bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in the plant epitranscriptome
Authors: Shen Lisha , Ma Jinqi , Li Ping , Wu Yujin , Yu Hao
Published: March 2023

Chemical modifications of RNAs, known as the epitranscriptome, are emerging as widespread regulatory mechanisms underlying gene regulation. The field of epitranscriptomics advances recently due to improved transcriptome-wide sequencing strategies for mapping RNA modifications and intensive characterization of writers, erasers, and readers that deposit, remove, and recognize RNA modifications, respectively. Herein, we review recent advances in characterizing plant epitranscriptome and its regulatory mechanisms in post-transcriptional gene regulation and diverse physiological processes, with main emphasis on N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 5-methylcytosine (m5C). We also discuss the potential and challenges for utilization of epitranscriptome editing in crop improvement.
Multi-ancestry phenome-wide association of complement component 4 variation with psychiatric and brain phenotypes in youth
Authors: Hernandez Leanna M. , Kim Minsoo , Zhang Pan , Bethlehem Richard A. I. , Hoftman Gil , Loughnan Robert , Smith Diana , Bookheimer Susan Y. , Fan Chun Chieh , Bearden Carrie E. , Thompson Wesley K. , Gandal Michael J.
Published: March 2023

Background

Increased expression of the complement component 4A (C4A) gene is associated with a greater lifetime risk of schizophrenia. In the brain, C4A is involved in synaptic pruning; yet, it remains unclear the extent to which upregulation of C4A alters brain development or is associated with the risk for psychotic symptoms in childhood. Here, we perform a multi-ancestry phenome-wide association study in 7789 children aged 9–12 years to examine the relationship between genetically regulated expression (GREx) of C4A, childhood brain structure, cognition, and psychiatric symptoms.

Results

While C4A GREx is not related to childhood psychotic experiences, cognition, or global measures of brain structure, it is associated with a localized reduction in regional surface area (SA) of the entorhinal cortex. Furthermore, we show that reduced entorhinal cortex SA at 9–10 years predicts a greater number and severity of psychosis-like events at 1-year and 2-year follow-up time points. We also demonstrate that the effects of C4A on the entorhinal cortex are independent of genome-wide polygenic risk for schizophrenia.

Conclusions

Our results suggest neurodevelopmental effects of C4A on childhood medial temporal lobe structure, which may serve as a biomarker for schizophrenia risk prior to symptom onset.
Metformin attenuates symptoms of osteoarthritis: role of genetic diversity of Bcl2 and CXCL16 in OA
Authors: Alimoradi Nahid , Tahami Mohammad , Firouzabadi Negar , Haem Elham , Ramezani Amin
Published: March 2023

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of metformin versus placebo in overweight patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). In addition, to assess the effects of inflammatory mediators and apoptotic proteins in the pathogenesis of OA, the genetic polymorphisms of two genes, one related to apoptosis (rs2279115 of Bcl-2) and the other related to inflammation (rs2277680 of CXCL-16), were investigated.

Methods

In this double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, patients were randomly divided to two groups, one group receiving metformin (n = 44) and the other one receiving an identical inert placebo (n = 44) for 4 consecutive months (starting dose 0.5 g/day for the first week, increase to 1 g/day for the second week, and further increase to 1.5 g/day for the remaining period). Another group of healthy individuals (n = 92) with no history and diagnosis of OA were included in this study in order to evaluate the role of genetics in OA. The outcome of treatment regimen was evaluated using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaire. The frequency of variants of rs2277680 (A181V) and rs2279115 (938C>A) were determined in extracted DNAs using PCR-RFLP method.

Results

Our results indicated an increase in scores of pain (P ≤ 0.0001), activity of daily living (ADL) (P ≤ 0.0001), sport and recreation (Sport/Rec) (P ≤ 0.0001), and quality of life (QOL) (P = 0.003) and total scores of the KOOS questionnaire in the metformin group compared to the placebo group. Susceptibility to OA was associated with age, gender, family history, CC genotype of 938C>A (Pa = 0.001; OR = 5.2; 95% CI = 2.0–13.7), and GG+GA genotypes of A181V (Pa = 0.04; OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.1–10.5). The C allele of 938C>A (Pa = 0.04; OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1–9.8) and G allele of A181V (Pa = 0.02; OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1–4.8) were also associated with OA.

Conclusion

Our findings support the possible beneficial effects of metformin on improving pain, ADL, Sport/Rec, and QOL in OA patients. Our findings support the association between the CC genotype of Bcl-2 and GG+GA genotypes of CXCL-16 and OA.
In-silico computational approaches to study microbiota impacts on diseases and pharmacotherapy
Authors: Shokri Garjan Hassan , Omidi Yadollah , Poursheikhali Asghari Mehdi , Ferdousi Reza
Published: March 2023

