bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of dsRNA VP24 vaccine by oral administration at different larval stages of Tiger Shrimp Penaeus monodon
Authors: Tenriulo A , Parenrengi A , Lante S , Suryati E , Rosmiati R , Nawang A
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dsRNA VP24 application on different stages of larvae. For mass production, cloned recombinant bacteria carrying the construction of the promoter T7VP24 are planted in Luria Bertani broth medium. The bacteria were inactivated using the heat-killed bacteria method by immersion in water at 80 °C for 5 minutes. The inactivated bacteria were mixed with larval commercial feed. The nauplii were produced from broodstock from Aceh waters and reared until postlarva 12 (PL12). The feed containing the dsRNA vaccine was applied to a different stage of larva, i.e: starting from zoea 1 (A), mysis 1 (B), PL 1 to PL 12 (C), and control without dsRNA (D). The PL 12 were challenged with WSSV by the immersion method and morphological characters were assessed. Results showed that inactivating bacteria was effectively done by immersion method without damaging the dsRNA construct in the plasmid. The survival rate was significantly influenced by different stages of larvae (P 0.05), in which the highest survival (26.0%) was obtained from mysis. The highest value of morphological characters (92.3) was also inhibited in the mysis. The results suggested that the dsRNA vaccine for larvae could be started to be applied in the mysis stage.
Deformation behavior and forming process simulation of semi-solid powder rolling based on the combined constitutive model
Authors: Wu Min , Wang Bin , Luo Xia , Liu Min , Wang Yankun , Yu Junjie , Li Yun
Published: December 2022

Semi-solid powder forming (SPF) as a novel technology has been widely used to prepare composite materials. However, most of the present models used to simulate the complicated SPF process are based on the constitutive relationship of single dense or porous material, which cannot well satisfy the actual conditions. In this study, the process of semi-solid powder rolling was simulated by the combined constitutive formula of sintered and dense Al-Cu-Mg alloy materials obtained from semi-solid compression experiments. The results show that the semi-solid compression curves of dense and sintered materials are similar, and their peak stresses increase with the decreasing porosities. The grain or particle size of sintered materials after semi-solid compression becomes finer as powders crushed, but the grain size of dense materials becomes larger due to grain coarsening and deformation, which is the key advantage of SPF with fine microstructures. The combined constitutive model of semi-solid powder materials was established and verified, and then the numerical simulation of semi-solid powder rolling based on the model was proved that can well describe the rolling process, which provides a guidance for process optimization.
Enhanced biocompatibility and osteogenic ability on amino-modified polyetheretherketone
Authors: Qiu Peng , Dai Tao , Feng Le , Liu Min
Published: December 2022

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a potential implant material for dental application due to its excellent mechanical properties and low elasticity modulus. However, its biological inertia results in weak osseointegration between implants and bone tissue, which limited its clinical application. In this study, amino groups were covalently grafted on the PEEK surface using a simple facile self-assembly method to address its poor osteogenic ability. The surface characterization, cell adhesion, proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells on bare PEEK and amino-modified PEEK (PEEK-APTES) were studied. After grafting amino groups onto the PEEK, the surface morphology changed, the contact angle decreased significantly. The PEEK-APTES showed boosted cell adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphate (ALP) activity, extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization, and expression of osteogenic genes in MC3T3-E1 cells. These findings suggested that amino modification significantly improved the biocompatibility and osteogenic ability of PEEK in vitro.
Launching criteria of ‘Heatstroke Alert’ in Japan according to regionality and age group
Authors: Oka Kazutaka , Honda Yasushi , Hijioka Yasuaki
Published: December 2022

To reduce heatstroke cases, the Japanese government launched ‘Heatstroke Alert’ in 2020. In this initiative, an alert is issued when the daily maximum wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is expected to reach or exceed 33 °C. However, heatstroke incidents at a daily maximum of WBGT of 33 °C can vary by regions and by age groups. In this study, we analyzed the heatstroke incidence in all 47 prefectures of Japan at the daily maximum WBGT of 33 °C, considering age groups. In addition, considering variations in heatstroke incidence by prefectures and age groups, alternative ‘Heatstroke Alert’ criteria (AHAC) by each prefecture and age group were examined. We also analyzed the daily maximum WBGT at which heatstroke incidence starts to increase (the WBGT threshold), as this can be an additional metric to ‘Heatstroke Alert’ for the prevention of heatstroke. The results showed that the northern region (higher latitudes) of Japan has more patients with heatstroke per population, at a daily maximum WBGT of 33 °C, than the southern region (lower latitudes), by factors of approximately 3–5, considering each age group. The suggested AHAC among 47 prefectures were 29.8 [27.7–31.4] °C for 7–17 years, 32.4 [30.2–33.9] °C for 18–64 years, and 30.8 [28.5–33.2] °C for ≥ 65 years, respectively. The northern region exhibited a lower WBGT threshold (defined as the value at which heatstroke incidence is 0.1 persons per 105 people) than the southern region by approximately 3.5°C–5°C, considering each age group. The calculated average WBGT threshold among 47 prefectures was 23.2 [20.4–25.3] °C for 7–17 years, 26.3 [24.2–28.1] °C for 18–64 years, and 23.1 [20.2–25.6] °C for ≥ 65 years, respectively. These findings are expected to contribute to the reinforcement of ‘Heatstroke Alert’ and the use of WBGT information in a more preventive manner.
Roadmap on nanomedicine for the central nervous system
Authors: Ciofani Gianni , Campisi Marco , Mattu Clara , Kamm Roger D , Chiono Valeria , Raynold Aji Alex Moothedathu , Freitas João S , Redolfi Riva Eugenio , Micera Silvestro , Pucci Carlotta , Novio Fernando , Lorenzo Julia , Ruiz-Molina Daniel , Sierri Giulia , Re Francesca , Wunderlich Hannah , Kumari Prachi , Kozielski Kristen L , Chami Mounia , Marino Attilio , Ferreira Lino
Published: December 2022

