrended variance was not affected by controller sensitivity suggesting that detrending variability helps mitigate differences associated with treadmill speed fluctuations. Speed-trend step length variances, however, increased with more sensitive controllers. Further, detrended step length variances were similar for self-paced and fixed speed walking, whereas self-paced walking included substantial speed-trend step length variance not present in fixed speed walking. In addition, regardless of the self-paced controller, subjects walked fastest on the level slope with the longest steps, narrowest steps, and least variance. Overall, our findings suggest that separating gait variability into speed-trend and detrended variability could be beneficial for interpreting gait variability among multiple self-paced treadmill studies and when comparing self-paced walking with fixed speed walking.
Heated tobacco product use and its relationship to quitting combustible cigarettes in Korean adults
Authors: Kim Jinyoung , Lee Sungkyu , Kimm Heejin , Lee Juna-Ah , Lee Cheol-min , Cho Hong-Jun
Published: May 2021

Objective

We assessed the prevalence of, and factors associated with, heated tobacco product (HTP) use and analysed the association between HTP use and quitting combustible cigarettes (CCs) in Korean adults.

Methods

We conducted an online survey with 7,000 adults (males, 2,300; females, 4,700; ages 20–69) out of 70,000 age-, sex- and provincial-distribution-matched individuals based on 2018 national population statistics. Females were oversampled because the prevalence of tobacco product use is very low among women in Korea. Chi-square tests were used for bivariate analyses, and odds ratios were assessed after adjusting for sociodemographic variables.

Results

The prevalence of current CC, electronic cigarette (EC), and HTP use was 24.8% (males, 40.4%; females, 9.3%), 6.8% (males, 10.1%; females, 3.4%), and 10.2% (males, 16.2%; females, 4.3%), respectively. Among the 574 current HTP users, 77 (13.4%) were HTP-only users and >80% were either dual users of HTP and CC/EC, or triple users of HTP, EC, and CC. Among the current CC users, the odds of having attempted to quit CCs in the past year were greater among EC-only users (aOR 2.92; 95% CI 1.81–4.69) and dual users of HTPs and ECs (aOR 8.42; 95% CI 4.85–14.62) than among non-HTP and non-EC users. Among 2,121 ever CC smokers, the likelihood of being a former CC smoker was 0.19 (95% CI 0.15–0.24) for HTP users, 0.29 (95% CI 0.20–0.42) for EC users, and 0.03 (95% CI 0.01–0.06) for users of both HTPs and ECs compared with non-HTP and non-EC users.

Conclusion

EC-only use and dual use of HTPs and ECs were associated with increased attempts to quit CCs; however, HTP and EC use was associated with lower odds of CC smoking abstinence.
Risk for mental illness and family composition after migration to Sweden
Authors: Mangrio Elisabeth , Sjöström Karin , Grahn Mathias , Zdravkovic Slobodan
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The aim of the present study is to determine how marital status and certain post-migration family structures are associated with the risk of mental illness among recently arrived Arabic- speaking refugees in Sweden.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during 2015 and 2016. The study population was recruited by inviting all adult refugees who participated in the mandatory public integration support programme. All refugees that participated had received refugee status. A total of 681 of the invited participants returned the GHQ-12 questionnaires, through which the risk for mental illness was measured and only Arabic- speaking refugees (N = 638) were included in the analyses.

Results

Marital status per se was not associated with a risk for mental illness. However, for the whole study sample there was a statistical significant odds ratio of 1.72 (95% CI 1.03–2.86). For male Arabic-speaking refugees with a spouse or child left behind in the home country there was a borderline significant increased risk for mental illness, odds ratio = 1. 87 (95% CI 0.99–3.56). The risk for female Arabic-speaking refugees was non-significant, odds ratio = 1.35 (95% CI 0.55–3.33).

Conclusions

Arabic- speaking refugees who were separated from family members reported an increased risk for mental illness after arriving in the host country. Actions to facilitate family reunion after arriving as a refugee (in Sweden) seems to be an important factor to promote mental health among refugees.
Whole transcriptome analysis of the differential RNA profiles and associated competing endogenous RNA networks in LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI)
Authors: Teng Xiangnan , Liao Jing , Zhao Lili , Dong Wei , Xue Haiyi , Bai Lang , Xu Shanling
Published: May 2021

