bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preservation of mantle heterogeneities and serpentinization signature during antigorite dehydration: The example of the Bergell contact aureole
Authors: Lafay Romain , Baumgartner Lukas P. , Delacour Adélie
Published: November 2022

Major, minor, and trace element geochemistry as well as iron oxidation state and isotopes were investigated in serpentinites and olivine‐talc fels present along a metamorphic gradient in the Bergell contact aureole (Central European Alps) to evaluate element mobility during serpentine. This aureole is an ideal target to study dehydration of mantle rocks due to the increase in temperature from greenschist facies conditions (350°C) to amphibolite facies conditions (750°C) at low pressures of 0.4 GPa. Petrography and geochemistry document several events of fluid–rock interaction and metamorphism. Serpentinization of the mantle rocks started on the ocean floor. Subsequent Alpine regional metamorphism led to the formation of antigorite‐serpentinites containing olivine and diopside. These antigorite‐serpentinites were transformed into olivine‐talc fels in a large part of the contact‐aureole. Bulk‐rock major and trace element compositions maintain the geochemical signature of the precursor antigorite‐serpentinites. No apparent changes are indeed observed despite the fact that major dehydration reactions occurred. In addition, changes neither in Fe3+/Fetot ratio nor in δ56Fe values were observed. Local composition variations of antigorite‐serpentinites and olivine‐talc fels reflect chemical heterogeneities related to protolith composition and serpentinization processes on the ocean floor prior to contact metamorphism. Hence, prograde dehydration reactions occurring during contact metamorphism did not induce substantial element mobility, change in redox state, or isotopic fractionation in these contact metamorphic rocks.
Analysis of the hypothalamic oxytocin system and oxytocin receptor‐expressing astrocytes in a mouse model of Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Althammer Ferdinand , Wimmer Moritz Claudius , Krabichler Quirin , Küppers Stephanie , Schimmer Jonas , Fröhlich Henning , Dötsch Laura , Gruber Tim , Wunsch Selina , Schubert Tim , Kirchner Matthew K. , Stern Javier E. , Charlet Alexandre , Grinevich Valery , Schaaf Christian P.
Published: November 2022

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hyperphagia, obesity, developmental delay and intellectual disability. Studies suggest dysfunctional signaling of the neuropeptide oxytocin as one of the key mechanisms in PWS, and administration of oxytocin via intranasal or systemic routes yielded promising results in both humans and mouse models. However, a detailed assessment of the oxytocin system in mouse models of PWS such as the Magel2‐deficient Magel2tm1.Stw mouse, is lacking. In the present study, we performed an automated counting of oxytocin cells in the entire paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus of Magel2tm1.Stw and wild‐type control mice and found a significant reduction in the caudal part, which represents the parvocellular subdivision. In addition, based on the recent discovery that some astrocytes express the oxytocin receptor (OTR), we performed detailed analysis of astrocyte numbers and morphology in various brain regions, and assessed expression levels of the astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein, which was significantly decreased in the hypothalamus, but not other brain regions in Magel2tm1.Stw mice. Finally, we analyzed the number of OTR‐expressing astrocytes in various brain regions and found a significant reduction in the nucleus accumbens of Magel2tm1.Stw mice, as well as a sex‐specific difference in the lateral septum. This study suggests a role for caudal paraventricular nucleus oxytocin neurons as well as OTR‐expressing astrocytes in a mouse model of PWS, provides novel information about sex‐specific expression of astrocytic OTRs, and presents several new brain regions containing OTR‐expressing astrocytes in the mouse brain.
Bean common mosaic virus and cucumber mosaic virus naturally infectingAristolochiaspp. plants in Brazil
Authors: Bello Vinicius Henrique , Lorenzi Harri José , Rezende Jorge Alberto Marques , Kitajima Elliot Watanabe
Published: November 2022

In April 2022, Aristolochia plants with symptoms of mosaic were observed in a garden at Jardim Botânico Plantarum, Nova Odessa, São Paulo State, Brazil.Potyviridae‐like particles were observed by transmission electron microscopy in leaf extracts. Total RNA extracted from symptomatic plants used in RT‐PCR with universal and BCMV‐specific primers detected the potyvirus bean common mosaic virus (BCMV). The cucumovirus cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was identified only inAristolochia littoralisplants that tested negative by RT‐PCR for BCMV. Phylogenetic analysis grouped samples of Aristolochia in a different clade among samples ofPhaseolus vulgaris. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the CMV isolate from Aristolochia belongs to the CMV group IA. BCMV was mechanically transmitted to healthy plants ofA. fimbriata,Chenopodium quinoa,P. vulgariscv. Jalo andMacroptilium lathyroides. CMV was mechanically transmitted to plants ofA. fimbriataandC. quinoa. The BCMV and CMV were aphid transmitted only byAphis gossypiito Aristolochia plants. This is the first report of BCMV and CMV infecting Aristolochia plants in Brazil.
Herbaceous eudicot Fairlingtonia from the Lower Cretaceous of Jiuquan Basin, Northwest China and its radiation in Laurasia
Authors: Du Bao‐Xia , Zhang Ming‐Zhen , Zhang Jing , Li Ai‐Jing , Lin Shao‐Hua , Ma Guo‐Rong , Hui Jian‐Guo
Published: November 2022

