bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
My 20 years together with Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine
Authors: Gao Shan
Published: January 2023

Shan Gao has served at Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine (JOPM) for 20 years, and currently as Associate Editor of JOMP, Beijing, China. After he finished his 8 year education in Stomatology for both bachelor and master degrees, he started 10 years of clinic practice in Endodontics and Oral Medicine in China, followed by 12 years basic research work in Molecular Biology, including 3 years for a PhD degree in Denmark and 10 years industry experience in a leading RNAi therapeutic company in China. During those years of experience, he built up a close relationship with Oral Pathology and Oral Medicine. It is great opportunity to introduce his story together with JOPM, accompanying with his personal research experience, at the moment of the 50th Anniversary of JOPM.
Accuracy of aMMP‐8 point‐of‐care test in indicating periodontal treatment outcomes in stage III/IV periodontitis: A 24‐week follow‐up study
Authors: Yilmaz Mustafa , Sorsa Timo , Demir Esra , Gürsoy Mervi , Suominen Auli , Tervahartiala Taina , Räisänen Ismo T. , Gürsoy Ulvi K.
Published: January 2023

Objective

To analyse the correspondence between aMMP‐8 PoC test results and the clinical endpoints of non‐surgical periodontal treatment in stage III/IV periodontitis.

Background

The diagnostic success of the active‐matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (aMMP‐8) point‐of‐care (PoC) test has been demonstrated in various studies, but the evidence of its accuracy following periodontal treatment is limited.

Materials and methods

Altogether 42 stage III/IV grade C periodontitis patients were included in this prospective diagnostic study. Clinical periodontal indices were recorded, aMMP‐8 PoC test was applied and mouthrinse was collected before and at 6, 12 and 24 weeks after non‐surgical periodontal treatment. Quantitative aMMP‐8 levels were determined with immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) for the verification of the PoC test results. The accuracy of the aMMP‐8 PoC test was assessed using previously established clinical endpoints as references.

Results

Sensitivity and specificity of aMMP‐8 PoC test to indicate clinical endpoints were ranged as follows: Sensitivity 71.4% at baseline, 39.3%–42.4% at week 6, 28.6%–32.4% at week 12 and 35.3%–42.9% at week 24; specificity 64.3%–80% at week 6, 40%–57.1% at week 12 and 56%–64.3% at week 24.

Conclusions

The accuracy of aMMP‐8 PoC test in identifying clinical endpoints after non‐surgical periodontal treatment is reduced in relation to baseline. Individual healing patterns of each diseased pocket eventually limit the accuracy of the dichotomous aMMP‐8 oral rinse test during the post‐treatment period.
Confirmation of guideline‐defined hepatitis C screening strategies within the ‘Check‐Up35+’ examination in the primary care setting
Authors: Petroff David , Wolffram Ingmar , Bätz Olaf , Jedrysiak Katrin , Kramer Jan , Berg Thomas , Wiegand Johannes
Published: January 2023

Background and Aims

Screening strategies for undiagnosed infections are fundamental for hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination. We previously investigated HCV prevalence and screening strategies in an urban primary care setting. IV drug abuse, blood transfusion before 1992, immigration, or elevated ALT were identified as risk factors in a post hoc analysis and diagnosed 83% of unknown HCV‐RNA‐positive cases by screening only 26% of the population.

We aimed to validate prospectively the proposed screening algorithm in two independent urban and rural cohorts and to analyse for potential differences.

Methods

Anti‐HCV and ALT were included in a routine check‐up together with a questionnaire covering risk factors. HCV‐RNA was analysed in anti‐HCV‐positive individuals.

Results

In urban and rural areas, 4323 and 9321 individuals were recruited. The anti‐HCV prevalence was 0.56% and 0.49%, and 0.1% of patients were HCV‐RNA‐positive in both regions. Fifty‐two anti‐HCV positive patients including eight HCV‐RNA‐positive cases were unaware of the infection (number needed to screen to detect one unknown anti‐HCV‐positive individual: 262). At least one of the three aforementioned risk factors or elevated serum ALT was present in 3000 patients (22%). Restricting HCV screening to only those with risk factors, 52% and 75% of all anti‐HCV and HCV‐RNA‐positive undiagnosed patients were identified (number needed to screen: 111).

Conclusions

We confirm prospectively the efficiency of a risk‐based HCV screening. The risk‐based algorithm should be evaluated in other countries with similarly low HCV prevalence as in Germany to achieve WHO HCV elimination goals.
Recording of bridge damage areas by 3D integration of multiple images and reduction of the variability in detected results
Authors: Yamane Tatsuro , Chun Pang‐jo , Dang Ji , Honda Riki
Published: January 2023

Machine learning models have been developed to perform damage detection using images to improve bridge inspection efficiency. However, in damage detection using images alone, the 3D coordinates of the damage cannot be recorded. Furthermore, the accuracy of the detection depends on the quality of the images. This paper proposes a method to integrate and record the damage detected from multiple images into a 3D model using deep learning to detect the damage from bridge images and structure from motion to identify the shooting position. The proposed method reduces the variability of the detection results between images and can assess the scale of damage or, conversely, where there is no damage and the extent of inspection omissions. The proposed method has been applied to a real bridge, and it has been shown that the actual damage locations can be recorded as a 3D model.
Seasonality and other risk factors for fleas infestations in domestic dogs and cats
Authors: Farrell Sean , McGarry John , Noble Peter‐John Mäntylä , Pinchbeck Gina J. , Cantwell Sophie , Radford Alan D. , Singleton David A.
Published: January 2023

