bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies based on cluster analysis: an 8-year cohort study
Authors: Qi Wanting , Zhao Jiuliang , Huang Can , Jiang Nan , Li Jing , Wu Chanyuan , Zhang Shangzhu , Hu Chaojun , Xu Dong , Wang Qian , Li Mengtao , Tian Xinping , Zhao Yan , Zeng Xiaofeng
Published: June 2022

Background

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by persistent antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) positivity with a wide manifestation spectrum. A risk stratification is needed for management guidance and prognosis assessment. We aimed to identify phenotypes among aPL-positive patients and assess the prognosis of each phenotype.

Methods

This was a single-center, prospective cohort study of aPL-positive patients presented to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2012 to 2020. Demographic characteristics, aPL-related manifestations, cardiovascular risk factors, and antibodies profiles were recorded. The primary endpoint was defined as a combination of newly onset thrombosis, major bleeding events, non-criteria manifestations, and all-cause death. Hierarchical cluster analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed.

Results

Four clusters among 383 patients (70.2% female; mean age 37.7 years) were identified. Cluster 1 (n = 138): patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and non-criteria manifestations; cluster 2 (n = 112): patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors; cluster 3 (n = 83): female patients with obstetric morbidity; cluster 4 (n = 50): patients with isolated lupus anticoagulant (LA) positivity.

Non-criteria manifestations were found aggregated with SLE from cluster analysis of variables. Cluster 3 showed the best outcome, while cluster 2 suffered highest frenquency of newly onset arterial thrombosis.

Conclusions

We identified 4 clinical phenotypes of aPL-positive patients. Non-criteria manifestations may indicate underlying SLE, for which immunosuppressive therapy besides anticoagulation may be necessary. Patients with isolated LA positivity suffered similar risks with secondary APS and patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Attention should be paid to male patients, and the screening of cardiovascular risk factors should never be ignored.
Associations of C-reactive protein isoforms with systemic lupus erythematosus phenotypes and disease activity
Authors: Karlsson Jesper , Wetterö Jonas , Weiner Maria , Rönnelid Johan , Fernandez-Botran Rafael , Sjöwall Christopher
Published: June 2022

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a large production of autoantibodies and deficient clearance of cellular waste. The disease typically oscillates between episodes of elevated disease activity and quiescent disease. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a pentameric acute-phase protein usually reflecting inflammation and tissue damage. However, despite increased inflammation and elevated interleukin-6, the levels of CRP typically remain low or only slightly raised in SLE. Under certain conditions, pentameric CRP (pCRP) can dissociate into its monomeric isoform (mCRP), which mainly has been ascribed pro-inflammatory properties. The present study aims to investigate the potential relationship between pCRP and mCRP, respectively, with disease activity and clinical features of SLE.

Methods

The levels of pCRP and mCRP were measured, by turbidimetry (high-sensitive) and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) respectively, in serum samples from 160 patients with SLE and 30 patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). Twenty-two of the SLE cases were selected for analysis at two time-points; quiescent disease and active disease. The two CRP isoforms were evaluated in relation to disease activity and clinical features in the two diseases.

Results

Levels of pCRP and mCRP were significantly lower in SLE than AAV (p < 0.001) and the ratio of mCRP/pCRP was higher in SLE compared to AAV. The mCRP/pCRP ratio was higher for patients in remission and able to significantly separate between active/quiescent disease in paired, but not in non-paired, samples from patients with SLE. Significant correlations were observed with SLICC/ACR damage index for pCRP levels as well as inversely with the mCRP/pCRP ratio. Lower mCRP levels associated with malar rash.

Conclusion

As the interrelationship between the two isoforms appear to (a) discriminate between quiescent and active SLE and (b) differ between SLE and AAV, our data indicates that the two CRP isoforms could exert contrasting immunological effects and/or reflect different milieus. Given the biological effects of mCRP, it is possible that altered levels may indicate increased opsonization of immune complexes and apoptotic debris, and thereby prevent their deposition outside the reticuloendothelial system and manifestations such as lupus nephritis and lupus-related skin disease.
Reproducibility of prediction models in health services research
Authors: Belbasis Lazaros , Panagiotou Orestis A.
Published: June 2022

The field of health services research studies the health care system by examining outcomes relevant to patients and clinicians but also health economists and policy makers. Such outcomes often include health care spending, and utilization of care services. Building accurate prediction models using reproducible research practices for health services research is important for evidence-based decision making. Several systematic reviews have summarized prediction models for outcomes relevant to health services research, but these systematic reviews do not present a thorough assessment of reproducibility and research quality of the prediction modelling studies. In the present commentary, we discuss how recent advances in prediction modelling in other medical fields can be applied to health services research. We also describe the current status of prediction modelling in health services research, and we summarize available methodological guidance for the development, update, external validation and systematic appraisal of prediction models.
Challenges and solutions to recruitment of neonates and children having cardiac surgery into a study using a novel sampling device
Authors: Walker-Smith Terrie , Fudulu Daniel , Ramesh Aravind , Sheehan Karen , Madden Julie , Culliford Lucy , Evans Jonathan , Angelini Gianni D. , Upton Thomas , Gibbison Ben
Published: June 2022

Objective

To narratively describe the challenges and solutions required in delivering a non-commercial study of children undergoing cardiac surgery using a novel subcutaneous hormone collection device.