Eudicots exhibit diverse life forms and occupy a wide variety of habitats in the modern terrestrial ecosystems, and the diversification began during the Early Cretaceous; however, few Early Cretaceous fossils are preserved as multiorgan whole plants that can provide sufficient morphological characters for detailed phylogenetic assessment. Here, Fairlingtonia microgyna sp. nov. is reported from the upper Lower Cretaceous of Zhonggou Formation, Hanxia Section, Yumen City, western Gansu Province, Northwest China. The specimen is exceptionally preserved as multiorgan whole plant fossil with fibrous adventitious roots, simple and deeply dissected leaves, solitary and dehiscent capsular fruits attached to the creeping stems. As such, it was interpreted as a herbaceous eudicot. Phylogenetic analyses support a placement within the Papaveraceae, most likely in Papaveroideae, but there are obvious differences in morphological characteristics, which cannot confirm the systematic position within the Papaveraceae. Fossil records of Fairlingtonia from contemporaneous deposits (late Aptian to early Albian) in Northwest China and eastern North America provide direct evidence of the geographical radiation of Fairlingtonia on Laurasia. And the morphological characters of F. microgyna, including creeping leafy branches, fibrous adventitious roots, small and deeply dissected leaves as well as small capsular fruits with tiny seeds probably indicate that it was a colonizer of lake‐shore environments under wet and bright conditions and possessed fast‐growing and rapid propagation habitats, which allowed it to expand its geographic range with both sexual and asexual reproduction.
A glutathione‐independent DJ‐1/PfpI domain‐containing tomato glyoxalaseIII2, SlGLYIII2, confers enhanced tolerance under salt and osmotic stresses
Authors: Gambhir Priya , Singh Vijendra , Raghuvanshi Utkarsh , Parida Adwaita Prasad , Pareek Amit , Roychowdhury Abhishek , Sopory Sudhir K. , Kumar Rahul , Sharma Arun Kumar
Published: November 2022

In plants, glyoxalase enzymes are activated under stress conditions to mitigate the toxic effects of hyperaccumulated methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive carbonyl compound. Until recently, a glutathione‐dependent bi‐enzymatic pathway involving glyoxalase I (GLYI) and glyoxalase II (GLYII) was considered the primary MG‐detoxification system. Recently, a new glutathione‐independent glyoxalase III (GLYIII) mediated direct route was also reported in plants. However, the physiological significance of this new pathway remains to be elucidated across plant species. This study identified the full complement of 22 glyoxalases in tomato. Based on their strong induction under multiple abiotic stresses, SlGLYI4, SlGLYII2 and SlGLYIII2 were selected candidates for further functional characterisation. Stress‐inducible overexpression of both glutathione‐dependent (SlGLYI4 + SlGLYII2) and independent (SlGLYIII2) pathways led to enhanced tolerance in both sets of transgenic plants under abiotic stresses. However, SlGLYIII2 overexpression (OE) plants outperformed the SlGLYI4 + SlGLYII2 OE counterparts for their stress tolerance under abiotic stresses. Further, knockdown of SlGLYIII2 resulted in plants with exacerbated stress responses than those silenced for both SlGLYI4 and SlGLYII2. The superior performance of SlGLYIII2 OE tomato plants for better growth and yield under salt and osmotic treatments could be attributed to better GSH/GSSG ratio, lower reactive oxygen species levels, and enhanced antioxidant potential, indicating a prominent role of GLYIII MG‐detoxification pathway in abiotic stress mitigation in this species.
Report of a case of RAVEN, hair heterochromia and autism in the setting of FGFR2 mutation
Authors: Gracia‐Darder Inés , Llull Ramos Ana , Giacaman Aniza , Gómez Bellvert Cristina , Obrador‐Hevia Antonia , Jubert Esteve Elisabeth , Martín‐Santiago Ana
Published: November 2022

A newborn presented with extensive rounded and velvety epidermal nevus (RAVEN) with a genetic study of the cutaneous lesions revealing a heterozygous mutation in FGFR2 (p.Cys382Arg). By 2 years of age, the patient developed hair heterochromia and autism spectrum disorder. Although RAVEN was initially associated with fibroblast growth factor 3 (FGFR3) mutations, three cases of RAVEN have been identified with mutations in FGFR2 (p.Ser252Trp) and one case of linear keratinocytic epidermal nevi has been identified with the same mutation as the mutation identified in our patient. This strongly supports the pathogenic role of these mutations.
Genome‐wide identification and expression analysis of NAC family genes in Ginkgo biloba L.
Authors: Li Y. , Han H. , Fu M. , Zhou X. , Ye J. , Xu F. , Zhang W. , Liao Y. , Yang X.
Published: November 2022

NAC (NAM, ATAF, CUC2) transcription factors constitute one of the largest families of plant‐specific transcription factors with important roles in plant growth and development and in biotic and abiotic stresses.

The physicochemical properties, gene structure, cis‐acting elements and expression patterns of NAC transcription factors in Ginkgo biloba were analysed using bioinformatics, and expression of this gene family was analysed via quantitative reverse transcription PCR.

The family of G. biloba NAC transcription factors had 50 members, distributed on 12 chromosomes and divided into 11 groups. Members in the same group share a similar gene structure and motif distribution. Transcriptome data analysis of G. biloba showed that 35 genes were expressed in eight tissues. Correlation analysis suggested that GbNAC007 and GNAC008 might be involved in flavonoid biosynthesis. Expression levels of 12 GbNACs under cold, het, and salt stresses were analysed. Results indicate that NAC transcription factors play an important role in response to abiotic stresses.