Fleas in the genus Ctenocephalides are the most clinically important parasitic arthropods of dogs and cats worldwide yet risk factors that might increase the risk of infestation in small animals remains unclear. Here we developed a supervised text mining approach analysing key aspects of flea epidemiology using electronic health records from domestic cats and dogs seen at a sentinel network of 191 voluntary veterinary practices across Great Britain between March 2014 and July 2020. Our methods identified fleas as likely to have been present during 22,276 of 1,902,016 cat consultations (1.17%) and 12,168 of 4,844,850 dog consultations (0.25%). Multivariable logistic regression modelling found that animals originating from areas of least deprivation were associated with 50% reductions in odds of veterinary‐recorded flea infestation compared to the most deprived regions in England. Age of the animal was significantly associated with flea presentation in both cats and dogs, with cases peaking before animals reached 12 months. Cases were recorded through each study years, peaking between July and October, with fluctuations between each year. Our findings can be used towards healthcare messaging for veterinary practitioners and owners.
Local radiographic risk factors for MRONJ in osteoporotic patients undergoing tooth extraction
Authors: Moreno‐Rabié Catalina , Gaêta‐Araujo Hugo , Ferreira‐Leite André , Coucke Wim , Gielen Evelien , Van den Wyngaert Tim , Jacobs Reinhilde
Published: January 2023

Objective

To identify local radiographic risk factors for Medication‐Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (MRONJ) in osteoporotic patients treated with antiresorptive drugs (ARD) and undergoing tooth extraction.

Material and Methods

Patients were included in this retrospective, longitudinal, case‐control study, if having at least one administration of ARD, underwent tooth extraction(s), and had pre‐ and post‐operative panoramic radiographs. Additionally, a matched control group was selected. Three calibrated, blinded, and independent observers assessed each tooth extraction site. Statistical analysis compared control against study group, and within the latter, sites MRONJ+ and MRONJ−.

Results

In total, 120 patients (99 females/21 males) with 354 tooth extractions were included, from which nine patients (7.5%) and eleven tooth extraction sites (3.1%) developed MRONJ. When comparing control with study group, the latter showed significantly more thickened lamina dura, persistence of the alveolar socket, heterogeneous bone patterns, and sequestrum formation. In the study group, MRONJ developed significantly more in males (19%, p = 0.049), smokers (25%, p = 0.008), in the mandible (82%, p = 0.027), when identifying a radiolucent or sclerotic trabecular pattern (p = 0.004) or when extracting teeth with furcation involvement (p < 0.001), root remnants (p = 0.017), or unrestored caries lesions (p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Tooth extraction sites showing radiographic signs of chronic dental infection are prone to MRONJ.
Optogenetics in taste research: A decade of enlightenment
Authors: Yu Hanshu , Song Luyao , Duan Xiangyao , Zhu Danji , Li Na , Pan Runxin , Xu Rui , Yu Xinying , Ye Fengkai , Jiang Xinrui , Ye Han , Pan Zikang , Wei Sixing , Jiang Zhiwei
Published: January 2023

The electrophysiological function of the tongue involves complicated activities in taste sense, producing the perceptions of salty, sweet, bitter, and sour. However, therapies and prevention of taste loss arising from dysfunction in electrophysiological activity require further fundamental research. Optogenetics has revolutionized neuroscience and brought the study of sensory system to a higher level in taste. The year 2022 marks a decade of developments of optogenetics in taste since this technology was adopted from neuroscience and applied to the taste research. This review summarizes a decade of advances that define near‐term translation with optogenetic tools, and newly‐discovered mechanisms with the applications of these tools. The main limitations and opportunities for optogenetics in taste research are also discussed.
Intersection of the iADH undergraduate curriculum in special care dentistry and the association of Canadian faculties of dentistry competencies framework
Authors: Pani Sharat Chandra , Dong Cecilia Se‐Yee , Faulks Denise
Published: January 2023

Aims

To map the International Association of Disability and Oral Health (iADH) curriculum to the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) competencies framework to develop a strategy for teaching special care dentistry (SCD) using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). To review the literature to identify educational methodologies that support teaching SCD competencies.

Methods

The 20 subdomains of the ACFD competencies framework were mapped to the 18 subdomains of the iADH competency matrix. A literature review of methods, techniques, or innovations used to teach SCD was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research Type (SPIDER) tool.

Results

The iADH curriculum was mapped to the ACFD competencies in the areas of patient care, professionalism, communication and collaboration, practice information management, and health promotion. A total of 176 articles from PubMed and 10 resources from MedEdPortal were identified in the literature search. Eleven articles met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The overall quantity and quality of studies was low. Experiential learning in either a dental school or hospital‐based program seemed to improve knowledge of SCD and to incite greater willingness to treat patients requiring SCD.

