bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight into the influence of pH on the precipitation induced by bacteria
Authors: Li Lixia , Liu Tianle , Jiang Guosheng , Fang Changliang , Zheng Shaojun , Qu Bo , Zhu Yunfei
Published: November 2021

In recent years, microbial mineralization has aroused great attention in soil remediation. The pH is one of the critical factors that control the microbial mineralization process. However, the interaction mechanism between the environment pH and the mineralization process has not been clarified yet. This paper focused on the growth of bacteria, urease activity and the calcium utilization rate. Besides, we detected the particle size distribution, morphological characteristics and the composition of precipitations formed at different pH. Moreover, we evaluated the triaxial compressive strength of sand columns processed by different pH consolidation solutions. Additionally, the volume fraction of precipitations and its spatial distribution in sand columns were analysed by X‐ray CT. The results demonstrated that pH significantly influences the growth of bacteria and urease activity, especially in the bacteria's early growth stage. This paper also indicates that the environmental pH impacts the volume fraction of precipitations, affecting the consolidation properties. We also found a negative correlation between the cohesion and the total volume fraction of precipitations. In contrast, there was a positive correlation between the friction angle and the total volume fraction of precipitations. Moreover, we observed that the precipitations mainly distributed in the pores and throats, increasing the sand particles’ roughness. Furthermore, we proposed four cementing models for the spatial relationship between the precipitations and the sand particles, which provides new insight into the consolidation mechanism. This paper guides us to promote this environmentally friendly technology to treat soil liquefaction and desertification.
Learning and Dynamic Decision Making
Authors: Gonzalez Cleotilde
Published: November 2021

Humans make decisions in dynamic environments (increasingly complex, highly uncertain, and changing situations) by searching for potential alternatives sequentially over time, to determine the best option at a precise moment. Surprisingly, the field of behavioral decision making has little to offer in terms of theoretical principles and practical guidelines on how people make decisions in dynamic situations. My research program aims to fill in this gap by developing theoretical understandings of decision processes as well as practical demonstrations of how these theoretical developments can improve human dynamic decision making. Throughout my research career, I have helped create, test, and improve a general theory of dynamic decision making, instance‐based learning theory, IBLT. The methods I have used to contribute to IBLT are (1) laboratory experiments that rely on dynamic games in which humans make choices over time and space, individually and in teams, and from which we extrapolate robust phenomena and behavioral insights; and (2) computational, actionable cognitive models, which specify the decision‐making process and the cognitive mechanisms involved into a computational algorithm. The combination of these methods spawned novel applications in areas such as cybersecurity, phishing, climate change, and human–machine interactions. In this paper, I will take you through my own intellectual exploratory experience of computational modeling of human decision processes, and how the integration of experimental work and cognitive modeling helped in discovering and uncovering the field of dynamic decision making.
Search for evolutionary roots of land plant arabinogalactan‐proteins in charophytes: presence of a rhamnogalactan‐protein in Spirogyra pratensis (Zygnematophyceae)
Authors: Pfeifer Lukas , Utermöhlen Jon , Happ Kathrin , Permann Charlotte , Holzinger Andreas , von Schwartzenberg Klaus , Classen Birgit
Published: November 2021

Charophyte green algae (CGA) are assigned to be the closest relatives of land plants and therefore enlighten processes in the colonization of terrestrial habitats. For the transition from water to land, plants needed significant physiological and structural changes, as well as with regard to cell wall composition. Sequential extraction of cell walls of Nitellopsis obtusa (Charophyceae) and Spirogyra pratensis (Zygnematophyceae) offered a comparative overview on cell wall composition of late branching CGA. Because arabinogalactan‐proteins (AGPs) are considered common for all land plant cell walls, we were interested in whether these special glycoproteins are present in CGA. Therefore, we investigated both species with regard to characteristic features of AGPs. In the cell wall of Nitellopsis, no hydroxyproline was present and no AGP was precipitable with the β‐glucosyl Yariv’s reagent (βGlcY). By contrast, βGlcY precipitation of the water‐soluble cell wall fraction of Spirogyra yielded a glycoprotein fraction rich in hydroxyproline, indicating the presence of AGPs. Putative AGPs in the cell walls of non‐conjugating Spirogyra filaments, especially in the area of transverse walls, were detected by staining with βGlcY. Labelling increased strongly in generative growth stages, especially during zygospore development. Investigations of the fine structure of the glycan part of βGlcY‐precipitated molecules revealed that the galactan backbone resembled that of AGPs with 1,3‐ 1,6‐ and 1,3,6‐linked Galp moieties. Araf was present only in small amounts and the terminating sugars consisted predominantly of pyranosidic terminal and 1,3‐linked rhamnose residues. We introduce the term ‘rhamnogalactan‐protein’ for this special AGP‐modification present in S. pratensis.
Symbiotic responses of Lotus japonicus to two isogenic lines of a mycorrhizal fungus differing in the presence/absence of an endobacterium
Authors: Venice Francesco , Chialva Matteo , Domingo Guido , Novero Mara , Carpentieri Andrea , Salvioli di Fossalunga Alessandra , Ghignone Stefano , Amoresano Angela , Vannini Candida , Lanfranco Luisa , Bonfante Paola
Published: November 2021

