bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new echocardiographic index to select patients for PFO suture‐mediated percutaneous closure
Authors: Gaspardone Achille , Sgueglia Gregory A. , Gaspardone Carlo , De Santis Antonella , D'Ascoli Emanuela , Piccioni Fabiana , Iamele Maria , Giannico Maria Benedetta , Tarsia Carmela , Versaci Francesco
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To identify a simple echocardiographic predictor of procedural success to select patient for percutaneous suture‐mediated patent fossa ovalis (PFO) closure.

Background

Percutaneous suture‐mediated PFO closure has been shown as a safe and advantageous alternative to device‐based PFO closure, yet its overall success is slightly lower in unselected patients.

Methods

Preprocedural transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) of 302 patients (113 men, 45 ± 12 years) who underwent percutaneous suture‐mediated PFO closure were reviewed.

Results

At echocardiographic follow‐up (3–6 months), residual right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) ≥2 was found in 60 (19.9%) patients. At multivariable analysis, only two anatomical variables measured at preprocedural TEE were found as independent predictors of residual RLS ≥ 2 at follow‐up: PFO maximum width (odds ratio [OR] 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–3.40, p = 0.02) and PFO minimal septa overlapping (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35–0.88, p = 0.02). An index based on the ratio of PFO maximum width to PFO minimum septal overlapping (W/SO) proved to be the most powerful predictor of RLS ≥ 2 at follow‐up (OR 48.1, 95% CI 9.3–352.2, p < 0.01). The ROC curve for the W/SO ratio was found to have an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI 0.75–0.93) and a cut‐off value of 0.61 yielding a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 78% with a negative predictive value of 94%. A decision tree methodology's AUC was 0.75 (95% CI 0.67–0.83).

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that the ratio between the maximum amplitude of the PFO and the minimum overlap of the septa is the best predictive index of a favorable result by using one stitch only.
Association between insomnia and the incidence of myocardial infarction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dean Yomna E. , Shebl Mohamed A. , Rouzan Samah S. , Bamousa Bdoor Ahmed A , Talat Nesreen Elsayed , Ansari Sana Afreen , Tanas Yousef , Aslam Muaaz , Gebril Sara , Sbitli Taher , Eweis Ramy , Shahid Rameen , Salem Amr , Abdelaziz Heba Ahmed , Shah Jaffer , Hasan Walaa , Hakim Diaa , Aiash Hani
Published: February 2023

Background

Insomnia has been closely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) including myocardial infarction (MI). Our study aims to assess the eligibility of insomnia as a potential risk factor for MI.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using terms; such as “Insomnia” and “MI.” Only observational controlled studies with data on the incidence of MI among insomniacs were included. Revman software version 5.4 was used for the analysis.

Results

Our pooled analysis showed a significant association between insomnia and the incidence of MI compared with noninsomniacs (relative risk [RR] = 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.41–2.02, p < .00001). Per sleep duration, we detected the highest association between ≤5 h of sleep, and MI incidence compared to 7−8 h of sleep (RR = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.41–1.73). Disorders of initiating and maintaining sleep were associated with increased MI incidence (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04–1.23, p = .003). However, subgroup analysis of nonrestorative sleep and daytime dysfunction showed an insignificant association with MI among both groups (RR = 1.06, 95% CI = 0.91–1.23, p = .46). Analysis of age, follow‐up duration, sex, and comorbidities showed a significant association in insomniacs.

Conclusion

Insomnia and ≤5 h of sleep are highly associated with increased incidence of MI; an association comparable to that of other MI risk factors and as such, it should be considered as a risk factor for MI and to be incorporated into MI prevention guidelines.
Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number Is a Potential Biomarker for Treatment Choice Between Metformin and Acarbose
Authors: Wang Jing , Liang Hua , Wang You , Zheng Xueying , Chen Fei , Shao Jian , Geng Zhaoxu , Zheng Li , Yang Wenying , Weng Jianping , Xu Tao , Zhou Kaixin
Published: February 2023

Metformin is the first‐line drug for type 2 diabetes (T2D) while acarbose is suggested as a viable alternative in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed T2D. However, few biomarkers have been established to guide the choice between these two agents. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (mtDNA‐CN) is a biomarker of mitochondrial function, which is associated with various metabolic outcomes. Using data from the trial of Metformin and Acarbose in Chinese as the Initial Hypoglycaemic Treatment (MARCH) (metformin n = 214; acarbose n = 198), we examined whether mtDNA‐CN was associated with response to the drugs in terms of glycemic response and β‐cell function protection response. The glycemic response is defined as the maximum glucose reduction of glycated hemoglobin A1c, fasting plasma glucose, or postprandial blood glucose during 48 weeks. β‐cell function protection response is defined as the maximum increment of insulinogenic index (IGI) or disposition index (DI). For all three glycemic responses, mtDNA‐CN was not significantly associated with either metformin or acarbose. Importantly, for β‐cell function protection response, we found the increased mtDNA‐CN was significantly associated with more IGI increment (beta: 0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.02 to 1.66) in the metformin group, but less IGI increment (beta: −1.38; 95% CI, −2.52 to −0.23) in the acarbose group. A significant interaction (P = 0.008) between mtDNA‐CN and the treatment group was observed. Consistent results were also obtained when DI increment was used as a measure of β‐cell function response. This study demonstrated the potential application of mtDNA‐CN in guiding the treatment choice between metformin and acarbose based on β‐cell protection.
Numerical study on calculation model of airflow temperature and humidity prediction in humid airway
Authors: Wang Yongjun , Zhang Hemeng , Zheng Qian , Dong Wei , Zhao Ruoji , Zhang Xun , Zhang Xiaoming , Sugai Yuichi , Sasaki Kyuro
Published: February 2023