Microorganisms have been linked to a variety of critical human disease, thanks to advances in sequencing technology and microbiology. The growing recognition of human microbe–disease relationships provides crucial insights into the underlying disease process from the perspective of pathogens, which is extremely useful for pathogenesis research, early diagnosis, and precision medicine and therapy. Microbe-based analysis in terms of diseases and related drug discovery can predict new connections/mechanisms and provide new concepts. These phenomena have been studied via various in-silico computational approaches. This review aims to elaborate on the computational works conducted on the microbe–disease and microbe–drug topics, discuss the computational model approaches used for predicting associations and provide comprehensive information on the related databases. Finally, we discussed potential prospects and obstacles in this field of study, while also outlining some recommendations for further enhancing predictive capabilities.
Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in a healthy young male: a case report
Authors: Sasaki Ryo , Nagashima Masaki , Aibara Noriyuki , Aomatsu Shuji , Aida Shinsuke , Takeshima Kenichiro , Ishii Ken
Published: March 2023

Background

Simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture is rare, particularly in young individuals with no prior medical history. We present the case of a young man who presented with bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old Japanese man missed a step while descending a flight of stairs, stumbled, and became aware of severe pain in both knees. He had no past medical history, but was severely obese, with a body mass index of 43.7 kg/m2 (height 177 cm, weight 137 kg). Five days after injury, he was referred to our hospital for examination and treatment. Bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture was diagnosed based on magnetic resonance imaging, and quadriceps tendon repair with suture anchor was performed on both knees 14 days after injury. The postoperative rehabilitation protocol was to immobilize both knees in extension for 2 weeks, then to gradually proceed with weight-bearing and gait training using hinged knee braces. Both knees obtained a range of motion from 0° to 130° without any extension lag by 3 months postoperatively. One year postoperatively, tenderness was evident at the suture anchor in the right knee. That suture anchor was therefore removed in a second operation, and histological evaluation of the tendon of the right knee revealed no pathological changes. As of 19 months after the primary surgery, the patient showed a range of motion from 0° to 140° in both knees, did not complain of any disability, and had fully returned to normal daily activities.

Conclusions

We experienced simultaneous bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture in a 27-year-old man with no past medical history other than obesity. Suture anchor repair was performed for both quadriceps tendon ruptures and achieved a favorable postoperative outcome.
A lightweight convolutional neural network based on dense connection for open-pit coal mine service identification using the edge-cloud architecture
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhang Jin
Published: March 2023

Remote sensing is an important technical tool for rapid detection of illegal mining behavior. Due to the complex features of open-pit coal mines, there are few studies about automatic extraction of open-pit coal mines. Based on Convolutional Neural Network and Dense Block, we propose a lightweight densely connected network-AD-Net for the extraction of open-pit coal mining areas from Sentinel-2 remote sensing images, and construct three sample libraries of open-pit coal mining areas in north-central Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. The AD-Net model consists of two convolutional layers, two pooling layers, a channel attention module, and a Dense Block. The two convolutional layers greatly reduce the complexity of the model, and the Dense Block enhances the feature propagation while reducing the parameter computation. The application is designed in different modules that runs independently on different machines and communicate with each other. Furthermore, we create and build a unique remote sensing image service system that connects a remote datacentre and its associated edge networks, employing the edge-cloud architecture. While the datacentre acts as the cloud platform and is in charge of storing and processing the original remote sensing images, the edge network is largely utilised for caching, predicting, and disseminating the processed images. First, we find out the optimal optimizer and the optimal size of the input image by extensive experiments, and then we compare the extraction effect of AD-Net with AlexNet, VGG-16, GoogLeNet, Xception, ResNet50, and DenseNet121 models in the study area. The experimental results show that the combination of NIR, red, green, and blue band synthesis is more suitable for the extraction of the open-pit coal mine, and the OA and Kappa of AD-Net reach 0.959 and 0.918 respectively, which is better than other models and well balances the classification accuracy and running speed. With this design of edge-cloud, the proposed system not only evenly distributes the strain of processing activities across the edges but also achieves data efficiency among them, reducing the cost of data transmission and improving the latency.
Rumen microbial-driven metabolite from grazing lambs potentially regulates body fatty acid metabolism by lipid-related genes in liver
Authors: Li Zhen , Zhao Xingang , Jian Luyang , Wang Bing , Luo Hailing
Published: March 2023

Background

Lipid metabolism differs significantly between grazing and stall-feeding lambs, affecting the quality of livestock products. As two critical organs of lipid metabolism, the differences between feeding patterns on rumen and liver metabolism remain unclear. In this study, 16S rRNA, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and untargeted metabolomics were utilized to investigate the key rumen microorganisms and metabolites, as well as liver genes and metabolites associated with fatty acid metabolism under indoor feeding (F) and grazing (G).

Results

Compared with grazing, indoor feeding increased ruminal propionate content. Using metagenome sequencing in combination with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, the results showed that the abundance of propionate-producingSucciniclasticumand hydrogenating bacteria Tenericutes was enriched in the F group. For rumen metabolism, grazing caused up-regulation of EPA, DHA and oleic acid and down-regulation of decanoic acid, as well as, screening for 2-ketobutyric acid as a vital differential metabolite, which was enriched in the propionate metabolism pathway. In the liver, indoor feeding increased 3-hydroxypropanoate and citric acid content, causing changes in propionate metabolism and citrate cycle, while decreasing the ETA content. Then, the liver transcriptome revealed that 11 lipid-related genes were differentially expressed in the two feeding patterns. Correlation analysis showed that the expression ofCYP4A6,FADS1,FADS2,ALDH6A1andCYP2C23was significantly associated with the propionate metabolism process, suggesting that propionate metabolism may be an important factor mediating the hepatic lipid metabolism. Besides, the unsaturated fatty acids in muscle, rumen and liver also had a close correlation.

