bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Standardizing continuous data classifications in a virtual T-maze using two-layer feedforward networks
Authors: Rodrigues Johannes , Ziebell Philipp , Müller Mathias , Hewig Johannes
Published: July 2022

There continues to be difficulties when it comes to replication of studies in the field of Psychology. In part, this may be caused by insufficiently standardized analysis methods that may be subject to state dependent variations in performance. In this work, we show how to easily adapt the two-layer feedforward neural network architecture provided by Huang1to a behavioral classification problem as well as a physiological classification problem which would not be solvable in a standardized way using classical regression or “simple rule” approaches. In addition, we provide an example for a new research paradigm along with this standardized analysis method. This paradigm as well as the analysis method can be adjusted to any necessary modification or applied to other paradigms or research questions. Hence, we wanted to show that two-layer feedforward neural networks can be used to increase standardization as well as replicability and illustrate this with examples based on a virtual T-maze paradigm2–5including free virtual movement via joystick and advanced physiological data signal processing.
Human lung-cancer-cell radioresistance investigated through 2D network topology
Authors: Tirinato Luca , Onesto Valentina , Garcia-Calderon Daniel , Pagliari Francesca , Spadea Maria-Francesca , Seco Joao , Gentile Francesco
Published: July 2022

Radiation therapy (RT) is now considered to be a main component of cancer therapy, alongside surgery, chemotherapy and monoclonal antibody-based immunotherapy. In RT, cancer tissues are exposed to ionizing radiation causing the death of malignant cells and favoring cancer regression. However, the efficiency of RT may be hampered by cell-radioresistance (RR)—that is a feature of tumor cells of withstanding RT. To improve the RT performance, it is decisive developing methods that can help to quantify cell sensitivity to radiation. In acknowledgment of the fact that none of the existing methods to assess RR are based on cell graphs topology, in this work we have examined how 2D cell networks, within a single colony, from different human lung cancer lines (H460, A549 and Calu-1) behave in response to doses of ionizing radiation ranging from 0 to 8 Gy. We measured the structure of resulting cell-graphs using well-assessed networks-analysis metrics, such as the clustering coefficient (cc), the characteristic path length (cpl), and the small world coefficient (SW). Findings of the work illustrate that the clustering characteristics of cell-networks show a marked sensitivity to the dose and cell line. Higher-than-one values of SW coefficient, clue of a discontinuous and inhomogeneous cell spatial layout, are associated to elevated levels of radiation and to a lower radio-resistance of the treated cell line. Results of the work suggest that topology could be used as a quantitative parameter to assess the cell radio-resistance and measure the performance of cancer radiotherapy.
New ternary inverter with memory function using silicon feedback field-effect transistors
Authors: Son Jaemin , Cho Kyoungah , Kim Sangsig
Published: July 2022

In this study, we present a fully complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor-compatible ternary inverter with a memory function using silicon feedback field-effect transistors (FBFETs). FBFETs operate with a positive feedback loop by carrier accumulation in their channels, which allows to achieve excellent memory characteristics with extremely low subthreshold swings. This hybrid operation of the switching and memory functions enables FBFETs to implement memory operation in a conventional CMOS logic scheme. The inverter comprising p- and n-channel FBFETs in series can be in ternary logic states and retain these states during the hold operation owing to the switching and memory functions of FBFETs. It exhibits a high voltage gain of approximately 73 V/V, logic holding time of 150 s, and reliable endurance of approximately 105. This ternary inverter with memory function demonstrates possibilities for a new computing paradigm in multivalued logic applications.
Synthesis, physico-chemical characterization, and environmental applications of meso porous crosslinked poly (azomethine-sulfone)s
Authors: Sayed Marwa M. , Abdel-Hakim Mohamed , Mahross Mahmoud H. , Aly Kamal I.
Published: July 2022

To develop innovative mesoporous crosslinked poly(azomethine- sulfone)s with environmental applications, a simple Schiff base condensation technique based on barbituric acid BA or condensed terephthaldehyde barbituric acid TBA in their structures as monomeric units are applied. Different analysis methodologies and viscosity measurements identify them as having stronger heat stability and an amorphous structure. The photophysical features of the multi stimuli response MSR phenomenon are observable, with white light emission at higher concentrations and blue light emission at lower concentrations. Their emission characteristics make them an excellent metal ions sensor through diverse charge transfer methods. They can have a better inhibition efficiency and be employed as both mixed-type and active corrosion inhibitors according to their fluorescence emission with metals, demonstrating their capacity to bind with diverse metals. The adsorption of two distinct dye molecules, Methylene blue MB cationic and sunset yellow SY anionic, on the mesoporous structures of the polymers is investigated, revealing their selectivity for MB dye adsorption. Quantum studies support these amazing discoveries, demonstrating a crab-like monomeric unit structure for the one that is heavily crosslinked.
Evaluation of APOBEC3 expression as prognostic marker in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis
Authors: Trimmel Bettina , Oszwald Andre , Diemand Christoph , Ertl Iris E. , Lemberger Ursula , Bruchbacher Andreas , Brettner Robert , Korn Stephan , Resch Irene , Comperat Eva , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Hassler Melanie R.
Published: July 2022