Results

The challenges faced by the research team are divided into those of conducting healthcare research in children and those specific to this study. Many of the issues of conducting healthcare research in children can and have been overcome by structural and institutional culture change–normalising and embedding research as part of good clinical care. The issues specific to insertion and maintenance of the novel collection device can be overcome by education and support of the clinical teams. The increased incentives and resources of commercial research may have overcome many of these.
Generalized allergic reaction in response to exercise due to strawberry gibberellin-regulated protein: a case report
Authors: Inuo Chisato , Okazaki Fumiko , Shiraki Rie , Tanaka Yutaka , Momma Keiko , Kondo Yasuto , Narita Hiroshi
Published: June 2022

Background

The Rosaceae family includes fruits, such as peach, apple, Japanese apricot, cherry (Prunoideae subfamily), and strawberry (Rosoideae subfamily). The allergens responsible for Rosaceae fruit allergies have been reported to include Bet v 1 and profilin, which mainly cause oral symptoms, and lipid transfer protein (LTP). Recently, gibberellin-regulated protein (GRP) has been identified as an allergen that induces generalized symptoms in peach-, orange-, and plum-related allergies. Most patients with food allergies induced by GRP show allergic symptoms accompanied by cofactors, such as exercise or drugs. To date, there are very few reports of generalized symptoms induced by strawberry.

Case presentation

We evaluated the reactivity of strawberry GRP in a 15-year-old boy who was confirmed to have generalized symptoms induced by strawberry with exercise using an oral food challenge test (OFCT). The patient’s serum exhibited a strong positive reaction to strawberry GRP but not to peach GRP or peach LTP. The patient’s basophils reacted to strawberry and peach GRP but not to peach LTP.

Conclusions

Strawberry GRP may be a causative component for strawberry with exercise-induced generalized symptoms in this patient. This is the first study to investigate the role of GRP in strawberry with cofactor-induced allergic symptoms. Further epidemiological and clinical researches are necessary to improve diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for patients with strawberry allergy.
Potency assays for human adipose-derived stem cells as a medicinal product toward wound healing
Authors: Ren Guoqiang , Peng Qiuyue , Fink Trine , Zachar Vladimir , Porsborg Simone Riis
Published: June 2022

In pre-clinical studies, human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) have shown great promise as a treatment modality for healing of cutaneous wounds. The advantages of hASCs are that they are relatively easy to obtain in large numbers from basic liposuctions, they maintain their characteristics after long-term in vitro culture, and they possess low immunogenicity, which enables the use of hASCs from random donors. It has been hypothesized that hASCs exert their wound healing properties by reducing inflammation, inducing angiogenesis, and promoting fibroblast and keratinocyte growth. Due to the inherent variability associated with the donor-dependent nature of ASC-based products, it appears necessary that the quality of the different products is prospectively certified using a set of most relevant potency assays. In this review, we present an overview of the available methodologies to assess the Mode and the Mechanism of Action of hASCs, specifically in the wound healing scenario. In conclusion, we propose a panel of potential potency assays to include in the future production of ASC-based medicinal products.
Detection of low-load Epstein-Barr virus in blood samples by enriched recombinase aided amplification assay
Authors: Li Jing-yi , Chen Xiao-ping , Tie Yan-qing , Sun Xiu-li , Zhang Rui-qing , He An-na , Nie Ming-zhu , Fan Guo-hao , Li Feng-yu , Tian Feng-yu , Shen Xin-xin , Feng Zhi-shan , Ma Xue-jun
Published: June 2022

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a common human γ-herpesvirus, infects more than 90% of adults worldwide. The purpose of this study was to establish a novel EBV detection method by combining the recombinase aided amplification (RAA) assay with an initial enrichment step that utilizes magnetic beads coated with a recombinant human mannan-binding lectin (rhMBL, M1 protein). An M1 protein–protein A magnetic bead complex (M1 beads) was prepared and used to achieve separation and enrichment of EBV from blood. After nucleic acid extraction, DNA was amplified by RAA. Using 388 whole blood samples and 1 serum sample, we explored the specificity, sensitivity and applicability of the newly developed detection method and compared it with commercial quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) following M1 bead enrichment, traditional qPCR and traditional RAA. After enrichment, the positivity rate of EBV was increased from 15.94% to 17.74% by RAA (P < 0.05) and from 7.20% to 15.17% by qPCR (P < 0.05). The viral loads after enrichment were increased by 1.13 to 23.19-fold (P < 0.05). Our data demonstrates that an RAA assay incorporating M1 bead enrichment is a promising tool for detecting low EBV viral loads in blood samples that will facilitate an early response to EBV infection.

