bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensed Presence, Attenuated Psychosis, and Transliminality: At the Threshold of Consciousness
Authors: Rosen Cherise , Park Sohee , Baxter Tatiana , Tufano Michele , Giersch Anne
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The experience of “sensed presence” or “felt presence” in the absence of “other” has been described as a complex multimodal experience to which meaning is given. Sensed presence (SenP) is a transdiagnostic experience that exists along a continuum that can appear during isolation, spirit quests, exposure to extreme elements, bereavement, anxiety, and psychosis. Given the prevalence and vast heterogeneity of SenP, in addition to a surprising lack of targeted research into this phenomenon, this research examined the interrelationship of SenP, attenuated psychosis symptoms (APS), and transliminality. Transliminality is composed of absorption, fantasy proneness, paranormal belief, mystical experiences, increased creativity, and hyperaesthesia. Methods: A completely anonymous online survey of unusual experiences and mental health was distributed via social media (i.e., Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, and mass emailing lists) to recruit participants. Demographic data were analyzed using χ2 tests and one-way ANOVAs. A two-step cluster analysis was conducted to identify distinct sub-categories of transliminality followed by ANOVAs with bootstrapping at 1,000 iterations to compare SenP, increased APS, and transliminality. Pearson’s bivariate correlations were conducted to determine the association between SenP, APS, and transliminality. Results: Together with descriptive findings, we show distinct characteristics between clusters. T1 cluster consisted of individuals with few SenP experiences, low APS, and low transliminality. T2 consisted of individuals with a moderate prevalence of SenP, low APS, moderate transliminality, and increased overall feeling of closeness to G-d. There was no significant difference in APS between T1 and T2 or in the level of distress associated with APS. T3 individuals showed a significantly higher prevalence of SenP in all domains (frequency, distress, vividness, and total score), higher APS, and higher transliminality, compared to T1 and T2. The T3 cluster met criteria for high risk to develop psychosis. Conclusion: Thus, our findings demonstrate a strong association and entanglement of these experiences which suggests that the interrelatedness of transliminality/absorption and APS may serve as a potentially provocative underlying structure in the phenomenology of SenP.
Steroid Drugs as an Adjunct for Reducing the Incidence of Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy after Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment Surgery: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Xu Manhong , Fan Xiaoe , Huang Xinyuan , Chen Xin , Shao Yan , Li Xiaorong
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The efficacy and influence of steroids for reducing the incidence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery remain controversial. Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to explore the effect of steroids versus placebo on risk of PVR. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through September 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), assessing the effect of steroid drugs as an adjunct for reducing the incidence of PVR after RRD surgery. This meta-analysis was performed using the random-effect model. Data were extracted by two reviewers independently; the quality of RCTs was assessed by the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. We calculated risk ratio (RR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of all outcomes and plotted on forest plots. I2 accessed using the χ2 test was applied to quantify the degree of heterogeneity. Results: Four RCTs involving 478 patients (478 eyes) are included in the meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in the incidence of PVR recurrence between steroid groups and control groups (RR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.70–1.08, p = 0.19). However, the incidence of recurrent PVR was lower in the steroid group (RR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.46–0.99, p = 0.04) than in the control group when only PVR grades A and B were taken into consideration. Besides, steroids could significantly reduce the incidence of macular edema after surgery (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.47–0.88, p = 0.007). The steroid group and control group had comparable outcomes of retinal reattachment rate and reoperation rate after primary surgery. Additionally, there was no significant difference of the incidence of epiretinal membrane, and the incidence of surgery required by epiretinal membrane. Conclusion: This meta-analysis reveals that RRD surgery combined with steroid drugs administration could significantly reduce the recurrence in PVR grade A and B subgroup, as well as the incidence of macular edema after surgery.
A taxonomic and phylogenetic contribution to Torula: T. phytolaccae sp. nov. on Phytolacca acinosa from China
Authors: Li YAN-XIA , DOILOM MINGKWAN , DONG WEI , LIAO CHUN-FANG , MANAWASINGHE ISHARA SANDEEPANI , XU BIAO
Published: February 2023

Torula species are commonly reported as saprobes in aquatic and terrestrial habitats worldwide. They have been explored as an interesting source of secondary metabolites. As a result of an investigation of Torula species associated with Phytolacca acinosa in Yunnan, China, T. phytolaccae sp. nov. is described and illustrated. The establishment of a new species is justified based on morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses. The new species has unique terminal and lateral, monoblastic, doliiform to cupulate conidiogenous cells with phragmosporous, catenate, acrogenous, 2–12-septate, predominantly 3–5-septate, pale brown to dark brown conidia which sometimes consisted of subhyaline to pale brown apex. Phylogenetic analyses of the combined LSU, SSU, ITS, tef1-α and rpb2 sequences generated from maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference further showed that T. phytolaccae forms a sister branch with T. herbarum (CBS 246.57), T. hollandica and T. pluriseptata. This study contributes an additional species in Torula with a full description, illustration, and DNA sequences for further contribution toward the circumscription of species in Torula and understanding their phylogenetic relationships.
First report of natural hybridisation between members of Teucrium subsect. Simplicipilosa and subsect. Polium: Teucrium × murcigerum (Lamiaceae), a new hybrid from southeastern Iberian Peninsula
Authors: DE JUAN-PÉREZ ALBA , MARTÍNEZ-AZORÍN MARIO , CRESPO MANUEL B. , ALONSO-VARGAS MARÍA ÁNGELES
Published: February 2023