Squamous cell carcinoma of the penis (PSC) is a rare disease with limited information on the molecular events leading to malignant transformation. In a third of PSC cases, presence of human papilloma virus (HPV) is found. The APOBEC3 family of proteins is known to play a significant role in defense against HPV infection, but their role in PSC is largely unknown. In this study, we aim to assess mRNA expression levels of APOBEC3 family members in HPV+ and HPV− PSC to get insight into their association with clinicopathological features and to evaluate their prognostic impact. Expression levels of six APOBEC3 family members in tissue from 50 patients with PSC were determined by RT-PCR and correlated with clinical and histopathological features. Lower expression of APOBEC3A, APOBEC3B, and APOBEC3C was observed in advanced PSC stages. Except for APOBEC3D, HPV+ samples showed higher expression of APOBEC3s compared to HPV− samples. In univariate analyses, APOBEC3A and APOBEC3C expression tended to be associated with disease-free survival and APOBEC3A expression with overall survival; however, multivariable analyses failed to confirm these associations with outcome. More extensive external validation and functional laboratory studies are needed to evaluate further their role in PSC development and progression.
Determining the critical buckling load of locally stiffened U-shaped steel sheet pile using dynamic correlation coefficient method
Authors: Shen Caihua , Yu Hansen , Wang Xiaojun , Tang Kai , Asiedu-Kwakyewaa Cornelia , Zhang Hanyi
Published: July 2022

U-Shaped Steel Sheet Piles (USSSP) have buckling and bending problems during construction. In this research, the structural measure of stiffened plates applied along the longitudinal direction of USSSP is analyzed and proposed. A theoretical calculation method of stiffening effect is proposed based on the dynamic correlation coefficient method and the formula for the critical buckling load of locally stiffened USSSP is derived. A parametric analysis of the number, width, and arrangement scheme of the stiffened plates on the USSSP with different lengths is examined. The empirical formula derived for the total stiffening area and the critical load of the axial compression members of the USSSP is compared with practical results from an engineering case study. The results show a quadratic function under the condition of arranging the different number of stiffened plates at equal intervals, which is accurate in deriving the critical load values USSSP after local stiffening, and provide a theoretical basis for the optimization design of local reinforcement of USSSP axial compression members in engineering projects.
Evidence for oligodendrocyte progenitor cell heterogeneity in the adult mouse brain
Authors: Beiter Rebecca M. , Rivet-Noor Courtney , Merchak Andrea R. , Bai Robin , Johanson David M. , Slogar Erica , Sol-Church Katia , Overall Christopher C. , Gaultier Alban
Published: July 2022

Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) account for approximately 5% of the adult brain and have been historically studied for their role in myelination. In the adult brain, OPCs maintain their proliferative capacity and ability to differentiate into oligodendrocytes throughout adulthood, even though relatively few mature oligodendrocytes are produced post-developmental myelination. Recent work has begun to demonstrate that OPCs likely perform multiple functions in both homeostasis and disease and can significantly impact behavioral phenotypes such as food intake and depressive symptoms. However, the exact mechanisms through which OPCs might influence brain function remain unclear. The first step in further exploration of OPC function is to profile the transcriptional repertoire and assess the heterogeneity of adult OPCs. In this work, we demonstrate that adult OPCs are transcriptionally diverse and separate into two distinct populations in the homeostatic brain. These two groups show distinct transcriptional signatures and enrichment of biological processes unique to individual OPC populations. We have validated these OPC populations using multiple methods, including multiplex RNA in situ hybridization and RNA flow cytometry. This study provides an important resource that profiles the transcriptome of adult OPCs and will provide a toolbox for further investigation into novel OPC functions.
Substantial impact of 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM) on the regulations of fluorescent thermoprobe-measured cellular temperature and natriuretic peptide expression in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Takahashi Hirotake , Nagoshi Tomohisa , Kimura Haruka , Tanaka Yoshiro , Yasutake Rei , Oi Yuhei , Yoshii Akira , Tanaka Toshikazu D. , Kashiwagi Yusuke , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: July 2022

There is growing interest in 3-iodothyronamine (T1AM), an active thyroid hormone metabolite, that induces negative inotropic and chronotropic actions in the heart and exerts systemic hypothermic action. We explored the direct impact of T1AM on cardiomyocytes with a focus on the regulation of the intracellular temperature and natriuretic peptide (NP) expression. A thermoprobe was successfully introduced into neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and the temperature-dependent changes in the fluorescence intensity ratio were measured using a fluorescence microscope. After one-hour incubation with T1AM, the degree of change in the fluorescence intensity ratio was significantly lower in T1AM-treated cardiomyocytes than in equivalent solvent-treated controls (P < 0.01), indicating the direct hypothermic action of T1AM on cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, T1AM treatment upregulated B-type NP (BNP) gene expression comparable to treatment with endothelin-1 or phenylephrine. Of note, ERK phosphorylation was markedly increased after T1AM treatment, and inhibition of ERK phosphorylation by an MEK inhibitor completely cancelled both T1AM-induced decrease in thermoprobe-measured temperature and the increase in BNP expression. In summary, T1AM decreases fluorescent thermoprobe-measured temperatures (estimated intracellular temperatures) and increases BNP expression in cardiomyocytes by activating the MEK/ERK pathway. The present findings provide new insight into the direct myocardial cellular actions of T1AM in patients with severe heart failure.
Experimental study of impact mechanical and microstructural properties of modified carbon fiber reinforced concrete
Authors: Du Yuhang , Lu Song , Xu Jinyu , Xia Wei , Wang Tengjiao , Wang Zhihang
Published: July 2022