Graphical abstract
Robust single- and multi-loudspeaker least-squares-based equalization for hearing devices
Authors: Schepker Henning , Denk Florian , Kollmeier Birger , Doclo Simon
Published: June 2022

To improve the sound quality of hearing devices, equalization filters can be used to achieve acoustic transparency, i.e., listening with the device in the ear is perceptually similar to the open ear. The equalization filter needs to ensure that the superposition of the equalized signal played by the device and the signal leaking through the device into the ear canal matches a processed version of the signal reaching the eardrum of the open ear. Depending on the processing delay of the hearing device, comb-filtering artifacts can occur due to this superposition, which may degrade the perceived sound quality. In this paper, we propose a unified least-squares-based procedure to design single- and multi-loudspeaker equalization filters for hearing devices aimed at achieving acoustic transparency. To account for non-minimum phase components, we utilize a so-called group delay compensation. To reduce comb-filtering artifacts, we propose to use a frequency-dependent regularization. Experimental results using measured acoustic transfer functions from a multi-loudspeaker earpiece show that the proposed equalization filter design procedure results in robust acoustic transparency and reduces the impact of comb-filtering artifacts. A comparison between single- and multi-loudspeaker equalization shows that for both cases a robust equalization performance can be achieved for different desired open ear transfer functions.
The role of melatonin on caspase-3-like activity and expression of the genes involved in programmed cell death (PCD) induced by in vitro salt stress in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) roots
Authors: Jalili Shabnam , Ehsanpour Ali Akbar , Javadirad Seyed Morteza
Published: June 2022

Background

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most cultivated forage plant as a model in legumes. Salinity stress due to Na+ toxicity causes severe, oxidative stress as a main reason for program cell death (PCD) in plants. Melatonin application can increase plant productivity in response to diverse stressors via modulating plant antioxidant mechanisms and PCD inhibition in plants.

Results

Alfalfa roots were subjected to different concentrations of in vitro salinity supplemented with melatonin (0.1, 10 and 15 µM) for ten days. Application of melatonin under salinity stress reduced ROS, H2O2 and $${\text{O}}_{2}^{ - }$$

O

2

-

content and showed a dramatic impact on TTC reduction and augmented cell viability. Interestingly, melatonin inhibited caspase 3-like protease activity and could decrease DNA fragmentation induced by salinity while increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes BI-1, UCP1-UCP2 involved in PCD pathway. In contrast, in 300 mM salinity, γVPE gene as a proapoptotic of PCD down-regulated significantly.

Conclusions

For the first time, present data showed that, melatonin plays a major function in preventing PCD in alfalfa root meristem cells. We attempted to offer a mechanism for the function of melatonin as an anti-apoptotic agent by demonstrating significant actions of melatonin on mitochondria proteins, such as UCPs, in a manner similar to animal cells.
Solubilized chlorin e6-layered double hydroxide complex for anticancer photodynamic therapy
Authors: Jo Young-um , Sim HyunJune , Lee Chung-Sung , Kim Kyoung Sub , Na Kun
Published: June 2022

Background

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are one type of 2-dimensional material with unique structure and strongly positive surface charge. Particularly, LDHs can be exfoliated by mono-layered double hydroxides (MLHs) as a single layer, showing an increased surface area. Therefore, there is a large focus on LDHs for drug delivery applications. Furthermore, most photosensitizers are hydrophobic that they cannot be soluble in aqueous solvents. Herein, we designed a simple way to solubilize hydrophobic photosensitizers by MLH with electrostatic interactions for anticancer photodynamic therapy (PDT), which has tremendous therapeutic advantages. The photosensitizer solubilized via loading on the MLH exhibited fluorescence and singlet oxygen-generation activities in aqueous solvent without chemical modification, resulting in photo-mediated anticancer treatment.

Methods

Negatively charged hydrophobic photosensitizers, chlorin e6 (Ce6) were solubilized by loading on the MLHs through the electrostatic interaction between positively charged MLHs. MLH/Ce6 complexes evaluated for physico-chemical characterization, pH-sensitive release property, in vitro photocytotoxicity, and in vivo tumor ablation.

Results

The photosensitizer solubilized via MLH exhibited fluorescence intensity and singlet-oxygen generation activities in aqueous solvent without chemical modification, resulting photocytotoxicity in cancer cells. The encapsulation efficiency of Ce6 increased to 21.2% through MLH compared to 0.6% when using LDH. In tumor-bearing mice, PDT with solubilized MLH/Ce6 indicated a tumor-suppressing effect approximately 3.4-fold greater than that obtained when Ce6 was injected alone.

