bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between flavor compounds and changes of microbial community in the solid fermented vinegar
Authors: Zhang Xuelin , Zhang Xingrong , Yan Yongheng , Liu Yang , Zhao Xiangying , Xu Hui , He Lianzhi , Huang Yanhong
Published: August 2022

The relationship between volatile compounds of vinegar and microorganisms is not clear, especially pyrazine, a trace component. In order to reveal their potential relationship, high throughput sequencing, solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) and Spearman's correlation analysis were used. Results showed that Acetobacter and Lactobacillus with opposite abundance trends were the predominant bacteria, and the total abundance of them exceeds 98%, while the predominant fungal genera were Aspergillus and Malassezia, their highest abundances are 75.4% and 81.5%, respectively. In the whole process of microbial community succession, 6 pyrazines were detected including trimethylpyrazine and tetramethylpyrazine, etc., and Spearman's correlation analysis showed that they were positively correlated with the presence of Vibrionimonas, Paraburkholderia, Paucibacter, Komagataeibacter, Acinetobacter, and Slinibacter. In general, this study further revealed more species related to pyrazines, it will be helpful to understand the formation of pyrazines and promote the improvement of vinegar quality.
A comparative analysis of amino acid encoding schemes for the prediction of flexible length linear B-cell epitopes
Authors: Sahu Tanmaya Kumar , Meher Prabina Kumar , Choudhury Nalini Kanta , Rao Atmakuri Ramakrishna
Published: August 2022

Linear B-cell epitopes have a prominent role in the development of peptide-based vaccines and disease diagnosis. High variability in the length of these epitopes is a major reason for low accuracy in their prediction. Most of the B-cell epitope prediction methods considered fixed length of epitope sequences and achieved good accuracy. Though a number of tools are available for the prediction of flexible length linear B-cell epitopes with reasonable accuracy, further improvement in the prediction performance is still expected. Thus, here we made an attempt to analyze the performance of machine learning approaches (MLA) with 18 different amino acid encoding schemes in the prediction of flexible length linear B-cell epitopes. We considered B-cell epitope sequences of variable lengths (11–56 amino acids) from well-established public resources. The performances of machine learning algorithms with the encoded epitope sequence datasets were evaluated. Besides, the feasible combinations of encoding schemes were also explored and analyzed. The results revealed that amino-acid composition (AC) and distribution component of composition–transition–distribution encoding schemes are suitable for heterogeneous epitope data, whereas amino-acid-anchoring-pair-composition (APC), dipeptide-composition and amino-acids-pair-propensity-scale (APP) are more appropriate for homogeneous data. Further, two combinations of peptide encoding schemes, i.e. APC + AC and APC + APP with random forest classifier were identified to have improved performance over the state-of-the-art tools for flexible length linear B-cell epitope prediction. The study also revealed better performance of random forest over other considered MLAs in the prediction of flexible length linear B-cell epitopes.
ANCA-associated vasculitis flare might be provoked by COVID-19 infection: a case report and a review of the literature
Authors: Ozcan Seyda , Sonmez Ozge , Karaca Cebrail , Ozdede Ayse , Seyahi Nurhan
Published: August 2022

Mesangial immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposition is the hallmark of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). In some cases, crescentic involvement that might be associated with systemic leucocytoclastic vasculitis is documented. In such cases, the disease is called Henoch–Schönlein purpura (IgA vasculitis). Even more rarely, the coexistence of IgAN and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) seropositivity has been reported.

IgAN might be complicated by acute kidney injury (AKI) due to different causes. Herein we present a patient with mesangial IgA deposition and ANCA seropositivity who developed AKI, haematuria and haemoptysis during the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease and was diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis based on clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. The patient was treated successfully with immunosuppressive therapy. We also made a systematic review of the literature to reveal and present the cases with COVID-19 and ANCA-associated vasculitis.
Comparison of the profiles of patients defined by age-adapted and fixed threshold CKD criteria: a nationwide, cross-sectional study
Authors: Ma Yixin , Lin Jianfeng , Xia Peng , Zheng Hua , Cheng Xinqi , Ji Peili , Wu Wei , Hou Lian , Wang Li , Zhu Guangjin , Qiu Ling , Zheng Yali , Chen Limeng
Published: August 2022

Background

Kidney function declines naturally with advancing age. Therefore an age-adapted estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) threshold has been proposed instead of the fixed threshold for CKD definition. This study aims to describe and compare the profile of CKD patients defined by these two criteria in a Chinese population.

Method

We recruited adult participants with selected biochemical tests from the Chinese Physiological Constant and Health Condition survey conducted from 2007 to 2011, with the GFR estimated by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula. The age-adapted threshold of eGFR is 75, 60 and 45 ml/min/1.73 m2 for the population <40 years of age, 40–64 years and >64 years, respectively. The fixed threshold is 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 for all ages.