Conclusions

Overall, our data demonstrated that rumen microbial-driven metabolite from grazing lambs potentially regulates multiple hepatic lipid-related genes, ultimately affecting body fatty acid metabolism.
A 40-year study of child maltreatment over the early life course predicting psychiatric morbidity, using linked birth cohort and administrative health data: protocol for the Childhood Adversity and Lifetime Morbidity (CALM) study
Authors: Kisely Steve , Leske Stuart , Arnautovska Urska , Siskind Dan , Warren Nicola , Northwood Korinne , Suetani Shuichi , Najman Jake Moses
Published: March 2023

Background

Child maltreatment is a major public health issue worldwide. Retrospective studies show a strong association between self-reported child maltreatment and poor mental and physical health problems. Prospective studies that use reports to statutory agencies are less common, and comparisons of self- and agency-reported abuse in the same cohort even rarer.

Aims

This project will link state-wide administrative health data with prospective birth cohort data (N = 7223) from Brisbane in Queensland, Australia (including notifications to child protection agencies), to compare psychiatric outcomes in adulthood of agency- and self-reported child maltreatment while minimising attrition bias.

Method

We will compare people with all forms of self- and agency-reported child maltreatment to the rest of the cohort, adjusting for confounding in logistic, Cox or multiple regression models based on whether outcomes are categorical or continuous. Outcomes will be hospital admissions, emergency department presentations or community/out-patient contacts for ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses, suicidal ideation and self-harm as recorded in the relevant administrative databases.

Conclusions

This study will track the life course outcomes of adults after having experienced child maltreatment, and so provide an evidence-based understanding of the long-term health and behavioural consequences of child maltreatment. It will also consider health outcomes that are particularly relevant for adolescents and young adults, especially in relation to prospective notifications to statutory agencies. Additionally, it will identify the overlap and differences in outcome for two different sources of child maltreatment identification in the same cohort.
Age-Dependent Electroencephalogram Features in Infants Under Spinal Anesthesia Appear to Mirror Physiologic Sleep in the Developing Brain: A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Santa Cruz Mercado Laura A. , Lee Johanna M. , Liu Ran , Deng Hao , Johnson Jasmine J. , Chen Andrew L. , He Mingjian , Chung Evan R. , Bharadwaj Kishore M. , Houle Timothy T. , Purdon Patrick L. , Liu Chang A.
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND:

Infants under spinal anesthesia appear to be sedated despite the absence of systemic sedative medications. In this prospective observational study, we investigated the electroencephalogram (EEG) of infants under spinal anesthesia and hypothesized that we would observe EEG features similar to those seen during sleep.

METHODS:

We computed the EEG power spectra and spectrograms of 34 infants undergoing infraumbilical surgeries under spinal anesthesia (median age 11.5 weeks postmenstrual age, range 38–65 weeks postmenstrual age). Spectrograms were visually scored for episodes of EEG discontinuity or spindle activity. We characterized the relationship between EEG discontinuity or spindles and gestational age, postmenstrual age, or chronological age using logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS:

The predominant EEG patterns observed in infants under spinal anesthesia were slow oscillations, spindles, and EEG discontinuities. The presence of spindles, observed starting at about 49 weeks postmenstrual age, was best described by postmenstrual age (P=.002) and was more likely with increasing postmenstrual age. The presence of EEG discontinuities, best described by gestational age (P = .015), was more likely with decreasing gestational age. These age-related changes in the presence of spindles and EEG discontinuities in infants under spinal anesthesia generally corresponded to developmental changes in the sleep EEG.

CONCLUSIONS:

This work illustrates 2 separate key age-dependent transitions in EEG dynamics during infant spinal anesthesia that may reflect the maturation of underlying brain circuits: (1) diminishing discontinuities with increasing gestational age and (2) the appearance of spindles with increasing postmenstrual age. The similarity of these age-dependent transitions under spinal anesthesia with transitions in the developing brain during physiological sleep supports a sleep-related mechanism for the apparent sedation observed during infant spinal anesthesia.
Trial Fabrication of NADH-Dependent Enzymatic Ethanol Biofuel Cell Providing H2 Gas as well as Electricity
Authors: Yano Jun , Suzuki Kenta , Hashimoto Chihiro , Tsutsumi Chikara , Hayase Nobuki , Kitani Akira
Published: March 2023

