bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-speed modal analysis of dynamic modal coupling in fiber laser oscillator
Authors: Chai Junyu , Liu Wenguang , Wang Xiaolin , Zhou Qiong , Xie Kun , Wen Yujun , Zhang Jiangbin , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Hanwei , Zhang Dan , Jiang Zongfu , Zhao Guomin
Published: May 2023

Up till now, the spatial and temporal dynamics of transverse mode instability (TMI) in fiber laser oscillator have increasingly attracted a worldwide attention. Here, we develop a high-speed modal decomposition (MD) system to analyze the modal coupling for fiber laser oscillator above the TMI threshold. A set of angular-multiplexing transmission functions (TFs) are designed for simultaneous MD and monitoring the far-field beam profile. The TMI threshold of the deployed fiber laser oscillator is 181 W at a co-pumping power (CPP) of 279 W. As the CPP increases from 318 W to 397 W, the power fluctuations of the output laser become more drastic. The changes of the far-field beam profile and the centroid of far-field spot (COFFS) indicate an increased velocity of energy transfer between modes. The high-speed MD verifies above process and analyzes the modal components, indicating that the single cycle of modal coupling decreases from 11 ms to 4 ms. Otherwise, the strong mode coupling occurs between modes with relatively large weights. The high-speed MD provides a powerful tool to research the TMI effect.
Dietary fat intakes, lipid profiles, adiposity, inflammation, and glucose in women and men in the Framingham Offspring Cohort
Authors: Yiannakou Ioanna , Yuan Mengjie , Zhou Xinyi , Singer Martha R. , Moore Lynn L.
Published: May 2023

Introduction: The role of dietary fat in the evolution of cardiometabolic disorders is highly controversial. As both dietary intake and the development of cardiometabolic risk differ by sex, we evaluated sex-specific differences in the associations between dietary fats (saturated and unsaturated) and four key cardiometabolic risk factors—lipid profiles, body fat, inflammation, and glucose regulation.

Methods: We included 2391 women and men aged ≥30 years in the prospective Framingham Offspring Cohort. Weight-adjusted dietary fats (saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6) were derived from 3-day dietary records. Analysis of covariance was used to derive adjusted mean levels of all outcomes.

Results: In both men and women, intakes of saturated and monounsaturated fats were inversely associated with TG:HDL ratio (p < 0.02 for both types of fat). In women, higher omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs were also inversely associated with TG:HDL (p < 0.05 for both), but for men, only omega-3 PUFAs were associated (p = 0.026). All types of dietary fat were beneficially associated with larger HDL particle sizes in both men and women, while only saturated and monounsaturated fats were associated with larger LDL particles in men. In addition, saturated and monounsaturated fats were associated with statistically significantly higher concentrations of HDL and lower concentrations of LDL and VLDL particles in both sexes, while polyunsaturated fat had favorable associations in women only. Saturated fat also had beneficial associations with three measures of body fat. For example, women with the highest (vs. lowest) saturated fat intake had a lower BMI (27.7 ± 0.25 vs. 26.2 ± 0.36 kg/m2, p = 0.001); findings were similar in men (28.2 ± 0.25 vs. 27.1 ± 0.20, p = 0.002). Unsaturated fats had beneficial associations with body fat primarily in women. Finally, omega-3 PUFAs among women were inversely associated with interleukin-6 levels. There was no association between dietary fat intake and fasting glucose levels in either women or men.

Discussion: In sum, we found no evidence of an adverse association between dietary fats and several surrogate markers of cardiometabolic health. This study suggests that different dietary fats may have divergent associations with cardiometabolic risk in women and men, perhaps owing to differences in food sources of the same dietary fats.
Effects of fundamental movement skills on health-related quality of life in Chinese school-age children: the mediating role of physical fitness level
Authors: Xie Shuqing , Zhou Yulan , Yin Yanmin , Shao Rui , Fang Lei , Shao Weide
Published: May 2023

Background

The primary purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between school-age children’s fundamental movement skills (FMS), physical fitness levels, and the health-related quality of life (HRQoL); To explore the mediating role of physical fitness levels between school-age children’s FMS and HRQoL.

Methods

In the cross-sectional survey in 2021, 334 school-age children aged 6–10 (8.20 ± 1.16) were recruited from primary schools in Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province, China. Test of Gross Motor Development 2 (TGMD-2), National Standards for Students’ Physical Health, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM Version 4.0 (PedsQL™ 4.0) were used to investigate the FMS, physical fitness level, and HRQoL of school-age children. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze the relationship among FMS, physical fitness levels, and HRQoL. Bootstrap is used to evaluate the mediating role of physical fitness levels in the relationship between FMS and HRQoL.

