bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co‐exposure of iron oxide nanoparticles and glyphosate‐based herbicide promote liver toxicity in guppy (Poecilia reticulata): A histochemical and ultrastructural approach
Authors: Martins Lunara Kênida Lessa , Lima‐Faria João Marcos de , Guimarães Lucas Nunes , Silva Victória Costa da , Moreira Paulo Cesar , Sabóia‐Morais Simone Maria Teixeira de
Published: June 2022

Citrate functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are employed for various purposes‐including environmental remediation but the interaction of IONPs with aquatic contaminants is poorly understood. Among those, glyphosate‐based herbicides are toxic and affect target organs such as the liver. Evaluations of livers of female Poecilia reticulata by exposures to IONPs at a concentration of 0.3 mg/L were performed with association to: (1) 0.65 mg of glyphosate per litter and (2) 1.3 mg of glyphosate per litter of Roundup Original, and (3) glyphosate P.A at 0.65 mg/L. These associations were carried out progressively, after 7, 14, and 21 days. We detected circulatory disturbances, inflammatory responses, activation of the immune system, regressive changes, and progressive responses with changes in the connective tissue and decreased glycogen reserve from days 14 to 21. Ultrastructural changes in the Disse space and microvilli of hepatocytes indicated decreased contact surface area. In general, the damage was time and concentration dependent, increasing from 7 to 14 days and tending to stabilize from 14 to 21 days. Therefore, herbicide‐associated IONPs functioned as xenobiotics inducing intense cellular detoxification processes and activation of hepatic immune responses.
Taxonomy of machine learning paradigms: A data‐centric perspective
Authors: Emmert‐Streib Frank , Dehmer Matthias
Published: June 2022

Machine learning is a field composed of various pillars. Traditionally, supervised learning (SL), unsupervised learning (UL), and reinforcement learning (RL) are the dominating learning paradigms that inspired the field since the 1950s. Based on these, thousands of different methods have been developed during the last seven decades used in nearly all application domains. However, recently, other learning paradigms are gaining momentum which complement and extend the above learning paradigms significantly. These are multi‐label learning (MLL), semi‐supervised learning (SSL), one‐class classification (OCC), positive‐unlabeled learning (PUL), transfer learning (TL), multi‐task learning (MTL), and one‐shot learning (OSL). The purpose of this article is a systematic discussion of these modern learning paradigms and their connection to the traditional ones. We discuss each of the learning paradigms formally by defining key constituents and paying particular attention to the data requirements for allowing an easy connection to applications. That means, we assume a data‐driven perspective. This perspective will also allow a systematic identification of relations between the individual learning paradigms in the form of a learning‐paradigm graph (LP‐graph). Overall, the LP‐graph establishes a taxonomy among 10 different learning paradigms.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Machine Learning

Application Areas > Science and Technology

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Key Design Issues in Data Mining
Beyond Data
Authors: Mantelero Alessandro
Published: June 2022

In a technology context dominated by data-intensive AI systems, the consequences of data processing are no longer restricted to the well-known privacy and data protection issues but encompass prejudices against a broader array of fundamental rights. Moreover, the tension between the extensive use of these systems, on the one hand, and the growing demand for ethically and socially responsible data use on the other, reveals the lack of a framework that can fully address the societal issues raised by AI.

Against this background, neither traditional data protection impact assessment models nor the broader social or ethical impact assessment procedures appear to provide an adequate answer to the challenges of our algorithmic society. In contrast, a human rights-centred assessment may offer a better answer to the demand for a more comprehensive assessment, including not only data protection, but also the effects of data use on other fundamental rights and freedoms.

Given the changes to society brought by technology and datafication, when applied to the field of AI the Human Rights Impact Assessment must then be enriched to consider ethical and societal issues, evolving into a more holistic Human Rights, Ethical and Social Impact Assessment (HRESIA), whose rationale and key elements are outlined in this chapter.
Weak gravity versus scale separation
Authors: Cribiori Niccolò , Dall’Agata Gianguido
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We give evidence that fully supersymmetric Anti-de Sitter vacua of extended supergravity with a residual gauge group containing an abelian factor cannot be scale separated as a consequence of the weak gravity conjecture. We prove this for N = 2 and N = 8 supergravity and we explain how our argument applies also to vacua with partially broken, but extended residual supersymmetry. We finally discuss possible loopholes and especially how certain N = 1 models can evade our reasoning. Our results suggest that N = 0, 1 supersymmetry at the lagrangian level might be the most promising chances to obtain a truly four-dimensional effective description of quantum gravity.
Tip-end fusion of a rod-shaped secretory organelle
Authors: Naß Johannes , Koerdt Sophia N. , Biesemann Anja , Chehab Tarek , Yasuda Takao , Fukuda Mitsunori , Martín-Belmonte Fernando , Gerke Volker
Published: June 2022

