bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High mobility group box 1, ATP, lipid mediators, and tissue factor are elevated in COVID‐19 patients: HMGB1 as a biomarker of worst prognosis
Authors: Vicentino Amanda Roberta Revoredo , Fraga‐Junior Vanderlei da Silva , Palazzo Matheus , Tasmo Natalia Recardo Amorim , Rodrigues Danielle A. S. , Barroso Shana Priscila Coutinho , Ferreira Sâmila Natiane , Neves‐Borges Anna Cristina , Allonso Diego , Fantappié Marcelo Rosado , Scharfstein Julio , Oliveira Ana Carolina , Vianna‐Jorge Rosane , Vale André Macedo , Coutinho‐Silva Robson , Savio Luiz Eduardo Baggio , Canetti Claudio , Benjamim Claudia Farias
Published: January 2023

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the agent of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, has spread worldwide since it was first identified in November 2019 in Wuhan, China. Since then, progress in pathogenesis linked severity of this systemic disease to the hyperactivation of network of cytokine‐driven pro‐inflammatory cascades. Here, we aimed to identify molecular biomarkers of disease severity by measuring the serum levels of inflammatory mediators in a Brazilian cohort of patients with COVID‐19 and healthy controls (HCs). Critically ill patients in the intensive care unit were defined as such by dependence on oxygen supplementation (93% intubated and 7% face mask), and computed tomography profiles showing ground‐glass opacity pneumonia associated to and high levels of D‐dimer. Our panel of mediators included HMGB1, ATP, tissue factor, PGE2, LTB4, and cys‐LTs. Follow‐up studies showed increased serum levels of every inflammatory mediator in patients with COVID‐19 as compared to HCs. Originally acting as a transcription factor, HMGB1 acquires pro‐inflammatory functions following secretion by activated leukocytes or necrotic tissues. Serum levels of HMGB1 were positively correlated with cys‐LTs, D‐dimer, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. Notably, the levels of the classical alarmin HMGB1 were higher in deceased patients, allowing their discrimination from patients that had been discharged at the early pulmonary and hyperinflammatory phase of COVID‐19. In particular, we verified that HMGB1 levels above 125.4 ng/ml is the cutoff that distinguishes patients that are at higher risk of death. In conclusion, we propose the use of serum levels of HMGB1 as a biomarker of severe prognosis of COVID‐19.
α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in memory processing
Authors: Pastor Verónica , Medina Jorge H.
Published: January 2023

Information storage in the brain involves different memory types and stages that are processed by several brain regions. Cholinergic pathways through acetylcholine receptors actively participate on memory modulation, and their disfunction is associated with cognitive decline in several neurological disorders. During the last decade, the role of α7 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in different memory stages has been studied. However, the information about their role in memory processing is still scarce. In this review, we attempt to identify brain areas where α7 nicotinic receptors have an essential role in different memory types and stages. In addition, we discuss recent work implicating—or not—α7 nicotinic receptors as promising pharmacological targets for memory impairment associated with neurological disorders.
Eptinezumab for adolescents with chronic refractory headache: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Zorrilla Natalia , Gelfand Amy A. , Irwin Samantha L.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of eptinezumab for the treatment of chronic refractory headache in adolescents.

Background

Chronic refractory headache can lead to school absences and impaired quality of life in adolescents, and currently there are no pharmacologic treatments with level A evidence for headache prevention for this population. While observational data suggest that monoclonal antibodies to calcitonin gene–related peptide or its receptor may be helpful for adolescents who have refractory primary headache disorders, evidence is lacking for the use of eptinezumab.

Methods

This was a single‐center, retrospective chart review. Demographic and headache phenotypic data were collected. Outcome measures included headache intensity and frequency pre‐ and post‐infusion(s), and improvement in function or in associated symptoms. Adverse events were also collected.

Results

Nine patients with chronic migraine and two with new daily persistent headache received a first dose of 100 mg of eptinezumab. All of them had daily headache and nine had continuous headache at baseline. After the first infusion of 100 mg, two patients were no longer having daily headache, one patient stopped having continuous headache, and four patients noted headache intensity reduction. Additionally, one patient described a reduction in nausea and vomiting, and another patient noted improvement in function. Six patients received a second eptinezumab infusion of 100 mg, three had a third one, and one patient had four infusions of 100 mg. After the second infusion, one patient noted reduction in headache frequency, one experienced lower headache intensity, and two described pain “improving.” With the third and fourth infusions, patients continued to report improvement in headache intensity. Subsequent infusions of 300 mg resulted in further reductions in headache frequency and intensity for some patients. Eptinezumab was overall well tolerated.

Conclusion

While this was a small sample, findings suggest that eptinezumab may be a safe and effective treatment for chronic, refractory headache in adolescents.
Memojis Pain Scale: A novel pain assessment tool
Authors: Saikiran Kanamarlapudi Venkata , Elicherla Sainath Reddy , Mounika Somisetty Venkata Mahalakshmi , Hemanth Kumar Raichurkar , kolavali Purna Sai Prasad , Nuvvula Sivakumar
Published: January 2023

Background

Dental pain exerts a considerable impact on the psychosocial well‐being of children; reliable management of pain depends on the ability to assess pain intensity.