In recent years, a great deal of effort has been undertaken with regards to treatment of pathologies at the level of the central nervous system (CNS). Here, the presence of the blood-brain barrier acts as an obstacle to the delivery of potentially effective drugs and makes accessibility to, and treatment of, the CNS one of the most significant challenges in medicine. In this Roadmap article, we present the status of the timeliest developments in the field, and identify the outstanding challenges and opportunities that exist. The format of the Roadmap, whereby experts in each discipline share their viewpoint and present their vision, reflects the dynamic and multidisciplinary nature of this research area, and is intended to generate dialogue and collaboration across traditional subject areas. It is stressed here that this article is not intended to act as a comprehensive review article, but rather an up-to-date and forward-looking summary of research methodologies pertaining to the treatment of pathologies at the level of the CNS.
Orthorhombic distortion and rectangular skyrmion crystal in a centrosymmetric tetragonal host
Authors: Hayami Satoru
Published: December 2022

We theoretically investigate the stability of a rectangular skyrmion crystal without fourfold rotational symmetry under an orthorhombic distortion in centrosymmetric tetragonal magnets. The results are obtained by numerically simulated annealing for an effective spin model with competing interactions in momentum space and magnetic anisotropy. By constructing the low-temperature phase diagram while changing the interaction ratio arising from the orthorhombic distortion, we find that the rectangular skyrmion crystal remains stable in an external magnetic field against distortion. We show that the degree of fourfold rotational symmetry tends to recover when the magnetic field is increased. The relevance to the skyrmion-hosting material EuAl4 is also discussed.
Combining impedance and hydrodynamic methods in electrocatalysis. Characterization of Pt(pc), Pt5Gd, and nanostructured Pd for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Song Kun-Ting , Schott Christian M , Schneider Peter M , Watzele Sebastian A , Kluge Regina M , Gubanova Elena L , Bandarenka Aliaksandr S
Published: December 2022

Electrochemical hydrodynamic techniques typically involve electrodes that move relative to the solution. Historically, approaches involving rotating disc electrode (RDE) configurations have become very popular, as one can easily control the electroactive species’ mass transport in those cases. The combination of cyclic voltammetry and RDE is nowadays one of the standard characterization protocols in electrocatalysis. On the other hand, impedance spectroscopy is one of the most informative electrochemistry techniques, enabling the acquisition of information on the processes taking place simultaneously at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In this work, we investigated the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalyzed by polycrystalline Pt (Pt(pc)) and Pt5Gd disc electrodes and characterized them using RDE and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques simultaneously. Pt5Gd shows higher HER activities than Pt in acidic and alkaline media due to strain and ligand effects. The mechanistic study of the reaction showed that the rotation rates in acidic media do not affect the contribution of the Volmer–Heyrovsky and Volmer–Tafel pathways. However, the Volmer–Heyrovsky pathway dominates at lower rotation rates in alkaline media. Besides, the HER in acidic solutions depends more strongly on mass diffusion than in alkaline media. In addition to simple and clearly defined systems, the combined method of both techniques is applicable for systems with greater complexity, such as Pd/C nanostructured catalysts. Applying the above-presented approach, we found that the Volmer–Tafel pathway is the dominating mechanism of the HER for this catalytic system.
Ultra-high-Q nanomechanical resonators for force sensing
Authors: Eichler Alexander
Published: December 2022

Nanomechanical resonators with ultra-high quality factors have become a central element in fundamental research, enabling measurements below the standard quantum limit and the preparation of long-lived quantum states. Here, I propose that such resonators will allow the detection of electron and nuclear spins with high spatial resolution, paving the way to future nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging instruments. The article lists the challenges that must be overcome before this vision can become reality, and indicates potential solutions.
The 𝐿²-completion of the space of Riemannian metrics is CAT(0): A shorter proof
Authors: Cavallucci Nicola
Published: December 2022

We reprove in an easier way a result of Brian Clarke [Math. Z. 273 (2013), pp. 55–93]: the completion of the space of Riemannian metrics of a compact, orientable smooth manifold with respect to the