Weibel–Palade bodies (WPB) are elongated, rod-like secretory organelles unique to endothelial cells that store the pro-coagulant von-Willebrand factor (VWF) and undergo regulated exocytosis upon stimulation with Ca2+- or cAMP-raising agonists. We show here that WPB preferentially initiate fusion with the plasma membrane at their tips and identify synaptotagmin-like protein 2-a (Slp2-a) as a positive regulator of VWF secretion most likely mediating this topological selectivity. Following secretagogue stimulation, Slp2-a accumulates at one WPB tip before fusion occurs at this site. Depletion of Slp2-a reduces Ca2+-dependent secretion of highly multimeric VWF and interferes with the formation of actin rings at WPB–plasma membrane fusion sites that support the expulsion of the VWF multimers and most likely require a tip-end fusion topology. Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2] binding via the C2A domain of Slp2-a is required for accumulation of Slp2-a at the tip ends of fusing WPB, suggesting that Slp2-a mediates polar exocytosis by initiating contacts between WPB tips and plasma membrane PI(4,5)P2.
Glycation of α-synuclein hampers its binding to synaptic-like vesicles and its driving effect on their fusion
Authors: Uceda Ana Belén , Frau Juan , Vilanova Bartolomé , Adrover Miquel
Published: June 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders affecting the worldwide population. One of its hallmarks is the intraneuronal accumulation of insoluble Lewy bodies (LBs), which cause the death of dopaminergic neurons. α-Synuclein (αS) is the main component of these LBs and in them, it commonly contains non-enzymatic post-translational modifications, such as those resulting from its reaction with reactive carbonyl species arising as side products of the intraneuronal glycolysis (mainly methylglyoxal). Consequently, lysines of the αS found in LBs of diabetic individuals are usually carboxyethylated. A precise comprehension of the effect of Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) on the aggregation of αS and on its physiological function becomes crucial to fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of diabetes-induced PD. Consequently, we have here used a synthetic αS where all its Lys have been replaced by CEL moieties (αS-CEL), and we have studied how these modifications could impact on the neurotransmission mechanism. This study allows us to describe how the non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) affects the function of a protein like αS, involved in the pathogenesis of PD. CEL decreases the ability of αS to bind micelles, although the micelle-bound fraction of αS-CEL still displays an α-helical fold resembling that of the lipid-bound αS. However, CEL completely abolishes the affinity of αS towards synaptic-like vesicles and, consequently, it hampers its physiological function as a catalyst of the clustering and the fusion of the synaptic vesicles.
Essential role of CK2α for the interaction and stability of replication fork factors during DNA synthesis and activation of the S-phase checkpoint
Authors: Guerra Barbara , Doktor Thomas K. , Frederiksen Sabrina B. , Somyajit Kumar , Andresen Brage S.
Published: June 2022

The ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related (ATR)-CHK1 pathway is the major signalling cascade activated in response to DNA replication stress. This pathway is associated with the core of the DNA replication machinery comprising CDC45, the replicative MCM2-7 hexamer, GINS (altogether forming the CMG complex), primase–polymerase (POLε, -α, and -δ) complex, and additional fork protection factors such as AND-1, CLASPIN (CLSPN), and TIMELESS/TIPIN. In this study, we report that functional protein kinase CK2α is critical for preserving replisome integrity and for mounting S-phase checkpoint signalling. We find that CDC45, CLSPN and MCM7 are novel CK2α interacting partners and these interactions are particularly important for maintenance of stable MCM7–CDC45, ATRIP–ATR–MCM7, and ATR–CLSPN protein complexes. Consistently, cells depleted of CK2α and treated with hydroxyurea display compromised replisome integrity, reduced chromatin binding of checkpoint mediator CLSPN, attenuated ATR-mediated S-phase checkpoint and delayed recovery of stalled forks. In further support of this, differential gene expression analysis by RNA-sequencing revealed that down-regulation of CK2α accompanies global shutdown of genes that are implicated in the S-phase checkpoint. These findings add to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in DNA replication by showing that the protein kinase CK2α is essential for maintaining the stability of the replisome machinery and for optimizing ATR-CHK1 signalling activation upon replication stress.
Der Stellenwert gesundheitsbewusster Ernährungsbildung in der Schule
Authors: Prade Louisa , Richter Matthias , Stangl Gabriele I. , Hoßfeld Uwe , Fink Astrid , Knöchelmann Anja
Published: June 2022

Einleitung

Übergewicht, auch bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, stellt national wie international ein großes Problem dar, welches stark mit Ernährung verknüpft ist. Ernährungsgewohnheiten werden bereits früh geprägt und können Einfluss auf die Krankheitsentstehung nehmen. Schulen als Lern- und Lebensorte können dabei ausgewogene und nachhaltige Ernährungsgewohnheiten fördern. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war daher die Analyse ausgewählter Lehrpläne zur Ernährungsbildung (EB), um darauf basierend Defizite und Verbesserungsvorschläge für die schulische EB herauszuarbeiten.