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a serious inflammation disease usually arises alveolar epithelial membrane dysfunction and even causes death. Therefore, the aims of this study are to screen the differentially expressed lncRNAs, circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in ALI based on the high-throughput sequencing. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mouse model was established, the injury of ALI mouse model was evaluated through histological analysis with hemotoxylin and eosin (H & E) staining assay, dry/wet ratio, infiltrated-immune cells, ET-1 mRNA expression and released-proinflammation factors. Then, expression data of lncRNAs, circRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs in ALI were acquired using whole-transcriptome sequencing. The differential expression of lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs), circRNAs (DE circRNAs), miRNAs (DE miRNAs) and mRNAs (DE mRNAs) were identified, and the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network were constructed, and the biological function of target genes were annotated based on bioinformatics analysis. In the present study, the LPS-induced ALI mouse model was successfully established. The biological analysis results showed that total 201 DE lncRNAs, 172 DE circRNAs, 62 DE miRNAs, and 3081 DE mRNAs were identified in ALI. The 182 lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks and 32 circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were constructed were constructed based on the correlation between lncRNAs/circRNAs, miRNAs, mRNAs. The biological function analysis indicated that TNF signaling pathway, chemokine signaling pathway and so on involved in ALI. In the present study, the differential expression coding and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in ALI were identified, and their regulatory networks were constructed. There might provide the potential biomarkers and underlying mechanism for ALI diagnosis and treatment.
Challenges in access and satisfaction with reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health services in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Balogun Mobolanle , Banke-Thomas Aduragbemi , Sekoni Adekemi , Boateng Godfred O. , Yesufu Victoria , Wright Ololade , Ubani Osinachi , Abayomi Akin , Afolabi Bosede B. , Ogunsola Folasade
Published: May 2021

Background

The presence of COVID-19 has led to the disruption of health systems globally, including essential reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) services. This study aimed to assess the challenges faced by women who used RMNCH services in Nigeria’s epicentre, their satisfaction with care received during the COVID-19 pandemic and the factors associated with their satisfaction.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Lagos, southwest Nigeria among 1,241 women of reproductive age who had just received RMNCH services at one of twenty-two health facilities across the primary, secondary and tertiary tiers of health care. The respondents were selected via multi-stage sampling and face to face exit interviews were conducted by trained interviewers. Client satisfaction was assessed across four sub-scales: health care delivery, health facility, interpersonal aspects of care and access to services. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the relationship between personal characteristics and client satisfaction.

Results

About 43.51% of respondents had at least one challenge in accessing RMNCH services since the COVID-19 outbreak. Close to a third (31.91%) could not access service because they could not leave their houses during the lockdown and 18.13% could not access service because there was no transportation. The mean clients’ satisfaction score among the respondents was 43.25 (SD: 6.28) out of a possible score of 57. Satisfaction scores for the interpersonal aspects of care were statistically significantly lower in the PHCs and general hospitals compared to teaching hospitals. Being over 30 years of age was significantly associated with an increased clients’ satisfaction score (ß = 1.80, 95%CI: 1.10–2.50).

Conclusion

The COVID-19 lockdown posed challenges to accessing RMNCH services for a significant proportion of women surveyed. Although overall satisfaction with care was fairly high, there is a need to provide tailored COVID-19 sensitive inter-personal care to clients at all levels of care.
Effectiveness of Pilates and Yoga to improve bone density in adult women: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fernández-Rodríguez Rubén , Alvarez-Bueno Celia , Reina-Gutiérrez Sara , Torres-Costoso Ana , Nuñez de Arenas-Arroyo Sergio , Martínez-Vizcaíno Vicente
Published: May 2021

Background

The ageing population brings about the appearance of age-related health disorders, such as osteoporosis or osteopenia. These disorders are associated with fragility fractures. The impact is greater among postmenopausal women due to an acceleration of bone mineral density (BMD) loss.

Objective

To estimate the effectiveness of Pilates or Yoga on BMD in adult women.

Methods

Five electronics databases were searched up to April 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs and pre-post studies were included. The main outcome was BMD. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A random effects model was used to pool data from primary studies. Subgroup analyses based on the type of exercise were conducted.

Results

Eleven studies including 591 participants aged between 45 and 78 years were included. The mean length of the interventions ranged from 12 to 32 weeks, and two studies were performed for a period of at least one year. The pooled effect size for the effect of the intervention (Pilates/Yoga) vs the control group was 0.07 (95% Confidence interval [CI]: -0.05 to 0.19; I2= 0.0%), and 0.10 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.18; I2= 18.4%) for the secondary analysis of the pre-post intervention.

Conclusions

Despite of the non-significant results, the BMD maintenance in the postmenopausal population, when BMD detrimental is expected, could be understood as a positive result added to the beneficial impact of Pilates-Yoga in multiple fracture risk factors, including but not limited to, strength and balance.