As other arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Gigaspora margarita contains unculturable endobacteria in its cytoplasm. A cured fungal line has been obtained and showed it was capable of establishing a successful mycorrhizal colonization. However, previous OMICs and physiological analyses have demonstrated that the cured fungus is impaired in some functions during the pre‐symbiotic phase, leading to a lower respiration activity, lower ATP, and antioxidant production. Here, by combining deep dual‐mRNA sequencing and proteomics applied to Lotus japonicus roots colonized by the fungal line with bacteria (B+) and by the cured line (B−), we tested the hypothesis that L. japonicus (i) activates its symbiotic pathways irrespective of the presence or absence of the endobacterium, but (ii) perceives the two fungal lines as different physiological entities. Morphological observations confirmed the absence of clear endobacteria‐dependent changes in the mycorrhizal phenotype of L. japonicus, while transcript and proteomic datasets revealed activation of the most important symbiotic pathways. They included the iconic nutrient transport and some less‐investigated pathways, such as phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. However, significant differences between the mycorrhizal B+/B− plants emerged in the respiratory pathways and lipid biosynthesis. In both cases, the roots colonized by the cured line revealed a reduced capacity to activate genes involved in antioxidant metabolism, as well as the early biosynthetic steps of the symbiotic lipids, which are directed towards the fungus. Similar to its pre‐symbiotic phase, the intraradical fungus revealed transcripts related to mitochondrial activity, which were downregulated in the cured line, as well as perturbation in lipid biosynthesis.
Control of lysosomal-mediated cell death by the pH-dependent calcium channel RECS1
Authors: Pihán Philippe , Lisbona Fernanda , Borgonovo Janina , Edwards-Jorquera Sandra , Nunes-Hasler Paula , Castillo Karen , Kepp Oliver , Urra Hery , Saarnio Suvi , Vihinen Helena , Carreras-Sureda Amado , Forveille Sabrina , Sauvat Allan , De Giorgis Daniela , Pupo Amaury , Rodríguez Diego A. , Quarato Giovanni , Sagredo Alfredo , Lourido Fernanda , Letai Anthony , Latorre Ramon , Kroemer Guido , Demaurex Nicolas , Jokitalo Eija , Concha Miguel L. , Glavic Álvaro , Green Douglas R. , Hetz Claudio
Published: November 2021

RECS1, a member of the TMBIM family, triggers lysosomal membrane permeabilization in cells undergoing lysosomal stress.
MAPK6-AKT signaling promotes tumor growth and resistance to mTOR kinase blockade
Authors: Cai Qinbo , Zhou Wolong , Wang Wei , Dong Bingning , Han Dong , Shen Tao , Creighton Chad J. , Moore David D. , Yang Feng
Published: November 2021

MAPK6-AKT signaling promotes tumor growth and resistance to mTOR kinase inhibitors.
China’s little-known efforts to protect its marine ecosystems safeguard some habitats but omit others
Authors: Bohorquez John J. , Xue Guifang , Frankstone Timothy , Grima Maria M. , Kleinhaus Karine , Zhao Yiyi , Pikitch Ellen K.
Published: November 2021

China has made substantial progress towards global targets for conserving coastal habitats but less headway for deeper waters.
High-resolution structure and dynamics of mitochondrial complex I—Insights into the proton pumping mechanism
Authors: Parey Kristian , Lasham Jonathan , Mills Deryck J. , Djurabekova Amina , Haapanen Outi , Yoga Etienne Galemou , Xie Hao , Kühlbrandt Werner , Sharma Vivek , Vonck Janet , Zickermann Volker
Published: November 2021

