bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunometabolic Contributions of Atopobiaceae Family Members in Human Papillomavirus Infection, Cervical Dysplasia, and Cancer
Authors: Jimenez Nicole R , Mancilla Vianney , Łaniewski Paweł , Herbst-Kralovetz Melissa M
Published: November 2024

Background

In the cervicovaginal environment, human papillomavirus (HPV) acquisition and cervical cancer progression are linked to non-Lactobacillus dominance, of which Atopobiaceae are key taxa. We hypothesize that Atopobiaceae modulates the cervicovaginal microenvironment to promote HPV persistence and progression to cancer. However, the extent to which Atopobiaceae impact the immunometabolic microenvironment is poorly understood.

Methods

We investigated Atopobiaceae in a cohort of primarily Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women who were HPV-negative (n = 20), HPV-positive (n = 31) without dysplasia, diagnosed with cervical dysplasia (n = 38), or newly diagnosed with invasive cervical carcinoma (n = 9). Microbiome data were integrated with clinical and demographic surveys, immunoproteomics, and metabolomics data.

Results

Atopobiaceae identified were Fannyhessea vaginae, Fannyhessea massiliense, Fannyhessea species type 2, Lancefieldella deltae, and an unclassified species. A higher prevalence of Atopobiaceae was observed in women who were Hispanic and had higher gravidity and parity. F. species type 2 and F. vaginae were observed with infections of high-risk HPV genotypes 31 and 52. Atopobiaceae were negatively correlated with Lactobacillus and positively correlated to Sneathia, Dialister, Anaerococcus, Prevotella, and Bifidobacterium/Gardnerella. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-12, TNF-α), immune checkpoint proteins (PD-L1, LAG3), and cancer biomarkers (CEA, MIF, TRAIL) were positively associated with Atopobiaceae-rich profiles. Prooncogenic metabolites, including 4-hydroxybutyrate and sphingosine, were also elevated in women colonized by Atopobiaceae.

Conclusions

Our data implicate Atopobiaceae in lipid modulation, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and immune evasion, which may contribute to cancer. This study highlights a key family of pathogenic cervicovaginal bacteria that could be exploited to monitor HPV persistence and/or targeted to prevent HPV-mediated cancer.
Clinical Characteristics and In-hospital Outcomes Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus vs Other Viral Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in Hospitalized Children Younger Than 2 Years
Authors: Ozturk Acacia , Chan Mei , Khan Jahid Rahman , Hu Nan , McMullan Brendan , Britton Philip N , Bartlett Adam , Kandasamy Rama , Saravanos Gemma L , Prentice Bernadette , Shi Ting , Jaffe Adam , Owens Louisa , Homaira Nusrat
Published: November 2024

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI)–associated hospitalizations in children. It is unclear if hospitalized RSV-positive ALRI is clinically different from other viral ALRIs. We aimed to compare the disease impact of hospitalized RSV with other viral ALRI in children aged <2 years.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study using the electronic medical records of children aged <2 years who were hospitalized with ALRIs at Sydney Children's Hospital Network from 2020 to 2022. We compared demographics and clinical features between RSV-positive cases and RSV-negative ones (ie, positive for other viruses). Poisson quasi-likelihood regression was used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios for 3 in-hospital outcomes: length of stay, need for respiratory support, and intensive care.

Results

We examined 330 children aged <2 years hospitalized with RSV-positive ALRIs and 330 with RSV-negative ALRIs (positive for other viruses). RSV-positive cases were older (12 vs 8 months, P < .001) and more often presented with cough (99% vs 92%), fever (80% vs 58%), crackles (89% vs 76%), hypoxia (50% vs 36%), and lethargy (36% vs 20%). They were also more likely to undergo chest radiographs (74% vs 49%) and receive antibiotics (65% vs 35%). Adjusted analysis showed that children who were RSV positive had a higher likelihood of an extended length of stay (>2 days; adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.14–3.36). However, there were no differences in the need for intensive care or respiratory support.

Conclusions

Children with RSV-positive ALRI exhibited more severe symptoms, received more antibiotics, and had longer hospital stays as compared with those with other viral ALRIs, underscoring the need for effective prevention and treatment strategies for RSV.
Cyanorhodopsin-II represents a yellow-absorbing proton-pumping rhodopsin clade within cyanobacteria
Authors: Hasegawa-Takano Masumi , Hosaka Toshiaki , Kojima Keiichi , Nishimura Yosuke , Kurihara Marie , Nakajima Yu , Ishizuka-Katsura Yoshiko , Kimura-Someya Tomomi , Shirouzu Mikako , Sudo Yuki , Yoshizawa Susumu
Published: November 2024