Conclusions

This study provided the solubilized Ce6 by the MLH in a simple way without chemical modification. We demonstrated that MLH/Ce6 complexes would have a great potential for anticancer PDT.
In vivo generated autologous plasmin assisted vitrectomy in young patients
Authors: Aras Cengiz , Senturk Fevzi , Koytak Arif , Dogramaci Mahmut , Erdur Sevil Karaman , Kocabora Selim
Published: June 2022

Background

Autologous plasmin enzyme facilitates the induction of posterior vitreous detachment(PVD) during vitrectomy in young patients. We proposed the concept of in-vivo generated plasmin which is based on the injection of tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA) and autologous whole blood(AWB) into the vitreous cavity. The purpose of this pilot study is to report the efficacy of preoperative simultaneous intravitreal injection of(t-PA) and autologous whole blood in facilitating the intraoperative induction of PVD in young patients with various vitreoretinal pathologies.

Methods

Seventeen eyes of 16 young patients with various vitreoretinal pathologies requiring vitrectomy, who received simultaneous intravitreal injection of 0.1 ml of AWB and 25 µg of t-PA, 3 days prior to surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures were the number of attempts required to achieve successful intraoperative separation of the posterior hyaloid; the postoperative visual acuity; and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 23.87 ± 10.09 years, ranging from 10 to 39 years. Eight of 16 patients were men. The mean follow-up time was 19.35 ± 5.04 months, ranging from 12 to 26 months. Surgical indications for vitrectomy were chronic retinal detachment (n = 7), traumatic retinal detachment without proliferative vitreoretinopathy(n = 3), traumatic macular hole(n = 1), secondary vasoproliferative tumor(n = 4) and optic pit maculopathy(n = 2). Patients with retinal detachment complicated with PVR and those who were older than 40 years of age were excluded from the study. Separation of the Weiss ring from the optic nerve head was achieved intraoperatively in all cases, with a mean number of 2.86 ± 1.4 attempts. While the mean preoperative LogMAR visual acuity was 1.38 ± 0.59, ranging from 2.40 to 0.50, it was a mean of 0.51 ± 0.29, ranging from 1.00 to 0.10 at final postoperative exam(p < 0.001; paired samples t-test). No preoperative or intraoperative complications were noted.

Conclusion

Preoperative simultaneous intravitreal injection of 25 µg t-PA with 0.1 ml of AWB facilitates the intraoperative induction of posterior vitreous detachment in young patients.
Analysis of market efficiency and fractal feature of NASDAQ stock exchange: Time series modeling and forecasting of stock index using ARMA-GARCH model
Authors: Arashi Mohammad , Rounaghi Mohammad Mahdi
Published: June 2022

The multi-fractal analysis has been applied to investigate various stylized facts of the financial market including market efficiency, financial crisis, risk evaluation and crash prediction. This paper examines the daily return series of stock index of NASDAQ stock exchange. Also, in this study, we test the efficient market hypothesis and fractal feature of NASDAQ stock exchange. In the previous studies, most of the technical analysis methods for stock market, including K-line chart, moving average, etc. have been used. These methods are generally based on statistical data, while the stock market is in fact a nonlinear and chaotic system which depends on political, economic and psychological factors. In this research we modeled daily stock index in NASDAQ stock exchange using ARMA-GARCH model from 2000 until the end of 2016. After running the model, we found the best model for time series of daily stock index. In next step, we forecasted stock index values for 2017 and our findings show that ARMA-GARCH model can forecast very well at the error level of 1%. Also, the result shows that a correlation exists between the stock price indexes over time scales and NASDAQ stock exchange is efficient market and non-fractal market.
Technical considerations towards commercialization of porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome (PRRS) virus resistant pigs
Authors: Mark Cigan A. , Knap Pieter W.
Published: June 2022

The selection and introduction of disease resistance genes in livestock not only provide health benefits to animals but opportunities for breeders and farmers to meet the growing demand for high-quality meat and milk while reducing agriculture’s footprint on the environment. As traditional methods of classical breeding and selection for trait improvement are slow, recent progress in several areas of biology including (a) understanding host–pathogen interactions, (b) inexpensive and rapid DNA sequencing, and (c) robust gene editing like CRISPR-Cas provide geneticists tools to accelerate discovery and deployment of disease resistance alleles in livestock. Using these advances, the introduction of resistance genes into commercially relevant germplasm requires access to genetically superior livestock, an infrastructure for scalable allele deployment, freedom to operate, global regulatory approvals, and acceptance of gene edited livestock by producers and consumers. Importantly, academic researchers have recently discovered that modification of the CD163 gene in pigs can confer resistance to the virus that causes porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). While this achievement represents a major step towards solving an important disease in livestock, to realize the positive impact on animal health while benefiting the pork industry and consumers, it is necessary to introduce this recessive disease resistance allele into commercial breeding populations. Rather than backcrossing the resistance gene from a few non-commercial founders, as a global supplier of high genetic merit livestock genetics, Genus plc and its pig division PIC (Pig Improvement Company) with Genus R&D have mobilized advances in reproductive biology, gene editing, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics to simultaneously generate and introduce a single modified CD163 allele across four genetically diverse porcine lines of commercial importance that prevents PRRS virus (PRRSV) infection. This report focuses on technical aspects for a scaled gene editing program to consider for rapid and efficient generation and advancement of a small population of non-transgenic founder pigs for commercial breeding. This high genetic merit herd containing a PRRS disease resistance allele will provide important benefits to animal health and food chain value once approved for commercial sale and export.
Ethnobotanical survey of plants locally used in the control of termite pests among rural communities in northern Uganda
Authors: Okori Betty C. , Oryema Christine , Opiro Robert , Amos Acur , Obici Gilbert I. , Rutaro Karlmax , Malinga Geoffrey M. , Sande Eric
Published: June 2022