High-resolution structure and molecular simulations unravel the inner workings of a redox-driven proton pump.
Programmable and sequential Gaussian gates in a loop-based single-mode photonic quantum processor
Authors: Enomoto Yutaro , Yonezu Kazuma , Mitsuhashi Yosuke , Takase Kan , Takeda Shuntaro
Published: November 2021

A loop-based photonic quantum processor for general-purpose applications is demonstrated to be scalable and programmable.
Electrochemical DNA synthesis and sequencing on a single electrode with scalability for integrated data storage
Authors: Xu Chengtao , Ma Biao , Gao Zhongli , Dong Xing , Zhao Chao , Liu Hong
Published: November 2021

DNA synthesis and sequencing on a single electrode enables integrated data storage using a sliding microarray chip.
Update on the management of a newborn with a suspected difference of sex development
Authors: Lucas-Herald Angela K , Rodie Martina E , Ahmed S Faisal
Published: November 2021

Differences or disorders of sex development are a group of heterogeneous conditions, which most commonly present in the newborn period, with the appearance of atypical genitalia on newborn examination. Over recent years, the improvement in our knowledge of these conditions has been accompanied by advances in diagnostic technology and therapeutic options, as well as societal shifts in attitudes and expectations. These factors have placed an even greater emphasis than before on the need for early expert input through a multidisciplinary service that can support the patient and the family; perform and interpret the investigations required to reach a diagnosis; and formulate a management plan that lays down the foundation for optimal long-term outcome. While providing a regional service, the expert team should also be committed to research and quality improvement through participation in national and international networks.
Disseminated genitourinary histoplasmosis in a patient with AIDS with negative urine antigen testing
Authors: Joseph Candice Theodora , Feely Michael , Iovine Nicole
Published: November 2021

Disseminated histoplasmosis is a life-threatening condition in immunocompromised patients. The majority of healthy persons have benign disease not requiring treatment. However, in persons living with HIV, mortality is high and accurate diagnosis is paramount. We present a case of a 48-year-old HIV-positive woman who presented with haematuria and flank pain. She had a history of recurrent urinary tract infection and nephrolithiasis with obstructive hydronephrosis. During cystoscopy, a bladder lesion was found. Pathological evaluation demonstrated abundant intracellular organisms with apparent budding. Subsequent urine histoplasma antigen was negative. Given the high index of suspicion for histoplasmosis based on the surgical pathology findings and epidemiological history, the patient was started immediately on antifungal therapy. One week later, PCR results of the bladder lesion confirmed the presence ofHistoplasma capsulatum. This case highlights a rare presentation of genitourinary histoplasmosis and the utility of surgical pathology evaluation and PCR for diagnosis.
Endoscopic resection of tendon xanthoma in the elbow of a patient with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis
Authors: Nakazawa Katsumasa , Yano Koichi , Kaneshiro Yasunori , Sakanaka Hideki
Published: November 2021

We describe the case of a 44-year-old woman with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) who had a tendon xanthoma on the right olecranon. The patient successfully underwent endoscopic resection. There were no signs of recurrence on MRI 2 years postoperatively. There were no complications related to the surgery, and the patient is completely satisfied with the treatment outcomes. CTX, a genetic metabolic disorder, is associated with the development of tendon xanthomas. Endoscopic resection of tendon xanthoma in the elbow of patients with CTX is a less invasive method than open resection.
Invasive aspergillosis of the skull base in an immunocompetent patient: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Borges Alexandra , Ferreira Lìgia , Pacheco Ricardo , Fonseca Isabel
Published: November 2021

We describe the case of a 32-year-old man from Cape Verde having headache and increasing visual loss. Clinical and radiological investigations disclosed a massive destructive lesion involving the anterior and central skull base, orbit and nasoethmoid region initially interpreted as a malignant small round cell tumour. Surgical biopsies were negative for neoplasm, showing an intense inflammatory infiltrate together with fungus, later characterised asAspergillus flavusspp. The patient was immunocompetent with no evidence of congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies. Invasive fungal infections in immunocompetent patients are rare and can be a diagnostic challenge. The best diagnostic clues include the patient’s origin from tropical climates, imaging features and the identification of fungal hyphae on pathology specimens. Although a devastating disease in immunocompromised patients, craniocerebral aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients carries a better prognosis. Available literature supports the combined used of ‘conservative’ surgical resection and antifungal therapy as the best treatment option.
A rare case of iliopsoas abscess caused by a retained shrapnel from a blast injury
Authors: Tiong Jonathan , Grant Katherine , Gray Andrew
Published: November 2021