A new nothospecies, Teucrium × murcigerum, is described which comes from the hybridisation between two species of section Polium: Teucrium murcicum (subsect. Polium) and Teucrium lanigerum (subsect. Simplicipilosa), both endemic to SE Iberian Peninsula. This appears to be the first report of natural intersubsectional hybridisation between T. subsect. Polium and subsect. Simplicipilosa. A morphological description is reported, emphasizing the main diagnostic characters which allow separation from its parental taxa. Additionally, data on its biology, ecology and distribution are also presented, as well as relationships to other related nothospecies produced by its parentals.
Morphology and phylogeny of Pseudocercospora morigena sp. nov. on Morus alba from Vindhya Range, India
Authors: SINGH ARCHANA , SINGH PARAS NATH , KHARWAR RAVINDRA NATH , DUBEY NAWAL KISHORE
Published: February 2023

Pseudocercospora morigena (Mycosphaerellaceae, Mycosphaerellales) was discovered causing severe foliar leaf spot disease of Morus alba. Identity of the new species is based on morphology, culture characteristics and molecular analyses from three gene regions, internal transcribed spacer regions with intervening 5.8S nrRNA gene (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1-α) and actin gene (ACT). Morphologically, the present species differs from the allied species reported on the same host genus by the presence of superficial mycelium giving rise to solitary conidiophore, stromata filling stomatal opening and geniculate conidiophores.
Taxonomy on three allied genera within Arcypterini (Orthoptera: Acrididae) from Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, China
Authors: MAO BEN-YONG , HUANG ZHI-PANG
Published: February 2023

The generic diagnosis of three allied genera, Leuconemacris Zheng, 1988, Asulconotoides Liu, 1984 and Asulconotus Ying, 1974, are compared and redescribed. Four new species, Leuconemacris acuminata, sp. nov., L. xinlongensis, sp. nov., L. muliensis, sp. nov. and Asulconotus acarinatus, sp. nov. are described and illustrated. Two new combinations are established: Asulconotoides asulcata (Zheng, 1988) comb. nov. = Leuconemacris asulcata Zheng, 1988 and Asulconotoides microptera (Zheng, 1988), comb. nov. = Leuconemacris microptera Zheng, 1988. All updated keys to genera and species are given.
Heart Sound Classification Based on Mel-Frequency Cepstrum Coefficient Features and Multi-Scale Residual Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Chen Qianru , Wu Zhifeng , Zhong Qinghua , Li Zhiwei
Published: February 2023

A rapid and accurate algorithm model of extracting heart sounds plays a vital role in the early detection of cardiovascular disorders, especially for small primary health care clinics. This paper proposes a heart sound extraction and classification algorithm based on static and dynamic
combination of Mel-frequency cepstrum coefficient (MFCC) feature extraction and the multi-scale residual recurrent neural network (MsRes-RNN) algorithm model. The standard MFCC parameters represent the static characteristics of the signal. In contrast, the first-order and second-order MFCC
parameters represent the dynamic characteristics of the signal. They are extracted and combined to form the MFCC feature representation. Then, the MFCC-based features are fed to a MsRes-RNN algorithm model for feature learning and classification tasks. The proposed classification model can
take advantage of the encoded local characteristics extracted from the multi-scale residual neural network (MsResNet) and the long-term dependencies captured by recurrent neural network (RNN). Model estimation experiments and performance comparisons with other state-of-the-art algorithms are
presented in this paper. Experiments indicate that a classification accuracy of 93.9% has been achieved on 2016 PhysioNet/CinC Challenge datasets.
Toward Red Color Display via Step-By-Step Scheme Design in Particle Activation Stage for Three-Color Electrophoretic Displays
Authors: Lin Yue , Zhong Qing-hua , Zhou Guo-fu
Published: February 2023

Red particles are the basis of red color display in a three-color electrophoretic display, but driving voltage of red particles overlaps with black gray scales, resulting in a low red saturation and poor display effect. In order to improve the red saturation, a step-by-step driving
scheme was proposed with an optimized in the activation stage, which is a part of a driving waveform. Firstly, Stokes law and electrophoretic law were used to analyze and calculate overall driving wave-form, and a positive pulse in activation stage was modulated into a mixture of +3 V and
+15 V. Then, mixing duration ratio of +3 V and +15 V was adjusted to improve the activity of red particles. Finally, the number of pulse cycles of the driving waveform in activation stage were optimized to reduce viscous force of red particles. Experimental results showed that compared with
ordinary three-color Electrophoretic Displays driving waveform, the proposed driving waveform increased red saturation by 12.915%.
Accumulation-Mode Silicon Carbide Laterally Diffused Metal Oxide Semiconductor with Low Specific on Resistance
Authors: Yang Qian , Gao Yi
Published: February 2023