Conclusions

Case‐based learning, computer‐based modules, standardized patients, and clinical practice are educational strategies for teaching SCD competencies. The integration of SCD into the undergraduate dental curriculum seems feasible, as most required competencies are transferable to all dental disciplines. Furthermore, the ICF provides a functional model that is a patient‐centered approach and is applicable to dentistry beyond SCD.
Identification of three new HLA alleles, HLA‐A*68:298, HLA‐C*07:1054N and HLA‐DRB1*15:216
Authors: Loginova Maria , Druzhinina Svetlana , Paramonov Igor
Published: January 2023

Three new HLA alleles characterized by next‐generation sequencing, HLA‐A*68:298, HLA‐C*07:1054N and HLA‐DRB1*15:216.
Intraobserver repeatability for a standardized protocol to quantify keel bone damage in laying hens using discrete and continuous radiographic measures
Authors: Harrison Cerano , Jones Jeryl , Bridges William , Ali Ahmed
Published: January 2023

Sternal carina damage (keel bone damage, KBD) is an important welfare concern for laying hen producers and backyard flock owners. Quantitative radiographic measures of KBD severity are helpful for researchers who study causes for this problem and the effects of novel interventions. The objectives of the current retrospective secondary analysis study were to develop and test intraobserver repeatability for a standardized protocol to quantify three categories of radiographic KBD using open‐source image analysis software and discrete and continuous variables. The standardized protocol was developed and evaluated using triplicate measurements of 470 keel bone radiographs that had been previously acquired for a prospective study. Intraobserver repeatability was assessed using intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) and control chart methods. Based on control chart analyses, measures within the acceptable range of intra‐observer variation using the standardized protocol were the number of complete cranial fractures (97.02%), incomplete cranial fractures (96.38%), complete caudal fractures (95.32%), incomplete caudal fractures (98.09%), cranial calluses (99.79%), and caudal calluses (98.09%); proportion of deviation (POD) measurements (97.87%); and angle of displacement (AOD) measurements (93.60%). Findings can be used as background to support future research studies on KBD in laying hens.
A scoping review on the nurse scientist role within healthcare systems
Authors: Allen Deborah H. , Arthur Elizabeth K. , Blazey Meghan , Brassil Kelly , Cahill Jennifer E. , Cooley Mary E. , Fadol Anecita P. , Hammer Marilyn J. , Hartranft Sue , Murphy Beverly , Nolan Timiya S. , Sun Virginia , Whisenant Meagan , Yoder Linda H.
Published: January 2023

Background

The role of the nurse scientist in the clinical setting is not well defined, which contributes to variability in role implementation, scope, administration, funding, and affiliation across healthcare sites.

Aims

The aim of this scoping review was to identify attributes of the clinical nurse scientist role and its operationalization in the clinical setting through available evidence.

Methods

A comprehensive, computerized search of the literature in PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL was conducted in early May 2020 by a medical research librarian and repeated in July 2021 and April 2022. The 5‐step framework described by Arskey and O'Malley guided the review methodology. Two reviewers conducted an independent screen of all articles, followed by a full‐text review of eligible articles by two independent reviewers each using a standardized data extraction template. Themes were then organized and synthesized using descriptive content analysis from the included articles.

Results

A final sample of 55 full‐text articles were included in the review. Overall, the findings suggest that the nurse scientist role in a clinical setting can be challenging to implement in complex healthcare environments. Successful models include the nurse scientist in a leadership role, alignment of research with institutional priorities, and strong support from senior leadership.

Linking Evidence to Action

Findings suggest that standardized guidelines are lacking to govern the implementation of the nurse scientist role in the clinical setting. To succeed, the nurse scientist role must be valued and supported by organizational leaders. Further, access to resources to build infrastructure must be provided. The magnitude and scope of individual organizational support can be tailored based on the resources of the institution; however, the foundation of having institutional leadership support is critical to role success of the clinical nurse researcher.
Improved pulmonary function is associated with reduced inflammation after hybrid whole‐body exercise training in persons with spinal cord injury
Authors: Yates Brandon A. , Brown Robert , Picard Glen , Taylor J. Andrew
Published: January 2023

The current study was designed to test the hypotheses that (1) reducing systemic inflammation via a 12‐week functional electrical stimulation rowing exercise training (FESRT) prescription results in augmented pulmonary function, and (2) the magnitude of improvement in pulmonary function is inversely associated with the magnitude of systemic inflammation suppression in persons with sub‐acute (≤2 years) spinal cord injury (SCI). We conducted a retrospective analysis of a randomized controlled trial (NCT#02139436). Twenty‐one participants were enrolled (standard of care (SOC; n = 9) or FESRT (n = 12)). The exercise prescription was three sessions/week at 70–85% of peak heart rate. A two‐way analysis of covariance and regression analysis was used to assess group differences and associations between pulmonary function, log transformed high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRPlog) and white blood cell count (WBC). Following FESRT, clinically significant improvements in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1; 0.25 (0.08–0.43) vs. −0.06 (−0.26 to 0.15) litres) and forced vital capacity (0.22 (0.04–0.39) vs. 0.08 (−0.29 to 0.12) litres) were noted and systemic WBC (−1.45 (−2.48 to −0.50) vs. 0.41 (−0.74 to 1.56) μl) levels were suppressed compared to SOC (mean change (95% confidence interval); P < 0.05). Additionally, both ΔhsCRPlog and ΔWBC were predictors of ΔFEV1 (r2 = 0.89 and 0.43, respectively; P < 0.05). Twelve weeks of FESRT improves pulmonary function and reduces WBC in persons with sub‐acute SCI. The potency of FESRT to augment pulmonary function may depend on adequate suppression of systemic inflammation.
Impacts of seafloor characteristics on three-dimensional sound propagation in a submarine canyon
Authors: Chen Tzu-Ting , Lin Ying-Tsong , Chiu Linus Y.-S.
Published: January 2023