In deep coal mining, the high temperature and humidity environment are one of the main disasters threatening workers and equipment. To predict the temperature and humidity of airflow in the airway accurately, this study establishes a numerical calculation model of the surrounding rock temperature, airflow temperature, and humidity under the conditions of considering the moisture evaporation and heat absorption of the airway wall, the condensation and heat release of supersaturated water vapor in the airflow, and the influence of air compression or expansion. Combined with the two‐dimensional (2D) heat conduction model (considering the influence of the axial surrounding rock heat conduction of the airway), the axial strip partial moisture calculation model of the airway is proposed, and then the uniform moist wall model and the axial strip partial moist wall model are established. The influence of different parameters on the temperature and humidity of airflow is discussed by analyzing the results of numerical simulation of the uniform wet surface model (UWSM) and partly wet surface model (PWSM) of the airway wall. The results show that the surrounding rock temperature, especially the temperature distribution of the airway wall, calculated by using the 2D heat conduction model under the local humid airway conditions, is more realistic. The increment of airflow temperature decreases with the increase of wet area ratio, airflow temperature at the entrance and airway radius, and increases with relative humidity at the entrance. The calculation accuracy of temperature and humidity prediction for large ventilation networks can be further improved by using the equivalent humidity of the UWSM to replace the correction coefficient of the wet area ratio of the PWSM.
Gastric cancer‐derived exosomes facilitate pulmonary metastasis by activating ERK‐mediated immunosuppressive macrophage polarization
Authors: Gu Juan , Chu Xu , Huo Yujia , Liu Chaoyi , Chen Qingge , Hu Shengnan , Pei Yanyan , Ding Pu , Pang Sen , Wang Ming
Published: February 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) with pulmonary metastasis is one of the deadliest diseases in the world; however, the underlying pathological mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets remain to be elucidated. As exosomes play indispensable roles in the formation of premetastatic niches (PMN) and cancer metastasis. Therefore, investigating the underlying mechanisms of exosome‐mediated pulmonary metastasis of GC may shed new light on identifying novel therapeutic targets for GC treatment. GC‐derived exosomes were isolated from the conditioned medium of mouse forestomach carcinoma (MFC) cell line. The effects of MFC‐derived exosomes on pulmonary macrophage polarization were analyzed by reverse‐ transcription polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. Expression of PD‐L1 and other proteins was evaluated by Western blot. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) were analyzed by microarray. GC‐derived exosomes (GC‐exo) accumulated in high numbers in the lungs and were ingested by macrophages. The extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway was activated by GC‐exo, inducing macrophage immunosuppressive‐phenotype differentiation and increased PD‐L1 expression. miRNA‐sequencing identified 130 enriched miRNAs in GC‐exo. Among the enriched miRNAs, miR‐92a‐3p plays a major role in activating ERK signaling via inhibition of PTEN expression. In addition, inhibiting ERK signaling with PD98059 significantly reduced the expression of PD‐L1 in macrophages and, therefore, reversed the immunosuppressive PMN and inhibited the colonization of GC cells in the lungs. This study identified a novel mechanism of GC‐exo mediated PD‐L1 expression in lung macrophages that facilitates lung PMN formation and GC pulmonary metastasis, which also provided a potential therapeutic target for GC with pulmonary metastasis treatment.
State‐of‐the‐art molecular imprinted colorimetric sensors and their on‐site inspecting applications
Authors: Wang Sitao , Xu Shufang , Zhou Qingqing , Liu Zhimin , Xu Zhigang
Published: February 2023

Molecular imprinted colorimetric sensors can realize visual semi‐quantitative analysis without the use of any equipment. With the advantages of low cost, fast response, ease of handling, and excellent recognition ability, the molecular imprinted colorimetric sensor shows great application potential in the field of sample rapid assay. Molecular imprinted colorimetric sensors can be prepared in various forms to meet the needs of different sample determination, such as film, hydrogel, strip, and adsorption coating. In this review, the preparation methods for various types of molecularly imprinted colorimetric sensors are systematically introduced. Their applications in the field of on‐site biological sample detection, drug detection, disease treatment, chiral substance detection and separation, environmental analysis, and food safety detection are introduced. The limitations encountered in the practical application are presented, and the future development directions prospect.
Narrow beam breast CT: proof‐of‐concept
Authors: Ghazi Peymon , Fu Guanhao , Ghazi Tara , Kazanzides Peter , Iordachita Iulian
Published: February 2023

Background

In breast CT, scattered photons form a large portion of the acquired signal, adversely impacting image quality throughout the frequency response of the imaging system. Prior studies provided evidence for a new image acquisition design, dubbed Narrow Beam Breast CT (NB‐bCT), in preventing scatter acquisition.

