bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients exhibit differential natural killer functional subpopulations
Authors: Rodrigues Barreto Inês , Monteiro Andreia , Paiva Artur , Fonseca Ana Mafalda
Published: March 2024

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and has been known as T-cell mediated. However, the contribution of multiple cell types, notably natural killer (NK) cells, has also been reported.

Aim

To quantify circulating total NK cells and its subpopulations, CD56 dim and bright, and to characterize the functional phenotype and IFN-γ and TNF-α production in relapsing–remitting patients treated with IFN-β and in apparently healthy controls.

Results

CD56bright NK cells were found to be the least represented subpopulation. In relapse patients, the frequencies of IFN-γ-producing NK cells and their subpopulations were significantly decreased. In remission patients, CD56dim NK cells expressed high levels of HLA-DR and CD54.

Conclusion

These results suggest that remission RRMS patients, although in an inactive stage of MS, present circulating NK cells with an activation phenotype, supporting the idea that NK cells may be relevant mediators in the MS pathophysiology.
Investigation on the effectivity of nanoparticle elimination of a fume extractor TIG torch
Authors: Kővágó Csaba , Májlinger Kornél , Szűcs-Somlyó Éva , Lehel József
Published: March 2024

Although tungsten inert gas welding is considered one of the cleanest welding techniques, which is virtually “fumeless”, recent studies show, there is a significant amount of nano-sized particles generated during the process. To protect the welding personnel from possible harmful effects of inhalation of fume particles, fume extractor torches are developed. One such welding fume extractor torch was tested and compared to a conventional one during manual welding of unalloyed structural steel. Using the fume extractor torch, a significantly lower amount of nano-particles was measured in the welder’s personal breathing zone effectively decreasing the exposure to possible harmful effects of those nano-sized particles.
Effects of different heating strategies on the joint properties during infrared welding of glass fiber reinforced polyamide 6
Authors: Gevers Karina , Schraa Lucas , Töws Paul , Decker Julia , Schöppner Volker , Uhlig Kai , Stommel Markus
Published: March 2024

In infrared welding, the heating phase is the phase offering the highest flexibility of choice regarding the process parameters. In this phase, the process parameters such as the heating time, emitter power, and emitter-component distance can be individually selected and combined with each other. The defined heating phases have a different influence on the joining components. In this work, the effects of four heating strategies and their influence on the resulting temperature distribution over the joining surface, the possible thermal material degradation, the morphology of the joining zone, and the short-term tensile strength of the welded samples are investigated. In order to investigate the morphology, microsections are prepared which enable transmitted light microscopy of the black PA6 GF50 used. In summary, it can be concluded that different heating strategies have a different influence on the material even if the generated melt layer thickness is kept the same. Three of the four strategies result in material degradation on the joining surface. However, this has almost no effect on the resulting short-term strength of the weld. The results allow the interpretation that a high joining pressure compensates for the influence of the material damage by pressing the damaged material into the bead.
Acceptability and experiences of real-time continuous glucose monitoring in adults with type 2 diabetes using insulin: a qualitative study
Authors: Sergel-Stringer Oscar T. , Wheeler Benjamin J. , Styles Sara E. , Boucsein Alisa , Lever Claire S. , Paul Ryan G. , Sampson Rachael , Watson Antony , de Bock Martin I.
Published: March 2024

Aims

To explore the lived experiences of initiating real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rt-CGM) use in individuals with type 2 diabetes using insulin.

Methods

Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst individuals with type 2 diabetes taking insulin who were enrolled in the 2GO-CGM randomised controlled trial and had completed 3 months of rtCGM. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed to identify common themes regarding their experiences.

Results

The interviews revealed three key themes: i) rtCGM as a facilitator of improved health behaviours; ii) the acceptability of rtCGM systems compared to capillary blood glucose testing; and iii) barriers to the continual usage of rtCGM technology – including: connection difficulties, longevity of the sensors, and local cutaneous reactions to the sensor adhesive.

Conclusion

Adults on insulin with type 2 diabetes find rtCGM systems widely acceptable, and easier to engage with than traditional self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose.
Prognostic nutritional index during hospitalization correlates with adverse outcomes in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Mingxuan , Cai Jiasheng , Jiang Kewei , Li Yanglei , Li Siqi , Wang Qingyue , Liu Haibo , Qu Xinkai , Kong Chengqi , Shi Kailei
Published: March 2024

Background and aims

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most prevalent illnesses endangering the elderly’s health. The predictive nutritional index (PNI) has been shown in several studies to be a good predictor of nutritional prognosis. In this study, we explored the correlation between PNI during hospitalization and the outcome of elderly AMI patients.

Methods

Elderly AMI patients in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit of Huadong Hospital from September 2017 to April 2020 were recruited for analysis. The clinical and laboratory examination data of subjects were retrieved. All enrolled patients were monitored following discharge. The primary clinical endpoints encompass major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and Composite endpoint (MACEs and all-cause mortality). Survival analyses were conducted via the Kaplan–Meier and the log-rank analyses, and the Cox, proportional hazards model, was employed for hazard rate (HR) calculation.