Background

Termites are the most destructive pests in many agricultural and forest plantations in Uganda. Current control of termites mostly relies on chemical pesticides. However, the adverse effects of chemical insecticides necessitate the need to search for and popularize the usage of environmentally safer options. Plants represent one of the most accessible resources available for termite control by communities in Uganda. However, limited documented information exists for their contribution in the management of except through verbal sharing. This study aimed at assessing the communities’ knowledge about plants traditionally used in controlling termites among selected communities in Apac District, northern Uganda.

Method

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted between November 2016 and February 2017 in 12 randomly selected villages in the sub counties of Apac and Ibuje of Apac District, northern Uganda. Open-ended questionnaire interviews were used to gather ethnobotanical and sociodemographic data. A total of 381 indigenous people were interviewed [male, 281 (73.8); female, 100 (26.2)]. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), and the relative frequency of citation (RFC) was determined.

Results

Overall, 70.9% of the respondents were knowledgeable about plants used for control of termites. There was a significant association between respondents’ knowledge of pesticidal plants with age and gender but not with education status. A total of 11 plant species belonging to eight families were identified to be in use for control of termites in Apac. Solanaceae, Eurphorbiaceae and Asteraceae were the most represented families with two species each, while the rest of the families had only one species mentioned. According to the relative frequency of citation (RFC), Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. (RFC = 0.43), Vernonia amygdalina Delile (0.18) and Tithonia diversifolia (Hemsl.) A. Gray (0.10) were the most used in the control of termites in the study area. Fruits (45.9%) and leaves (29.2%) were the most used plant parts. Squeezing, crushing and chopping of the plant materials were the most popular methods of preparation and water extract was the commonest mode of formulation of plant parts.

Conclusions

The study has shown that rural populations of the targeted localities possess indigenous knowledge on anti-termitid plants. However, screening is urgently needed to validate their bioactivity and to determine the bioactive constituents responsible for killing the invertebrates in pest management. Furthermore, simple methods for local propagation and cultivation are needed to ensure a sustainable supply of termicidal plant biomass.
Clinically Symptomatic Resistance to Thyroid Hormone β Syndrome Because of THRB Gene Mosaicism
Authors: Donnars Anne , Leplat Alice , Grosheny Catherine , Briet Claire , Illouz Frédéric , Bouzamondo Nathalie , Moal Valérie , De Casson Florence Boux , Bouhours-Nouet Natacha , Coutant Régis , Rodien Patrice , Mirebeau-Prunier Delphine , Dieu Xavier
Published: June 2022

Context

Resistance to thyroid hormone β syndrome (RTHβ) is caused by pathogenic variants in the THRB gene, but such variants are found in only 85% of cases. We report the case of a patient with RTHβ phenotype but for whom we found a pathogenic variant of the THRB gene in a mosaic state.

Case Description

The patient is a 52-year-old woman with clinical and biological signs of RTHβ. Symptoms included asthenia, cardiac palpitations, and diarrhea. Repeated thyroid function tests showed an elevated serum TSH, elevated serum free T4, and variably normal or slightly elevated serum fT3. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging was normal, and the thyrotropin-releasing hormone test result was compatible with the diagnosis of RTHβ syndrome. Initial Sanger sequencing on blood samples could not highlight the presence of a mosaic variant because of insufficient sensitivity. When next-generation sequencing became accessible, blood samples were retested and we found a known pathogenic variant: c.949G > A; p.(ala317Thr), with an allelic frequency of 12%. Other samples from tissues of different embryological origin were also tested and found an allelic frequency of 5.7%, 17.9%, 9.9%, 6.4%, and 0% on urine tests, oral swab, nasal mucosa swab, skin biopsy, and conjunctival swab, respectively. Cloning confirmed the allelic frequency observed.