Methodik

Untersucht wurden naturwissenschaftliche und hauswirtschaftliche Rahmenlehrpläne weiterführender allgemeinbildender Schulen der neuen Bundesländer in der aktuellsten Version bis 2019 mittels qualitativer Lehrplananalyse. Im Fokus standen Ernährungsthemen sowie deren Vertiefungsmöglichkeiten, praktische Umsetzung und Zeitumfang.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Ernährung und Humanbiologie werden vorrangig bis Klasse 8 in allen Lehrplänen unterrichtet, komplexere Themen größtenteils ab Klasse 9. Konkrete alltagsrelevante Lerninhalte zu praktischen Ernährungsweisen, zur Lebensmittelqualität sowie zur Rolle der Ernährung für die Krankheitsprävention können die Ernährungskompetenzen der Schüler:innen maßgeblich verbessern, finden jedoch derzeit zu wenig Beachtung in den Lehrplänen. Die Hauswirtschaftsfächer thematisieren u. a. Verbraucherthemen, werden aber nicht an Gymnasien bzw. nicht in allen Bundesländern angeboten. Wahlbereiche und Leistungskurse können die EB ergänzen, sind aber nicht an allen Schulen Teil des Lehrplans. Der Zeitumfang und die praktische Umsetzung für die EB sind u. a. stark von schulinternen Faktoren abhängig. Es lassen sich teilweise erhebliche Defizite in der EB feststellen.

Schlussfolgerung

Als sinnvoll erachtet werden eine intensivierte EB in höheren Jahrgängen, die Einführung von Hauswirtschaftsfächern in allen Schulformen und eine Vereinheitlichung der Lehrplaninhalte zwischen den einzelnen Bundesländern.
Using machine learning to predict the density profiles of surface-densified wood based on cross-sectional images
Authors: Neyses Benedikt , Scharf Alexander
Published: June 2022

Over the past decades, the surface densification of solid wood has received increased attention. However, the inhomogeneous density distribution in the densification direction might be a challenge with regard to process control within a large-scale production process, as the density profile governs many relevant properties of surface-densified wood. Currently, the measurement of density profiles relies on sensitive X-ray equipment and is difficult to integrate into an on-line process. Hence, in this study, three machine learning approaches were applied to predict the density profiles of surface-densified Scots pine specimens, only based on visual image acquisition—a technology that is ubiquitous in the wood industry: partial least squares (PLS) regression, artificial neural networks (ANN), and convolutional neural networks (CNN). The machine learning models were trained on images of the specimen cross-sections as input data, and X-ray density profiles as output data. There were 1850 observations, and the model performance was evaluated on external test sets. The models had mean absolute percentage errors of the predicted values between 9 and 18%; the CNN achieving the smallest error (9.24%). A deeper analysis of the data revealed that the ANN approach performed inconsistently between observations. PLS regression predicted the main density peak to a high accuracy but could not model other features. Only the CNN could reliably model the main density peak, wide growth rings, and the important region between the specimen surface and the main density peak. The ability of the models to generalise to untypical new data was improved by augmentation of the training data.
Breeding oat for resistance to the crown rust pathogen Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae: achievements and prospects
Authors: Park R. F. , Boshoff W. H. P. , Cabral A. L. , Chong J. , Martinelli J. A. , McMullen M. S. , Fetch J. W. Mitchell , Paczos-Grzęda E. , Prats E. , Roake J. , Sowa S. , Ziems L. , Singh D.
Published: June 2022

Crown rust, caused byPuccinia coronataf. sp.avenae(Pca), is a significant impediment to global oat production. Some 98 alleles at 92 loci conferring resistance toPcainAvenahave been designated; however, allelic relationships and chromosomal locations of many of these are unknown. Long-term monitoring ofPcain Australia, North America and elsewhere has shown that it is highly variable even in the absence of sexual recombination, likely due to large pathogen populations that cycle between wild oat communities and oat crops. Efforts to develop cultivars with genetic resistance toPcabegan in the 1950s. Based almost solely on all all-stage resistance, this has had temporary benefits but very limited success. The inability to eradicate wild oats, and their common occurrence in many oat growing regions, means that future strategies to controlPcamust be based on the assumption of a large and variable prevailing pathogen population with high evolutionary potential, even if cultivars with durable resistance are deployed and grown widely. The presence of minor gene, additive APR toPcain hexaploid oat germplasm opens the possibility of pyramiding several such genes to give high levels of resistance. The recent availability of reference genomes for diploid and hexaploid oat will undoubtedly accelerate efforts to discover, characterise and develop high throughput diagnostic markers to introgress and pyramid resistance toPcain high yielding adapted oat germplasm.
Depression and anxiety prevalence in people with cystic fibrosis and their caregivers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lord Louise , McKernon David , Grzeskowiak Luke , Kirsa Sue , Ilomaki Jenni
Published: June 2022

Background

Prevalence of depression and anxiety in people with cystic fibrosis (PwCF) and their caregivers is high, however, results have been inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression and anxiety in PwCF and their caregivers and explore sources of heterogeneity.

Method

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL plus and PsychINFO databases were searched from inception to January 2021. Studies were included if a specific psychometric tool (PT) to assess depression or anxiety (rather than quality of life) was used and did not involve a transitory patient state. Random-effects models were applied due to high anticipated heterogeneity and I2 estimates were calculated. Sources of heterogeneity were explored through subgroup comparisons. The presence of small-study effects was investigated visually using funnel plots and statistically using the Egger test.