Purpose

Here, we report the design, implementation, and initial characterization of the first NB‐bCT prototype.

Methods

The imaging system's apparatus is composed of two primary assemblies: a dynamic Fluence Modulator (collimator) and a photon‐counting line detector. The design of the assemblies enables them to operate in lockstep during image acquisition, converting sourced x‐rays into a moving narrow beam. During a projection, this narrow beam sweeps the entire fan angle coverage of the imaging system. The assemblies are each comprised of a metal housing, a sensory system, and a robotic system. A controller unit handles their relative movements. To study the impact of fluence modulation on the signal received in the detector, three physical breast phantoms, representative of small, average, and large size breasts, were developed and imaged, and acquired projections analyzed. The scatter acquisition in each projection as a function of breast phantom size was investigated. The imaging system's spatial resolution at the center and periphery of the field of view was measured.

Results

Minimal acquisition of scattered rays occurs during image acquisition with NB‐bCT; results in minimal scatter to primary ratios in small, average, and large breast phantoms imaged were 0.05, 0.07, and 0.9, respectively. System spatial resolution of 5.2 lp/mm at 10% max MTF and 2.9 lp/mm at 50% max MTF at the center of the field of view was achieved, with minimal loss with the shift toward the corner (5.0 lp/mm at 10% max MTF and 2.5 lp/mm at 50% max MTF).

Conclusion

The disclosed development, implementation, and characterization of a physical NB‐bCT prototype system demonstrates a new method of CT‐based image acquisition that yields high spatial resolution while minimizing scatter‐components in acquired projections. This methodology holds promise for high‐resolution CT‐imaging applications in which reduction of scatter contamination is desirable.
Bend‐insensitive fiber optic ultrasonic tracking probe for cardiovascular interventions
Authors: Mathews Sunish J. , Little Callum , Zhang Edward , Beard Paul , Mastracci Tara , Rakhit Roby , Desjardins Adrien E.
Published: February 2023

Background

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is widely used to guide medical device placement in minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures. However, visualization of the device tip with TEE can be challenging. Ultrasonic tracking, enabled by an integrated fiber optic ultrasound sensor (FOUS) that receives transmissions from the TEE probe, is very well suited to improving device localization in this context. The problem addressed in this study is that tight deflections of devices such as a steerable guide catheter can result in bending of the FOUS beyond its specifications and a corresponding loss of ultrasound sensitivity.

Purpose

A bend‐insensitive FOUS was developed, and its utility with ultrasonic tracking of a steerable tip during TEE‐based image guidance was demonstrated.

Methods

Fiberoptic ultrasound sensors were fabricated using both standard and bend insensitive single mode fibers and subjected to static bending at the distal end. The interference transfer function and ultrasound sensitivities were compared for both types of FOUS. The bend‐insensitive FOUS was integrated within a steerable guide catheter, which served as an exemplar device; the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of tracking signals from the catheter tip with a straight and a fully deflected distal end were measured in a cardiac ultrasound phantom for over 100 frames.

Results

With tight bending at the distal end (bend radius < 10 mm), the standard FOUS experienced a complete loss of US sensitivity due to high attenuation in the fiber, whereas the bend‐insensitive FOUS had largely unchanged performance, with a SNR of 47.7 for straight fiber and a SNR of 36.8 at a bend radius of 3.0 mm. When integrated into the steerable guide catheter, the mean SNRs of the ultrasonic tracking signals recorded with the catheter in a cardiac phantom were similar for straight and fully deflected distal ends: 195 and 163.

Conclusion

The FOUS fabricated from bend‐insensitive fiber overcomes the bend restrictions associated with the FOUS fabricated from standard single mode fiber, thereby enabling its use in ultrasonic tracking in a wide range of cardiovascular devices.
Is Postextubation Dysphagia Underestimated in the Era of COVID‐19? A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Lin Chung‐Wei , Chiang Ting‐Yi , Chen Wen‐Ching , Chiu Li‐Wen , Su Yung‐Chung , Lin Hsin‐Ching , Chang Chun‐Tuan
Published: February 2023

Objective

To investigate the incidence rate of postextubation dysphagia (PED) in patients with COVID‐19, as well as relative factors potentially influencing the clinical course of dysphagia.

Data Sources

Six databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science were searched with no restriction on the language.

Review Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Data were extracted and cross‐examined among 3 of the authors. The random‐effects model was adopted for the statistical synthesis. The percentage and 95% confidence interval (CI) were adopted as the effect measurements of the PED incidence rate. Subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and metaregression were also performed to identify the heterogeneity among the studies.

Results

A total of 594 patients were enrolled and analyzed from the 10 eligible studies. The weighted incidence of PED in patients with COVID‐19 was 66.5% (95% CI: 49.7%‐79.9%). Age was the potential factor influencing the incidence rate after heterogeneity was adjusted by the metaregression analysis.