To deal with the conflict of specific on resistance (RON-sp) and breakdown voltage (BV) in design of SiC LDMOS power devices, a SiC LDMOS power device with low RON-sp is given and its principle is studied in the paper. The proposed structure consists of a conduction cell with several
poly plates and a modulation cell with floating electrodes. The modulation cell consists of two opposite diodes in series and does not participate in current conduction. In the on state, gate voltage (VG) is delivered to modulation cell, which is held on by P+/N-well junction
in drain side. Then the floating electrodes deliver VG back to the conduction cell for electron attraction. Because a electron accumulation layer is existed on surface of N-drift region, a low resistive current path is formed. The low resistive current path greatly decreases
RON-sp of SiC LDMOS. In the off state, modulation cell can be designed to reach a high BV without considering the forward conduction performance. In the conduction cell, thanks to the potential modulation of poly plates connected to floating electrodes, a high BV can also be obtained. Experimental
results and comparison analysis show the given SiC LDMOS gains better performance than traditional SiC LDMOS. RON-sp is 34.8% less than traditional SiC LDMOS device without degenerating BV.
A Novel Structure Optoelectronic Biosensor for Detection of Infectious Diseases Using SALP Swarm Optimized Artificial Neural Network Technique
Authors: Irshad Reyazur Rashid , Alattab Ahmed Abdu , Alwayle Ibrahim M. , Alalayah Khaled M. , Noaman Khaled M. G. , Mahdi Mohammed A. , Aqlan Amal M.
Published: February 2023

In this study, we detail the use of a small, label-free optoelectronic biosensor for the detection of anti-dengue antibodies in human serum samples. The system consists of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser that can be tuned, a guided-mode resonant sensor surface, and two silicon
pin detectors. After showing adequate sensitivity in a clinically relevant experiment, researchers hypothesized that this cutting-edge biosensor could serve as a novel platform for the development of efficient point-of-care diagnostic techniques for the identification of infectious diseases.
Humans are susceptible to one of the world’s most common and contagious diseases, dengue fever, which is spread by the Aedes albopictis mosquito. Human deaths were also a direct outcome of the widespread increase in Dengue fever cases. A shortage of medical professionals and healthcare
facilities only made matters worse. In order to achieve this goal, it will be necessary to employ archaic medical technologies. Recent innovations like Fog Computing and the success of remote healthcare in real time, Cloud Computing, and the Internet of Things have opened up new frontiers
in technology (IoT). In this research, we proposed a new method for diagnosing dengue disease. Information gathered from those who have been afflicted by a disease will be shared with higher authorities. Various IoT devices compile comprehensive reports on each and every patient. Once medical
history is gathered, the patient’s whereabouts must be ascertained. Sensors connected to the internet are used to gather information on the weather, the location, the effectiveness of medications, the safety of the surrounding environment, and the patients’ states of health. The
fog computing layer is the bridge between IoT sensors and cloud servers. Two primary functions of the fog computing layer are the creation of notifications and the categorization of users’ health conditions. Dengue fevers are diagnosed using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) trained
with the Salp Swarm Optimization method Salp swarm algorithm (SSA). The dataset will be analyzed using an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario built with the Java simulator CupCarbon U-one 3.8.2. The proposed method achieves competitive or better outcomes than the state-of-the-art alternatives.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Tropical Cyclone–Induced Ocean Heat Uptake and Its Effect on Ocean Heat Content
Authors: Fan Kaigui , Wang Xidong , Liu Juan , Shao Caixia
Published: February 2023

Tropical cyclones (TCs) can pump heat downward into the ocean through inducing intense vertical mixing. Many efforts have been made to estimate the TC-induced ocean heat uptake (OHU), but spatiotemporal variability of TC-induced OHU remains unclear. This study estimates the TC-induced OHU, which takes into account the heat loss at the air–sea interface during TC passage compared to previous studies and investigates the spatiotemporal variability of TC-induced OHU and its potential impacts on ocean heat content (OHC) during the period 1985–2018. It is found that the spatial distribution of OHU is inhomogeneous, with the largest OHU occurring in the northwest Pacific, and category 3–5 TCs contribute approximately 51% of the total global OHU per year. The annually accumulated TC-induced OHUs in the regional basins exhibit pronounced interannual variability, which is closely related to the TC power dissipation index (PDI). By decomposing PDI into TC intensity, frequency, and duration, we find that the TC characteristics influencing OHU variability vary by basin. Correlation analyses suggest that the interannual variations of OHUs are linked to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In addition, the OHU might have the potential to influence OHC variability, especially in the equatorial eastern Pacific where there are significant positive correlations between the OHU and OHC with lags of 2–6 months. This has an important implication that TC-induced OHU might have potential effects on ENSO evolution.
Testing for lactase non-persistence in a Dutch population: Genotyping versus the hydrogen breath test
Authors: Stouten Karlijn , Wolfhagen Frank , Castel Rob , van de Werken Marjan , Klerks Johan , Verheijen François , Vermeer Henricus J
Published: February 2023

