bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel capnogram analysis to guide ventilation during cardiopulmonary resuscitation: clinical and experimental observations
Authors: Lesimple Arnaud , Fritz Caroline , Hutin Alice , Charbonney Emmanuel , Savary Dominique , Delisle Stéphane , Ouellet Paul , Bronchti Gilles , Lidouren Fanny , Piraino Thomas , Beloncle François , Prouvez Nathan , Broc Alexandre , Mercat Alain , Brochard Laurent , Tissier Renaud , Richard Jean-Christophe ,   the CAVIAR (Cardiac Arrest, Ventilation International Association for Research) Group
Published: September 2022

Background

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) decreases lung volume below the functional residual capacity and can generate intrathoracic airway closure. Conversely, large insufflations can induce thoracic distension and jeopardize circulation. The capnogram (CO2 signal) obtained during continuous chest compressions can reflect intrathoracic airway closure, and we hypothesized here that it can also indicate thoracic distension.

Objectives

To test whether a specific capnogram may identify thoracic distension during CPR and to assess the impact of thoracic distension on gas exchange and hemodynamics.

Methods

(1) In out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients, we identified on capnograms three patterns: intrathoracic airway closure, thoracic distension or regular pattern. An algorithm was designed to identify them automatically. (2) To link CO2 patterns with ventilation, we conducted three experiments: (i) reproducing the CO2 patterns in human cadavers, (ii) assessing the influence of tidal volume and respiratory mechanics on thoracic distension using a mechanical lung model and (iii) exploring the impact of thoracic distension patterns on different circulation parameters during CPR on a pig model.

Measurements and main results

(1) Clinical data: 202 capnograms were collected. Intrathoracic airway closure was present in 35%, thoracic distension in 22% and regular pattern in 43%. (2) Experiments: (i) Higher insufflated volumes reproduced thoracic distension CO2 patterns in 5 cadavers. (ii) In the mechanical lung model, thoracic distension patterns were associated with higher volumes and longer time constants. (iii) In six pigs during CPR with various tidal volumes, a CO2 pattern of thoracic distension, but not tidal volume per se, was associated with a significant decrease in blood pressure and cerebral perfusion.

Conclusions

During CPR, capnograms reflecting intrathoracic airway closure, thoracic distension or regular pattern can be identified. In the animal experiment, a thoracic distension pattern on the capnogram is associated with a negative impact of ventilation on blood pressure and cerebral perfusion during CPR, not predicted by tidal volume per se.
Repeated turnovers keep sex chromosomes young in willows
Authors: Wang Deyan , Li Yiling , Li Mengmeng , Yang Wenlu , Ma Xinzhi , Zhang Lei , Wang Yubo , Feng Yanlin , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhou Ran , Sanderson Brian J. , Keefover-Ring Ken , Yin Tongming , Smart Lawrence B. , DiFazio Stephen P. , Liu Jianquan , Olson Matthew , Ma Tao
Published: September 2022

Background

Salicaceae species have diverse sex determination systems and frequent sex chromosome turnovers. However, compared with poplars, the diversity of sex determination in willows is poorly understood, and little is known about the evolutionary forces driving their turnover. Here, we characterized the sex determination in two Salix species, S. chaenomeloides and S. arbutifolia, which have an XY system on chromosome 7 and 15, respectively.

Results

Based on the assemblies of their sex determination regions, we found that the sex determination mechanism of willows may have underlying similarities with poplars, both involving intact and/or partial homologs of a type A cytokinin response regulator (RR) gene. Comparative analyses suggested that at least two sex turnover events have occurred in Salix, one preserving the ancestral pattern of male heterogamety, and the other changing heterogametic sex from XY to ZW, which could be partly explained by the “deleterious mutation load” and “sexually antagonistic selection” theoretical models. We hypothesize that these repeated turnovers keep sex chromosomes of willow species in a perpetually young state, leading to limited degeneration.

Conclusions

Our findings further improve the evolutionary trajectory of sex chromosomes in Salicaceae species, explore the evolutionary forces driving the repeated turnovers of their sex chromosomes, and provide a valuable reference for the study of sex chromosomes in other species.
Enrichment and proteomic identification of Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst wall
Authors: Wang Luyang , Wang Yuexin , Cui Zhaohui , Li Dongfang , Li Xiaoying , Zhang Sumei , Zhang Longxian
Published: September 2022

Background

Cryptosporidium parvum is a zoonotic parasitic protozoan that can infect a variety of animals and humans and is transmitted between hosts via oocysts. The oocyst wall provides strong protection against hostile environmental factors; however, research is limited concerning the oocyst wall at the proteomic level.

Methods

A comprehensive analysis of the proteome of oocyst wall of C. parvum was performed using label-free qualitative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractionation and mass spectrometry-based qualitative proteomics technologies. Among the identified proteins, a surface protein (CpSP1) encoded by the C. parvum cgd7_5140 (Cpcgd7_5140) gene was predicted to be located on the surface of the oocyst wall. We preliminarily characterized the sequence and subcellular localization of CpSP1.

