bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peri-injury symptomatology as predictors of brain computed tomography (CT) scan abnormalities in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)
Authors: Vasista Sihi , Saint-Fleur Josue , Kapoor Neera , Ganti Latha
Published: November 2024

Objective

This study aimed to identify predictors of brain CT abnormalities in patients who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort of adult patients with mTBI (Glasgow Coma Score 13–15) that occurred within the preceding 24 h.

Results

2548 (91%) of the cohort had a brain CT and 698 (27%) demonstrated abnormal findings. The most frequently observed CT abnormalities were bleeding (638, 25%) and fractures (190, 7.4%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed several significant predictors associated with the presence of brain CT abnormalities including older age [P < 0.0001], male sex [P < 0.0001], loss of consciousness [P = 0.0041], associated vomiting [P = 0.0011], alteration of consciousness (AOC) [P = 0102], and GCS score [P < 0.0001]. This was a robust model with an R² of 14.2%.

Conclusion

In this retrospective analysis, older age, male sex, the presence of loss of consciousness or alteration in consciousness, lower GCS score, and associated vomiting were found to be significant predictors of having an abnormal brain CT. These findings highlight the importance of considering these factors when determining the necessity of brain CT scans in patients with mTBI and suggest that existing clinical decision rules may be limited. These findings may also help to inform clinical decision rules. Early identification of individuals at a higher risk of CT abnormalities may assist in appropriate management and allocation of healthcare resources.
Is environmental risk assessment possible with the alternatives to acute fish toxicity test? Case study with pharmaceuticals
Authors: Mlnaříková Marie , Pípal Marek , Bláhová Lucie , Bláha Luděk
Published: November 2024

Background

Acute fish toxicity test (AFT) is one of the cornerstones of environmental risk assessment (ERA) of chemicals for the aquatic environment. Despite many efforts to find an alternative able to fully replace the test, there is still lasting pressure from stakeholders for AFT results.

Results

Here, we present the results of a case study with eight pharmaceuticals from various pharmaceutical groups with different levels of expected toxicity to fish. Selected compounds were tested in two validated alternative tests—fish embryo toxicity test with zebrafish (Danio rerio) (zFET) and in vitro RTgill-W1 assay according to their corresponding OECD guidelines TG 236 and TG 249, respectively. Data for AFT were collected from PubMed and ECOTOX knowledgebase databases, and acute toxicity to fish was further predicted in silico by the ECOSAR program. Predicted environmental risks (risk quotients, RQ, calculated using the exposure data from NORMAN) from both zFET and RTgill-W1 well correlated with the average RQs based on AFT LC50s. The strongest and most significant correlation was observed while comparing the AFT results with the median of combined alternative methods (zFET, RTgill-W1, ECOSAR).

Conclusions

This proposed approach combining experimental data with modeling could serve as a reliable tool for predictions of environmental risks promoting the 3R alternatives to acute fish toxicity testing.
Evaluation of seminal plasma levels of vaspin and visfatin in infertile males with elevated sperm DNA fragmentation index: a comparative study
Authors: Amer Medhat Kamel , Youssef Neveen Ahmed , GamalEl Din Sameh Fayek , Saied Nada Gamal , Ahmed Merna Ayman , Raef Ahmad , Ragab Ahmed
Published: November 2024

Background

Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) can significantly impact male fertility, especially in cases where there is a substantial level of DNA damage. We aimed in the current study to assess seminal plasma (SP) levels of vaspin and visfatin in infertile men with an elevated SDF index (SDFI ≥ 30%) compared to infertile males with a normal SDFI (SDFI < 30%).

Results

Groups with good and medium DNA integrity exhibited significantly higher total motile sperm count and sperm motility in comparison to the group with poor DNA integrity. Significant negative correlations were noticed between SDF index (SDFI) and numerous semen parameters. Similarly, a significant negative correlation was observed between SDFI and SP vaspin. On the other hand, a significant positive correlation was found between SDFI and abnormal forms percentage. A statistically significant negative correlation was identified SP vaspin with age (r = -0.305, P = 0.006) and infertility duration (r = -0.263, P = 0.019). Statistically significant negative correlation was also identified between SP visfatin and abnormal forms percentage (r = -0.239, P = 0.034). The receiver operating characterisitic curve for predicting poor DNA integrity (SDFI ≥ 30%) revealed fair discriminative power for SP vaspin, with a cutoff value of < 0.55 ng/ml. It demonstrated a sensitivity of 58.8% and a specificity of 64.5% (area under the cureve (AUC) 0.685, p = 0.008). Meanwhile, SP visfatin had little discriminative power (AUC 0.562, p = 0.408). Finally, the results of a linear regression analysis indicated that sperm motility and SP vaspin were significant independent predictors of poor DNA integrity (SDFI ≥ 30%). The analysis was done with a 95% confidence interval and showed upper and lower bounds of -0.302 and -0.623, and -1.362 and -16.101, p < 0.001, p = 0.021, respectively.