Background

Lactose intolerance is defined as the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating, abdominal pain or diarrhoea, after consumption of lactose in individuals with lactose malabsorption. Most cases involve primary lactose intolerance, caused by a loss of activity of the enzyme lactase, needed for digestion of lactose. A traditional method of establishing lactose intolerance is the hydrogen breath test (HBT), accompanied by a questionnaire to document complaints experienced by the patient during the test. Due to knowledge on lactase-persistent alleles, DNA genotyping has become available for the diagnostic work-up for lactose intolerance. Both methods are currently in use. The aim of this study is to provide a definite diagnostic approach for patients suspected of lactose intolerance in a Dutch population.

Methods

In this retrospective, observational study, patients aged 15 years or older were included after presenting to their treating physician with symptoms suggestive of lactose intolerance. HBT, including a questionnaire to document complaints and DNA genotyping of LCT-13,910 C/T was performed for each patient as part of a routine diagnostic work-up.

Results

1101 patients were included (29% men). Positive and negative predictive value, sensitivity and specificity of HBT versus DNA genotyping were 80% (CI 75–84), 97% (CI 96–98), 89% (CI 84–92) and 94% (92–96) respectively. The use of the questionnaire added little diagnostic value.

Conclusions

In a population with a high prevalence of lactase-persistent alleles, we advise to exclude HBT from the diagnostic route for suspected lactose intolerance, and replace it with genotyping of lactase-persistent alleles.
Application of serum pools in insulin harmonization: Commutability and stability
Authors: Deng Yuhang , Zhang Chao , Wang Jing , Zeng Jie , Zhang Jiangtao , Zhang Tianjiao , Zhao Haijian , Li Miao , Zhao Yang , Gan Wei , Shao Yan , Yu Hongyuan , Zhou Weiyan , Zhang Chuanbao
Published: February 2023

Background

Recalibration using serum pools assigned by higher-order reference methods had been demonstrated to be effective in improving the agreement among insulin immunoassays. To promote the application of serum pools in insulin harmonization, this study analyzed serum pools’ commutability between insulin immunoassays, and their short- and long-term stability at different temperatures. The agreement between commonly used immunoassays was also evaluated.

Methods

Insulin in 69 individual serum samples, 10 serum pools, and three EQA samples (lyophilized powder of serum pools) were detected by six widely used immunoassays. The commutability of serum pools and EQA samples was evaluated according to the IFCC-recommended approach. Serum pools’ stability at different temperatures was investigated by placing them at various temperatures for varying lengths of time. Individual serum samples’ results were analyzed using the Bland–Altman and Passing and Bablok regression analyses.

Results

Serum pools were commutable among most assays, the EQA samples—lyophilized serum pools—were non-commutable among most assays. Serum pools can be stably stored at −20°C and −80°C for at least one year, but can only be stably stored at room temperature for twenty-four hours. Significant relative differences were observed among assays. Recalibration using serum pools can only improve the assays’ agreement at middle and high insulin levels, but not at low levels.

Conclusions

Serum pools were commutable and stable for insulin measurement and can be used in insulin harmonization. The existing EQA materials were non-commutable between most assays, and other EQA materials, such as serum pools, should be studied.
Laboratory Assessment of Recycled Asphalt Pavement as Roadway Embankment Material
Authors: Barzegar Mohammadreza , Wen Haifang , Deniz Akin Idil , Edil Tuncer
Published: February 2023

Rehabilitation or reconstruction of roadways produces a large amount of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). Typically, RAP is often reused as a part of hot mix asphalt. However, the in situ utilization of RAP offers advantages such as reduction of construction cost and expedition of construction process. On the other hand, including considerable percentages of RAP as a fill material in the embankment of pavement structures may increase the risk of settlement. In this study the behavior of RAP samples from five sources in Illinois, two conventional soils, and a lab-produced mixture of soil and RAP is investigated. Gradations, moisture–density relationships, dynamic triaxial, direct shear and one-dimensional consolidation tests at various conditions were performed. Results show that an increase in the temperature of RAP during compaction significantly increased the maximum dry density (MDD). Also, the mixed sample of soil and RAP results in the highest standard Proctor MDD. Increase in temperature significantly increased the compression of RAP. Achieving good settlement performance for RAP is feasible if the RAP samples are screened to pass 1.5-in. sieve and if the compaction of the RAP samples reaches 100% of standard MDD. Based on the dynamic triaxial testing, deformation of RAP does not stabilize as soils do. To mitigate this issue, it is recommended not to use RAP within the influence zone of traffic load, specifically the top 5 ft of an embankment in a rigid pavement structure and within the top 8 ft of an embankment in a flexible pavement structure.
Near infrared spectroscopy discriminates glutinous and non-glutinous sorghum using an approach based on typical samples and direct calibration
Authors: Liu Han , Liu Hubin , Fang Yao , Zhang Ning , Yuan Yuhui , Zhao Longlian , Li Junhui
Published: February 2023

