bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sequential reinfection with Omicron variants elicits broader neutralizing antibody profiles in booster vaccinees and reduces the duration of viral shedding
Authors: Wei Dong , Yu Xiaoqi , Li Yulong , Chen Yingying , Chen Erzhen , Wang Ying , Yang Zhitao , Zhang Xinxin
Published: October 2023

The constant emergence of breakthrough infections with Omicron variants poses an escalating challenge to the current vaccination strategy. In this study, we investigated the distinct neutralization activities and clinical characteristics of the booster vaccinees with Omicron reinfection compared with single breakthrough infection and homologous booster vaccination. Our results demonstrate that neutralizing antibody GMTs for WT and other four subvariants (BA.2.2, BA.5.2, BF.7, and XBB.1) differ greatly between breakthrough infection and homologous booster cohorts. Sequential reinfection with Omicron variants elicits broader and high‐titer variant‐specific neutralizing antibody profiles against Omicron variants. It could also dampen the hyperactivation of WT‐specific neutralization induced by previous WT‐based vaccination. Moreover, the clinical characteristics from reinfection demonstrated that repeated stimulation by Omicron variants could reduce the duration of viral shedding. By considering reinfection with the Omicron variant as a representative model of repeated immunogen exposures, our results thus illustrate the potential superiority of repeated Omicron stimuli and provide additional evidence supporting the Omicron immunogen as a more effective vaccine candidate to mitigate the transmission of emerging variants.
Distribution and molecular characterization of saffold virus and human cosavirus in children admitted to hospitals with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand, 2017−2022
Authors: Hogben Emily , Khamrin Pattara , Kumthip Kattareeya , Yodmeeklin Arpaporn , Maneekarn Niwat
Published: October 2023

Saffold virus (SAFV) and human cosavirus (HCoSV) are emerging viruses of the Picornaviridae family. They have been shown to associate with gastrointestinal infection and more recently these viruses have also been demonstrated to associate with other clinical infections such as the respiratory tract, cardiovascular system, and the cerebral ventricular system. In this study, 2459 stool specimens collected from pediatric patients admitted to hospitals with acute gastroenteritis from January 2017 to December 2022, were screened for SAFV and HCoSV utilizing reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Positive samples were then characterized into genotypes via nucleotide sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Of the 2459 samples, 21 and 39 were positive for SAFV (0.9%) and HCoSV (1.6%), respectively. Three genotypes of SAFV were identified—SAFV‐1 (38%), SAFV‐2 (24%), and SAFV‐3 (38%). Two genetic groups of HCoSV were identified—HCoSV‐C (97%) and HCoSV‐A (3%), demonstrating a large increase of HCoSV‐C as compared to those reported previously from the same geographical region in Thailand. This study provides the prevalence of SAFV and HCoSV genotypes in Chiang Mai, Thailand during a period of 6 years from 2017 to 2022.
Investigating the multifactorial etiology of supraspinatus tendon tears
Authors: Lawrence Rebekah L. , Soliman Steven B. , Dalbøge Annett , Lohse Keith , Bey Michael J.
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study was to develop a multivariable model to determine the extent to which a combination of etiological factors is associated with supraspinatus tendon tears. Fifty‐four asymptomatic individuals (55 ± 4 years) underwent testing of their dominant shoulder. Diagnostic ultrasound was used to assess for a supraspinatus tendon tear. The etiological factors investigated included demographics (age and sex), tendon impingement during shoulder motion (via biplane videoradiography), glenohumeral morphology (via computed tomography imaging), family history of a tear (via self‐report), occupational shoulder exposure (via shoulder job exposure matrix), and athletic exposure (via self‐report). Univariate relationships between etiological predictors and supraspinatus tears were assessed using logistic regression and odds ratios (ORs), while multivariable relationships were assessed using classification and regression tree analysis. Thirteen participants (24.1%) had evidence of a supraspinatus tear. Individuals with a tear had a higher critical shoulder angle (OR 1.2, p = 0.028) and acromial index (OR 1.2, p = 0.016) than individuals without a tear. The multivariable model suggested that a tear in this cohort can be explained with acceptable accuracy (AUROC = 0.731) by the interaction between acromial index and shoulder occupational exposure: a tear is more likely in individuals with a high acromial index (p < 0.001), and in individuals with a low acromial index and high occupational exposure (p < 0.001). The combination of an individual's glenohumeral morphology (acromial index) and occupational shoulder exposure may be important in the development of supraspinatus tears.
Maximizing Knowledge Work Productivity: A Time Constrained and Activity Visualized PDCA Cycle
Authors: Maruta Rikio
Published: October 2023

This paper initiates a discussion on how to improve the productivity of “knowledge work.” To do this, the Plan, Do, Check, and Act (PDCA) cycle used for production team work improvement is redefined to be applicable to individual knowledge work. Applying the “redefined PDCA cycle” to accounts receivable collection has resulted in a remarkable improvement of on‐time payment collection ratios and the transformation of a simple collection clerk into a knowledge worker. On the basis of this, the concept of the redefined PDCA cycle was incorporated into a management system applicable to general knowledge work. This was done by incorporating four key mechanisms to push workers for the objective achievement as well as to guide their superiors to provide meaningful on‐the‐job training. The paper shows the usefulness of the PDCA cycle in enhanced knowledge work achievements as well as in nurturing the innovation capabilities of workers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
QbD‐Based Fabrication of Biomimetic Hydroxyapatite Embedded Gelatin Nanoparticles for Localized Drug Delivery against Deteriorated Arthritic Joint Architecture
Authors: Ain Qurat Ul , Zeeshan Mahira , Mazhar Danish , Zeb Ahmed , Afzal Iqra , Ullah Hameed , Ali Hussain , Rahdar Abbas , Díez‐Pascual Ana M.
Published: October 2023