This paper investigated the preparation method and the dispersion behaviour of Modified Carbon Nanotube-fiber Reinforcements (MCNF), the change laws and the effect mechanisms of dynamic compressive strength of MCNF concretes. Electrophoresis method was used to prepare MCNF and its interfacial shear performance was tested by interfacial shear strength (IFSS) test. In addition, the dispersion behavior of MCNF in simulated concrete solution was verified by turbidity method. Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) tests were carried on concrete samples with different volume fractions (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%) of MCNF. The results show that carbon nanotubes are easier to deposit to the negative electrode, and the higher the content of polycarboxylate superplasticizer, the more obvious the dispersity of MCNF in alkaline environment. The dynamic compressive strength of MCNF concrete was 14.0–35.5% higher than that of untreated concrete, and reached the maximum when the MCNF content was about 0.3%. The MCNF was wrapped in concrete matrix and promoted hydration reaction of interface between cement and MCNF from microscopic observation. The addition of MCNF could increase the porosity. The volume percentage of ≥ 100 nm pore decreased first and then increased. Reasons for the improvement strength of MCNF concrete is that the bridging effect is stronger with the increase of MCNF content (≤ 0.3%) and limited when the MCNF content is equal to 0.4%. MCNF concrete could be used in actual engineering with high requirements for dynamic load.
The effects of ultrasonic vibration on riveting quality
Authors: Xie Zhendong , Chen Feng , He Weikai
Published: July 2022

Ultrasonic vibration can reduce the forming force, decrease the friction in the metal forming process and improve the surface quality of the workpiece effectively. The effects of ultrasonic vibration on riveting quality were systematically studied by numerical simulation and experimental methods. The riveting force, interference, riveting head and microstructure of rivet under different vibration conditions were analyzed, in order to study the influence of the ultrasonic vibration on the riveting process. The study results show that the ultrasonic vibration can reduce the riveting force and decrease the friction. Thus, the flow of rivet material was promoted and the interference and interferometric uniformity were enlarged. Riveting quality was improved, and the improvement effect increased with the increase of amplitude. Compared with the conventional riveting, the relative interference was increased by 27.32% and the shear strength was increased by 17.16%, when the amplitude is 5.77 μm.
Risk for Behçet’s disease gauged via high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: a nationwide population-based study in Korea
Authors: Kim Yeong Ho , Kim Hyun Jee , Park Jin Woo , Han Kyung Do , Park Yong Gyu , Lee Young Bok , Lee Ji Hyun
Published: July 2022

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Low levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are associated with Crohn’s disease, another chronic inflammatory disease. However, the effects of low HDL-C levels on BD are unclear. We investigated the effects of HDL-C levels, and variability therein, on the risk for BD. We used the Korean National Health Insurance System database to identify 5,587,754 adults without a history of BD who underwent ≥ 3 medical examinations between 2010 and 2013. Mean HDL-C levels at each visit were used to calculate variability independent of the mean (VIM) and the coefficient of variation (CV). There were 676 new cases of BD (0.012%). The risk for BD was increased in participants with highly variable and low mean HDL-C levels. In a multivariate-adjusted model, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for BD incidence were 1.335 (1.058–1.684) in a high mean/high VIM group, 1.527 (1.211–1.925) in a low mean/low VIM group, and 2.096 (1.67–2.63) in a low mean/high VIM group compared to a high mean/low VIM group. Low mean HDL-C levels, and high variability therein, are independent risk factors for BD.
Gene Updater: a web tool that autocorrects and updates for Excel misidentified gene names
Authors: Koh Clara W. T. , Ooi Justin S. G. , Joly Gabrielle L. C. , Chan Kuan Rong
Published: July 2022

Opening and processing gene expression data files in Excel runs into the inadvertent risk of converting gene names to dates. As pathway analysis tools rely on gene symbols to query against pathway databases, the genes that are converted to dates will not be recognized, potentially causing voids in pathway analysis. Molecular pathways related to cell division, exocytosis, cilium assembly, protein ubiquitination and nitric oxide biosynthesis were found to be most affected by Excel auto-conversion. A plausible solution is hence to update these genes and dates to the newly approved gene names as recommended by the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC), which are resilient to Excel auto-conversion. Herein, we developed a web tool with Streamlit that can convert old gene names and dates back into the new gene names recommended by HGNC. The web app is named Gene Updater, which is open source and can be either hosted locally or at https://share.streamlit.io/kuanrongchan/date-to-gene-converter/main/date_gene_tool.py. Additionally, as Mar-01 and Mar-02 can each be potentially mapped to 2 different gene names, users can assign the date terms to the appropriate gene names within the Gene Updater web tool. This user-friendly web tool ensures that the accuracy and integrity of gene expression data is preserved by minimizing errors in labelling gene names due to Excel auto-conversions.
Training a machine learning classifier to identify ADHD based on real-world clinical data from medical records
Authors: Mikolas Pavol , Vahid Amirali , Bernardoni Fabio , Süß Mathilde , Martini Julia , Beste Christian , Bluschke Annet
Published: July 2022