This study provides a reference for the functional analysis of the G. biloba family of NAC transcription factors, as well as a resource for studies on the involvement of this family in responses to abiotic stresses and flavonoid biosynthesis.
Anisohydric characteristics of a rice genotype ‘ARC 11094’ contribute to increased photosynthetic carbon fixation in response to high light
Authors: Taniyoshi Kazuki , Tanaka Yu , Adachi Shunsuke , Shiraiwa Tatsuhiko
Published: November 2022

Photosynthetic induction, which is the response of the CO2 assimilation rate to a stepwise increase in light intensity, potentially affects plant carbon gain and crop productivity in field environments. Although natural variations in photosynthetic induction are determined by CO2 supply and its fixation, detailed factors, especially CO2 supply, are unclear. This study investigated photosynthesis at steady and non‐steady states in three rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes: ARC 11094, Takanari and Koshihikari. Stomatal traits and water relations in the plants were evaluated to characterise CO2 supply. Photosynthetic induction in ARC 11094 and Takanari was superior to that in Koshihikari owing to an efficient CO2 supply. The CO2 supply in Takanari is attributed to its high stomatal density, small guard cell length and extensive root mass, whereas that in ARC 11094 is attributed to its high stomatal conductance per stoma and stomatal opening in leaves with insufficient water (i.e., anisohydric stomatal behaviour). Our results suggest that there are various mechanisms for realising an efficient CO2 supply during the induction response. These characteristics can be useful for improving photosynthetic induction and, thus, crop productivity in field environments in future breeding programmes.
LncRNA‐mediatedceRNAregulatory network provides new insight into chlorogenic acid synthesis in sweet potato
Authors: Peng Ying , Pan Rui , Liu Yi , Medison Milca Banda , Shalmani Abdullah , Yang Xinsun , Zhang Wenying
Published: November 2022

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatasL.) is considered a highly nutritional and economical crop due to its high contents of bioactive substances, such as anthocyanin and chlorogenic acid (CGA), especially in leaves and stems. The roles of noncoding RNAs (ncRNA), including long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and microRNA (miRNA), in CGA synthesis, are still unknown. In this study, the differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in two leafy vegetable genotypes “FS7‐6‐14‐7” (high CGA content) and “FS7‐6” (low CGA content) were identified. The cis‐regulation between lncRNA and mRNA was analyzed. Then, the CGA synthesis‐related modules MEBlue and MEYellow were identified to detect trans‐regulation mRNA‐lncRNA pairs. The GO and KEGG annotations suggested that mRNA in these two modules was significantly enriched in the secondary metabolite synthesis biosynthesis category. A competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network, including 8730 miRNA‐mRNA and 444 miRNA‐lncRNA pairs, was constructed by DEmiRNA target prediction. Then, a CGA synthesis‐related ceRNA network was obtained with lncRNA and mRNA from MEBlue and MEYellow. Finally, one relational pair,MSTRG.47662.1/mes‐miR398/itb04g00990, was selected for functional validation. Overexpression of lncRNAMSTRG.47662.1and mRNAitb04g00990increased CGA content in both tobacco and sweet potato callus, while overexpression of miRNAmes‐miR398decreased CGA content. Meanwhile, regression analysis of the expression patterns demonstrated thatMSTRG.47662.1, acting as a ceRNA, promoteditb04g00990expression by competitively bindingmes‐miR398in CGA synthesis in sweet potato. Our results provide insights into how ncRNA‐mediated ceRNA regulatory networks likely contribute to CGA synthesis in leafy sweet potato.
Holton et al., Characterization of asbestos exposures associated with the use of facial makeups. Risk Analysis, 42, 2129–2139
Authors: Finkelstein Murray M.
Published: November 2022

Holton and colleagues have performed a risk assessment after measuring asbestos released from several samples of facial makeup. Unfortunately, it is not possible to interpret or generalize their findings because the authors have not described the source(s) of the talc tested or the asbestos concentrations of the samples. The concentration of amphiboles varies widely between sources, and the authors are urged to divulge the locations of the ore bodies providing the talc for their samples, as well as the asbestos concentration of the samples, so that the results may be interpreted and possibly generalized.
Red blood cell alloimmunisation in sickle cell disease patients in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Kambale‐Kombi Paul , Djang'eing'a Roland Marini , Alworong'a Opara Jean‐Pierre , Minon Jean‐Marc , Sepulchre Edith , Bours Vincent , Floch Aline , Pirenne France , Tshilumba Charles Kayembe , Batina‐Agasa Salomon
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To determine the prevalence of red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunisation and alloantibody specificity in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in comparison with those followed at the Centre Hospitalier Régional (CHR) de la Citadelle of Liège (Belgium).

Background

Data regarding RBC alloimmunisation (immune response of the organism to foreign erythrocyte antigens, antigens that lack on its own RBC) in SCD patients are scarce in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Methods

We conducted a multi‐site‐based cross‐sectional study among 125 SCD patients at Kisangani and 136 at the CHR de la Citadelle of Liège. The diagnosis of SCD was confirmed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Alloantibodies were screened using the agglutination technique on gel cards and their specificity determined using 11 and/or 16 cell panels. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS.