Conclusion

SP Level of vaspin had shown promise as potential biomarkers for sperm DNA integrity. However, vaspin appeared to have greater specificity than visfatin in this point. Future studies are required to validate these findings, evaluate the role of SP vaspin in maintaining sperm DNA integrity, and investigate the potential relationship between SP adipocytokines and other clinical-demographic variables.
Comparative genomics of Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis N67 and N67C: genome-wide polymorphisms, differential gene expression, and drug resistance
Authors: Wu Jian , Oguz Cihan , Teklemichael Awet Alem , Xu Fangzheng , Stadler Rachel V , Lucky Amuza Byaruhanga , Liu Shengfa , Kaneko Osamu , Lack Justin , Su Xin-zhuan
Published: November 2024

Background

The study of rodent malaria parasites has significantly advanced our understanding of malaria parasite biology and host responses to parasite infections. There are four well-characterized rodent malaria parasite species (Plasmodium yoelii, P. chabaudi, P. berghei, and P. vinckei). Each species also has multiple strains that cause different disease phenotypes. P. yoelii nigeriensis N67C and N67, two isogenic parasites, are particularly intriguing as they differ in virulence and incite different immune responses in mice. The genome of the N67 parasite has been assembled recently, but not that of N67C. This study used PacBio HiFi sequencing data to assemble the N67C genome, compared the two genomes, and performed RNA sequencing to identify polymorphisms and differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

Results

The assembled N67C parasite genome consisted of 16 scaffolds and three contigs of approximately 22.5 Mb with 100% and 96.6% completeness based on well-characterized single-copy orthologs specific to the Apicomplexa phylum and the Plasmodium genus, respectively. A comparison between the annotated N67C and N67 genomes revealed 133 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 75 indels. Among the polymorphic sites, an S (N67) to N (N67C) amino acid substitution at position 114 (S114N) in the dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHFR-TS) confers resistance to pyrimethamine in mice. Additionally, 60 differentially expressed single-copy genes (DEGs) were detected after comparing mRNA levels between the two parasites. Starting with the predicted and annotated 5,681 N67C and 5,749 N67 genes, we identified 4,641 orthogroups that included at least one gene from the four P. yoelii parasites (N67, N67C, 17X, and YM), whereas 758 orthogroups showed subspecies or strain-specific patterns.

Conclusion

The identification of polymorphic sites between the N67 and N67C genomes, along with the detection of the DEGs, may provide crucial insights into the variations in parasite drug responses and disease severity between these two isogenic parasites. The functional characterization of these genetic differences and candidate genes will deepen our understanding of disease mechanisms and pave the way for developing more effective control measures against malaria.
Effects of aspirin and omega-3 fatty acids on composite and subdomain scores from the NEI-VFQ-25 questionnaire: the ASCEND-Eye randomized controlled trial
Authors: Sammons Emily L. , Buck Georgina , Bowman Louise J. , Stevens William M. , Hammami Imen , Parish Sarah , Armitage Jane ,   on behalf of the ASCEND Study Collaborative Group
Published: November 2024

Background

The double-blind, 2 × 2 factorial design, placebo-controlled ASCEND randomized trial compared the effects of 100 mg aspirin daily and, separately, 1 g omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) daily on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in 15,480 UK adults with diabetes. We report the effects of these randomized treatment allocations on scores derived from the National Eye Institute’s Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25) in a subset of participants involved in the ASCEND-Eye sub-study.

Methods

Ordinal data from the NEI-VFQ-25 were analyzed using proportional odds regression methods. A common odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to interpret the average effect size of randomization to each study treatment on composite and subdomain scores from the questionnaire.

Results

Neither randomization to aspirin nor omega-3 FAs for 7.5 years significantly affected composite or subdomain scores from the NEI-VFQ-25.

Conclusion

Applying the NEI-VFQ-25 in ASCEND-Eye represents one of the largest surveys of vision-targeted health-related quality of life in people with diabetes. Further observational analyses of these data are planned, to identify the clinical and demographic characteristics associated with lower composite and subdomain scores in a diabetic population.

Trial registration

Eudract No. 2004–000991-15; Multicentre Research Ethics Committee Ref No. 03/8/087 (29th December 2003); ClinicalTrials.gov No. NCT00135226 (24th August 2005); ISRCTN No. ISRCTN60635500 (1st September 2005).
A randomized controlled trial on the effect of cranial electrotherapy stimulation on depression, anxiety, and craving in addicted male patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment
Authors: Ravari Homa Baghaei , Kheradmand Ali , Ghorbani Mahdi , Shamsi Alireza , Khosravi Mehdi
Published: November 2024

Background

Addicted patients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment are prone to several complications and the risk of relapse.

Objective

The present study aims to investigate the effect of cranial electrotherapy stimulation on depression, anxiety, and craving in addicted male people undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial study was conducted on 60 male patients referred to Persia addiction treatment center between 2021 and 2022. Patients were randomly divided into two equal treatment and placebo groups. The treatment group received cranial electrotherapy stimulation intervention for 48 sessions of 30 min. Depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Hamilton questionnaire before and after the intervention, and the level of craving was also evaluated with the Federdi 2008 questionnaire.