Microbial rhodopsins are prevalent in many cyanobacterial groups as a light-energy-harvesting system in addition to the photosynthetic system. It has been suggested that this dual system allows efficient capture of sunlight energy using complementary ranges of absorption wavelengths. However, the diversity of cyanobacterial rhodopsins, particularly in accumulated metagenomic data, remains underexplored. Here, we used a metagenomic mining approach, which led to the identification of a novel rhodopsin clade unique to cyanobacteria, cyanorhodopsin-II (CyR-II). CyR-IIs function as light-driven outward H+ pumps. CyR-IIs, together with previously identified cyanorhodopsins (CyRs) and cyanobacterial halorhodopsins (CyHRs), constitute cyanobacterial ion-pumping rhodopsins (CyipRs), a phylogenetically distinct family of rhodopsins. The CyR-II clade is further divided into two subclades, YCyR-II and GCyR-II, based on their specific absorption wavelength. YCyR-II absorbed yellow light (λmax = 570 nm), whereas GCyR-II absorbed green light (λmax = 550 nm). X-ray crystallography and mutational analysis revealed that the difference in absorption wavelengths is attributable to slight changes in the side chain structure near the retinal chromophore. The evolutionary trajectory of cyanobacterial rhodopsins suggests that the function and light-absorbing range of these rhodopsins have been adapted to a wide range of habitats with variable light and environmental conditions. Collectively, these findings shed light on the importance of rhodopsins in the evolution and environmental adaptation of cyanobacteria.
Restricted feeding of weight control diets induces weight loss and affects body composition, voluntary physical activity, blood metabolites, hormones, and oxidative stress markers, and fecal metabolites and microbiota of obese cats
Authors: Opetz Danielle L , Oba Patricia M , Lin Ching-Yen , Ren Ping , Swanson Kelly S
Published: November 2024

Feline obesity puts many cats at risk for comorbidities such as hepatic lipidosis, diabetes mellitus, urinary tract diseases, and others. Restricted feeding of specially formulated diets may improve feline health and safely support weight loss while maintaining lean mass. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of restricted intake of weight control diets on weight loss, body composition, voluntary physical activity, serum metabolic and inflammatory markers, and fecal metabolites and microbiota of obese cats. Twenty-four obese adult domestic shorthair cats [body weight (BW) = 5.51 ± 0.92 kg; body condition score (BCS) = 8.44 ± 0.53] were used. A leading grocery brand diet was fed during a 4-wk baseline to identify intake needed to maintain BW. After baseline (week 0), cats were allotted to one of 2 weight control diets (DRY or CAN) and fed to lose 1.5% BW per week for 18 wk. At baseline and 6, 12, 18 wk after weight loss, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scans were performed, blood and fecal samples were collected, and voluntary physical activity was measured. Change from baseline data was analyzed statistically using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS, with P < 0.05 being significant and P < 0.10 being trends. BW was reduced by 1.54 ± 0.51% per week. Restricted feeding of both diets led to BW (P < 0.01) and fat mass loss (P < 0.01), reduced BCS (P < 0.01), reduced leptin (P < 0.01) and insulin (P < 0.01) concentrations, and increased superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and active ghrelin (P < 0.01) concentrations. Change from baseline fecal scores was reduced (P < 0.01) with restricted feeding and weight loss, while total short-chain fatty acid, acetate, and propionate concentration reductions were greater (P < 0.05) in cats fed CAN than those fed DRY. Fecal bacterial alpha diversity measures increased (P < 0.01) with restricted feeding and weight loss. Fecal bacterial beta diversity was altered by time in all cats, with week 0 being different (P < 0.05) than weeks 6, 12, and 18. Change from baseline relative abundances of 3 fecal bacterial phyla and over 30 fecal bacterial genera were impacted (P < 0.05) or tended to be impacted (P < 0.10) by dietary treatment. Our data demonstrate that restricted feeding of both weight control diets was an effective means for weight loss in obese adult domestic cats. Some changes were also impacted by diet, highlighting the importance of diet formulation and format, and nutrient composition in weight control diets.
Method for detection of naturally occurring toxins in human urine using liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Hettick Bryan E , Saddy Anisha , Krajewski Logan C , Johnson Rudolph C , Hamelin Elizabeth I
Published: November 2024

Natural toxins present an ongoing risk for human exposure that requires a rapid and accurate diagnosis for proper response. In this study, a qualitative liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS) method was developed and validated for the detection of a large, diverse selection of natural toxins. Data-dependent acquisition was performed to identify compounds with an in-house mass spectral library of 129 hazardous toxins that originate from plants, animals, and fungi. All 129 compounds were spiked into human urine, extracted, and evaluated for spectral library matching. Of these, 92 toxins met the quality criteria and underwent validation in urine matrix based on American National Standards Institute guidelines. A generalized workflow for method expansion was developed and enables the rapid addition of relevant compounds to the established method. This LC–HRMS method achieves efficient detection of natural toxins in urine, and the created workflow can rapidly increase compound coverage via method expansion.
Invasive Lobular Carcinoma in the Screening Setting
Authors: Reig Beatriu , Heacock Laura
Published: November 2024