Sorghum has a long history of cultivation and is an important food and economic crop. It can be divided into glutinous and non-glutinous varieties according to the starch structure and content. Rapid discrimination between the two would help the winemaking, feed, and food industries complete purchase pricing, ingredients, and quality control. In this study, 38 different samples were acquired, including 14 glutinous and 24 non-glutinous sorghum samples. Near infrared (NIR) spectra of glutinous and non-glutinous sorghum, pre-treated using the standard normal variable (SNV) transformation were found to have slightly different absorbances in the combination and first overtone bands. Based on the distribution of the starch-related and hydrogen-containing groups in the NIR region, it was concluded that glutinous sorghum has more C-O and C-C groups than non-glutinous sorghum. This study proposes an approach based on typical samples and direct calibration (TSDC) for binary discrimination. The TSDC approach consists of three functions. First, typical samples of two types of samples were selected. Second, typical type samples are used as dependent variables, predicted samples are used as independent variables, and formula regression is used to obtain fitted coefficients. Finally, if the formula regression model has no solution or the fitted coefficient is 1, typical type samples are reselected. Using the TSDC approach, discrimination accuracy can achieve 100% accuracy at 0.5 threshold. A larger threshold can be set to select better type characteristic predicted samples for discrimination. The TSDC approach can build excellent model through real relevance between the NIR spectra and the properties of interest, and the use of typical type samples greatly reduces modeling work compared with complex pattern recognition methods, especially for highly varied agricultural products. Therefore, it can efficiently propel the application and development of NIR detection technology. More research is required to apply the TSDC approach to three types of samples.
The rapid anxiety screening study—pilot data
Authors: Kandel Sean , Delgado Elizaida , Youngstrom Catherine , Rivera Perez Carla , Lane Thomas , Ayala Juana
Published: February 2023

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health condition in the United States. Medical providers often have many active issues when treating a patient, and do not always have time for a thorough psychiatric evaluation. The Patient Health Questionnaire 2, a two-question binary (yes/no) screening tool, has been developed to address these issues in the identification of unipolar depression. No similar binary screening tool has been developed to comprehensively screen for anxiety disorders. Our study seeks to develop a three-question, comprehensive, binary screening tool for anxiety and related disorders such that these patients can be easily identified and connected to treatment. Our pilot data shows promising results for our three-question binary Rapid Anxiety Screen (the RAS). Future studies will look to confirm these preliminary data and determine the sensitivities and specificities of the RAS with a larger data set.
Long-Term Oral Steroid Use: A Unique Risk Factor in 4-Corner Fusion Compared With Other Wrist Salvage Operations
Authors: Newton William N. , Johnson Charles A. , Daley Dane N. , Daly Charles A.
Published: February 2023

Introduction:

Salvage procedures such as proximal row carpectomy, 4-corner fusion, total wrist arthroplasty, and total wrist arthrodesis are commonly used at the end stages of wrist arthritis. These operations have high complication rates, and significant controversy exists regarding the selection of procedure. Long-term oral glucocorticoid therapy has previously been identified as a risk factor for complications in multiple orthopedic procedures. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect long-term oral preoperative corticosteroid use has on complications after different salvage operations for wrist arthritis.

Methods:

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify patients who underwent proximal row carpectomy, 4-corner fusion, total wrist arthroplasty, or total wrist fusion between 2005 and 2020. Patients were classified by steroid use. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the risk of complications.

Results:

A total of 1298 patients were identified. Overall, steroid use was found to be independently associated with a higher complication rate. On multivariate analysis of patients who underwent 4-corner fusion, steroid use was found to be associated with higher complication rate and surgical site infection rate. Steroid use was not associated with increased complications in patients who underwent proximal row carpectomy, total wrist arthroplasty, or total wrist fusion when examined individually.

Conclusion:

Long-term oral corticosteroid therapy was associated with an increased risk of postoperative infections in patients who underwent 4-corner fusion, which was not found in other wrist salvage operations.
microRNA-181a contributes to gastric hypersensitivity in rats with diabetes by regulating TLR4 expression
Authors: Sun Qian , Zhang Shiyu , Zhang Bing-Yu , Zhang Yilian , Yao Lijun , Hu Ji , Zhang Hong-Hong
Published: February 2023