Biomaterials such as nanohydroxyapatite and gelatin are widely explored to improve damaged joint architecture associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Besides joint damage, RA is associated with inflammation of joints and cartilage, which potentiates the need for both bone nucleation and therapeutic intervention. For such purpose, a modified nanoprecipitation method is used herein to fabricate tofacitinib (Tofa)‐loaded nanohydroxyapatite (nHA) embedded gelatin (GLT) nanoparticles (NPs) (Tofa‐nHA‐GLT NPs). The quality by design (QbD) approach is chosen to assess the key parameters that determine the efficiency of the NPs, and are further optimized via Box–Behnken design of experiment. The particle size, polydispersity, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency (EE) of the prepared NPs are found to be 269 nm, 0.18, −20.5 mV, and 90.7%, respectively. Furthermore, the NPs have improved stability, skin permeability, and a sustained drug release pattern at pH 6.5 (arthritic joint pH). Moreover, rhodamine‐B loaded nHA‐GLT NPs demonstrates considerably higher cellular uptake by the murine‐derived macrophages than free rhodamine‐B solution. In vitro, cell‐based experiments confirm the good cell biocompatibility with insignificant toxicity. Thus, QbD‐based approach has successfully led to the development of Tofa‐nHA‐GLT NPs with the potential to target inflamed arthritic joint.
Conformal eight‐port dual band antenna with switchable radiation pattern for 5G enabled on‐body wireless communications
Authors: Satpathy Rudra Bhanu , G. P. Ramesh
Published: October 2023

A novel conformal quasi‐yagi antenna and its Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) implementations for wireless body area networks (WBAN) application is reported in this letter. The antenna is developed on a 0.05 mm thin polyimide substrate making the antenna more flexible and conformal. The footprint of the proposed antenna is 35 × 35 mm with a dual dipole arm‐like structure making it resonant at 2.45 and 3.5 GHz covering the industrial scientific and medical and 5G bands for WBAN communications. The antenna is excited using a microstrip‐to‐slotline termination suitably terminated by a circular patch to realize the impedance matching. The ground plane is shaped to maintain good isolation between neighboring antennas during the eight‐element MIMO antenna development. The MIMO antennas are arranged circularly to achieve good antenna coverage along the azimuth directions. The antenna generates a tangential radiation pattern to the plane of the human body making it suitable for on‐body wireless communications. The proposed antenna offers a rotatable radiation pattern by appropriately choosing the antenna port of excitation. The proposed MIMO antenna offers an average gain of 4.5 and 5.2 dBi at 2.45 and 3.5 GHz, respectively. The MIMO antenna parameters are evaluated and presented. The calculated MIMO parameters are within the acceptable limits. Thus, the flexible nature with rotatable directional radiation patterns has made this antenna an attractive choice for on‐body communications in WBAN.
Resistance frequency selection surface framed reflector antenna for 5G OTA measurement
Authors: Weng Zibin , Wang Xini , Su Youqian , Jiao Yongchang
Published: October 2023

Indirect far field (IFF) over‐the‐air (OTA) test could be one of the most applicable test methods for 5G mmWave devices. The compact antenna test range (CATR) method has been introduced to the OTA test by 3GPP. Conventional metallic parabolic reflectors without edge treatment can lead to serious edge diffraction which results in high noise and low accuracy. The serrated reflector improves edge diffraction but performs poorly at low frequencies. Reflector antenna with a resistance frequency selection surface (RFSS) frame is proposed for 5G OTA CATR measurement at millimeter frequency, which collimates spherical incident waves into quasi‐plane waves in a relatively short distance, thus forming a quiet zone (QZ) in which large devices under test can be measured in small chamber. In this paper, the reflector with RFSS is investigated through the numerical and experimental methods, it is found that serrated RFSS frame with low edge diffraction could achieve the excellent QZ, which could be helpful in miniaturing CATR chambers for 5G OTA measurement.
Characteristics of compressive failure behavior of polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fiber multifilament
Authors: Zou Wanyan , Tong Yuanjian , Wang Yu , Qi Yan , Wang Xiaolong , Xu Lianghua
Published: October 2023

The deformation characteristics exhibited by the hierarchical structure in composites and their influence on compressive properties are investigated by controlling the deformation of carbon fiber multifilament under axial compressive loading. Our findings reveal that the deformation curve of carbon fiber composite materials under axial compression loads is nonlinear. Specifically, for 12 K high‐strength and medium‐modulus carbon fiber multifilament, when the compression load exceeds approximately 600 N, the buckling of individual fibers leads to shear deformation that damages the interface between the fiber and resin. Consequently, the compressive deformation of the multifilament composites transitions from elastic to plastic deformation. By enhancing the support force exerted by the resin on the multifilament composite and reducing the load span within the range of 2–4 mm, it is possible to effectively minimize or eliminate the overall buckling that may occur during the compression process of the multifilament composite. This results in a higher secant modulus under the same level of deformation. Additionally, it reduces the step difference between the compression and tension regions in the cross‐section of carbon fiber formed by the buckling, while the compression strength of the carbon fiber multifilament increases from 2.32 to 4.78 GPa.