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the second-most common histologic subtype of breast cancer, constituting 5% to 15% of all breast cancers. It is characterized by an infiltrating growth pattern that may decrease detectability on mammography and US. The use of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) improves conspicuity of ILC, and sensitivity is 80% to 88% for ILC. Sensitivity of mammography is lower in dense breasts, and breast tomosynthesis has better sensitivity for ILC in dense breasts compared with digital mammography (DM). Screening US identifies additional ILCs even after DBT, with a supplemental cancer detection rate of 0 to 1.2 ILC per 1000 examinations. Thirteen percent of incremental cancers found by screening US are ILCs. Breast MRI has a sensitivity of 93% for ILC. Abbreviated breast MRI also has high sensitivity but may be limited due to delayed enhancement in ILC. Contrast-enhanced mammography has improved sensitivity for ILC compared with DM, with higher specificity than breast MRI. In summary, supplemental screening modalities increase detection of ILC, with MRI demonstrating the highest sensitivity.
Investigating the influence of square size vanes on heat transfer in porous media: an in-depth Nusselt distribution
Authors: Jalili Bahram , Bahmani Musa , Jalili Payam , Liu Dong , Alderremy A A , Ganji Davood Domiri , Vivas-Cortez Miguel
Published: November 2024

This research provides an extensive analysis with various γ on natural convection, thermal entropy generation, fluid flow, and temperature distribution in the porous cavity. The impact of the studied geometrical parameters, Ha, Da, Pr, γ, and ε, on the thermal performance is carefully examined. The finite element method (FEM) is carried out to analyze fluid flow and heat distribution in the present porous media. For an in-depth analysis of the thermal performance, the novel aspects of this research are thought to be important parameters that comprise Ha, Da, Pr, γ, and ε for significant assessments of the average Nusselt number in porous media with varying square size vanes at the corners and effect variable cooled size at the corners of the square porous cavity. In validation, the calculation of the results was adapted accurately to the FEM’s fluid flow, temperature distribution, and average Nusselt number. Numerical results revealed that various γ affected widely in the generation of entropy. Additionally, the hot and cold temperature distribution of fluid flow was significantly impacted by the square-sized vanes in the corners of the porous chamber. The average Nusselt number showed a significant increase, with the Hartman number being the most significant contributor. Moreover, as the Darcy number grew, the average Nusselt number rose apart from γ = 1 in porous media with size vanes 0.2.
High-performance surface defect detection of aluminum substrate based on event camera
Authors: Tang Jing , Gong Zeyu , Fan Yajun
Published: November 2024

Traditional industrial surface defect detection method often employs CCD/CMOS cameras, but they are unable to detect the minute defects on aluminum substrates in highly dynamic industrial scenes due to their nature. Event camera is a novel high-resolution vision sensor that measures per-pixel brightness changes in an asynchronous manner and outputs as event information flow (EIF). Small and weak defects on aluminum substrate can be captured by event camera effectively, but the EIF contains a large amount of noise, making it difficult to perform accurate and high-precision defect detection. To address this problem, we propose a frame aggregation method to realize good event information flow processing, and then use an improved circle detection method to locate the aluminum substrate in each frame, removing abundant event information outside the aluminum substrate. Subsequently, we enhance the event signals under different frames based on optical flow tracking using multiple features, and construct a semi-supervised detector based on pseudo-labels to achieve high-precision defect localization. Finally, considering the small inter-class differences in defects on the surface of aluminum substrates, we construct a defect class corrector based on ensemble learning to enhance the ability to determine defect classes, achieving high-precision automatic quality inspection of aluminum substrate surfaces. The performance of our method is compared with other advanced methods based on event camera data of aluminum substrates in real industrial scenarios. The experimental results show that our method has improved the detection accuracy by ∼10% and the classification accuracy by ∼25% compared to the original state-of-the-art methods.
Fog computing-enabled adaptive prognosis of cutting tool remaining life through multi-source data
Authors: Liang Yuchen , Wang Yuqi , Gu Chengyi , Tang Jie , Pang Xianjuan
Published: November 2024

Predicting cutting tool remaining life is important to sustainable machining. Accurate wear assessment improves efficiency, reduces waste, and lowers costs by minimizing tool failure. Traditional prognosis methods are often crippled by the inability to adapt to diverse working conditions across the machining process lifecycle. This paper introduces a fog computing-enabled adaptive prognosis framework utilizing multi-source data to address these challenges effectively. The key innovations include the following: (1) the proposed system integrates power and vibration data collected from LGMazak VTC-16A and IRON MAN QM200 machines. A standardized data fusion method combines multi-source data to enhance robustness and accuracy. (2) The transformer model is employed to improve prognosis accuracy of cutting tool remaining life; best accuracy of 98.24% and an average accuracy of 97.63% are achieved. (3) Finite element analysis is incorporated to validate the model’s predictions to validate reliability of deep learning model. (4) The fog computing optimization mechanism based on the bees algorithm, which shows fitness value of 0.92 and convergence within 15 iterations. The proposed method reduces total data volume in cloud by 54.12%, prediction time by 33.64%, and time complexity in the cloud layer by 4.62%. The effectiveness of fog computing in improving the operational efficiency and reliability of manufacturing systems is validated through the integration of advanced data analytics and deep learning techniques.
Selection, inheritance, life-history traits, and flight capacity of Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) resistant to lambda-cyhalothrin
Authors: Zhang Xiaohe , Su Sha , Jian Chengzhi , Huang Baojian , Zhang Jilong , Suo Jinbo , Peng Xiong , Chen Maohua
Published: November 2024

Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a globally significant fruit pest traditionally managed using chemical insecticides such as lambda-cyhalothrin. However, repeated applications have led to the development of resistance in field populations. The mechanisms and fitness costs associated with lambda-cyhalothrin resistance in G. molesta remain poorly understood. In this study, we established a lambda-cyhalothrin-resistant strain (RS) of G. molesta through continuous selection with lambda-cyhalothrin in the laboratory for 21 generations, resulting in a 249.6-fold increase in resistance. Bioassay data from the F1 progeny (F1RS and F1SR) of reciprocal crosses between RS and susceptible strain (SS) showed similar degrees of dominance (0.40 for F1RS and 0.32 for F1SR). Significant differences between observed and expected mortalities of backcross individuals suggested that resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin is polygenic. Compared to the SS strain, the RS strain exhibited significantly prolonged periods of larval, prepupal, and pupal stages, as well as a significant decrease in larval weight. In addition, the RS strain showed significant reductions in fecundity, cumulative flight distance, maximum flight distance, cumulative flight time, maximum flight time, and average flight speed. These results suggest that resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin in G. molesta is autosomal, incompletely dominant, and polygenic. Life-history traits such as fecundity and flight capacity were significantly reduced in RS strains compared with the SS strain. These findings provide valuable insights for mitigating lambda-cyhalothrin resistance development and promoting sustainable control of G. molesta in the field.
Evaluation method of progressive failure of loess slope under shallow coal seam mining
Authors: Zhao Bingchao , He Shenglin , Wang Wei , Lu Xiaoxiao , Chen Yaozong , Guo Yaxin
Published: November 2024

When mining coal under a loess gully, the surface slopes may exhibit significant discontinuous failure characteristics such as local failure and landslides. These characteristics, composed of failure and non-failure regions, form an essentially unstable mechanical system. This makes it difficult to obtain a true solution using continuous medium mechanics, greatly increasing the complexity of slope failure evaluation and management. To accurately evaluate the degree of slope failure during mining, clarify its mechanism, and propose appropriate management measures, the Ningtiaota Coal Mine in northern Shanxi was selected as the study area. Based on the unbalanced thrust method and the probability integral settlement prediction theory, and utilizing numerical calculations, we propose a method for evaluating and managing slope failure in coal mining under loess gully. This method describes the changes in slope failure during mining through the deformation failure ratio of the slip surface and quantifies the degree of slope failure at different mining times, revealing the full process stability evolution characteristics of points and surfaces as the critical state of the slope progresses. When the deformation failure ratio of the slip surface is ≥1, it indicates overall slope failure and the beginning of slope sliding instability; when the deformation failure ratio of the slip surface is <1, it indicates local slope failure. Based on this, corresponding management methods are proposed according to the mechanical distribution characteristics of the slope slip surface in different stress areas. The research results were applied in the Ningtiaota Coal Mine in northern Shanxi, yielding positive outcomes.
How do we justify research into enhanced warfighters?
Authors: Evans Nicholas G , Hereth Blake , Gross Michael L , Moreno Jonathan D
Published: November 2024

State militaries have strong interests in developing enhanced warfighters: taking otherwise healthy service personnel (soldiers, marines, pilots, etc.) and pushing their biological, physiological, and cognitive capacities beyond their individual statistical or baseline norm. However, the ethical and regulatory challenges of justifying research into these kinds of interventions to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of enhancements in the military has not been well explored. In this paper, we offer, in the context of the US Common Rule and Institutional Review Board framework, potential justifications for justifying research into enhancing warfighters on the grounds of (i) individual and group risk reduction; (ii) protection of third parties such as civilians; and (iii) military effectiveness.
Prediction of breast cancer risk for adolescents and young adults with Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Roberti Sander , van Leeuwen Flora E , Diallo Ibrahima , de Vathaire Florent , Schaapveld Michael , Leisenring Wendy M , Howell Rebecca M , Armstrong Gregory T , Moskowitz Chaya S , Smith Susan A , Aleman Berthe M P , Krul Inge M , Russell Nicola S , Pfeiffer Ruth M , Hauptmann Michael
Published: November 2024

Background

Although female survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have an increased risk of breast cancer (BC), no BC risk prediction model is available. We developed such models incorporating mean radiation dose to the breast or breast quadrant-specific radiation doses.

Methods

Relative risks and age-specific incidence for BC and competing events (mortality or other subsequent cancer) were estimated from 1194 Dutch 5-year HL survivors, treated at ages 11-40 during 1965-2000. Predictors were doses to 10 breast segments or mean breast radiation dose, BC family history, year of and age at HL diagnosis, and ages at menopause and first live birth. Models were independently validated using US Childhood Cancer Survivor Study cohort participants.

Results

Predicted absolute BC risks 25 years after HL diagnosis ranged from 1.0% for survivors diagnosed at ages 20-24 with less than 10 Gy mean breast radiation dose and who were menopausal 5 years after HL diagnosis, to 22.0% for survivors 25-29 years at diagnosis, with at least 25 Gy mean breast dose and no menopause within 5 years. In external validation, the observed/expected BC case ratio was 1.19 (95% confidence interval 0.97 to 1.47) for the breast segment-specific dose model, and 1.29 (1.05 to 1.60) for the mean breast dose model. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.68 (0.63 to 0.74) and 0.68 (0.62 to 0.73), respectively.