The oxidative conversion of NADH to NAD+ is a key process for enzymatic biofuel cells to obtain high performance. To promote this conversion, we utilized a photogalvanic cell whose reactions involved the indirect oxidation of NADH mediated by photo-excited flavinmononucleotide (FMN) at the anode and electroreduction of H+ to produce H2 gas at the cathode. Based on the relationship between the passing charge and the concentration changes in NADH, NAD+, and FMN during the discharge, it was determined that the FMN-mediated oxidation of NADH quantitatively proceeded. The enzymatic biofuel cell was fabricated using this photogalvanic cell. By introducing both the ethanol biofuel and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to the photogalvanic cell, the cell current continued to flow because NAD+ was converted to NADH by the biofuel and the enzyme. This cell provided not only electricity, but also H2 gas as a by-product. This is an advantageous feature, which typical enzymatic fuel cells do not possess.
Ischemic Preconditioning Acutely Improves Functional Sympatholysis during Handgrip Exercise in Healthy Males but not Females
Authors: TEIXEIRA ANDRÉ L. , GANGAT AYESHA , BOMMARITO JULIAN C. , BURR JAMIE F. , MILLAR PHILIP J.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC), a procedure that involves the cyclic induction of limb ischemia and reperfusion via tourniquet inflation, has been reported to improve exercise capacity and performance, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. During exercise, sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction is dampened in active skeletal muscle. This phenomenon, termed functional sympatholysis, plays a critical role in maintaining oxygen delivery to working skeletal muscle and may contribute to determining exercise capacity. Herein, we investigate the effects of IPC on functional sympatholysis in humans.

Methods

In 20 (10M/10F) healthy young adults, forearm blood flow (Doppler ultrasound) and beat-to-beat arterial pressure (finger photoplethysmography) were measured during lower body negative pressure (LBNP; −20 mm Hg) applied at rest and simultaneously during rhythmic handgrip exercise (30% maximum contraction) before and after local IPC (4 × 5-min 220 mm Hg) or sham (4 × 5-min 20 mm Hg). Forearm vascular conductance (FVC) was calculated as forearm blood flow/mean arterial pressure and the magnitude of sympatholysis as the difference of LBNP-induced changes in FVC between handgrip and rest.

Results

At baseline, LBNP decreased FVC (females [F] = ∆–41% ± 19%; males [M] = ∆–44% ± 10%), and these responses were attenuated during handgrip (F = ∆–8% ± 9%; M = ∆–8% ± 7%). After IPC, LBNP induced similar decreases in resting FVC (F = ∆–37% ± 19%; M = ∆–44% ± 13%). However, during handgrip, this response was further attenuated in males (∆–3% ± 9%, P = 0.02 vs pre) but not females (∆–5% ± 10%, P = 0.13 vs pre), which aligned with an IPC-mediated increase in sympatholysis (M-pre = 36% ± 10% vs post = 40% ± 9%, P = 0.01; F-pre = 32% ± 15% vs post = 32% ± 14%, P = 0.82). Sham IPC had no effect on any variables.

Conclusions

These findings highlight a sex-specific effect of IPC on functional sympatholysis and provide evidence of a potential mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of IPC on human exercise performance.
Do Differences in Analyst Quality Matter for Investors Relying on Consensus Information?
Authors: Michaely Roni , Rubin Amir , Segal Dan , Vedrashko Alexander
Published: March 2023

This study investigates whether investors can reap economic benefits from analyzing differences in analyst quality. Although high-quality analysts’ average forecast is more accurate than the consensus forecast for firms with a large analyst following, the benefits of using high-quality analysts’ average forecasts are not economically significant. In contrast, the value of analyst quality differentiation exists in the second moment of forecasts. High-quality analysts’ forecast dispersion gives investors an advantage in dealing with uncertainty by predicting return volatility and providing opportunities for economically significant returns using option straddle and post-earnings announcement drift investment strategies.

This paper was accepted by Suraj Srinivassan, accounting.

Funding: A. Rubin and A. Vedrashko thank the financial support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

Supplemental Material: The data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.4699 .
Sealing modern municipal water distribution systems – modelling an existing Rieber gasket for a PVC pipe
Authors: Chouchaoui Ben
Published: March 2023

This article provides details of an analytical study that simulates the characteristics and features of the Rieber joint system, applied to buried pipes made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The aim of the research described is to ensure that municipal distribution lines are sealed effectively in the long term, whilst making it easier for crews working in the field to join pipes. Excellent correlation is obtained between computer-based simulation and actual testing of PVC pipe assemblies involving the Rieber gasket.
Syngonium podophyllum-based ZnO/Ag Nanocomposites: Biogenic Synthesis and Antimicrobial activity Against Bacterial Isolates and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Naaz Romana , Siddiqi Weqar Ahmad , Mohsin Mohd
Published: March 2023