Highlights

Characteristics of compression deformation of carbon fiber multifilament.

Regulation of the degree of buckling of carbon fiber multifilament.

Cross‐section morphology under different compression failure mechanisms.

Influence of the degree of buckling on compressive properties of carbon fiber.
Effect of cold application versus transcutaneous nerve stimulation on chemotherapy induced diabetic peripheral neuropathy post mastectomy
Authors: Elshinnawy Ahmed M. , Eraky Zeezy S. , Abdelaziz Sarah Sami , Abd‐Elrahman Noha A. F.
Published: October 2023

Background

The adverse effects of chemotherapy‐induced diabetic peripheral neuropathy (CIDPN) are rather prevalent. There is no known pharmaceutical treatment that can stop CIDPN.

Objective

This study compared the effects of cold application and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)) on individuals who had undergone mastectomy following CIDPN.

Subjects and methods

Between Mars 2021 and September 2021, a randomised controlled experiment was carried out at physical therapy clinics at the Modern University for Technology and Information. 30 patients were randomly split into two equal groups (A and B). Both lower limbs received cold application (Group A) three times per week for 12 weeks and TENS application (Group B) three times each week for 12 weeks. The Visual Analogue Scale and nerve conduction velocity for the sural nerve were used to assess patients before and after 12 weeks of therapy.

Results

The results showed that Group A significantly (p < 0.05) decreased pain intensity after treatment by 70.83% compared with Group B by 55.17%. Moreover, Group A improved significantly (p < 0.05) the sural nerve amplitude by 44.12% compared with group B which recorded 26.87%. After treatment, both pain intensity and sural nerve amplitude significantly (p < 0.05) changed between Group A versus Group B.

Conclusion

Cold application has a better effect on pain in CIDPN post mastectomy.
The evolving story of sulfoxaflor resistance in the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae(Sulzer)
Authors: Ward Samantha , Jalali Tara , van Rooyen Anthony , Reidy‐Crofts Jenny , Moore Karyn , Edwards Owain , Umina Paul A
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

The green peach aphid,Myzus persicae(Sulzer), is one of the most economically important crop pests worldwide. Insecticide resistance in this pest was first detected over 60 years ago, with resistance inM. persicaenow spanning over 80 active ingredients. Sulfoxaflor is a relatively new insecticide that is primarily used to control sap‐feeding insects. In 2018 resistance to sulfoxaflor was discovered in field populations ofM. persicaein Australia. This study aimed to determine the current distribution and phenotypic levels of sulfoxaflor resistance in Australian clones ofM. persicaeand to investigate how these patterns relate to clonal type.

RESULTS

For the first time, we show there is low‐level resistance (8–26‐fold) distributed across Australia, with resistance being detected in aphids collected from approximately 20% of allM. persicaecollected and screened. Furthermore, this study shows sulfoxaflor resistance is found in two M. persicaehaplotypes, providing evidence that there have been multiple independent evolutionary events which have given rise to sulfoxaflor resistance in this species.

CONCLUSION

These findings have important implications for the chemical control ofM. persicaein Australia, especially when considering the broader genetic background of these aphids which are known to harbour a number of other insecticide resistance mechanisms. We recommend continuous monitoring of sulfoxaflor resistance in field populations ofM. persicae(in Australia and elsewhere) and further research into the underlying genetic mechanisms conferring resistance to sulfoxaflor in both clonal haplotypes. © 2023 The Authors.Pest Management Sciencepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Rice volatile compound (E)‐β‐caryophyllene induced by rice dwarf virus (RDV) attracts the natural enemy Cyrtorhinus lividipennis to prey on RDV insect vectors
Authors: Chang Xuefei , Guo Yating , Xie Yujia , Ren Yijia , Bi Yaluan , Wang Fang , Fang Qi , Ye Gongyin
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

Rice dwarf virus (RDV)‐induced rice plant volatiles (E)‐β‐caryophyllene and 2‐heptanol modulate the olfactory behavior of RDV insect vectors that promote viral acquisition and transmission. However, it remains elusive whether these two volatiles could influence the behaviors of the natural enemies of RDV insect vectors. Herein, we determined the effects of these two volatiles on the olfactory and predatory behaviors of Cyrtorhinus lividipennis (Hemiptera: Miridae), an important predator of RDV insect vectors in rice paddies.

RESULTS

The results showed that C. lividipennis preferred RDV‐infected rice plant odors over RDV‐free rice plant odors. C. lividipennis was attracted by (E)‐β‐caryophyllene, but showed no behavioral responses to 2‐heptanol. The attraction of (E)‐β‐caryophyllene towards C. lividipennis was further confirmed using oscas1 rice plants, which do not release (E)‐β‐caryophyllene in response to RDV infection, through a series of complementary assays. The oviposition preference of the RDV vector insect Nephotettix cincticeps (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) showed no significant difference between RDV‐infected and RDV‐free wild‐type plants, nor between oscas1‐RDV and oscas1 plants. However, the predation rate of C. lividipennis for N. cincticeps eggs on RDV‐infected plants was higher than that on RDV‐free plants, whereas there was no significant difference between oscas1‐RDV and oscas1 plants.