Conclusion

Breast segment-specific or mean breast radiation dose with personal and clinical characteristics predicted absolute BC risk in HL survivors with moderate discrimination but good calibration, rendering the models useful for clinical decision-making.
A qualitative account of mothers of pediatric heart transplant recipients’ experience at a pilot mindfulness-based retreat: insights for implementation
Authors: Lin Jia , Selkirk Enid K , Ahola Kohut Sara , Mitchell Joanna , Robertson Taylor , Donma Ani Jamyang , Seifert-Hansen Mirna , Telfer Heather , Anthony Samantha J
Published: November 2024

Objective

To explore participants’ shared experience attending a pilot mindfulness-based retreat (MBR) intervention supporting the psychological well-being of mothers of pediatric heart transplant (HTx) recipients.

Methods

A qualitative description approach was used within a larger hybrid mixed-methods pilot study evaluating the implementation-effectiveness of a 2-day MBR tailored specifically for a pediatric HTx population. A purposive sample of mothers was recruited from a leading Canadian pediatric HTx center, and each represented a primary, female-identifying caregiver, sharing residence with a pediatric HTx recipient of at least 4 months post-transplant. Two focus groups were conducted after and 16 individual interviews 3 months after the MBR to elicit participants’ in-depth experience attending the MBR. Reflexive thematic data analysis led to theme development through an iterative process with consensus among team members.

Results

Sixteen mothers of pediatric HTx recipients (mean patient age 9.8 years; mean time post-transplant 8.2 years) participated in the MBR held in Ontario, Canada. Qualitative findings illuminated mothers’ shared experience attending the MBR, reflecting three themes that describe key intervention elements beyond those affiliated with mindfulness practice alone: “respite,” “readiness,” and “relationships.” Findings highlight acceptability and appropriateness as distinct yet interrelated implementation outcomes.

Conclusions

Elements of “respite,” “readiness,” and “relationships” are key components of the MBR experience that offer valuable intervention and clinical considerations related to mothers’ psychological well-being. Aligning intervention acceptability and appropriateness through tailored strategies may aid implementation. Future research considering maternal readiness relative to support intervention participation is warranted.
Engression: extrapolation through the lens of distributional regression
Authors: Shen Xinwei , Meinshausen Nicolai
Published: November 2024

Distributional regression aims to estimate the full conditional distribution of a target variable, given covariates. Popular methods include linear and tree ensemble based quantile regression. We propose a neural network-based distributional regression methodology called ‘engression’. An engression model is generative in the sense that we can sample from the fitted conditional distribution and is also suitable for high-dimensional outcomes. Furthermore, we find that modelling the conditional distribution on training data can constrain the fitted function outside of the training support, which offers a new perspective to the challenging extrapolation problem in nonlinear regression. In particular, for ‘preadditive noise’ models, where noise is added to the covariates before applying a nonlinear transformation, we show that engression can successfully perform extrapolation under some assumptions such as monotonicity, whereas traditional regression approaches such as least-squares or quantile regression fall short under the same assumptions. Our empirical results, from both simulated and real data, validate the effectiveness of the engression method. The software implementations of engression are available in both R and Python.
Approaches to Digital Humanities Pedagogy: a systematic literature review within educational practice
Authors: Georgopoulou Maria Sofia , Troussas Christos , Triperina Evangelia , Sgouropoulou Cleo
Published: November 2024

Over the years, Digital Humanities Pedagogy has swiftly evolved, with a growing emphasis on the intersection between Computing and Humanities. However, in the associated literature, a lack of clarity has been found regarding the adoption of diverse approaches to DH pedagogy in different educational settings. This study tackles this research gap by analyzing the current state of knowledge in the field through a Systematic Literature Review. The aim of this review is to investigate the topic and provide an overview of the approaches currently being employed within educational practice, while also identifying areas that require additional investigation. The time frame of the reviewed studies spans from 2012 to 2022. After distinguishing between studies that deal with DH as a subject of study and those that deal with DH as a field of application, the analysis will focus on the latter category. Specifically, the review will examine the level of education and courses that employ DH educational practice, the types of technology used and their intended purpose, the literacies involved, and the aspects of digital resources and practices that are critically studied. By shedding light on the diverse practices employed in different educational settings, the findings reveal a notable gap in primary and secondary education and a lack of critical analysis toward digital resources and practices, suggesting important new directions for future research.
Behavioral Interventions for Tobacco Cessation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Nadkarni Abhijit , Gaikwad Leena , Sequeira Miriam , Javeri Pranay , Benoy Deepthy , Pacheco Marimilha Grace , Velleman Richard , Murthy Pratima , Naughton Felix
Published: November 2024

Introduction

An estimated 78% of the total deaths attributable to smoking tobacco use occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in 2019. In addition, smokeless tobacco increases the risk of all-cause mortality, all cancers, including upper aero-digestive tract cancer, stomach cancer, ischemic heart disease and stroke, with 88% of the mortality burden being borne by the South-East Asian region. Evidence-based interventions from high-income countries (HICs) are not easily transferable to LMICs, as patterns of tobacco use, health beliefs associated with tobacco use, and awareness of specific health risks vary substantially.