Results

Among the recruited 23 438 participants, 480 were diagnosed with CKD by fixed threshold criteria, while 391 were diagnosed with CKD by age-adapted criteria. Patients diagnosed by fixed threshold criteria were significantly older (66.4 versus 43.4 years; P < .001) and had a higher prevalence of all CVD risk factors compared with the non-CKD population. In contrast, age-adapted criteria defined a younger patient group and were not significantly associated with diabetes or obesity. When adjusted by age and gender, fixed threshold–defined CKD was not significantly associated with the number of coexisting CVD risk factors, while age-adapted-defined CKD was significantly associated. We also found that the CKD patients defined by age-adapted criteria matched well with the 2.5th percentile of eGFR in Chinese individuals. When compared with their age- and gender-matched controls, patients included by age-adapted criteria but excluded by fixed threshold criteria had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension (23.2% versus 7.7%; P < .001) and hyperuricaemia (25.0% versus 5.5%; P < .001), while patients included only by the fixed threshold criteria were not significantly different in the prevalence of CVD risk factors and CKD-related disturbance except for hyperuricaemia (41.2% versus 14.0%; P < .001).

Conclusion

An age-adapted criterion is more closely associated with CVD risk factors and CKD-related diseases compared with fixed threshold criteria.
Myocardial fibrosis detection using kernel methods: preliminary results from a cardiac magnetic resonance study
Authors: Campese S , Agostini F , Sciarretta T , Pizzi M , Cipriani A , Zanetti M
Published: August 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Asserting the presence of myocardial fibrosis from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images is sometimes a complex task, even for experienced cardiac imagers. The application of artificial intelligence models to the evaluation process can be of help for enhancing diagnostic accuracy.

Purpose

In this work, we tested two different Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, namely kernel methods with Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to a cohort of consecutive CMR studies. The goal was a binary classification task, aimed to identify myocardial scar (present/absent).

Methods

Dataset consisted of 642 CMR scans, equally divided into healthy and fibrosis-affected. Raw DICOM files were preprocessed through an automated pipeline, in order to retrieve only short-axis post contrast acquisitions. Heart regions were then individuated using a YOLO network, in order to remove the background and focus only on data of interest. Finally, for each subject 10 slices were extracted through interpolation, and all images resized to 128 by 128 pixels. Dataset was divided into training and test sets, with proportions 80%-20%.

Results

The first analysis was based on state-of-the-art CNN models, pre-trained on the ImageNet dataset. The training of the models was optimized using "reduce learning rate on the plateau", "early stopping", and standard data augmentation techniques. Experiments showed that CNNs-based models led to poor performances.

The second attempt was based on kernel methods and SVM. Before feeding the input to the algorithm, dimensionality reduction was implemented using a Principal Component Analysis retaining 99% of the variance. The resulting 335 features were passed as input to an SVM, testing different kernels (e.g. Linear, Gaussian, Cossim). Models were trained and optimized using a Grid Search with a 5-fold Cross-Validation. The best SVM configuration displayed an accuracy of 68% and a sensitivity of 60%.

Improved results could be obtained using state-of-the-art Multiple Kernel Learning algorithms, leading to 71% accuracy and sensitivity of 72% (with a 12% increment with respect to the previous algorithm).

Conclusions

Our preliminary results of this study showed the possibility for a ML system to learn to identify myocardial fibrosis, directly from raw CMR images. In particular, kernel methods were able to achieve good and significant results, even with small amounts of data, suggesting room for improvement. In future works, we plan to furtherly explore kernel methods to improve the results and to build an end-to-end solution for cardiac imagers.
Preliminary data on a fully automated left ventricular late gadolinium enhancement detection by a convolutional neuronal network in chronic myocardial infarction
Authors: Schwab M , Pamminger M , Kremser C , Obmann D , Haltmeier M , Mayr A
Published: August 2022

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): FWF- Der Wissenschaftsfonds

Aim

To compare a fully automated segmentation of left ventricular late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) as evaluated by a convolutional neuronal network (CNN) with manual segmentation in chronic myocardial infarction.

Methods

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging including two-dimensional LGE imaging was performed in 191 patients on a 1.5 T clinical scanner 12 months after ST-elevation myocardial infarction. LGE images were presented to a trained CNN for automated determination of left ventricular myocardium and consequently absolute LGE volume. Manual LGE segmentation according to the +5-SD method was used as reference standard. Image quality was assessed according to a 3-point Likert scale (2 = perfect image quality, 1 = some artifacts witout impaired LGE delineation, 0 = strong artifacts with impaired LGE delineation). Regression and Bland-Altman analysis were performed.

Results

In 191 included patients (182 male, mean age 57 years) LGE volume was 9.7 [IQR 3.6 to 16.2] ml according to manual segmentation and 8.3 [3.2 to 17.6] ml according to CNN segmentation. Bland-Altman analysis showed little average difference (-0.5 ml, p=0.257), however, limits of agreement ranged from -18.4 ml to 17.5 ml. Linear correlation was fair (0.57, p<0.001). Subgroup analysis according to image quality showed comparable performance of CNN segmentation in all three groups.

Conclusion

Our fully automated LGE segmentation based on a CNN in two-dimensional data sets provides measurements with little average difference compared to very time-consuming manual segmentations. However, dispersion is substantially and limits the current application of this approach on a per-patient basis. Image quality does not affect CNN performance.
Left ventricular assist device-related infections and the risk of cerebrovascular accidents: a EUROMACS study
Authors: Zijderhand Casper F , Antonides Christiaan F J , Veen Kevin M , Verkaik Nelianne J , Schoenrath Felix , Gummert Jan , Nemec Petr , Merkely Béla , Musumeci Francesco , Meyns Bart , de By Theo M M H , Bogers Ad J J C , Caliskan Kadir
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVES

In patients supported by a durable left ventricular assist device (LVAD), infections are a frequently reported adverse event with increased morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association between infections and thromboembolic events, most notable cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs), in LVAD patients.