Conclusions

We highlight that a pathogenic variant in a mosaic state in the THRB gene may be the cause of an authentic RTHβ syndrome. High-throughput sequencing of multiple tissues eases the detection of pathogenic variant in a mosaic state and allows the correct diagnosis of patients with true RTHβ, thus avoiding patient mismanagement.
Peptic Ulcer Disease and Risk of Hip Fracture: A General Population-based Cohort Study
Authors: Li Jiatian , Lu Na , Lyu Houchen , Lei Guanghua , Zeng Chao , Wei Jie , Wang Yilun , Xie Dongxing
Published: June 2022

Aims

Previous studies reported proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use may increase the risk of fracture; however, the findings may be susceptible to indication bias because peptic ulcer disease (PUD), 1 major indication for PPIs, may affect skeletal health. Determining whether PUD would increase hip fracture risk may help identify high-risk populations and explore risk factors.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study using data from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) in the United Kingdom. THIN contains patient information such as disease diagnosis and medicine prescriptions. Up to 5 non-PUD individuals (n = 138 265) were matched to each case of incident PUD (n = 27 653) by age, sex, and body mass index. We examined the association between PUD and hip fracture by a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model. We repeated the same analysis among individuals with incident PUD and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (n = 27 160), another disease with similar indication for PPIs, as a positive control exposure.

Results

Over a mean of 5.6 years of follow-up, hip fracture occurred in 589 individuals with PUD and 2015 individuals without PUD (3.8 vs 2.6/1000 person-years), with a multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) being 1.44 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-1.58). The association persisted among subgroups stratified by sex and age. In positive control exposure analysis, the hip fracture risk was also higher in PUD than GERD (3.8 vs 2.4/1000 person-years; multivariable-adjusted HR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.45-1.7).

Conclusions

This general population-based cohort study suggests, after controlling for acid-lowering medication and other potential risk factors, PUD is independently associated with an increased risk of hip fracture.
Changes in Sex Steroids and Enteric Peptides After Sleeve Gastrectomy in Youth in Relation to Changes in Bone Parameters
Authors: Nimmala Supritha , Kaur Snimarjot , Singhal Vibha , Mitchell Deborah M , Stanford Fatima Cody , Bouxsein Mary L , Lauze Meghan , Huynh Carolyn , Pedreira Clarissa C , Lee Hang , Bredella Miriam A , Misra Madhusmita
Published: June 2022

Context

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) improves metabolic endpoints but is associated with impaired bone outcomes.

Objective

To determine mechanisms contributing to impaired bone health in youth following SG.

Methods

12-month longitudinal observational study in a multidisciplinary tertiary-care hospital, including 64 youth 13-25 years old with moderate-to-severe obesity (51 females); 30 underwent SG and 34 were nonsurgical (NS) controls. SG was undertaken after a combined decision-making process between treatment team and patient. The main outcome measures were fasting blood for enteric peptides, sex steroids, sclerostin, and bone turnover markers (N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen [P1NP] and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide [CTX]); dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures of areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and body composition; high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography; measures of volumetric BMD (vBMD); microfinite element analysis of strength estimates (distal radius and tibia).

Results

SG had greater reductions in body mass index (BMI) z-scores, serum estrone, and the free androgen index (FAI) (P ≤ .046), and greater increases in sclerostin, P1NP, and CTX (P ≤ .010) than NS controls. Fasting ghrelin decreased in SG vs NS (P < .0001); fasting peptide YY did not change. Most changes were driven by female SG participants. Among females (the majority of study participants), after controlling for baseline age and race, reductions in total hip aBMD Z-scores were positively associated with changes in BMI, lean mass, estrone, FAI, and ghrelin, and inversely with changes in sclerostin.. Decreases in total vBMD of the radius and tibia were associated positively with decreases in BMI. Increases in CTX were associated with decreases in BMI, lean mass, and ghrelin, and increases in sclerostin.

Conclusion

Bone loss after SG in youth is associated with changes in body composition, sex steroids, sclerostin, and enteric peptides. These are potential targets for future preventative or therapeutic strategies.
LED based large field of view off-axis quantitative phase contrast microscopy by hologram multiplexing
Authors: Joglekar Mugdha , Trivedi Vismay , Chhaniwal Vani , Claus Daniel , Javidi Bahram , Anand Arun
Published: June 2022

In this manuscript, we describe the development of a single shot, self-referencing wavefront division, multiplexing digital holographic microscope employing LED sources for large field of view quantitative phase imaging of biological samples. To address the difficulties arising while performing interferometry with low temporally coherent sources, an optical arrangement utilizing multiple Fresnel Biprisms is used for hologram multiplexing, enhancing the field of view and increasing the signal to noise ratio. Biprisms offers the ease of obtaining interference patterns by automatically matching the path length between the two off-axis beams. The use of low temporally coherent sources reduces the speckle noise and the cost, and the form factor of the setup. The developed technique was implemented using both visible and UV LEDs and tested on polystyrene microspheres and human erythrocytes.
Mitigation of atmospheric turbulence effect by light beams carrying self-rotating wavefront
Authors: Zhong Zheqiang , Zhang Xiang , Zhang Bin , Yuan Xiao
Published: June 2022