CONCLUSION

(E)‐β‐caryophyllene induced by RDV attracted more C. lividipennis to prey on N. cincticeps eggs and played a crucial role in plant–virus–vector–enemy interactions. These novel findings will promote the design of new strategies for disease control by controlling the populations of insect vectors, for example recruiting more natural enemies by virus‐induced plant volatiles. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Theoretical Modeling of Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Using Titanium Dioxide and Graphene Nanomaterial for Refractive Index Sensing
Authors: Yadav Annu , Lohia Pooja , Singh Sachin , Yadav Sapana , Mishra Adarsh Chandra , Dwivedi Dilip Kumar
Published: October 2023

The most popular method to determine the sensitivity of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors in the last couple of decades has been angular interrogation. The silver layer (Ag), a 2D layer of TiO2, and dielectric material layer such as silicon (Si) with heterostructure material graphene are all stacked in the proposed SPR sensor. To increase sensitivity of SPR sensor in the visible area, the device structure focuses on the Kretschmann configuration, by which a TiO2 sheet is sandwiched between silver and silicon sheets. The proposed device structure makes use of the operational wavelength of 633 nm. The numerical simulation has been performed in MATLAB software in this device structure. The simulation results show that an analyte of refractive indices ranges 1.345–1.350. A single layer of silicon 3 nm and TiO2 10 nm makes up the suggested SPR configuration, which increases the sensitivity to 281° RIU−1. Herein, it has also been computed the figure of merit, detection accuracy, limit of detection, full width at half maximum, and transverse magnetic electric field intensity. The biomedical and chemical fields have benefited from the proposed SPR sensor structure design.
Pneumorrhachis secondary to exacerbation of asthma: A case report and literature review
Authors: Zhao Chris Zi‐Fan , Poci Nadia , Niewodowski Daniel , Baker Amy , McDonald Christine
Published: October 2023

Pneumorrhachis is defined by the presence of air within the spinal cord. Spontaneous pneumorrhachis secondary to exacerbation of asthma is rare, and its management is rarely discussed. We present a case of spontaneous pneumorrhachis in the context of a viral exacerbation of asthma, followed by a systematic literature review of all available cases of pneumorrhachis in asthma exacerbation. A total of 25 case studies reported pneumorrhachis in 28 asthma patients, all of whom presented with concomitant pneumomediastinum. Investigation and exclusion for other potential aetiologies of pneumorrhachis such as trauma or infection occurred to varying extents and may depend on clinical presentation and degree of suspicion. No other contributing aetiologies were demonstrated in this review, and no patients required specific intervention for pneumorrhachis. Whilst pneumorrhachis is generally benign, management should revolve around standard care of asthma exacerbation, attention to potentially life‐threatening differential diagnoses, and supportive care.
Revisiting an Alternative Method of Money Creation for the Benefit of States and Certain, International, and Supranational Institutions as a Possible Way Out of Capitalism
Authors: Byttebier Koen
Published: October 2023

In what precedes (especially in Sect.2.2), one of the basic principles of monetary economics and monetary law has already been expressed, namely that money is socially engineerable.
From Neoliberal Punitive States to Care States
Authors: Byttebier Koen
Published: October 2023

As has already been made clear in Chaps. 1 to 3, under the impetus of economic neoliberal ideology in the past four to five decades, there has been a global push for strengthening the free market forces, at the expense of the role of states and governments.
Alternative Methods of Money Creation for the Benefit of the Private Sectors
Authors: Byttebier Koen
Published: October 2023

As already explained in more detail in Chap. 4, one of the principles of the new system of money creation—or, NMWO—proposed in our earlier work is that there would be put an end to so-called private money creation, i.e. the (scriptural or book-entry) money creation to which a private (deposit) bank proceeds when it grants credit to third parties (for total amounts exceeding its cash reserve).
The black hole behind the cut
Authors: Giusto Stefano , Iossa Cristoforo , Russo Rodolfo
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We study the analytic structure of the heavy-heavy-light-light holographic correlators in the supergravity approximation of the AdS3 × S3/CFT2 duality. As an explicit example, we derive the correlator where the heavy operator is a classical microstate of the 5D supersymmetric black hole and its dual geometry interpolates as a function of a continuous parameter between global AdS3 and the extremal BTZ black hole. The simplest perturbation of this interpolating geometry by a light field is described by the Heun equation and we exploit the relation of its connection coefficients to the Liouville CFT to analytically compute the correlator in the two limits, focusing in particular on the black hole regime. In this limit we find that the real poles of the correlator become dense and can be approximated by a cut. We show that, when the charges of the heavy state are in the black hole regime, the discontinuity across the cut has complex poles corresponding to the quasi-normal modes of BTZ. This behaviour is qualitatively similar to what is expected for the large central charge limit of a typical black hole microstate.
Regge trajectories for the heavy-light diquarks
Authors: Chen Jiao-Kai , Feng Xia , Xie Jia-Qi
Published: October 2023

Abstract

We attempt to apply the Regge trajectory approach to the heavy-light diquarks composed of one heavy quark and one light quark. However, we find that the direct application of the usual Regge trajectory formula for the heavy-light mesons and baryons fails. In order to correctly estimate the masses of the heavy-light diquarks, it is needed to consider the light quark mass correction and the parameter C in the Cornell potential within the Regge trajectory formula. By using the modified Regge trajectory formulas, we are able to estimate the masses of the heavy-light diquarks (cu), (cs), (bu) and (bs), which agree with other theoretical results. It is illustrated that the heavy-light diquarks satisfy the universal descriptions irrespective of heavy quark flavors, similar to other heavy-light systems such as the heavy-light mesons, the heavy-light baryons composed of one heavy quark (diquark) and one light diquark (quark), and the heavy-light tetraquarks composed of one heavy diquark (antidiquark) and one light antidiquark (diquark). The diquark Regge trajectory provides a new and very simple approach for estimating the spectra of the heavy-light diquarks.
The Artin-Hasse series and Laguerre polynomials modulo a prime
Authors: Avitabile Marina , Mattarei Sandro
Published: October 2023