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism and interaction of microRNA-181a (miR-181a), toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in gastric hypersensitivity in diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/kg) in female SD rats. Gastric balloon distension technique was used to measure diabetic gastric hypersensitivity. Gastric-specific (T7-T10) dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were acutely dissociated to measure excitability with patch-clamp techniques. Western blotting was employed to measure the expressions of TLR4, TRAF6 and NF-κB subunit p65 in T7-T10 DRGs. The expressions of microRNAs in T7-T10 DRGs were measured with quantitative real-time PCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect the targeting regulation of microRNAs on TLR4. Results: (1) Diabetic rats were more sensitive to graded gastric balloon distention at 2 and 4 weeks. (2) The expression of TLR4 was significantly up-regulated in T7-T10 DRGs of diabetic rats. Intrathecal injection of CLI-095 (TLR4-selective inhibitor) attenuated diabetic gastric hypersensitivity, and markedly reversed the hyper-excitability of gastric-specific DRG neurons. (3) The expressions of miR-181a and miR-7a were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. MiR-181a could directly regulate the expression of TLR4, while miR-7a couldn’t. (4) Intrathecal injection of miR-181a agomir down-regulated the expression of TLR4, reduced the hyper-excitability of gastric-specific neurons, and alleviated gastric hypersensitivity. (5) p65 and TLR4 were co-expressed in Dil-labeled DRG neurons. (6) Inhibition of p65 attenuated diabetic gastric hypersensitivity and hyper-excitability of gastric-specific DRG neurons. (7) The expression of TRAF6 was significantly up-regulated in diabetic rats. CLI-095 treatment also reduced the expression of TRAF6 and p65. Conclusion: The reduction of microRNA-181a in T7-T10 DRGs might up-regulate TLR4 expression. TLR4 activated NF-κB through MyD88-dependent signaling pathway, increased excitability of gastric-specific DRG neurons, and contributed to diabetic gastric hypersensitivity.
Pneumonia risk prediction in patients with acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome through evaluation of sarcopenia index as a prognostic factor
Authors: Zhao Lingdan , Huang Sha , Jing Fu , Yu Ting-ting , Wei Zeng , Chen Xiaoyan
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aimed to explore the relationship between the sarcopenia index (SI) and the risk of pneumonia in hospitalized patients with acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS).

Study design

We have performed a retrospective study of individuals with AWS from a teaching hospital in western China. Patients' data were retrieved from the medicinal record databases. Patients' primary (upon admission) blood serum creatinine (Cr) and cystatin C (CysC) levels were incorporated into the records. Participants were separated into low and high SI cohorts based on the three-quarter digit of SI (SI = serum Cr/serum CysC ratio × 100). The association between SI and the risk of pneumonia in hospitalized patients with AWS was assessed by logistic regression analysis.

Result

Three hundred and twelve patients with acute AWS were included in this retrospective analysis. Among hospitalized patients with acute AWS, the incidence of pneumonia was 13.78%. The average median age of acute AWS patients with pneumonia was 55.28 (10.65) years, and the mean age of acute AWS individuals without pneumonia was 51.23 (10.08) years. In the univariate analysis, the high SI group (SI > 87.91) had a lower incidence of pneumonia than the low SI group (SI ≤ 87.91) (high SI vs. low SI, 6.41% vs. 16.24%, p = 0.029). Further logistic regression analysis showed that the high SI group demonstrated a poorer risk of pneumonia (OR = 0.353, 95%CI: 0.134–0.932, p = 0.036). After adjusting for possible confounders, the risk of pneumonia remained low in the high SI group (OR = 0.358, 95%CI: 0.132–0.968, p = 0.043).

Conclusion

Our results showed that SI was linked with the risk of pneumonia in hospitalized individuals with acute AWS. We further suggest that it could be a pneumonia risk factor, especially in medical centers where sarcopenia diagnosis is unavailable.
Detection rates of abnormalities in over 10,000 amniotic fluid samples at a single laboratory
Authors: Lu Sha , Kakongoma Nisile , Hu Wen-sheng , Zhang Yan-zhen , Yang Nan-nan , Zhang Wen , Mao Ai-fen , Liang Yi , Zhang Zhi-fen
Published: February 2023

Background

A growing number of cytogenetic techniques have been used for prenatal diagnosis. This study aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of karyotyping, BACs-on-Beads (BoBs) assay and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array in prenatal diagnosis during the second trimester based on our laboratory experience.

Methods

A total of 10,580 pregnant women with a variety of indications for amniocentesis were enrolled in this retrospective study between January 2015 and December 2020, of whom amniotic fluid samples were analysed in 10,320 women. The main technical indicators of participants in the three different technologies were summarized, and cases of chromosome abnormalities were further evaluated.

Results

The overall abnormality detection rate of karyotyping among all the amniotic fluid samples was 15.4%, and trisomy 21 was the most common abnormality (20.9%). The total abnormality detection rate of the BoBs assay was 5.6%, and the diagnosis rate of microdeletion/microduplication syndromes that were not identified by karyotyping was 0.2%. The detection results of the BoBs assay were 100.0% concordant with karyotyping analysis in common aneuploidies. Seventy (87.5%) cases of structural abnormalities were missed by BoBs assay. The total abnormality detection rate of the SNP array was 21.6%. The detection results of common aneuploidies were exactly the same between SNP array and karyotyping. Overall, 60.1% of structural abnormalities were missed by SNP array. The further detection rate of pathogenic significant copy number variations (CNVs) by SNP was 1.4%.