We propose an approach against the turbulence-induced degradation by using laser beam with self-rotating wavefront. Such laser beam, generated by the coherent combination of vortex beams with different helical charges and central angular frequencies, can introduce coupling of its wavefront in spatial and temporal domain, that is, periodic wavefront rotation. When the wavefront rotation is faster than the airflow, the laser beam can travel through the inhomogeneity and anisotropy of air in the azimuthal direction within the time interval of airflow. The wavefront distortion caused by the turbulent atmosphere is therefore rotated and gradually smoothed as the laser beam travels. After the laser propagating through the turbulent atmosphere, the total wavefront distortion becomes centrosymmetric with lower peak-to-valley (PV) value. Such smoothed wavefront distortion can dramatically eliminate the turbulence-induced degradation of laser beams, especially beam centroid drift. We believe that this approach can lead to new trend in remote sensing, free-space optical communication, lidar, etc.
Optical-fibre characteristics based on Fano resonances and sensor application in blood glucose detection
Authors: Zhu Jun , Yin Jinguo
Published: June 2022

We propose an optical-fibre metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmonic sensor based on the Fano resonances of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). Its structure consists of a coupling fibre that connects C-shaped and rectangular cavities and a main fibre that contains a semi-circular resonator. When incident light passes through the main fibre, it excites SPPs along the interface between the metal and medium. The SPPs at the resonator induce Fano resonances, owing to the coupling effect. The results show that the designed optical-fibre MIM plasmonic sensor could flexibly tune the number of Fano resonances by adjusting the structure and geometric parameters to optimise the sensing performance. The full width at half maximum of the Lorentzian resonance spectra formed by the electric and magnetic fields reached 23 nm and 24 nm, respectively. The wavelength of the Fano resonance shifted as the refractive index changed; thus, the proposed sensor could realise the application of sensing and detection. The highest sensitivity achieved by the sensor was 1770 nm/RIU. Finally, we simulated the designed sensor to human blood-glucose-level detection, and observed that the resonance wavelength would increase with the increase of glucose concentration. Our study shows that optical fibres have broad application prospects in the field of electromagnetic switching and sensing.
Dual polarized surface plasmon resonance refractive index sensor via decentering propagation-controlled core sensor
Authors: Hoque Abdullah Mohammad Tanvirul , Islam Abrar , Haider Firoz , Bin Abdul Rashid Hairul Azhar , Ahmed Rajib , Aoni Rifat Ahmmed
Published: June 2022

Refractive index (RI) is a unique attribute of bio-analytes which highly relies upon their concentrations or the activity/infectivity of the microbes. In this paper, a dual-polarized surface plasmon resonance (SPR) RI sensor based on a decentered propagation-controlled core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) has been studied. Fine-tuned light guidance is realized by scaling down the core air holes. The external surface of the fiber is metalized with a thin gold layer that maximizes the chemical stability by reducing the chances of oxidation. The deposition of the core from the central position reduces the core to analyte distance resulting in efficient coupling as well as greater sensitivity. Finite element method (FEM) based numerical investigation warrants promising sensing performances in wavelength and amplitude interrogation methods. The proposed sensor is viable for the RI range from 1.33 to 1.39, where it demonstrates the highest wavelength sensitivities of 13,700 and 15,400 nm/RIU and highest amplitude sensitivities of 852 RIU-1 and 654 RIU-1 in x-and y-polarized modes, respectively. It also exhibits high sensor resolutions of 7.30 × 10−6 RIU and 6.49 × 10−6 RIU, and high figure of merits of 216 and 256 RIU-1 for x and y-polarized modes, respectively. Along with the liberty of selecting light sources, the highly sensitive nature of the sensor will enable accurate detections of different organic compounds and bio-molecules.
Deletion C-terminal thioesterase abolishes melanin biosynthesis, affects metabolism and reduces the pathogenesis of Fonsecaea monophora
Authors: Li Minying , Huang Huan , Liu Jun , Zhang Xiaohui , Li Qian , Li Dongmei , Luo Mingfen , Wang Xiaoyue , Zeng Weiying , Sun Jiufeng , Liu Hongfang , Xi Liyan
Published: June 2022

Dematiaceous Fonsecaea monophora is one of the major pathogens of chromoblastomycosis. It has been well established that melanization is catalyzed by the type I polyketide synthase (PKS) in F. monophora. Multidomain protein Type I PKS is encoded by six genes, in which the last enzyme thioesterase (TE) catalyzes the cyclization and releases polyketide. Two PKS genes AYO21_03016 (pks1) and AYO21_10638 have been found in F. monophora and both PKS loci have the same gene arrangement but the TE domain in AYO21_10638 is truncated at 3’- end. TE may be the key enzyme to maintain the function of pks1. To test this hypothesis, we constructed a 3’-end 500 bp deletion mutant of AYO21_03016 (Δpks1-TE-C500) and its complemented strain. We profiled metabolome of this mutant and analyzed the consequences of impaired metabolism in this mutant by fungal growth in vitro and by pathogenesis in vivo. Compared with wild-type strain, we found that the mutant repressed pks1 expression and other 5 genes expression levels were reduced by more than 50%, perhaps leading to a corresponding melanin loss. The mutant also reduced sporulation and delayed germination, became vulnerable to various environmental stresses and was less resistance to macrophage or neutrophil killings in vitro, and less virulence in mice footpad model. Metabolomic analysis indicated that many metabolites were remarkably affected in Δpks1-TE-C500, in particular, an increased nicotinamide and antioxidant glutathione. In conclusion, we confirmed the crucial role of C-terminal TE in maintaining fully function of pks1 in F. monophora. Deletion of TE negatively impacts on the synthesis of melanin and metabolites that eventually affect growth and virulence of F. monophora. Any potential inhibitor of TE then could be a novel antifungal target for drug development.
The significance of occupations, family responsibilities, and gender for working from home: Lessons from COVID-19
Authors: Minkus Lara , Groepler Nicolai , Drobnič Sonja
Published: June 2022