Results

307 subjects were recruited for analysis. The optimal PNI threshold is 40.923. Based on the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the elevated PNI group experienced better prognosis (P < 0.001). Cox analysis demonstrated that the PNI group was a stand-alone predictor for elderly AMI patient prognosis (HR = 1.674, 95% CI 1.076–2.604, P = 0.022). Subgroup analysis showed that the HR of the PNI group was the highest in the ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) subgroup (HR = 3.345, 95% CI 1.889–5.923, P = 0.05), but no discernible difference was observed in the non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) subgroup.

Conclusion

Based on our analyses, the PNI during hospitalization can accurately predict the prognosis of elderly STEMI patients but not that of elderly NSTEMI patients.
The geriatric nutrition risk index is longitudinally associated with incident Sarcopenia: evidence from a 5-year prospective cohort
Authors: Xiang Qiao , Li Yuxiao , Liang Rui , Song Quhong , Deng Linghui , Dong Birong , Yue Jirong
Published: March 2024

Background

Previous studies investigating the association between the geriatric nutrition risk index (GNRI) and sarcopenia either lacked longitudinal evidence or narrowly focused on specific populations.

Aims

We aimed to reveal longitudinal associations of GNRI with sarcopenia risk in community-dwelling Chinese. We also investigated interaction effects of potential factors on such associations.

Methods

We included participants aged ≥ 50 years with sufficient data from the WCHAT study who did not have sarcopenia at baseline and completed sarcopenia assessment during follow-up. GNRI was calculated according to the formula based on serum albumin, height and weight. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the 2019 AWGS consensus. Longitudinal associations between GNRI and sarcopenia were estimated by logistic regression with GNRI as either a continuous or categorical variable by tertiles, using generalized estimating equations (GEE) as sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses by potential covariates were conducted to detect interaction effects.

Results

A total of 1907 participants without baseline sarcopenia were finally included, of whom 327 (17.1%) developed incident sarcopenia during 5-year follow-up. After controlling for confounders, sarcopenia risk decreased with each one standard deviation increase in GNRI (ORadjusted=0.36, 95% CI 0.31–0.43), and it also decreased successively from the lowest (< 111.2) through middle (111.2-117.7) to the highest (≥ 117.8) tertile of the GNRI level (P for trend < 0.001). Similar results were yielded by GEE. Such associations generally remained robust across subgroups with distinct characteristics, while significant differences were observed between different age groups (≥ 65 vs. <65 years) (interaction P-value < 0.05).

Conclusion

GNRI is longitudinally associated with sarcopenia risk with possibly age-specific differences in association magnitude, which holds implications for policymakers to conduct population-based risk assessment.
Covering-based $$(\alpha , \beta )$$-multi-granulation bipolar fuzzy rough set model under bipolar fuzzy preference relation with decision-making applications
Authors: Gul Rizwan , Shabir Muhammad , Al-Kenani Ahmad N.
Published: March 2024

The rough set (RS) and multi-granulation rough set (MGRS) theories have been successfully extended to accommodate preference analysis by substituting the equivalence relation (ER) with the dominance relation (DR). On the other hand, bipolarity refers to the explicit handling of positive and negative aspects of data. In this paper, with the help of bipolar fuzzy preference relation (BFPR) and bipolar fuzzy preference $$\delta $$
δ
-covering (BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C), we put forward the idea of BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C based optimistic multi-granulation bipolar fuzzy rough set (BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C-OMG-BFRS) model and BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C based pessimistic multi-granulation bipolar fuzzy rough set (BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C-PMG-BFRS) model. We examine several significant structural properties of BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C-OMG-BFRS and BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C-PMG-BFRS models in detail. Moreover, we discuss the relationship between BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C-OMG-BFRS and BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C-PMG-BFRS models. Eventually, we apply the BFP$$\delta $$
δ
C-OMG-BFRS model for solving multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM). Furthermore, we demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of our designed approach by solving a numerical example. We further conduct a detailed comparison with certain existing methods. Last but not least, theoretical studies and practical examples reveals that our suggested approach dramatically enriches the MGRS theory and offers a novel strategy for knowledge discovery, which is practical in real-world circumstances.
Forecasting for Police Officer Safety: A Demonstration of Concept
Authors: Cunningham Brittany , Coldren James , Carleton Benjamin , Berk Richard , Bauer Vincent
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Police officers in the USA are often put in harm’s way when responding to calls for service. This paper provides a demonstration of concept for how machine learning procedures combined with conformal prediction inference can be properly used to forecast the amount of risk associated with each dispatch. Accurate forecasts of risk can help improve officer safety.

Methods

The unit of analysis is each of 1928 911 calls involving weapons offenses. Using data from the calls and other information, we develop a machine learning algorithm to forecast the risk that responding officers will face. Uncertainty in those forecasts is captured by nested conformal prediction sets.

Results

For approximately a quarter of a holdout sample of 100 calls, a forecast of high risk was correct with the odds of at least 3 to 1. For approximately another quarter of the holdout sample, a forecast of low risk was correct with an odds of at least 3 to 1. For remaining cases, insufficiently reliable forecasts were identified. A result of “can’t tell” is an appropriate assessment when the data are deficient.