The diagnostic process of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is complex and relies on criteria sensitive to subjective biases. This may cause significant delays in appropriate treatment initiation. An automated analysis relying on subjective and objective measures might not only simplify the diagnostic process and reduce the time to diagnosis, but also improve reproducibility. While recent machine learning studies have succeeded at distinguishing ADHD from healthy controls, the clinical process requires differentiating among other or multiple psychiatric conditions. We trained a linear support vector machine (SVM) classifier to detect participants with ADHD in a population showing a broad spectrum of psychiatric conditions using anonymized data from clinical records (N = 299 participants). We differentiated children and adolescents with ADHD from those not having the condition with an accuracy of 66.1%. SVM using single features showed slight differences between features and overlapping standard deviations of the achieved accuracies. An automated feature selection achieved the best performance using a combination 19 features. Real-world clinical data from medical records can be used to automatically identify individuals with ADHD among help-seeking individuals using machine learning. The relevant diagnostic information can be reduced using an automated feature selection without loss of performance. A broad combination of symptoms across different domains, rather than specific domains, seems to indicate an ADHD diagnosis.
Ultrasound-based radiomics technology in fetal lung texture analysis prediction of neonatal respiratory morbidity
Authors: Du Yanran , Jiao Jing , Ji Chao , Li Man , Guo Yi , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhou Jianqiao , Ren Yunyun
Published: July 2022

To develop a novel method for predicting neonatal respiratory morbidity (NRM) by ultrasound-based radiomics technology. In this retrospective study, 430 high-throughput features per fetal-lung image were extracted from 295 fetal lung ultrasound images (four-chamber view) in 295 single pregnancies. Images had been obtained between 28+3 and 37+6 weeks of gestation within 72 h before delivery. A machine-learning model built by RUSBoost (Random under-sampling with AdaBoost) architecture was created using 20 radiomics features extracted from the images and 2 clinical features (gestational age and pregnancy complications) to predict the possibility of NRM. Of the 295 standard fetal lung ultrasound images included, 210 in the training set and 85 in the testing set. The overall performance of the neonatal respiratory morbidity prediction model achieved AUC of 0.88 (95% CI 0.83–0.92) in the training set and 0.83 (95% CI 0.79–0.97) in the testing set, sensitivity of 84.31% (95% CI 79.06–89.44%) in the training set and 77.78% (95% CI 68.30–87.43%) in the testing set, specificity of 81.13% (95% CI 78.16–84.07%) in the training set and 82.09% (95% CI 77.65–86.62%) in the testing set, and accuracy of 81.90% (95% CI 79.34–84.41%) in the training set and 81.18% (95% CI 77.33–85.12%) in the testing set. Ultrasound-based radiomics technology can be used to predict NRM. The results of this study may provide a novel method for non-invasive approaches for the prenatal prediction of NRM.
Increased self-triggered vocalizations in an epidermal growth factor-induced rat model for schizophrenia
Authors: Narihara Itaru , Yokoyama Hanako , Namba Hisaaki , Sotoyama Hidekazu , Inaba Hiroyoshi , Kitayama Eiko , Tamada Kota , Takumi Toru , Nawa Hiroyuki
Published: July 2022

Rats elicit two types of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs), positive (30–80 kHz; high pitch) and negative (10–30 kHz; low pitch) voices. As patients with schizophrenia often exhibit soliloquy-like symptoms, we explored whether an animal model for schizophrenia is similarly characterized by such self-triggered vocalizations. We prepared the animal model by administering an inflammatory cytokine, epidermal growth factor (EGF), to rat neonates, which later develop behavioral and electroencephalographic deficits relevant to schizophrenia. EGF model rats and controls at young (8–10 weeks old) and mature (12–14 weeks old) adult stages were subjected to acclimation, female pairing, and vocalization sessions. In acclimation sessions, low pitch USVs at the mature adult stage were more frequent in EGF model rats than in controls. In the vocalization session, the occurrences of low pitch self-triggered USVs were higher in EGF model rats in both age groups, although this group difference was eliminated by their risperidone treatment. Unlike conventional negative USVs of rats, however, the present low pitch self-triggered USVs had short durations of 10–30 ms. These results suggest the potential that self-triggered vocalization might serve as a translatable pathological trait of schizophrenia to animal models.
Pioneering evaluation of GaN transistors in geostationary satellites
Authors: Mostardinha Hugo , Matos Diogo , Carvalho Nuno Borges , Sampaio Jorge , Pinto Marco , Gonçalves Patricia , Sousa Tiago , Kurpas Paul , Wuerfl Joachim , Barnes Andrew , Garat François , Poivey Christian
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we present the results of a 6-year experiment in space that studied the effects of radiation in Gallium Nitride (GaN) electronics in geostationary orbit. Four GaN transistors in a Colpitts oscillator configuration were flown in the Component Technology Test-Bed aboard the Alphasat telecommunication satellite. A heuristic analysis was performed by observing the variation in the power output of the oscillators with the total ionizing dose gathered during the mission. The total ionizing dose was measured with a Radiation Sensing Field Effect Transistors (RadFET) placed close to the GaN devices. The experiment showed that GaN is a robust technology that can be used in the space radiation environment of a geostationary orbit. The work presented here starts with a brief introduction of the subject, the motivation, and the main goal. This is followed by the description of the experimental setup, including the details of the oscillator design and simulations, as well as the implementation of the test-bed and the Components Technology Test-Bed. Finally, the results obtained during the 6 years of experience in space are discussed.
EGFR, HER2, and HER3 protein expression in paired primary tumor and lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Ye Peng , Li Fanghua , Wei Yuanyuan , Zhang Yihao , Cui Jianing , Dai Rui , Chen Hao , Xie Jing , Cai Peiling
Published: July 2022