Results

A total of 94 articles (48 full-text publications, 46 abstracts) were included. Depression prevalence in adolescents aged 12–18 years (n = 2386), adults (n = 9206) and caregivers (n = 6617) were 18.7% (95% CI 12.8–25.3%, I2 = 89.2%), 27.2% (95% CI 23.6–31%, I2 = 90.4%), and 32.8% (95% CI 27.9–37.9%, I2 = 90.3%), respectively. Anxiety prevalence in adolescents aged 12–18 years (n = 2142) was 26% (95% CI 19.6–33%, I2 = 86.4%), 28.4% (95% CI 25–31.9%, I2 = 85%) for adults (n = 8175), and 38.4% (95% CI 30.8–46.2%, I2 = 94.6%) for caregivers (n = 5931). Prevalence differed by the PT used and study location.

Discussion

This comprehensive analysis found the prevalence of depression and anxiety in PwCF and their caregivers to be high, supporting recommendations for regular screening. Choice of PT significantly influenced prevalence, indicating a need for future studies to identify the optimal PT for each CF population to identify those most at risk.
Redefining culture in cultural robotics
Authors: Ornelas Mark L. , Smith Gary B. , Mansouri Masoumeh
Published: June 2022

Cultural influences are pervasive throughout human behaviour, and as human–robot interactions become more common, roboticists are increasingly focusing attention on how to build robots that are culturally competent and culturally sustainable. The current treatment of culture in robotics, however, is largely limited to the definition of culture as national culture. This is problematic for three reasons: it ignores subcultures, it loses specificity and hides the nuances in cultures, and it excludes refugees and stateless persons. We propose to shift the focus of cultural robotics to redefine culture as an emergent phenomenon. We make use of three research programmes in the social and cognitive sciences to justify this definition. Consequently, cultural behaviour cannot be explicitly programmed into a robot, rather, a robot must be designed with the capability to participate in the interactions that lead to the arising of cultural behaviour. In the final part of the paper, we explore which capacities and abilities are the most salient for a robot to do this.
Identification of housekeeping genes of Candidatus Branchiomonas cysticola associated with epitheliocystis in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)
Authors: Mjølnerød Even Bysveen , Srivastava Aashish , Moore Lindsey J. , Plarre Heidrun , Nylund Are
Published: June 2022

Candidatus Branchiomonas cysticola is an intracellular, gram-negative Betaproteobacteria causing epitheliocystis in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.). The bacterium has not been genetically characterized at the intraspecific level despite its high prevalence among salmon suffering from gill disease in Norwegian aquaculture. DNA from gill samples of Atlantic salmon PCR positive for Cand. B. cysticola and displaying pathological signs of gill disease, was, therefore, extracted and subject to next-generation sequencing (mNGS). Partial sequences of four housekeeping (HK) genes (aceE, lepA, rplB, rpoC) were ultimately identified from the sequenced material. Assays for real-time RT-PCR and fluorescence in-situ hybridization, targeting the newly acquired genes, were simultaneously applied with existing assays targeting the previously characterized 16S rRNA gene. Agreement in both expression and specificity between these putative HK genes and the 16S gene was observed in all instances, indicating that the partial sequences of these HK genes originate from Cand. B. cysticola. The knowledge generated from the present study constitutes a major prerequisite for the future design of novel genotyping schemes for this bacterium.
Minority report: small-scale metagenomic analysis of the non-bacterial kitchen sponge microbiota
Authors: Brandau Lena , Jacksch Susanne , Weis Severin , Schnell Sylvia , Egert Markus
Published: June 2022

Kitchen sponges are particularly well known to harbor a high number and diversity of bacteria, including pathogens. Viruses, archaea, and eukaryotes in kitchen sponges, however, have not been examined in detail so far. To increase knowledge on the non-bacterial kitchen sponge microbiota and its potential hygienic relevance, we investigated five used kitchen sponges by means of metagenomic shot-gun sequencing. Viral particles were sought to be enriched by a filter step during DNA extraction from the sponges. Data analysis revealed that ~ 2% of the sequences could be assigned to non-bacterial taxa. Each sponge harbored different virus (phage) species, while the present archaea were predominantly affiliated with halophilic taxa. Among the eukaryotic taxa, besides harmless algae, or amoebas, mainly DNA from food-left-overs was found. The presented work offers new insights into the complex microbiota of used kitchen sponges and contributes to a better understanding of their hygienic relevance.
Machine learning-based protein crystal detection for monitoring of crystallization processes enabled with large-scale synthetic data sets of photorealistic images
Authors: Bischoff Daniel , Walla Brigitte , Weuster-Botz Dirk
Published: June 2022