Conclusion

Compared to the current evidence reporting only 41% of the non‐COVID patients experienced PED, our study further disclosed that a higher 66.5% of COVID‐19 patients suffered from PED, which deserves global physicians' attention. With the association between COVID‐19 and dysphagia having been more clearly understood, future clinicians are suggested to identify intubated patients' risk factors earlier to strengthen PED care programs in the era of COVID‐19.
Molecularly imprinted two‐dimensional photonic crystal hydrogel sensor for the detection of gatifloxacin
Authors: Zhao Lingli , Liu Genqi , Zheng Bingqing , Wang Gang , Wang Yue , Liu Lisha , Sun Chenxin , Ma Xiaoyan
Published: February 2023

Using polystyrene two‐dimensional photonic crystal as template, gatifloxacin (GTFX) as imprinting molecule, methanol as solvent, acrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate as crosslinking agent and 2,2‐diethyloxyacetophenone as initiator, after UV initiation polymerization the GTFX molecularly imprinted two‐dimensional photonic crystal hydrogel (GTFX‐MIPCH) sensor was prepared. The response performance of the hydrogel was investigated by measuring the diameter change of the Debye ring. The experimental results showed that the prepared GTFX‐MIPCH has a sensitive response to GTFX. When the concentration of GTFX increases from 0 to 1 × 10−4 mol L−1, the diameter of the Debye ring decreases by 8.50 mm, the corresponding particle spacing increases by 29.1 nm, and the color of the sensor changes from purple to orange. Also there was a linear relationship between the change of particle spacing (Δd) and the logarithm of GTFX concentration (lg c) in the range 10−12–10−6 mol L−1. It is noteworthy that the limit of detection of GTFX‐MIPCH is as low as 10−14 mol L−1. In addition, in a solution of GTFX analogues enrofloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, the change of particle spacing of the GTFX‐MIPCH sensor is 13.3, 11.6, 11.1 and 10.3 nm respectively, indicating that GTFX‐MIPCH has good specific recognition ability for GTFX. Moreover, GTFX‐MIPCH shows good reusability and can also be used for the detection of GTFX in water samples. This GTFX‐MIPCH can achieve a visual detection effect on GTFX through the Debye ring and color change. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Prevalence of genotoxic bacteria in men undergoing biopsy for prostate cancer
Authors: Lee John , Wickes Brian L. , Fu Jianmin , Brockman Nohelli E. , Garg Harshit , Jobin Christian , Johson‐Pais Teresa , Leach Robin , Lai Zhao , Liss Michael A.
Published: February 2023

Background

New evidence suggests that bacteria‐produced DNA toxins may have a role in the development or progression of prostate cancer. To determine the prevalence of these genes in a noninfection (i.e., colonized) state, we screened urine specimens in men before undergoing a biopsy for prostate cancer detection.

Methods

We developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction using three of the most described bacterial genotoxin gene primers: Colibactin (polyketone synthase [pks] gene island: clbN and clbB), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf1) toxin, and cytolethal distending toxin B (cdtB) represented gene islands. After calibration on Escherichia coli samples of known genotypes, we used a training and validation cohort. We performed multiplex testing on a training cohort of previously collected urine from 45 men undergoing prostate biopsy. For the validation cohort, we utilized baseline urine samples from a previous randomized clinical trial (n = 263) with known prostate cancer outcomes.

Results

The prevalence of four common bacterial genotoxin genes detected in the urine before prostate biopsy for prostate cancer is 8% (25/311). The prevalence of pks island (clbN and clbB), cnf1, and cdt toxin genes are 6.1%, 2.4%, and 1.7%, respectively. We found no association between urinary genotoxins and prostate cancer (p = 0.83). We did identify a higher proportion of low‐grade cancer (92% vs. 44%) in those men positive for urinary genotoxin and higher‐grade cancer in those genotoxin negative (8% vs. 56%, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The prevalence of urinary genotoxins is low and does not correspond to a prostate cancer diagnosis. The urine was taken at one point in time and does not rule out the possibility of previous exposure.
A multiaxial probabilistic fatigue life prediction method for nickel‐based single crystal turbine blade considering mean stress correction
Authors: Zhang Xiaoling , Huang Hong‐Zhong , Zhang Xuelian , Zhang Kejia
Published: February 2023

Gas turbine blades normally operate under high‐temperatures, extreme pressure, and high‐speed conditions, which leads to complex failure mechanisms and difficulties in fatigue life assessment. Moreover, due to the randomness of manufacturing errors, working loads, and material properties, the low cycle fatigue (LCF) life normally presents unavoidable stochastic behavior. Therefore, accurate and efficient fatigue life prediction is critical for the design of gas turbine blades. Accordingly, this paper analyzes the effects of mean stress, anisotropy, and uncertainties on the LCF life of nickel‐based single‐crystal turbine blades. The modified Hill yield criterion is employed to deal with the anisotropic damage characteristics of nickel‐based single‐crystal superalloy (NSCS) under a multiaxial stress state. Meanwhile, the effects of the temperature and crystal orientation are introduced into the walker mean stress correction term. A multiaxial LCF life prediction model is developed based on the energy criterion‐based fatigue life estimation method. Moreover, multi‐source uncertainties originating from rotation speeds, material properties, and temperature are analyzed and quantified. Comparison between the predicted and tested life indicates that the proposed method produces good accuracy and robustness, which can provide a reference for the reliability design of NSCS turbine blades.
Hydrofoil-like legs help stream mayfly larvae to stay on the ground
Authors: Ditsche Petra , Hoffmann Florian , Kaehlert Sarah , Kesel Antonia , Gorb Stanislav
Published: February 2023