L
2

L^2

-distance is CAT

(
0
)

(0)

. In particular we show that this completion is isometric to the space of

L
2

L^2

-maps from a standard probability space to a fixed CAT

(
0
)

(0)

space.
A proof of the polynomial conjecture for nilpotent Lie groups monomial representations
Authors: Baklouti Ali , Fujiwara Hidenori , Ludwig Jean
Published: December 2022

LetG=exp⁡(g)G = \operatorname {exp}(\mathfrak {g})be a connected and simply connected real nilpotent Lie group with Lie algebrag\mathfrak g,H=exp⁡(h)H = \operatorname {exp}(\mathfrak {h})an analytic subgroup ofGGwith Lie algebrah\mathfrak h,χ\chia unitary character ofHHandτ=indHGχ\tau = \text {ind}_H^G \chithe monomial representation ofGGinduced byχ\chi. LetDτ(G/H)D_{\tau }(G/H)be the algebra of theGG-invariant differential operators on the fiber bundle over the base spaceG/HG/Hassociated to the data(H,χ)(H,\chi ). We prove the polynomial conjecture due to Corwin-Greenleaf stating that ifτ\tauis of finite multiplicities, the algebraDτ(G/H)D_{\tau }(G/H)is isomorphic to the algebraC[Γτ]H{{\mathbb C}[{\Gamma }_{\tau }]}^Hof theHH-invariant polynomial functions on the affine subspace<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="normal upper Gamma Subscript tau Baseline equals left-brace script l element-of German g Superscript asterisk Baseline semicolon script l vertical-bar Subscript German h Baseline equals minus StartRoot negative 1 EndRoot d chi right-brace">Γτ={ℓ∈g∗;ℓ|h=−−1dχ}{\Gamma }_{\tau } = \{\ell \in {\mathfrak g}^*; {\ell }|_{\mathfrak h} = -\sqrt {-1}d\chi \}ofg∗{\mathfrak g}^*. In this case, we show that any non-zero element ofDτ(G/H)D_{\tau }(G/H)admits a fundamental tempered solution.
The Σ-invariants of 𝑆-arithmetic subgroups of Borel groups
Authors: Schesler Eduard
Published: December 2022

Given a Chevalley group

G

\mathcal {G}

of classical type and a Borel subgroup

B

⊆

G

\mathcal {B} \subseteq \mathcal {G}

, we compute the

Σ
\Sigma

-invariants of the

S
S

-arithmetic groups

B

(

Z

[
1

/

N
]
)

\mathcal {B}(\mathbb {Z}[1/N])

, where

N
N

is a product of large enough primes. To this end, we let

B

(

Z

[
1

/

N
]
)

\mathcal {B}(\mathbb {Z}[1/N])

act on a Euclidean building

X
X

that is given by the product of Bruhat–Tits buildings

X
p

X_p

associated to

G

\mathcal {G}

, where

p
p

is a prime dividing

N
N

. In the course of the proof we introduce necessary and sufficient conditions for convex functions on

C
A
T
(
0
)

CAT(0)

-spaces to be continuous. We apply these conditions to associate to each simplex at infinity

τ
⊂

∂
∞

X

\tau \subset \partial _\infty X

its so-called parabolic building

X

τ

X^{\tau }

and to study it from a geometric point of view. Moreover, we introduce new techniques in combinatorial Morse theory, which enable us to take advantage of the concept of essential

n
n

-connectivity rather than actual

n
n

-connectivity. Most of our building theoretic results are proven in the general framework of spherical and Euclidean buildings. For example, we prove that the complex opposite each chamber in a spherical building

Δ
\Delta

contains an apartment, provided

Δ
\Delta

is thick enough and

A
u
t
(
Δ
)

Aut(\Delta )

acts chamber transitively on

Δ
\Delta

.
Linear-quadratic mean field games of controls with non-monotone data
Authors: Li Min , Mou Chenchen , Wu Zhen , Zhou Chao
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we study a class of linear-quadratic (LQ) mean field games of controls with common noises and their corresponding

N
N

-player games. The theory of mean field game of controls considers a class of mean field games where the interaction is via the joint law of both the state and control. By the stochastic maximum principle, we first analyze the limiting behavior of the representative player and obtain his/her optimal control in a feedback form with the given distributional flow of the population and its control. The mean field equilibrium is determined by the Nash certainty equivalence (NCE) system. Thanks to the common noise, we do not require any monotonicity conditions for the solvability of the NCE system. We also study the master equation arising from the LQ mean field game of controls, which is a finite-dimensional second-order parabolic equation. It can be shown that the master equation admits a unique classical solution over an arbitrary time horizon without any monotonicity conditions. Beyond that, we can solve the

N
N

-player game directly by further assuming the non-degeneracy of the idiosyncratic noises. As byproducts, we prove the quantitative convergence results from the

N
N

-player game to the mean field game and the propagation of chaos property for the related optimal trajectories.
A Multi-Center Evaluation of Restorative Eye Treatment and INhance With Trihex Technology to Improve Aesthetic Outcomes When Used Pre- and Post-Blepharoplasty
Authors: Lee Wendy W , Fagien Steven , Murdock Jennifer , Bell Michaela , Widgerow Alan D
Published: December 2022

Background

Restorative Eye Treatment with TriHex Technology (RET) is a topical eye product with peptides and botanicals that reduce the appearance of crow's feet, under-eye bags, and dark circles. INhance with TriHex Technology (IH) is a topical product that has been clinically proven to accelerate the clearance of bruises and aid in the reduction of swelling. TriHex Technology has been shown to regenerate collagen and elastin.