For an odd prime p, let $${{\,\textrm{E}\,}}_{p}(X)=\sum _{n=0}^{\infty } a_{n}X^{n}\in {\mathbb {F}}_p[[X]]$$

E

p

(
X
)

=

∑

n
=
0

∞

a
n

X
n

∈

F
p

[

[
X
]

]

denote the reduction modulo p of the Artin-Hasse exponential series. It is known that there exists a series $$G(X^p)\in {\mathbb {F}}_{p}[[X]]$$

G

(

X
p

)

∈

F
p

[

[
X
]

]

, such that $$L_{p-1}^{(-T(X))}(X)={{\,\textrm{E}\,}}_{p}(X)\cdot G(X^p)$$

L

p
-
1

(
-
T
(
X
)
)

(
X
)

=

E

p

(
X
)

·
G

(

X
p

)

, where $$T(X)=\sum _{i=1}^{\infty }X^{p^{i}}$$

T

(
X
)

=

∑

i
=
1

∞

X

p
i

and $$L_{p-1}^{(\alpha )}(X)$$

L

p
-
1

(
α
)

(
X
)

denotes the (generalized) Laguerre polynomial of degree $$p-1$$

p
-
1

. We prove that $$G(X^p)=\sum _{n=0}^{\infty }(-1)^n a_{np}X^{np}$$

G

(

X
p

)

=

∑

n
=
0

∞

(
-
1
)

n

a

np

X

np

, and show that it satisfies $$ G(X^p)\,G(-X^p)\,T(X)=X^p. $$

G

(

X
p

)

G

(
-

X
p

)

T

(
X
)

=

X
p

.
Role of histamine H4 receptor in the anti-inflammatory pathway of glucocorticoid-induced leucin zipper (GILZ) in a model of lung fibrosis
Authors: Sgambellone Silvia , Febo Marta , Durante Mariaconcetta , Marri Silvia , Villano Serafina , Bereshchenko Oxana , Migliorati Graziella , Masini Emanuela , Riccardi Carlo , Bruscoli Stefano , Lucarini Laura
Published: October 2023

Introduction

This study investigates the interactions between histaminergic system and glucocorticoid-induced leucin zipper (GILZ) in the inflammatory process and glucocorticoid modulation in lung fibrosis.

Methods

Wild-type (WT) and GILZ Knock-Out (KO) mice were treated with bleomycin (0.05 IU) or saline, delivered by intra-tracheal injection. After surgery, mice received a continuous infusion of JNJ7777120 (JNJ, 2 mg/kg b.wt.) or vehicle for 21 days. Lung function was studied by measuring airway resistance to air insufflation through the analysis of pressure at airway opening (PAO). Lung samples were collected to evaluate the expression of histamine H4R, Anx-A1, and p65-NF-kB, the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Results

Airway fibrosis and remodeling were assessed by measuring TGF-β production and α-SMA deposition. JNJ reduces PAO in WT but not in GILZ KO mice (from 22 ± 1 mm to 15 ± 0.5 and from 24 ± 1.5 to 19 ± 0.5 respectively), MPO activity (from 204 ± 3.13 pmol/mg to 73.88 ± 2.63 in WT and from 221 ± 4.46 pmol/mg to 107 ± 5.54 in GILZ KO), the inflammatory response, TGF-β production, and α-SMA deposition in comparison to WT and GILZ KO vehicle groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of H4R and GILZ in relation to glucocorticoids could pave the way for innovative therapies to counteract pulmonary fibrosis.
ArthroRad trial: randomized multicenter single-blinded trial on the effect of low-dose radiotherapy for painful osteoarthritis—final results after 12-month follow-up
Authors: Niewald Marcus , Moumeniahangar Sobhan , Müller Lara N. , Hautmann Matthias G. , Dzierma Yvonne , Fleckenstein Jochen , Gräber Stefan , Rübe Christian , Hecht Markus , Melchior Patrick
Published: October 2023

Objective

Updated report about the randomized comparison of the effect of radiotherapy on painful osteoarthritis (OA) applying a standard dose vs. a very low dose regime after a follow-up of 1 year.

Patients and methods

Patients presenting with OA of the hand/finger and knee joints were included. After randomization (every joint region was randomized separately) the following protocols were applied: (a) standard arm: total dose 3.0 Gy, single fractions of 0.5 Gy twice a week; (b) experimental arm: total dose 0.3 Gy, single fractions of 0.05 Gy twice a week. The dosage was blinded for the patients. For evaluation the scores after 1‑year visual analog scale (VAS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score–Short Form (KOOS-PS), Short Form Score for the Assessment and Quantification of Chronic Rheumatic Affections of the Hands (SF-SACRAH) and 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) were used (for further details: see [1]).

Results

The standard dose was applied to 77 hands and 33 knees, the experimental dose was given to 81 hands and 30 knees. After 12 months, the data of 128 hands and 45 knees were available for evaluation. Even after this long time, we observed a favorable response of pain to radiotherapy in both trial arms; however, there were no reasonable statistically significant differences between both arms concerning pain, functional, and quality of life scores. Side effects did not occur. The only prognostic factor was the pain level before radiotherapy.