Results

Comparing the level of depression and anxiety before and after the intervention in both treatment and placebo groups did not show any significant difference (p < 0.05). Craving after the intervention was significantly different in both groups and was lower in the treatment group compared to the placebo group (33.43 versus 42.17, p = 0.004). In the placebo group, the level of anxiety and depression, and in the treatment group, the level of depression, anxiety and craving for consumption decreased significantly after the intervention compared to before the intervention (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Cranial electrotherapy stimulation did not have a significant effect on reducing the level of depression and anxiety of patients, but it is effective in the reduction of craving in addicted people undergoing methadone maintenance treatment.

Trial registration

This randomized clinical trial was registered on 2022/5/13 with clinical trial code of IRCT20210523051367N1.
The effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement on self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms and work ability: a cluster randomised clinical trial
Authors: Eklund Andreas , Karlsson Ida , Bergström Gunnar , Lisa Holmlund , Elisabeth Björk Brämberg
Published: November 2024

Background

Problem-solving interventions with workplace involvement (PSI-WPI) have been shown to reduce sick leave and increase return to work in an occupational health services context. However, many employees struggle with reduced work functioning, anxiety-, and depressive symptoms up to 12 months after a sick leave episode, and it is unclear if the intervention affects outcomes other than sick leave. The aim of this study is to investigate if a PSI-WPI added to care as usual (CAU) is superior to CAU with respect to self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms, work ability, work performance, and health after RTW when provided in primary care.

Methods

Employed individuals aged 18–59 years on sick leave (2 to 12 weeks) diagnosed by a physician at a primary care center with mild to moderate depression, anxiety, or adjustment disorder were enrolled in a two-armed cluster-randomised trial evaluating the effectiveness of a PSI-WPI. Multiple outcomes were recorded at baseline, six months, 12 months, and every fourth week during the study period. Outcomes were categorised into psychological symptoms, health, work ability, work performance, and self-reported sick leave. Data were analysed using MANOVA, GEE (Generalized Estimating Equations), and cox regression.

Results

One hundred ninety-nine individuals responded to the invitation to participate; one participant withdrew, one was excluded as the employment ended, nine did not answer the baseline survey, and three were removed from the analysis due to missing data. The analysis included 81 subjects who received the intervention and 104 subjects who received the control. Baseline characteristics were similar across both groups. No differences between the groups were found among either variables except one. There was a significant difference between the groups in self-rated health (EQ5D) in favour of the CAU group from baseline to six-month follow-up, with a mean difference of -8.44 (-14.84, -2.04).

Conclusions

A problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement added to CAU did not result in statistically significant reductions in outcomes. Further research is needed to understand why problem-solving interventions appear to have an effect on sick leave in an occupational health services context and not in a primary care context.

Trial registration

NCT3346395, registration date 2017–11-17.
Coenzyme A fueling with pantethine limits autoreactive T cell pathogenicity in experimental neuroinflammation
Authors: Angiari Stefano , Carlucci Tommaso , Budui Simona L. , Bach Simone D. , Dusi Silvia , Walter Julia , Ellmeier Elena , Schnabl Alyssa , Stracke Anika , Bordag Natalie , Tafrali Cansu , Demjaha Rina , Khalil Michael , Angelini Gabriele , Terrabuio Eleonora , Pietronigro Enrica C. , Zenaro Elena , Laudanna Carlo , Rossi Barbara , Constantin Gabriela
Published: November 2024

Background

Immune cell metabolism governs the outcome of immune responses and contributes to the development of autoimmunity by controlling lymphocyte pathogenic potential. In this study, we evaluated the metabolic profile of myelin-specific murine encephalitogenic T cells, to identify novel therapeutic targets for autoimmune neuroinflammation.

Methods

We performed metabolomics analysis on actively-proliferating encephalitogenic T cells to study their overall metabolic profile in comparison to resting T cells. Metabolomics, phosphoproteomics, in vitro functional assays, and in vivo studies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS), were then implemented to evaluate the effect of metabolic targeting on autoreactive T cell pathogenicity. Finally, we confirmed the translational potential of our targeting approach in human pro-inflammatory T helper cell subsets and in T cells from MS patients.

Results

We found that autoreactive encephalitogenic T cells display an altered coenzyme A (CoA) synthesis pathway, compared to resting T cells. CoA fueling with the CoA precursor pantethine (PTTH) affected essential immune-related processes of myelin-specific T cells, such as cell proliferation, cytokine production, and cell adhesion, both in vitro and in vivo. Accordingly, pre-clinical treatment with PTTH before disease onset inhibited the development of EAE by limiting T cell pro-inflammatory potential in vivo. Importantly, PTTH also significantly ameliorated the disease course when administered after disease onset in a therapeutic setting. Finally, PTTH reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production by human T helper 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells and by T cells from MS patients, confirming its translational potential.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrate that CoA fueling with PTTH in pro-inflammatory and autoreactive T cells may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of autoimmune neuroinflammation.
PHARC syndrome: an overview
Authors: Harutyunyan Lusine , Callaerts Patrick , Vermeer Sascha
Published: November 2024