Results

A total of 798 proteins were identified, accounting for about 20% of the CryptoDB proteome. By using bioinformatic analysis, functional annotation and subcellular localization of the identified proteins were examined for better understanding of the characteristics of the oocyst wall. To verify the localization of CpSP1, an indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay demonstrated that the protein was localized on the surface of the oocyst wall, illustrating the potential usage as a marker for C. parvum detection in vitro.

Conclusion

The results provide a global framework about the proteomic composition of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall, thereby providing a theoretical basis for further study of Cryptosporidium oocyst wall formation as well as the selection of targets for Cryptosporidium detection.

Graphical Abstract
Neospora caninum inhibits tumor development by activating the immune response and destroying tumor cells in a B16F10 melanoma model
Authors: Li Xiaojin , Qi Meng , He Kai , Liu Haiyan , Yan Wenlan , Zhao Lizhuo , Jia Yanyan , He Lei , Lv Chaochao , Zhang Min , Wei Zhiguo , Yan Wenchao , Wang Tianqi , Yu Fuchang , Qian Weifeng
Published: September 2022

Background

Melanoma is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate. Some microorganisms have been shown to activate the immune system and limit cancer progression. The objective of this study is to evaluate the anti-melanoma effect ofNeospora caninum, a livestock pathogen with no pathogenic activity in humans.

Methods

Neospora caninumtachyzoites were inoculated into a C57BL/6 mouse melanoma model by intratumoral and distal subcutaneous injections. Tumor volumes were measured, and cell death areas were visualized by hematoxylin and eosin staining and quantified. Apoptosis in cell cultures and whole tumors was detected by propidium iodide (PI) and TUNEL staining, respectively. Cytokine and tumor-associated factor levels in tumors and spleens were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Infiltration of macrophages and CD8+T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) were detected by immunohistochemistry with anti-CD68 and anti-CD8 antibodies, respectively. Finally, 16S rRNA sequencing of mice cecal contents was performed to evaluate the effect ofN. caninumon gut microbial diversity.

Results

Intratumoral and distal subcutaneous injections ofN. caninumresulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth (P < 0.001), and more than 50% of tumor cells were dead without signs of apoptosis.Neospora caninumtreatment significantly increased the mRNA expression levels of IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10, TNF-α, and PD-L1 in the TME, and IL-12 and IFN-γ in the spleen of tumor-bearing mice (P < 0.05). An increase in the infiltration of CD8+T cells and macrophages in the TME was observed with these cytokine changes.Neospora caninumalso restored the abundance of gut microbiotaLactobacillus,Lachnospiraceae,Adlercreutzia, andPrevotellaceaeassociated with tumor growth, but the changes were not significant.

Conclusion

Neospora caninuminhibits B16F10 melanoma by activating potent immune responses and directly destroying the cancer cells. The stable, non-toxic, and efficacious properties ofN. caninumdemonstrate the potential for its use as a cancer treatment.

Graphical Abstract
Transmission of deformed wing virus between Varroa destructor foundresses, mite offspring and infested honey bees
Authors: Piou Vincent , Schurr Frank , Dubois Eric , Vétillard Angélique
Published: September 2022

Background

Varroa destructoris the major ectoparasite of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). Through both its parasitic life-cycle and its role as a vector of viral pathogens, it can cause major damage to honey bee colonies. The deformed wing virus (DWV) is the most common virus transmitted by this ectoparasite, and the mite is correlated to increased viral prevalence and viral loads in infested colonies. DWV variants A and B (DWV-A and DWV-B, respectively) are the two major DWV variants, and they differ both in their virulence and transmission dynamics.

Methods

We studied the transmission of DWV between bees, parasitic mites and their offspring by quantifying DWV loads in bees and mites collected in in vitro and in situ environments. In vitro, we artificially transmitted DWV-A to mites and quantified both DWV-A and DWV-B in mites and bees. In situ, we measured the natural presence of DWV-B in bees, mites and mites’ offspring.

Results

Bee and mite viral loads were correlated, and mites carrying both variants were associated with higher mortality of the infected host. Mite infestation increased the DWV-B loads and decreased the DWV-A loads in our laboratory conditions. In situ, viral quantification in the mite offspring showed that, after an initially non-infected egg stage, the DWV-B loads were more closely correlated with the foundress (mother) mites than with the bee hosts.

Conclusions

The association between mites and DWV-B was highlighted in this study. The parasitic history of a mite directly impacts its DWV infection potential during the rest of its life-cycle (in terms of variant and viral loads). Regarding the mite’s progeny, we hypothesize that the route of contamination is likely through the feeding site rather than by vertical transmission, although further studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Graphical Abstract
The reliability of and agreement between devices used to measure eccentric hamstring strength: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Torpey Daniel , Murray Eoghan , Hughes Tom , Sergeant Jamie , Callaghan Michael
Published: September 2022

Background

Isokinetic dynamometry (IKD) is considered as the gold standard method of eccentric hamstring strength measurement, but other devices are more portable, cost-effective, provide real-time data and are thus better suited to the mass testing required in sport.