METHODS

An analysis of the multicentre European Registry for Patients Assisted with Mechanical Circulatory Support was performed. Infections were categorized as VAD-specific infections, VAD-related infections and non-VAD-related infections. An extended Kaplan–Meier analysis for the risk of CVA with infection as a time-dependent covariate and a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model were performed.

RESULTS

For this analysis, 3282 patients with an LVAD were included with the majority of patients being male (83.1%). During follow-up, 1262 patients suffered from infection, and 457 patients had a CVA. Cox regression analysis with first infection as time-dependent covariate revealed a hazard ratio (HR) for CVA of 1.90 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.55–2.33; P < 0.001]. Multivariable analysis confirmed the association for infection and CVAs with an HR of 1.99 (95% CI: 1.62–2.45; P < 0.001). With infections subcategorized, VAD-specific HR was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.18–2.08; P 0.002) and VAD-related infections [HR: 1.99 (95% CI: 1.41–2.82; P < 0.001)] remained associated with CVAs, while non-VAD-related infections (P = 0.102) were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Infection during LVAD support is associated with an increased risk of developing an ischaemic or haemorrhagic CVA, particularly in the setting of VAD-related or VAD-specific infections. This suggests the need of a stringent anticoagulation management and adequate antibiotic treatment during an infection in LVAD-supported patients.
Association of Chronic Diseases and Functional Limitations with Subjective Age: The Mediating Role of Sense of Control
Authors: Prasad Anyah , Shellito Natalie , Alan Miller Edward , Burr Jeffrey A
Published: August 2022

Objectives

This study examined the relationships between chronic diseases, functional limitations, sense of control, and subjective age. Older adults may evaluate their subjective age by reference to their younger healthier selves and thus health and functional status are likely to be determinants of subjective age. Although sense of control is also a potential predictor of subjective age, stress-inducing factors associated with disease and functional limitations may reduce older adults’ sense of control, making them feel older.

Methods

Using the 2010 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, structural equation modeling was performed on a sample of 6,329 respondents older than 50 years to determine whether sense of control mediated the relationship between chronic diseases, limitations in instrumental/basic activities of daily living (ADLs, IADLs), and subjective age.

Results

Chronic diseases and limitations in ADLs had a positive, direct association with subjective age (β = 0.037, p = .005; β = 0.068, p = .001, respectively). In addition, chronic diseases and limitations in ADLs and IADLs were positively, indirectly associated with subjective age via a diminished sense of control (β = 0.006, p = .000; β = 0.007, p = .003; β = 0.019, p = .000, respectively).

Discussion

As predicted by the Deterioration model, the findings showed that chronic diseases and functional impairment are associated with older adults feeling older by challenging the psychological resource of sense of control. Appropriate interventions for dealing with health challenges and preserving sense of control may help prevent the adverse downstream effects of older subjective age.
Association mapping across a multitude of traits collected in diverse environments in maize
Authors: Mural Ravi V , Sun Guangchao , Grzybowski Marcin , Tross Michael C , Jin Hongyu , Smith Christine , Newton Linsey , Andorf Carson M , Woodhouse Margaret R , Thompson Addie M , Sigmon Brandi , Schnable James C
Published: August 2022

Classical genetic studies have identified many cases of pleiotropy where mutations in individual genes alter many different phenotypes. Quantitative genetic studies of natural genetic variants frequently examine one or a few traits, limiting their potential to identify pleiotropic effects of natural genetic variants. Widely adopted community association panels have been employed by plant genetics communities to study the genetic basis of naturally occurring phenotypic variation in a wide range of traits. High-density genetic marker data—18M markers—from 2 partially overlapping maize association panels comprising 1,014 unique genotypes grown in field trials across at least 7 US states and scored for 162 distinct trait data sets enabled the identification of of 2,154 suggestive marker-trait associations and 697 confident associations in the maize genome using a resampling-based genome-wide association strategy. The precision of individual marker-trait associations was estimated to be 3 genes based on a reference set of genes with known phenotypes. Examples were observed of both genetic loci associated with variation in diverse traits (e.g., above-ground and below-ground traits), as well as individual loci associated with the same or similar traits across diverse environments. Many significant signals are located near genes whose functions were previously entirely unknown or estimated purely via functional data on homologs. This study demonstrates the potential of mining community association panel data using new higher-density genetic marker sets combined with resampling-based genome-wide association tests to develop testable hypotheses about gene functions, identify potential pleiotropic effects of natural genetic variants, and study genotype-by-environment interaction.
Generic Transporters for the Linear Time-Dependent Quantum Harmonic Oscillator on ℝ
Authors: Maspero A
Published: August 2022