Before the pandemic, many employers were hesitant to offer their employees the option of working from home. However, remote working has been widely adopted during the pandemic as one of the key methods of controlling the spread of the virus. The measure encountered a widespread acceptance and it is likely that the demand for work from home as a flexible work arrangement will persist also after the pandemic has ended. Although numerous studies have addressed the role of remote work during this crisis, as of yet we lack thorough research jointly addressing the question on how occupations/job characteristics on the one hand and family/household responsibilities on the other are associated with the propensity of working from home, and how gender cuts across those aspects. Using the COVID-19 survey of the German Family Panel (pairfam), covering the peak of the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, together with information from pairfam panel waves conducted before the pandemic, as well as a special evaluation of the 2019 German Labor Force Survey, we are able to address this gap. Employing linear probability models on a sample of 1,414 men (N = 641) and women (N = 773), our results show that occupational traits, especially the gender composition of an occupation, are an important predictor for working from home. Women employed in female-dominated occupations are less often in a position to work from home. Furthermore, our study confirms that it is particularly the highly educated, as well as those who work in high-prestige occupations, who are able to work from home. Family configurations and care obligations are less influential upon the transition to homeworking, even in times of an unprecedented situation of school and daycare closures and increased parental responsibilities for children’s (early) education.
Beyond HIV prevention: Additional individual and community-level benefits of PrEP among Latino gay and bisexual men
Authors: Brooks Ronald A. , Nieto Omar , Santillan Martin , Landrian Amanda , Fehrenbacher Anne E. , Cabral Alejandra
Published: June 2022

Background

HIV infections disproportionately impact Latino gay and bisexual men (GBM) in the United States. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a proven prevention strategy that can help reduce new HIV infections in this population. Unfortunately, PrEP adoption and persistence among Latino GBM remain low. The added benefits of using PrEP experienced by Latino GBM can provide important insights to inform the development of PrEP messaging to motivate this population to explore and consider PrEP as an appropriate and acceptable HIV prevention tool.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with Latino GBM PrEP users to explore positive feelings and emotions, and additional benefits gained from using PrEP. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

A total of 29 Latino GBM completed the study interview. The average age of participants was 30 years, and the mean length of time using PrEP was 17.1 months. Five themes were constructed from the data representing the additional benefits gained by Latino GBM PrEP users, and included: (1) reduced fear, anxiety, and stress about HIV, HIV testing, and sex; (2) feeling empowered and in control of their HIV risk; (3) greater awareness of sexual risk behaviors and sexual health; (4) greater sexual exploration and pleasure, and comfort having condomless sex; and (5) a greater connection to community and a feeling of contributing to the elimination of HIV.

Conclusions

The added benefits identified in this study represent a range of social, emotional, and psychological benefits that Latino GBM experience while using PrEP. They speak to the complementary benefits that PrEP can bring to Latino GBM who decide to use the medication, that go beyond HIV prevention. These findings can inform the development of future PrEP messaging to help improve motivation for PrEP uptake and persistent use among Latino GBM.
The simplified hybrid model based on BP to predict the reference crop evapotranspiration in Southwest China
Authors: Zhao Zhenhua , Feng Guohua , Zhang Jing
Published: June 2022

The accurate prediction of reference crop evapotranspiration is of great significance to climate research and regional agricultural water management. In order to realize the high-precision prediction of ETO in the absence of meteorological data, this study use XGBoost to select key influencing factors and BP algorithm to construct ETO prediction model of 12 meteorological stations in South West China in this study. ACO, CSO and CS algorithms are used to optimize the model and improve the adaptability of the model. The results show that Tmax, n and Ra can be used as the input combination of ETO model construction, and Tmax is the primary factor affecting ETO. ETO model constructed by BP algorithm has good goodness of fit with the ETO calculated by FAO-56 PM and ACO, CSO and CS have significant optimization effect on BP algorithm, among which CSO algorithm has the best optimization ability on BP, with RMSE, R2, MAE, NSE, GPI ranging 0.200–0.377, 0.932–0.984, 0.140–0.261, 0.920–0.984, 1.472–2.000, GPI ranking is 1–23. Therefore, the input combination (Tmax, n and Ra) and CSO-BP model are recommended as a simplified model for ETO prediction in Southwest China.