Objectives

Evaluate the use of RET compared to a bland moisturizer prior to blepharoplasty and the bilateral use of INhance postoperatively.

Methods

Blepharoplasty patients were randomized to use either RET or a bland moisturizer, twice daily, on the designated periocular skin for 4 weeks prior to the procedure. Postoperatively, participants applied IH bilaterally, at least 4 times a day, and returned for follow-up on Days 1 or 3, 7, and 14. The removed upper-eyelid skin (13 patients) underwent independent dermatopathological evaluation.

Results

Investigators noted no differences in peri-operative complications but observed faster improvement in swelling, bruising, discomfort on the treated side. 85% of participants had less edema and bruising on the RET pretreated side. Biopsy results revealed improved extracellular matrix appearance on the RET pretreated side. Participants agreed that IH alleviated their swelling and noted that their skin felt and appeared more hydrated.

Conclusions

A regimen designed for eyelid surgery employing a pretreatment product component and a post treatment product appear to have a positive impact on measured outcomes in blepharoplasty patients including effects on bruising, swelling and patient comfort.

Level of Evidence: 4
Predicting potential interactions between lncRNAs and proteins via combined graph auto-encoder methods
Authors: Zhao Jingxuan , Sun Jianqiang , Shuai Stella C , Zhao Qi , Shuai Jianwei
Published: December 2022

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a kind of noncoding RNA with a length of more than 200 nucleotide units. Numerous research studies have proven that although lncRNAs cannot be directly translated into proteins, lncRNAs still play an important role in human growth processes by interacting with proteins. Since traditional biological experiments often require a lot of time and material costs to explore potential lncRNA–protein interactions (LPI), several computational models have been proposed for this task. In this study, we introduce a novel deep learning method known as combined graph auto-encoders (LPICGAE) to predict potential human LPIs. First, we apply a variational graph auto-encoder to learn the low dimensional representations from the high-dimensional features of lncRNAs and proteins. Then the graph auto-encoder is used to reconstruct the adjacency matrix for inferring potential interactions between lncRNAs and proteins. Finally, we minimize the loss of the two processes alternately to gain the final predicted interaction matrix. The result in 5-fold cross-validation experiments illustrates that our method achieves an average area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.974 and an average accuracy of 0.985, which is better than those of existing six state-of-the-art computational methods. We believe that LPICGAE can help researchers to gain more potential relationships between lncRNAs and proteins effectively.
A deep transfer learning-based protocol accelerates full quantum mechanics calculation of protein
Authors: Han Yanqiang , Wang Zhilong , Chen An , Ali Imran , Cai Junfei , Ye Simin , Wei Zhiyun , Li Jinjin
Published: December 2022

Effective full quantum mechanics (FQM) calculation of protein remains a grand challenge and of great interest in computational biology with substantial applications in drug discovery, protein dynamic simulation and protein folding. However, the huge computational complexity of the existing QM methods impends their applications in large systems. Here, we design a transfer-learning-based deep learning (TDL) protocol for effective FQM calculations (TDL-FQM) on proteins. By incorporating a transfer-learning algorithm into deep neural network (DNN), the TDL-FQM protocol is capable of performing calculations at any given accuracy using models trained from small datasets with high-precision and knowledge learned from large amount of low-level calculations. The high-level double-hybrid DFT functional and high-level quality of basis set is used in this work as a case study to evaluate the performance of TDL-FQM, where the selected 15 proteins are predicted to have a mean absolute error of 0.01 kcal/mol/atom for potential energy and an average root mean square error of 1.47 kcal/mol/$ {\rm A^{^{ \!\!\!o}}} $ for atomic forces. The proposed TDL-FQM approach accelerates the FQM calculation more than thirty thousand times faster in average and presents more significant benefits in efficiency as the size of protein increases. The ability to learn knowledge from one task to solve related problems demonstrates that the proposed TDL-FQM overcomes the limitation of standard DNN and has a strong power to predict proteins with high precision, which solves the challenge of high precision prediction in large chemical and biological systems.
Pseudoalignment tools as an efficient alternative to detect repeated transposable elements in scRNAseq data
Authors: de Villarreal Jaime Martínez , Kalisz Mark , Piedrafita Gabriel , Graña-Castro Osvaldo , Chondronasiou Dafni , Serrano Manuel , Real Francisco X
Published: December 2022

Motivation

Transposable elements (TE) have played a major role in configuring the structures of mammalian genomes through evolution. In normal conditions, the expression of these elements is repressed by different epigenetic regulation mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modification and regulation by small RNAs. TE re-activation is associated with stemness potential acquisition, regulation of innate immunity and disease, such as cancer. However, the vast majority of current knowledge in the field is based on bulk expression studies, and very little is known on cell-type- or state-specific expression of TE-derived transcripts. Therefore, cost-efficient single-cell-resolution TE expression analytical approaches are needed.