Three-dimensional (3D) underwater sound propagation in a submarine canyon is investigated with a numerical model and a dataset collected in a towed source experiment. This study emphasizes the impacts of seafloor bathymetry and sediment properties, which may alter the strength of 3D sound reflections from canyon seafloor. Specifically, the numerical model is utilized to analyze the sensitivity of seafloor morphology and sediment types affecting sound propagation in the canyon. The acoustic data reveals a canyon focusing effect, and the numerical model successfully reproduces the location of the focal area and confirms the focusing effect caused by the canyon bathymetry.
The Experience of Participating in Remotely Delivered Online Exercise Classes During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults and Its Postpandemic Implications
Authors: Lee Janet Lok Chun , Lou Vivian Wei Qun , Kwan Rick Yiu Cho
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of videoconferencing-delivered online exercise classes among community-dwelling older adults. This phenomenon is new, and no research has investigated older adults’ relevant experiences and postpandemic perspectives. This study is situated in a naturalistic paradigm and adopted a descriptive qualitative methodology to understand the phenomenon. In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 older adults (aged 55–89 years) who have participated in videoconferencing-delivered online exercise since the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing thematic analysis, eight key themes were identified. Older adults experienced convenience, exercise regularity, technological transformation, and motivation when using this new form of exercise delivery. At the same time, they also experienced certain technological barriers and compromised quality of instructor supervision. Looking forward, older adults welcomed the increased opportunity for supervised exercise due to increased virtual capacity. They also envisaged that mobility-restricted groups such as frail older adults and caregivers would benefit from this form of exercise delivery.
Effects of Home-Based Exercise Programs on Mobility, Muscle Strength, Balance, and Gait in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Costa Sabrine Nayara , Ferreira Luis Henrique Boiko , Bento Paulo C. B.
Published: January 2023

Objective: Individual unsupervised home-based exercise programs can enhance muscle strength, physical function, gait, and balance in older adults. However, the effectiveness of such programs may be limited by the lack of supervision. This study aims to verify the effectiveness of individual unsupervised home-based programs, compare the effects of individual unsupervised home-based to supervised programs, and verify the influence of supervision over individual unsupervised home-based programs on the physical function of older adults. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in four electronic databases, and the trials involved randomized controlled comparing the home-based programs to supervised, control groups, or home-based + supervised evaluating the muscle strength, physical function, gait, and balance in older adults. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis revealed no differences between home-based program versus supervised program in gait, mobility, and balance, revealing a trend of significance to supervised program on strength (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.27, p = .05). The analysis revealed effects in mobility (SMD = 0.40, p = .003), balance (SMD = 0.58, p = .0002), and muscle strength (SMD = 0.36, p = .02) favoring home-based program versus control group. Significant effects between home-based program versus home-based + supervised program were observed in balance (SMD = 0.74, p = .002) and muscle strength (SMD = 0.58, p = .01) in favor of home-based + supervised program. Conclusion: Home-based programs effectively improve older adults’ physical function compared with control groups. However, supervised programs were more effective for muscle strength.
Evaluation of Empirical Dosing Regimens for Meropenem in Intensive Care Unit Patients Using Population Pharmacokinetic Modeling and Target Attainment Analysis
Authors: An Guohua , Creech C. Buddy , Wu Nan , Nation Roger L. , Gu Kenan , Nalbant Demet , Jimenez-Truque Natalia , Fissell William , Rolsma Stephanie , Patel Pratish C. , Watanabe Amy , Fishbane Nicholas , Kirkpatrick Carl M. J. , Landersdorfer Cornelia B. , Winokur Patricia
Published: January 2023

In the present study, population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis was performed based on meropenem data from a prospective study conducted in 114 critically ill patients with a wide range of renal functions and various disease conditions. The final model was a one-compartment model with linear elimination, with creatinine clearance and continuous renal replacement therapy affecting clearance, and total bodyweight impacting the volume of distribution.
Population Pharmacokinetics and Dosage Optimization of Vancomycin in Pediatric Patients with Skin and Soft Tissue Infections, Bone, and Joint Infections
Authors: Lv Meng , Yang Ping , Zhang Shengnan , Wang Lingling , Sun Keming , Zhao Libo
Published: January 2023

Vancomycin is recommended for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) and bone and joint infections (BJI). However, a detailed investigation of the pharmacokinetic profile and optimal dosing regimens of vancomycin in pediatric patients with SSTI and BJI is lacking.
Targetome Analysis of Malaria Sporozoite Transcription Factor AP2-Sp Reveals Its Role as a Master Regulator
Authors: Yuda Masao , Kaneko Izumi , Murata Yuho , Iwanaga Shiroh , Nishi Tsubasa
Published: January 2023