Results

The higher the FMS and physical fitness, the higher the school-age children’s HRQoL, physical functioning, social functioning, and school functioning (r = 0.244–0.301, p < 0.01). In addition, developing children’s FMS promotes physical fitness levels (r = 0.358, p < 0.01). The regression analysis results of controlling gender, age, and body mass index z (BMI-z) scores showed that FMS significantly positively predicted the physical functioning (β = 0.319, p < 0.01), social functioning (β = 0.425, p < 0.01), and school functioning (β = 0.333, p < 0.01) of school-age children. When the physical fitness level enters the regression equation, the absolute value of the regression coefficient of FMS decreases. However, it can still significantly predict the physical functioning (β = 0.211, p < 0.01) and school functioning (β = 0.142, p < 0.05) of school-age children. Simple intermediary analysis shows that physical fitness level plays an intermediary role between FMS, physical functioning (indirect effect = 0.089 [95% Confidence interval (CI) = 0.015,0.195]), and school functioning (indirect effect = 0.065 [95% CI = 0.007,0.150]).

Conclusion

This study shows that physical fitness levels mediate the relationship between FMS and HRQoL. Encouraging the development of FMS and promoting physical fitness levels of school-age children can effectively improve the HRQoL of school-age children.
Air pollution and timing of childbirth: a retrospective survey analysis based on birth registration data of Chinese newborns
Authors: Lu Liqi , Zhao Shaoyang , Chen Yuxiao
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Currently, there is a lack of research on whether people will take action to avoid the harm of air pollution and the heterogeneous behavior of different groups. The goal of this paper is to examine the effects of air pollution on the resulting differential effects on newborns and the timing of pregnancy.

Methods

Based on a survey of newborns in a total of 32 hospitals in 12 cities across China in 2011, and after matching with city-level air pollution data, a multiple regression statistical method is then used to examine how the pollution level in a certain period is related to the number of conceptions in that certain period, after controlling for region and season fixed effects.

Results

We first demonstrate that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in adverse birth outcomes. Most importantly, the empirical results show that the number of conceptions decreased significantly during periods of severe air pollution.

Conclusion

Evidence suggests that air pollution may be causing some families to delay conception to reduce the possible adverse impact on neonatal outcomes. This helps us to understand the social cost of air pollution more, and then make more accurate environmental policies.
An analysis of socioeconomic factors on multiple chronic conditions and its economic burden: evidence from the National Health Service Survey in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Peng Puxian , Li Jing , Wang Liping , Ai Zhonghua , Tang Churou , Tang Songyuan
Published: May 2023

Background

The economic burden of multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) and its socio-economic influencing factors have widely raised public concerns. However, there are few large population-based studies on these problems in China. Our study aims at determining the economic burden of MCCs and associated factors specific to multimorbidity among middle-aged and older individuals.

Methods

As our study population, we extracted all 11,304 participants over 35 years old from the 2018 National Health Service Survey (NHSS) in Yunnan. Economic burden and socio-demographic characteristics were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Chi-square test and generalized estimating equations (GEE) regression models were used to identify influencing factors.

Results

The prevalence of chronic diseases was 35.93% in 11,304 participants and the prevalence of MCCs increased with age, was 10.12%. Residents who lived in rural areas were more likely to report MCCs than those who lived in urban areas (adjusted OR = 1.347, 97.5% CI: 1.116–1.626). Ethnic minority groups were less likely to report MCCs than those of Han (OR = 0.752, 97.5% CI: 0.601–0.942). Overweight or obese people were more likely to report MCCs than people with normal weight (OR = 1.317, 97.5% CI: 1.099–1.579). The per capita expenses of 2 weeks’ illness, per capita hospitalization expenses, annual household income, annual household expenses, and annual household medical expenses of MCCs were ¥292.90 (±1427.80), ¥4804.22 (±11851.63), ¥51064.77 (±52158.76), ¥41933.50 (±39940.02) and ¥11724.94 (±11642.74), respectively. The per capita expenses of 2 weeks’ illness, per capita hospitalization expenses, annual household income, annual household cost, and annual household medical expenses of hypertensive co-diabetic patients were more compared to those with other three comorbidity modes.

Conclusion

The prevalence of MCCs was relatively high among middle-aged and older individuals in Yunnan, China, which bought a heavy economic burden. This encourages policy makers and health providers to pay more attention to the behavioral/lifestyle factors, that contribute to multimorbidity to a great extent. Furthermore, health promotion and education in terms of MCCs need to be prioritized in Yunnan.
Recent progress in analyses of GATA1 in hematopoietic disorders: a mini-review
Authors: Shimizu Ritsuko , Yamamoto Masayuki
Published: May 2023

GATA1 is an essential master regulator of erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. Accumulating lines of evidence have shown that dynamic changes in GATA1 gene expression levels during erythropoiesis are crucial for proper erythroid differentiation. Since GATA1 is an X-chromosome gene, GATA1 knockout leads to embryonic lethal dyserythropoiesis in male mice, while heterozygous female mice can survive. In the past decade, it has become clear that germline GATA1 gene mutations leading to structural changes in the GATA1 protein are involved in congenital dyserythropoiesis in males. In contrast, decreased GATA1 expression levels, which cause embryonic lethal dyserythropoiesis in male mice, increase the risk of erythroleukemia development in female mice, while female GATA1-knockout mice do not show substantial phenotypic alterations in erythroid or megakaryocyte lineages. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in elucidating the roles of GATA1 in normal and pathogenetic erythropoiesis and discuss the possible mechanisms of pathogenesis of dyserythropoiesis and erythroleukemia.
Fully robotic social environment for teaching and practicing affective interaction: Case of teaching emotion recognition skills to children with autism spectrum disorder, a pilot study
Authors: Soleiman Pegah , Moradi Hadi , Mehralizadeh Bijan , Ameri Hamed , Arriaga Rosa I. , Pouretemad Hamid Reza , Baghbanzadeh Negin , Vahid Leila Kashani
Published: May 2023