Conclusions

We found a favorable pain relief and a limited response in the functional and quality of life scores in both treatment arms. The possible effect of low doses such as 0.3 Gy on pain is widely unknown.
Management of chondral and osteochondral lesions of the hip
Authors: Itha Rajesh , Vaishya Raju , Vaish Abhishek , Migliorini Filippo
Published: October 2023

Chondral and osteochondral lesions encompass several acute or chronic defects of the articular cartilage and/or subchondral bone. These lesions can result from several different diseases and injuries, including osteochondritis dissecans, osteochondral defects, osteochondral fractures, subchondral bone osteonecrosis, and insufficiency fractures. As the cartilage has a low capacity for regeneration and self-repair, these lesions can progress to osteoarthritis. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the subject matter that it covers. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were accessed using the following keywords: “chondral lesions/defects of the femoral head”, “chondral/cartilage lesions/defects of the acetabulum”, “chondral/cartilage lesions/defects of the hip”, “osteochondral lesions of the femoral head”, “osteochondral lesions of the acetabulum”, “osteochondral lesions of the hip”, “osteochondritis dissecans,” “early osteoarthritis of the hip,” and “early stage avascular necrosis”. Hip osteochondral injuries can cause significant damage to the articular surface and diminish the quality of life. It can be difficult to treat such injuries, especially in patients who are young and active. Several methods are used to treat chondral and osteochondral injuries of the hip, such as mesenchymal stem cells and cell-based treatment, surgical repair, and microfractures. Realignment of bony anatomy may also be necessary for optimal outcomes. Despite several treatments being successful, there is a lack of head-to-head comparisons and large sample size studies in the current literature. Additional research will be required to provide appropriate clinical recommendations for treating chondral/osteochondral injuries of the hip joint.
The Fröhlich Polaron at Strong Coupling: Part I—The Quantum Correction to the Classical Energy
Authors: Brooks Morris , Seiringer Robert
Published: October 2023

We study the Fröhlich polaron model in $$\mathbb {R}^3$$

R

3

, and establish the subleading term in the strong coupling asymptotics of its ground state energy, corresponding to the quantum corrections to the classical energy determined by the Pekar approximation.
The influence of plasma sPD-L1 concentration on the effectiveness of immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients
Authors: Chmielewska Izabela , Grenda Anna , Krawczyk Paweł , Frąk Małgorzata , Kuźnar Kamińska Barbara , Mitura Weronika , Milanowski Janusz
Published: October 2023

Introduction

PD-L1 (Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1) is currently the only recognised marker of response to immunotherapy with anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, this marker is not perfect. Soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) may be a novel predictor of immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC patients.

Material and methods

We enrolled 120 patients (median age 68 ± 6.81 years, 70 males and 50 females) with locally advanced (stage IIIB; 10 patients) or advanced (stage IV; 110 patients) NSCLC. PD-L1 expression in tumour cells was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 117 (97.5%) patients. The soluble PD-L1 concentration in plasma samples was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The response to immunotherapy, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), calculated from the start of immunotherapy, were assessed in 119 patients.

Results

Patients with disease control had significantly lower (p = 0.0006) concentrations of sPD-L1 in blood plasma than patients with progression during the first months of immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy Patients with ≥ 6 month progression-free survival had a significantly higher (p = 0.013) percentage of tumor cells with PD-L1 expression than patients with shorter PFS. Patients with ≥ 6 months OS had significantly lower (p = 0.0142) plasma sPD-L1 concentrations than those with shorter overall survival. The median PFS was significantly higher in patients with low sPD-L1 concentrations than in those with high concentrations of this protein (5.8 vs. 2.5 months, HR = 0.6021, p = 0.0156). Similarly, patients with low sPD-L1 levels had a significantly higher median overall survival than those with sPD-L1 levels above the median (16.5 vs. 7 months, HR = 0.5354, p = 0.0071). There was no significant correlation between the percentage of tumour cells expressing PD-L1 and the concentration of sPD-L1 in the blood plasma.

Conclusion

High sPD-L1 concentration is a negative predictor of immunotherapy efficacy in patients with NSCLC. It is worthwhile to determine sPD-L1 concentration to predict the risk of resistance to anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 antibodies with greater certainty.
Analysing Factors Prolonging Hospital Stay After Excision of Choledochal Cyst—A Pathway Towards Enhanced Recovery After Surgery
Authors: Ma Marco King In , Chung Patrick Ho Yu , Yeung Fanny , Wong Kenneth Kak Yuen
Published: October 2023

Background

To evaluate factors affecting length of stay (LOS) after choledochal cyst resection in paediatric patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective study on patients operated between 2004 and 2021. Associations between clinical factors and LOS were evaluated by bivariate analysis, multiple regression, and equivalence test.

Results

Sixty‐two patients were included. Twenty‐four underwent hepaticoduodenostomy as biliary reconstruction. Five suffered from major complications. The median (25th–75th percentile) operation time was 279 (182–378) min. Median LOS, time to enteral feeding, and time to abdominal drain removal were 8(6–10), 2(1–3), and 5(4–7) days, respectively. Seven factors were found significantly associated with a shorter LOS in bivariate analysis and were included in multiple regression. It revealed that early abdominal drain removal (p < 0.001), early enteral feeding (p = 0.042), and the absence of major complications (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with shorter LOS. Equivalence test suggested that age and preoperative cholangitis had no practical effect on LOS.