PHARC, polyneuropathy, hearing loss, cerebellar ataxia, retinitis pigmentosa and cataracts, or PHARC is a very rare progressive neurodegenerative autosomal recessive disease caused by biallelic mutations in the ABHD12 (a/b-hydrolase domain containing 12) gene, which encodes a lyso-phosphatidylserine (lyso-PS) lipase. The Orpha number for PHARC is ORPHA171848. The clinical picture of PHARC syndrome is very heterogeneous with a wide range of age at onset for each symptom, making a clinical diagnosis very challenging. Differential diagnoses of the disease include Refsum disease, Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, and Usher syndrome. Many aspects of the disease, such as the biochemistry and pathophysiology, are still not fully understood. We generated a clinical overview of all PHARC patients, including their mutations, described in literature so far. Furthermore, we give an outline of the most recent developments in research on the pathophysiology of PHARC syndrome in an attempt to gain more insight into and increase awareness of the heterogeneity of the disease. We included 58 patients with PHARC from 37 different families with 27 known ABHD12 mutations. The age at onset (from early childhood to late thirties) and the severity of each feature of PHARC varied widely among patients. Demyelinating polyneuropathy was reported in 91% of the patients. In 86% of patients, hearing loss was present and 74% had cerebellar ataxia, the most variable symptom of PHARC. Retinitis pigmentosa and cataracts occurred in 82% and 86% of patients, respectively. Due to the rareness of the disease and the variable clinical phenotype, a diagnosis of PHARC is often delayed and mostly only made after an extensive genetic work-up. Therefore, we recommend adding the ABHD12 gene to diagnostic gene panels for polyneuropathy, cerebellar ataxia, hearing loss, retinal dystrophy, and cataracts. In addition, a full clinical work-up, neurological (with EMG and neuroimaging of the brain) and ophthalmological (with ERG) examination and audiological tests are indispensable to obtain a comprehensive overview of the clinical phenotype as some symptoms in PHARC may be very subtle and easily overlooked if not tested for. In conclusion, we strongly recommend that patients with (suspected) PHARC should be evaluated in a multidisciplinary setting involving ophthalmologists, audiologists, neurologists, and geneticists to ensure the best possible care. Furthermore, we discuss whether PHARC is a spectrum with various incomplete phenotypes even later in life, or whether it is a syndrome in which the clinical symptoms are variable in severity and age of onset.
Low nucleotide diversity of the Plasmodium falciparum AP2-EXP2 gene among clinical samples from Ghana
Authors: Quansah Elvis , Zhao Ji , Eduful Kenneth Kofi , Amoako Enock Kofi , Amenga-Etego Lucas , Halm-Lai Faustina , Luo Qingli , Shen Jilong , Zhang Chao , Yu Li
Published: November 2024

Background

PfAP2-EXP2 is located within chromosome 6 of Plasmodium falciparum recently identified to be undergoing an extensive selective sweep in West African isolates. The gene encoding this transcription factor, PfAP2-EXP2, is essential and thus likely subject to purifying selection that limits variants in the parasite population despite its genomic location.

Methods

72 Plasmodium falciparum field samples and 801 clinical sequences from the Pf6 MalariaGEN dataset of Ghanaian origin, were integrated and analysed.

Results

A total of 14 single nucleotide variants of which 5 were missense variants, were identified after quality checks and filtering. Except for one, all identified variants were rare among the clinical samples obtained in this study (Minor allelic frequency < 0.01). Further results revealed a considerably low dN/dS value (0.208) suggesting the presence of purifying selection. Further, all the mutant amino acids were wildtype residues in AP2-EXP2 orthologous proteins—tentatively suggesting a genus-level conservation of amino acid residues. Computational analysis and predictions corroborated these findings.

Conclusions

Despite the recent extensive selective sweep within chromosome 6 of West African isolates, PfAP2-EXP2 of Ghanaian origin exhibits low nucleotide diversity and very low dN/dS consistent with purifying selection acting to maintain the function of an essential gene. The conservation of AP2-EXP2 is an important factor that makes it a potential drug target.

Graphical Abstract
The assembly and activation of the PANoptosome promote porcine granulosa cell programmed cell death during follicular atresia
Authors: Wu Hao , Han Yingxue , Liu Jikang , Zhao Rong , Dai Shizhen , Guo Yajun , Li Nan , Yang Feng , Zeng Shenming
Published: November 2024

Background

Follicular atresia significantly impairs female fertility and hastens reproductive senescence. Apoptosis of granulosa cells is the primary cause of follicular atresia. Pyroptosis and necroptosis, as additional forms of programmed cell death, have been reported in mammalian cells. However, the understanding of pyroptosis and necroptosis pathways in granulosa cells during follicular atresia remains unclear. This study explored the effects of programmed cell death in granulosa cells on follicular atresia and the underlying mechanisms.

Results

The results revealed that granulosa cells undergo programmed cell death including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis during follicular atresia. For the first time, we identified the formation of a PANoptosome complex in porcine granulosa cells. This complex was initially identified as being composed of ZBP1, RIPK3, and RIPK1, and is recruited through the RHIM domain. Additionally, we demonstrated that caspase-6 is activated and cleaved, interacting with RIPK3 as a component of the PANoptosome. Heat stress may exacerbate the activation of the PANoptosome, leading to programmed cell death in granulosa cells.