Results

We have implemented an analytical approach based on pseudoalignment to consensus sequences to incorporate TE expression information to scRNAseq data.

Availability and implementation

All the data and code implemented are available as Supplementary data and in: https://github.com/jmzvillarreal/kallisto_TE_scRNAseq.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
How Social Considerations Improve the Equity and Effectiveness of Ecosystem Restoration
Authors: Löfqvist Sara , Kleinschroth Fritz , Bey Adia , de Bremond Ariane , DeFries Ruth , Dong Jinwei , Fleischman Forrest , Lele Sharachchandra , Martin Dominic A , Messerli Peter , Meyfroidt Patrick , Pfeifer Marion , Rakotonarivo Sarobidy O , Ramankutty Navin , Ramprasad Vijay , Rana Pushpendra , Rhemtulla Jeanine M , Ryan Casey M , Vieira Ima Célia Guimarães , Wells Geoff J , Garrett Rachael D
Published: December 2022

Ecosystem restoration is an important means to address global sustainability challenges. However, scientific and policy discourse often overlooks the social processes that influence the equity and effectiveness of restoration interventions. In the present article, we outline how social processes that are critical to restoration equity and effectiveness can be better incorporated in restoration science and policy. Drawing from existing case studies, we show how projects that align with local people's preferences and are implemented through inclusive governance are more likely to lead to improved social, ecological, and environmental outcomes. To underscore the importance of social considerations in restoration, we overlay existing global restoration priority maps, population, and the Human Development Index (HDI) to show that approximately 1.4 billion people, disproportionately belonging to groups with low HDI, live in areas identified by previous studies as being of high restoration priority. We conclude with five action points for science and policy to promote equity-centered restoration.
The value of intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and varying baseline parathyroid hormone levels
Authors: Hargitai Lindsay , Bereuter Carmen Maria , Dunkler Daniela , Geroldinger Angelika , Scheuba Christian , Niederle Bruno , Riss Philipp
Published: December 2022

Background

When applying intraoperative parathyroid hormone monitoring (IOPTH) to patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), there are established criteria predicting biochemical cure in patients with basal parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in the medium range (100–400 pg/ml); however, there is a challenge concerning patients with low (less than 100 pg/ml) or high (more than 400 pg/ml) basal PTH levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of the ‘Vienna criterion’ applied during IOPTH in patients with PHPT and various basal PTH concentrations.

Methods

Consecutive patients between 1999–2009 with a biochemical diagnosis of PHPT who underwent surgical parathyroidectomy were included. Based on preoperative PTH levels they were divided into three groups: group 1 (low) (<100 pg/ml), group 2 (medium) (100–400 pg/ml) and group 3 (high) (>400 pg/ml) basal PTH. PTH was measured at the start of the operation, when the gland was excised and then at 5, 10 and 15 min after. Calcium and PTH levels were measured at 7 days and 12 months postoperatively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, as well as accuracy of IOPTH were calculated for the different groups postoperatively.

Results

675 patients with PHPT were analysed. Sensitivity and specificity were 83.7 per cent and 66.7 per cent in group 1 (n = 187), 90.7 per cent and 69.2 per cent in group 2 (n = 433), and 94.4 per cent and 100 per cent in group 3 (n = 55) to predict cure. Preoperative creatinine (p = 0.002) showed significant statistical difference between the groups but was not related to intraoperative PTH decline. At 12 months follow-up normocalcaemia was documented in 98.9 per cent in group 1, 99.0 per cent group 2, and 98.0 per cent of group 3 patients.

Conclusion

Normocalcaemia was predicted intraoperatively by applying the ‘Vienna criterion’ in 98 to 100 per cent and was confirmed after 12 months follow-up in up to 99.0 per cent of patients. Low specificity and a high false-negative rate in patients with low basal PTH show that other criteria might be better suited for this group.
Nomogram to predict disease recurrence in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing rectal surgery after neoadjuvant therapy: retrospective cohort study
Authors: Saadoun Jacques-Emmanuel , Meillat Hélène , Zemmour Christophe , Brunelle Serge , Lapeyre Alexandra , de Chaisemartin Cécile , Lelong Bernard
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Prognostic models can be used for predicting survival outcomes and guiding patient management. TNM staging alone is insufficient for predicting recurrence after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer. This study aimed to develop a nomogram to better predict cancer recurrence after CRT followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) and tailor postoperative management and follow-up.