Aim

To validate and compare a new memojis pain assessment scale with the Faces Pain Scale—Revised (FPS‐R) and Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS) in assessing dental pain experienced by children.

Design

Two hundred and fifty healthy children aged 5–9 years without any past dental experience and requiring local anaesthesia (LA) administration were recruited. Three different scales [FPS‐R, WBFPS and Memojis Pain Scale (MPS)] were applied to assess the children's pain during LA administration. The preferences of each child based on the ease of understanding the faces were recorded.

Results

Pearson correlation test was performed to determine the correlation between MPS with WBFPS and MPS with FPS‐R. A strong correlation was seen when comparing MPS with WBFPS (r = .966; p < .001) and MPS with FPS‐R (r = .969; p < .001), and 81.6% of the children preferred MPS.

Conclusion

The Memojis Pain Scale was an effective pain assessment tool. It can be employed as an alternative scale for pain assessment in children.
Granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor: Conductor of the wound healing orchestra?
Authors: Ead J. Karim , Armstrong David G.
Published: January 2023

Granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) is a glycoprotein and is derived from both hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic sources which exert immunomodulatory properties. Various theories have been proposed to explain why some wounds become chronic and non‐healing. Generalized suppression of inflammation locally or systemically may impede the body's physiological healing response by crippling the activity of reparative cells within the wound ecosystem. Thus, highlighting the importance of promoting host‐directed therapeutics with immunomodulatory properties. The temporal and spatial expression of GM‐CSF and GM‐CSF receptors in the integumentary system suggests that epithelial‐derived GM‐CSF functions in an autocrine/paracrine manner. This may positively affect wound healing physiology via local inflammatory regulation promoting macrophage survival. Although diabetes negatively affects multiple aspects of wound healing GM‐CSF activation is particularly impacted. Compared to acute/healthy wounds diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) only partially activate GM‐CSF activity. There is a deleterious chain of events associated with this unfortunate sequala. DFUs also have a high proportion of monocytes and an absence of activated macrophages which results in an impaired inflammatory response. This may potentially serve as a vital point for GM‐CSF to act as a companion diagnostic/theragnostic modality to help modulate the inflammatory response in wound healing. Correcting macrophage immune dysfunction with exogenous GM‐CSF may help restore the immune balance in the wound ecosystem and jumpstart the wound healing cascade. Thus, the recognized beneficial role of GM‐CSF in immune regulation across many studies provides a rationale for the initiation of the ongoing randomized controlled trials using GM‐CSF.
Cascading effects of soil organic and inorganic fertilizers on tri‐trophic interactions: Plant–aphid–parasitoid wasp as a study system
Authors: Gorji Zahra , Mehrparvar Mohsen , Mansouri Seyed Mozaffar
Published: January 2023

Understanding the mechanisms underlying tri‐trophic interactions between insect herbivores, their host plants and natural enemies is an important aim in ecology. In the present study, the effect of urea fertilizer and vermicompost on a tri‐trophic level cascade, comprising safflower, Carthamus tinctorius, safflower aphid, Uroleucon carthami and its primary parasitoid wasp, Praon yomenae, was investigated. Vermicompost increased the number of leaves, leaf area, fresh weight, dry weight, the total number of aphids and reduced the number of winged aphids and aphid load (Aphid load = number of aphids / plant fresh weight). Only two variables, plant phenol content and relative water content, were not significantly affected by vermicompost. Urea fertilizer had no impact on all variables except a significant effect on plant height. In another experiment, the effect of urea fertilizer and vermicompost on the wasp parasitoid was studied. The number of parasitoid mummies, mummification time, developmental time, the number of emerged adults, sex ratio, percentage of parasitism and hind tibia length was measured. Vermicompost had no significant effect on any of the measured parameters, but urea fertilizer increased the hind tibia length of the parasitoid. Vermicompost increased plant growth parameters and had an indirect and inhibiting effect on the safflower aphid itself. There was evidence of a bottom‐up cascade to the third trophic level by adding fertilizers in this system: Urea fertilizer enhanced plant height but seemingly had no impact on the attacking herbivore. It is interesting that the effect of urea can be transferred to the third trophic level, that is parasitoid. This suggests that vermicompost could be used simultaneously with urea fertilizer, because urea fertilizer had a positive impact on the parasitoid and vermicompost had a positive impact on plant growth as well as the ability to reduce aphid load.
The promise of portable remote auditory stimulation tools to enhance slow‐wave sleep and prevent cognitive decline
Authors: Zeller Céline J. , Züst Marc A. , Wunderlin Marina , Nissen Christoph , Klöppel Stefan
Published: January 2023