Conclusions

Compared to current practice at the study site, we are able to forecast with a useful level of accuracy the risk for police officers responding to calls for service. With better data, such forecasts could be substantially improved. We provide examples.
A quantum procedure for estimating information gain in Boolean classification task
Authors: Koren Michal , Peretz Or
Published: March 2024

A substantial portion of global quantum computing research has been conducted using quantum mechanics, which recently has been applied to quantum computers. However, the design of a quantum algorithm requires a comprehensive understanding of quantum mechanics and physical procedures. This work presents a quantum procedure for estimating information gain. It is aimed at making quantum computing accessible to those without preliminary knowledge of quantum mechanics. The procedure can be a basis for building data mining processes according to measures from information theory using quantum computers. The main advantage of this procedure is the use of amplitude encoding and the inner product of two quantum states to calculate the conditional entropy between two vectors. The method was implemented using the IBM simulator and tested over a dataset of six features and a Boolean target variable. The results showed a correlation of 0.942 between the ranks achieved by the classical and quantum computations with a significance of p < 0.005.
A code of good practice to promote gender equality on boards of directors of medium-sized enterprises as a corporate sustainability goal
Authors: Leiñena Mendizabal Elena , Basoredo-Otzerinjauregi Irati , Meijomil González Andrea , Villafañez Pérez Itziar
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a Code of Good Practice to promote gender equality within senior management and on boards of directors of companies. The underrepresentation of women on such bodies indicates the need to promote inclusive, diverse leadership based on the fundamental principle of the right of equality in the private sector also, without forgetting the advantages that this brings to the companies themselves. The gradual incorporation of “hard law” regulations to foster equality derived from the initiatives of the national legislator and promotion via European regulations falls far short of guaranteeing a balanced presence in this sphere. This lends significance to “soft law” instruments. Measures are proposed with regard to the selection and promotion of candidates, work–life balance and training and internal and external communication at companies. The measures are initially focused on small and medium-sized enterprises in Gipuzkoa (Basque Country), but could be implemented at larger companies and elsewhere, taking into account the legal framework. At the same time, a number of 20 indicators have been proposed to quantify the impact of the implementation of these recommendations.
Ten Years of Experience on the Effectiveness and Efficiency of the Cleanfield Device in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Authors: Condello Ignazio
Published: March 2024

The process of blood management and treatment from the surgical field to produce concentrated red blood cells (RBC) is crucial in the context of cardiothoracic surgery and in other branch of surgery. The role of autotransfusion reservoir is not well described in the literature in terms of superiority suction for hemolysis prevention. In this context, we presented a ten-year single-center retrospective analysis on suction, filtering, and blood collection from surgical field through the use of the Cleanfield Autotransfusion Reservoir (Eurosets SRL, Medolla, Italy) in terms of performance, effectiveness, and safety. From January 2013 to January 2023 were collected and analyzed the consecutive uses of Cleanfield Autotransfusion Reservoir in a single cardiothoracic surgery center Anthea Hospital Gvm Care & Research, Bari, Italy. For single procedure, the number of cleanfield disposable used, the relative maximum blood volume filtered and collected, the suction pressure from devices through vacuum meter and the electronic suction pressure measurements in the devices for suctions and the presence and the incidence of adverse events during the use (implosion, clot formation, inability to cell saver use, inability to suction during the use) were analyzed. 5202 Cleanfield disposable autotransfusion reservoir were analyzed for blood volume suction, filtering and collection on 5199 cardiac surgery procedures, the maximum blood volume filtered and collected was 1997 ± 123 ml, the mean suction pressure measured from the device with vacuum meter during suction use was 38 ± 3 mmHg, the mean suction pressure measured in the device during suction use was 38 ± 2 mmHg, no presence of adverse event was reported for implosion, clot formation, inability to cell saver use, and inability to suction during the use. In our retrospective report, the use of Cleanfield autotransfusion reservoir (Eurosets SRL, Medolla Italy) in cardiothoracic surgery context was safe and effective for blood volume suction, filtering, and collection.
SOCRATES THE EUTRAPELOS: XENOPHON AND ARISTOTLE ON ETHICAL VIRTUE
Authors: Danzig Gabriel
Published: March 2024

The social virtues are not discussed thematically in the Socratic writings of Plato and Xenophon, but they are on display everywhere. Taking Aristotle's accounts of these virtues as a touchstone, this paper explores the portrait of Socrates as a model of good humour in Xenophon's Symposium. While Xenophon is addressing the same issues as Aristotle, and shares some of his red lines, his conception of the ideal humourist and of virtue in general differs from Aristotle's not only in detail but also in general conception. While he never actually violates the rules Aristotle sets down for eutrapelia, Xenophon's Socrates strives not to avoid opposites but to combine them. It is the careful combining of the spoudaion and the geloion that redeems Xenophon's otherwise outrageous portrait of Socratic humour. This suggests a broader paradigm in which virtuous behaviour is a combination of opposites rather than a middle path.
Irish-American Anti-Imperialism in Patrick Ford’s The Criminal History of the British Empire
Authors: O’Sullivan Robert
Published: March 2024