Conclusions

Early enteral feeding, early drain removal, and avoidance of major complications are associated with a shorter LOS.
Prospects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MZ945930) Mediated Enhancement of Capsicum annuum L. Plants Under Stress of Alternaria alternata in Terms of Physiological Traits, Thiol Content, Antioxidant Defense, and Phytohormones
Authors: Abdelhameed Reda E. , Metwally Rabab A. , Soliman Shereen A.
Published: October 2023

Plants encounter many biotic entities, such as fungi, bacteria, and nematodes, which induce biotic stress that disrupts normal metabolism and limits the growth and productivity of plants. Currently, the use of plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytes instead of synthetic fungicides is intriguingly eco-friendly. An in vitro and in vivo antagonistic approach using Bacillus amyloliquefaciens RaSh1 was used to mimic the pathogenic effect of Alternaria alternata. The results showed that B. amyloliquefaciens significantly inhibited pathogenic fungal growth in vitro. Further, Capsicum annuum L. (pepper plants) were grown and subjected to inoculation with B. amyloliquefaciens and infected with A. alternata, and then the growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments, physio-biochemical parameters, and the level of endogenous phytohormones were assessed. Under the pathogen attack, the main responses, such as plant length, total fresh and dry weights, total chlorophylls, and pigments, were reduced, accompanied by increases in H2O2. As well, infection of pepper with A. alternata caused downregulation in the plant hormonal system by significantly decreasing gibberellins, indole-3-acetic acid, abscisic acid, as well as cytokinin concentrations. Although, with B. amyloliquefaciens application, an enhancement in growth, photosynthetic pigments, proline, thiol content, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and peroxidase in pepper plant leaves appeared while the content of H2O2 decreased. Endogenous phytohormones were found to be upregulated in B. amyloliquefaciens-inoculated and diseased plants. The current study found that B. amyloliquefaciens RaSh1 rescued pepper plant growth by modulating antioxidant defense and regulating hormones, and could be used to control A. alternata in an environmentally friendly manner while maintaining sustainable agriculture and food security.
Spektrum von Feuerwerksverletzungen an einer Universitäts-Augenklinik nach dem COVID-19-Lockdown
Authors: Framme C. , Book B. , Hufendiek K. , Panidou-Marschelke E. , Sinicin E. , Lindziute M. , Rauscher J. , Hamann M. , Agostini H. , Gabel-Pfisterer A.
Published: October 2023

Hintergrund

Der Umgang mit Feuerwerkskörpern führt regelmäßig zu vielfältigen Verletzungen im Augenbereich. Nachdem unter dem COVID-Lockdown und dem Verbot des Feuerwerk-Verkaufes für den privaten Bereich in den beiden vergangenen Jahren die Verletzungszahlen massiv gesunken sind, musste zum letzten Jahreswechsel wieder ein erheblicher Anstieg registriert werden. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, den Umfang und das Spektrum solcher Verletzungen in einem Zentrum der Maximalversorgung in Hannover darzustellen.

Methoden

Im Rahmen der bundesweiten Erhebung feuerwerksassoziierter Augenverletzungen in notfallversorgenden Augenkliniken wurde die Daten der MHH-Augenklinik über den Zeitraum von 3 Tagen (30.12.22 bis 01.01.23) zusammengetragen und bezüglich Geschlecht, Alter, Schweregrad, Verletzungsmuster, Art der Feuerwerkskörper und der Behandlung bewertet.

Ergebnisse

Von insgesamt n = 25 Verletzten waren n = 19 (76 %) männlichen Geschlechts. Die meisten Patienten stellten sich am Neujahrstag vor (n = 14); (Silvester: n = 9; 30.12.22: n = 2), wobei in der Mehrzahl der Fälle leichte Verletzungen mit Reizungen und Erosiones der Augenoberfläche registriert wurden (n = 15; 60 %). Bei 4 Patienten ergaben sich mittelschwere Verletzungen mit Bulbuskontusion, Hyphäma und ggf. Irisbasiseinrissen (16 %). Sechs Patienten zogen sich schwerste, überwiegend offene Augenverletzungen zu (24 %), wobei 2 Augen mittels Eviszeration primär versorgt werden mussten. Das Zünden von Feuerwerksbatterien offenbarte das höchste Risiko für schwere Verletzungen, wobei hauptsächlich Männer zwischen dem 31. und 40. Lebensjahr betroffen waren. Kinder bis zum 12. Lebensjahr verletzten sich in der Regel nur leicht, wobei es aber hier wie auch bei den Jugendlichen Ausnahmen gab. Der Verursacher der Feuerwerksverletzung war in 52 % der Fälle selbst betroffen, in 48 % wurde ein Zuschauer Opfer des Unfalls. Im Fall von komplexen Verletzungen konnte unter Umständen erst die chirurgisch explorative Diagnostik zur korrekten Diagnose und bestmöglichen Versorgung führen.