21st century brought along a considerable decrease in social interactions, due to the newly emerged lifestyle around the world, which became more noticeable recently of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, children with autism spectrum disorder have further complications regarding their social interactions with other humans. In this paper, a fully Robotic Social Environment (RSE), designed to simulate the needed social environment for children, especially those with autism is described. An RSE can be used to simulate many social situations, such as affective interpersonal interactions, in which observational learning can take place. In order to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed RSE, it has been tested on a group of children with autism, who had difficulties in emotion recognition, which in turn, can influence social interaction. An A-B-A single case study was designed to show how RSE can help children with autism recognize four basic facial expressions, i.e., happiness, sadness, anger, and fear, through observing the social interactions of two robots speaking about these facial expressions. The results showed that the emotion recognition skills of the participating children were improved. Furthermore, the results showed that the children could maintain and generalize their emotion recognition skills after the intervention period. In conclusion, the study shows that the proposed RSE, along with other rehabilitation methods, can be effective in improving the emotion recognition skills of children with autism and preparing them to enter human social environments.
The nature of the motions of multiphase filaments in the centers of galaxy clusters
Authors: Ganguly Shalini , Li Yuan , Olivares Valeria , Su Yuanyuan , Combes Francoise , Prakash Sampadaa , Hamer Stephen , Guillard Pierre , Ha Trung
Published: May 2023

The intracluster medium (ICM) in the centers of galaxy clusters is heavily influenced by the “feedback” from supermassive black holes (SMBHs). Feedback can drive turbulence in the ICM and turbulent dissipation can potentially be an important source of heating. Due to the limited spatial and spectral resolutions of X-ray telescopes, direct observations of turbulence in the hot ICM have been challenging. Recently, we developed a new method to measure turbulence in the ICM using multiphase filaments as tracers. These filaments are ubiquitous in cluster centers and can be observed at very high resolution using optical and radio telescopes. We study the kinematics of the filaments by measuring their velocity structure functions (VSFs) over a wide range of scales in the centers of ∼10 galaxy clusters. We find features of the VSFs that correlate with the SMBHs activities, suggesting that SMBHs are the main driver of gas motions in the centers of galaxy clusters. In all systems, the VSF is steeper than the classical Kolmogorov expectation and the slopes vary from system to system. One theoretical explanation is that the VSFs we have measured so far mostly reflect the motion of the driver (jets and bubbles) rather than the cascade of turbulence. We show that in Abell 1795, the VSF of the outer filaments far from the SMBH flattens on small scales to a Kolmogorov slope, suggesting that the cascade is only detectable farther out with the current telescope resolution. The level of turbulent heating computed at small scales is typically an order of magnitude lower than that estimated at the driving scale. Even though SMBH feedback heavily influences the kinematics of the ICM in cluster centers, the level of turbulence it drives is rather low, and turbulent heating can only offset ≲ 10% of the cooling loss, consistent with the findings of numerical simulations.
Exact solution to the problem of slow oscillations in coronal loops and its diagnostic applications
Authors: Zavershinskii Dmitrii I. , Molevich Nonna E. , Riashchikov Dmitrii S. , Belov Sergey A.
Published: May 2023

Magnetoacoustic oscillations are nowadays routinely observed in various regions of the solar corona. This allows them to be used as means of diagnosing plasma parameters and processes occurring in it. Plasma diagnostics, in turn, requires a sufficiently reliable MHD model to describe the wave evolution. In our paper, we focus on obtaining the exact analytical solution to the problem of the linear evolution of standing slow magnetoacoustic (MA) waves in coronal loops. Our consideration of the properties of slow waves is conducted using the infinite magnetic field assumption. The main contribution to the wave dynamics in this assumption comes from such processes as thermal conduction, unspecified coronal heating, and optically thin radiation cooling. In our consideration, the wave periods are assumed to be short enough so that the thermal misbalance has a weak effect on them. Thus, the main non-adiabatic process affecting the wave dynamics remains thermal conduction. The exact solution of the evolutionary equation is obtained using the Fourier method. This means that it is possible to trace the evolution of any harmonic of the initial perturbation, regardless of whether it belongs to entropy or slow mode. We show that the fraction of energy between entropy and slow mode is defined by the thermal conduction and coronal loop parameters. It is shown for which parameters of coronal loops it is reasonable to associate the full solution with a slow wave, and when it is necessary to take into account the entropy wave. Furthermore, we obtain the relationships for the phase shifts of various plasma parameters applicable to any values of harmonic number and thermal condition coefficient. In particular, it is shown that the phase shifts between density and temperature perturbations for the second harmonic of the slow wave vary between π/2 to 0, but are larger than for the fundamental harmonic. The obtained exact analytical solution could be further applied to the interpretation of observations and results of numerical modelling of slow MA waves in the corona.
The use of a novel reduction plate in transoral anterior C1-ring osteosynthesis for unstable atlas fractures
Authors: Zou Xiaobao , Yang Haozhi , Deng Chenfu , Fu Suochao , Chen Junlin , Ma Rencai , Ma Xiangyang , Xia Hong
Published: May 2023