This review aims to synthesise the evidence related to the reliability of and agreement between devices that measure eccentric hamstring strength and isokinetic dynamometers in adults.

Methods

The MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, CINAHL and Sport Discus databases, alongside a search of grey and pre-print literature (from inception to 2021), are used. Forward and backward snowballing will also be used. Studies will be included if the reliability and/or agreement between devices used to quantify eccentric hamstring strength in healthy, recreationally active or amateur/elite sportspeople has been investigated. Studies will be excluded if (1) participants were injured or unwell at the time of testing and (2) concentric strength measurements or if non-hamstring muscle groups were investigated.

The COnsenus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) tool will be used to assess the quality of reporting of included studies.

If possible, data will be pooled and a meta-analysis and/or meta-regression may be performed if appropriate. We will aim to conduct a narrative synthesis using an adapted Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE).

Discussion

This systematic review will aim to analyse the reliability of devices that measure eccentric hamstring strength, and the agreement of these devices with isokinetic dynamometers when used in an adult population. It is anticipated that the results of this review could be used to inform clinicians regarding suitable devices that can be employed to monitor eccentric hamstring strength in clinical practice.

No ethics approval is required. It is anticipated that this review will be submitted to a leading peer-reviewed journal in this field for publication consideration.

Systematic review registration

www.researchregistry.com (reviewregistry1070)
A novel home-based rehabilitative knee brace system is a viable option for postoperative rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a report of 15 cases
Authors: Hong Chih-Kai , Liu Zhao-Wei , Hsu Kai-Lan , Kuan Fa-Chuan , Yang Jeng-Feng , Su Wei-Ren
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To investigate the functional outcomes for patients who used a novel home-based rehabilitative system during the postoperative period after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions.

Methods

Patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgeries were prospectively enrolled. A home-based rehabilitation system, which is composed of a knee brace with a motion tracker, a mobile app, and a web portal, was applied. Patients could complete the rehabilitation exercise through the audio guidance and the real-time tracking system which displayed the achieved motions on the user interface of the app. Feedbacks from the patients, including the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, were collected and uploaded to the web portal. Each patient would meet a specialized physical therapist face-to-face once a month. At postoperative 6 months, every patient received a GNRB arthrometer examination and a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer examination.

Results

A total of 15 patients (10 males and 5 females) were enrolled and followed for at least 6 months. The mean time of return to full knee extension was 1.5 months.

The mean difference in laxity measured by GNRB arthrometer at 134 N significantly improved at postoperative 6 months (1.8 ± 1.6 mm) compared to that measured preoperatively (3.4 ± 1.9 mm) (p = 0.024). The peak torques of flexor and extensor muscles measured by Cybex isokinetic dynamometer remained unchanged at postoperative 6 months (p = 0.733 and 0.394, respectively). The patients’ IKDC score became smaller at postoperative 1 month (p = 0.011) and significantly improved at postoperative 6 months (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Using a home-based rehabilitative knee brace system after ACL reconstruction is a viable option as patients maintained their knee muscle strengths maintained their muscle strength and achieve similar or better knee range of motion six months postoperatively.
Isolation and identification of endophytic bacteria associated with kiwifruit and their biocontrol potential against Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Banihashemian Seyedeh Najmeh , Jamali Salar , Golmohammadi Morteza , Ghasemnezhad Mahmood
Published: September 2022

Background

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) cause severe losses in kiwifruit-growing regions. The endophytic bacteria could be biological agents for nematodes management. The aim of this study was the isolation and identification of endophytic bacteria from kiwifruit orchards and the evaluation of their antagonistic ability against RKN in greenhouse conditions.

Results

In this study, the population of nematode and the bacterial strains were isolated from kiwifruit roots and leaves in the Mazandaran and Guilan provinces of Iran. Molecular experiments were conducted to identify and confirm the bacterial isolates and RKN species. Also, the effects of bacterial isolates on nematode reproduction factors (number of galls, egg masses, and second-stage juveniles, J2) and growth parameters of kiwifruit plants were determined. The RKN was confirmed as Meloidogyne incognita by molecular identification. Also, the endophytic bacteria were identified based on supplementary experiments and molecular analyses. A total of 31 bacterial endophytes were identified to be including 12 genera of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Exiguobacterium, Sphingomonas, Agrobacterium, Variovorax, Pantoea, Microbacterium, Streptomyces, Chryseobacterium, and Chitinophaga. Generally, Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the dominant genera that included 29.03 and 22.58% of total isolated bacteria, respectively. In vitro screening assays, P. ananatis 121.en and P. chlororaphis 54.en displayed considerable antagonistic ability on J2 mortality of M. incognita and were selected for greenhouse surveys. The isolates displayed a significant reduction in the number of galls and egg masses on roots and juvenile’s population in pot soil. Moreover, 121.en and 54.en strains significantly increased growth parameters including root fresh weight and shoot fresh weight than the control kiwifruit seedlings.