In this paper we consider the linear, time-dependent quantum Harmonic Schrdinger equation ${\textrm {i}} \partial _t u= \frac {1}{2} ( - \partial _x^2 + x^2) u + V(t, x, D)u$, $x \in \mathbb {R}$, where $V(t,x,D)$ is classical pseudodifferential operator of order 0, self-adjoint, and $2\pi $ periodic in time. We give sufficient conditions on the principal symbol of $V(t,x,D)$ ensuring the existence of solutions displaying infinite time growth of Sobolev norms. These conditions are generic in the Fréchet space of symbols. This shows that generic, classical pseudodifferential, $2\pi $-periodic perturbations provoke unstable dynamics. The proof builds on the results of [36] and it is based on pseudodifferential normal form and local energy decay estimates. These last are proved exploiting Mourre’s positive commutator theory.
The proliferative activity levels of each immune cell population evaluated by mass cytometry are linked to the clinical phenotypes of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kajihara Akiko , Morita Takayoshi , Kato Yasuhiro , Konaka Hachiro , Murakami Teruaki , Yamaguchi Yuta , Koyama Shohei , Takamatsu Hyota , Nishide Masayuki , Maeda Yuichi , Watanabe Akane , Nishida Sumiyuki , Hirano Toru , Shima Yoshihito , Narazaki Masashi , Kumanogoh Atsushi
Published: August 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease, and many peripheral immune cell populations (ICPs) are thought to be altered according to the course of the disease. However, it is unclear which ICPs are associated with the clinical phenotypes of SLE. We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 28 SLE patients using mass cytometry and identified 30 ICPs. We determined the proliferative activity of ICPs by measuring the proportion of cells expressing specific markers and Ki-67 among CD45+ cells (Ki-67+ proportion). We observed an increased Ki-67+ proportion for many ICPs of SLE patients and examined the association between their Ki-67+ proportions and clinical findings. The Ki-67+ proportions of five ICPs [classical monocyte (cMo), effector memory CD8+ T cell (CD8Tem), CXCR5− naive B cell (CXCR5− nB), and CXCR5− IgD−CD27− B cell (CXCR5− DNB)] were identified as clinically important factors. The SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) was positively correlated with cMo and plasma cells (PC). The titer of anti-DNA antibodies was positively correlated with cMo, CXCR5− nB, and CXCR5− DNB. The C4 level was negatively correlated with CXCR5− DNB. The bioactivity of type I interferon was also positively correlated with these ICPs. Fever and renal involvement were associated with cMo. Rash was associated with CD8Tem and CXCR5− DNB. On the basis of the proliferative activity among five ICPs, SLE patients can be classified into five clusters showing different SLE phenotypes. Evaluation of the proliferative activity in each ICP can be linked to the clinical phenotypes of individual SLE patients and help in the treatment strategy.
Impact of mucositis on oral bioavailability and systemic exposure of ciprofloxacin Gram-negative infection prophylaxis in patients with haematological malignancies
Authors: van Rhee K P , de Vroom S L , van Hest R M , van der Linden P D , Tonino S H , Molendijk E , Mathôt R A A , Blijlevens N M A , Knibbe C A J , Bruggemann R J M , Geerlings S E
Published: August 2022

Background

Patients with haematological malignancies frequently endure neutropenia and gastrointestinal (GI)-mucositis after high-dose chemotherapy. In these patients, ciprofloxacin is used for Gram-negative infection prophylaxis.

Objectives

We investigate ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics after oral administration in patients with haematological malignancies and explore the impact of GI-mucositis on oral bioavailability and clearance in order to assure adequate systemic exposure.

Methods

Adult haematological patients from two Dutch University Medical Centres received 500 mg twice daily oral ciprofloxacin for Gram-negative prophylaxis. The ciprofloxacin plasma concentrations were collected at various timepoints after oral ciprofloxacin administration and at various days after completion of chemotherapy. Data obtained after oral and intravenous ciprofloxacin administration in 28 healthy volunteers without mucositis served as a control group (391 samples). For haematological patients the degree of GI-mucositis was assessed using the Daily Gut Score (DGS), plasma citrulline and albumin. Data were analysed by non-linear mixed-effects modelling.

Results

In total, 250 blood samples were collected in 47 patients with a wide variety of haematological malignancies between 0–30 days after start of chemotherapy. Mucositis was generally mild [DGS median (IQR) 1 (1–1) and citrulline 16 μmol/L (12–23)]. The time to Cmax was slower in haematological patients compared with healthy volunteers although no association with the degree of mucositis (defined as DGS or citrulline) could be identified. Ciprofloxacin bioavailability and clearance were 60% and 33.2 L/h, respectively.