Since preparative chromatography is a sustainability challenge due to large amounts of consumables used in downstream processing of biomolecules, protein crystallization offers a promising alternative as a purification method. While the limited crystallizability of proteins often restricts a broad application of crystallization as a purification method, advances in molecular biology, as well as computational methods are pushing the applicability towards integration in biotechnological downstream processes. However, in industrial and academic settings, monitoring protein crystallization processes non-invasively by microscopic photography and automated image evaluation remains a challenging problem. Recently, the identification of single crystal objects using deep learning has been the subject of increased attention for various model systems. However, the advancement of crystal detection using deep learning for biotechnological applications is limited: robust models obtained through supervised machine learning tasks require large-scale and high-quality data sets usually obtained in large projects through extensive manual labeling, an approach that is highly error-prone for dense systems of transparent crystals. For the first time, recent trends involving the use of synthetic data sets for supervised learning are transferred, thus generating photorealistic images of virtual protein crystals in suspension (PCS) through the use of ray tracing algorithms, accompanied by specialized data augmentations modelling experimental noise. Further, it is demonstrated that state-of-the-art models trained with the large-scale synthetic PCS data set outperform similar fine-tuned models based on the average precision metric on a validation data set, followed by experimental validation using high-resolution photomicrographs from stirred tank protein crystallization processes.
Thermo-mechanical processing of fibre-rich blackcurrant pomace to modify techno-functional properties
Authors: Reißner Anne-Marie , Brunner Meike , Struck Susanne , Rohm Harald
Published: June 2022

Exploring the use of seedless blackcurrant pomace, a fibre-rich by-product of juice pressing, in foods is favourable due to its nutritional profile but also for economic and sustainability aspects. Current applications are limited to products in which rapid fibre swelling, high water solubility or low sedimentation is not essential. In this study, functional properties of seedless blackcurrant pomace were modified by thermo-mechanical treatments using extrusion cooking or micronization in a planetary ball mill. A full factorial design showed that low pomace moisture (11 g/100 g) had the highest impact on swelling capacity (+ 20.6%) and water solubility index (+ 23.2%), whereas variation in extrusion temperature exhibited only minor effects. After milling for 4 h, the median particle size was reduced by 98% to 4 µm and the specific surface area increased from 0.1 to 2.5 m2/mL. Swelling capacity was highest after this time with 7.6 mL/g pomace and, although the amount of extractable sugars was reduced, water solubility increased to 7.6 g/100 g. In contrast to extruded samples, the red colour of the pomace was intensified after milling. Both treatments appear as promising to extend the applicability of fruit by-products in foods, as micronized pomace may counteract sedimentation in liquids, whereas increased swelling capacity after extrusion may have stabilizing effects on yoghurt-like systems.
The Measurement and Interpretation of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) Concentrations
Authors: Heijboer Annemieke C. , Cavalier Etienne
Published: June 2022

Two decades after the discovery of the hormone FGF23, we know more about phosphate homeostasis as it turned out that FGF23 is the central hormone that regulates this. Hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets and tumor-induced osteomalacia could by then be explained, by autonomous FGF23 production, and the nephrology field was excited by this new marker as it turned out to be independently associated with mortality in people treated by hemodialysis. This led to the development of several immunoassays to be able to measure FGF23 in blood. In the past years we learned that FGF23 is a rather stable peptide, the precision of the assays is acceptable but assays are not standardized and therefore not comparable. This means that reference values and cutoff values need to be assay specific. For several assays reference values have been established and gender and age did not seem of high importance. The phosphate content of the diet, which can be culturally dependent, however, should be taken into account when interpreting results, but to what extent is not totally clear. Currently, clinical application of the immunoassays is established in the diagnosis of hereditary hypophosphatemic rickets and diagnosis and follow-up of tumor-induced osteomalacia. Definite conclusions on the usefulness of the FGF23 measurement in people with CKD either as a marker for risk prediction or a as target for treatment remains to be determined. The latter applications would require dedicated prospective clinical trials, which may take years, before providing answers. To improve the standardization of the FGF23 assays and to shed light on the biological functions that fragments might have we might aim for an LC–MS/MS-based method to quantify both intact and fragmented FGF23. In this literature review we will summarize the current knowledge on the physiological role of FGF23, its quantification, and the clinical usefulness of its determination.
Propeller flaps in partial ear reconstruction: a case series
Authors: Schonauer Fabrizio , Cavaliere Annachiara , Pezone Giuseppe , Pollio Carolina , D’Andrea Francesco
Published: June 2022

Background

Ear defect reconstruction still remains a surgical challenge today. Proper reconstruction should result in correction of the deformity with minimum morbidity with the aim of achieving the most esthetically pleasing outcome possible. Herein, we present our clinical experience with propeller flap reconstruction of external ear defects with a focus on indications and surgical technique.

Methods

Fourteen patients underwent surgery at our Plastic Surgery Unit between January 2015 and October 2019. After identifying perforators with a handheld Doppler ultrasound, a tailor-made flap was designed for each patient. Following tumor excision, dissection of the pedicle and of the remaining flap was performed with the aid of surgical loops. Flap in-setting and donor site closure were final steps.

Results

Flaps have survived in their entirety in almost all our patients (13/14) maintaining optimal color and elasticity and showing no complications. In one case, a superficial distal necrosis was observed and, in another patient, tumor recurrence took place.

Conclusions

Propeller flaps offer great advantages when used in ear reconstruction ensuring excellent esthetic results with a one-stage technique. Nevertheless, it must be kept in mind that good dissection skills are required in order to avoid complications.