Conclusions

Our data identified the formation of a PANoptosome complex that promoted programmed cell death in granulosa cells during the process of follicular atresia. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying follicular atresia.
Effectiveness of a multi-component sleep-mood group intervention on improving insomnia in university students – a pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Pape Laura M. , Jonker Sophie , Kivelä Liia M.M. , van Straten Annemieke , Antypa Niki
Published: November 2024

Background

Sleep and mental health problems are very common in university students. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a multi-component sleep-mood intervention on improving sleep and mental health in university students with clinically significant insomnia symptoms, and to investigate possible mediators.

Methods

Thirty-five participants were randomized to the Sleep Mood Intervention: Live Effectively (SMILE) intervention (n = 23), or wait-list group (n = 12). SMILE is a multi-component group therapy and includes elements of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), mindfulness, and lifestyle modifications, in four weekly two-hour sessions. The primary outcome was insomnia severity. Secondary outcomes were severity of depression and anxiety, and quality of life (QoL). Dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep and pre-sleep arousal were assessed as mediators.

Results

Intention-to-treat analysis showed significant time x treatment interaction on insomnia symptoms p = .02, partial η²= 0.15, d = 0.84 [95% CI: 0.63 to 1.14], with significantly lower insomnia severity for SMILE compared to waitlist at post-test. No significant effects were found on depression d = 0.02 [95% CI: -0.35 to 0.37], anxiety d = 0.15 [95% CI: -0.16 to 0.53], and QoL d = 0.09 [95% CI: -0.25 to 0.42]. Dysfunctional beliefs mediated the effect on insomnia severity, but pre-sleep arousal did not.

Conclusions

This integrated group intervention is associated with reductions in insomnia symptoms in university students. Since no significant effects were detected on mood and QoL, future studies with larger sample size may explore the effects of this intervention on these outcomes.

Trial registration

Registry: Overzicht van Medisch-wetenschappelijk Onderzoek. Registration number: NL-OMON46359. Date of registration: September 18th, 2018.
Linking past insights with contemporary understanding: an ontological and knowledge graph approach to the transmission of ancient Chinese classics
Authors: Cui Yu , Yao Shenjun , Wu Jianping , Lv Muhan
Published: November 2024

Ancient Chinese classics embody and transmit the intellectual heritage of China across generations. These texts, rich in enduring ideas, narratives, and insights, have been passed down through a lengthy historical process. While digital modeling of cultural heritage has advanced, research that integrates both the unique characteristics of these classics and their transmission processes remains limited. This study introduces ClaOnto, an ontology specifically designed for ancient Chinese classics. It captures the various versions of these texts and their interrelations, contents, related individuals, locations, periods, and languages. It also emphasizes the processes and evaluations involved in their transmission. This contributes to a more nuanced understanding and increased awareness of preserving ancient classics. ClaOnto comprises three modules: Basic Information, Transmission Information, and Evaluation Information. Its development involved adapting and enhancing existing mature ontologies, as well as designing new concepts and relationships to articulate the knowledge and intangible values transmitted through these classics across generations. Additionally, by employing methods such as data mining, text analysis, and data visualization, this study outlines a workflow for implementing this ontology-based knowledge graph, demonstrated using the Tao Te Ching as a case study. The methodological enhancement enriches the analysis of how the intangible value in classics manifests through transmission.
Increased national critical care demands were associated with a higher mortality of intubated COVID-19 patients in Japan: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Kikutani Kazuya , Nishikimi Mitsuaki , Emoto Ryo , Matsui Shigeyuki , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Ogura Takayuki , Hashimoto Satoru , Kushimoto Shigeki , Takeda Shinhiro , Ohshimo Shinichiro , Shime Nobuaki
Published: November 2024

Background

There was no study to investigate the association between the national surge of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and the mortality of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to assess the association between mortality in mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients and two distinct national COVID-19 surge indices: (1) the daily number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, representing overall medical demands and (2) the total number of critically ill COVID-19 patients, reflecting critical care demands.

Methods

We analyzed the patient data registered in a national database of mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients between February 6, 2020, and May 16, 2023, combined with the data officially published by the Japanese government. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association of these two indices with COVID-19 mortality. A generalized linear mixed effect model was used to examine the relationships between the variation in the impact of critical care demands across hospitals and the variation in baseline risk across hospitals.

Results

The data of 8327 patients from 264 centers in Japan were analyzed. The overall mortality rate was 24% (1990/8327). The critical care demands, but not overall medical demands, were independently associated with the mortality (OR, 1.11; 95% CI 1.07–1.16; p < 0.001). This effect of critical care demands on the mortality was more pronounced in hospitals with higher baseline risk (r = 0.67).