Materials and Methods

Between 2002 and 2019, data were retrospectively collected on patients with rectal adenocarcinoma. Data on sex, age, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, tumour location, induction chemotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, tumour downsizing, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, pathological stage, resection margins (R0 versus R1), and pelvic septic complications were analysed. The variables significantly associated with cancer recurrence were used to build a nomogram that was validated in both the training and validation cohorts. Model performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) analyses.

Results

After applying exclusion criteria, 634 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma were included in this study. Eight factors (CEA level, adjuvant chemotherapy, tumour downsizing, perineural invasion, lymphovascular invasion, pathological stage, resection margins (R0 versus R1), and pelvic septic complications) were identified as nomogram variables. Our nomogram showed good performance with an AUC of 0.74 and 0.75 in the training and validation cohorts respectively.

Conclusion

Our nomogram is a simple tool for predicting cancer recurrence in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after neoadjuvant CRT followed by TME. It provides an individual risk prediction of recurrence to tailor surveillance.
Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus and frontotemporal dementia: an unexpected association
Authors: de Guilhem de Lataillade Adrien , Boutoleau-Bretonnière Claire , Aguilar-Garcia Jesus , Pallardy Amandine , Bigot-Corbel Edith , Roualdes Vincent , Leroy Julie , Damier Philippe , Pouclet-Courtemanche Hélène
Published: December 2022

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus has a complex multifactorial pathogenesis and is associated with Alzheimer’s disease in many patients. To date, it is not well known if a similar association exists with behavioural variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In a first step, we compare the prevalence of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in two groups of patients, one with behavioural variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (n = 69) and the other with Alzheimer’s disease (n = 178). In the second step, we describe more precisely the phenotype of patients with the association of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus and behavioural variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Firstly, we report that the prevalence of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus was far higher in the group of patients with behavioural variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration than in the group of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (7.25% and 1.1%, respectively, P = 0.02). Secondly, we show that patients with the double diagnosis share common clinical and para-clinical features of both idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus and behavioural variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration patients, including CSF shunting efficacy in real-life experience. Overall, our results suggest a link between these two conditions and should encourage neurologists to look for idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus in their behavioural variant of frontotemporal lobar degeneration patients in the event of gait disturbances; the benefit/risk balance could indeed be in favour of shunt surgery for selected patients with this newly described entity.
Behavioural and neural structure of fluent speech production deficits in aphasia
Authors: Zevgolatakou Eleni , Thye Melissa , Mirman Daniel
Published: December 2022

Deficits in fluent speech production following left hemisphere stroke are a central concern because of their impact on patients’ lives and the insight they provide about the neural organization of language processing. Fluent speech production requires the rapid coordination of phonological, semantic, and syntactic processing, so this study examined how deficits in connected speech relate to these language sub-systems. Behavioural data (N = 69 participants with aphasia following left hemisphere stroke) consisted of a diverse and comprehensive set of narrative speech production measures and measures of overall severity, semantic deficits, and phonological deficits. These measures were entered into a principal component analysis with bifactor rotation—a latent structure model where each item loads on a general factor that reflects what is common among the items, and orthogonal factors that explain variance not accounted for by the general factor. Lesion data were available for 58 of the participants, and each factor score was analysed with multivariate lesion–symptom mapping. Effects of connectivity disruption were evaluated using robust regression with tract disconnection or graph theoretic measures of connectivity as predictors. The principal component analysis produced a four-factor solution that accounted for 70.6% of the variance in the data, with a general factor corresponding to the overall severity and length and complexity of speech output (complexity factor), a lexical syntax factor, and independent factors for Semantics and Phonology. Deficits in the complexity of speech output were associated with a large temporo-parietal region, similar to overall aphasia severity. The lexical syntax factor was associated with damage in a relatively small set of fronto-parietal regions which may reflect the recruitment of control systems to support retrieval and correct usage of lexical items that primarily serve a syntactic rather than semantic function. Tract-based measures of connectivity disruption were not statistically associated with the deficit scores after controlling for overall lesion volume. Language network efficiency and average clustering coefficient within the language network were significantly associated with deficit scores after controlling for overall lesion volume. These results highlight overall severity as the critical contributor to fluent speech in post-stroke aphasia, with a dissociable factor corresponding to lexical syntax.
Whole-brain dynamical modelling for classification of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Jung Kyesam , Florin Esther , Patil Kaustubh R , Caspers Julian , Rubbert Christian , Eickhoff Simon B , Popovych Oleksandr V
Published: December 2022