Dementia is the seventh leading cause of mortality, and a major source of disability and dependency in older individuals globally. Cognitive decline (and, to a lesser extent, normal ageing) are associated with sleep fragmentation and loss of slow‐wave sleep. Evidence suggests a bidirectional causal link between these losses. Phase‐locked auditory stimulation has emerged as a promising non‐invasive tool to enhance slow‐wave sleep, potentially ameliorating cognitive decline. In laboratory settings, auditory stimulation is usually supervised by trained experts. Different algorithms (simple amplitude thresholds, topographic correlation, sine‐wave fitting, phase‐locked loop, and phase vocoder) are used to precisely target auditory stimulation to a desired phase of the slow wave. While all algorithms work well in younger adults, the altered sleep physiology of older adults and particularly those with neurodegenerative disorders requires a tailored approach that can adapt to older adults’ fragmented sleep and reduced amplitudes of slow waves. Moreover, older adults might require a continuous intervention that is not feasible in laboratory settings. Recently, several auditory stimulation‐capable portable devices (‘Dreem®’, ‘SmartSleep®’ and ‘SleepLoop®’) have been developed. We discuss these three devices regarding their potential as tools for science, and as clinical remote‐intervention tools to combat cognitive decline. Currently, SleepLoop® shows the most promise for scientific research in older adults due to high transparency and customizability but is not commercially available. Studies evaluating down‐stream effects on cognitive abilities, especially in patient populations, are required before a portable auditory stimulation device can be recommended as a clinical preventative remote‐intervention tool.
Anxiety is associated with coronary microvascular dysfunction: Results from the CAMADA study
Authors: Li Ying , Xu Weixian , Guo Lijun
Published: January 2023

Objective

Coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) is an important component of ischemic heart disease. Here, we assessed the associations between anxiety/depression and CMD using coronary microvascular function indicators.

Methods

The study included 81 patients (26 males and 55 females) with nonobstructive coronary artery disease. The symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured with Self‐rating Anxiety Scale and Self‐rating Depression Scale. Coronary microvascular function was assessed using coronary flow reserve (CFR) measured by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography.

Results

The anxiety group had significantly lower CFR than that in the no‐anxiety group (2.97 ± 0.63 vs. 3.40 ± 0.61, p = .029). In bivariate correlation analysis, anxiety was negatively associated with CFR (r = −.333, p = .002). In the multiple linear regression model, after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking status, and family history of premature coronary heart disease, anxiety was negatively associated with CFR (β = −.314, p = .008). When both anxiety and depression were included in the multiple linear regression model, anxiety was also negatively associated with CFR (β = −.345, p = .012).

Conclusion

Anxiety patients had lower CFR, anxiety was independently associated with CFR. Psychological disorders may play an important role in coronary microvascular dysfunction.
Phenotype‐specific signatures of systems‐level gut microbiome associated with childhood airway allergies
Authors: Chiu Chih‐Yung , Chang Ko‐Chun , Chang Lun‐Ching , Wang Chia‐Jung , Chung Wen‐Hung , Hsieh Wen‐Ping , Su Shih‐Chi
Published: January 2023

Background

Perturbation of gut symbiosis has been linked to childhood allergic diseases. However, the underlying host–microbe interaction connected with specific phenotypes is poorly understood.

Methods

To address this, integrative analyses of stool metagenomic and metabolomic profiles associated with IgE reactions in 56 children with mite‐sensitized airway allergies (25 with rhinitis and 31 with asthma) and 28 nonallergic healthy controls were conducted.

Results

We noted a decrease in the number and abundance of gut microbiome‐encoded carbohydrate‐active enzyme (CAZyme) genes, accompanied with a reduction in species richness, in the asthmatic gut microflora but not in that from allergic rhinitis. Such loss of CAZymes was consistent with the observation that a CAZyme‐linked decrease in fecal butyrate was found in asthmatics and negatively correlated with mite‐specific IgE responses. Different from the CAZymes, we demonstrated an increase in α diversity at the virulome levels in asthmatic gut microbiota and identified phenotype‐specific variations of gut virulome. Moreover, use of fecal metagenomic and metabolomic signatures resulted in distinct effects on differentiating rhinitis and asthma from nonallergic healthy controls.

Conclusion

Overall, our integrative analyses reveal several signatures of systems‐level gut microbiome in robust associations with fecal metabolites and disease phenotypes, which may be of etiological and diagnostic implications in childhood airway allergies.
Timely adjuvant chemotherapy improves outcome in dogs with non‐metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma undergoing splenectomy
Authors: Faroni Eugenio , Sabattini Silvia , Guerra Dina , Iannuzzi Chiara , Chalfon Carmit , Agnoli Chiara , Stefanello Damiano , Polton Gerry , Ramos Sofia , Aralla Marina , Ciaccini Raffaele , Foglia Armando , Okonji Samuel , Marconato Laura
Published: January 2023

Timely delivery of adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to be advantageous in many human cancers and canine osteosarcoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown to improve outcome for canine splenic hemangiosarcoma. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate whether timely adjuvant chemotherapy administration resulted in better outcome in dogs with non‐metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma undergoing splenectomy. Medical records were searched for dogs with non‐metastatic, splenic hemangiosarcoma that received splenectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy. The number of days from surgery to the first chemotherapy dose (StoC) was evaluated to identify the cut‐off value associated with the best survival advantage. StoC and other possible prognostic factors were tested for influence on time to metastasis (TTM) and overall survival (OS). Seventy dogs were included. Median StoC was 20 days (range: 4–70). The time interval associated with the greatest survival benefit was 21 days. Median TTM and OS of dogs with StoC ≤ 21 days were significantly longer than those with StoC >21 days (TTM: 163 vs. 118 days, p = .001; OS: 238 vs. 146 days, p < .001). On multivariable analysis, StoC >21 days was the only variable significantly associated with increased risk of tumour progression (HR 2.1, p = .010) and death (HR 2.3; p = .008). Starting adjuvant chemotherapy within 21 days of surgery may be associated with a survival benefit in dogs with non‐metastatic splenic hemangiosarcoma, possibly due to the early targeting of newly recruited metastatic cells after surgery.
Polynomial dynamics and local analysis of small and grand orbits
Authors: Schmidt Harry
Published: January 2023