Results

The prevalence of RBC alloimmunisation was 9.6% among SCD patients in Kisangani versus 22.8% in those of Liège. At Kisangani as well as at Liège, the median age of alloimmunised patients was higher than that of non‐alloimmunised patients, 15.5 years (IQR:4.8–19.8) and 24 years (IQR:14–31) versus 10 years (IQR: 6.5–17) and 17 years (IQR:12–24), respectively. The median number of blood units was higher in both Kisangani and Liège immunised patients compared to non‐immunised patients, 8 (IQR:5–11) versus 5 (IQR:3–13) and 41(IQR:6–93) versus 6.5(3–37) respectively. At Kisangani (N = 14), the most frequent antibodies were anti‐D (28.6%) and anti‐C versus anti‐E (13.6%), anti‐S (13.6%) and anti‐Lea (11.4%) at Liège (N = 44).

Conclusions

These findings stated that alloimmunisation is a common complication in SCD patients in the DRC. In the resource‐limited setting of this country, blood transfusion with minimal ABO, D, C and E antigen matching in addition to the use of compatibility test could significantly reduce the incidence of this complication.
Response of invasive perennial western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) to chemical and mechanical control
Authors: Saberi Hesan , Yousefi Ali Reza , Pouryousef Majid , Birbaneh Jafar Asghari , Tokasi Somayeh
Published: November 2022

Western ragweed (Ambrosia psilostachya) is an invasive species in spring‐sown crops that can also cause allergic rhinitis and asthma due to its allergenic pollen. In order to evaluate the chemical and mechanical control of western ragweed, two separate experiments were conducted in 2019 and 2020. Chemical treatments included non‐treated plots, the combination of glyphosate and 2,4‐D, glyphosate + ammonium sulfate, bentazon, imazethapyr + surfactant, picloram, 2,4‐D, and mechanical treatments included: once mowing at 3–4 leaf stage, once mowing before male flowers' emergence, once mowing early female flowering stage, two mowings at 3–4 leaf stage, two mowings before male flowers' emergence. Results of these studies indicated that in both years, picloram at 0.96 kg ai ha−1 and the combination of 2,4‐D and glyphosate at 1.23 + 0.72 kg ai ha−1 provided more than 90% control of western ragweed and reduced plant height, dry weight, and density. The application of imazethapyr and bentazon, respectively, at the rates of 0.1 and 0.96 kg ai ha−1 did not cause visual damage. The mowing shortly before flowering was the most effective mechanical treatment for western ragweed control. In order to the efficient management of the western ragweed, we suggest that the mowing treatments if appropriately timed and application of glyphosate plus 2, 4‐D at 1.23 + 0.72 kg ai ha−1, and picloram at 0.96 kg ai ha−1 can prevent western ragweed from spreading by suppressing growth and reducing seed production.
Upper Extremity Joint Torque Estimation Through an Electromyography-Driven Model
Authors: Tahmid Shadman , Font-Llagunes Josep M. , Yang James
Published: November 2022

Cerebrovascular accidents like a stroke can affect the lower limb as well as upper extremity joints (i.e., shoulder, elbow, or wrist) and hinder the ability to produce necessary torque for activities of daily living. In such cases, muscles’ ability to generate forces reduces, thus affecting the joint’s torque production. Understanding how muscles generate forces is a key element to injury detection. Researchers have developed several computational methods to obtain muscle forces and joint torques. Electromyography (EMG) driven modeling is one of the approaches to estimate muscle forces and obtain joint torques from muscle activity measurements. Musculoskeletal models and EMG-driven models require necessary muscle-specific parameters for the calculation. The focus of this study is to investigate the EMG-driven approach along with an upper extremity musculoskeletal model to determine muscle forces of two major muscle groups, biceps brachii and triceps brachii, consisting of seven muscle-tendon units. Estimated muscle forces are used to determine the elbow joint torque. Experimental EMG signals and motion capture data are collected for a healthy subject. The musculoskeletal model is scaled to match the geometric parameters of the subject. Then, the approach calculates muscle forces and joint moment for two tasks: simple elbow flexion extension and triceps kickback. Individual muscle forces and net joint torques for both tasks are estimated. The study also has compared the effect of muscle-tendon parameters (optimal fiber length and tendon slack length) on the estimated results.
Tubular Lockup Prediction in Deviated Wells Using Markov Chains
Authors: Ogundare Oluwatosin , Fagbemi Samuel
Published: November 2022

The effect of friction in well drilling operations is especially important in deviated wells and in cases where the impact of axial compressive loads on a drillstring decreases significantly with vertical depth and transversal displacement. The prevailing theories hope to determine the critical buckling loads analytically using the Paslay-Dawson equation with the hope of minimizing the event of tubular buckling in a principled way. In practice, there is very little that can be done to change the nature of a formation except to minimize the friction drag force by pumping friction reducers into the wellbore/borehole which consequently enhances the propagation of axial compressive forces. Determining the tubular lockup region accurately is possible with high fidelity and high-resolution friction profiling of the formation using models that determine critical buckling loads as a function of drag friction. Economically, it is important to determine ahead of time the friction factor or coefficient profile of a formation to establish if and where tubular lockup would occur, which consequently reduces drilling costs by pumping a friction reducer when it is needed and not before. The main idea of this paper is therefore to introduce a model that generates a high-resolution k-point friction profile for a formation using Markov chains. The model is then applied to predict the transition probabilities for friction drag in a reservoir with an accuracy of 86.8%.
The long and the short of vowel length perception in Danish
Authors: Morris David Jackson , Juul Holger
Published: November 2022