In 1881, Patrick Ford, the Irish-American nationalist editor of the New York Irish newspaper The Irish World and American Industrial Liberator, published The criminal history of the British empire, a collection of five letters that he had written to William Gladstone. In The criminal history, Ford constructed a comprehensive account of British imperial history, beginning with England’s conquest of Ireland, before detailing the colonization of North America, Britain’s participation in the transatlantic slave trade, the American Revolution, British rule in India, the opium wars, and Britain’s contemporary colonization of Africa. This article contributes to scholarship on American views of the British empire in the post-bellum United States. In exploring how Ford constructed a Manichean interpretation of world history, where the British imperial project devastated every region it invaded, the article analyses Ford’s reasons for writing and publishing the letters that formed The criminal history. Finally, the article shows that Ford’s central purpose was to foster a visceral hatred of the British empire among his Irish-American readership, to maintain a commitment to their ethnic heritage as proud Irish people, and to encourage his readers that a better future would soon arrive, when the British empire was finally a relic of the past.
Abnormal symmetric chelipeds in an specimen of snapping shrimp Synalpheus fritzmuelleri Coutiere, 1909
Authors: Moraes Isabela Ribeiro Rocha , Zacari Larissa , Santos Rafael de Carvalho , Rodrigues Gabriel Fellipe Barros , Castilho Antonio Leão
Published: March 2024

Morphological symmetry abnormalities in cheliped appendages of alpheid shrimps are extremely rare and poorly recorded in the literature. A symmetric minor cheliped were, for example, observed in queen females belonging to Synalpheus eusocial species. Symmetric major chelipeds were now described in Synalpheus fritzmuelleri individuals living in shallow Brazilian waters. These individuals were found in symbiotic association with the bryozoan Schizoporella sp. (biogenic substrate) adhering to the pilings of Ubatuba Bay docks, São Paulo State. Only one of 20 sampled S. fritzmuelleri individuals presented anomalous symmetric chelipeds. Based on carapace length, size, and morphological features, the analyzed specimens seemed to be juvenile; thus, the hypothesis of anomalous condition can be directly linked to genetic inhibition of the mechanism accounting for major cheliped development in this ontogeny phase. Studies like the present one often provide remarkable information on animal morphology and can be used as reference in evolutionary assessments to be conducted in the future.
First occurrence of ophiuroid-parasitic genus Ophieulima (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Eulimidae) in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Takano Tsuyoshi , Kohtsuka Hisanori , Okanishi Masanori
Published: March 2024

A eulimid gastropod of the genus Ophieulima, parasitic on the disc of the ophiactid brittle star Ophiactis dyscrita, was collected from 256–343 m deep off Kanagawa, central Japan. This represents the first record of the genus from Japanese waters and even from the North Pacific Ocean. Here we describe it as Ophieulima yoshiharai n. sp. The generic assignment is justified by its conchological characters including (1) a small, conical shape with convex teleoconch whorls, (2) many fine growth lines and some strong growth pause scars on the teleoconch, (3) a well-developed, twisted columella, and (4) a multispiral, brownish transparent protoconch. Ophieulima yoshiharai n. sp. is distinguishable from the three (two named and one undescribed) extant, as well as two fossil congeners by its slender shell with the length of 2.1 times larger than width, a small aperture and a protoconch of 3.5 whorls. The new species is also characterized by its bathymetric distribution, which is shallower than the extant species of Ophieulima. On the other hand, the hosts of Ophieulima species are so far restricted to ophiuroids of the genus Ophiactis and the three named species have mostly been found attached to the lateral and/or dorsal sides of the host's disc, suggesting their similar parasitic ecology.
Description of a new Luidia species (Asteroidea: Paxillosida: Luidiidae) from Japan with molecular phylogenetic analysis of the genus Luidia
Authors: Kobayashi Itaru , Hibino Mai , Yamamoto Masaki , Fujita Toshihiko
Published: March 2024

Luidia iwakiensis n. sp. (Asteroidea, Echinodermata) is described in Japanese waters. A molecular phylogenetic analysis including 18 Luidia species supported Döderlein L (1920, Siboga Expedition 4, 193–291) four morphogroups. Morphological reconsideration revealed three of the eight criteria of the morphogroup adopted by Döderlein were justified, but the remaining five characters were rejected. The placement of the new species in the Ciliaris-group was supported by molecular as well as morphological evidence, however, it varies from other species of Ciliaris-group by arm number, length of major inferomarginal spines, and pedicellariae on actinal plates.
Impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in young adults with congenital heart anomalies: insights from the national inpatient sample (2019)
Authors: Vyas Ankit , Desai Rupak , Ghadge Nitin , Bansal Prerna , Chintalapalli Patta Harika Varma , Raval Maharshi , Jain Akhil , Gupta Tripti , Patel Harshil , Kondur Ashok , Lavie Carl J.
Published: March 2024

Background:

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common sleep disorder, and adult congenital heart disease (CHD) is also a significant burden on the population. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for improving quality of life and reducing the risk of health complications. The limited research on obstructive sleep apnoea and adult CHD highlights the need for further investigation into the relationship between these two conditions and the mechanisms underlying this relationship.