Due to the difficulty in sampling of metastatic tumors, patient selection is commonly based on results of primary tumor samples when metastatic samples are not available. However, due to tumor heterogeneity, metastatic tumors may be different from primary tumors in their phenotypes. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of EGFR, HER2, and HER3 between primary and lymph node metastatic lesions of colorectal cancer. Paired primary tumors and lymph node metastases from 79 patients with colorectal cancer were retrospectively collected and analyzed for EGFR, HER2, and HER3 expression. High EGFR, HER2, and HER3 expression (2+ and 3+) was found in 64.2%, 66.0%, and 85.0% of primary tumors, and 56.8%, 46.0%, and 76.0% of lymph node metastases, respectively. Correlation rates between primary and metastatic lesions were 67.1%, 63.3%, and 74.7% for EGFR, HER2, and HER3, respectively. Stage IV tumors (with distant metastasis) had higher correlation rates of HER2 expression compared to stage III tumors (without distant metastasis) (P = 0.050). Moderate correlation rates in EGFR, HER2, and HER3 expression were observed between primary and metastatic lesions of colorectal cancer. Tumor stage or existence of distant metastasis could serve as potential predictive markers for the correlation of HER2 expression between primary tumors and lymph node metastases of colorectal cancer.
Digital design and evaluation for additive manufacturing of personalized myopic glasses
Authors: Xu Jianwen , Liu Bin , Wang Yizhen , Jiang Kaiyong
Published: July 2022

Myopic glasses design has critical effects on the match between glasses and individual face. Improper myopic glasses design may affect the try-on comfort and health. It is difficult for the myopic glasses to be adjusted variedly and suitably from people to people with the limitations of traditional manufacturing processes and current design methods. In this paper, an evaluation descriptor named glasses fit score, which contains alignment scores and design scores, is proposed to guide and evaluate the myopic glasses design. Based on the descriptor, a novel approach is presented to complete the myopic glasses design and manufacturing individually. The approach can be divided into three steps: glasses alignment, glasses personalized design and glasses manufacturing. During the glasses alignment, the myopic glasses are aligned to the face to obtain the alignment score of the descriptor based on the face symmetry plane and feature points, including the silent point of the eye and the top point of the ear. After the glasses alignment, the myopic glasses can be deformed to match the face to achieve the design score of the descriptor. The deformations include glasses frame transformation, glasses leg option and glasses personalized mark. In the glasses manufacturing, the designed myopic glasses can be fabricated by a 3D printer. Then, a post processing process is conducted to polish the myopic glasses with oil painted. Finally, the proposed approach is applied to adjust the myopic glasses for several people. The results show that, compared to the previous methods, the approach can make the myopic glasses aligned and deformed to the individual face effectively to obtain an ideal score of the descriptor, thus improving the match between the glasses and the individual face.
Clinical significance of germline telomere length and associated genetic factors in patients with neuroblastoma
Authors: Bae Joon Seol , Lee Ji Won , Joung Je-Gun , Cho Hee Won , Ju Hee Young , Yoo Keon Hee , Koo Hong Hoe , Sung Ki Woong
Published: July 2022

Studies investigating the relationship between germline telomere length and the clinical characteristics of tumors are very limited. This study evaluated the relationship between germline telomere length and the clinical characteristics of neuroblastoma. In addition, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed to investigate the genetic factors associated with germline telomere length. The germline telomere length of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 186 patients with neuroblastoma was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The association between germline telomere length and clinical characteristics, including long-term survival, was investigated. For the GWAS, genotyping was performed with a high-density bead chip (Illumina, San Diego, CA, USA). After strict quality-control checks of the samples, an association analysis was conducted. The result showed that longer germline telomeres were significantly associated with longer event-free survival (P = 0.032). To identify significantly assocated genetic markers for germline telomere length, genome wide association analysis was performed. As a result, several single nucleotide polymorphisms located in HIVEP3, LRRTM4, ADGRV1, RAB30, and CHRNA4 genes were discovered. During gene-based analysis (VEGAS2 tool), the CNTN4 gene had the most significant association with germline telomere length (P = 1.0E−06). During gene ontology analysis, susceptible genes associated with germline telomere length were mainly distributed in neurite morphogenesis and neuron development. A longer germline telomere length is associated with favorable prognostic factors at diagnosis and eventually better event-free survival in patients with neuroblastoma. In addition, the GWAS demonstrated that genetic markers and genes related to germline telomere length are associated with neurite morphogenesis and neuron development. Further research with larger cohorts of patients and functional investigations are needed.
pH trends and seasonal cycle in the coastal Balearic Sea reconstructed through machine learning
Authors: Flecha Susana , Giménez-Romero Àlex , Tintoré Joaquín , Pérez Fiz F. , Alou-Font Eva , Matías Manuel A. , Hendriks Iris E.
Published: July 2022