The sporozoite stage plays a central role in malaria transmission from a mosquito to vertebrate host and is an important target for antimalarial strategies. AP2-Sp is a candidate master transcription factor for the sporozoite stage.
Genome Sequence of an Ungulate Tetraparvovirus 1 from a Nasal Swab of an Irish Beef-Suckler Calf
Authors: Dhufaigh Kerrie Ní , McCabe Matthew , Cormican Paul , Cuevas-Gomez Inmaculada , McGee Mark , McDaneld Tara , Earley Bernadette
Published: January 2023

Here, we report the genome sequence of strain UTPV1/AB belonging to the species
Ungulate tetraparvovirus 1
(UTPV1). UTPV1/AB was isolated in the east of Ireland, directly from a nasal swab of a beef-suckler calf diagnosed with bovine respiratory disease on a farm in County Meath (longitude, 6°65′W; latitude, 53°52′N).
Comparative Proteomics of Outer Membrane Vesicles from Polymyxin-Susceptible and Extremely Drug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Hussein Maytham , Jasim Raad , Gocol Hakan , Baker Mark , Thombare Varsha J. , Ziogas James , Purohit Aayush , Rao Gauri G. , Li Jian , Velkov Tony
Published: January 2023

OMVs can help bacteria to fight antibiotics not only by spreading antibiotic resistance genes but also by acting as protective armor against antibiotics. By employing proteomics, we found that OMVs have a potential role in shielding
K. pneumoniae
and acting as decoys to polymyxin attack, through declining the export of proteins (e.g., 4-amino-4-deoxy-
l
-arabinose transferase) involved in polymyxin resistance.
Blue Light Sensing BlsA-Mediated Modulation of Meropenem Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Yang Jihye , Yun Sohyeon , Park Woojun
Published: January 2023

Little is known about the functional roles of BlsA and its interacting partners in
Acinetobacter
species. Intriguingly, no BlsA homolog was found in several clinical isolates, suggesting that BlsA was not required inside the host because of the lack of blue light and the warm temperature conditions.
Genomic and Transcriptomic Insights into Salinity Tolerance-Based Niche Differentiation of
Synechococcus
Clades in Estuarine and Coastal Waters
Authors: Xia Xiaomin , Liao Ying , Liu Jiaxing , Leung Sze Ki , Lee Pui Yin , Zhang Lingshuai , Tan Yehui , Liu Hongbin
Published: January 2023

Synechococcus
is a group of unicellular Cyanobacteria that are widely distributed in global aquatic ecosystems. Salinity is a factor that affects the distribution of microorganisms in estuarine and coastal environments.
Recombination Drives Evolution of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Sequence Type 11 KL47 to KL64 in China
Authors: Chen Tao , Wang Yuan , Zhou Yanzi , Zhou Wangxiao , Chi Xiaohui , Shen Ping , Zheng Beiwen , Xiao Yonghong
Published: January 2023

Chromosomal recombination events are considered to contribute to the genetic diversification and ultimate success of many bacterial pathogens. A previous study unravelled the molecular evolution history of ST258 strains, which have been largely responsible for the spread of KPC in the United States.
Distinct Responses of Abundant and Rare Soil Bacteria to Nitrogen Addition in Tropical Forest Soils
Authors: He Jinhong , Tan Xiangping , Nie Yanxia , Ma Lei , Liu Juxiu , Lu Xiankai , Mo Jiangming , Leloup Julie , Nunan Naoise , Ye Qing , Shen Weijun
Published: January 2023

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition is a worldwide environmental problem and threatens biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Understanding the responses of community dynamics and assembly processes of abundant and rare soil bacterial taxa to anthropogenic N enrichment is vital for the management of N-polluted forest soils.
The Bacteriophage–Phage-Inducible Chromosomal Island Arms Race Designs an Interkingdom Inhibitor of dUTPases
Authors: Sanz-Frasquet Carla , Ciges-Tomas J. Rafael , Alite Christian , Penadés José R. , Marina Alberto
Published: January 2023

Stl, the
Staphylococcus aureus
pathogenicity island (SaPI) master repressor, targets phage-encoded proteins to derepress and synchronize the SaPI and the helper phage life cycles. This fascinating phage-SaPI arms race is exemplified by the Stl from SaPIbov1 which targets phage dimeric and trimeric dUTPases (Duts), structurally unrelated proteins with identical functions in the phages.
National PReCePT Programme: a before-and-after evaluation of the implementation of a national quality improvement programme to increase the uptake of magnesium sulfate in preterm deliveries
Authors: Edwards Hannah B , Redaniel Maria Theresa , Sillero-Rejon Carlos , Margelyte Ruta , Peters Tim J , Tilling Kate , Hollingworth William , McLeod Hugh , Craggs Pippa , Hill Elizabeth , Redwood Sabi , Donovan Jenny , Treloar Emma , Wetz Ellie , Swinscoe Natasha , Ford Gary A , Macleod John , Luyt Karen
Published: January 2023

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the National PReCePT Programme (NPP) in increasing use of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) in preterm births.

Design

Before-and-after study.

Setting

Maternity units (N=137) within NHS England and the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) in 2018.