Background

Transoral anterior C1-ring osteosynthesis has been reported as an effective treatment for unstable atlas fracture, which aims to preserve important C1–C2 motion. However, previous studies have shown that the anterior fixation plates used in this technique were not suitable for the anterior anatomy of the atlas and lacked an intraoperative reduction mechanism.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate the clinical effects of a novel reduction plate used in transoral anterior C1-ring osteosynthesis for unstable atlas fractures.

Methods

30 patients with unstable atlas fractures treated by this technique from June 2011 to June 2016 were included in this study. The patients' clinical data and radiographs were reviewed, and the reduction of the fracture, internal fixation placement, and bone fusion were assessed using pre- and postoperative images. The patients' neurological function, rotatory range of motion, and pain levels were evaluated clinically during follow-up.

Results

All 30 surgeries were successfully performed, and the average follow-up duration was 23.5 ± 9.5 months (range 9–48 months). One patient suffered atlantoaxial instability during the follow-up and was treated with posterior atlantoaxial fusion. The remaining 29 patients had satisfactory clinical outcomes, with ideal fracture reduction, good screw and plate placement, well-preserved range of motion, neck pain alleviation and solid bone fusion. There were no vascular or neurological complications during the operation or follow-up.

Conclusions

The use of this novel reduction plate in transoral anterior C1-ring osteosynthesis is a safe and effective surgical option in the treatment of unstable atlas fractures. This technique offers an immediate intraoperative reduction mechanism, which provides satisfactory fracture reduction, bone fusion, and preservation of C1–C2 motion.
Case report: Anterior mediastinal mass in a patient with pleural effusion and dyspnea
Authors: Gu Lin , Xin Gaojie , Qu Yue , Wang Kai , Jiang Ke , Xing Shijie , Huang Ai
Published: May 2023

Background

Compound lymphoma is an uncommon type of lymphoid malignancy, and those consisting of concurrent B- and T-cell tumors are relatively rare.

Case Summary

A 41-year-old man was presented with a 1-month history of progressively worsening cough, chest tightness, and dyspnea after exercise, which could be relieved following rest. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan demonstrated a 7.4 × 4.9 cm2 heterogeneous mass in the anterior mediastinum, where a large area of cystic liquid existed, and multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum. Since the biopsy failed to yield an exact diagnosis and there was no sign of metastasis, the tumor was surgically resectioned. Surgical findings included obscure boundaries and consistent tumor stiffness with pericardial and pleural invasion. Further pathological examination combined with immunophenotype and gene rearrangement test found the mass composite of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) and B-cell lymphoma. The patient recovered well after R0 resection and received chemotherapy with four cycles of CHOP combined with chidamide 2 weeks after surgery. The patient has had a complete response for over 60 months.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we reported a composite lymphoma of AITL combined with B-cell lymphomas. Our experience provides the first successful attempt to treat this rare disease with combined surgery and chemotherapy.
Modified hood technique for single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy contributes to early recovery of continence
Authors: Zhang Haoxun , Ning Zikuan , Jia Guang , Zhang Guoling , Wang Jiuliang , Liu Hua , Tao Boju , Wang Chunyang
Published: May 2023

Background and purpose

Urinary incontinence is one of the common side effects of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Here, we described the modified Hood technique for single-port RARP (sp-RARP) and assessed the interest of this new technique for early continence recovery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 24 patients who underwent sp-RARP modified hood technique from June 2021 to December 2021. The pre-and intraoperative variables, postoperative functional and oncological outcomes of patients were collected and analyzed. The continence rates were estimated at 0 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months and 12 months after catheter removal. Continence was defined as wearing no pad over a 24 h period.

Results

Mean time of operation and estimated blood loss were 183 min and 170 ml, respectively. The postoperative continence rates at 0 day, 1 week, 4 weeks, 3 months and 12 months after catheter removal were 41.7%, 54.2%, 75.0%, 91.7% and 95.8%, respectively. There were two patients who detected positive surgical margins and no patients observed complications requiring further treatment.

Conclusion

The modified hood technique is a safe and feasible method that provides better outcomes in terms of early return of continence, without increasing estimated blood loss and compromising oncologic outcomes.
Transcriptomic profiling identifies differentially expressed genes and related pathways associated with wound healing and cuproptosis-related genes in Ganxi goats
Authors: Zheng Lucheng , Yang Xue , Fan Qingcan , Liu Ben , Hu Wei , Cui Yan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Wound healing is very important for the maintenance of immune barrier integrity, which has attracted wide attention in past 10 years. However, no studies on the regulation of cuproptosis in wound healing have been reported.