Method:

We used NIS 2019 database to identify adult CHD admissions aged 18–44 years and assess the impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on all-cause mortality, dysrhythmia, and stroke. A propensity-matched cohort of individuals with and without obstructive sleep apnoea was obtained, and the outcomes were assessed using multivariable analysis and compared in terms of resource utilisation.

Results:

Of the 41,950 young adult CHD admissions, 6.3% (n = 2630) had obstructive sleep apnoea. The obstructive sleep apnoea+ (n = 2590) and obstructive sleep apnoea− (n = 2590) cohorts were comparable in terms of median age (35 years) and were predominantly male (63.1% versus 62.5%). The obstructive sleep apnoea+ cohort had a higher frequency of risk factors like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypothyroidism, and prior venous thromboembolism than the obstructive sleep apnoea cohort. We found significant association of obstructive sleep apnoea with dysrhythmia (adjusted odds ratio 2.99, 95% confidence interval 2.13–4.19, p < 0.001), but no significant impact on the risk of all-cause mortality or stroke. The obstructive sleep apnoea+ cohort also had higher transfers to short-term facilities, prolonged stays, and higher charges (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Our study provides important insights into relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea and adult CHD and highlights the need for further investigation into the impact of obstructive sleep apnoea on individuals with adult CHD.
A Lake Record of Geomagnetic Secular Variations for the Last 23 ka From Lake Chala: Toward a Composite Directional Lake Record of the Earth's Magnetic Field for Equatorial East Africa
Authors: Di Chiara A. , Hounslow M. W. , Maher B. A. , Karloukovski V. , Van Daele M. , Blaauw M. , Verschuren D.
Published: March 2024

The documentation and understanding of variations in the Earth's magnetic field through time is fundamental for several disciplines, but current geomagnetic models rely on datasets heavily biased toward the mid‐ and high northern latitudes. The African continent and surrounding islands and oceans are particularly underrepresented. Here, we present a new record of paleo‐secular variation (PSV) of the inclinations over the last 23 ka from Lake Chala, situated at 3°S near Mt Kilimanjaro in eastern equatorial Africa. This groundwater‐fed crater lake is characterized by a high sedimentation rate (ca. 1 cm/10 years) and a particularly well‐constrained age model based on 210Pb and 14C dating. The magnetic mineralogy of the sediments is tested with rock magnetic analyses. The Lake Chala inclination record shows four highs and lows over 20 ka and compares well with that of Lake Malawi (10°S) between 20 and 16.2 ka, and from 9.8 to 2.6 ka. This record is linked to PSV records at Lakes Victoria and Malawi using a sequence slotting technique to generate a composite PSV model for east Africa. Analyzed at best‐possible resolutions up to 200 years, the Lake Chala PSV record not only represents an important contribution to improve our understanding of local and global features of the Earth's magnetic field. It also expands the utility of paleomagnetism as a key tool for dating and correlation both for archeological sites throughout East Africa and the many volcanoes, active or dormant, of the East African Rift System.
Terrane Collision‐Induced Subduction Initiation: Mode Selection and Implications for Western Pacific Subduction System
Authors: Cui Fengyuan , Li Zhong‐Hai
Published: March 2024

In the regime of plate tectonics, the subduction of an oceanic plate generally terminates with the collision and accretion of continental terranes. Then, a new subduction zone may form in the neighboring oceanic plates, which is defined as the terrane collision‐induced subduction initiation (SI). Based on the analyses of the western Pacific subduction system in the Cenozoic, three types of collision‐induced SI have been observed: subduction polarity reversal, subduction transference and far‐field subduction. However, the dynamics and controlling factors of SI mode selection after terrane collision are not clear. In this study, a multi‐terrane collision model has been conducted with variable rheological strength of continental terranes and different convergence velocities. The model results indicate that the relative strength of the terranes controls the SI mode selection, with the new subduction zone tending to form beneath weaker terranes. In addition, the higher convergence velocity can facilitate the collision‐induced SI. An analytical study of force balance has been further conducted, which provides a mechanical explanation for the numerical prediction of a weak overriding terrane as a favorable SI site. The numerical models and force balance analyses are further compared with the natural cases in the western Pacific subduction system. This indicates that subduction polarity reversal is the most favorable mode after terrane collision in the western Pacific, possibly due to the weakness of overriding plate during the preceding subduction‐induced fluid/melt activity. This comprehensive study provides systematic constraints for the dynamics of collision‐induced subduction jump, especially for the western Pacific subduction zones in the Cenozoic.
Multiple Exhumation Stages During the Cenozoic Evolution of the Northeast Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Wang Xiuxi , Zattin Massimiliano , Yang Yu , Tao Jia , Liu Huiming , Zhang Yanbo , Wang Hong , Pang Bozhong , Wang Linbing , Ji Minxiao
Published: March 2024