Conclusions

The bacterial endophytes are safe and have a low risk of managing the RKNs and can be effective microbial bio-fertilizers for improving kiwifruit plant growth under RKNs infections.
Utilization of quantitative electroencephalogram in China: an online questionnaire survey
Authors: Li Jiayin , Zhu Xiangyi , Pan Shengjie , Lu Yeting , Hu Xiaowei
Published: September 2022

Background

Quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG) is a tool that uses a computer to analyze brain activity monitored by electroencephalogram (EEG) according to measurements such as frequency, amplitude, and slope. The purpose of this study was to understand the current situation of QEEG utilization in China and further compare the situations among different regions and different levels of hospitals.

Methods

An online questionnaire comprising 14 questions was designed. Statistical description and analysis were made for the results of the questionnaire survey.

Results

A total of 158 people from 134 medical institutions participated in the survey. The participants came from 21 provinces, accounting for 61.76% (21/34) of the 34 provincial administrative regions in China. The Eastern China region accounted for 66.42% (89/134) of all the medical institutions that participated in this survey. Among the institutions surveyed, QEEG was routinely used in only 23.88% (32/134) of them. Among the medical institutions in which QEEG was routinely used, 87.50% (28/32) of them were 3A-grade hospitals. Among the institutions with routine use of QEEG, 56.25% (18/32) were affiliated hospitals of medical schools. There was a significant difference in the utilization of QEEG between the 3A-grade and non-3A-grade hospitals (P = 0.040) and between the hospitals affiliated to medical schools and those non-affiliated to medical schools (P = 0.020).

Conclusions

The utilization of QEEG is still limited in China. There are differences in the use of QEEG among different hospitals and regions.
Intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and ptosis caused by copy number variation including the BRPF1 gene in Peruvian patient
Authors: Abarca-Barriga Hugo H. , Chavesta Velásquez Felix , Punil Luciano Renzo
Published: September 2022

Background

Intellectual developmental disorder with dysmorphic facies and ptosis (MIM #617333) is a very rare condition, characterized by more than 80% by language delay, intellectual disability, gross motor development delay, broad nasal bridge, hypertelorism, and hypotonia. This condition exhibits as autosomal dominant inheritance and is caused by a heterozygous variant in the BRPF1 gene. Additionally, the copy number variation in the terminal region of chromosome 3p (MIM #613792) has been shown to manifest in most patients as intellectual disability, motor delay, and hypotonia.

Case presentation

We present an 18-year-old male patient with facial dysmorphism, intellectual disability, ptosis, and congenital heart disease. Using chromosomal microarray analysis, a previously unreported 90 kb deletion involving seven genes was found.

Conclusion

When comparing our findings with 39 previous reports, we found that the common clinical features of this syndrome, such as gross motor delay, hypotonia, and congenital spinal cord abnormalities, were not observed in this patient. From the seven genes implicated in the deletion, only BRPF1 could be strongly correlated with the phenotype, according to its function and haploinsufficiency coefficients.
A ray perturbation method for the acoustic attenuating transversely isotropic eikonal equation
Authors: Hao Qi
Published: September 2022

Modeling complex-valued traveltimes is helpful for developing attenuation-associated techniques for seismic data processing. Transverse isotropy can explain the directional variation of velocity and attenuation anisotropy of long-wavelength seismic waves in many sedimentary rocks. The acoustic attenuating transversely isotropic eikonal equation can be used to accurately calculate P-wave complex-valued traveltimes under such a geologic condition. However, no ray-tracing system for this eikonal equation could be found in the literature until now. We have developed a ray perturbation method to solve this eikonal equation. Unlike all existing ray perturbation methods, our newly proposed method does not perturb the exact ray-tracing system but splits the acoustic attenuating transversely isotropic eikonal equation into a nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) and a first-order PDE. These two PDEs can be solved by the method of characteristics. This gives rise to two sets of ray-tracing equations for the real and imaginary parts of the complex-valued traveltimes, respectively. Both sets of ray-tracing equations share the same raypath, which allows us to merge them into a complete ray-tracing system for complex-valued traveltimes. Numerical examples are used to demonstrate the high accuracy of the newly proposed ray-tracing system, analyze the complex-valued traveltimes of diving P waves, and compare the modeled complex-valued traveltimes with those extracted from constant-[Formula: see text] viscoelastic waveforms.
Neurostructural brain imaging study of trait dissociation in healthy children
Authors: Badura Brack Amy S. , Marklin Marika , Embury Christine M. , Picci Giorgia , Frenzel Michaela , Klanecky Earl Alicia , Stephen Julia , Wang Yu-Ping , Calhoun Vince , Wilson Tony W.
Published: September 2022

Background

Trait dissociation has not been examined from a structural human brain mapping perspective in healthy adults or children. Non-pathological dissociation shares some features with daydreaming and mind-wandering, but also involves subtle disruptions in affect and autobiographical memory.

Aims

To identify neurostructural biomarkers of trait dissociation in healthy children.