Methods

In this study, the skin injury model was constructed in Gnxi goats, and the function, regulatory network and hub genes of the skin before and after the injury were comprehensively analyzed by transcriptomics.

Results

The results showed that there were 1,438 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), genes up-regulated by 545 and genes down-regulated by 893, which were detected by comparing day 0 and day 5 posttraumatic skin. Based on GO-KEGG analysis, DEGs that were up-regulated tended to be enriched in lysosome, phagosome, and leukocyte transendothelial migration pathways, while down-regulated DEGs were significantly enriched in adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes and calcium signaling pathway. There were 166 overlapped genes (DE-CUGs) between DEGs and cuproptosis-related genes, with 72 up-regulated DE-CUGs and 94 down-regulated DE-CUGs. GOKEGG analysis showed that up-regulated DE-CUGs were significantly enriched in ferroptosis, leukocyte transendothelial migration and lysosome pathways, while down-regulated DE-CUGs were significantly enriched in Apelin signaling pathway and tyrosine metabolism pathways. By constructing and analyzing of protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of DEGs and DE-CUGs, 10 hub DEGs (ENSCHIG00000020079, PLK1, AURKA, ASPM, CENPE, KIF20A, CCNB2, KIF2C, PRC1 and KIF4A) and 10 hub DE-CUGs (MMP2, TIMP1, MMP9, MMP14, TIMP3, MMP1, EDN1, GCAT, SARDH, and DCT) were obtained, respectively.

Discussion

This study revealed the hub genes and important wound healing pathways in Ganxi goats, and identified the correlation between wound healing and cuproptosis for the first time, and found that MMP2, TIMP1, MMP9, and EDN1 were the core genes associated. This study enriched the transcriptome data of wound healing in Ganxi goats and expanded the research direction of cuproptosis.
Identification of differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways in Gaoyou duck ovary at different physiological stages
Authors: Zhang Lei , Xie Jun , Sun Guobo , Ji Rongchao , Li Xiaoming , Zhang Xue , Wang Jian
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Gaoyou duck is famous in China and abroad for its good production of double-yolk eggs. However, there has been no systematic research on the egg-laying characteristics of the Gaoyou duck, which limits the development and utilization of breed resource.

Methods

To identify the essential genes related to ovarian development, the transcriptome profiles of the ovaries of Gaoyou ducks at different physiological stages were analyzed. The transcriptome profiles of the ovaries of Gaoyou ducks at 150 d (before laying), 240 d (egg laying) and 500 d (nesting) were constructed, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) underwent GO (gene ontology) and KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) analyses.

Results

The 6 randomly selected DEGs were verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR that their relative expression was consistent with the transcriptional expression profile. Furthermore, KEGG analysis found that 8 candidate signaling pathways were essential for ovarian development, including the MAPK signaling pathway, Progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, Focal adhesion, TGF-beta signaling path-way and Phagosome. Finally, 5 key DEGs were identified to participate in ovarian development, including TGIF1, TGFBR2, RAF1, PTK2 and FGF10.

Discussion

Our findings reveal the mechanisms under-lying the molecular regulation of related genes in Gaoyou duck ovarian development.
Antimicrobial Resistance of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Nono, a Naturally Fermented Milk Product
Authors: Obioha Promiselynda I. , Anyogu Amarachukwu , Awamaria Brigitte , Ghoddusi Hamid B. , Ouoba Labia Irene I.
Published: May 2023

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to public health. The food chain has been recognised as a vehicle for transmitting AMR bacteria. However, information about resistant strains isolated from African traditional fermented foods remains limited. Nono is a traditional, naturally fermented milk product consumed by many pastoral communities across West Africa. The main aim of this study was to investigate and determine the AMR patterns of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved in the traditional fermentation of milk for Nono production, and the presence of transferable AMR determinants. Methods: One hundred (100) LAB isolates from Nono identified in a previous study as Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus infantarius, Lentilactobacillus senioris, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteriodes, and Enterococcus thailandicus were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 18 antimicrobials using the micro-broth dilution method. In addition, LAB isolates were screened for 28 antimicrobial resistance genes using PCR. The ability of LAB isolates to transfer tetracycline and streptomycin resistance genes to Enterococcus faecalis was also investigated. Results: The experiments revealed variable antimicrobial susceptibility according to the LAB isolate and the antimicrobial tested. The tetracycline resistance genes tet(S) and tet(M) were detected in isolates Ent. thailandicus 52 and S. infantarius 10. Additionally, aad(E) encoding resistance to streptomycin was detected in Ent. thailandicus 52. The conjugation experiments suggested that the tet(S) and aad(E) genes were transferable in vitro from isolate Ent. thailandicus 52 to Ent. faecalis JH2-2. Significance and Impact: Traditional fermented foods play a significant role in the diet of millions of people in Africa, yet their contribution to the burden of AMR is largely unknown. This study highlights that LAB involved in traditionally fermented foods could be potential reservoirs of AMR. It also underscores the relevant safety issues of Ent. thailandicus 52 and S. infantarius 10 for use as starter cultures as they carry transferable AMR genes. Starter cultures are an essential aspect of improving the safety and quality attributes of African fermented foods. However, AMR monitoring is an important safety aspect in the selection of starter cultures for improving traditional fermentation technologies.
Arctic Amplification in the Community Earth System Models (CESM1 and CESM2)
Authors: Chylek Petr , Folland Chris , Klett James D. , Lesins Glen , Dubey Manvendra K.
Published: May 2023