Conclusions

The national critical care demands were independently associated with the mortality of COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation. This effect was more pronounced in hospitals with higher baseline risk.
Precise regulating the specific oxygen consumption rate to strengthen the CoQ10 biosynthesis by Rhodobater sphaeroides
Authors: Li Bo , Ge Yan , Liang Jianguang , Zhu Zhichun , Chen Biqin , Li Dan , Zhuang Yingping , Wang Zejian
Published: November 2024

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is the most consumed dietary supplement and mainly biosynthesized by aerobic fermentation of Rhodobacter sphaeroides (R. sphaeroides). Oxygen supply was identified as a bottleneck for improving CoQ10 yield in R. sphaeroides. In this study, a precise regulation strategy based on dielectric spectroscopy (DS) was applied to further improve CoQ10 biosynthesis by R. sphaeroide. First, a quantitative response model among viable cells, cell morphology, and oxygen uptake rate (OUR) was established. DS could be used to detect viable R. sphaeroides cells, and the relationship among cell morphology, CoQ10 biosynthesis, and OUR was found to be significant. Based on this model, the online specific oxygen consumption rate (QO2) control strategy was successfully applied to the CoQ10 fermentation process. QO2 controlled at 0.07 ± 0.01 × 10− 7mmol/cell/h was most favorable for CoQ10 biosynthesis, resulting in a 28.3% increase in CoQ10 production. Based on the multi-parameters analysis and online QO2 control, a precise online nutrient feeding strategy was established using conductivity detected by DS. CoQ10 production was improved by 35%, reaching 3384 mg/L in 50 L bioreactors. This online control strategy would be effectively applied for improving industrial CoQ10 production, and the precise fermentation control strategy could also be applied to other fermentation process.
Development of a whole-cell SELEX process to select species-specific aptamers against Aspergillus niger
Authors: Ellena Valeria , Ioannou Alexandra , Kolm Claudia , Farnleiter Andreas H. , Steiger Matthias G.
Published: November 2024

Background

Spores produced by the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger are abundant in a variety of environments. The proliferation of this fungus in indoor environments has been associated to health risks and its conidia can cause allergic reaction and severe invasive disease in animals and humans. Therefore, the detection and monitoring of Aspergillus conidia is of utmost importance to prevent serious fungal infections and contaminations. Among others, aptamers could serve as biosensors for the specific detection of fungal spores.

Results

In this study, DNA aptamers specific to conidia of A. niger were developed by optimizing a whole-cell SELEX approach. Three whole-cells SELEX experiments were performed in parallel with similar conditions. Quantification of recovered ssDNA and melting curve analyses were applied to monitor the ongoing SELEX process. Next-generation sequencing was performed on selected recovered ssDNA pools, allowing the identification of DNA aptamers which bind with high affinity to the target cells. The developed aptamers were shown to be species-specific, being able to bind to A. niger but not to A. tubingensis or to A. nidulans. The binding affinity of two aptamers (AN01-R9-006 and AN02-R9-185) was measured to be 58.97 nM and 138.71 nM, respectively, which is in the range of previously developed aptamers.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that species-specific aptamers can be successfully developed via whole-cell SELEX to distinguish different Aspergillus species and opens up new opportunities in the field of diagnostics of fungal infections.
Migration experience and risky financial assets investments of county households: evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Yunliang , He Xiaobin , Liu Jiankun
Published: November 2024

Enhancing the support for inclusive finance in county economies is crucial in achieving the strategic goal of building financial power. Drawing upon the theoretical lens of county-level inclusive financial accessibility, this study examines the effect of the migration experience (ME) of county socialites on their risky financial assets investment (FAI) and the underlying mechanisms. We utilize data sourced from the County Consumption Survey, a nationwide effort by the Department of Sociology of Tsinghua University and the 58 Tongzhen Research Group. Our findings reveal that the ME of county socialites significantly boosts their likelihood of engaging in financial markets. Furthermore, housing inequality factors, such as housing property rights and housing loans, play a moderating role in the impact of individual ME on their FAI. Additionally, the financial concept has a masking effect rather than a mediating effect on the path of the ME affecting FAI. Notably, the promotion effect of ME displays heterogeneity. Specifically, ME has a stronger positive effect on FAI among college-educated groups, members of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and urban hukou residents than on those who have not completed college education, non-CPC members and rural hukou households. In light of these findings, we propose policy recommendations to optimize the distribution of financial services, adjust the housing equality policy, and enhance inclusive financial literacy.
Cardiac Structure and Function of Elite Australian Jockeys Compared to the General Population: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Farley Angela , Bennett Hunter , Eston Roger , Perry Rebecca
Published: November 2024

Background

Research highlights the intense physiological demands of thoroughbred racing on jockeys, with elevated heart rates and substantial oxygen uptake, confirming the rigorous physical nature of the sport, however, the cardiovascular changes resulting from the physical demands of thoroughbred racing remain unexplored in Australian jockeys. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare measures of cardiac structure and function of professional Australian jockeys to that of the general population and to determine if there are differences in heart structure and function detected using echocardiography.