Danish is a quantity language in which the length of vowels is either short or long. This study investigates vowel length in order to determine the degree to which we can ascribe the conventional categorical tag to vowel quantity perception. In a pilot study (n = 18) the gradual shortening of long vowels was identified as methodologically preferable for deriving stimuli continua, as complete identification functions could be fitted to the mean data. We employed this method to derive stimuli for identification and discrimination experiments (n = 32) that included the words used in the pilot and another word pair. This pair has phonetically similar variation in vowel duration although, due to recent language change, quantity is no longer contrastive. Results from the phonologically contrastive word pairs showed sigmoidal identification functions and discrimination peaks in the middle of the continua, while the identification slope for the non-contrastive pair was approximately linear and there was no clear discrimination peak. These differences show that the perception of speech contrasts is influenced by the linguistic experience of listeners as well as auditory and articulatory factors.
Binaural consequences of speech envelope enhancement
Authors: Baltzell Lucas S. , Cardosi Daniel , Swaminathan Jayaganesh , Best Virginia
Published: November 2022

The potential binaural consequences of two envelope-based speech enhancement strategies (broadband compression and expansion) were examined. Sensitivity to interaural time differences imposed on four single-word stimuli was measured in listeners with normal hearing and sensorineural hearing loss. While there were no consistent effects of compression or expansion across all words, some potentially interesting word-specific effects were observed.
Predicting speech-in-speech recognition: Short-term audibility, talker sex, and listener factors
Authors: Wasiuk Peter A. , Buss Emily , Oleson Jacob J. , Calandruccio Lauren
Published: November 2022

Speech-in-speech recognition can be challenging, and listeners vary considerably in their ability to accomplish this complex auditory-cognitive task. Variability in performance can be related to intrinsic listener factors as well as stimulus factors associated with energetic and informational masking. The current experiments characterized the effects of short-term audibility of the target, differences in target and masker talker sex, and intrinsic listener variables on sentence recognition in two-talker speech and speech-shaped noise. Participants were young adults with normal hearing. Each condition included the adaptive measurement of speech reception thresholds, followed by testing at a fixed signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Short-term audibility for each keyword was quantified using a computational glimpsing model for target+masker mixtures. Scores on a psychophysical task of auditory stream segregation predicted speech recognition, with stronger effects for speech-in-speech than speech-in-noise. Both speech-in-speech and speech-in-noise recognition depended on the proportion of audible glimpses available in the target+masker mixture, even across stimuli presented at the same global SNR. Short-term audibility requirements varied systematically across stimuli, providing an estimate of the greater informational masking for speech-in-speech than speech-in-noise recognition and quantifying informational masking for matched and mismatched talker sex.
Spherical harmonics domain-based approach for source localization in presence of directional interference
Authors: Dwivedi Priyadarshini , Routray Gyanajyoti , Hegde Rajesh M.
Published: November 2022

This paper presents a learning-based method for source localization in the presence of directional interference under reverberant and noisy conditions. The proposed method operates on the spherical harmonic decomposition of the spherical microphone array recordings to yield spherical harmonics coefficients as the features. An attention mechanism is incorporated through a binary mask that filters out the dominant undesired source components from the features before training. A convolutional neural network is trained to map the phase and magnitude of the filtered coefficients with the location class. Hence, the objective is to develop the binary mask followed by source localization.
Fractal structures of PA6/POE blend nanocomposites and their dynamic properties
Authors: Hadaeghnia Milad , Ahmadi Shervin , Ghasemi Ismaeil , Wood-Adams Paula M.
Published: November 2022

We investigate the effect of minor phase rheological properties and compatibilizer on the phase morphology and graphene 3D structure in polyamide-6 (PA6)/polyolefin elastomer (POE) blends. It is revealed that in blends containing low viscosity (LV) POE, graphene is better dispersed facilitating its localization at the interface. In the blend containing high viscosity (HV) POE with poor graphene dispersion, large graphene aggregates are observed inside the POE phase with less interfacial coverage. Interestingly, graphene induces a co-continuous morphology and electrical and rheological percolation in both systems, although at a lower graphene content for the LV system. The LV system exhibits a more interconnected morphology, while in the HV system we observe a compact fractal-like POE structure with a lower degree of interconnectivity. Our morphological observation suggests that co-continuous morphology in the LV system is dominated by sheet formation, while in the HV system it is dominated by coalescence between moderately elongated domains. Fractal analysis of the graphene 3D network (based on the rheological characterization) is correlated with the higher degree of connectivity of the graphene 3D structure in the LV system. The 2D fractal dimension of the POE phase (host phase for graphene) is in line with the fractal dimension of the graphene flocs, indicating that the graphene flocs influence the blend morphology. The addition of compatibilizer to the HV system did not result in improved electrical properties.
Sulforaphane Reduces SAMHD1 Phosphorylation To Protect Macrophages from HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Sharifi H. John , Paine Dakota N. , Fazzari Vincent A. , Tipple Alexandria F. , Patterson Emilee , de Noronha Carlos M. C.
Published: November 2022