Simulated whole-brain connectomes demonstrate enhanced inter-individual variability depending on the data processing and modelling approach. By considering the human brain connectome as an individualized attribute, we investigate how empirical and simulated whole-brain connectome-derived features can be utilized to classify patients with Parkinson’s disease against healthy controls in light of varying data processing and model validation. To this end, we applied simulated blood oxygenation level-dependent signals derived by a whole-brain dynamical model simulating electrical signals of neuronal populations to reveal differences between patients and controls. In addition to the widely used model validation via fitting the dynamical model to empirical neuroimaging data, we invented a model validation against behavioural data, such as subject classes, which we refer to as behavioural model fitting and show that it can be beneficial for Parkinsonian patient classification. Furthermore, the results of machine learning reported in this study also demonstrated that the performance of the patient classification can be improved when the empirical data are complemented by the simulation results. We also showed that the temporal filtering of blood oxygenation level-dependent signals influences the prediction results, where filtering in the low-frequency band is advisable for Parkinsonian patient classification. In addition, composing the feature space of empirical and simulated data from multiple brain parcellation schemes provided complementary features that improved prediction performance. Based on our findings, we suggest that combining the simulation results with empirical data is effective for inter-individual research and its clinical application.
81 PITFALLS IN LATERAL ACCESSORY PATHWAY ABLATION: THE IMPORTANCE TO RECOGNIZE MITRAL ISTHMUS CONDUCTION BLOCK DURING REDO PROCEDURES
Authors: Dinatale Alessandro , Notarangelo Maria Francesca , Crocamo Antonio , Gonzi Gianluca , Fioravanti Matteo , Niccoli Giampaolo , Ardissino Diego
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Inaccurate mapping and ablation of left-lateral concealed AP can result in mitral isthmus conduction block, mimicking concentric retrograde activation. AVRT recurrences are frequent because ablation leaves the conduction through the AP intact.

Case Report

A 50-years-old patient with history of previous ablations of concealed left-lateral AP underwent third redo procedure due to reoccurrence of SVT. Quadripolar catheters were placed in the His bundle and RV apex; a decapolar catheter was placed in the CS. Retrograde conduction during ventricular pacing was non decremental. CS activation was concentric during AVRT. Mitral anulus was mapped via transeptal approach, showing mitral isthmus block, justifying the “concentric” atrial activation appearance, due to a left counterclockwise activation circuit and short VA interval distally to the previous ablations site. Single RF application of 1.9 sec interrupted the AP conduction. Effective ablation was confirmed by failure to induce tachycardia and by induction of AV dissociation using adenosine during ventricular pacing.

Conclusion

Change of retrograde activation pattern during AVRT reoccurrences may be referred to iatrogenic atrial conduction block achieved during ablation, rather than to the presence of a concomitant misdiagnosed AP.
481 VITAMIN K ANTAGONISTS, DIRECT ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS, OR LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE FOR PATIENTS WITH NONVALVULAR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND NETWORK META-ANALYSIS
Authors: Oliva Angelo , Maria Ioppolo Anna , Chiarito Mauro , Cremonesi Alberto , Azzano Alessia , Micciché Eligio , Mangiameli Andrea , Ariano Francesco , Ferrante Giuseppe , Reimers Bernhard , Garot Philippe , Amabile Nicolas , Condorelli Gianluigi , Stefanini Giulio , Cao Davide
Published: December 2022

Background

Percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has emerged as a non-pharmacological alternative to long-term oral anticoagulation with vitamin K antagonists (VKA) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) for stroke prevention in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Embase for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing 3 different strategies (DOAC vs VKA, LAAC vs VKA, LAAC vs DOAC). Treatment effects were calculated from a network meta-analysis using random-effect model with inverse-variance weighting. The ranking probability of each treatment was based on SUCRA. The primary endpoint was a composite of stroke or systemic embolism.

Results

A total of 7 RCTs and 73,106 patients were included. The risk of the primary endpoint was comparable between LAAC and oral anticoagulation (LAAC vs VKA: OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.55-1.39; LAAC vs DOAC: OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.62-1.61) while it was reduced with DOAC vs VKA (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.98). Major bleeding was numerically lower with LAAC vs VKA (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.48-1.16) and similar between LAAC and DOAC (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.61-1.42). LAAC significantly reduced the risk of mortality compared with both VKA (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.37-0.73) and DOAC (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.42-0.82). The probability of being the best treatment for stroke or systemic embolism prevention was similar for DOAC (51%) and LAAC (48%) whereas LAAC ranked as best treatment for reducing major bleeding (64%) and mortality (100%).

Conclusions

LAAC is a safe and effective alternative to DOAC and VKA for the secondary prevention of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
From an Hsp90 - binding protein to a peptide drug
Authors: Ammanath Aparna Viswanathan , Jarneborn Anders , Nguyen Minh-Thu , Wessling Laura , Tribelli Paula , Nega Mulugeta , Beck Christian , Luqman Arif , Selim Khaled A , Kalbacher Hubert , Macek Boris , Hammer Sandra Beer , Jin Tao , Götz Friedrich
Published: December 2022