We prove an analogue of Lang's conjecture on divisible groups for polynomial dynamical systems over number fields. In our setting, the role of the divisible group is taken by the small orbit of a point $\alpha$ where the small orbit by a polynomial $f$ is given by
\begin{align*} \mathcal{S}_\alpha = \{\beta \in \mathbb{C}; f^{\circ n}(\beta) = f^{\circ n}(\alpha) \text{ for some } n \in \mathbb{Z}_{\geq 0}\}. \end{align*}
Our main theorem is a classification of the algebraic relations that hold between infinitely many pairs of points in $\mathcal {S}_\alpha$ when everything is defined over the algebraic numbers and the degree $d$ of $f$ is at least 2. Our proof relies on a careful study of localisations of the dynamical system and follows an entirely different approach than previous proofs in this area. In particular, we introduce transcendence theory and Mahler functions into this field. Our methods also allow us to classify all algebraic relations that hold for infinitely many pairs of points in the grand orbit
\begin{align*} \mathcal{G}_\alpha = \{\beta \in \mathbb{C}; f^{\circ n}(\beta) = f^{\circ m}(\alpha) \text{ for some } n ,m\in \mathbb{Z}_{\geq 0}\} \end{align*}
of $\alpha$ if $|f^{\circ n}(\alpha )|_v \rightarrow \infty$ at a finite place $v$ of good reduction co-prime to $d$.
A Comparison of Industrial-Scale Radiometer Heat Flux Measurements Between Pulverized-Coal and Coal/Biomass Co-Firing Combustion
Authors: Draper Teri S. , Gunnarsson Adrian , Fry Andrew , Andersson Klas , Ring Terry , Eddings Eric
Published: January 2023

This work evaluates and compares radiative heat transfer measurements conducted at the 471−MWE Hunter Power Plant Unit 3 utility boiler in Utah, United States, during standard operation with coal and also co-firing with biomass. The coal used was a Utah-sourced bituminous coal, which was mixed with torrefied wood (15% by weight) for the co-firing test. Radiation from the flame was measured using radiometers of three different designs. Data were gathered at three elevations along the boiler wall. Overall, the measured heat fluxes and corresponding temporal variations decreased with increasing boiler elevation. While the variation in the replicates of the heat flux data is notable, a statistical analysis indicates that the heat flux profile at the elevations investigated is not significantly affected by the change in fuel.
What will remain...? Some responses from autoethnography and young people’s fiction
Authors: Behar Ruth
Published: January 2023

I keep thinking lately that I am writing for the next generation, for those like my granddaughter who have come into the world during this time of the pandemic, with all its anxiety and insecurity. Vulnerability, I imagine, will be for her a normal part of life that no longer knows how to define its normality. Thinking about these issues, I will try to give some answers about the legacies we are leaving behind and how autoethnography and young people’s fiction propose ways of looking for the confluence between the past, the present, and the future. Among what will remain, I hope to show the importance of the moments of connection that we achieve in anthropological encounters, as well as artistic creation, moments that allow us to feel that we share a human heritage that belongs equally to all of us because we exist in the world.
Indigenous life projects and extractivism: Ethnographies from South America, de Cecilie Vindal Ødegaard y Juan Javier Rivera Andía (Eds.)
Authors: García Labrador Julián
Published: January 2023

El extractivismo, «rasgo estructural del capitalismo como economía global» (Svampa, 2019: 15), puede ser tomado como concepto descriptivo o como concepto analítico. Como concepto descriptivo denota la mera extracción de materias primas y equivale a un modo de acumulación de recursos, pero como concepto analítico, permite entender los procesos de desarrollo económico a nivel local y global. En este segundo sentido, la intensificación de los procesos extractivos de los últimos años ha estado acompañada de una seria reflexión sobre las relaciones entre el extractivismo y la política, así como entre el extractivismo y sus efectos sociales y ambientales. En el marco de América Latina, se ha hablado de neoextractivismo para criticar las políticas de los gobiernos de izquierda, que desde inicios de los 2000 habían tratado de implementar agendas progresistas sin abandonar la confianza en estas dinámicas extractivas (Chiasson-LeBel, 2016). No es de extrañar que las publicaciones sobre el neoextractivismo y su relación con la expansión capitalista, los modelos de desarrollo, las agendas políticas o movimientos sociales de América Latina se hayan multiplicado en los últimos años (Kingsbury, 2021).
Mutations help genes emerge from aimless DNA
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: January 2023

By allowing genetic messages to make proteins, the changes led to key brain genes
Identification of B-Cell Epitopes on Capsid Protein Reveals Two Potential Neutralization Mechanisms in Red-Spotted Grouper Nervous Necrosis Virus
Authors: Zhang Zhiqi , Xing Jing , Tang Xiaoqian , Sheng Xiuzhen , Chi Heng , Zhan Wenbin
Published: January 2023

NNV is a common etiological agent associated with neurological virosis in multiple aquatic organisms, causing significant hazards to the host. However, licensed drugs or vaccines to combat NNV infection are very limited to date.
Comparison of various calcium antagonist on vasospastic angina: a systematic review
Authors: Singh Jaspal , Elton Andre , Kwa Melvin
Published: January 2023

Background

Coronary artery vasospasm is an abnormal spasm of coronary arteries that cause transient or complete occlusion without exertion. It causes stable angina to ACS. However, this can be prevented by calcium channel blockers (CCBs) which suppress Ca2+influx into the vascular muscle cells. Nevertheless, several CCBs adverse effects are harmful for these patients. Selecting the right CCBs would give the best clinical practice.