Iliopsoas abscesses (IPA) are uncommon, with an associated mortality rate of up to 20%. We describe the case of a 55-year-old man war veteran who presented with an unusual cause of IPA secondary to retained foreign body (FB). His initial trauma 30 years before was a result of a blast injury with shrapnel penetration suffered after inadvertently driving over a landmine as an ambulance driver in a conflict region. A CT scan was performed, revealing a 13 mmx8 mm radio-opaque FB within the right psoas at the level of the fifth lumbar vertebra with a surrounding collection. Subsequent open surgical exploration removed two gravel fragments. Given the knowledge of a traumatic blast injury with retained FB and repeated episodes of sepsis, surgical exploration is warranted. To our knowledge, this is the first case of recurrent IPA secondary to a retained FB from a historical trauma.
Population-based study on the prevalence, clinical characteristics and vision-related quality of life in patients with corneal opacity resulting from infectious keratitis: results from the Corneal Opacity Rural Epidemiological study
Authors: Raj Nimmy , Gupta Noopur , Kumar Deepak , Vashist Praveen , Tandon Radhika
Published: November 2021

Aim

To estimate prevalence and characterise clinical features and vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) of corneal opacities (COs) resulting from infectious keratitis in a rural North Indian population.

Methods

The Corneal Opacity Rural Epidemiological study was a cross-sectional study conducted in 25 randomly selected clusters of rural Gurgaon, Haryana, India to determine prevalence of corneal disease across all age groups. During house-to-house visits, sociodemographic details, presence, type and clinical characteristics of corneal disease, laterality and resultant visual impairment (VI) was noted. Subgroup analysis of data was performed to understand the prevalence, clinical characteristics, VR-QoL in patients with CO due to infectious keratitis. VR-QoL scores were compared with healthy controls.

Results

Overall, 65 of 12 113 participants had evidence of infectious keratitis-related CO with a mean age of 63.3 (±14.7 SD) years. Prevalence of infectious keratitis-related CO, including both bilateral (12/65) and unilateral (53/65) cases was 0.54% (95% CI 0.41 to 0.66) seen in a total of 77 eyes of 65 participants. Mean visual acuity was 1.18±0.80 with 30/77 (38.9%) eyes having a presenting visual acuity <3/60. Most of the CO due to infectious keratitis was <3 mm in size (61.03%; 47/77), nebular (42.85%; 33/77) and central (49.35%; 38/77) in location. These participants had significantly higher VR-QoL scores and hence poorer VR-QoL across all three domains of vision function (scores of 28 vs 22, 7.5 vs 5 and 15.5 vs 9, respectively; p<0.0001) when compared with healthy controls.

Conclusion

The data from this study give an insight into the burden and clinical characteristics of COs resulting from infectious keratitis. VR-QoL is significantly impaired in patients with CO resulting from infectious keratitis, both in bilateral and unilateral cases.
Pregnancy anaemia, child health and development: a cohort study in rural India
Authors: Heesemann Esther , Mähler Claudia , Subramanyam Malavika A , Vollmer Sebastian
Published: November 2021

Objective

To assess how pregnancy anaemia affects the offspring’s early childhood development, child haemoglobin (Hb) levels child growth and diseases incidence 2 years after birth in a low-income setting. Furthermore, we investigate the mediating role of childhood Hb levels with disease incidences and skills.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting and participants

The study participants are 941-999 mother–child dyads from rural Madhepura in Bihar, India. In 2015, the women were recruited during pregnancy from registers in mother–child centres of 140 villages for the first wave of data collection. At the time of the second wave in 2017, the children were 22–32 months old.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The recruited women were visited at home for a household survey and the measurement of the women’s and child’s Hb level, child weight and height. Data on the incidence of diarrhoea and respiratory diseases or fever were collected from interviews with the mothers. To test motor, cognitive, language and socioemotional skills of the children, we used an adapted version of the child development assessment FREDI.