Participants

Babies born ≤30 weeks’ gestation admitted to neonatal units in England.

Interventions

The NPP was a quality improvement (QI) intervention including the PReCePT (Preventing Cerebral Palsy in Pre Term labour) QI toolkit and materials (preterm labour proforma, staff training presentations, parent leaflet, posters for the unit and learning log), regional AHSN-level support, and up to 90 hours funded backfill for a midwife ‘champion’ to lead implementation.

Main outcome measures

MgSO4uptake post implementation was compared with pre-NPP implementation uptake. Implementation and lifetime costs were estimated.

Results

Compared with pre-implementation estimates, the average MgSO4uptake for babies born ≤30 weeks’ gestation, in 137 maternity units in England, increased by 6.3 percentage points (95% CI 2.6 to 10.0 percentage points) to 83.1% post implementation, accounting for unit size, maternal, baby and maternity unit factors, time trends, and AHSN. Further adjustment for early/late initiation of NPP activities increased the estimate to 9.5 percentage points (95% CI 4.3 to 14.7 percentage points). From a societal and lifetime perspective, the health gains and cost savings associated with the NPP effectiveness generated a net monetary benefit of £866 per preterm baby and the probability of the NPP being cost-effective was greater than 95%.

Conclusion

This national QI programme was effective and cost-effective. National programmes delivered via coordinated regional clinical networks can accelerate uptake of evidence-based therapies in perinatal care.
Temperature effects on the hydraulic properties of unsaturated rooted soils
Authors: Wang Hao , Chen Rui , Leung Anthony Kwan , Huang Junwen
Published: January 2023

Soil temperature of vegetated landfill earthen covers varies with time during their service, due to heat released by the degradation of municipal solid waste. In this study, an experimental campaign to capture soil water-retention curve (SWRC) and hydraulic conductivity function (HCF) of unsaturated rooted soils was conducted at different temperatures (25, 45, and 60 °C). Simplified evaporation tests were conducted by subjecting soil specimens to a prolonged drying period at maintained temperature. Based on the responses of matric suction and water content, SWRC and HCF were determined by the instantaneous profile method. It was found that increasing temperature reduced water-retention capacity, due to root shrinkage, thermal expansion of liquid phase, and reduction in forces of capillarity and adsorption. Soil hydraulic conductivity was enhanced by the increase in soil temperature due to reduction of water viscosity and potential preferential flow at root channels induced by root shrinkage. Temperature effects on SWRC and HCF of rooted soils are suction-dependent. A new nonisothermal SWRC model was developed to capture the dual effects of roots and temperature. By using the same set of calibrated parameters, the model demonstrates its ability to predict SWRCs reasonably well within the range of temperature investigated.
Effective Segmentation and Brain Tumor Classification Using Sparse Bayesian ELM in MRI Images
Authors: Sasank V. V. S. , Venkateswarlu S.
Published: January 2023

Classification of tumors from MRI plays very important role for diagnosing various diseases. But, it consumes an enormous amount of time for classification. Due to the similar structure of anomalous and typical tissues in the brain, it is difficult to complete the detection process successfully. Many researchers have developed new methods for detection and classification of tumors. But most of them failed at some point due to these limitations. Therefore in our work, we introduced a new machine learning algorithm for detection and classification of tumors. In addition to this, an intellectual segmentation technique known as Improved Binomial Thresholding technique is also introduced in this paper. This newly developed approach is used to differentiate the normal and abnormal slices from brain MRI. We can extract different features from the segmented image. The extracted features may be Wavelet Transform based (WT) or Scattering Wavelet Transform based (SWT). Feature selection process is achieved using a hybrid algorithm known as CS-FS (Hybrid Cuckoo Search with Fish Swarm) to minimize the dimension of extracted features. Finally, feature classification process is performed using Sparse Bayesian Extreme Learning Machine (SBELM) classifier. The proposed method is executed with the help of BRATS (Brain Tumor Image Segmentation) 2015 dataset. The result of the proposed method is evaluated on different parameters like accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. The values of these parameters are obtained by computing four factors such as TP, TN, FN and FP. The final evaluation results showed that, our proposed SBELM classifier has attained 97.2% accuracy, which is better than the other existing method like state-of-the-art method.
Trust and Energy-aware Multipath Selection in MANET for Ensuring Quality-of-service Using the Optimization Protocol
Authors: Karanje Pradeep , Eklarker Ravindra
Published: January 2023

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) is a wireless sensor network with high dynamic topologies that provides reliable routing for data packet transmission. Determining the optimal routing multipath along with the energy efficient multipath is a challenging task among the researchers and multiple routing protocols are initiated but have some limitations such as increased delay, high energy consumption and low reliability. Though recent studies highlight the working of the multipath routing protocols, the complexity of the protocols increases when there is an increase in the number of paths and hence, the selection of the path is a tedious and challenging task. In this research, the optimal multipath is determined using Gallus livia bird optimization (GLBO)-based routing, that helps in the determination of the more efficient, trustworthy and energy efficient path. The GLBO algorithm is developed by the standard hybridization of the characteristics of the Gallus and livia birds, where the foraging speed of the Gallus is enhanced that helps in obtaining an optimized routing path. The efficiency of the research is proved by measuring the number of alive nodes in final iterations, where the GLBO method consists of 44 alive nodes during the iteration 100, which tend to be more efficient. Similarly reduced delay of 0.557 sec is obtained during the transmission, which tends to reduce the energy and maximizes the lifetime of the network. The energy remained during the final iterations is measured in Joule, where the proposed method attained 0.073 Joules with the reliability of 48.520%. The overall analysis of the network shows that the GLBO based routing method works more efficiently compared to some state of art methods.
The Role of Civil Society in Extreme Events Through a Narrative Reflection of Pathways and Long-Term Relationships
Authors: Cobbing Paul , Waller Ewan , McEwen Lindsey
Published: January 2023