Method

Typically developing 9- to 15-year-olds (n = 180) without psychological or behavioural disorders were enrolled in the Developmental Chronnecto-Genomics (DevCoG) study of healthy brain development and completed psychological assessments of trauma exposure and dissociation, along with a structural T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. We conducted univariate ANCOVA generalised linear models for each region of the default mode network examining the effects of trait dissociation, including scanner site, age, gender and trauma as covariates and correcting for multiple comparison.

Results

We found that the precuneus was significantly larger in children with higher levels of trait dissociation but this was not related to trauma exposure. The inferior parietal volume was smaller in children with higher levels of trauma but was not related to dissociation. No other regions of interest, including frontal and limbic structures, were significantly related to trait dissociation even before multiple comparison correction.

Conclusions

Trait dissociation reflects subtle cognitive disruptions worthy of study in healthy people and warrants study as a potential risk factor for psychopathology. This neurostructural study of trait dissociation in healthy children identified the precuneus as an essential brain region to consider in future dissociation research.
Bone Health in Adults With Prader–Willi Syndrome: Clinical Recommendations Based on a Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: van Abswoude Denise H , Pellikaan Karlijn , Rosenberg Anna G W , Davidse Kirsten , Coupaye Muriel , Høybye Charlotte , Markovic Tania P , Grugni Graziano , Crinò Antonino , Caixàs Assumpta , Poitou Christine , Mosbah Helena , Weir Tessa , van Vlimmeren Leo A , Rutges Joost P H J , De Klerk Luuk W L , Zillikens M Carola , van der Lely Aart J , de Graaff Laura C G
Published: September 2022

Context

Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare complex genetic syndrome, characterized by delayed psychomotor development, hypotonia, and hyperphagia. Hormone deficiencies such as hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, and growth hormone deficiency are common. The combination of hypotonia, low physical activity, and hypogonadism might lead to a decrease in bone mass and increase in fracture risk. Moreover, one would expect an increased risk of scoliosis due to hypotonia and low physical activity.

Objective

To study the prevalence and risk factors for skeletal problems (reduced bone mineral density, fractures, and scoliosis) in adults with PWS.

Methods

We retrospectively collected patient characteristics, medical history, medication, biochemical measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans, and spinal X-rays and reviewed the current literature.

Results

We included 354 adults with PWS (median age 31 years; 43% males), of whom 51 (14%) had osteoporosis (T-score below −2.5) and 143 (54%) had osteopenia (T-score −1 to −2.5). The most prevalent modifiable risk factors for osteoporosis were hypogonadism, insufficient dairy intake, sedentary lifestyle, and corticosteroid use. Male sex was associated with osteoporosis (P = .005). Growth hormone treatment was not associated with osteoporosis. A history of vertebral fractures was present in 10 (3%) and nonvertebral fractures in 59 (17%). Scoliosis was present in 263 (80%), but no modifiable risk factors were identified.

Conclusion

Besides scoliosis, osteoporosis is common in adults with PWS. Based on the literature and the risk factors for osteoporosis found in our cohort, we provide practical clinical recommendations to avoid skeletal complications in these vulnerable patients.
Mitotic spindle disassembly in human cells relies on CRIPT having hierarchical redox signals
Authors: Xu Kehan , Wang Chunxue , Keinänen Kari , Li Hong , Cai Chunlin
Published: September 2022

Swift and complete spindle disassembly in late mitosis is essential for cell survival, yet how it happens is largely unknown in mammalian cells. Here we used real-time live cell microscopy and biochemical assays to show that the primordial dwarfism (PD)-related cysteine-rich protein CRIPT dictates the spindle disassembly in a redox-dependent manner in human cells. This previously reported cytoplasmic protein was found to have a confined nuclear localization with a nucleolar concentration during interphase but was distributed to spindles and underwent redox modifications to form disulfide bonds in CXXC pairs during mitosis. Then, it directly interacted with, and might transfer a redox response to, tubulin subunits via a putative redox exchange among cysteine residues to induce microtubule depolymerization. Expression of CRIPT proteins with mutations of these cysteine residues blocked spindle disassembly, generating two cell types with long-lasting metaphase spindles or spindle remnants. Live-cell recordings of a disease-relevant mutant (CRIPTC3Y) revealed that microtubule depolymerization at spindle ends during anaphase and the entire spindle dissolution during telophase might share a common CRIPT-bearing redox-controlled mechanism.
The AHR target gene scinderin activates the WNT pathway by facilitating the nuclear translocation of β-catenin
Authors: Perez-Castro Lizbeth , Venkateswaran Niranjan , Garcia Roy , Hao Yi-Heng , Lafita-Navarro M. C. , Kim Jiwoong , Segal Dagan , Saponzik Etai , Chang Bo-Jui , Fiolka Reto , Danuser Gaudenz , Xu Lin , Brabletz Thomas , Conacci-Sorrell Maralice
Published: September 2022