Here, we show, for the first time, that the treatment of macrophages with Nrf2 mobilizers, known activators of antioxidant responses, increases the fraction of SAMHD1 without a regulatory phosphate at position 592. We demonstrate that this decreases infection of macrophages by HIV-1.
The Genome Sequence of an Algal Strain of
Nannochloropsis
QH25
Authors: Sanchez Monica R. , Biondi Thomas C. , Kunde Yuliya A. , Eng Wyatt , Nalley Jakob O. , Ganuza Eneko , Hovde Blake T. , Corcoran Alina A. , Starkenburg Shawn R.
Published: November 2022

Species of
Nannochloropsis
are single-celled Stramenopiles commonly used in microalgae-based technologies for the manufacturing of bioproducts.
Nannochloropsis oceanica
QH25 was isolated from an algal cultivation pond located in Imperial, Texas (USA). We used PacBio continuous long read (CLR) sequencing to produce a highly contiguous 29.34 Mb genome.
Antibiotic Stewardship in Treatment of Osteoarticular Infections Based on Local Epidemiology and Bacterial Growth Times
Authors: Vidal Pauline , Fourniols Eric , Junot Helga , Meloni Cyril , Bleibtreu Alexandre , Aubry Alexandra , Barrut Nicolas , Clarençon Frédéric , Daas Georges , Fautrel Bruno , Fustier Anne , Gandjbakhch Frédérique , Godefroy Nagisa , Khiami Frédéric , Lazennec Jean Yves , Marchant Maxime , Mercy Guillaume , U Mihaela M. I. , Monsel Gentiane , Monzani Quentin , Paccoud Olivier , Rached Brigitte , Reubrecht Vanessa , Robert Jérôme , Zahr Noel
Published: November 2022

Osteoarticular infections (OAI) remain challenging to diagnose and to treat. One of the issues concerns postoperative empirical antimicrobial therapy (EAT), which is usually a combination of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Canine Parvovirus Type 2 in Henan Province, China
Authors: Fu Pengfei , He Dongchang , Cheng Xuan , Niu Xinrui , Wang Congrong , Fu Yiqian , Li Kun , Zhu Heshui , Lu Weifei , Wang Jiang , Chu Beibei
Published: November 2022

CPV-2 was the original virus strain identified in dogs, which cause an acute and lethal disease in dogs. Subsequently, the original CPV-2 was replaced throughout the world by novel antigenic variants (e.g., CPV-2a, CPV-2b, new CPV-2a, new CPV-2b, and CPV-2c).
Redox Cycling Dioxonaphthoimidazoliums Disrupt Iron Homeostasis in Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin
Authors: Li Ming , Yamada Yoshiyuki , Rodriguez G. Marcela , Dick Thomas , Go Mei Lin
Published: November 2022

Cellular respiration in mycobacteria is a potentially rich target space for the discovery of novel drug entities. Here, we show that a redox cycling bactericidal small molecule that selectively activates a respiratory complex in mycobacteria has the surprising effect of disrupting iron homeostasis.
Oral Immunization with AttenuatedSalmonellaCholeraesuis Expressing the P42 and P97 Antigens Protects Mice againstMycoplasma hyopneumoniaeChallenge
Authors: Zhou Guodong , Tian Yichen , Tian Jiashuo , Ma Qifeng , Huang Shan , Li Quan , Wang Shifeng , Shi Huoying
Published: November 2022

Mhp is the main pathogen of porcine enzootic pneumonia, a highly infectious and economically significant respiratory disease that affects pigs of all ages. As the target tissue of Mhp infections are the mucosal sites of the respiratory tract, the induction of protective immunity at the mucosal tissues is the most efficient strategy by which to block disease transmission.
African Swine Fever Virus MGF110-7L Induces Host Cell Translation Suppression and Stress Granule Formation by Activating the PERK/PKR-eIF2α Pathway
Authors: Zhong Han , Fan Shuai , Du Yongkun , Zhang Yuhang , Zhang Angke , Jiang Dawei , Han Shichong , Wan Bo , Zhang Gaiping
Published: November 2022

African swine fever (ASF) has become a socioeconomic burden and a threat to food security and biodiversity, but no commercial vaccines or antivirals are available currently. Understanding the viral strategies to subvert the host translation machinery during ASF virus (ASFV) infection could potentially lead to new vaccines and antiviral therapies.
Level 3 tracheal injury in acute coronary syndrome treated conservatively with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Horio Syuntaro , Yoshizane Takashi , Iwama Makoto , Noda Toshiyuki
Published: November 2022

Level 3 tracheal injury, characterised by complete laceration with oesophageal or mediastinal soft-tissue herniation, is conventionally indicated for surgical repair. We present the case of a woman in her 60s with level 3 tracheal injury in acute coronary syndrome who was treated successfully without surgery. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was introduced during lung-rest management to avoid positive pressure ventilation, and percutaneous coronary angioplasty was performed. Venoarterial ECMO was switched to venovenous ECMO when the haemodynamics improved. The tracheal injury healed spontaneously in 10 days, and ECMO was withdrawn on day 15. The patient made full recovery and was discharged on day 51.
Use of ultrasound biomicroscopy to predict the outcome of anterior segment reconstruction in congenital fibrovascular pupillary membrane with secondary glaucoma
Authors: Zhu Yingting , Fang Lei , Oatts Julius , Han Ying , Lin Shufen , Chen Liming , Liu Xing , Zhong Yimin
Published: November 2022

Aims

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anterior segment reconstruction (ASR) in congenital fibrovascular pupillary membrane-induced secondary glaucoma (CFPMSG) basing ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) classification.