This reflective commentary is a facilitated exchange between two retired professionals in community risk management for extreme weather events – in two different cultural contexts. Paul Cobbing (formerly CEO UK National Flood Forum) and Ewan Waller (Australian land, forest and bush fire manager and consultant with forty years’ experience) share their insights gained through long-standing experience of working with and for communities. The facilitator is an academic researcher in community-based water risk management. Using case-study examples from their national contexts, they collectively reflect on the role of communities throughout the resilience cycle; the contribution of traditional lay knowledges and cultural practices in local resilience building; the harnessing of different knowledge flows; the importance of understanding communities; the values needed at intersections between communities with the professional world; the implications for the changing roles of risk management agencies; opportunities and blocks or impediments to collaboration; and what matters in the management of partnerships and in drawing strengths in crises. The three discussants conclude by highlighting seven important cross-cutting themes or principles needed in community-led approaches that give or return power to communities to shape the place in which they live, alongside others. These connect different types of local knowledge (indigenous, lay, experiential) for community-centered learning across settings.
Effective Responses to Public Emergencies at the Urban Community Level: A Perspective of COVID-19 Prevention and Control
Authors: LIU Ziqi , JIANG Wei , LI Jiahui
Published: January 2023

Community is directly responsible for implementing the policy measures against public emergencies such as extreme weather, earthquake, flash flood and pandemic diseases. Summarizing the experience at the urban community level can help promote the global emergency management. This paper, from the perspective of COVID-19 prevention and control, selects three communities with different features to explore an effective response system for public emergency management at the urban community level. It demonstrates that based on a centralized leadership, the multi-level governance (MLG) network combined with information technology has mobilized their participation in combating COVID-19 and ensured the effective and timely response to the public emergencies, which blocked the spread of epidemic to the greatest extent, proving worthy of being promoted as one of the Chinese approaches and Chinese wisdom.
Empirical analysis of PGA-MAP-Elites for Neuroevolution in Uncertain Domains
Authors: Flageat Manon , Chalumeau Félix , Cully Antoine
Published: January 2023

Quality-Diversity algorithms, among which are the Multi-dimensional Archive of Phenotypic Elites (MAP-Elites), have emerged as powerful alternatives to performance-only optimisation approaches as they enable generating collections of diverse and high-performing solutions to an optimisation problem. However, they are often limited to low-dimensional search spaces and deterministic environments. The recently introduced Policy Gradient Assisted MAP-Elites (PGA-MAP-Elites) algorithm overcomes this limitation by pairing the traditional Genetic operator of MAP-Elites with a gradient-based operator inspired by deep reinforcement learning. This new operator guides mutations toward high-performing solutions using policy gradients (PG). In this work, we propose an in-depth study of PGA-MAP-Elites. We demonstrate the benefits of PG on the performance of the algorithm and the reproducibility of the generated solutions when considering uncertain domains. We firstly prove that PGA-MAP-Elites is highly performant in both deterministic and uncertain high-dimensional environments, decorrelating the two challenges it tackles. Secondly, we show that in addition to outperforming all the considered baselines, the collections of solutions generated by PGA-MAP-Elites are highly reproducible in uncertain environments, approaching the reproducibility of solutions found by Quality-Diversity approaches built specifically for uncertain applications. Finally, we propose an ablation and in-depth analysis of the dynamic of the PG-based variation. We demonstrate that the PG variation operator is determinant to guarantee the performance of PGA-MAP-Elites but is only essential during the early stage of the process, where it finds high-performing regions of the search space.
Customer Volume Prediction Using Fusion of Shared-private Dynamic Weighting over Multiple Modalities
Authors: Wang Wenshan , Yang Su , Zhang Weishan
Published: January 2023

Customer volume prediction is crucial for a variety of urban applications, such as store location selection. So far, the key challenge lies in how to fuse multiple modalities from different data sources, on account of the massive amount of data accessible, for example, spatio-temporal data and satellite images. In this article, we investigate three dynamic weighting ensemble learning models to fuse spatio-temporal features and visual features for predicting customer volume in the urban commercial district of interest. Specifically, we propose the shared-private dynamic weighting model by incorporating graph neural networks, which is proposed to capture geographic dependencies (i.e., competitiveness or dependencies) between urban commercial districts in an end-to-end manner. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first work to utilize graph neural networks to model such geographic relationships. We conduct a series of experiments to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed models based on two real datasets. Furthermore, an elaborated visualization method is performed for knowledge discovery.
Relation-aware Graph Convolutional Networks for Multi-relational Network Alignment
Authors: Fang Yujie , Li Xin , Ye Rui , Tan Xiaoyan , Zhao Peiyao , Wang Mingzhong
Published: January 2023