We compare the Arctic amplification (AA) produced by the two Community Earth System Models CESM1 and CESM2, members of the CEMIP5 (Coupled Models Intercomparison Project phase 5) and CEMIP6 collections, respectively. We find that the CESM1 model reproduces the recent high values of the AA deduced from the observed temperature much better than the CESM2. The correlation coefficient within the 1970–2012 time period between CESM1-simulated AA and the observed one is 0.47, while the CESM2 simulation leads to an anticorrelation of r = −0.53. Even the more successful model (CESM1) is not able to reproduce recent high AA values of 4–5. The main cause of this failure is the model’s overestimate of the rate of increase in the mean global temperature in years post 1990. When the CESM1 model’s simulated trend of the mean global temperature is replaced in the expression for the AA by the observed temperature trend, the correlation coefficient increases from 0.47 to 0.75. The CESM1 model is among the best north American models in AA simulation while the CESM2 model is among the least successful.
Molecular Basis for Actin Polymerization Kinetics Modulated by Solution Crowding
Authors: Demosthene Bryan , Lee Myeongsang , Marracino Ryan R. , Heidings James B. , Kang Ellen Hyeran
Published: May 2023

Actin polymerization drives cell movement and provides cells with structural integrity. Intracellular environments contain high concentrations of solutes, including organic compounds, macromolecules, and proteins. Macromolecular crowding has been shown to affect actin filament stability and bulk polymerization kinetics. However, the molecular mechanisms behind how crowding influences individual actin filament assembly are not well understood. In this study, we investigated how crowding modulates filament assembly kinetics using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy imaging and pyrene fluorescence assays. The elongation rates of individual actin filaments analyzed from TIRF imaging depended on the type of crowding agent (polyethylene glycol, bovine serum albumin, and sucrose) as well as their concentrations. Further, we utilized all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to evaluate the effects of crowding molecules on the diffusion of actin monomers during filament assembly. Taken together, our data suggest that solution crowding can regulate actin assembly kinetics at the molecular level.
Editorial to the Special Issue “Recent Advances in Biochemical Mechanisms of Acute Myeloid Leukemia”
Authors: Mesuraca Maria , Nisticò Clelia , Chiarella Emanuela
Published: May 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal malignant disorder of myeloid progenitor cells characterized by uncontrolled proliferation, dysregulation in the differentiation program, and inhibition of apoptosis mechanisms [...]
Enriched Environment Induces Sex-Specific Changes in the Adult Neurogenesis, Cytokine and miRNA Expression in Rat Hippocampus
Authors: Vinogradova Anna , Sysova Maria , Smirnova Polina , Sidorova Maria , Turkin Andrei , Kurilova Ekaterina , Tuchina Oksana
Published: May 2023

An enriched environment stimulates adult hippocampal plasticity, but the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms are complex, and thus a matter of debate. We studied the behavior and hippocampal neurogenesis in adult male and female Wistar rats that were housed in an enriched environment (EE) for two months. Both EE males and females performed better than control animals in a Barnes maze, meaning that EE enhances spatial memory. However, the expression levels of neurogenesis markers KI67, DCX, Nestin, and Syn1 increased only in EE females, while in EE males only KI67 and BDNF were higher than in the corresponding control. The number of DCX+ neurons on brain slices increased in the dentate gyrus of EE females only, i.e., the level of adult hippocampal neurogenesis was increased in female but not in male rats. The level of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and signaling pathway components was upregulated in EE females. Of 84 miRNAs tested, in the hippocampi of EE female rats we detected upregulation in the expression levels of 12 miRNAs related to neuronal differentiation and morphogenesis, while in EE males four miRNAs were upregulated and involved in the regulation of cell proliferation/differentiation, and one was downregulated and associated with the stimulation of proliferation. Taken altogether, our results point to sex-specific differences in adult hippocampal plasticity, IL-10 expression, and miRNA profiles induced by an enriched environment.
Photodynamic Therapy Can Modulate the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Microenvironment Infected with the Epstein–Barr Virus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Fornel Diógenes Germano , Ferrisse Túlio Morandin , de Oliveira Analú Barros , Fontana Carla Raquel
Published: May 2023