Adaptations to flow have already been in the focus of early stream research, but till today morphological adaptations of stream insects are hardly understood. While most previous stream research focused on drag, the effects of lift on ground-living stream insects have been often overlooked. Stream mayfly larvaeEcdyonurussp. graze on algae on top of the stones and therefore inhabit current exposed places in streams. They have a dorso-ventrally flattened body shape, which is known to reduce drag. However, this body shape enhances lift too, increasing the danger for the animal of getting detached from the substrate. Using microscopic techniques, 3D-printing, and drag and lift measurements in a wind tunnel, our experiments show that the widened femora ofEcdyonurussp. can generate negative lift, contributing to counterbalance the (positive) lift of the overall body shape. The larvae can actively regulate the amount of lift by adjusting the femur’s tilt or optimizing the distance to the ground. This shows that morphological adaptations of benthic stream insects can be very elaborate and can reach far beyond adaptations of the overall body shape. In the presented case,Ecdyonurussp. takes advantage of the flow to overcome the flow’s challenges.
Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples, revealing cellular targets involved in COVID-19 pathogenesis
Authors: Falcón-Cama Viviana , Montero-González Teresita , Acosta-Medina Emilio F. , Guillen-Nieto Gerardo , Berlanga-Acosta Jorge , Fernández-Ortega Celia , Alfonso-Falcón Anabel , Gilva-Rodríguez Nathalie , López-Nocedo Lilianne , Cremata-García Daina , Matos-Terrero Mariuska , Pentón-Rol Giselle , Valdés Iris , Oramas-Díaz Leonardo , Suarez-Batista Anamarys , Noa-Romero Enrique , Cruz-Sui Otto , Sánchez Daisy , Borrego-Díaz Amanda I. , Valdés-Carreras Juan E. , Vizcaino Ananayla , Suárez-Alba José , Valdés-Véliz Rodolfo , Bergado Gretchen , González Miguel A. , Hernandez Tays , Alvarez-Arzola Rydell , Ramírez-Suárez Anna C. , Casillas-Casanova Dionne , Lemos-Pérez Gilda , Blanco-Águila Omar R. , Díaz Angelina , González Yorexis , Bequet-Romero Mónica , Marín-Prida Javier , Hernández-Perera Julio C. , del Rosario-Cruz Leticia , Marin-Díaz Alina P. , González-Bravo Maritza , Borrajero Israel , Acosta-Rivero Nelson
Published: February 2023

There is an urgent need to understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-host interactions involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, which might contribute to the identification of new therapeutic targets. In this study, we investigated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in postmortem lung, kidney, and liver samples of patients who died with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its relationship with host factors involved in virus spread and pathogenesis, using microscopy-based methods. The cases analyzed showed advanced stages of diffuse acute alveolar damage and fibrosis. We identified the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (NC) in a variety of cells, colocalizing with mitochondrial proteins, lipid droplets (LDs), and key host proteins that have been implicated in inflammation, tissue repair, and the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle (vimentin, NLRP3, fibronectin, LC3B, DDX3X, and PPARγ), pointing to vimentin and LDs as platforms involved not only in the viral life cycle but also in inflammation and pathogenesis. SARS-CoV-2 isolated from a patient´s nasal swab was grown in cell culture and used to infect hamsters. Target cells identified in human tissue samples included lung epithelial and endothelial cells; lipogenic fibroblast-like cells (FLCs) showing features of lipofibroblasts such as activated PPARγ signaling and LDs; lung FLCs expressing fibronectin and vimentin and macrophages, both with evidence of NLRP3- and IL1β-induced responses; regulatory cells expressing immune-checkpoint proteins involved in lung repair responses and contributing to inflammatory responses in the lung; CD34+ liver endothelial cells and hepatocytes expressing vimentin; renal interstitial cells; and the juxtaglomerular apparatus. This suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may directly interfere with critical lung, renal, and liver functions involved in COVID-19-pathogenesis.
Frequent duets, rare choruses, and extremely rare solos: year-round singing behavior in Chubb’s Cisticola
Authors: Budka Michał , Piasecka Marta , Białas Joanna Teresa , Kokociński Patryk , Podkowa Paweł , Surmacki Adrian , Szymański Paweł , Sobczyńska Urszula , Osiejuk Tomasz Stanisław
Published: February 2023

Our current understanding of the function of coordinated acoustic displays usually comes from studies conducted over a short period of the breeding season. However, the function of particular types of vocalizations may vary according to sex and context, and such displays can extend beyond the time of reproduction. To fully understand this phenomenon, analyses of year-round singing behavior are required. In the current study, we focused on a small, year-round territorial Afrotropical songbird, Chubb’s Cisticola (Cisticola chubbi). We analyzed the structure of songs during the breeding season as well as year-round changes in the proportion of solos, duets, and choruses to investigate the potential function(s) of each type of vocalization. We found that: (1) females produced whistling notes, while males generated trilling ones; (2) up to five individuals formed coordinated choruses, and (3) individuals were always near to each other during cooperative singing. Over the course of a year, the majority of syllables recorded were duets (82%), with rarer choruses (16%) and extremely rare solos (2%). Outside of the breeding season, males produced the most solos, while females produced more at the beginning of the breeding season. The proportion of choruses was highest at the end of breeding season. Frequent year-round production of duets and choruses strongly supports territory defense as the main function of joint singing, while the highest proportion of choruses at the end of the breeding season suggests that offspring take part in the chorus. To better understand cooperative singing, it is essential to extend our looking beyond the breeding season.
Cleaning, sculpting or preparing? Scientific knowledge in Caitlin Wylie’s preparing dinosaurs
Authors: Currie Adrian
Published: February 2023