The Lpl proteins represent a class of lipoproteins that was first described in the opportunistic bacterial pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, where they contribute to pathogenicity by enhancing F-actin levels of host epithelial cells and thereby increasing S. aureus internalization. The model Lpl protein, Lpl1 was shown to interact with the human heat shock proteins Hsp90α and Hsp90ß, suggesting that this interaction may trigger all observed activities. Here we synthesized Lpl1-derived peptides of different lengths and identified two overlapping peptides, namely, L13 and L15, which interacted with Hsp90α. Unlike Lpl1, the two peptides not only decreased F-actin levels and S. aureus internalization in epithelial cells but they also decreased phagocytosis by human CD14+ monocytes. The well-known Hsp90 inhibitor, geldanamycin, showed a similar effect. The peptides not only interacted directly with Hsp90α, but also with the mother protein Lpl1. While L15 and L13 significantly decreased lethality of S. aureus bacteremia in an insect model, geldanamycin did not. In a mouse bacteremia model L15 was found to significantly decreased weight loss and lethality. Although the molecular bases of the L15 effect is still elusive, in vitro data indicate that simultaneous treatment of host immune cells with L15 or L13 and S. aureus significantly increase IL-6 production. L15 and L13 represent not antibiotics but they cause a significant reduction in virulence of multidrug-resistant S. aureus strains in in vivo models. In this capacity, they can be an important drug alone or additive with other agents.
Aches and Pains: How Do They Affect Transitions From Driving?
Authors: Barrett Anne E , Michael Cherish , Noblitt Jessica , Mimbs Hope
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

Chronic pain, which affects more than 1 in 4 middle-aged and older adults, can have profound implications for everyday behaviors like driving. The literature examining it, however, is relatively small and is limited by its reliance on patient populations and its lack of attention to some driving-related behaviors and self-assessments that may signal the start of a transition from driving.

Research Design and Methods

We address these issues using data from an online survey of Floridians aged 50 and older that was conducted between December 2020 and April 2021 and funded by the Florida Department of Transportation (n = 3,832). We ran multivariate regression analyses to examine the association between pain’s interference with driving and 5 driving-related outcomes: self-rated driving ability, driving frequency, self-regulated driving, perceived nearness of driving retirement, and planning for driving retirement.

Results

Results indicate that experiencing more pain that interferes with driving is associated with worse self-rated driving ability, more frequent self-regulated driving, and greater planning for driving retirement. It is not associated with driving frequency or with anticipating that driving retirement will occur in the next 5 years.

Discussion and Implications

These findings indicate that greater pain may hasten the transition from driving, along with planning for it. These patterns suggest that pain may increase people’s risk of isolation and other negative outcomes that can follow driving retirement; however, pain’s effect on planning may reduce these risks. By focusing on transitioning from driving, our study reveals a largely overlooked benefit of reducing pain—It could extend people’s years behind the wheel.
Disparities in virtual cardiology visits among Veterans Health Administration patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tisdale Rebecca L , Ferguson Jacqueline , Van Campen James , Greene Liberty , Sandhu Alexander T , Heidenreich Paul A , Zulman Donna M
Published: December 2022

Objective

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) rapidly expanded virtual care (defined as care delivered by video and phone), raising concerns about technology access disparities (ie, the digital divide). Virtual care was somewhat established in primary care and mental health care prepandemic, but video telehealth implementation was new for most subspecialties, including cardiology. We sought to identify patient characteristics of virtual and video-based care users in VA cardiology clinics nationally during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and Methods

Cohort study of Veteran patients across all VA facilities with a cardiology visit January 1, 2019–March 10, 2020, with follow-up January 1, 2019–March 10, 2021. Main measures included cardiology visits by visit type and likelihood of receiving cardiology-related virtual care, calculated with a repeated event survival model.

Results

416 587 Veterans with 1 689 595 total cardiology visits were analyzed; average patient age was 69.6 years and 4.3% were female. Virtual cardiology care expanded dramatically early in the COVID-19 pandemic from 5% to 70% of encounters. Older, lower-income, and rural-dwelling Veterans and those experiencing homelessness were less likely to use video care (adjusted hazard ratio for ages 75 and older 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–0.86; for highly rural residents 0.77, 95% CI 0.68–0.87; for low-income status 0.94, 95% CI 0.89–0.98; for homeless Veterans 0.85, 95% CI 0.80–0.92).

Conclusion

The pandemic worsened the digital divide for cardiology care for many vulnerable patients to the extent that video visits represent added value over phone visits. Targeted interventions may be necessary for equity in COVID-19-era access to virtual cardiology care.
Chemical Control and Insecticide Resistance inSpodoptera frugiperda(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: Van den Berg Johnnie , du Plessis Hannalene
Published: December 2022

Insecticides and genetically modified Bt crops are the main tools for control of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). Since its invasion of Africa, the Far East, and Australia where Bt crops are largely absent, insecticide use has increased and reduced susceptibility to several insecticides used for decades in its native distribution area have been reported. Poor efficacy at field-level is sometimes incorrectly ascribed to pest resistance, while numerous other factors influence efficacy at field-level. In this paper, we review the history of insecticide resistance in S. frugiperda and discuss the influence that life history traits, migration ecology, and chemical control practices may have on control efficacy and resistance evolution. The indirect role that poor national policies have on pesticide use practices, and indirectly on control efficacy and selection pressure is discussed. Evidence shows that local selection for resistance drives resistance evolution. Integrated pest management, rather than reliance on a single tactic, is the best way to suppress S. frugiperda numbers and the over-use of insecticides which selects for resistance.