Methods

Forty-six jockeys and thirty-three participants from the general population underwent two-dimensional echocardiography, which included all standard views and measurements. Each measurement was compared between groups using a Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

Groups were matched for age (jockeys (35 ± 12 years) and controls (36 ± 13 years)). Jockeys were shorter (1.64 ± 0.07 m vs. 1.75 ± 0.09 m, p < 0.001), lighter (56.5 ± 6.0 kg vs. 74.2 ± 12.9 kg, p < 0.001) and had a lower body surface area (BSA) (1.55 ± 0.17 m2 vs.1.9 ± 0.2 m2, p < 0.001). Jockeys had a larger absolute left ventricular (LV) end diastolic volume than the control group (120 ± 18.2 ml vs. 109.3 ± 29.0 ml, p = 0.05) which had a larger variation when indexed for BSA (78.0 ± 12.2 ml/m2 vs. 57.5 ± 13.3 ml/m2, p < 0.001). Jockeys demonstrated a higher LV mass index (79.4 ± 18.1 g/m2 vs. 64.2 ± 15.4 g/m2, p < 0.001). Left atrial volume index was larger in jockeys (33.4 ± 6.5 mL/m2 vs. 26.3 ± 7.0 mL/m2, p < 0.001). There were no differences in global longitudinal strain (GLS) for either group overall (-19.3 ± 3.0% vs. -19.8 ± 1.6%, p = 0.52), but 17% of the jockey group demonstrated an abnormal GLS.

Conclusions

Jockeys have adaptations to their cardiac structure and function compared to the general population. Differences could be attributed to chronic physiological demands of racing and should be considered in future research involving jockeys.
Towards Achilles Tendon Injury Prevention in Athletes with Structural MRI Biomarkers: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Kapinski Norbert , Jaskulski Karol , Witkowska Justyna , Kozlowski Adam , Adamczyk Pawel , Wysoczanski Bartosz , Zdrodowska Agnieszka , Niemaszyk Adam , Ciszkowska-Lyson Beata , Starczewski Michal
Published: November 2024

Background

Recent advancements in artificial intelligence have proven their effectiveness in orthopaedic settings, especially in tasks like medical image analysis. This study compares human musculoskeletal radiologists to artificial intelligence in a novel, detailed, short, and cost-effective examination of Achilles tendon magnetic resonance images to uncover potential disparities in their reasoning approaches. Aiming to identify relationships between the structured assessment of the Achilles tendon and its function that could support injury prevention. We examined 72 athletes to investigate the link between Achilles tendon structure, as visualised in magnetic resonance images using a precise T2*-weighted gradient echo sequence with very short echo times, and its functional attributes. The acquired data were analysed using advanced artificial intelligence techniques and reviewed by radiologists. Additionally, we conducted statistical assessments to explore relationships with functional studies in four meaningful groups: dynamic strength, range of motion, muscle torque and stabilography.

Results

The results show notable linear or non-linear relationships between functional indicators and structural alterations (maximal obtained Spearman correlation coefficients ranged from 0.3 to 0.36 for radiological assessment and from 0.33 to 0.49 for artificial intelligence assessment, while maximal normalised mutual information ranged from 0.52 to 0.57 for radiological assessment and from 0.42 to 0.6 for artificial intelligence assessment). Moreover, when artificial intelligence-based magnetic resonance assessment was utilised as an input, the associations consistently proved more robust, or the count of significant relationships surpassed that derived from radiological assessment. Ultimately, utilising only structural parameters as inputs enabled us to explain up to 59% of the variance within specific functional groups.

Conclusions

This analysis revealed that structural parameters influence four key functional aspects related to the Achilles tendon. Furthermore, we found that relying solely on subjective radiologist opinions limited our ability to reason effectively, in contrast to the structured artificial intelligence assessment.

Study Design

Cross-sectional studies.
Deciphering the dynamics and trophic mode distribution of the leaf spot-associated fungal community of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)
Authors: Kaniyassery Arya , Sathish Sudhanva Bhimanakatte , Thorat Sachin Ashok , Murali Thokur Sreepathy , Rao Mattu Radhakrishna , Muthusamy Annamalai
Published: November 2024

The invasion of phytopathogens impacts the composition and associations of the internal microbial inhabitants. Leaf spot is one of the most devastating diseases in eggplant var. Mattu Gulla which is unique in terms of geographic indication (GI) status. Leaf spot samples (asymptomatic and symptomatic) were collected to characterize the fungal community associated with them using culture-based and next-generation ITS rRNA-based metabarcoding approaches. Both methods showed that Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the predominant phyla in both groups. In the asymptomatic group, Didymosphaeriaceae, Pleosporaceae, Trichomeriaceae, and Capnodiaceae were the most differentially abundant families. In contrast, Phaeosphaeriaceae, Pleosporaceae, Didymellaceae, Rhynchogastremataceae, and Bulleribasidiaceae were the most differentially abundant families in the symptomatic group. At the genus level, Cladosporium was the most differentially abundant genus in the asymptomatic group. In the symptomatic group Alternaria, Remotididymella, Vishniacozyma, Bulleribasidium, Occultifur, Epicoccum, and Loratospora were the abundant genera. The pathotroph-saprotrophic mode was the most common mode identified in both groups, with an increased abundance in the symptomatic group. Seven fungal families and two genera were identified as common according to the culture-based method and NGS analysis based on ITS rRNA metabarcoding. Our study indicated that the composition of the core microbial community varies with plant health status, and a combination of culturable and next-generation ITS rRNA-based metabarcoding approaches could be a reliable option for obtaining a detailed understanding of plant-associated fungal communities.
Collagen triple helix repeat-containing 1 protein: an emerging biomarker and its influence on the clinical and sonographic disease severity in Egyptian medicated female rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: Essam Shaden , Mohasseb Diaa Fahmy , Elsawy Noha A. , Saad Neveen Lewis Mikhael , Abdel-Fattah Yousra Hisham
Published: November 2024