Caitlin Wylie’s “Preparing Dinosaurs: the work behind the scenes” (MIT Press 2021) provides a rich ethnographic analysis of the work of fossil preparators. On her account, knowledge in vertebrate paleontology is mediated through a three-way division of labour between paleontologists, preparators and volunteers, each with their own role, expertise and responsibility. In this review, I develop her notion of ‘preparation as knowledge’, focusing in particular on the nature of objectivity in paleontological knowledge and on the middle-road she indicates between constructivist and realist approaches to epistemology.
Nash equilibrium as a tool for the Car Sequencing Problem 4.0
Authors: Bysko Sara , Krystek Jolanta , Świerniak Andrzej
Published: February 2023

This paper introduces a new concept to solve car sequencing problem called the Car Sequencing Problem 4.0, focuses the paint shop. The problem of effective car sequencing in the paint shop is caused by the specifics of the production process itself and the structure of the production line. Sequencing of cars as required by the painting process is justified economically. The main goal is to minimize the number of costly changeovers of the painting guns because of color changes and to synchronize those with periodic cleanings, forced by technological requirements. For this purpose, a buffer located in the paint shop is applied. In this paper a game theoretic framework is presented to analyze the problem. Three games are introduced: Buffer Slot Assignment Game–Buffer-OutShuttle Game called the BSAG-BOSG, In–Out Shuttle Game and its modification called modified In–Out Shuttle Game. Based on the simulations performed the efficiency of the algorithms is verified using several datasets.
3D scanning of Upper Limb anatomy by a depth-camera-based system
Authors: Neri Paolo , Paoli Alessandro , Aruanno Beatrice , Barone Sandro , Tamburrino Francesco , Razionale Armando V.
Published: February 2023

The 3D reconstruction of upper limb anatomy plays a significant role in many biomedical fields such as ergonomics, motion rehabilitation, and prosthesis design. In the last few years, the technical advancement of consumer-grade depth cameras has supported the development of portable and low-cost optical 3D body scanners for healthcare applications. The real-time scanning of human body parts, however, still represents a complex task due to the non-stationary nature of the scanning target. This issue imposes that the scanning time must be reduced as much as possible to minimize scanning artifacts. In this regard, depth cameras can capture geometrical information at video frame rates, thus guaranteeing fast acquisition times. Furthermore, the simultaneous use of multiple sensors would minimize undercut geometries, which impair the 3D reconstruction’s completeness. In this work, a portable 3D optical scanner has been developed by rigidly assembling three Intel® RealSense™ D415 depth cameras on a lightweight circular frame. The three sensors are mutually calibrated, by using a 3D printed calibration specimen, to simultaneously align acquisitions from the three different camera viewpoints for each scanner pose. The system’s effectiveness has been assessed by acquiring the geometry of both a plaster hand and a human hand and comparing the results with those obtained by a high-end stationary structured light scanner. The developed system represents a low-cost handheld alternative to existing body scanners for collecting and storing 3D anatomical data, which can be used in the design process of bespoke medical devices.
Development of copper foam-based composite catalysts for electrolysis of water and beyond
Authors: Wang Jiaming , Hu Yuting , Wang Feiyu , Yan Yatao , Chen Yang , Shao Mengting , Wu Qianhui , Zhu Shoupu , Diao Guowang , Chen Ming
Published: February 2023

Fabrication of composite materials on 3D copper foam for electrochemical research.
Receptivity and its influence on transition prediction of a hypersonic boundary layer over a small bluntness cone
Authors: Niu Menghao , Su Caihong
Published: February 2023

Hypersonic boundary-layer receptivity is investigated using direct numerical simulation for Mach 6 flow over a 0.79 mm nose radius, 5° half-angle cone to slow acoustic waves. Two ways of exciting the second mode are discovered: For a low-frequency forcing (region I where f < 370 kHz), the first mode is initially excited and subsequently evolves into the second mode, whereas for a high-frequency forcing (region II where f≥ 370 kHz), the second mode is excited through the disturbances in the entropy layer. The receptivity mechanisms corresponding to the first and second modes are consistent with those of a previously investigated large bluntness cone. The receptivity coefficient shows a dramatical decrease with the frequency for disturbances in region I while a slight increase for disturbances in region II. The results show that the correlation between the receptivity coefficient of the first mode and the frequency proposed for large bluntness cones also applies to the current case. Furthermore, with receptivity and the measured freestream noise spectra taken into account, it is found that at the measured transition location, the disturbance predicted by the traditional eN method is no longer the most amplified disturbance, since the disturbances with lower frequencies can acquire larger amplitudes due to their large receptivity coefficients despite their smaller growth rates.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of heifer serum at the peri-implantation period using two complementary methods
Authors: Ruiz Álvarez Jimena Inés , Teijeiro Juan Manuel , Evans Caroline , Marini Patricia Estela
Published: February 2023