The ligand-activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) regulates cellular detoxification, proliferation and immune evasion in a range of cell types and tissues, including cancer cells. In this study, we used RNA-sequencing to identify the signature of the AHR target genes regulated by the pollutant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) and the endogenous ligand kynurenine (Kyn), a tryptophan-derived metabolite. This approach identified a signature of six genes (CYP1A1, ALDH1A3, ABCG2, ADGRF1 and SCIN) as commonly activated by endogenous or exogenous ligands of AHR in multiple colon cancer cell lines. Among these, the actin-severing protein scinderin (SCIN) was necessary for cell proliferation; SCIN downregulation limited cell proliferation and its expression increased it. SCIN expression was elevated in a subset of colon cancer patient samples, which also contained elevated β-catenin levels. Remarkably, SCIN expression promoted nuclear translocation of β-catenin and activates the WNT pathway. Our study identifies a new mechanism for adhesion-mediated signaling in which SCIN, likely via its ability to alter the actin cytoskeleton, facilitates the nuclear translocation of β-catenin.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first authors of the paper.
SHARPIN S146 phosphorylation mediates ARP2/3 interaction, cancer cell invasion and metastasis
Authors: Butt Umar , Khan Meraj H. , Pouwels Jeroen , Westermarck Jukka
Published: September 2022

SHARPIN is involved in several cellular processes and promotes cancer progression. However, how the choice between different functions of SHARPIN is post-translationally regulated is unclear. Here, we characterized SHARPIN phosphorylation by mass spectrometry and in vitro kinase assay. Focusing on S131 and S146, we demonstrate that they have a role in SHARPIN-ARP2/3 complex interaction, but play no role in integrin inhibition or LUBAC activation. Consistent with its novel role in ARP2/3 regulation, S146 phosphorylation of SHARPIN promoted lamellipodia formation. We also demonstrate that SHARPIN S146 phosphorylation-mediated ARP2/3 interaction is sensitive to inhibition of ERK1/2 or reactivation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). Notably, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of SHARPIN abrogated three-dimensional (3D) invasion of several cancer cell lines. The 3D invasion of cancer cells was rescued by overexpression of the wild-type SHARPIN, but not by SHARPIN S146A mutant. Finally, we demonstrate that inhibition of phosphorylation at S146 significantly reduces in vivo metastasis in a zebrafish model. Collectively, these results map SHARPIN phosphorylation sites and identify S146 as a novel phosphorylation switch defining ARP2/3 interaction and cancer cell invasion.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Heattech clothing technology and potential for thermal injury in MRI
Authors: Hudson Darren , Abrantes Luis
Published: September 2022

A patient attended for an MRI scan wearing Heattech thermal clothing. Following the scan, the patient experienced a heating and sunburn sensation over their back. Further investigation has highlighted one similar event to this internationally due to the clothing technology used. The intention of this report is to raise awareness of the potential for this clothing technology to cause thermal injury when worn within MRI, as well as to further emphasise the importance of assessing patient clothing prior to scanning.
The skeletal muscle phenotype of the DE50-MD dog model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Hildyard John C.W. , Riddell Dominique O. , Harron Rachel C.M. , Rawson Faye , Foster Emma M.A. , Massey Claire , Taylor-Brown Frances , Wells Dominic J. , Piercy Richard J.
Published: September 2022

Background: Animal models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are essential to study disease progression and assess efficacy of therapeutic intervention, however dystrophic mice fail to display a clinically relevant phenotype, limiting translational utility. Dystrophin-deficient dogs exhibit disease similar to humans, making them increasingly important for late-stage preclinical evaluation of candidate therapeutics. The DE50-MD canine model of DMD carries a mutation within a human ‘hotspot’ region of the dystrophin gene, amenable to exon-skipping and gene editing strategies. As part of a large natural history study of disease progression, we have characterised the DE50-MD skeletal muscle phenotype to identify parameters that could serve as efficacy biomarkers in future preclinical trials.

Methods: Vastus lateralis muscles were biopsied from a large cohort of DE50-MD dogs and healthy male littermates at 3-monthly intervals (3-18 months) for longitudinal analysis, with multiple muscles collected post-mortem to evaluate body-wide changes. Pathology was characterised quantitatively using histology and measurement of gene expression to determine statistical power and sample sizes appropriate for future work.

Results: DE50-MD skeletal muscle exhibits widespread degeneration/regeneration, fibrosis, atrophy and inflammation. Degenerative/inflammatory changes peak during the first year of life, while fibrotic remodelling appears more gradual. Pathology is similar in most skeletal muscles, but in the diaphragm, fibrosis is more prominent, associated with fibre splitting and pathological hypertrophy. Picrosirius red and acid phosphatase staining represent useful quantitative histological biomarkers for fibrosis and inflammation respectively, while qPCR can be used to measure regeneration (MYH3, MYH8), fibrosis (COL1A1), inflammation (SPP1), and stability of DE50-MD dp427 transcripts.