Conclusions

Karyotyping analysis combined with BoBs assay or SNP array for prenatal diagnosis could provide quick and accurate results. Combined use of the technologies, especially with SNP array, improved the diagnostic yield and interpretation of the results, which contributes to genetic counselling. BoBs assay or SNP array could be a useful supplement to karyotyping.
Association between outpatient follow-up and incidence of revision after knee and hip replacements: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Pinedo-Villanueva Rafael , Kolovos Spyros , Burn Edward , Delmestri Antonella , Smith Lindsay K. , Judge Andrew , Kingsbury Sarah R. , Stone Martin H. , Conaghan Philip G.
Published: February 2023

Background

Follow-up visits 5 or 7 years after surgery were recommended for people having primary hip or knee replacement. The benefits of this practice to patients and the healthcare system, however, have not yet been specifically examined. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between long-term follow-up outpatient hospital visits and revision rates for patients who undergo primary knee or hip replacement surgery.

Methods

Cohorts were identified for patients undergoing knee or hip replacement surgery using medical records from primary care practices within the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD dataset linked to hospital records from the English Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data. Two groups of patients were compared in terms of revision and mortality rates: those with at least one long-term (between five and 10 years since primary surgery) follow-up visit at the orthopaedic department (‘Follow-up’ group), and those without (‘No follow-up’ group).

Results

A total of 9856 (4349 in the Follow-up group) patients with knee replacement and 10,837 (4870 in the Follow-up group) with hip replacement were included in the analysis. For knee replacement, the incidence of revision was 3.6% for those followed-up and 0.6% for those not followed-up. An adjusted regression model confirmed the difference in the hazard ratio (HR) for revision was statistically significant (HR: 5.65 [95% CI 3.62 to 8.81]). Mortality at 4 years was lower for the Follow-up (17%) compared to the No follow-up group (21%), but this difference was not statistically significant (HR: 0.95 [0.84 to 1.07]). For hip replacement, the incidence of revision rates were 3.2 and 1.4% for the follow-up and not follow-up groups, respectively, the difference being statistically significant (HR: 2.34 [1.71 to 3.20]). Mortality was lower for the Follow-up (15%) compared to the No follow-up group (21%), but the difference was not statistically significant (HR: 0.91 [0.81 to 1.02]).

Conclusion

Patients attending follow-up orthopaedic consultations show a higher risk of revision surgery compared to those who are not followed-up. A cause for this difference could not be identified in this study but a likely explanation is that surgeons play an effective role as ultimate arbitrators when identifying patients to be included in long-term follow-up lists.
Modulation of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels by plant derived substances used in over-the-counter cough and cold remedies
Authors: Stinson Rebecca J. , Morice Alyn H. , Sadofsky Laura R.
Published: February 2023

Background

Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) impact all age groups and have a significant economic and social burden on society, worldwide. Most URTIs are mild and self-limiting, but due to the wide range of possible causative agents, including Rhinovirus (hRV), Adenovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Coronavirus and Influenza, there is no single and effective treatment. Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies, including traditional medicines and those containing plant derived substances, help to alleviate symptoms including inflammation, pain, fever and cough.

Purpose

This systematic review focuses on the role of the major plant derived substances in several OTC remedies used to treat cold symptoms, with a particular focus on the transient receptor potential (TRP) channels involved in pain and cough.

Methods

Literature searches were done using Pubmed and Web of Science, with no date limitations, using the principles of the PRISMA statement. The search terms used were ‘TRP channel AND plant compound’, ‘cough AND plant compound’, ‘cough AND TRP channels AND plant compound’, ‘cough AND P2X3 AND plant compound’ and ‘P2X3 AND plant compound’ where plant compound represents menthol or camphor or eucalyptus or turpentine or thymol.

Results

The literature reviewed showed that menthol activates TRPM8 and may inhibit respiratory reflexes reducing irritation and cough. Menthol has a bimodal action on TRPA1, but inhibition may have an analgesic effect. Eucalyptus also activates TRPM8 and inhibits TRPA1 whilst down regulating P2X3, aiding in the reduction of cough, pain and airway irritation. Camphor inhibits TRPA1 and the activation of TRPM8 may add to the effects of menthol. Activation of TRPV1 by camphor, may also have an analgesic effect.

Conclusions

The literature suggests that these plant derived substances have multifaceted actions and can interact with the TRP ‘cough’ receptors. The plant derived substances used in cough and cold medicines have the potential to target multiple symptoms experienced during a cold.
N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide levels in normotensive and hypertensive dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease stage B
Authors: Jang In Sung , Yoon Won Kyoung , Choi Eun Wha
Published: February 2023

Background

Systemic hypertension affects the heart, and to the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated the effects of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) stage B and systemic hypertension. This study aimed to investigate the blood level of NT-proBNP and assess the selected echocardiographic variables in dogs with MMVD stage B according to the presence of systemic hypertension or normal blood pressure and in dogs without MMVD.