Methods

This ambispective cohort study enrolled patients with CFPMSG who underwent ASR between January 2014 and September 2020. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and UBM were performed before surgery and postoperatively. The patients were classified into three types according to the UBM configurations. Anterior chamber recovery (ACR) was defined as deepening in anterior chamber (≥1.5 mm all through final follow-up (FFU), while success following ASR was defined as ACR and intraocular pressure (IOP)≤21 mm Hg.

Results

25 eyes of 25 patients underwent ASR (average age at operation 5.8±5.0 months, 48% girls) with FFU 15.8±16.9 months. Enrolled subjects were classified into type Ⅰ (11 eyes), type Ⅱ (11 eyes) and type Ⅲ (3 eyes). After ASR, 23 eyes (92%) achieved ACR, and the mean ACD increased in all groups (p=0.006, <0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Eyes with types Ⅰ and Ⅱ demonstrated a reduction of IOP (p=0.009 and 0.002, respectively). ASR success rate was highest in type Ⅰ (72.9%) compared with types Ⅱ and Ⅲ (18.2% and 0%, respectively; p=0.011). ASR led to decreased number of antiglaucoma medications for type Ⅰ CFPMSG at FFU (p=0.016). No vision-threatening postoperative complications occurred.

Conclusions

ASR for CFPMSG results in increased ACD and improvement in IOP. Postoperative IOP control was best in type Ⅰ CFPMSG but not as effective in types Ⅱ and Ⅲ. UBM-based classification helps to predict the surgical outcome of ASR in CFPMSG.
Effect of kangaroo mother care initiated in community settings on financial risk protection of low-income households: a randomised controlled trial in Haryana, India
Authors: Choudhary Tarun Shankar , Mazumder Sarmila , Haaland Oystein A , Taneja Sunita , Bahl Rajiv , Martines Jose , Bhan Maharaj Kishan , Norheim Ole Frithjof , Sommerfelt Halvor , Bhandari Nita , Johansson Kjell Arne
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Many families in low-income and middle-income countries have high out-of-pocket expenditures (OOPE) for healthcare, and some face impoverishment. We aimed to assess the effect of Kangaroo Mother Care initiated in community setting (ciKMC) on financial risk protection estimated by healthcare OOPE, catastrophic healthcare expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment due to healthcare seeking for low birthweight infants, using a randomised controlled trial design.

Methods

We included 4475 low birthweight infants randomised to a ciKMC (2491 infants) and a control (1984 infants) arm, in a large trial conducted between 2017 and 2018 in Haryana, India. We used generalised linear models of the Gaussian family with an identity link to estimate the mean difference in healthcare OOPE, and Cox regression to estimate the HRs for CHE and impoverishment, between the trial arms.

Results

Overall, in the 8-week observation period, the mean healthcare OOPE per infant was lower (US$20.0) in the ciKMC arm compared with the control arm (US$25.6) that is, difference of −US$5.5, 95% CI −US$11.4 to US$0.3, p=0.06). Among infants who sought care it was US$8.5 (95% CI −US$17.0 to −US$0.03, p=0.03) lower in the ciKMC arm compared with the control arm. The HR for impoverishment due to healthcare seeking was 0.56 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.89, p=0.01) and it was 0.91 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.12, p=0.37) for CHE.

Conclusion

ciKMC can substantially reduce the cost of care seeking and the risk of impoverishment for households. Our findings show that supporting mothers to provide KMC to low birthweight infants at home, in addition to reducing early infant mortality, may provide financial risk protection.

Trial registration number

CTRI/2017/10/010114
Prenatal mercury exposure, fish intake and child emotional behavioural regulation in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study
Authors: Vejrup Kristine , Brantsæter Anne-Lise , Meltzer Helle Margrete , Mohebbi Mohammadreza , Knutsen Helle Katrine , Alexander Jan , Haugen Margareta , Jacka Felice
Published: November 2022

Objective

While maternal fish consumption in pregnancy has consistently been linked to better cognitive and emotional outcomes in children, fish is also a primary source of exposure to methyl mercury (MeHg), which has been linked to poorer child cognitive outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between MeHg exposure, using calculated MeHg exposure from maternal diet and total mercury (Hg) concentration in maternal blood during pregnancy, and child internalising and externalising behaviours at 3 and 5 years of age.

Design and participants

The study sample comprised 51 238 mother–child pairs in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study. Data on maternal blood Hg concentration in gestational week 18 were available for a sub-sample of 2936 women. Maternal MeHg exposure from diet was calculated from a validated Food Frequency Questionnaire answered in mid-pregnancy. Mothers reported children’s emotional behaviour at age 3 and 5 years by questionnaires including twenty items from the Child Behaviour Checklist. Longitudinal associations were examined using generalised estimating equations, adjusted for potential confounders and stratified by maternal fish intake.

Results

Maternal blood Hg concentration (median=1.02 µg/L, 90th percentile=2.22, range=0–13.8) was not associated with emotional behaviour in children. Increasing dietary MeHg intake (median 0.15 µg/kg body weight/week, 90th percentiles=0.31, range=0–1.86) was significantly associated with lower internalising β=−0.03 (95% CI −0.05 to –0.00) and externalising child behaviours β=−0.04 (95% CI −0.07 to –0.02) in adjusted models. The inverse associations were also apparent when stratifying by low/high maternal fish intake (<400 and ≥400 g/week).