Results

The average Hb during pregnancy was 10.2 g/dL and 69% of the women had pregnancy anaemia. At the age of 22–32 months, a 1 g/dL increase in Hb during pregnancy was associated with a 0.17 g/dL (95% CI: 0.11 to 0.23) increase in Hb levels of the child. Children of moderately or severely anaemic women during pregnancy showed 0.57 g/dL (95% CI: −0.78 to −0.36) lower Hb than children of non-anaemic women. We find no association between the maternal Hb during pregnancy and early skills, stunting, wasting, underweight or disease incidence. While childhood anaemia does not correlate with childhood diseases, we find an association of a 1 g/dl increase in the child's Hb with 0.04 SDs higher test scores.

Conclusions

While pregnancy anaemia is a risk factor for anaemia during childhood, we do not find evidence for an increased risk of infectious diseases or early childhood development delays.
Nomogram to predict risk of incident chronic kidney disease in high-risk population of cardiovascular disease in China: community-based cohort study
Authors: Zhang Qiuxia , Zhang Jingyi , Lei Li , Liang Hongbin , Li Yun , Lu Junyan , Zhou Shiyu , Li Guodong , Zhang Xinlu , Chen Yaode , Pan Jiazhi , Lu Xiangqi , Chen Yejia , Lin Xinxin , Li Xiaobo , An Shengli , Xiu Jiancheng
Published: November 2021

Aims

To develop a nomogram for incident chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk evaluation among community residents with high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, 5730 non-CKD residents with high CVD risk participating the National Basic Public Health Service between January 2015 and December 2020 in Guangzhou were included. Endpoint was incident CKD defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2during the follow-up period. The entire cohorts were randomly (2:1) assigned to a development cohort and a validation cohort. Predictors of incident CKD were selected by multivariable Cox regression and stepwise approach. A nomogram based on these predictors was developed and evaluated with concordance index (C-index) and area under curve (AUC).

Results

During the median follow-up period of 4.22 years, the incidence of CKD was 19.09% (n=1094) in the entire cohort, 19.03% (727 patients) in the development cohort and 19.21% (367 patients) in the validation cohort. Age, body mass index, eGFR 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2, diabetes and hypertension were selected as predictors. The nomogram demonstrated a good discriminative power with C-index of 0.778 and 0.785 in the development and validation cohort. The 3-year, 4-year and 5-year AUCs were 0.817, 0.814 and 0.834 in the development cohort, and 0.830, 0.847 and 0.839 in the validation cohort.

Conclusion

Our nomogram based on five readily available predictors is a reliable tool to identify high-CVD risk patients at risk of incident CKD. This prediction model may help improving the healthcare strategies in primary care.
Protocol for ‘Resilient Caregivers’: a randomised trial of a resilience-based intervention for psychologically distressed partner caregivers of patients with cancer
Authors: Genter Peter , Høeg Beverley Lim , Hamre Camilla Jensen , Andersen Elisabeth Anne Wreford , Dalton Susanne Oksbjerg , Ribers Bjørn , Bidstrup Pernille Envold
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Intimate partners of patients with cancer often experience significant distress, but there is a lack of psychological interventions that specifically target this population. ‘Resilient Caregivers’ is a novel resilience-based intervention for distressed partner cancer caregivers. The intervention was developed according to a resilience framework focusing on meta-reflective skills, coping strategies and value clarification. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this intervention in a randomised trial.

Methods and analysis

Eighty participants will be invited through the Oncology Department at Herlev Hospital, Denmark and randomised to either the intervention or usual care. Participants are eligible if they are partners (married or unmarried) of patients diagnosed with cancer and experience distress (>4 on the distress thermometer). ‘Resilient Caregivers’ consists of seven manualised group sessions (2.5 hours each), focusing on resilience in relation to being a partner caregiver of a patient with cancer. The primary outcome is symptoms of anxiety, while secondary outcomes include distress, depression, quality of life, sleep quality and resilience. Data will be collected at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up using validated scales, and analysed using mixed models for repeated measures.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will follow the ethical principles in the Declaration of Helsinki and has been reviewed by the Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (Journal no. 18055373). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Results will be reported through scientific peer-reviewed journals and relevant conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT04610034.
Factors that influence clinicians’ decisions to decrease active surveillance monitoring frequency or transition to watchful waiting for localised prostate cancer: a qualitative study
Authors: Lowenstein Lisa M , Choi Noah J , Hoffman Karen E , Volk Robert J , Loeb Stacy
Published: November 2021

Objective

Little is known about clinicians’ decision-making about decreasing active surveillance (AS) testing/converting patients to watchful waiting (WW), nor are there any guidelines. The objective of this study was to identify factors that clinicians consider when decreasing AS testing/converting to WW for men with prostate cancer.