Methods

We synthesized the effectiveness of behavioral interventions for tobacco cessation in LMICs through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Interventional studies which delivered individual behavioral intervention and assessed abstinence from tobacco use were included. We examined the pooled intervention effect at 6 months postintervention follow-up.

Results

For continuous abstinence at 6 months, the intervention was superior to the active comparator (RR 2.32; 95% CI 1.78 to 3.02) and usual care (RR 4.39; 95% CI 2.38 to 8.11). For point prevalence abstinence at six months, the intervention was superior to the active comparator (RR 1.76; 95% CI 1.28 to 2.44), and usual care (RR 2.37; 95% CI 1.47 to 3.81). The statistical heterogeneity was substantial to considerable for all comparisons. Only six studies had an overall low risk of bias. Publication bias was observed for all comparisons except for 6-month continuous outcomes.

Conclusions

Implementation research is needed to understand factors for programme sustainability and equity of the impact of behavioral interventions in reducing tobacco use in LMICs.

Implications

Our review is an important step towards understanding the effectiveness of behavior interventions for tobacco cessation suited for LMICs and which are responsive to the contextual needs of such countries.
Enterovirus D68: Genomic and Clinical Comparison of 2 Seasons of Increased Viral Circulation and Discrepant Incidence of Acute Flaccid Myelitis—Maryland, USA
Authors: Fall Amary , Abdullah Omar , Han Lijie , Norton Julie M , Gallagher Nicholas , Forman Michael , Morris C Paul , Klein Eili , Mostafa Heba H
Published: November 2024

Background

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is associated with severe respiratory disease and acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). The 2022 outbreaks showed increased viral circulation and hospital admissions, but the expected rise in AFM cases did not occur. We analyzed EV-D68 genomes and infection outcomes from 2022 (a year without a national increase in AFM cases) and 2018 (a year with a national surge in AFM cases) to understand how viral genomic changes might influence disease outcomes.

Methods

Residual respiratory samples that tested positive for rhinovirus/enterovirus at the Johns Hopkins Health System between 2018 and 2022 were collected for EV-D68 polymerase chain reaction, genotyping, and whole genome sequencing. Clinical and metadata were collected in bulk from the electronic medical records.

Results

A total of 351 EV-D68 cases were identified, with most cases in children aged <5 years. Infections in 2018 were associated with higher odds of hospital admissions and intensive care unit care. Of 272 EV-D68 genomes, subclades B3 and A2/D1 were identified with B3 predominance (95.2%). A comparative analysis of the 2018 and 2022 whole genomes identified a cluster of amino acids (554D, 650T, 918T, 945N, 1445I, 1943I) that was associated with higher odds of severe outcomes.

Conclusions

Our results show significant differences in the clinical outcomes of EV-D68 infections in 2018 and 2022 and highlight a 2018 cluster of genomic changes associated with these differences. Seasonal viral genomic surveillance—with in vitro characterization of the significance of these changes to viral fitness, immune responses, and neuropathogenesis—should shed light on the viral determinants of AFM.
Proinsulin C-peptide is a major source of HLA-DQ8 restricted hybrid insulin peptides recognized by human islet-infiltrating CD4+ T cells
Authors: Bhattacharjee Pushpak , Pakusch Miha , Lacorcia Matthew , Tresoldi Eleonora , Rubin Alan F , Foster Abby , King Laura , Chiu Chris Y , Kay Thomas W H , Karas John A , Cameron Fergus J , Mannering Stuart I
Published: November 2024

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that develops when T cells destroy the insulin-producing beta cells that reside in the pancreatic islets. Immune cells, including T cells, infiltrate the islets and gradually destroy the beta cells. Human islet-infiltrating CD4+ T cells recognize peptide epitopes derived from proinsulin, particularly C-peptide. Hybrid insulin peptides (HIPs) are neoepitopes formed by the fusion of two peptides derived from beta cell granule proteins and are known to be the targets of pathogenic CD4+ T cells in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse and human islet-infiltrating CD4+ T cells. Proinsulin is widely recognized as a central antigen in T1D, but its role in forming HIPs is unclear. We developed a method to functionally screen TCRs derived from human islet-infiltrating CD4+ T cells and applied this to the identification of new proinsulin-derived HIPs. We generated a library of 4,488 candidate HIPs formed by fusion of proinsulin fragments and predicted to bind to HLA-DQ8. This library was screened against 109 islet-infiltrating CD4+ T cell receptors (TCRs) isolated from four organ donors who had T1D. We identified 13 unique HIPs recognized by nine different TCRs from two organ donors. HIP-specific T cell avatars responded specifically to a peptide extract from human islets. These new HIPs predominantly stimulated CD4+ T cell proliferation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from individuals with T1D in contrast to HLA-matched controls. This is the first unbiased functional, islet-infiltrating T cell based, screen to identify proinsulin-derived HIPs. It has revealed many new HIPs and a central role of proinsulin C-peptide in their formation.
Farmer adaptation and maladaptation in the face of extreme weather events
Authors: Vargas-Lopez Adrian , Koessler Ann-Kathrin
Published: November 2024