There is a growing need for engineers to develop effective, powerful, and economical nanocomposites with effective antimicrobial effects. The co-precipitation method was used to fabricate Zinc oxide/Silver nanocomposites (ZnO/Ag NCs). FTIR analysis confirms the presence of a functional group responsible for the stabilization and reduction of fabricated NCs. TEM and SEM analysis showed the internal morphology of the ZnO/Ag NCs as nearly spherical and the average crystallite size of NCs 16.64nm. The NCs are polycrystalline, as demonstrated by the selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern. The NCs show good antimicrobial action against Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic organisms. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the NCs are 12.50 and 50µg/mL for E.coli and S. aureus respectively. The finding reveals, ZnO/Ag is found to be an efficient combat agent against prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms and may be employed as an antimicrobial in the future.
Development of Analytical Technique for Extraction of Commonly used Antibiotics in River Yamuna Based on liquid-liquid extraction
Authors: Akhter Suriyah , Ahmed Sirajuddin , Siddiqui Weqar Ahmed , Ahmad Sayeed
Published: March 2023

Concentration of pharmaceutical especially antibiotics in different ecosystems of environment is incredibly challenging. To enable quick, sensitive, and targeted determination at trace levels, designing of appropriate analytical methods is becoming important. Different techniques like liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) have been used widely. One of the environment friendly technique, Liquid- liquid extraction (LLE) was used for the extraction of some commonly used antibiotics in different samples of river Yumana, because of its cheap and easy extraction procedure. To achieve the goal of extraction, variety of operational parameters were optimised, that are responsible for increasing the chromatographic resolution, sensitivity, and accuracy. LC-MS and LLE methodologies can be used as an essential tool for researchers for their efforts to quantitatively analyse antibiotics and other related emerging contaminants in the selected environmental samples.
Study of the Rheological Behavior of Olive oil at Shear Rates Between 3.3 and 120s-1
Authors: Stanciu Ioana
Published: March 2023

Olive oil is a vegetable oil used mainly in the culinary field, which is extracted from freshly harvested olive fruits (Olea europaea). It is the richest source of monounsaturated fats. Its uses are varied, being used in cooking, in cosmetics, medicines and soaps, and in the past as lamp oil. This article presents the experimental research carried out in order to quantify the change in the rheological properties of olive oil and establish the variation range of the characteristic parameters. The data obtained are useful for the behavior of the engine and, in particular, of lubricants in general.
Monomeric CRP regulates inflammatory responses in human intervertebral disc cells
Authors: Ruiz-Fernández Clara , Ait Eldjoudi Djedjiga , González-Rodríguez Maria , Cordero Barreal Alfonso , Farrag Yousof , García-Caballero Lucia , Lago Francisca , Mobasheri Ali , Sakai Daisuke , Pino Jesús , Gualillo Oreste
Published: March 2023

Aims

CRP is an acute-phase protein that is used as a biomarker to follow severity and progression in infectious and inflammatory diseases. Its pathophysiological mechanisms of action are still poorly defined. CRP in its pentameric form exhibits weak anti-inflammatory activity. The monomeric isoform (mCRP) exerts potent proinflammatory properties in chondrocytes, endothelial cells, and leucocytes. No data exist regarding mCRP effects in human intervertebral disc (IVD) cells. This work aimed to verify the pathophysiological relevance of mCRP in the aetiology and/or progression of IVD degeneration.

Methods

We investigated the effects of mCRP and the signalling pathways that are involved in cultured human primary annulus fibrosus (AF) cells and in the human nucleus pulposus (NP) immortalized cell line HNPSV-1. We determined messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of relevant factors involved in inflammatory responses, by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. We also studied the presence of mCRP in human AF and NP tissues by immunohistochemistry.

Results

We demonstrated that mCRP increases nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) expression in human AF and NP cells. We also showed that nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κβ), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) are at play in the intracellular signalling of mCRP. Finally, we demonstrated the presence of mCRP in human AF and NP tissues.

Conclusion

Our results indicate, for the first time, that mCRP can be localized in IVD tissues, where it triggers a proinflammatory and catabolic state in degenerative and healthy IVD cells, and that NF-κβ signalling may be implicated in the mediation of this mCRP-induced state.

Cite this article:Bone Joint Res 2023;12(3):189–198.
A scoping review of the outcome reporting following surgery for chronic osteomyelitis of the lower limb
Authors: Camilleri-Brennan Julian , James Sophie , McDaid Catriona , Adamson Joy , Jones Katherine , O'Carroll Grace , Akhter Zohaib , Eltayeb Momin , Sharma Hemant
Published: March 2023

Aims

Chronic osteomyelitis (COM) of the lower limb in adults can be surgically managed by either limb reconstruction or amputation. This scoping review aims to map the outcomes used in studies surgically managing COM in order to aid future development of a core outcome set.

Methods

A total of 11 databases were searched. A subset of studies published between 1 October 2020 and 1 January 2011 from a larger review mapping research on limb reconstruction and limb amputation for the management of lower limb COM were eligible. All outcomes were extracted and recorded verbatim. Outcomes were grouped and categorized as per the revised Williamson and Clarke taxonomy.

Results

A total of 3,303 records were screened, of which 99 studies were included. Most studies were case series (77/99; 78%) and assessed one method of reconstruction (68/99; 69%). A total of 511 outcomes were reported, which were grouped into 58 distinct outcomes. Overall, 143/511 of all outcomes (28%) were provided with a clear, in-text definition, and 231 outcomes (45%) had details reported of how and when they were measured. The most commonly reported outcome was ‘recurrence of osteomyelitis’ (62; 12%). The single-most patient-reported outcome measure was ‘pain’.