Method

The studies were obtained from four major medical databases by various keywords. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were implemented as adult >18 years, observational study, English language and drug of interest. Duplicates were eliminated, and the remaining studies were reviewed. Final full-texts assessment was conducted independently by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Revised Cochrane.

Results

The search found 1378 articles. However, six studies were selected after implementing the study criteria. Diltiazem was found to decrease angina and increase quality of life until 12th week of treatment; however, some adverse effects include atrioventricular block and recurrent angina up till 4th week were found. Meanwhile, nifedipine was found to decrease vasospastic angina (VSA) by the fourth and eighth weeks of treatment. Nevertheless, it caused excessive drop in BP and increase heart rate by eighth week. In addition, slow-release preparation of both CCBs were found to increase efficacy and compliance. Lastly amlodipine was also found to decrease VSA by 17%±140% and 33% after 6 weeks, but further studies needed.

Conclusion

Diltiazem, nifedipine and amlodipine are potent in decreasing VSA, however, tailoring specific CCBs adverse reactions to patient condition and the drug preparation would be substantially beneficial for the outcome.
Uveitis in psoriatic arthritis: study of 406 patients in a single university center and literature review
Authors: De Vicente Delmás Ana , Sanchez-Bilbao Lara , Calvo-Río Vanesa , Martínez-López David , Herrero-Morant Alba , Galíndez-Agirregoikoa Eva , Gonzalez-Mazon Iñigo , Barroso-García Nuria , Palmou-Fontana Natalia , Gonzalez-Gay Miguel A , Hernández José L , Blanco Ricardo
Published: January 2023

Background/purpose

The manifestations of uveitis are well established in axial spondyloarthritis (ax-SpA), but not in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We aimed to assess, in a large unselected series of PsA: (A) the frequency and clinical features of uveitis; (B) its association with PsA activity, the impact of disease and functional disability, and (C) its relationship with the biological treatment. In addition, a literature review was performed.

Methods

Retrospective longitudinal study of PsA patients from a single referral hospital. PsA was classified according to the CASPAR criteria, and uveitis was diagnosed by experienced ophthalmologists.

Results

We studied 406 patients with PsA (46.3±12.3 years). Uveitis was observed in 20 (4.9%). Uveitis was acute in all cases, anterior (80%), unilateral (80%) and recurrent (50%). Patients with uveitis had a higher prevalence of HLA-B27 (45% vs 7.5%, p<0.0001), sacroiliitis on MRI (25% vs 8.3% p=0.027), ocular surface pathology (10% vs 0.8%, p=0.021), and median PsA impact of Disease Score (5.9 (2.1–6.8) vs 1.25 (0.0–3.0), p=0.001) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (4 (1.6–5) vs 1.0 (0.0–3.5), p=0.01) than patients without uveitis.

The exposure adjusted incidence rate (episodes/100 patients-year) of uveitis before versus after biological treatment decreased with anti-TNFα monoclonal antibodies (56.3 vs 9.4) and increased with etanercept (ETN) (6.03 vs 24.2) and secukinumab (SECU) (0 vs 50) (including only one patient treated in the last two cases).

Conclusion

The prevalence of uveitis in patients with PsA was about 5%. The pattern was similar to that observed in ax-SpA. Uveitis was associated with a worse quality of life and greater functional disability. The uveitis exposure adjusted incidence rate decreased with anti-TNFα monoclonal antibodies and increased with ETN and SECU.
Crack detection and crack segmentation in concrete beams undergoing mode I fracture using computer vision and convolutional neural network
Authors: Singh Pranay , Ojha P.N. , Singh Brijesh , Singh Abhishek
Published: January 2023

The study presents two crack detection techniques for a beam undergoing mode I fracture: (i) convolutional neural network approach and (ii) image processing using opensource computer vision library OpenCV and pixel count of cracks approach. The second method also includes crack segmentation and masking for visualization of the cracks. The study attempted to evaluate the accuracy of both methods at different crack mouth opening displacement of seven simply supported concrete beams being tested using three-point bend test. The novelty of the present work lies in quantification of the crack growth from captured images and evaluating the potential of applying computer vision techniques as a replacement for sensitive crack measuring instruments to create a robust computer vision based health monitoring system. Results suggest that both methods identified the cracks in the beam and are capable of generating a warning before the collapse.
Escape panels in trawls: does placement matter when every individual contacting the panel can escape?
Authors: Melli Valentina , Herrmann Bent , Frandsen Rikke P. , Veiga-Malta Tiago , Feekings Jordan P.
Published: January 2023