Conclusions

This study supports oral dosing of ciprofloxacin as Gram-negative infection prophylaxis in haematological patients with mild-to-moderate mucositis capable of oral intake.
i-CLIMATE: a “clinical climate informatics” action framework to reduce environmental pollution from healthcare
Authors: Sittig Dean F , Sherman Jodi D , Eckelman Matthew J , Draper Andrew , Singh Hardeep
Published: August 2022

Addressing environmental pollution and climate change is one of the biggest sociotechnical challenges of our time. While information technology has led to improvements in healthcare, it has also contributed to increased energy usage, destructive natural resource extraction, piles of e-waste, and increased greenhouse gases. We introduce a framework “Information technology-enabled Clinical cLimate InforMAtics acTions for the Environment” (i-CLIMATE) to illustrate how clinical informatics can help reduce healthcare’s environmental pollution and climate-related impacts using 5 actionable components: (1) create a circular economy for health IT, (2) reduce energy consumption through smarter use of health IT, (3) support more environmentally friendly decision-making by clinicians and health administrators, (4) mobilize healthcare workforce environmental stewardship through informatics, and (5) Inform policies and regulations for change. We define Clinical Climate Informatics as a field that applies data, information, and knowledge management principles to operationalize components of the i-CLIMATE Framework.
Can Distributed Intermittent Renewable Generation Reduce Future Grid Investments? Evidence from France
Authors: Astier Nicolas , Rajagopal Ram , Wolak Frank A
Published: August 2022

This paper estimates the relationship between investments in five distributed generation technologies and hourly net withdrawals from over 2,000 electricity distribution networks in France between 2005 and 2018. We find that investments in distributed wind and solar generation have little or no impact on the annual peak of hourly net withdrawals from the distribution grid, while investments in hydroelectric and thermal distributed generation significantly reduce it. An optimistic analysis of the impact of investments in battery storage suggests that high levels are required for distributed wind and solar to deliver similar reductions in the annual peak of hourly net withdrawals. Our results imply that public policies favoring distributed wind and solar generation over utility-scale generation cannot be rationalized by savings in future grid investments.
In patients with acute mono/oligoarthritis, a targeted ultrasound scanning protocol shows great accuracy for the diagnosis of gout and CPPD
Authors: Cipolletta Edoardo , Filippucci Emilio , Abhishek Abhishek , Di Battista Jacopo , Smerilli Gianluca , Di Carlo Marco , Silveri Ferdinando , De Angelis Rossella , Salaffi Fausto , Grassi Walter , Di Matteo Andrea
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To determine an US scanning protocol with the best accuracy for the diagnosis of gout and CPPD in patients with acute mono/oligo-arthritis of unknown origin.

Methods

Patients with acute mono/oligo-arthritis in whom a joint aspiration at the most clinically involved joint (target joint) was requested were consecutively enrolled. US was performed in each patient before the arthrocentesis. The accuracy of different US findings and scanning protocols for the diagnosis of gout and CPPD was calculated.

Results

A total of 161 subjects were included (32 gout patients, 30 CPPD patients and 99 disease-controls). US findings had a high specificity for gout (0.92–0.96) and CPPD (0.90–0.97), while the sensitivity ranged from 0.73 to 0.85 in gout (double contour sign and tophi, respectively) and from 0.60 to 0.90 in CPPD (hyaline and fibrocartilage deposits, respectively). The US assessment of two joints bilaterally (gout: knees, MTP1 joints; CPPD: knees, wrists) plus the target joint had an excellent diagnostic sensitivity (gout: 0.91, CPPD: 0.93) and specificity (gout: 0.91, CPPD: 0.89). This targeted US scanning protocol yielded to higher diagnostic accuracy compared with the US evaluation of the target joint [gout area under the curve (AUC) 0.91 vs 0.84, P = 0.03; CPPD AUC 0.93 vs 0.84, P = 0.04] unless the target joint was the knee or the MTP1 joint in gout and the knee or the wrist in CPPD.

Conclusions

A targeted US scanning protocol of two joints bilaterally plus the target joint showed an excellent accuracy (>90%) for the diagnosis of crystal arthritis in patients with acute mono/oligoarthritis.

 

A video abstract is available for this article and can be viewed at https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keac479.
Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease and associated autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions: practical guidance for diagnosis
Authors: González García Andrés , Fernández-Martín Julián , Robles Marhuenda Ángel
Published: August 2022

Idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease (iMCD) is an infrequent and life-threatening disorder characterized by systemic inflammatory symptoms, generalized lymphadenopathy, polyclonal lymphocyte proliferation and organ dysfunction caused by a hyperinflammatory state. It accounts for one-third to one-half of all multicentric Castleman disease (MCD) cases. iMCD is often associated with autoimmune manifestations that may precede the iMCD diagnosis, be identified at the same time or follow it. In addition, iMCD may also coincide with a number of autoimmune diseases (such as psoriasis or myasthenia gravis) or autoinflammatory diseases (such as familial Mediterranean fever). Moreover, diverse inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, adult-onset Still disease, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, immunoglobulin (IgG4) related disease, or the recently described VEXAS syndrome, can present clinical features or lymphadenopathy with histopathological ‘Castleman-like’ findings compatible with those of iMCD. Given the iMCD clinical heterogeneity and the overlap with other autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders, iMCD diagnosis can be challenging. In this review, we explore the overlap between iMCD and inflammatory diseases and provide practical guidance on iMCD diagnosis in order to avoid misdiagnosis and confusion with other autoimmune or autoinflammatory conditions.
MODEL CALIBRATION OF AN AIRBORNE GAMMA SPECTROMETER FOR SEARCHING OF RADIONUCLIDE SOURCES USING UAV
Authors: Klusoň Jaroslav , Thinová Lenka
Published: August 2022