Conclusion

This study has highlighted significant inconsistencies in the defining, reporting, and measuring of outcomes across studies investigating surgical management for chronic osteomyelitis of the lower limb in adults. Future studies should clearly report complete details of how outcomes are defined and measured, including timing. The development of a standardized core outcome set would be of significant benefit in order to allow evidence synthesis and comparison across studies.

Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(3):146–157.
Slip and No Slip Conditions in Serpentine Channel for Bingham Fluid-Numerical CFD Investigation
Authors: Panwar Kuldeep
Published: March 2023

For the flow of a Bing-ham fluid in a serpentine tube with a circular cross section, a numerical examination of slip and no slip scenarios was conducted. This was done in order to better understand the flow. This investigation was carried out. In order to get a deeper comprehension of the flow behavior, several flow situations, including slip and no slip, are investigated using separate sets of parameters. In order to solve the issue presented by the turbulent model, the K-model is put to use. It was discovered that the parameter variation for no slip circumstances is preferable to that of no slip scenarios under high stress. This was discovered by comparing the two. A limited analysis of the flow behavior of the Bingham fluid in a serpentine cannel served as the impetus for the current work. The research that was done was motivated by this analysis.
Multi-response optimization of process parameters during friction stir welding of AA2014-AA7075 using TOPSIS Approach
Authors: UMAMAHESWARRAO P.
Published: March 2023

In this study, multi-objective optimization for Friction stir welding of dissimilar AA2014-AA7075 has been presented to provide optimum tensile strength, hardness, and % of elongation. The input parameters considered for the analysis are tool rotational speed, feed, and tilt angle. Experiments are designed based on Taguchi L9 orthogonal array. Investigative analysis on the effect of input parameters on the responses is carried out using the MINITAB14 software package. The parametric influence on responses is discussed through the main effects plot. Further, multi-objective optimization is performed with the Technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS). Results demonstrated that tool rotational speed is the most significant factor affecting the response followed by feed and tilt angle. The optimum cutting parameters obtained are tool rotational speed 710 rpm, Feed 30 mm/rev, and Tilt angle 2o.
Probabilistic low-margin optical-network design with multiple physical-layer parameter uncertainties
Authors: Karandin Oleg , Ferrari Alessio , Musumeci Francesco , Pointurier Yvan , Tornatore Massimo
Published: March 2023

Analytical models for quality of transmission (QoT) estimation require safety design margins to account for uncertain knowledge of input parameters. We propose and evaluate a design procedure that gradually decreases these margins in the presence of multiple physical-layer uncertainties (namely, connector loss, erbium-doped fiber amplifier gain ripple, and fiber type) by leveraging monitoring data to build a probabilistic machine-learning-based QoT regressor. We evaluate the savings from margin reduction in terms of occupied spectrum and number of installed transponders in the C and C+L bands and demonstrate that 4%–12% transponder/spectrum savings can be achieved in realistic network instances by simply leveraging the SNR monitored at receivers and paying off a low increment in the lightpath disruption probability (at most 1%–4%).
Computational spectral imaging: a contemporary overview
Authors: Bacca Jorge , Martinez Emmanuel , Arguello Henry
Published: March 2023

Spectral imaging collects and processes information along spatial and spectral coordinates quantified in discrete voxels, which can be treated as a 3D spectral data cube. The spectral images (SIs) allow the identification of objects, crops, and materials in the scene through their spectral behavior. Since most spectral optical systems can only employ 1D or maximum 2D sensors, it is challenging to directly acquire 3D information from available commercial sensors. As an alternative, computational spectral imaging (CSI) has emerged as a sensing tool where 3D data can be obtained using 2D encoded projections. Then, a computational recovery process must be employed to retrieve the SI. CSI enables the development of snapshot optical systems that reduce acquisition time and provide low computational storage costs compared with conventional scanning systems. Recent advances in deep learning (DL) have allowed the design of data-driven CSI to improve the SI reconstruction or, even more, perform high-level tasks such as classification, unmixing, or anomaly detection directly from 2D encoded projections. This work summarizes the advances in CSI, starting with SI and its relevance and continuing with the most relevant compressive spectral optical systems. Then, CSI with DL will be introduced, as well as the recent advances in combining the physical optical design with computational DL algorithms to solve high-level tasks.
Composite channel modeling for underwater optical wireless communication and analysis of multiple scattering characteristics
Authors: Kou Linlin , Zhang Jianlei , Zhang Pengwei , Yang Yi , He Fengtao
Published: March 2023