The decreasing seawater pH trend associated with increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels is an issue of concern due to possible negative consequences for marine organisms, especially calcifiers. Globally, coastal areas represent important transitional land-ocean zones with complex interactions between biological, physical and chemical processes. Here, we evaluated the pH variability at two sites in the coastal area of the Balearic Sea (Western Mediterranean). High resolution pH data along with temperature, salinity, and also dissolved oxygen were obtained with autonomous sensors from 2018 to 2021 in order to determine the temporal pH variability and the principal drivers involved. By using environmental datasets of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen, Recurrent Neural Networks were trained to predict pH and fill data gaps. Longer environmental time series (2012–2021) were used to obtain the pH trend using reconstructed data. The best predictions show a rate of $$-\,0.0020\pm 0.00054$$

-

0.0020
±
0.00054

pH units year$$^{-1}$$

-
1

, which is in good agreement with other observations of pH rates in coastal areas. The methodology presented here opens the possibility to obtain pH trends when only limited pH observations are available, if other variables are accessible. Potentially, this could be a way to reliably fill the unavoidable gaps present in time series data provided by sensors.
Psychosocial work environment as a dynamic network: a multi-wave cohort study
Authors: Elovainio Marko , Hakulinen Christian , Komulainen Kaisla , Kivimäki Mika , Virtanen Marianna , Ervasti Jenni , Oksanen Tuula
Published: July 2022

While characteristics of psychosocial work environment have traditionally been studied separately, we propose an alternative approach that treats psychosocial factors as interacting elements in networks where they all potentially affect each other. In this network analysis, we used data from a prospective occupational cohort including 10,892 participants (85% women; mean age 47 years) and repeated measurements of seven psychosocial work characteristics (job demands, job control, job uncertainty, team climate, effort-reward imbalance, procedural justice and interactional justice) assessed in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. Results from multilevel longitudinal vector autoregressive models indicated that job demands as well as interactional and procedural justice were most broadly associated with the subsequent perceptions of the work-related psychosocial factors (high out-Strength), suggesting these factors might be potentially efficient targets of workplace interventions. The results also suggest that modifying almost any of the studied psychosocial factors might be relevant to subsequent perceptions of effort-reward imbalance and interactional justice at the workplace.
Intrapulpal temperature changes during the cementation of ceramic veneers
Authors: Lempel Edina , Kincses Dóra , Szebeni Donát , Jordáki Dóra , Lovász Bálint Viktor , Szalma József
Published: July 2022

Adhesive cementation of ceramic veneers may increase pulpal temperature (PT) due to the combined effect of heat generated by the curing unit and the exothermic reaction of the luting agent (LA). PT increase may induce pulpal damage. The aim was to determine the PT rise during the luting of ceramic veneers (CV) of different thicknesses with light- or dual-curing (LC, DC) adhesive cements as well as pre-heated restorative resin-based composites (PH-RBC). For this a thermocouple sensor was positioned in the pulp chamber of a prepared maxillary central incisor. LC, DC adhesive cements and PH-RBCs heated to 55 °C were used for the luting of CVs of 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mm thicknesses. The exothermic reaction of LAs added significantly to the thermal effect of the curing unit. PT change ranged between 8.12 and 14.4 °C with the investigated combinations of LAs and ceramic thicknesses (p ≤ 0.01). The increase was inversely proportional to the increasing CV thicknesses. The highest rise (p ≤ 0.01) was seen with the polymerization of PH-RBCs. Temperature changes were predominantly influenced by the composition of the LA, which was followed by CV thickness.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) eliminates the other-race effect (ORE) indexed by the face inversion effect for own versus other-race faces
Authors: Civile Ciro , McLaren I. P. L.
Published: July 2022

We investigate here individuals’ reduced ability to recognise faces from other racial backgrounds, a robust phenomenon named the other-race effect (ORE). In this literature the term “race” is used to refer to visually distinct ethnic groups. In our study, we will refer to two of such groups: Western Caucasian (also known as White European) and East Asian e.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean. This study applied the tDCS procedure (double-blind, 10 min duration, 1.5 mA intensity, targeting Fp3 location), developed in the perceptual learning literature, specifically used to remove the expertise component of the face inversion effect (FIE), which consists of higher recognition performance for upright than inverted faces. In the tDCS-sham condition (N = 48) we find a robust ORE i.e., significantly larger FIE for own versus other-race faces due to higher performance for upright own-race faces. Critically, in the anodal-tDCS condition (N = 48) the FIE for own-race faces was significantly reduced compared to sham due to impaired performance for upright faces thus eliminating the cross-race interaction index of the ORE. Our results support the major role that perceptual expertise, manifesting through perceptual learning, has in determining the ORE indexed by the FIE.
Post-foraging in-colony behaviour of a central-place foraging seabird
Authors: Wojczulanis-Jakubas Katarzyna , Grissot Antoine , Devogel Marion , Altmeyer Lauraleen , Fujisaki Tessa , Jakubas Dariusz , Kidawa Dorota , Karnovsky Nina
Published: July 2022