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignancy from epithelial cells predominantly associated with the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, and it is responsible for 140,000 deaths annually. There is a current need to develop new strategies to increase the efficacy of antineoplastic treatment and reduce side effects. Thus, the present study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the ability of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to modulate the tumor microenvironment and PDT efficacy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment. The reviewers conducted all steps in the systematic review. PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Scielo, Lilacs, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library databases were searched. The OHAT was used to assess the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was performed with a random-effects model (α = 0.05). Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells treated with PDT showed that IL-8, IL-1α, IL-1β, LC3BI, LC3BII, MMP2, and MMP9 levels were significantly higher than in groups that did not receive PDT. NF-ĸB, miR BART 1-5p, BART 16, and BART 17-5p levels were significantly lower in the PDT group than in the control group. Apoptosis levels and the viability of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells (>70%) infected with EBV were effective after PDT. This treatment also increased LMP1 levels (0.28–0.50/p < 0.05) compared to the control group. PDT showed promising results for efficacy in killing nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells infected with EBV and modulating the tumor microenvironment. Further preclinical studies should be performed to validate these results.
An Analytical Algorithm for Determining Optimal Thin-Walled Hollow Pier Configuration with Sunlight Temperature Differences
Authors: An Lipeng , Li Dejian , Yuan Peng , Chen Peng
Published: May 2023

Formulas for computing the line shape of a thin-walled hollow pier body based on structural characteristics and measured sunlight temperature difference are derived using an analytical algorithm. In a case study of the No. 5 pier of a newly constructed continuous beam bridge on a mountainous expressway of Guizhou Province in China, the pier top’s displacement calculated by the analytical algorithm, currently accepted code, and a FEM program were each compared to its measured values. Furthermore, the effects of sunlight temperature difference, pier height, and wall thickness on the line shape of the pier body were explored, and the results show that the calculation values from these formulas were closer to the measured values than the currently accepted code, with a maximum error of 0.507 mm, demonstrating that the formulas have a more dependable result, higher precision, and more specific applicability. Thus, the algorithm provides a better method for the line shape calculation and construction control of thin-walled hollow piers because it can accurately account for sunlight temperature differences and pier height.
Comments on and Illustrations of the EFSUMB CEUS Guidelines: Transabdominal and Endoscopic Ultrasound Features of Intrapancreatic Metastases and the Role of Multiparametric Imaging and EUS-Guided Sampling in Rare Pancreatic Tumors
Authors: Möller Kathleen , Jenssen Christian , Braden Barbara , Hocke Michael , Yamashita Yasunobu , Arcidiacono Paolo Giorgio , Ignee André , D’Onofrio Mirko , Fusaroli Pietro , Bhutani Manoop S. , Dong Yi , Sun Siyu , Faiss Siegbert , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: May 2023

A definite pathologic diagnosis of intrapancreatic metastasis is crucial for the management decision, i.e., curative or palliative surgery versus chemotherapy or conservative/palliative therapy. This review focuses on the appearance of intrapancreatic metastases on native and contrast-enhanced transabdominal ultrasound and endoscopic ultrasound. Differences and similarities in relation to the primary tumor, and the differential diagnosis from pancreatic carcinoma and neuroendocrine neoplasms are described. The frequency of intrapancreatic metastases in autopsy studies and surgical resection studies will be discussed. Further emphasis is placed on endoscopic ultrasound-guided sampling to confirm the diagnosis.
Occurrence of Hepatoblastomas in Patients with Beckwith–Wiedemann Spectrum (BWSp)
Authors: Klein Steven D. , DeMarchis Madison , Linn Rebecca L. , MacFarland Suzanne P. , Kalish Jennifer M.
Published: May 2023

Patients with Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), an epigenetic imprinting disorder involving alterations in genes at the 11p15 chromosomal location, are predisposed to develop hepatoblastomas (HBs), which are rare embryonal liver tumors. Tumors can develop after a BWS diagnosis or, conversely, can be the presenting feature leading to a subsequent diagnosis. While HBs are the cardinal tumors of BWS, not all patients with the BWS spectrum will develop HBs. This observation has led to many hypotheses, including genotype-associated risk, tissue mosaicism, and tumor-specific second hits. To explore these hypotheses, we present the largest cohort of patients with BWS and HBs to date. Our cohort comprised 16 cases, and we broadened our sample size by searching the literature for all cases of BWS with HBs. From these isolated case studies, we amassed another 34 cases, bringing the total number to 50 cases of BWS-HB. We observed that paternal uniparental isodisomy (upd(11)pat) was the most common genotype, representing 38% of cases. The next most common genotype was IC2 LOM, representing 14% of cases. Five patients had clinical BWS without a molecular diagnosis. To investigate the potential mechanism of HBs in BWS, we analyzed normal liver and HB samples from eight cases and isolated tumor samples from another two cases. These samples underwent methylation testing, and 90% of our tumor samples underwent targeted cancer next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels. These matched samples provided novel insights into the oncogenesis of HBs in BWS. We found that 100% of the HBs that underwent NGS panel testing had variants in the CTNNB1 gene. We further identified three distinct groups of BWS-HB patients based on epigenotype. We also demonstrated epigenotype mosaicism, where 11p15 alterations can differ between the blood, HB, and normal liver. In light of this epigenotype mosaicism, tumor risk assessment based on blood profiling may not be accurate. Therefore, universal screening is recommended for all patients with BWS.
Patient Breathing Motion and Delivery Specifics Influencing the Robustness of a Proton Pancreas Irradiation
Authors: Knäusl Barbara , Lebbink Franciska , Fossati Piero , Engwall Erik , Georg Dietmar , Stock Markus
Published: May 2023