In this study, we propose an innovative composite channel model that considers multi–size bubbles, absorption, and fading caused by scattering for investigating the effect of multiple scattering on the optical properties of a channel. The model is based on Mie theory, geometrical optics and the absorption–scattering model in the Monte–Carlo framework, and the performance of the optical communication system of the composite channel was analyzed for different positions, sizes, and number densities of bubbles. A comparison with the corresponding optical properties of conventional particle scattering indicated that a larger number of bubbles corresponded to greater attenuation of the composite channel, which was manifested by a low power at the receiver, an increased channel impulse response, and the observance of a prominent peak in the volume scattering function or critical scattering angles. Additionally, the effects of the position of large bubbles on the scattering property of the channel were investigated. The proposed composite channel model can provide reference data for designing a more reliable and comprehensive underwater optical wireless communication link.
When optical vortex array meets cycloid
Authors: Ma Xin , Hu Huajie , Tai Yuping , Li Xinzhong
Published: March 2023

Optical vortex arrays (OVAs) have drawn widespread attention owing to their multiple optical vortices and higher dimensions. However, existing OVAs have not yet been utilized to exploit the synergy effect as an entire system, particularly for manipulating multiple particles. Thus, the functionality of OVA should be explored to respond to application requirements. Hence, this study proposes a functional OVA, called cycloid OVA (COVA), based on a combination of cycloid and phase-shift techniques. By modifying the cycloid equation, multiple structural parameters are designed to modulate the structure of the COVAs. Subsequently, versatile and functional COVAs are experimentally generated and modulated. In particular, COVA executes local dynamic modulation, whereas the entire structure remains unchanged. Further, the optical gears are first designed using two COVAs, which exhibit potential for transferring multiple particles. Essentially, OVA is endowed the characteristics and capacity of the cycloid when they meet. This work provides an alternative scheme to generate OVAs, which will open up advanced applications for the complex manipulation, arrangement and transfer of multiple particles.
Effects of typical marine environmental factors on the bioluminescence intensity of individual Noctiluca scintillans
Authors: Chen Shuguo , Gan Siming , Hu Lianbo , Bi Rong , Gao Yue
Published: March 2023

Red Noctiluca scintillans (RNS) is one of the major red tide species and dominant bioluminescent plankton in the global offshore. Bioluminescence offers a number of applications for ocean environment assessments such as interval waves study, fish stocks evaluation and underwater target detection making it of significant interest in forecasting bioluminescence occurrence and intensity. RNS is susceptible to changes in marine environmental factors. However, the effects of marine environmental factors on the bioluminescent intensity (BLI, photon s−1) of individual RNS cells (IRNSC) is poorly known. In this study, the effects of temperature, salinity and nutrients on the BLI were studied by field and laboratory culture experiments. In the field experiments, bulk BLI was measured by an underwater bioluminescence assessment tool at various temperature, salinity and nutrient concentrations. To exclude the contribution by other bioluminescent planktons, an identification method of IRNSC was first developed using the features of the bioluminescence flash kinetics (BFK) curve of RNS to identify and extract BLI emitted by an individual RNS cell. To decouple the effects of each environmental factor, laboratory culture experiments were conducted to examine the effects of a single factor on the BLI of IRNSC. The field experiments showed that BLI of IRNSC negatively correlated with temperature (3-27°C) and salinity (30-35‰). The logarithmic BLI can be well fitted using a linear equation with temperature or salinity with Pearson correlation coefficients of -0.95 and -0.80, respectively. The fitting function with salinity was verified by the laboratory culture experiment. On the other hand, no significant correlation was observed between BLI of IRNSC and nutrients. These relationships could be used in the RNS bioluminescence prediction model to improve the prediction accuracy of bioluminescent intensity and spatial distribution.
Loss of the m6A methyltransferase METTL3 in monocyte-derived macrophages ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease pathology in mice
Authors: Yin Huilong , Ju Zhuan , Zheng Minhua , Zhang Xiang , Zuo Wenjie , Wang Yidi , Ding Xiaochen , Zhang Xiaofang , Peng Yingran , Li Jiadi , Yang Angang , Zhang Rui
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a heterogeneous disease with complex clinicopathological characteristics. To date, the role of m6A RNA methylation in monocyte-derived macrophages involved in the progression of AD is unknown. In our study, we found that methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) deficiency in monocyte-derived macrophages improved cognitive function in an amyloid beta (Aβ)-induced AD mouse model. The mechanistic study showed that that METTL3 ablation attenuated the m6A modification in DNA methyltransferase 3A (Dnmt3a) mRNAs and consequently impaired YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1)-mediated translation of DNMT3A. We identified that DNMT3A bound to the promoter region of alpha-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (Atat1) and maintained its expression. METTL3 depletion resulted in the down-regulation of ATAT1, reduced acetylation of α-tubulin and subsequently enhanced migration of monocyte-derived macrophages and Aβ clearance, which led to the alleviated symptoms of AD. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that m6A methylation could be a promising target for the treatment of AD in the future.
Bumblebees acquire alternative puzzle-box solutions via social learning
Authors: Bridges Alice D. , MaBouDi HaDi , Procenko Olga , Lockwood Charlotte , Mohammed Yaseen , Kowalewska Amelia , Romero González José Eric , Woodgate Joseph L. , Chittka Lars
Published: March 2023