Studies on time allocation of various activities are crucial to understand which behavioural strategy is the most profitable in a given context, and so why animals behave in a particular way. Such investigations usually focus on a time window when the studied activity is performed, often neglecting how the time devoted to focal activity affects time allocation to following-up behaviours, while that may have its own fitness consequences. In this study, we examined time allocation into three post-foraging activities (entering the nest with food, nest attendance, and colony attendance) in a small seabird species, the little auk (Alle alle). Since little auks alternate foraging trips of different duration (short and long) and purpose (offspring feeding and primarily self-feeding, respectively) we expected that duration of the following up in-colony activities would also vary, being longer after a long absence in the colony (because of greater need of reassessment of the current predation pressure and social interactions in the colony, and re-establishing the bond with the offspring and/or partner and/or neighbours after longer absence). We found that it was not always the case, as time allocation of the post-foraging in-colony activities was primarily year- and sex-specific. It highlights the need to consider year and sex effects in studies of behavioural ecology, as not doing so may lead to spurious conclusions. Interestingly, and despite a great inter-individual variation in time allocation in the post-foraging in-colony activities, little auk individuals were quite repeatable in their behavioural performance, which suggests these activities may reflect birds behavioural profile. Overall, post-foraging in-colony activity of the little auk, although not much dependent on duration/type of the preceding foraging flights, varies with respect to year and sex, and as such may be a proxy of behavioural plasticity of the population.
Enhancement of cerebrospinal fluid tracer movement by the application of pulsed transcranial focused ultrasound
Authors: Yoo Seung-Schik , Kim Hyun-Chul , Kim Jaeho , Kim Evgenii , Kowsari Kavin , Van Reet Jared , Yoon Kyungho
Published: July 2022

Efficient transport of solutes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays a critical role in their clearance from the brain. Convective bulk flow of solutes in the CSF in the perivascular space (PVS) is considered one of the important mechanisms behind solute movement in the brain, before their ultimate drainage to the systemic lymphatic system. Acoustic pressure waves can impose radiation force on a medium in its path, inducing localized and directional fluidic flow, known as acoustic streaming. We transcranially applied low-intensity focused ultrasound (FUS) to rats that received an intracisternal injection of fluorescent CSF tracers (dextran and ovalbumin, having two different molecular weights–Mw). The sonication pulsing parameter was determined on the set that propelled the aqueous solution of toluidine blue O dye into a porous media (melamine foam) at the highest level of infiltration. Fluorescence imaging of the brain showed that application of FUS increased the uptake of ovalbumin at the sonicated plane, particularly around the ventricles, whereas the uptake of high-Mw dextran was unaffected. Numerical simulation showed that the effects of sonication were non-thermal. Sonication did not alter the animals’ behavior or disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB) while yielding normal brain histology. The results suggest that FUS may serve as a new non-invasive means to promote interstitial CSF solute transport in a region-specific manner without disrupting the BBB, providing potential for enhanced clearance of waste products from the brain.
Stability indicating potentiometric method for the determination of palonosetron HCl using two different sensors
Authors: Tantawy Mahmoud A. , Elshabasy Dalia A. , Youssef Nadia F. , Amer Sawsan M.
Published: July 2022

This paper presents a novel potentiometric approach for the determination of palonosetron HCl using two sensors; ionophore-free and ionophore-doped ones. The two sensors successfully determined the cited drug in the range of 1 × 10–5–1 × 10–2 M with respective Nernstian slopes of 54.9 ± 0.25 and 59.3 ± 0.16 mV/decade. Incorporating calix[8]arene as an ionophore resulted in a lower detection limit (LOD = 3.1 × 10–6 M) and enhanced selectivity when compared to the ionophore-free sensor (LOD = 7.9 × 10–6 M). This modification was also associated with faster response for the ionophore-doped sensor (response time = 20 s) compared to the ionophore-free one (response time = 30 s). The two sensors showed a stable response over a pH range of 3.0–8.0. They successfully determined palonosetron HCl in presence of its oxidative degradation products. They were also used for direct determination of the drug in commercially available parenteral solution without any interference from other dosage forms’ additives.
Triglyceride to HDL-C ratio is associated with plasma D-dimer levels in different types of pancreatitis
Authors: Jia Xiaoqing , Zhang Xiaoting , Sun Dalong , Yang Na , Li Rong , Luo Zheng
Published: July 2022