Conclusions

The results indicated that prenatal MeHg exposure, well below the weekly tolerable intake established by European Food Safety Authority (1.3 µg/kg bw), did not adversely affect child emotional regulation. Children of mothers consuming fish regularly were less likely to show signs of emotional behavioural problems.
Neratinib plus capecitabine versus lapatinib plus capecitabine as the third-line therapy for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in China: a cost-effectiveness analysis
Authors: Wu Yue , Dong Zhu , Wang Jiangfeng , Fang Qingxia
Published: November 2022

Objective

Neratinib plus capecitabine (Ner+Cap) were proved to be clinically beneficial as a third-line treatment for women with human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of Ner+Cap from the Chinese healthcare perspective.

Design

A three-state Markov simulation model was performed based on the results of NALA trial. The utilities of health state and disutilities of adverse events were derived from the published literature. Direct costs of anticancer agents, drug administration, routine follow-up and serious adverse events management were calculated in the model. Uncertainty was evaluated through univariate and probability sensitivity analysis.

Participants

Patients with confirmed HER2-positive MBC who previously received at least two HER2-targeted treatments and were aged ≥18 years with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0 or 1. A total of 621 patients were enrolled in the NALA trial.

Interventions

Third-line treatment with Ner+Cap or lapatinib plus capecitabine (Lap+Cap).

Main outcome measures

The primary health outcomes of the model were costs, expected life-years (LYs), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs).

Results

When compared with Lap+Cap, Ner+Cap provided an additional 0.431 LYs and 0.339 QALYs, and increased the cost by $4299.2. The corresponding ICERs were 9970.1/LY and $12 670.2/QALY. Univariate sensitivity analyses suggested that the results were generally robust. Besides, Ner+Cap had a 100% probability of being cost-effective according to probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

Conclusions

Ner+Cap was likely to be a cost-effective regimen as the third-line therapy for women with HER2-positive MBC at the willingness-to-pay threshold of $37 653.0/QALY in China.
Discrepancies of recurrent birth intervals using longitudinal data analysis in Ethiopia: interim EDHS 2019
Authors: Tesfaw Lijalem Melie , Workie Demeke Lakew , Dessie Zelalem G.
Published: November 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether the birth interval changes differently over time among women in Ethiopia and whether the change depends on women, children and household characteristics measured at the last visit.

Methods

Longitudinal study design was implemented based on the data obtained from the 2019 Ethiopia Mini Demographic and Health Survey consisting of a total of 3630 mothers. Generalised estimating equation and generalised linear mixed model were employed to estimate the effect of the determinants given the correlation between birth intervals within a mother is under consideration.

Results

The majority of women were Muslims (48.1%) and come from rural areas (82.2%). About 77.2% of women at first birth were below 20 years old. A significant correlation (p value<0.0001) between the first and second birth intervals of mothers was observed. The estimated birth interval of women from the poorest household was 0.877 (e−0.1317) times the estimated birth intervals of women from the richest household. This indicates richest households were likely to have higher birth intervals as compared with the poorest households (95% CI e−0.1754=0.839 to e−0.088=0.916).

Conclusion

The birth intervals of over one-fifth of mothers were 1 year, less than the birth interval recommended by the WHO standard. It was also perceived that successive birth intervals are correlated. Mothers who have delivered female children had lower birth intervals than mothers who have delivered male children. As compared with the birth intervals of mothers from a household with higher economic status, the birth intervals of mothers from a household with lower economic status had lower birth intervals. In this study, significant effects of religion, contraceptive use, region, mothers’ current age, education level and mothers’ current marital status on birth intervals were also noted.
Developing a video expert panel as a reference standard to evaluate respiratory rate counting in paediatric pneumonia diagnosis: protocol for a cross-sectional study
Authors: Khan Ahad Mahmud , Ahmed Salahuddin , Chowdhury Nabidul Haque , Islam Md Shafiqul , McCollum Eric D , King Carina , Shi Ting , Nahar Kamrun , Simpson Robynne , Ahmed Ayaz , Rahman Md Mozibur , Baqui Abdullah H , Cunningham Steve , Campbell Harry
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Manual counting of respiratory rate (RR) in children is challenging for health workers and can result in misdiagnosis of pneumonia. Some novel RR counting devices automate the counting of RR and classification of fast breathing. The absence of an appropriate reference standard to evaluate the performance of these devices is a challenge. If good quality videos could be captured, with RR interpretation from these videos systematically conducted by an expert panel, it could act as a reference standard. This study is designed to develop a video expert panel (VEP) as a reference standard to evaluate RR counting for identifying pneumonia in children.

Methods and analysis

Using a cross-sectional design, we will enrol children aged 0–59 months presenting with suspected pneumonia at different levels of health facilities in Dhaka and Sylhet, Bangladesh. We will videorecord a physician/health worker counting RR manually and also using an automated RR counter (Children’s Automated Respiration Monitor) from each child. We will establish a standard operating procedure for capturing quality videos, make a set of reference videos, and train and standardise the VEP members using the reference videos. After that, we will assess the performance of the VEP as a reference standard to evaluate RR counting. We will calculate the mean difference and proportions of agreement within±2 breaths per minute and create Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement between VEP members.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the National Research Ethics Committee of Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Bangladesh (registration number: 39315022021) and Edinburgh Medical School Research Ethics Committee (EMREC), Edinburgh, UK (REC Reference: 21-EMREC-040). Dissemination of the study findings will be through conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.