Context Systemic events resulting from mother-embryo relation at the peri-implantation period may result in specific changes to the protein composition of serum and thus provide a source of biomarkers for early detection of pregnancy. Aims We set out to use two different quantitative proteomic approaches to test this hypothesis by comparing heifer serum at the peri-implantation period to that from cycling heifers. Methods Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and isobaric tags were used for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) of proteins. Key results These methods yielded complementary data indicating biomarker candidate proteins. Conclusions Different proteomic methods provide different and complementary information that needs to be analysed in order to consider proteins as potential biomarkers. Implications In order to characterise the proteome under specific conditions, the use of complementary techniques is advisable.
Feasibility of the Palliative Care Education in Assisted Living Intervention for Dementia Care Providers: A Cluster Randomized Trial
Authors: Dobbs Debra , Yauk Jessica , Vogel Carlyn E , Fanfan Dany , Buck Harleah , Haley William E , Meng Hongdao
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD) is a major cause of death in the United States. While effective interventions have been developed to deliver palliative care to nursing home residents with ADRD, little work has identified effective interventions to reach assisted living (AL) residents with dementia.

Research Design and Methods

One hundred and eighteen AL residents with dementia from 10 different ALs in Florida participated. A pilot study using a cluster randomized trial was conducted, with 6 sites randomized to receive a palliative care educational intervention for staff (N = 23) to deliver care to residents; 4 sites were usual care. The feasibility of the intervention was assessed by examining recruitment, retention, and treatment fidelity at 6 months. Cohen’s d statistic was used to calculate facility-level treatment effect sizes on key outcomes (documentation of advance care planning [ACP] discussions, hospice admission, and documentation of pain screening).

Results

The intervention proved feasible with high ratings of treatment fidelity. The intervention also demonstrated preliminary evidence for efficacy of the intervention, with effect sizes for the treatment group over 0.80 for increases in documentation of ACP discussions compared to the control group. Hospice admissions had a smaller effect size (0.16) and documentation of pain screenings had no effect.

Discussion and Implications

The pilot results suggest that the intervention shows promise as a resource for educating and empowering AL staff on implementing person-centered palliative care delivery to persons with dementia in AL. A larger, fully powered randomized trial is needed to test for its efficacy.
Integrating evidence-based teaching practices into the Mammalogy classroom
Authors: Patrick Lorelei E , Duggan Jennifer M , Dizney Laurie
Published: February 2023

The teaching practices used in college science classrooms have a profound influence on which students pass their courses (and continue to major in science) and which are ‘weeded out.’ Students from traditionally marginalized backgrounds have lower grades and learning gains compared to their nonmarginalized peers in courses that rely heavily on lecture and high-stakes exams. This achievement gap narrows or disappears when instructors use student-centered, evidence-based teaching practices. These teaching practices can include actions that shape our classroom environment, communicate course material, and assess student learning. In this paper, we provide a summary of the evidence supporting the use of student-centered teaching practices, followed by examples of several effective evidence-based teaching practices that can be integrated into organismal courses. Examples include faculty mindset for inclusion, teaching practices to increase student confidence and to reduce stereotype threat, increasing course structure by spreading points among several different types of activities, several active learning methods, jigsaws, Scientist Spotlights, course-based undergraduate research experiences, and inquiry-based labs. Each example is linked to supporting resources to help instructors easily implement these practices in their classrooms. The American Society of Mammalogists endeavors to be equitable and inclusive through numerous initiatives, and modifying our teaching practices can increase equity and inclusion of future mammalogists into our own classrooms.
WUS-RELATED HOMEOBOX 14 boosts de novo plant shoot regeneration
Authors: Wang Jing , Tan Mingfang , Wang Xuening , Jia Lingyu , Wang Mengping , Huang Aixia , You Lei , Li Chen , Zhang Yonghong , Zhao Yu , Wang Guodong
Published: February 2023

WUS-RELATED HOMEOBOX 14 and its putative rice ortholog boost de novo plant shoot regeneration
Development and Testing of the RN Confidence in Evidence-Based Practice (RNcEBP) Survey
Authors: VanWingerden Lori , Drone-Silvers Frances , Owens Linda K.
Published: February 2023

Continual assessment of evidence-based culture is essential to inform growth in evidence-based practice (EBP). The RN Confidence in Evidence-Based Practice (RNcEBP) Survey was developed and tested over a 4-year period within a Magnet-designated organization. The primary aim of this institutional review board-approved study was to test reliability and validity of the workplace-focused RNcEBP Survey. The second aim of the electronic survey was to provide practical and concise assessment data to inform nursing professional development and support for EBP.
Informal Power
Authors: Harper Mary G.
Published: February 2023

Most nursing professional development practitioners do not have formal power that results from being in a leadership position in their organization. As a result, they must optimize their influence through referent, expert, and informational power as described by French and Raven (1959). This column provides actionable recommendations for nursing professional development practitioners to expand their influence in their organizations.
Assessing the Utility of ChatGPT Throughout the Entire Clinical Workflow
Authors: Rao Arya , Pang Michael , Kim John , Kamineni Meghana , Lie Winston , Prasad Anoop K. , Landman Adam , Dreyer Keith J , Succi Marc D.
Published: February 2023

IMPORTANCE

Large language model (LLM) artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots direct the power of large training datasets towards successive, related tasks, as opposed to single-ask tasks, for which AI already achieves impressive performance. The capacity of LLMs to assist in the full scope of iterative clinical reasoning via successive prompting, in effect acting as virtual physicians, has not yet been evaluated.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate ChatGPT’s capacity for ongoing clinical decision support via its performance on standardized clinical vignettes.