Results

The study group comprised 37 dogs with stage B MMVD (normotensive group, n = 30; systemic hypertension group, n = 7) and 13 dogs without MMVD. We evaluated NT-proBNP, blood pressure, complete blood count (CBC), and serum chemistry in all 50 dogs. We performed electrocardiography, radiography, and echocardiography on 44 dogs (37 dogs with MMVD and 7 dogs without MMVD). The NT-proBNP concentrations showed significant intergroup differences (p < 0.001). Normotensive dogs with MMVD stage B (median [interquartile range]: 1083.5 [574.8–1912.8] pmol/L) and hypertensive dogs with MMVD stage B (2345.0 [1812.5–2533.0] pmol/L) showed significantly higher NT-proBNP concentrations than dogs without MMVD (504 [430–774] pmol/L, p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively), and dogs in the systemic hypertension group showed significantly higher NT-proBNP concentrations than those in the normotensive group (p = 0.046). Mitral valve regurgitation velocity was significantly higher in dogs in the systemic hypertension group (6.11 [6.07–6.24] m/s) than in those in the normotensive group (5.53 [5.17–5.95] m/s, p = 0.006). The left atrial to aortic root ratio (LA/Ao), E-peak velocity, and left ventricular end‐diastolic internal diameter corrected for body weight (LVIDDN) were significantly lower in dogs without MMVD than in dogs with MMVD stage B.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that NT-proBNP concentrations are higher in dogs with MMVD stage B with systemic hypertension than in normotensive dogs with MMVD stage B. Therefore, clinicians should be aware that NT-proBNP could be elevated in the presence of systemic hypertension.
Nonorthogonal waveform assisted DOA estimation for joint MIMO sensing and communication
Authors: Lin Luning , Zheng Hang , Zhou Chengwei , He Shibo , Shi Zhiguo
Published: February 2023

Conventional direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation methods for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) joint sensing and communication system normally pursue high estimation accuracy and resolution by imposing orthogonal waveforms. However, such operation results in a deterioration of communication performance. In this paper, we propose a nonorthogonal waveform assisted DOA estimation algorithm, where an augmented virtual array is derived by exploiting the nonorthogonal MIMO communication waveforms, while a high communication rate can still be maintained. To estimate the round-trip sensing channels of each subcarrier, we utilize the transmitted symbols as pilot symbols, and obtain all the channel coefficients with a minimum mean square error solver. A virtual channel matrix can be formulated with these channel coefficients, which can be regarded as the samples of an augmented virtual array. Based on that, the subspace processing can be conducted for DOA estimation with fully nonorthogonal waveforms. Furthermore, the rank deficiency property of the equivalent signal matrix of the virtual array is analyzed when the distance of targets are identical. To address the problem, a Toeplitz reconstruction method is proposed to restore the rank of the rank-deficient equivalent signal matrix for DOA estimation. Simulations show that the proposed nonorthogonal waveform assisted DOA estimation algorithm outperforms the conventional methods in terms of resolution and accuracy, while maintaining a satisfactory computational efficiency.
Application of IMMF–IHHT algorithm to suppressing random interference of geomagnetic sensors
Authors: Zhang Ping-an , Gao Min , Wang Wei , Wang Yi , Su Xu-jun
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the problem that the geomagnetic sensor is vulnerable to external interference in the navigation process, this paper analyzes the frequency distribution range of geomagnetic signal and the noise characteristics in geomagnetic signal and proposes an improved morphological filtering and Hilbert–Huang transform (IMMF–IHHT) algorithm to extract and recognize the features of geomagnetic measurement signal. To avoid frequency aliasing and distortion caused by empirical mode decomposition, an improved morphological filtering algorithm based on mean constraint is used to preprocess the measured signal. The Hilbert spectrum of the decomposed signal is solved, the signal components are discriminated by the similarity criterion, and the signal components in line with the frequency range of the geomagnetic signal are extracted and processed to reconstruct the geomagnetic measurement signal. Simulation and experiments show that the signal-to-noise ratio and root-mean-square error of IMMF–IHHT combination algorithm are better than MF-HHT combination algorithm and IHHT algorithm. This algorithm has good signal feature extraction and recognition ability.
Electrochemical study of agarose hydrogels for natural convection on macroelectrodes and ultramicroelectrodes
Authors: Han Jihun , Jang Sukman , Kim Byung-Kwon , Park Kyungsoon
Published: February 2023

Electrochemical measurements using an agarose hydrogel as a solid electrolyte and ferrocyanide as a redox probe were conducted to analyze transport properties and natural convection effects. The mass transport properties and diffusion coefficients of ferrocyanide were studied using various macroelectrodes and ultramicroelectrodes via cyclic voltammetry. The experimental results confirmed that the mass transfer behavior in agarose was similar to that in solution. The good linearity of the square root of the scan-rate-dependent peak current demonstrated that diffusion is dominant during mass transfer in agarose hydrogel owing to a reduction in other mass transport effects (i.e., migration and convection). Furthermore, chronoamperometry (CA) was performed to estimate the effects of natural convection in the solution and agarose hydrogel. CA curves and plots of current as a function of the inverse square root of time yielded irregular and irreproducible responses in the solution for relatively long-term electrochemistry. However, in the agarose hydrogel, the CA response was more regular and reproducible for > 300 s because of reduced natural convection, based on the Cottrell’s theory.