The Cenozoic growth history of the northeast (NE) Tibetan Plateau has been strongly debated in the past few years with three deformation models being proposed: progressive northeastward propagation, out‐of‐sequence deformation, and episodic deformation. Reconstruction of the long‐term deformation and exhumation history of the different blocks can help elucidate the growth pattern and tectonic processes involved in the formation of the Plateau. Both the Qaidam and Jiuquan basins—the two largest basins of the NE Tibetan Plateau—contain continuous and well‐exposed successions of synorogenic sediments that span the entire Cenozoic. We used apatite fission‐track thermochronology, sedimentary facies, and structural and provenance analyses of these successions to determine the exhumation history of the Tibetan Plateau. Five distinct fast exhumation events were recognized and dated: 65–54, 43–39, 34–29, 24–21, and 16–15 Ma. Comparison with existing morphotectonic information enabled us to reconstruct a multiple‐stage growth scenario for the NE Tibetan Plateau in the context of the surface uplift phases across the Himalayan‐Tibetan orogen during the Cenozoic. Overall, our findings support the episodic deformation model and emphasizes that the current relief of the NE Tibetan Plateau is largely derived from these five of stage of exhumation.
5G2 mutant mice model loss of a commonly deleted segment of chromosome 7q22 in myeloid malignancies
Authors: Wong Jasmine C. , Weinfurtner Kelley M. , Westover Tamara , Kim Jangkyung , Lebish Eric J. , del pilar Alzamora Maria , Huang Benjamin J. , Walsh Michael , Abdelhamed Sherif , Ma Jing , Klco Jeffery M. , Shannon Kevin
Published: March 2024

Monosomy 7 and del(7q) are among the most common and poorly understood genetic alterations in myelodysplastic neoplasms and acute myeloid leukemia. Chromosome band 7q22 is a minimally deleted segment in myeloid malignancies with a del(7q). However, the rarity of “second hit” mutations supports the idea that del(7q22) represents a contiguous gene syndrome. We generated mice harboring a 1.5 Mb germline deletion of chromosome band 5G2 syntenic to human 7q22 that removes Cux1 and 27 additional genes. Hematopoiesis is perturbed in 5G2+/del mice but they do not spontaneously develop hematologic disease. Whereas alkylator exposure modestly accelerated tumor development, the 5G2 deletion did not cooperate with KrasG12D, NrasG12D, or the MOL4070LTR retrovirus in leukemogenesis. 5G2+/del mice are a novel platform for interrogating the role of hemopoietic stem cell attrition/stress, cooperating mutations, genotoxins, and inflammation in myeloid malignancies characterized by monosomy 7/del(7q).
tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 interacts with FUBP1 to promote pancreatic cancer metastasis by activating c‑MYC transcription
Authors: Xiong Qunli , Zhang Yaguang , Xu Yongfeng , Yang Yang , Zhang Zhiwei , Zhou Ying , Zhang Su , Zhou Lian , Wan Xiaowen , Yang Xiaojuan , Zeng Zhu , Liu Jinlu , Zheng Ying , Han Junhong , Zhu Qing
Published: March 2024

Cumulative studies have established the significance of transfer RNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA) in tumorigenesis and progression. Nevertheless, its function and mechanism in pancreatic cancer metastasis remain largely unclear. Here, we screened and identified tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 as highly expressed in pancreatic cancer metastasis samples by tsRNA sequencing. We also observed elevated levels of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 in the serum of pancreatic cancer patients who developed metastasis, and patients with high levels of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 exhibited a worse prognosis. Additionally, knockdown of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 inhibited the metastasis of pancreatic cancer in vivo and in vitro, while overexpression of tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 promoted the metastasis of pancreatic cancer. Mechanically, we discovered that tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 interacts with FUBP1, leading to enhanced stability of FUBP1 protein and increased FUBP1 enrichment in the c-MYC promoter region, thereby boosting the transcription of c-MYC. Of note, rescue experiments confirmed that tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 could influence pancreatic cancer metastasis via FUBP1-mediated c-MYC transcription. These findings highlight a potential novel mechanism underlying pancreatic cancer metastasis, and suggest that both tiRNA-Val-CAC-2 and FUBP1 could serve as promising prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
Temperature probe placement in very preterm infants during delivery room stabilization: an open-label randomized trial
Authors: Jani Pranav R. , Maheshwari Rajesh , Skelton Hannah , Viola Patricia , Thomas Sheela , Ryder Lynette , Culcer Mihaela , Mishra Umesh , Shah Swapnil , Baird Jane , Elhindi James , Padernia Ann-Maree , Goyen Traci-Anne , D’Cruz Daphne , Luig Melissa , Shah Dharmesh
Published: March 2024

Background

Variation in practice exists for temperature probe positioning during stabilization of very preterm infants (<32 weeks gestation). We explored the influence of temperature probe sites on thermoregulation.

Methods

An open-label, stratified, balanced, parallel, randomized trial was conducted. Inborn infants were randomly assigned temperature probe to the axilla or to the upper back. The primary outcome was normothermia (local range: 36.8–37.3 °C and World Health Organization (WHO) range: 36.5–37.5 °C) at admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.