Escape panels are one of the bycatch reduction devices most used in trawl fisheries but their efficiency rely on fish actively contacting the panel to escape. To investigate if contact behaviour changes at different panel placements, we tested a 300 mm square mesh panel placed in the upper panel of the codend at 3, 4 and 7 m from the codline. Seven competing models of contact probability were fitted to the empirical data. Based on the results, we inferred that panel placement significantly affects escape efficiency due to a change in type of contact behaviour. Cod ( Gadus morhua) showed a contact increasing with length when the panel was closest to the codline, while contact probability decreased with length at the other placements. Similarly, contact probability for plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa) was found to increase with length at 3 and 4 m, whereas a length-independent contact best represented the data at 7 m. Finally, Nephrops ( Nephrops norvegicus) had in general low contact probability. The results provide new knowledge regarding species and placement-dependent panel escape.
Testing cover crop species under three soil moisture conditions in a controlled greenhouse environment
Authors: Ben Kalifa M.L. , VanVolkenburg H. , Vasseur L.
Published: January 2023

Extreme climatic events, such as drought and heavy rainfall, are increasing with climate change. These events can threaten agroecosystems, including vineyards. Cover crops are often grown in vineyards for various reasons and can be an effective strategy for climate change adaptation. Understanding which cover crop species can establish well under extreme climate conditions is important. We conducted a greenhouse experiment to investigate the responses of nine cover crop species to overwatered and water-deficit conditions. Treatments included (1) overwatered soil condition, watered at 100% field capacity daily, (2) control, watered at 60%–70% every other day, and (3) water deficit, watered at 15%–20% weekly for 53 growing days. Results indicated that the total dry weight of all species decreased (most significantly) under water-deficit conditions. However, pubescent wheatgrass and red fescue did not exhibit any stress symptoms. Apart from alfalfa, all species established well under overwatered conditions despite slight yellowing of foliage for crimson clover and hairy vetch. Pearl millet and yellow sweet clover had the best establishment regardless of conditions. Our results provide important information on the selection of cover crops that can withstand climatic variability and thrive in the extreme conditions linked to the climate change scenario in Canada.
A Scalable Neuristor Based on a Half-Wave Memristor Emulator
Authors: Zhou Lei , Yin Sibei , Wang Chune , Qin Huibin , Wang Qianjin
Published: January 2023

The neuristor based on memristors can be used to mimic synapse and neurons of biological neural systems, and it is the key unit of spiking neural networks. However, the resistance states of realistic memristors are nonvolatile, which is not conducive to mimicking the forgetting function of the brain. Given that the resistance states of memristor emulators are volatile after power down, this paper exhibits a scalable neuristor built with a half-wave memristor emulator. The proposed neuristor demonstrates four critical features for action-potential-based computing: the all-or-nothing spiking of an action potential, threshold-driven spiking, diverse periodic spiking and symmetric anti-Hebbian learning rule of spike-timing-dependent plasticity. Particularly, there are no complex shape and duration constraints on pre- and post-spikes for implementing the symmetric anti-Hebbian learning rule.
Amalgamated algebras along an ideal defined by 1-absorbing-like conditions
Authors: Khalfi Abdelhaq El , Kolotoğlu Tuğba , Mahdou Najib , Tekir Ünsal , Ersoy Bayram Ali
Published: January 2023

Let [Formula: see text] be a commutative ring with nonzero identity. A proper ideal [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is called a 1-absorbing prime ideal (respectively, 1-absorbing primary ideal) if whenever nonunit elements [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] then [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] (respectively, [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]). The purpose of this paper is to study the transfer of certain 1-absorbing-like properties to amalgamation of [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] along [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text] (denoted by [Formula: see text]), introduced and studied by D’Anna, Finocchiaro and Fontana. Our results provide new techniques for the construction of new original examples satisfying the above-mentioned properties.
Social Commerce Adoption: A Consumer’s Perspective to an Emergent Frontier
Authors: Vatanasakdakul Savanid , Aoun Chadi , Defiandry Faiq
Published: January 2023

The mass diffusion of social media has enabled new commercial models in retailing. It heralded the emergence of social commerce, with consumers and retailers interacting and transacting through a multitude of social media. While the organizational benefits of such interactions have attracted much attention, little is known about the consumers’ motives. In addressing this limitation, a theoretical model was developed, extending the UTAUT2 framework. The model was then operationalized, and quantitative data collected from 108 Indonesian consumers engaged in social commerce and analyzed using the partial least squares method. The findings point to new dynamics influencing consumer behavior, driven by lifestyle, price value, facilitating conditions, and pragmatisms. Interestingly, social influence was significant yet negative indicating that consumers may be developing a distinct online persona, which is more independent and assertive to normative pressures. The results hold important theoretical and practical implications for the rapidly emerging field of social commerce.
Improving the Biological Properties of UHMWPE Biocomposite for Orthopedic Applications
Authors: Kadhim Tamara R. , Oleiwi Jawad K. , Hamad Qahtan A.
Published: January 2023