With the advent of climate change, extreme weather events have become increasingly frequent and intense, posing significant challenges to agricultural systems worldwide. Farmers are among the most vulnerable groups, whose livelihoods depend heavily on weather-sensitive crops. In this paper, we assess whether farmers adapt or maladapt after being exposed to extreme weather events and whether their perceived well-being determines their decisions. By analysing data about the farming practices and conditions of 970 farmers in Thailand, we examine the actions farmers implement, which can be catalogued as adaptation or maladaptation actions. Although our results cannot specify an increase in adaptation or maladaptation actions after experiencing an extreme weather event, we reveal a notable rise in maladaptation with state aid for natural disasters. Similarly, we find that risk tolerance correlates with increased adaptation, while higher patience offsets this effect.
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a biomarker for clinical response after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Keret Shiri , Kaly Lisa , Schett George , Bergmann Christina , Feldman Erik , Zuckerman Tsila , Yehudai-Ofir Dana , Shouval Aniela , Awisat Abid , Rosner Itzhak , Rozenbaum Michael , Boulman Nina , Sawaed Alaa , Hardak Emilia , Henes Jörg , Slobodin Gleb , Rimar Doron
Published: November 2024

Objective

SSc is a complex disease that affects various target organs, making it difficult to assess response and determine remission or relapse. A baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) >2.95 is associated with severe progressive skin and lung disease and decreased 5-year survival in SSc. However, it is unknown whether NLR changes in response to treatment. To retrospectively evaluate NLR changes as a biomarker for treatment response in SSc.

Methods

Progressive diffuse SSc patients who were treated with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT group), with combination therapy of rituximab and MMF (combination group) or chimeric antigen receptor-T-cell (CAR-T) therapy group, were recruited along with healthy controls (HC group). NLR, modified Rodnan Skin Score (mRSS) and forced vital capacity (FVC)% predicted were repeatedly assessed over 2 years.

Results

Fifteen patients were recruited in the AHSCT group, 15 in the combination group and 6 patients in the CAR-T group. Baseline mean NLR was high (>2.95) in AHSCT, combination groups and CAR-T compared with HC. All treatment arms showed a statistically significant decrease in mRSS values and an increase in FVC% at each time point up to 12 months. In a linear mixed model, NLR significantly decreased up to 24 months only in the AHSCT group. NLR correlated with mRSS and FVC exclusively in the AHSCT group. NLR increased above 3 in two patients who experienced a relapse after AHSCT.

Conclusion

NLR is a simple biomarker that correlated with outcome measures in SSc following AHSCT but not with conventional therapy or CAR-T therapy. It is suggested that a decrease in NLR following AHSCT may indicate remission, whereas an increase may be associated with exacerbation. Further research is needed to validate these novel findings.
Looking beyond sleep duration in understanding obesity risk in adolescents: the role of circadian timing and misalignment on adolescent dietary outcomes, physical activity, and body mass index
Authors: Duraccio Kara McRae , Lee Lindsey , Wright Isabella D , Kamhout Sarah , Boris Nathan , Zhang Victoria , Wilkins Isaac
Published: November 2024

Study Objectives

This study evaluated the differences in obesity-related outcomes across multiple adolescent sleep health domains, including circadian misalignment (CM), circadian timing, and sleep duration.

Methods

53 adolescents (aged 14–18; body mass index [BMI] percentile < 95%; 53.7% female) completed a cross-sectional study that included baseline assessment of height; weight; demographics; and 10 days assessment of sleep, physical activity, and dietary outcomes. Sleep duration, sleep timing, and physical activity data were collected from all participants using wrist-worn and waist-worn actigraphs. Dietary intake was measured using the Automated Self-Administered 24 Hours dietary recalls on 3 randomized days. Circadian timing was measured using dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO), and CM was calculated as the distance of time between DLMO and the average sleep onset time. Participants were categorized into groups (early vs late circadian timing, aligned vs misaligned circadian timing, and adequate sleep vs short sleep), and differences in dietary outcomes, physical activity, and BMI were analyzed using t-tests.

Results

Adolescents with later DLMO (M = 21:30 ± 1:11) had 0.63 higher BMI and 0.47% less averaged daily percent fat consumption than adolescents with early DLMO. Adolescents with CM (M = 1:42 ± 1:06) consumed 451.77 more averaged daily kcal consumption compared with those with circadian alignment. No statistically significant differences were found in any obesity-related outcome between sleep duration groups.

Conclusions

Our cross-sectional findings indicate that focusing on sleep timing and circadian alignment, beyond sleep duration, may promote better health outcomes for healthy adolescents. The findings of this study could enhance sleep education and inform clinical models for prevention efforts for pediatric obesity.
Could the Decisions of Quasi-Judicial Institutions be Predicted by Machine Learning Techniques?
Authors: Sert Mehmet Fatih , Yildirim Engin , Çaliş Şuayyip
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the extent to which the conclusion of a decision can be predicted from other parts of the decision from quasi-judicial institutions using machine learning. Predicting conclusions in quasi-judicial bodies poses unique challenges and opportunities because the case pool is smaller and less diversified than that of judicial bodies. The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR), one of the quasi-judicial organizations, was chosen as the research’s focus point to address this difficulty. All ECSR decisions on collective complaints are used as data and analysed using four distinct machine-learning methods. Despite the limited data from fewer rulings by quasi-judicial entities such as the ECSR, the analysis correctly predicts their conclusions with reasonable accuracy. It is suggested that applications for collective complaints can be made more effective, efficient, and successful by picking the model with the highest prediction accuracy using machine learning techniques.
Factor 3 regulates airway engraftment by human bronchial basal cells
Authors: Reynolds Susan D , Hill Cynthia L , Alsudayri Alfahdah , Stack Jacob T , Shontz Kimberly M , Carraro Gianni , Stripp Barry R , Chiang Tendy
Published: November 2024

Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene editing and transplantation of CFTR-gene corrected airway basal cells has the potential to cure CF lung disease. Although mouse studies established that cell transplantation was feasible, the engraftment rate was typically low and frequently less than the estimated therapeutic threshold. The purpose of this study was to identify genes and culture conditions that regulate the therapeutic potential of human bronchial basal cells. Factor 3 (F3, Tissue Factor 1) is a component of the extrinsic coagulation pathway and activates a cascade of proteases that convert fibrinogen to fibrin. Based on reports that F3 was necessary for human basal cell survival and adhesion in vitro, the present study evaluated F3 as a potential determinant of therapeutic fitness. The gene expression profile of F3 mRNA-positive human bronchial basal cells was evaluated by scRNAseq and the impact of the lung environment on F3 expression was modeled by varying in vitro culture conditions. F3 necessity for adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation was determined by CRISPR/Cas9 knockout (KO) of the F3 gene. Finally, the impact of F3 manipulation on engraftment was determined by orthotropic co-transplantation of wild-type and F3-KO cells into the airways of immunocompromised mice. In contrast with the hypothesis that F3 increases the therapeutic fitness of basal cells, F3 expression decreased engraftment. These studies guide the ongoing development of cellular therapies by showing that in vitro assessments may not predict therapeutic potential and that the lung milieu influences the functional properties of transplanted bronchial basal cells.
Seasonal and diurnal variations in leaf aroma volatiles of Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.—Ham.) T. Nees & Eberm as evidenced from metabolite profiling, histochemical and ultrastructural analyses
Authors: Saha Sulagna , Mitra Adinpunya
Published: November 2024

Though the leaves of Cinnamomum tamala is extensively employed in culinary applications due to its rich aroma and therapeutic properties, the produce exhibits variability in composition and contents of leaf essential oil due to fluctuations in climatic conditions and harvesting time. This work evaluated the impact of seasonal and diurnal variations on the composition and contents of aroma volatiles in the mature leaves of C. tamala. In summer, the profile of aroma volatile was dominated by phenylpropanoids (112.96 ± 24.11 μg g–1 of freeze-dried [FD] leaf tissue) while in winter monoterpenes (58.45 ± 8.194 μg g–1 of FD leaf tissue) acquired the dominance. The variability in the contents of primary metabolites was shown to be influenced by the harvesting season and time. Organic acids and sugars showed highest accumulation in leaves harvested during summer evening and winter morning, respectively. Histochemical study showed the presence of lipids and terpenes in the secretory cells as revealed through sudan III and NaDi staining. The ontogeny of secretory oil cells that accumulate essential oil were elucidated through ultrastructural study.
Could Pistachio (Pistacia vera) Be a Suitable Alternative Crop for Olive-Growing Mediterranean Areas Affected by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca ST53?
Authors: Greco Davide , Sabella Erika , Carluccio Giambattista , DePascali Mariarosaria , Nutricati Eliana , De Bellis Luigi , Luvisi Andrea
Published: October 2024

In the olive-growing areas of Apulia (southern Italy) where Xylella fastidiosa has caused enormous damage, there is a need to identify alternative crops. These could include pistachio (Pistacia vera L.), but it is critical to define the impact of the bacterium on this crop and what are the main phytosanitary threats for this species in the areas where the bacterium is now endemic. Therefore, we started evaluating infections caused by X. fastidiosa, the fungus Neofusicoccum mediterraneum, and other pathogens on four pistachio cultivars (‘Kerman’, ‘Aegina’, ‘Lost Hills’, and ‘Napoletana’) grown in areas where X. fastidiosa has been present for a long time. X. fastidiosa was detected only in one orchard (incidence: 18% ‘Napoletana’ and 55% ‘Kerman’) out of six surveyed orchards, with low bacterium concentration (1.67 to 5.98 × 103 CFU ml−1) and no symptoms. N. mediterraneum was retrieved in three orchards just on the cultivar Kerman but with high incidence (up to 30%) and infection level quantified as molecular severity (6.82 to 7.43); no other pathogens were detected. The N. mediterraneum representative isolates characterized in this study showed similarity with Spanish and Portuguese isolates. A confocal microscope analysis for this host–pathogen association suggested no differences in plant response to fungal aggression between the cultivars Kerman and Aegina, but just lack of latent inoculum in ‘Aegina’ plants, pointing to a possible nursery origin of the infection. Waiting for additional targeted experiments to clearly define host response of pistachio cultivars to Xylella spp., this study also points at N. mediterraneum as a potential threat to this tree crop new for the area.