Level of evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study.
Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of breaststroker’s knee
Authors: Cheng Karen Y. , Chambers Henry , Dwek Jerry R.
Published: June 2022

Breaststroker’s knee is an overuse syndrome resulting from similar repetitive movements in competitive swimmers that has been described in the orthopedic literature. The typical symptoms are medial knee pain with tenderness to palpation at the tibial collateral ligament or inferomedial patella. Despite these localizing symptoms on clinical exam, arthroscopic studies have failed to demonstrate a specific structural abnormality corresponding to this syndrome, although some have reported thickened medial synovial plica, medial-predominant synovitis or patellofemoral cartilage loss in association knee pain with breaststroke swimmers. We present a case of medial knee pain in a young breaststroke swimmer with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of marrow edema in the anterior aspect of the medial femoral condyle. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of MRI findings in breaststroker’s knee .
Dynamic peripheral blood immune cell markers for predicting the response of patients with metastatic cancer to immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Wei Chen , Wang Mengyu , Gao Quanli , Yuan Shasha , Deng Wenying , Bie Liangyu , Ma Yijie , Zhang Chi , Li Shuyi , Luo Suxia , Li Ning
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown durable responses in various malignancies. However, the response to ICI therapy is unpredictable, and investigation of predictive biomarkers needs to be improved.

Experimental design

In total, 120 patients receiving ICI therapy and 40 patients receiving non-ICI therapy were enrolled. Peripheral blood immune cell markers (PBIMs), as liquid biopsy biomarkers, were analyzed by flow cytometry before ICI therapy, and before the first evaluation. In the ICI cohort, patients were randomly divided into training (n = 91) and validation (n = 29) cohorts. Machine learning algorithms were applied to construct the prognostic and predictive immune-related models.

Results

Using the training cohort, a peripheral blood immune cell-based signature (BICS) based on four hub PBIMs was developed. In both the training and the validation cohorts, and the whole cohort, the BICS achieved a high accuracy for predicting overall survival (OS) benefit. The high-BICS group had significantly shorter progression-free survival and OS than the low-BICS group. The BICS demonstrated the predictive ability of patients to achieve durable clinical outcomes. By integrating these PBIMs, we further constructed and validated the support vector machine-recursive and feature elimination classifier model, which robustly predicts patients who will achieve optimal clinical benefit.

Conclusions

Dynamic PBIM-based monitoring as a noninvasive, cost-effective, highly specific and sensitive biomarker has broad potential for prognostic and predictive utility in patients receiving ICI therapy.
Telemedicine for Surgical Site Infection Diagnosis in Rural Rwanda: Concordance and Accuracy of Image Reviews
Authors: Hedt‐Gauthier Bethany , Miranda Elizabeth , Nkurunziza Theoneste , Hughes Olivia , Boatin Adeline A. , Gaju Erick , Matousek Alexi , Cherian Teena , Riviello Robert , Kateera Fredrick
Published: June 2022

Background

In rural Africa where access to medical personnel is limited, telemedicine can be leveraged to empower community health workers (CHWs) to support effective postpartum home‐based care after cesarean section (c‐section). As a first step toward telemedicine, we assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and interrater reliability of image‐based diagnosis of surgical site infections (SSIs) among women delivering via c‐section at a rural Rwandan Hospital.

Methods

Women ≥18 years who underwent c‐section from March to October 2017 at Kirehe District Hospital (KDH) were enrolled. On postoperative day 10 at KDH, participants underwent a physical examination by a general practitioner, who provided a diagnosis of SSI or no SSI. Trained CHWs photographed patients’ incisions and the collected images were shown to six physicians, who upon review, assigned one of the following diagnoses to each image: definite SSI, suspected SSI, suspected no SSI, and definite no SSI, which were compared with the diagnoses based on physical exam. We report the sensitivity and specificity and assessed reviewer agreement using Gwet's AC1.

Results

569 images were included, with 61 women (10.7%) diagnosed with an SSI. Of the 3414 image‐reviews, 49 (1.4%) could not be assigned diagnoses due to image quality. The median sensitivity and specificity were 0.83 and 0.69, respectively. The Gwet's AC1 estimate for binary classification was 0.46.

Conclusions

We demonstrate decent accuracy but only moderate consistency for photograph‐based SSI diagnosis. Strategies to improve overall agreement include providing clinical information to accompany photographs, providing a baseline photograph for comparison, and implementing photograph‐taking processes aimed at improving image quality.
A multicentre trial of intensive immunosuppressive therapy combined with umbilical cord blood for the treatment of severe aplastic anaemia
Authors: Zhou Fang , Zhang Fengkui , Zhang Li , Wu Qian , Ma Junjie , Zhao Chunting , Wang Ling , Jie Guitao , Zhang Haiyan , Zhang Hao , Wang Shunqing , Teng Qingliang
Published: June 2022

Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) is an effective treatment regimen for severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) patients without HLA-identical donors. This study further compared the outcomes between IST and IIST-UCB in SAA on the basis of research shown that IST combined with umbilical cord blood infusion (IIST-UCB) treated effectively. A total of 123 patients from 11 hospitals in China were enrolled. Sixty-nine patients in IIST-UCB group were treated with ATG + CsA + CTX combined with cord blood, while 54 patients in IST group with ATG + CsA. The overall remission rates (ORRs), complete remission (CR) rates and partial response (PR) rates of IIST-UCB group and IST group at 3 months were 69.67% vs 51.85% (P = .045), 21.74% vs 3.7% (P = .004) and 47.83% vs 48.15% (P = .972), respectively. After 6 months of treatment, they were 76.81% vs 57.41% (P = .022), 37.68% vs 11.11% (P = .001) and 39.13% vs 46.30% (P = .425), respectively. After 1 year of treatment, they were 85.51% vs 61.11% (P = .002), 59.42% vs 25.93% (P = .000) and 26.09% vs 35.19% (P = .275), respectively. The ORRs and CR rates of IIST-UCB group were both significantly higher than IST group after 3 months, 6 months and 1 year of treatment. The neutrophil granulocyte, platelet and haemoglobin recovery times of IIST-UCB group were significantly shorter than IST group. Compared with standard IST, IIST-UCB as an effective therapy for SAA patients without HLA-identical donors accelerated the haematopoietic reconstitution, resulting in higher early CR rates.
Intra-cavity wavelength multiplexing of high-brightness thin-disk laser beams
Authors: Boubekraoui Ayoub , Beirow Frieder , Graf Thomas , Abdou Ahmed Marwan
Published: June 2022

We report on the first demonstration of an intra-cavity spectral beam combining of two fundamental-mode laser beams generated by a dual Yb:YAG thin-disk resonator. The two thin-disk lasers (TDLs) were operated at the two slightly different wavelengths of 1028 nm and 1032 nm. A resonant diffraction grating waveguide structure was used as common spectral stabilizer and combiner. An average power exceeding 200 W with close to diffraction-limited beam quality ($$M^2<1.3$$M2<1.3) was obtained with the presented approach.
Correction to: Visualization and image analysis of droplet puffing and micro-explosion in spray-flame synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Jüngst N. , Smallwood G. J. , Kaiser S. A.
Published: June 2022

After publication in Vol 63 Issue 3, it was noticed that there is a white dot that appears in the graphical abstract in the original publication of the article. The revised version of the graphical abstract is given below:
Expert proposal to characterize cardiac diseases with normal or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and symptoms of heart failure by comprehensive echocardiography
Authors: Hagendorff A. , Helfen A. , Brandt R. , Altiok E. , Breithardt O. , Haghi D. , Knierim J. , Lavall D. , Merke N. , Sinning C. , Stöbe S. , Tschöpe C. , Knebel F. , Ewen S.
Published: June 2022

Currently, the term “heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF)” is based on echocardiographic parameters and clinical symptoms combined with elevated or normal levels of natriuretic peptides. Thus, “HFpEF” as a diagnosis subsumes multiple pathophysiological entities making a uniform management plan for “HFpEF” impossible. Therefore, a more specific characterization of the underlying cardiac pathologies in patients with preserved ejection fraction and symptoms of heart failure is mandatory. The present proposal seeks to offer practical support by a standardized echocardiographic workflow to characterize specific diagnostic entities associated with “HFpEF”. It focuses on morphological and functional cardiac phenotypes characterized by echocardiography in patients with normal or preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). The proposal discusses methodological issues to clarify why and when echocardiography is helpful to improve the diagnosis. Thus, the proposal addresses a systematic echocardiographic approach using a feasible algorithm with weighting criteria for interpretation of echocardiographic parameters related to patients with preserved ejection fraction and symptoms of heart failure. The authors consciously do not use the diagnosis “HFpEF” to avoid misunderstandings.

Graphical abstract

Central illustration: Scheme illustrating the characteristic echocardiographic phenotypes and their combinations in patients with “HFpEF” symptoms with respect to the respective cardiac pathology and pathophysiology as well as the underlying typical disease
Holiday trip to Norway — a stable isotope project on hair strands of individuals of a travel group from Bavaria
Authors: Lehn Christine , Hameder Annika , Graw Matthias
Published: June 2022

Hair strands were taken from individuals of a travel group from Bavaria that stayed on the Lofoten Islands/Norway for 3 weeks. By means of serial stable isotope analyses of carbon, nitrogen, sulphur and hydrogen along the hair strands, food-specific changes during travel could be detected. The higher consumption of marine fish led to significant changes of the stable isotope values of nitrogen, sulphur and hydrogen. The highest differences for the values were found in the most proximal part of hair strands which were taken shortly after the trip. The basic values for the isotope distribution of the elements in the hair also indicate specific diets of some individuals that could be confirmed upon request.
Post-settlement demographics of reef building corals suggest prolonged recruitment bottlenecks
Authors: Sarribouette Lauranne , Pedersen Nicole E. , Edwards Clinton B. , Sandin Stuart A.
Published: June 2022