Motion compensation strategies in particle therapy depend on the anatomy, motion amplitude and underlying beam delivery technology. This retrospective study on pancreas patients with small moving tumours analysed existing treatment concepts and serves as a basis for future treatment strategies for patients with larger motion amplitudes as well as the transition towards carbon ion treatments. The dose distributions of 17 hypofractionated proton treatment plans were analysed using 4D dose tracking (4DDT). The recalculation of clinical treatment plans employing robust optimisation for mitigating different organ fillings was performed on phased-based 4D computed tomography (4DCT) data considering the accelerator (pulsed scanned pencil beams delivered by a synchrotron) and the breathing-time structure. The analysis confirmed the robustness of the included treatment plans concerning the interplay of beam and organ motion. The median deterioration of D50% (ΔD50%) for the clinical target volume (CTV) and the planning target volume (PTV) was below 2%, while the only outlier was observed for ΔD98% with −35.1%. The average gamma pass rate over all treatment plans (2%/ 2 mm) was 88.8% ± 8.3, while treatment plans for motion amplitudes larger than 1 mm performed worse. For organs at risk (OARs), the median ΔD2% was below 3%, but for single patients, essential changes, e.g., up to 160% for the stomach were observed. The hypofractionated proton treatment for pancreas patients based on robust treatment plan optimisation and 2 to 4 horizontal and vertical beams showed to be robust against intra-fractional movements up to 3.7 mm. It could be demonstrated that the patient’s orientation did not influence the motion sensitivity. The identified outliers showed the need for continuous 4DDT calculations in clinical practice to identify patient cases with more significant deviations.
Management of Advanced Prostate Cancer in the Precision Oncology Era
Authors: Gillette Claire M. , Yette Gabriel A. , Cramer Scott D. , Graham Laura S.
Published: May 2023

Prostate cancer (PC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States. While diversified and improved treatment options for aggressive PC have improved patient outcomes, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) remains incurable and an area of investigative therapeutic interest. This review will cover the seminal clinical data supporting the indication of new precision oncology-based therapeutics and explore their limitations, present utility, and potential in the treatment of PC. Systemic therapies for high-risk and advanced PC have experienced significant development over the past ten years. Biomarker-driven therapies have brought the field closer to the goal of being able to implement precision oncology therapy for every patient. The tumor agnostic approval of pembrolizumab (a PD-1 inhibitor) marked an important advancement in this direction. There are also several PARP inhibitors indicated for patients with DNA damage repair deficiencies. Additionally, theranostic agents for both imaging and treatment have further revolutionized the treatment landscape for PC and represent another advancement in precision medicine. Radiolabeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT is rapidly becoming a standard of care for diagnosis, and PSMA-targeted radioligand therapies have gained recent FDA approval for metastatic prostate cancer. These advances in precision-based oncology are detailed in this review.
Granulomatous and Sarcoid-like Immune-Related Adverse Events following CTLA4 and PD1 Blockade Adjuvant Therapy of Melanoma: A Combined Analysis of ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 Phase III Trials and a Literature Review
Authors: Eljilany Islam , Noor Arish , Paravathaneni Mahati , Yassine Ibrahim , Lee Sandra J. , Othus Megan , Moon James , Kirkwood John M. , Sondak Vernon K. , Ribas Antoni , Grossmann Kenneth F. , Tarhini Ahmad A.
Published: May 2023

Background: Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been linked to granulomatous and sarcoid-like lesions (GSLs) affecting different organs. This study sought to evaluate GSL incidence in patients with high-risk melanoma treated with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) or programmed cell death 1 (PD1) blockade adjuvant therapy in two clinical trials: ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptions and GSL severity ratings were recorded. Methods: Data were collected from ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404. Descriptive statistics along with GSL severity grades were reported. Additionally, a literature review for such cases was summarized. Results: A total of 11 GSL cases were reported among 2878 patients treated with either ICI or with High-Dose Interferon Alfa-2b (HDI) in ECOG-ACRIN E1609 and SWOG S1404 trials. Cases were numerically more commonly reported with ipi10, followed by pembrolizumab, ipi3, and HDI, respectively. Most of the cases were grade III. Further, organs involved included lung, mediastinal lymph nodes, skin and subcutaneous tissue, and eye. Furthermore, a summary of 62 reports in the literature was described. Conclusions: GSLs following anti-CTLA4 and anti-PD1 antibody therapy in patients with melanoma were reported unusually. Reported cases ranged in grade from I to III and appeared manageable. Careful attention to these events and their reporting will be essential to better guide practice and management guidelines.