Schlussfolgerung

Das Ausmaß von Feuerwerksverletzungen ist vielfältig, und die Folgen inklusive Erblindung können gravierend sein. Die Belastung für die diensthabenden Ärztinnen und Ärzte an Silvester und Neujahr war dieses Jahr enorm, da mit der Freigabe des privaten Feuerwerkes wieder konzentriert eine Vielzahl von zu versorgenden Patienten über die Notaufnahme hinzukommen, die teilweise komplexer chirurgischer Versorgung bedürfen. Um schwere Augenverletzungen zu verhindern, sollte die gezielte Aufklärung über die Risiken von privatem Feuerwerk intensiviert und es sollten Möglichkeiten der Erhöhung der Sicherheit diskutiert werden.
The expressive power of voting rules
Authors: Bourgeois-Gironde Sacha , Ferreira João V.
Published: October 2023

Different voting rules are commonly used to settle collective decisions. A promising way to assess voting rules, for which little is known, is to compare the expressive utility that voters derive from voting with each rule. In this paper, we first propose a simple ordinal model of expressive voting that allows us to compare voting rules in terms of the expressive utility that voters can derive from voting (their expressive power). Our model provides a novel testable implication according to which expected turnout increases with expressive power. We then ran an online experiment testing this implication in a controlled environment. We find that if voters are made aware of alternative voting rules, turnout is higher in voting rules with higher expressive power. Our results also show that higher expressive power is associated with a better representation of voters’ actual preferences and, according to our model, higher expressive utility. This suggests that the expressive power of voting rules is a relevant criterion when choosing between voting rules for economic and political decisions.
Histopathologic brain age estimation via multiple instance learning
Authors: Marx Gabriel A. , Kauffman Justin , McKenzie Andrew T. , Koenigsberg Daniel G. , McMillan Cory T. , Morgello Susan , Karlovich Esma , Insausti Ricardo , Richardson Timothy E. , Walker Jamie M. , White Charles L. , Babrowicz Bergan M. , Shen Li , McKee Ann C. , Stein Thor D. ,   The PART Working Group, Farrell Kurt , Crary John F.
Published: October 2023

Understanding age acceleration, the discordance between biological and chronological age, in the brain can reveal mechanistic insights into normal physiology as well as elucidate pathological determinants of age-related functional decline and identify early disease changes in the context of Alzheimer’s and other disorders. Histopathological whole slide images provide a wealth of pathologic data on the cellular level that can be leveraged to build deep learning models to assess age acceleration. Here, we used a collection of digitized human post-mortem hippocampal sections to develop a histological brain age estimation model. Our model predicted brain age within a mean absolute error of 5.45 ± 0.22 years, with attention weights corresponding to neuroanatomical regions vulnerable to age-related changes. We found that histopathologic brain age acceleration had significant associations with clinical and pathologic outcomes that were not found with epigenetic based measures. Our results indicate that histopathologic brain age is a powerful, independent metric for understanding factors that contribute to brain aging.
Marked differences in foraging area use and susceptibility to predation between two closely-related tropical seabirds
Authors: Fayet Annette L. , Sanchez Cheryl , Appoo Jennifer , Constance Jessica , Clucas Gemma , Turnbull Lindsay A. , Bunbury Nancy
Published: October 2023

Ecological theory predicts that closely-related species must occupy different niches to coexist. How marine top predators achieve this during breeding, when they often gather in large multi-species colonies and are constrained to central-place foraging, has been mostly studied in productive temperate and polar oceans with abundant resources, but less so in poorer, tropical waters. Here, we track the foraging movements of two closely-related sympatric seabirds—the white-tailed and red-tailed tropicbirds Phaethon lepturus and P. rubricauda—breeding on Aldabra Atoll, Seychelles, to investigate potential mechanisms of niche segregation and shed light on their contrasting population trends. Combining data from GPS, immersion, depth and accelerometry loggers, we show that the two species have similar behaviour at sea, but are completely segregated spatially, with red-tailed tropicbirds flying further to feed and using different feeding areas than white-tailed tropicbirds. Using nest-based camera traps, we show that low breeding success of both species—which likely drives observed population declines—is caused by high nest predation. However, the two species are targeted by different predators, with native avian predators mainly targeting red-tailed tropicbird nests, and invasive rats raiding white-tailed tropicbird nests when they leave their eggs unattended. Our findings provide new insight into the foraging ecology of tropicbirds and have important conservation implications. The extensive range and spatial segregation highlight the importance of considering large-scale protection of waters around tropical seabird colonies, while the high level of nest predation provides evidence in support of rat eradication and investigating potential nest protection from native avian predators.
Colour-specific diet specialization is associated with differences in owlet weight in a polymorphic owl: influence of the trophic quality variation
Authors: Avilés Jesús Miguel , Cruz-Miralles Ángel , Parejo Deseada
Published: October 2023

The niche divergence hypothesis proposes that the evolution and maintenance of colour polymorphism is based on a mechanism of disruptive selection. In a trophic context, the hypothesis predicts that individuals differing in colour vary in their trophic niche, either because they differ in foraging efficiency or feed in different habitats. A major evolutionary conundrum is how these expectations are affected by variation in trophic quality. Using an owl species with colour plumage polymorphism, the Eurasian scops owl Otus scops, we examined diet and habitat segregation during reproduction in relation to plumage colouration and trophic quality. Intensive sampling revealed that trophic quality for scops owls (i.e. abundance of grasshoppers and locusts) varied more among territories than between years, but scops owls did not segregate among territories of different quality by their colouration. However, we found that sex, plumage colouration and territory differences in trophic quality explained differences in the degree of dietary specialization. Brownish males delivered a higher diversity of prey to the nest than greyish ones in high trophic quality territories. We also found that the more diverse the diet provided by males, the heavier the owlets at fledging. Our study provides evidence for a different sensitivity to trophic quality of the colour morphs with potential fitness consequences in scops owls. We highlight the importance of studying the mechanisms leading to the persistence of colour polymorphism in patchy environments, since segregation may pass otherwise unnoticed if only habitats or years with similar conditions are considered.