Bone plates are essential for bone fracture healing because they modify the biomechanical microenvironment at the fracture site to provide the necessary mechanical fixation for fracture fragments. The objective of this study was to determine cell availability, antibacterial activity, and wettability through a contact angle test. However, biocomposites that involve UHMWPE reinforced with n-HA and n-TiO2 particles at different fractions (0, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5%) and 5% from carbon and Kevlar fibers were fabricated by hot pressing technique. In vitro studies revealed good cell viability on the surface of the hybrid biocomposite even after 72 hr. The UHMEPE nanocomposite reinforced with carbon showed better cell attachment for fibroblasts than other UHMWPE nanocomposite materials reinforced with Kevlar fiber. The results of the contact angle measurements indicated that the incorporation of nanoparticles and the fiber reinforcement increased the wettability due to the hydrophilic character of nanobiocomposite, and also (UHMWPE-4.5% wt. TiO2–CF) biocomposite was the best wettability (∼48% as compared to neat UHMWPE). Antibacterial experiments involving Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, confirm excellent bactericidal property for (UHMWPE-4.5% wt. TiO2–CF) biocomposite. Thermal analysis of the produced nanocomposites revealed that they had higher melting and crystallinity temperatures than pure UHMWPE.
Toward an Efficient and Effective Credit Scorer for Cross-Border E-Commerce Enterprises
Authors: Xu Chang , Guo Ruize , Zhang Yulai , Luo Xinyuan
Published: January 2023

Building an efficient and effective credit scorer for enterprises is an important and urgent demand in the cross-border e-commerce industry. In this paper, we present a framework to build a credit scorer using e-commerce data integrated from various sources. First, an improved dependency graph approach is proposed to recognize distinct records in the dataset. Then, we apply logistic regression using a prejudice remover regularizer to train the model, preceded by predictor preparation through binning and evaluating their information value. Lastly, we build the credit scorer according to the coefficients of the model. We implement our framework on a dataset from the official customs database and a large cross-border e-commerce platform. The empirical results demonstrate that the scorer built by our methodology can be used to effectively evaluate enterprises, while also removing prejudice against small and medium enterprises to a certain extent.
Multiple Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Patient Using Skin Bleaching Products in Togo
Authors: Mouhari-Toure Abas , Kassang Panawé , Foma Winga , Akakpo SefakoAbla , Teclessou Julienne Noude , Tcheumagam Kelly , Amana Essobiziou , Doh Kwame , Nouhoumon Gloria , Darre Tchin , Kombate Koussake , Pitché Palokinam , Saka Bayaki
Published: January 2023

Background. The cosmetic use of skin bleaching products is common among women in sub-Saharan Africa despite numerous reported cutaneous and systemic complications. We report the first case of squamous cell carcinoma in a woman using skin bleaching products in Togo. Case Report. A 65-year-old woman with a 30-year history of skin bleaching products use consulted in dermatology for a tumor of the neck that had been evolving for 2 years. There was no personal or family history of cancer. The patient was obese (BMI = 38.3 kg/m2) and had high blood pressure. Clinical examination noted multiple ulcerative and cauliflower tumors of the neck. The presence of stretch marks, skin atrophy, and ochronosis was noted in the examination of the rest of skin. There were no lymph nodes. HIV serology was negative. Histology of a tumor biopsy concluded to an invasive skin squamous cell carcinoma. The cervical, thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic TDM revealed pulmonary metastases. The patient underwent complete surgical removal of the right latero-cervical tumor. The left latero-cervical tumors were not removed because they infiltrated the large vessels. Chemotherapy before surgery was prescribed but not honored for financial reasons. The patient died 2 months after her first consultation in respiratory distress. Conclusion. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the complications of skin bleaching in sub-Saharan Africa. It is necessary to intensify awareness campaigns on the complications of this practice, in order to reduce their incidence, in our context where this practice is very frequent.
Androgen Signaling Contributes to Sex Differences in Cancer by Inhibiting NF-κB Activation in T Cells and Suppressing Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , Cheng Limin , Gao Chengqi , Chen Jing , Liao Shuangye , Zheng Yongqiang , Xu Liping , He Jingjing , Wang Danyang , Fang Ziqian , Zhang Jianeng , Yan Min , Luan Yi , Chen Siyu , Chen Likun , Xia Xiaojun , Deng Chunhao , Chen Guokai , Li Wende , Liu Zexian , Zhou Penghui
Published: January 2023

Sex is known to be an important factor in the incidence, progression, and outcome of cancer. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms could help improve cancer prevention and treatment. Here, we demonstrated a crucial role of antitumor immunity in the sex differences in cancer. Consistent with observations in human cancers, male mice showed accelerated tumor progression compared with females, but these differences were not observed in immunodeficient mice. Androgen signaling suppressed T-cell immunity against cancer in males. Mechanistically, androgen-activated androgen receptor upregulated expression of USP18, which inhibited TAK1 phosphorylation and the subsequent activation of NF-κB in antitumor T cells. Reduction of testosterone synthesis by surgical castration or using the small-molecular inhibitor abiraterone significantly enhanced the antitumor activity of T cells in male mice and improved the efficacy of anti–PD-1 immunotherapy. Together, this study revealed a novel mechanism contributing to sex differences in cancer. These results indicate that inhibition of androgen signaling is a promising approach to improve the efficacy of immunotherapy in males.