The astonishing behavioural repertoires of social insects have been thought largely innate, but these insects have repeatedly demonstrated remarkable capacities for both individual and social learning. Using the bumblebee Bombus terrestris as a model, we developed a two-option puzzle box task and used open diffusion paradigms to observe the transmission of novel, nonnatural foraging behaviours through populations. Box-opening behaviour spread through colonies seeded with a demonstrator trained to perform 1 of the 2 possible behavioural variants, and the observers acquired the demonstrated variant. This preference persisted among observers even when the alternative technique was discovered. In control diffusion experiments that lacked a demonstrator, some bees spontaneously opened the puzzle boxes but were significantly less proficient than those that learned in the presence of a demonstrator. This suggested that social learning was crucial to proper acquisition of box opening. Additional open diffusion experiments where 2 behavioural variants were initially present in similar proportions ended with a single variant becoming dominant, due to stochastic processes. We discuss whether these results, which replicate those found in primates and birds, might indicate a capacity for culture in bumblebees.
Particle-based model shows complex rearrangement of tissue mechanical properties are needed for roots to grow in hard soil
Authors: Mimault Matthias , Ptashnyk Mariya , Dupuy Lionel X.
Published: March 2023

When exposed to increased mechanical resistance from the soil, plant roots display non-linear growth responses that cannot be solely explained by mechanical principles. Here, we aim to investigate how changes in tissue mechanical properties are biologically regulated in response to soil strength. A particle-based model was developed to solve root-soil mechanical interactions at the cellular scale, and a detailed numerical study explored factors that affect root responses to soil resistance. Results showed how softening of root tissues at the tip may contribute to root responses to soil impedance, a mechanism likely linked to soil cavity expansion. The model also predicted the shortening and decreased anisotropy of the zone where growth occurs, which may improve the mechanical stability of the root against axial forces. The study demonstrates the potential of advanced modeling tools to help identify traits that confer plant resistance to abiotic stress.
Improving HIV stigma in the marginalized population in Khorramabad, Iran: A single-blinded randomized, controlled educational trial using role-playing and lecturing
Authors: Jomezadeh Mina , Zamani-Alavijeh Fereshteh , Aleebrahim Forugh , Nasirian Maryam
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of role-playing and lecture on improving the attitudes of the Khorramabad suburban population toward the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 2019, 270 people aged 18 and above participated in a randomized controlled trial in Khorramabad, Iran. Individuals were randomly assigned to one of three groups: role-playing, lecture, or control. To collect data before and after the intervention, we used a standard HIV knowledge and attitude questionnaire. Before the educational intervention, three marginalized groups’ attitudes toward HIV were stigmatized. After the intervention, the attitudes of both the role-playing and lecture groups improved significantly relative to the control group (P<0.0001); there was no significant difference between the two methods (P>0.05). The correlation between attitude and knowledge scores was positive (P<0.0001). This study demonstrates that education is a fundamental pillar of improving attitudes toward people living with HIV (PLHIV) and can reduce stigma against them, thereby increasing their desire to disclose their condition and seek medical care.

Trial registration: The trial registration code is IRCTID: IRCT20190807044467N1 (https://en.irct.ir/trial/41464).
Prevalence, determinants, and association of overweight/obesity with non-communicable disease-related biomedical indicators: A cross-sectional study in schoolteachers in Kabul, Afghanistan
Authors: Alemi Sharifullah , Nakamura Keiko , Arab Ahmad Shekib , Mashal Mohammad Omar , Tashiro Yuri , Seino Kaoruko , Hemat Shafiqullah
Published: March 2023

Overweight/obesity constitutes a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), whose global prevalence is growing rapidly, including in Afghanistan. However, the effects of risk factors on NCDs have rarely been studied in the educator workforce. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the prevalence, determinants, and association of overweight/obesity with NCD-related biomedical indicators among schoolteachers in Afghanistan. The sample comprised 600 schoolteachers aged 18 years and above. We conducted questionnaire interviews, anthropometric measurements, and blood biochemistry tests. The main explanatory variable was overweight/obesity (body mass index ≥ 25.0 kg/m2). NCD-related biomedical indicators were the outcome variables. Poisson regression models were applied to investigate the association between overweight/obesity and outcome variables. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 58.2%, which was significantly higher in women, those aged 41–50 years, married participants, and those with 10–20 years of working experience than in their counterparts. After adjusting for sociodemographic variables and lifestyle behaviors, overweight/obesity was significantly associated with hypertension (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33–2.51); elevated levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (aPR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01–1.79), total cholesterol (aPR = 1.67, 95% CI:1.14–2.44), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (aPR = 1.29, 95% CI: 1.10–1.50), and triglycerides (aPR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.57–2.50), and having three or more comorbidities (aPR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.47–2.47). Our findings demonstrated a high prevalence of overweight/obesity among schoolteachers. In addition, we found significant associations of overweight/obesity with a higher prevalence of hypertension; elevated serum levels of HbA1c, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglycerides; and comorbid conditions in schoolteachers. The findings highlight the need for worksite interventions that promote weight control among schoolteachers with overweight/obesity to reduce the burden of NCDs.