A study of a small airborne gamma spectrometer usability, carried by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), during a search for radionuclide sources and estimating their activity was performed. Model calculations of calibration coefficients for Georadis D230A spectrometer (with two NaI (Tl) 2″ x 2″ detectors), 241Am, 57Co, 137Cs, 192Ir, 60Co and 152Eu radionuclides and set of flight altitudes from 1 up to 25 m were done. The results were compared with the results of experimental measurements for 137Cs and 60Co sources using vertical heights up to 10 m above the source on the ground. Simulated and discussed is the possible significant influence of the source construction and housing and the position/orientation of the source (due to non-isotropic emission) to estimate the activity of an unknown source. The influence of the natural background and estimation of flight line spacing requirements when planning a UAV route to ensure source localization depending on its activity are discussed.
CONFOCAL X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES FORMED FROM HOMOGENEOUS LAYERS: COMPARISON OF SIMULATIONS WITH EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENTS
Authors: Limburská Kateřina , Trojek Tomáš
Published: August 2022

Confocal X-ray fluorescence analysis is a non-destructive method that enables the determination of the elements depth distribution in the examined sample. Accurate determination of the elements depth distributions in various samples from measured depth profiles is very demanding, and generally, a valid procedure has not been developed as yet. The main aim of this work was to design and test a universal simplified calculation procedure, which would allow the calculation of the approximate shape of the depth profiles for a sample formed from layers of a given thickness and composition. To confirm the proposed calculation method, the standard reference material NIST 1412 was used, which is formed by a homogeneous multicomponent glass containing oxides of several measurable elements. This research compares the results of the measured and calculated depth profiles in the glass reference material, where the resulting depth curves correspond almost perfectly.
LONG-TERM AFTERGLOW OF SOLID SCINTILLATORS
Authors: Viererbl Ladislav , Kolros Antonín , Vratislavská Hana Assmann
Published: August 2022

Most of scintillators used for radiation detection exhibit afterglow, which is emission of light with longer decay times than that of main light pulse. High signal from afterglow has usually negative influence on detection parameters, e.g. for energy resolution in spectrometry measurements. The paper deals with long-term afterglow of some types of scintillators, which is more significant in the case of integral measurement when current in the photodetector is measured. The range of studied decay times was in the order of tens of seconds to days. Seven types of scintillators were measured: BGO, CaF2(Eu), CdWO4, CsI(Tl), LiI(Eu), NaI(Tl) and plastic scintillator. Excitation of scintillators was made using a UV lamp. After UV irradiation, a scintillator was inserted to scintillation detection unit and the anode current of photomultiplier tube was measured with a picoammeter. As results, CaF2(Eu) and plastic scintillator have relatively low long-term afterglow signal compared with other measured scintillators.
MEASUREMENT OF PROMPT GAMMAS OF INELASTIC SCATTERING IN D2O SPHERE USING AMBE SOURCE
Authors: Czakoj Tomáš , Košťál Michal , Novák Evžen , Losa Evžen , Šimon Jan , Schulc Martin , Matěj Zdeněk
Published: August 2022

The inelastic neutron scattering is often followed by the emission of gamma photon. As the prompt gammas have a discrete level character they can be used for the identification of nuclides. Because of this fact, a good knowledge of photon production from inelastic scattering is important. Described research deals with the measurement of gamma originated from inelastic scattering of neutrons on 16O. The 241Am–Be was used as a neutron source because of its high average neutron energy. The oxygen in form of heavy water was used for maximization of neutron flux on oxygen and minimization of background gammas’ production, namely 2223 keV gammas accompanying capture on hydrogen 1H. The gamma spectrum was measured by HPGe and the stilbene detector. The HPGe measured quantities are comparted with calculation and discrepancies between measured and calculated gamma fluxes are reported. Stilbene measurement shows indistinguishability of gamma peaks above 6 MeV.
MEASUREMENT OF THE REGENER–PFOTZER MAXIMUM USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF IONISING RADIATION DETECTORS AND A NEW TELEMETRY SYSTEM TF-ATMON
Authors: Kákona Jakub , Lužová Martina , Kákona Martin , Sommer Marek , Povišer Martin , Ploc Ondřej , Dvořák Roman , Ambrožová Iva
Published: August 2022

Stratospheric balloons are a useful tool for the investigation of cosmic radiation at high altitudes and the tests of new detectors of cosmic radiation. Due to necessary data processing, the balloon gondola needs to carry, together with radiation detectors, additional supplementary sensors measuring humidity, temperature, location and orientation, altitude, atmospheric pressure, acceleration, etc. A newly developed universal system TF-ATMON, based on using already existing tools of the PX4 open-source project, enables apart from data recording and monitoring, also the possibility to trace the balloon gondola after the flight. The application was demonstrated on stratospheric balloon flight FIK-6. This flight was unique because three different types of radiation detectors were used at one flight. It enabled us to compare the altitude of the Regener–Pfotzer maximum measured with different types of sensors sensitive to a different type of secondary cosmic radiation generated in the atmosphere.
DEVELOPMENT OF DATABASE STRUCTURES AND DATA EXCHANGE PRINCIPLES FOR NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING PLANNING
Authors: Daniška Dušan , Vrban Branislav , Nečas Vladimír
Published: August 2022