The alignment of multiple multi-relational networks, such as knowledge graphs, is vital for many AI applications. In comparison with existing GCNs which cannot fully utilize relational information of multiple types, we propose a relation-aware graph convolutional network (ERGCN), which is equipped with both entity convolution and relation convolution to learn the entity embeddings and relation embeddings simultaneously. The role discrimination and translation property of knowledge graphs are adopted in the entity convolutional process to incorporate the relation information. To facilitate the relation convolution, we construct quadruples to model the connection between a pair of relations thus to determine their neighborhood, which also enables the relation convolution to be conducted in an efficient way. Thereafter, AERGCN, the alignment framework based on ERGCN, is developed for multi-relational network alignment tasks. Anchors are used to supervise the objective function, which aims at minimizing the distances between anchors and to generate new cross-network triplets to build a bridge between different knowledge graphs at the level of triplet to improve the performance of alignment. Experiments on real-world datasets show that the proposed solutions outperform the competitive baselines in terms of link prediction, entity alignment, and relation alignment.
MicroRNA-30e-3p reduces coronary microembolism-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and inflammation by sequestering HDAC2 from the SMAD7 promoter
Authors: Dai Rixin , Ren Yanling , Lv Xiangwei , Chang Chen , He Shirong , Li Quanzhong , Yang Xiheng , Ren Lei , Wei Riming , Su Qiang
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the mechanism by which microRNA (miR)-30e-3p reduces coronary microembolism (CME)-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and inflammation. Cardiac function tests, histological staining, and transmission electron microscopy were performed on CME-model rats injected with adeno-associated viral vectors. Cardiomyocytes were transfected 24 h before a cellular model of pyroptosis was established via treatment with 1 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 4 h and 5 mM ATP for 30 min. Pyroptosis, inflammation, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in cardiomyocytes were detected. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and/or RNA pull-down assays were performed to verify the binding of miR-30e-3p to HDAC2 mRNA or HDAC2 to the SMAD7 promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to assess the level of H3K27 acetylation at the SMAD7 promoter. miR-30e-3p and SMAD7 expression levels were downregulated and HDAC2 expression was upregulated with CME. The overexpression of miR-30e-3p restored cardiac functions in CME-model rats and reduced serum cTnI, IL-18, and IL-1β levels, microinfarcts, inflammatory cell infiltration, apoptosis, collagen content, and GSDMD-N, cleaved caspase-1, and NLRP3 expression in the myocardium, but these effects were reversed by SMAD7 knockdown. The overexpression of miR-30e-3p or knockdown of HDAC2 reduced LDH, IL-18, and IL-1β secretion, propidium iodide intake, and GSDMD-N, NLRP3, cleaved caspase-1, Wnt3a, Wnt5a, and β-catenin expression in the cardiomyocyte model. miR-30e-3p inhibited the expression of HDAC2 by binding HDAC2 mRNA. HDAC2 repressed the expression of SMAD7 by catalyzing H3K27 deacetylation at the SMAD7 promoter. miR-30e-3p, by binding HDAC2 to promote SMAD7 expression, reduces CME-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis and inflammation.
Independent, but not co-supplementation, with nitrate and resveratrol improves glucose tolerance and reduces markers of cellular stress in high-fat-fed male mice
Authors: Handy Rachel M. , DesOrmeaux Geneviève J. , Barbeau Pierre-Andre , Frangos Sara M. , Holloway Graham P.
Published: January 2023

Independent supplementation with nitrate (NIT) and resveratrol (RSV) enriches various aspects of mitochondrial biology in key metabolic tissues. Although RSV is known to activate Sirt1 and initiate mitochondrial biogenesis, the metabolic benefits elicited by dietary nitrate appear to be dependent on 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated signaling events, a process also linked to the activation of Sirt1. Although the benefits of individual supplementation with these compounds have been characterized, it is unknown if co-supplementation may produce superior metabolic adaptations. Thus, we aimed to determine if treatment with combined +NIT and +RSV (+RN) could additively alter metabolic adaptations in the presence of a high-fat diet (HFD). Both +RSV and +NIT improved glucose tolerance compared with HFD ( P < 0.05); however, this response was attenuated following combined +RN supplementation. Within skeletal muscle, all supplements increased mitochondrial ADP sensitivity compared with HFD ( P < 0.05), without altering mitochondrial content. Although +RSV and +NIT decreased hepatic lipid deposition compared with HFD ( P < 0.05), this effect was abolished with +RN, which aligned with significant reductions in Sirt1 protein content ( P < 0.05) after combined treatment, in the absence of changes to mitochondrial content or function. Within epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), all supplements reduced crown-like structure accumulation compared with HFD ( P < 0.0001) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission ( P < 0.05), alongside reduced adipocyte cross-sectional area (CSA) ( P < 0.05), with the greatest effect observed after +RN treatment ( P = 0.0001). Although the present data suggest additive changes in adipose tissue metabolism after +RN treatment, concomitant impairments in hepatic lipid homeostasis appear to prevent improvements in whole body glucose homeostasis observed with independent treatment, which may be Sirt1 dependent.