Results

Between 1 November 2018 and 4 July 2022, 178 infants were randomly assigned to one of the two sites (n = 89 each), 175 included in the final analysis. Normothermia (local range) was achieved for 39/87 infants (44.8%) assigned to the upper back compared to 28/88 infants (31.8%) assigned to the axilla [risk difference:13%; 95% CI −1.3–27.3]. Normothermia (WHO range) was achieved for 78/87 infants (89.7%) assigned to the upper back compared to 70/88 infants (79.6%) assigned to the axilla [risk difference:10.1%; 95% CI −0.5–20.7]. No infant recorded temperatures >38 °C or developed skin injury.

Conclusions

In very preterm infants, upper back site was equally effective as the axilla in maintaining normothermia, with no increase in adverse events.

Clinical trial registration

The study was registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12620000293965).

Impact

Substantial variation in practice exists for the site of securing a temperature probe during delivery room stabilization of very preterm infants and the influence of temperature probe site on thermoregulation remains unknown.

In this study, upper back site was equally effective as the axilla in maintaining normothermia, with no increase in adverse events.

Clinicians could adopt upper back site for maintaining normothermia.

This study may contribute data to future international participant data prospective meta analysis of randomized controlled trials worldwide on temperature probe positioning in very preterm infants, increasing translation of research findings to optimize thermoregulation and clinical outcomes.
Being precise with anticoagulation to reduce adverse drug reactions: are we there yet?
Authors: Cross Benjamin , Turner Richard M. , Zhang J. Eunice , Pirmohamed Munir
Published: March 2024

Anticoagulants are potent therapeutics widely used in medical and surgical settings, and the amount spent on anticoagulation is rising. Although warfarin remains a widely prescribed oral anticoagulant, prescriptions of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have increased rapidly. Heparin-based parenteral anticoagulants include both unfractionated and low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs). In clinical practice, anticoagulants are generally well tolerated, although interindividual variability in response is apparent. This variability in anticoagulant response can lead to serious incident thrombosis, haemorrhage and off-target adverse reactions such as heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT). This review seeks to highlight the genetic, environmental and clinical factors associated with variability in anticoagulant response, and review the current evidence base for tailoring the drug, dose, and/or monitoring decisions to identified patient subgroups to improve anticoagulant safety. Areas that would benefit from further research are also identified. Validated variants in VKORC1, CYP2C9 and CYP4F2 constitute biomarkers for differential warfarin response and genotype-informed warfarin dosing has been shown to reduce adverse clinical events. Polymorphisms in CES1 appear relevant to dabigatran exposure but the genetic studies focusing on clinical outcomes such as bleeding are sparse. The influence of body weight on LMWH response merits further attention, as does the relationship between anti-Xa levels and clinical outcomes. Ultimately, safe and effective anticoagulation requires both a deeper parsing of factors contributing to variable response, and further prospective studies to determine optimal therapeutic strategies in identified higher risk subgroups.
A distinctive subcortical functional connectivity pattern linking negative affect and treatment outcome in major depressive disorder
Authors: Wu Yan-Kun , Su Yun-Ai , Zhu Lin-Lin , Yan ChaoGan , Li Ji-Tao , Lin Jing-Yu , Chen JingXu , Chen Lin , Li Ke , Stein Dan J. , Si Tian-Mei
Published: March 2024

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with functional disturbances in subcortical regions. In this naturalistic prospective study (NCT03294525), we aimed to investigate relationships among subcortical functional connectivity (FC), mood symptom profiles and treatment outcome in MDD using multivariate methods. Medication-free participants with MDD (n = 135) underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging scan at baseline and completed posttreatment clinical assessment after 8 weeks of antidepressant monotherapy. We used partial least squares (PLS) correlation analysis to explore the association between subcortical FC and mood symptom profiles. FC score, reflecting the weighted representation of each individual in this association, was computed. Replication analysis was undertaken in an independent sample (n = 74). We also investigated the relationship between FC score and treatment outcome in the main sample. A distinctive subcortical connectivity pattern was found to be associated with negative affect. In general, higher FC between the caudate, putamen and thalamus was associated with greater negative affect. This association was partly replicated in the independent sample (similarity between the two samples: r = 0.66 for subcortical connectivity, r = 0.75 for mood symptom profile). Lower FC score predicted both remission and response to treatment after 8 weeks of antidepressant monotherapy. The emphasis here on the role of dorsal striatum and thalamus consolidates prior work of subcortical connectivity in MDD. The findings provide insight into the pathogenesis of MDD, linking subcortical FC with negative affect. However, while the FC score significantly predicted treatment outcome, the low odds ratio suggests that finding predictive biomarkers for depression remains an aspiration.
Squid-inspired and wirelessly controllable display for active camouflage in aquatic-environment
Authors: Kim Doyoung , Seon Seung Won , Shin Minkyung , Kim Jihwan , Kim Bogeun , Joo Janghoon , Park Sang Uk , Kim Wooseok , Lee Hee Kyu , Lee Byeong Woon , Lee Se Gi , Lee Su Eon , Seo Ji-Hun , Han Seung Ho , Kim Bong Hoon , Won Sang Min
Published: March 2024