Significance:

Androgen signaling induces immunosuppression in cancer by blocking T-cell activity through upregulation of USP18 and subsequent inhibition of NF-κB activity, providing a targetable axis to improve antitumor immunity in males.
Elevated Interleukin-10 Levels Are Associated with Low Platelet Count and Poor Prognosis in 90 Adult Patients with Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Hao Lixia , Ren Juan , Zhu Yanlin , Ma Yanping , Pan Jie , Yang Linhua
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by excessive inflammatory responses. This study explored the association between laboratory characteristics and outcomes in adult patients with HLH. Methods: The adult patients diagnosed with HLH at the Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from September 2016 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Results: A total of 90 HLH patients were included. Among them, 60% were males, with a median age at diagnosis of 54 years. More than 85% of HLH patients presented with fever, splenomegaly, and cytopenias. IL-10 and IL-6 were elevated in 93.3% and 91.1% of patients, respectively. Elevated IL-10 levels were associated with lower platelet counts (r = −0.37, p < 0.001). Infections were seen in 46.7% (42/90) of cases. 29 patients with malignancy-associated HLH had T- or NK-cell (n = 16) or B-cell (n = 12) lymphoma. Autoimmune diseases accounted for 21.1% (19/90). Treatment was variable. In total, 36 patients survived (40%). The median overall survival (OS) was 1.5 months (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.2–2.8 months), with a 1-year OS of 40.9%. Patients with autoimmune diseases had markedly longer survival than those triggered by infection and malignancy (p < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that treatment delays (hazard ratios 0.36, 95% CI: 0.14–0.94, p = 0.036), platelet count (2.33, 1.30–4.18, p = 0.005), and IL-10 (2.07, 1.16–3.68, p = 0.014) were independent risk factors for poor outcome. Conclusion: Infection and lymphoma are the leading causes of HLH in adult patients with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Survival of adult HLH is frustrating, especially those associated with malignancies. Besides, elevated IL-10 levels were associated with lower platelet counts, and these two markers were independent risk factors for poor prognosis. Earlier treatment led to better outcomes.
Sporadic Metastatic Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour with an NF1 Mutation Responding to Trametinib: A Case Report
Authors: Hitchen Nadia , Cross Matthew , Laking George , Connor Joanna , Korenbaum Clement
Published: January 2023

Sporadically occurring malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs) can have a variety of genomic alterations including altered NF1, leading to activation of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signalling pathway. Trametinib is an inhibitor of MEK1 and MEK2. Here we present a case of a patient diagnosed with sporadic MPNST with an identified NF1 gene treated successfully with trametinib.
Three new species of Valeriana (Valerianoideae, Caprifoliaceae) from southern Ecuador
Authors: PERSSON CLAES , ERIKSEN BENTE , PÉREZ ÁLVARO J. , ZAPATA J. NICOLÁS , COUVREUR THOMAS L.P. , SKLENÁŘ PETR
Published: January 2023

Three new species of Valeriana from southern Ecuador are described and illustrated. Valeriana plateadensis is found near the highest peak of Cerro Plateado in Cordillera del Cóndor at 2900 m a.s.l. and is recognized by the shrubby habit and sessile, densely imbricate, spatulate leaves and 3-lobed corollas. V. yacuriensis is found near Lagunas Negras de Jimbura in the Parque Nacional Yacurí at 3500 m a.s.l. and is recognized by the shrubby habit, petiolate leaves and 3-lobed corollas. V. xenophylloides is found in the Páramo de Patococha at 3400 m a.s.l. and is recognized by its cushion growth form, the crown of trichomes at the leaf apex and 3-lobed corollas.
Averyanov L.V. et al.: (2022): New orchids in the flora of Vietnam Ⅴ (Orchidaceae, Aeridinae). Phytotaxa 572 (1): 043–060
Authors: AVERYANOV LEONID V. , THAI TRAN HUY , NGUYEN VAN CANH , TRUONG BA VUONG , MAISAK TATIANA V. , DOAN NGA THI , NGUYEN KHANG SINH
Published: January 2023

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Future Drying Subtropical East Asia in Winter: Mechanism and Observational Constraint
Authors: He Chao
Published: January 2023

Coupled climate models project robust wintertime wetting trend over midlatitude East Asia under global warming scenarios, but the projected change in precipitation shows large intermodel uncertainty over subtropical East Asia from southern China to southwestern Japan. Based on an ensemble of climate models participating in CMIP6, this study shows that the weakened southern branch westerly jet (SWJ) on the southern side of Tibetan Plateau (TP) plays a key role in suppressing subtropical East Asian precipitation. The SWJ is deflected into southwesterly wind on the southeastern side of TP, bringing ascent and precipitation to subtropical East Asia primarily through isentropic gliding. As a result of the poleward and upward shift of the planetary-scale westerly jet under global warming, the SWJ becomes weaker and it acts to suppress subtropical East Asian precipitation by weakening the southwesterly wind and ascent. The SWJ–precipitation linkage also exists on interannual time scales, but the sensitivity of precipitation to interannual SWJ variability is systematically underestimated by the models compared with observation. The combined effects of the change in SWJ strength and the sensitivity of precipitation to SWJ explain about 40% of the intermodel spread of the projected precipitation changes. Observational constraint on the SWJ–precipitation relationship amplifies the projected drying trend and narrows the intermodel spread. It shows that the regional-averaged precipitation over subtropical East Asia decreases by 3.3% per degree of warming, and the amplitude of precipitation reduction over subtropical East Asia (southern China) is about 1.4 (3.4) times the raw projection.