The amount and variety of information used during the nuclear decommissioning project is enormous. If we consider that data and information coming from the whole operational phase of a nuclear power plant (NPP) is important for safe and efficient planning of such projects and waste treatment, packaging, storage and disposal use data coming from the dismantling operations, we can expect that nuclear decommissioning data are live and can be useful for decades. Taking into account a very broad variety of such data (e.g. but not only, their format, storage media, structure, meaning, relevancy, …) it is not a trivial task to develop a complex and reasonably structured database for storing all this information. This paper presents an overview of our research activities in the field of standardization in terms of the data structure and storage technologies and outlines the overall ‘single-source-of-truth’ architecture with centralized server and communication principles for storage and transfer of data used in nuclear decommissioning projects.
EMANATION OF RADON-222 FROM DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES AND SOIL GROUPS
Authors: Eckertová Terézia , Holý Karol , Müllerová Monika , Sýkora Ivan , Masarik Jozef
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we deal with measurement of 222Rn emanation coefficient (Ke) of soils using an accumulation method. We created a database of Ke values of dried soils for various soil types and soil groups, classified by the size of soil particles. For 18 different soil samples we obtained the Ke values in range 0.083–0.234. The analysis of radon emanation dependence on moisture for seven of these samples shows two different trends which were related to soil texture (clays or sands). Soils with predominant sandy particles prove weak dependence on moisture and Ke values from minimum value (at zero moisture) do not increase much (max 15% increase on every 5% of moisture), for soils with majority of clayey particles the moisture can affect the Ke more significantly (increase up to 60%).
SleepMat: a new behavioral analysis software program for sleep and circadian rhythms
Authors: Sisobhan Shiju , Rosensweig Clark , Lear Bridget C , Allada Ravi
Published: August 2022

Study Objectives

To develop a new publicly available software SleepMat that analyzes Drosophila Activity Monitoring system data.

Methods

The software is built on Matlab platform, employs an easy-to-use graphic user interface, and is highly flexible to customize data inputs.

Results

This software provides large number of sleep and circadian parameters including period, actogram, anticipation, sleep amount, bout length, bout number, activity, sleep deprivation, latency, lifespan, and eduction results.

Conclusions

This software will enable a user-friendly high throughput analysis of a broad range of sleep and circadian parameters that can be coupled to the power of Drosophila genetics.
A toolkit for enhanced reproducibility of RNASeq analysis for synthetic biologists
Authors: Garcia Benjamin J , Urrutia Joshua , Zheng George , Becker Diveena , Corbet Carolyn , Maschhoff Paul , Cristofaro Alexander , Gaffney Niall , Vaughn Matthew , Saxena Uma , Chen Yi-Pei , Gordon D Benjamin , Eslami Mohammed
Published: August 2022

Sequencing technologies, in particular RNASeq, have become critical tools in the design, build, test and learn cycle of synthetic biology. They provide a better understanding of synthetic designs, and they help identify ways to improve and select designs. While these data are beneficial to design, their collection and analysis is a complex, multistep process that has implications on both discovery and reproducibility of experiments. Additionally, tool parameters, experimental metadata, normalization of data and standardization of file formats present challenges that are computationally intensive. This calls for high-throughput pipelines expressly designed to handle the combinatorial and longitudinal nature of synthetic biology. In this paper, we present a pipeline to maximize the analytical reproducibility of RNASeq for synthetic biologists. We also explore the impact of reproducibility on the validation of machine learning models. We present the design of a pipeline that combines traditional RNASeq data processing tools with structured metadata tracking to allow for the exploration of the combinatorial design in a high-throughput and reproducible manner. We then demonstrate utility via two different experiments: a control comparison experiment and a machine learning model experiment. The first experiment compares datasets collected from identical biological controls across multiple days for two different organisms. It shows that a reproducible experimental protocol for one organism does not guarantee reproducibility in another. The second experiment quantifies the differences in experimental runs from multiple perspectives. It shows that the lack of reproducibility from these different perspectives can place an upper bound on the validation of machine learning models trained on RNASeq data.

Graphical Abstract
Influence of MDR1 gene polymorphism (2677G>T) on expression and function of P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier: utilizing novel P-glycoprotein humanized mice with mutation
Authors: Yamasaki Yuki , Moriwaki Takashi , Ogata Seiryo , Ito Shingo , Ohtsuki Sumio , Minegishi Genki , Abe Satoshi , Ohta Yumi , Kazuki Kanako , Kobayashi Kaoru , Kazuki Yasuhiro
Published: August 2022

P-glycoprotein, the encoded product of the MDR1/ABCB1 gene in humans, is expressed in numerous tissues including brain capillary endothelial cells and restricts the distribution of xenobiotics into the brain as an efflux pump. Although a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the MDR1 gene have been identified, the influence of the nonsynonymous 2677G>T/A single nucleotide polymorphism on P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier has remained unclear. In the present study, we developed a novel P-glycoprotein humanized mouse line carrying the 2677G>T mutation by utilizing a mouse artificial chromosome vector constructed by genetic engineering technology and we evaluated the influence of 2677G>T on the expression and function of P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier in vivo. The results of this study showed that the introduction of the 2677G>T mutation does not alter the expression levels of P-glycoprotein protein in the brain capillary fraction. On the other hand, the brain penetration of verapamil, a representative substrate of P-glycoprotein, was increased by the introduction of the 2677G>T mutation. These results suggested that the 2677G>T single nucleotide polymorphism may attenuate the function of P-glycoprotein, resulting in increased brain penetration of P-glycoprotein substrates, without altering the expression levels of P-glycoprotein protein in the blood-brain barrier. This mutant mouse line is a useful model for elucidating the influence of an MDR1 gene single nucleotide polymorphism on the expression and function of P-glycoprotein at the blood-brain barrier.
Does Sleep Quality Influence Recovery Outcomes After Postconcussive Injury in Children and Adolescents?
Authors: Fisher Michael , Wiseman-Hakes Catherine , Obeid Joyce , DeMatteo Carol
Published: August 2022