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of synovial joints, with a multifactorial etiology. Collagen triple helix repeat-containing 1 protein (CTHRC1) is a biomarker produced by fibroblast-like synoviocytes, which was shown to be highly expressed in RA patients. The study aimed to measure serum CTHRC1 level in female RA patients currently on medical treatment and its influence on the clinical and sonographic severity of the disease.

Results

The patients’ mean age was 43.39 ± 8.55 years and median RA disease duration of 5.5 (0.33–20) years. RA patients showed significantly higher serum CTHRC1 level [89.71 ng/ml (53.95–353.45)] in comparison to controls [87.38 ng/ml (44.47–110.3)] (U = 430, P = 0.014). Furthermore, higher serum CTHRC1 levels were recorded in seropositive versus seronegative patients (U = 76, P = 0.022) and in RA patients with severe disease activity compared to those with lower disease activity (H = 9.79, P = 0.007). Furthermore, serum CTHRC1 levels were lower in RA patients receiving biological therapy compared to those receiving conventional therapy; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance.

Significant positive correlations were found between CTHRC1 and disease activity, acute-phase reactants, serological markers, functional assessment, fatigue, and erosions detected by ultrasound, while a significant negative correlation was recorded between CTHRC1 and duration of biologic intake (rs =  − 0.45, P = 0.036). Furthermore, on multivariate linear regression analysis, serum CTHRC1 was the only significant predictor for higher disease activity (P = 0.028, B = 0.009, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.017).

Conclusion

RA patients showed higher CTHRC1 serum levels compared to healthy controls, especially those with seropositivity and highly active disease. Furthermore, it was positively associated with poor patient functional outcome, fatigability, and erosive findings by ultrasound, thus suggesting that serum CTHRC1 can be a good predictor for high RA disease activity and possibly severity. Moreover, biological therapy could influence serum CTHRC1 levels in these patients.
Quadratic Unet for seismic random noise attenuation
Authors: Wang Xiaojing , Sui Yuhan , Ma Jianwei
Published: November 2024

In the field of seismic data processing, seismic denoising is essential to improve the quality of seismic data. Various deep-learning methods have been developed, showing promising performance for seismic denoising. However, most deep-learning methods are based on linear neurons, resulting in limited expressive ability for complex seismic signals. To enhance denoising capability using nonlinear neurons, we develop a supervised quadratic U-shaped network (QUnet) for seismic random noise attenuation. The quadratic neurons in QUnet are represented by a second-order polynomial of input data and weighted parameters. Numerical synthetic seismic data experiments indicate that our QUnet method achieves higher signal-to-noise ratio results and preserves the continuity of reflectors effectively. We also test the effectiveness of QUnet on prestack field data and poststack seismic data. The detailed structures and weak signals of seismic data are better preserved by our QUnet method.
Time-lapse full-waveform inversion with a new gradient-weighting strategy applied to marine seismic data
Authors: Xiong Kai , Lumley David
Published: November 2024

Time-lapse full-waveform inversion (FWI) has the potential to reveal high-resolution reservoir production-related velocity changes. However, time-lapse FWI can introduce inversion artifacts, which might mask the true time-lapse signature within the reservoir zone, especially for the inversion of field data examples. We implement sequential bootstrap time-lapse FWI on marine seismic data from North West Australia and observe noticeable inversion artifacts. To better understand these time-lapse FWI artifacts, we implement time-lapse FWI using seismic data with different frequency bands and observe the distribution of the potential true time-lapse signature and inversion artifacts. On the inverted [Formula: see text] (P-wave velocity change) models using data with different frequency bands, the distribution of inversion artifacts exhibits inconsistencies, whereas the inverted [Formula: see text] at the reservoir remains consistent. To comprehend these observations, we analyze the origin of these time-lapse artifacts from a theoretical perspective and find that a portion of these artifacts may arise from inversion null space and differences in data residuals between the baseline and monitoring inversions. Building on these insights, we develop a novel time-lapse FWI method to suppress these inversion artifacts. We use the energy of the inverted [Formula: see text] using data with a lower dominant frequency band as a gradient-weighting term for time-lapse FWI using data with a higher dominant frequency band. The test of the novel time-lapse FWI method on marine data demonstrates its capability to suppress inversion artifacts effectively. The inverted [Formula: see text] primarily reflects the 4D response, which is interpreted to be the softening of the reservoir caused by gas coming out of the solution within the oil column due to a pressure drop within the reservoir. To validate this data-driven research solution, we conduct tests on the SEG Advanced Modeling 4D model and synthetic 4D data for which we know the true underlying earth models and time-lapse reservoir changes.