For many organisms, early life stages experience significantly higher rates of mortality relative to adults. However, tracking early life stage individuals through time in natural settings is difficult, limiting our understanding of the duration of these ‘mortality bottlenecks’, and the time required for survivorship to match that of adults. Here, we track a cohort of juvenile corals (1–5 cm maximum diameter) from 12 taxa at a remote atoll in the Central Pacific from 2013 to 2017 and describe patterns of annual survivorship. Of the 537 juveniles initially detected, 219 (41%) were alive 4 years later, 163 (30%) died via complete loss of live tissue from the skeleton, and the remaining 155 (29%) died via dislodgement. The differing mortality patterns suggest that habitat characteristics, as well as species-specific features, may influence early life stage survival. Across most taxa, survival fit a logistic model, reaching > 90% annual survival within 4 years. These data suggest that mortality bottlenecks characteristic of ‘recruitment’ extend up to 5 years after individuals can be visually detected. Ultimately, replenishment of adult coral populations via sexual reproduction is needed to maintain both coral cover and genetic diversity. This study provides key insights into the dynamics and time scales that characterize these critical early life stages.
Scale dependency of ectomycorrhizal fungal community assembly processes in Mediterranean mixed forests
Authors: J. Prieto-Rubio , J. L. Garrido , L. Pérez-Izquierdo , J. M. Alcántara , C. Azcón-Aguilar , A. López-García , A. Rincón
Published: June 2022

The assembly of biological communities depends on deterministic and stochastic processes whose influence varies across spatial and temporal scales. Although ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi play a key role in forest ecosystems, our knowledge on ECM community assembly processes and their dependency on spatial scales is still scarce. We analysed the assembly processes operating on ECM fungal communities associated with Cistus albidus L. and Quercus spp. in Mediterranean mixed forests (Southern Spain), for which root tip ECM fungi were characterized by high-throughput sequencing. The relative contribution of deterministic and stochastic processes that govern the ECM fungal community assembly was inferred by using phylogenetic and compositional turnover descriptors across spatial scales. Our results revealed that stochastic processes had a significantly higher contribution than selection on root tip ECM fungal community assembly. The strength of selection decreased at the smallest scale and it was linked to the plant host identity and the environment. Dispersal limitation increased at finer scales, whilst drift showed the opposite pattern likely suggesting a main influence of priority effects on ECM fungal community assembly. This study highlights the potential of phylogeny to infer ECM fungal community responses and brings new insights into the ecological processes affecting the structure and dynamics of Mediterranean forests.
Costal cartilage fractures in blunt polytrauma patients — a prospective clinical and radiological follow-up study
Authors: Nummela Mari T. , Pyhältö Tuomo T. , Bensch Frank V. , Heinänen Mikko T. , Koskinen Seppo K.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To assess the healing of costal cartilage fractures (CCFX) in patients with blunt polytrauma with follow-up imaging and clinical examination. Effect on physical performance and quality of life (QoL) was also evaluated.

Methods

The study group comprised twenty-one patients with diagnosed CCFX in trauma CT. All the patients underwent MRI, ultrasound, ultra-low-dose CT examinations, and clinical status control. The patients completed QoL questionnaires. Two radiologists evaluated the images regarding fracture union, dislocation, calcifications, and persistent edema at fracture site. An attending trauma surgeon clinically examined the patients, with emphasis on focal tenderness and ribcage mobility. Trauma registry data were accessed to evaluate injury severity and outcome.

Results

The patients were imaged at an average of 34.1 months (median 36, range 15.8–57.7) after the initial trauma. In 15 patients (71.4%), CCFX were considered stable on imaging. Cartilage calcifications were seen on healed fracture sites in all the patients. The fracture dislocation had increased in 5 patients (23.8%), and 1 patient (4.8%) showed signs of a non-stable union. Four patients (19.0%) reported persistent symptoms from CCFX.

Conclusion

Non-union in CCFX is uncommon but may lead to decreased stability and discomfort. Both clinical and radiological examinations play an important part in the post-traumatic evaluation of CCFX. CT and MRI visualize the healing process, while dynamic ultrasound may reveal instability. No significant difference in QoL was detected between patients with radiologically healed and non-healed CCFX. Post-traumatic disability was mostly due to other non-thoracic injuries.
Radiation therapy for atypical and anaplastic meningiomas: an overview of current results and controversial issues
Authors: Vagnoni Lorenzo , Aburas Sami , Giraffa Martina , Russo Ivana , Chiarella Vito , Paolini Sergio , Tini Paolo , Minniti Giuseppe
Published: June 2022

Meningiomas are the most common intracranial tumors. Most meningiomas are WHO grade 1 tumors whereas less than one-quarter of all meningiomas are classified as atypical (WHO grade 2) and anaplastic (WHO grade 3) tumors, based on local invasiveness and cellular features of atypia. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of meningioma therapy and represents the definitive treatment for the majority of patients; however, grade 2 and grade 3 meningiomas display more aggressive behavior and are difficult to treat. Several retrospective series have shown the efficacy and safety of postoperative adjuvant external beam radiation therapy (RT) for patients with atypical and anaplastic meningiomas. More recently, two phase II prospective trials by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG 0539) and the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC 2042) have confirmed the potential benefits of fractionated RT for patients with intermediate and high-risk meningiomas; however, several issues remain a matter of debate. Controversial topics include the timing of radiation treatment in patients with totally resected atypical meningiomas, the optimal radiation technique, dose and fractionation, and treatment planning/target delineation. Ongoing randomized trials are evaluating the efficacy of early adjuvant RT over observation in patients undergoing gross total resection.