This study aims to evaluate levels of D-dimer and serum lipid in different types of pancreatitis, and the relationship between D-dimer and dyslipidemia, especially triglyceride to HDL-C ratio (TG/HDL-C) in different types of pancreatitis. We analyzed the D-dimer and dyslipidemia levels in acute pancreatitis (AP), recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP). A single-centered retrospective study was conducted on 1013 patients diagnosed with AP, RAP or CP. Only patients hospitalized within 24 h of onset were included, and 204 patients were enrolled in pancreatitis groups. 68 normal persons without pancreatitis, malignant diseases, pregnancy, or organ failure, who had health check-ups, were enrolled in the control group. Blood samples were taken within 24 h of admission. The relevant information on epidemiology and etiology was collected. D-dimer and serum lipid levels in different types of pancreatitis were analyzed. Furthermore, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to estimate the validity of the predictor and to define optimal cut-off points for prediction. We found that D-dimer and TG/HDL-C ratio could distinguish mild AP (MAP) and non-MAP in AP and RAP patients. The D-dimer level was related to TG/HDL-C ratio and severity of pancreatitis, with the coefficient correlation of 0.379 and 0.427(p < 0.05), respectively. TG/HDL-C was related to D-dimer in different types of pancreatitis. Logistic regression analysis was conducted in the parameters at admission like alcohol abuse, dyslipidemia and coagulation disturbance in distinguishing AP and RAP groups from the control group, and the parameter like diabetes in RAP and CP groups significantly increased compared with that of the control group. The value of D-dimer level and TG/HDL-C ratio in predicting the severity of AP and RAP was confirmed but there was no significant difference between CP group and the control group. The D-dimer level was related to dyslipidemia and TG/HDL-C ratio.
Mutant p53 drives an immune cold tumor immune microenvironment in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Shi Yewen , Xie Tongxin , Wang Bingbing , Wang Rong , Cai Yu , Yuan Bo , Gleber-Netto Frederico O. , Tian Xiangjun , Rodriguez-Rosario Alanis E. , Osman Abdullah A. , Wang Jing , Pickering Curtis R. , Ren Xiaoyong , Sikora Andrew G. , Myers Jeffrey N. , Rangel Roberto
Published: July 2022

The critical role of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) in determining response to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy underscores the importance of understanding cancer cell–intrinsic mechanisms driving immune-excluded (“cold”) TIMEs. One such cold tumor is oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a tobacco-associated cancer with mutations in the TP53 gene which responds poorly to ICI therapy. Because altered TP53 function promotes tumor progression and plays a potential role in TIME modulation, here we developed a syngeneic OSCC models with defined Trp53 (p53) mutations and characterized their TIMEs and degree of ICI responsiveness. We observed that a carcinogen-induced p53 mutation promoted a cold TIME enriched with immunosuppressive M2 macrophages highly resistant to ICI therapy. p53-mutated cold tumors failed to respond to combination ICI treatment; however, the combination of a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist restored responsiveness. These syngeneic OSCC models can be used to gain insights into tumor cell–intrinsic drivers of immune resistance and to develop effective immunotherapeutic approaches for OSCC and other ICI-resistant solid tumors.
The lupus susceptibility allele DRB1*03:01 encodes a disease-driving epitope
Authors: Miglioranza Scavuzzi Bruna , van Drongelen Vincent , Kaur Bhavneet , Fox Jennifer Callahan , Liu Jianhua , Mesquita-Ferrari Raquel A. , Kahlenberg J. Michelle , Farkash Evan A. , Benavides Fernando , Miller Frederick W. , Sawalha Amr H. , Holoshitz Joseph
Published: July 2022

TheHLA-DRB1*03:01allele is a major genetic risk factor in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the mechanistic basis of the association is unclear. Here we show that in the presence of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a shortDRB1*03:01-encoded allelic epitope activates a characteristic lupus transcriptome in mouse and human macrophages. It also triggers a cascade of SLE-associated cellular aberrations, including endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response, mitochondrial dysfunction, necroptotic cell death, and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Parenteral administration of IFN-γ to naïveDRB1*03:01transgenic mice causes increased serum levels of anti-double stranded DNA antibodies, glomerular immune complex deposition and histopathological renal changes that resemble human lupus nephritis. This study provides evidence for a noncanonical, antigen presentation-independent mechanism of HLA-disease association in SLE and could lay new foundations for our understanding of key molecular mechanisms that trigger and propagate this devastating autoimmune disease.
Quantitatively defining species boundaries with more efficiency and more biological realism
Authors: Douglas Jordan , Bouckaert Remco
Published: July 2022

We introduce a widely applicable species delimitation method based on the multispecies coalescent model that is more efficient and more biologically realistic than existing methods. We extend a threshold-based method to allow the ancestral speciation rate to vary through time as a smooth piecewise function. Furthermore, we introduce the cutting-edge proposal kernels of StarBeast3 to this model, thus enabling rapid species delimitation on large molecular datasets and allowing the use of relaxed molecular clock models. We validate these methods with genomic sequence data and SNP data, and show they are more efficient than existing methods at achieving parameter convergence during Bayesian MCMC. Lastly, we apply these methods to two datasets (HemidactylusandGalagidae) and find inconsistencies with the published literature. Our methods are powerful for rapid quantitative testing of species boundaries in large multilocus datasets and are implemented as an open source BEAST 2 package called SPEEDEMON.