DESIGN

We inputted all 36 published clinical vignettes from the Merck Sharpe & Dohme (MSD) Clinical Manual into ChatGPT and compared accuracy on differential diagnoses, diagnostic testing, final diagnosis, and management based on patient age, gender, and case acuity.

SETTING

ChatGPT, a publicly available LLM

PARTICIPANTS

Clinical vignettes featured hypothetical patients with a variety of age and gender identities, and a range of Emergency Severity Indices (ESIs) based on initial clinical presentation.

EXPOSURES

MSD Clinical Manual vignettes

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

We measured the proportion of correct responses to the questions posed within the clinical vignettes tested.

RESULTS

ChatGPT achieved 71.7% (95% CI, 69.3% to 74.1%) accuracy overall across all 36 clinical vignettes. The LLM demonstrated the highest performance in making a final diagnosis with an accuracy of 76.9% (95% CI, 67.8% to 86.1%), and the lowest performance in generating an initial differential diagnosis with an accuracy of 60.3% (95% CI, 54.2% to 66.6%). Compared to answering questions about general medical knowledge, ChatGPT demonstrated inferior performance on differential diagnosis (β=-15.8%, p<0.001) and clinical management (β=-7.4%, p=0.02) type questions.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

ChatGPT achieves impressive accuracy in clinical decision making, with particular strengths emerging as it has more clinical information at its disposal.
Sex-specific Morphometric Analysis of Ascending Aorta and Aortic Arch for Planning Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
Authors: Katsarou Maria , Mandigers Tim J. , Berczeli Marton , Zubair M. Mujeeb , Belvroy Viony M. , Schwein Adeline , Bissacco Daniele , van Herwaarden Joost A , Trimarchi Santi , Bismuth Jean
Published: February 2023

Background

In many studies on aortic disease women are underrepresented. The present study aims to assess sex-specific morphometric differences and gain more insight into endovascular treatment of the AA and arch.

Methods

Electrocardiogram-gated cardiac computed tomography scans of 116 patients who were evaluated for transcatheter aortic valve replacement were retrospectively reviewed. Measurements of the AA and aortic arch were made in multiplanar views, perpendicular to the semi-automatic centerline. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictors affecting AA and aortic arch diameter in men and women. Propensity score matching was used to investigate whether sex influences aortic morphology.

Results

In both sexes, body surface area (BSA) was identified as a positive predictor and diabetes as a negative predictor for aortic diameters. In men, age was identified as a positive predictor and smoking as a negative predictor for aortic diameters. Propensity score matching identified 40 pairs. Systolic and diastolic mean diameters and AA length were significantly wider in men. On average, male aortas were 7,4% wider compared to female aortas, both in systole and diastole.

Conclusions

The present analysis demonstrates that, in women, increased BSA is associated with increased aortic arch diameters, while diabetes is associated to decreased AA and arch diameters. In men, increased body surface area and age are associated to increased AA and arch diameters, while smoking and diabetes are associated to decreased AA and arch diameters. Men were confirmed to have 7.4% greater AA and arch diameters than women.
Quantifying the impact of SARS-CoV-2 temporal vaccination trends and disparities on disease control
Authors: Larsen Sophie L. , Shin Ikgyu , Joseph Jefrin , West Haylee , Anorga Rafael , Mena Gonzalo E. , Mahmud Ayesha S. , Martinez Pamela P.
Published: February 2023

SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were developed and distributed during a global crisis at unprecedented speed. Still, little is known about trends in vaccine uptake over time, their association with socioeconomic inequality, and the impact of these temporal trends on disease control. By analyzing data from dozens of countries, we examined vaccination rates across high and low socioeconomic (SES) groups, showing that socioeconomic disparities in the fraction of the population vaccinated exist at both national and sub-national levels. We also identified two distinct vaccination trends: one characterized by rapid initial roll-out, quickly reaching a plateau; and another trend that is sigmoidal and slow to begin. Informed by these patterns, we implemented an SES-stratified mechanistic model, finding profound differences across the two vaccination types in the burden of infections and deaths. The timing of initial roll-out has a more significant effect on transmission and deaths than the eventual level of coverage or the degree of SES disparity. Surprisingly, the speed of the roll-out is not associated with wealth inequality or GDP per capita of countries. While socioeconomic disparity should be addressed, accelerating the initial roll-out for all groups is a broadly accessible intervention and has the potential to minimize the burden of infections and deaths across socioeconomic groups.