Design

Exploratory qualitative study.

Setting

All participants practiced in various institutions in the USA.

Participants

Eligible clinicians had to provide clinical care for patients with prostate cancer in the USA and speak English. Clinicians could be either urologists or radiation oncologists. Of the 24 clinicians, 83% were urologists representing 11 states, 92% were men and 62% were white.

Methods

This qualitative study used data from semi-structured interviews. Purposive sampling was used to ensure geographical variation in the USA. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was achieved. Framework analysis guided coding and identification of themes. Two researchers coded all transcripts independently, met to discuss and reached consensus.

Results

Interviews with clinicians demonstrated that testing or monitoring for AS or transitioning to WW is happening in practice, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Decisions to decrease AS were personalised and tailored to patients’ health status. Life expectancy was the dominant factor that influenced decision, but clinicians were generally hesitant to specify an age when they would decrease AS or transition to WW. Fear that poor adherence could lead to missed progression and concerns about the medico-legal issue of not doing enough were cited as barriers to decreasing AS.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that in certain situations, AS frequency is reduced or transitioned to WW, yet decisions appear to be inconsistent and there are no significant barriers. These findings could inform further areas to explore when drafting recommendations that consider patients’ values and preferences when making decisions about decreasing AS/converting to WW.
Acupuncture for retinitis pigmentosa: study protocol for a randomised, sham-controlled trial
Authors: Huang Hui , Wang Jing , Li Haoran , Lei Ruxue , Zou Weiwen , Huang Qun , Gao Na , Zheng Yanlin
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Primary retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a common hereditary retinal disease in ophthalmology that has a considerable impact on quality of life, but there are few effective therapeutic strategies. This trial aims to determine the efficacy and safety of acupuncture versus sham acupuncture (SA) for RP.

Methods and analysis

This is a study protocol for a randomised, participant-blind, sham-controlled trial. 64 eligible patients with RP will randomly be divided into acupuncture group and SA group. All groups will receive 48 sessions over 3 months. Participants will complete the trial by visiting the research centre in month 6/9 for a follow-up assessment. The primary outcome is visual field mean sensitivity and visual field mean deviation at month 3/6/9 compared with baseline. Secondary outcomes include the best-corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness, subfoveal choroidal thicknes, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score and the scale of life quality for diseases with visual impairment at month 3/6/9 compared with baseline. Adverse events and safety indexes will be recorded throughout the study. SPSS V.25.0 statistical software was used for analysis, and measurement data were expressed as mean±SD.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (approval no: ChiECRCT20200460). The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal, and trial participants will be informed via email and/or phone calls.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2000041090.
Radiotherapy for head and neck tumours using an oral fixation and parameter acquisition device and TOMO technology: a randomised controlled study
Authors: Zhang Xiaofang , Wang Tianlu , Xiao Xinyan , Li Xia , Wang Chen Yu , Huang Bo , He Lei , Song Yingqiu
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Radiotherapy has become one of the main methods used for the treatment of malignant tumours of the head and neck. Spiral tomographic intensity-modulated radiotherapy has the many advantages of precision radiotherapy, which puts forward high requirements for postural reproducibility and accuracy. We will aim to ensure that the accurate positioning of the tumour will reduce the side effects of radiotherapy caused by positioning errors. We will design and implement this clinical trial using the patent of ‘a radiotherapy oral fixation and parameter acquisition device (patent number: ZL201921877986.5)’.

Methods and analysis

This will be a randomised, controlled, prospective study with 120 patients with head and neck tumours. Using the random number table method, a random number sequence will be generated, and the patients will be enrolled in the experimental group (oral fixation device) and the control group (conventional fixation) in a 2:1 ratio. The primary outcome will be the progression-free survival time after the treatment. Secondary outcomes will include the oral mucosal reaction and the quality of life. Follow-ups will be carried out according to the plan. This is V.1.0 of protocol on 1 April 2021. The recruitment process for this clinical trial commenced on 1 May 2021, and will end on 1 October 2022.