Conclusion: The DE50-MD dog is a valuable model of DMD, with pathological features similar to young, ambulant human patients. Sample size and power calculations show that our panel of muscle biomarkers are of strong pre-clinical value, able to detect therapeutic improvements of even 25%, using trials with only six animals per group.
Record of bees and wasps (Insecta: Hymenoptera) during the dry season in a floodplain in the South Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Cipola Nikolas Gioia , Pádua Diego Galvão de , Schoeninger Karine , Oliveira Bruno Garcia de , Gadelha Sian de Souza , Zequi João Antonio Cyrino
Published: September 2022

We reported the hymenopteran fauna (except Formicidae) in a floodable area in the South Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The study was conducted in a riparian forest of the Miranda river, located in the Passo do Lontra region, Corumbá. The collection occurred in the dry season of August 2016 using different capture methods. A total of 137 individuals distributed in 18 families, 43 genera, and 64 morphospecies (10 nominal) were collected. The families with the greatest richness were Diapriidae and Ichneumonidae with 11 morphospecies each (17% of the total), followed by Platygastridae and Braconidae with 10 and nine, respectively. Two species were newly recorded for Brazil: Gryonoides pulchellus Dodd, 1920 (Platygastridae) and Losada penai Fritz, 1873 (Crabronidae), plus 22 new records for Mato Grosso do Sul. This study increases about 5.2% of the wasp fauna recorded in Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as for the Pantanal.
Efficient Learning for Clustering and Optimizing Context-Dependent Designs
Authors: Li Haidong , Lam Henry , Peng Yijie
Published: September 2022

Contextual simulation optimization problems have attracted great attention in the healthcare, commercial, and financial fields because of the need for personalized decision making. Besides randomness in simulation outputs, larger solution space makes learning and optimization more challenging. In the current work, Li, Lam, and Peng use a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) as a basic technique to deal with this difficulty. To address the computational challenge in updating GMM-based Bayesian posterior, they present a computationally efficient approximation method that can reduce the computational complexity from an exponential rate to a linear rate with respect to the problem scale. For sample allocation decision making, they propose a dynamic sampling policy to efficiently utilize both global clustering information and local performance information. The proposed sampling policy is proved to be consistent, be implementable, and achieve the asymptotically optimal sampling ratio. Numerical experiments show that the proposed sampling policy significantly improves the efficiency in contextual simulation optimization.
Support for adult survivors of lymphoma: a literature review
Authors: Berkley Ashleigh
Published: September 2022

Background:

After the completion of chemotherapy, survivors of lymphoma are at risk of developing late effects of their cancer treatment, which can negatively impact their quality of life. Despite the recommendations for support after active treatment ceases, there is a recognised risk that survivors' needs may not be met.

Aim:

To review the existing literature surrounding professional support in survivorship to establish whether people's needs are being met.

Method:

A literature review and thematic analysis of 22 primary research articles.

Findings:

Specialist support and primary care involvement were identified as the two main themes of professional support. Provider-related barriers and individual differences impact the effectiveness of the available support in survivorship.

Conclusion:

Following guidelines and understanding an individual's personal needs following treatment will help to ensure that survivors receive the right support. Further research with survivors of lymphoma is required to improve outcomes in the future.
An Evaluation of Current Leadership Practices in Secondary Schools in Madrid
Authors: Osle Ángel
Published: September 2022

This study aims to evaluate the leadership practices of a sample of secondary school principals in the Madrid region. An attempt will be made to provide some insights into their professional profile, their performance of leadership tasks, and the different elements that define their leadership model. An online questionnaire was used to collect their opinions on the day-to-day performance of their leadership role, as well as on the factors that influence their leadership style. From a methodological point of view, a quantitative approach is used within an interpretative framework, given that the emphasis is not on the generalisation of results but on understanding how school principals operate in their particular context. Results revealed that instructional leadership in Spain is still seen as a challenging goal for principals. This is closely in line with the bureaucratic nature of the headship role in Spanish schools.
Speckle classification of a multimode fiber based on
Inception V3
Authors: Li Zifei , Zhang Leihong , Zhang Zili , Xu Runchu , Zhang Dawei
Published: September 2022

Multimode optical fiber plays an important role in endoscope
miniaturization. With the development of deep learning and machine
learning, neural networks can be used to identify and classify speckle
patterns obtained at the fiber output. Based on the speckle pattern of
a HERLEV dataset cell image transmitted by a multimode fiber, this
paper studies the recognition accuracy of various types of speckle by
a support vector machine, K-nearest neighbor, and convolutional neural
network (Inception V3). Meanwhile, we propose an image classification
optimization algorithm based on improved Inception V3. The
experimental results show that the improved algorithm model is better
than the traditional machine learning method; the accuracy rate is
97.92%, which effectively improves the performance of the pathological
cell diagnosis deep learning model and lays a theoretical and
practical foundation for further clinical application.
Symmetry-aware deep neural networks for high harmonic spectroscopy in solids
Authors: Klimkin Nikolai D , Jiménez-Galán Álvaro , Silva Rui E. F. , Ivanov Misha
Published: September 2022