Achieving optimal camouflage in an aquatic environment necessitates the ability to modulate transmittance in response to the surrounding obscurity and potential threats. This adaptation involves a dynamic transition from transparency to a deep-blue color, especially in low-light or dark situations. Such a strategy promotes a seamless assimilation with the surroundings, enabling the absorption of searchlights and, subsequently, diminishing the risk of detection by predators. Therefore, the presence of sophisticated mechanisms that facilitates stable and efficient control of transmittance is imperative, enabling smooth transition between transparent and deep-blue hues within the aquatic environment. This study presents nature-inspired programmable camouflage system that integrates an electrochromic display as the primary transmittance change element and a wireless base module for power and data transmission. Such technology offers a robust and flexible construction, ensuring stable operation as demonstrated through mechanical-fatigue experiments and quantitative simulation. A custom circuit and a power-control software package enable active control of multiple electrochromic displays while submerged in water.
FacZ is a GpsB-interacting protein that prevents aberrant division-site placement in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Bartlett Thomas M. , Sisley Tyler A. , Mychack Aaron , Walker Suzanne , Baker Richard W. , Rudner David Z. , Bernhardt Thomas G.
Published: March 2024

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive pathogen responsible for antibiotic-resistant infections. To identify vulnerabilities in cell envelope biogenesis that may overcome resistance, we enriched for S. aureus transposon mutants with defects in cell surface integrity or cell division by sorting for cells that stain with propidium iodide or have increased light-scattering properties, respectively. Transposon sequencing of the sorted populations identified more than 20 previously uncharacterized factors impacting these processes. Cells inactivated for one of these proteins, factor preventing extra Z-rings (FacZ, SAOUHSC_01855), showed aberrant membrane invaginations and multiple FtsZ cytokinetic rings. These phenotypes were suppressed in mutants lacking the conserved cell-division protein GpsB, which forms an interaction hub bridging envelope biogenesis factors with the cytokinetic ring in S. aureus. FacZ was found to interact directly with GpsB in vitro and in vivo. We therefore propose that FacZ is an envelope biogenesis factor that antagonizes GpsB function to prevent aberrant division events in S. aureus.
Enhanced cholera surveillance to improve vaccination campaign efficiency
Authors: Xu Hanmeng , Zou Kaiyue , Dent Juan , Wiens Kirsten E. , Malembaka Espoir Bwenge , Bwire Godfrey , Okitayemba Placide Welo , Hampton Lee M. , Azman Andrew S. , Lee Elizabeth C.
Published: March 2024

Systematic testing for Vibrio cholerae O1 is rare, which means that the world’s limited supply of oral cholera vaccines (OCVs) may not be delivered to areas with the highest true cholera burden. Here we used a phenomenological model with subnational geographic targeting and fine-scale vaccine effects to model how expanding V. cholerae testing affected impact and cost-effectiveness for preventive vaccination campaigns across different bacteriological confirmation and vaccine targeting assumptions in 35 African countries. Systematic testing followed by OCV targeting based on confirmed cholera yielded higher efficiency and cost-effectiveness and slightly fewer averted cases than status quo scenarios targeting suspected cholera. Targeting vaccine to populations with an annual incidence rate greater than 10 per 10,000, the testing scenario averted 10.8 (95% prediction interval (PI) 9.4–12.6) cases per 1,000 fully vaccinated persons while the status quo scenario averted 6.9 (95% PI 6.0–7.8) cases per 1,000 fully vaccinated persons. In the testing scenario, testing costs increased by US$31 (95% PI 25–39) while vaccination costs reduced by US$248 (95% PI 176–326) per averted case compared to the status quo. Introduction of systematic testing into cholera surveillance could improve efficiency and reach of global OCV supply for preventive vaccination.
Assessing the feasibility of free DNA for disaster victim identification and forensic applications
Authors: Worrapitirungsi Wikanda , Sathirapatya Tikumphorn , Sukawutthiya Poonyapat , Vongpaisarnsin Kornkiat , Varrathyarom Pagparpat
Published: March 2024

In tropical disaster victim identification (DVI) scenarios, challenging environmental conditions lead to accelerated DNA degradation in remains. To further enhance the utilization of leached DNA from tissue in the preservative solution (termed “free DNA”) as an alternative source, we incorporated new results by assessing its integrity in postmortem and decomposing cadavers preserved in DNA/RNA Shield™ and modified TENT, with silica-based purification (QIAquick®) for faster processing. The psoas muscle tissues of one decomposed and ten cadavers were preserved in each solution at 25 °C and 35 °C for 3 months. Free DNA efficiency was compared with individual reference samples for reliable results in quantity, quality, and STR profiles. The findings revealed that DNA/RNA Shield™ effectively preserves free DNA integrity for extended storage, while modified TENT is more suitable for short-term storage due to higher degradation levels. Moreover, the use of free DNA samples with massive parallel sequencing displays potential for forensic DNA analysis. Successful amplification of the mtDNA control region enables variant calling and heteroplasmy analysis while also serving as quality control using ACTB and enabling differentiation within the 16S rRNA region for microbiome analysis. The simplicity of handling free DNA for PCR-based forensic analysis adds to its potential for various applications, including DVI and field-based analysis of biological evidence.