Objective:

To determine whether objective parameters of sleep quality differ throughout recovery between children and adolescents who experienced an early return to school (RTS) and those who had a delayed RTS or did not return at all during the study period.

Setting:

Sleep parameters reflective of sleep quality were evaluated in participants' natural sleeping habitat throughout 9 weeks postinjury.

Participants:

Ninety-four children and adolescents (aged 5-18 years) with diagnosed concussion.

Design:

Prospective cohort. Participants followed RTS protocols.

Main Measures:

Actigraphy-derived estimates of total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset (WASO), average arousal length (AAL), and number of arousals (NOAs) per hour were assessed. The length of time from injury until RTS was determined for each participant. Participants were categorized into an early RTS or delayed RTS group based on their time to RTS.

Results:

Both TST and SE were significantly greater in the early RTS group. WASO duration, AAL, and NOAs were significantly greater in the delayed RTS group. Differences between RTS groups were most apparent during weeks 1 to 5 postinjury.

Conclusions and Clinical Implications:

Participants who returned to school earlier had significantly better objective sleep quality than participants who experienced a delayed RTS. This study provides evidence in support of a relationship between sleep quality and time to RTS in children and adolescents with concussion. Considering early monitoring of sleep, education regarding sleep hygiene, and access to age-appropriate sleep interventions may be helpful in pediatric concussion recovery.
Hypersensitivity to Noise and Light Over 1 Year After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Longitudinal Study on Self-Reported Hypersensitivity and Its Influence on Long-Term Anxiety, Depression, and Quality of Life
Authors: Marzolla Marilien C. , Wijenberg Melloney , Stapert Sven , Hurks Petra , Schepers Jan , van Heugten Caroline
Published: August 2022

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate (1) the prevalence of self-reported sensory hypersensitivity (noise [NS] and light [LS]) over 1 year after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in adults and (2) the impact of NS and LS measured 2 weeks after injury on long-term outcomes 12 months postinjury, while controlling for postconcussion symptoms.

Setting:

Participants were recruited from 6 hospitals in the south of the Netherlands and were tested 4 times (2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postinjury), using self-report questionnaires.

Participants:

In total, 186 mTBI participants (diagnosed using WHO [World Health Organization]/EFNS [European Federation of Neurological Societies] criteria at the neurology/emergency department) and 181 participants with a minor orthopedic injury in their extremities (control group).

Design:

An observational, longitudinal, multicenter cohort study.

Main Measures:

NS and LS items (Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire) were used as main outcome variables to determine sensory hypersensitivity symptoms. Additional outcomes included anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and life satisfaction.

Results:

There was an elevated prevalence of NS and LS between 2 weeks and 3 months after injury in the mTBI group compared with controls. Approximately 3% of mTBI patients had persistent hypersensitivity symptoms during the whole course of the study. At 12 months postinjury, the mTBI and control groups did not differ in the prevalence of persistent hypersensitivity symptoms. There was no evidence of a predictive value of hypersensitivity within 2 weeks postinjury on anxiety, depression, HRQoL, or life satisfaction, 12 months later after controlling for postconcussion symptoms.

Conclusions:

These results not only confirm the presence of hypersensitivity symptoms after mTBI in the subacute stage but also provide assurance about the small size of the group that experiences persistent symptoms. Furthermore, there was no evidence that early NS and LS are uniquely associated with long-term emotional and quality-of-life outcomes, over and above general levels of postconcussion symptoms.
Novice Accuracy in Ultrasound and Stethoscope Study (NAUSS)
Authors: Howell Christopher M. , Kaelin Andrea L. , Pennington Brian M. , Sillaman Jake D. , Bonk Megan R. , Rogers Vanessa S.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The purpose of this noninferiority study was the accurate determination of valvular heart disease, using bedside echocardiogram as compared to stethoscope, by a novice clinician examiner.

Methods

We conducted a single university, single program study to investigate the use of bedside ultrasound in the hands of a novice clinical user, defined as someone with fewer than 2 years of clinical education. We enrolled 8 examinees with evidence of valvular heart disease to be assessed by 13 subjects.

Results

Descriptive statistics revealed echocardiogram accuracy of 56% compared to 44% accuracy with stethoscope, though not statistically significant. Interestingly, 31% of subjects obtained equal measures with both instruments. Correlation proficiency between both modalities was also observed.

Discussion

There is no statistically significant difference in novice examiner diagnostic accuracy using point-of-care echocardiograms for examination of valvular heart disease when compared with a stethoscope.