Neural networks are a prominent tool for identifying and modeling complex patterns, which are otherwise hard to detect and analyze. While machine learning and neural networks have been finding applications across many areas of science and technology, their use in decoding ultrafast dynamics of quantum systems driven by strong laser fields has been limited so far. Here we use standard deep neural networks to analyze simulated noisy spectra of highly nonlinear optical response of a 2-dimensional gapped graphene crystal to intense few-cycle laser pulses. We show that a computationally simple 1-dimensional system provides a useful "nursery school" for our neural network, allowing it to be retrained to treat more complex 2D systems, recovering the parametrized band structure and spectral phases of the incident few-cycle pulse with high accuracy, in spite of significant amplitude noise and phase jitter. Our results offer a route for attosecond high harmonic spectroscopy of quantum dynamics in solids with a simultaneous, all-optical, solid-state based complete characterization of few-cycle pulses, including their nonlinear spectral phase and the carrier envelope phase.
Reference shape effects on Fourier transform holography
Authors: Malm Erik , Pfau Bastian , Schneider Michael , Günther Christian M. , Hessing Piet , Büttner Felix , Mikkelsen Anders , Eisebitt Stefan
Published: September 2022

Soft-x-ray holography which utilizes an optics mask fabricated in direct contact with the sample, is a widely applied x-ray microscopy method, in particular, for investigating magnetic samples. The optics mask splits the x-ray beam into a reference wave and a wave to illuminate the sample. The reconstruction quality in such a Fourier-transform holography experiment depends primarily on the characteristics of the reference wave, typically emerging from a small, high-aspect-ratio pinhole in the mask. In this paper, we study two commonly used reference geometries and investigate how their 3D structure affects the reconstruction within an x-ray Fourier holography experiment. Insight into these effects is obtained by imaging the exit waves from reference pinholes via high-resolution coherent diffraction imaging combined with three-dimensional multislice simulations of the x-ray propagation through the reference pinhole. The results were used to simulate Fourier-transform holography experiments to determine the spatial resolution and precise location of the reconstruction plane for different reference geometries. Based on our findings, we discuss the properties of the reference pinholes with view on application in soft-x-ray holography experiments.
Optimization of the nanostructured weakly coupled few-mode fiber for mode-division-multiplexed systems
Authors: Kasztelanic Rafal , Michalik Damian , Anuszkiewicz Alicja , Buczynski Ryszard
Published: September 2022

The objective of the study is to optimize the optical fiber structure for mode-division multiplexing systems using nanostructurization. The nanostructuring technique allows to fabricate fibers with arbitrarily designed (free-form) refractive index distribution based on two glasses. Three optimization schemes have been proposed. The nanostructuring method allows for designing fibers with optical properties similar and even better parameters impossible to produce by other methods. In this proposal, we examined four linearly polarized (LP) few-mode fibers. We report a high effective refractive index difference between modes while maintaining other important parameters for the weakly coupled approach.
Quantum limits of position-sensitive photodiodes
Authors: Fradgley E. , French C. , Rushton L. , Dieudonné Y. , Harrison L. , Beckey J. L. , Miao H. , Gill C. , Petrov P. G. , Boyer V.
Published: September 2022

The split photodiode and the lateral effect photodiode are two popular detectors for measuring beam displacement. For small displacements of a Gaussian beam, which is the case of interest here, they are often seen as equivalent and used interchangeably, giving a signal proportional to the displacement. We show theoretically and experimentally that in the limit of low technical noise, where the signal to noise ratio is dominated by the shot noise of the light, the lateral effect photodiode produces a better signal to noise ratio than the split photodiode, owing to its optimum spatial detector response. This quantum advantage can be practically exploited in spite of the intrinsic thermal noise of the lateral effect photodiode.
Low knowledge about hepatitis B prevention among pregnant women in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Thahir Sahal , Tulenko Samantha E. , Ngimbi Patrick , Ntambua Sarah , Matondo Jolie , Mwandagalirwa Kashamuka , Tabala Martine , Kaba Didine , Yotebieng Marcel , Parr Jonathan B. , Thompson Peyton
Published: September 2022

Infants infected perinatally with hepatitis B (HBV) are at the highest risk of developing chronic hepatitis and associated sequelae. Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HBV requires improved screening and awareness of the disease. This study evaluated existing HBV knowledge among pregnant mothers (n = 280) enrolled in two HBV studies in urban maternity centers in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. All mothers responded to three knowledge questions upon study enrollment. Baseline levels of knowledge related to HBV transmission, treatment, prevention, and symptoms were low across all participants: 68.8% did not know how HBV was transmitted, 70.7% did not know how to prevent or treat HBV MTCT, and 79.6% did not know signs and symptoms of HBV. Over half of participants responded “I don’t know” to all questions. HBV-positive women who participated in both studies (n = 46) were asked the same questions during both studies and showed improved knowledge after screening and treatment, despite no formal educational component in either study (p < 0.001). These findings highlight the need for intensified education initiatives in highly endemic areas to improve PMTCT efforts.