Ethics and dissemination

The trial received ethical approval from Medical Ethics Committee of Liaoning Provincial Cancer Hospital (number 20210131X). The final results will be presented at a scientific conference and published in a peer-reviewed journal in accordance with the journal’s guidelines.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100045096.
Sleep-disordered breathing and ventilatory chemosensitivity in first ischaemic stroke patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Baillieul Sébastien , Bailly Sébastien , Detante Olivier , Alexandre Sarah , Destors Marie , Clin Rita , Dole Marjorie , Pépin Jean-Louis , Tamisier Renaud
Published: November 2021

Rationale

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent after stroke. The clinical and ventilatory chemosensitivity characteristics of SDB, namely obstructive, central and coexisting obstructive and central sleep apnoea (coexisting sleep apnoea) following stroke are poorly described.

Objective

To determine the respective clinical and ventilatory chemosensitivity characteristics of SDB at least 3 months after a first ischaemic stroke.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of a prospective, monocentric cohort conducted in a university hospital. 380 consecutive stroke or transient ischaemic attack patients were screened between December 2016 and December 2019.

Measurements and main results

Full-night polysomnography, and hypercapnic ventilatory response were performed at a median (Q1; Q3) time from stroke onset of 134.5 (97.0; 227.3) days. 185 first-time stroke patients were included in the analysis. 94 (50.8%) patients presented no or mild SDB (Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index <15 events/hour of sleep) and 91 (49.2%) moderate to severe SDB, of which 52 (57.1%) presented obstructive sleep apnoea and 39 (42.9%) coexisting or central sleep apnoea. Obstructive sleep apnoea patients significantly differed regarding their clinical presentation from patients with no or mild SDB, whereas there was no difference with coexisting and central sleep apnoea patients. The latter presented a higher frequency of cerebellar lesions along with a heightened hypercapnic ventilatory response compared with no or mild SDB patients.

Conclusion

SDB in first-time stroke patients differ in their presentation by their respective clinical traits and ventilatory chemosensitivity characteristics. The heightened hypercapnic ventilatory response in coexisting and central sleep apnoea stroke patients may orientate them to specific ventilatory support.
LINC00641 contributes to nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell malignancy through FOXD1 upregulation at the post-transcriptional level
Authors: Ren Dan , Lu Jinlong , Han Xing , Xiong Weiming , Jiang He , Wei Yunzhong , Wang Yongli
Published: November 2021

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common tumor in the head and neck and is prevalent in China, especially in the southern regions. Molecular mechanisms have attracted much attention in NPC research. FOXD1 has been reported to be a tumor promoter in various cancers. The present study was designed to explore the function of FOXD1 in NPC cells. Functional analyses, including the trypan blue staining assay, EdU and JC-1 assay, and flow cytometry analysis, revealed that FOXD1 facilitated NPC cell proliferation and inhibited NPC cell apoptosis. Next, by means of “starBase” database and mechanism analyses, such as RIP assay, RNA pull-down assay and luciferase reporter assay, miR-378a-3p was found to target FOXD1 and negatively regulate FOXD1 expression in NPC cells. Moreover, miR-378a-3p plays a suppressive role in NPC cells. LINC00641 was identified as a sponge of miR-378a-3p and positively modulated FOXD1 expression in NPC cells. Finally, a series of rescue assays indicated that LINC00641 accelerated NPC cell proliferation and hindered NPC cell apoptosis through FOXD1 upregulation. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated an innovative ceRNA mechanism of LINC00641/miR-378a-3p/FOXD1 in NPC cells, which might provide new insights into NPC treatment.
Ethnobotany in the Andes and the Amazon in a world of Nagoya Protocol and post SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Authors: Bussmann Rainer W. , Paniagua-Zambrana Narel Y.
Published: November 2021

Plants provide humankind with our most basic resources — food, medicines, fiber, and a whole array of other useful products. Relatives of wild crops and traditional plant varieties have been the foundation of crop domestication, plant breeding, and indeed the whole of modern agriculture. Plants provide the molecular basis of many pharmaceuticals, as direct compounds or as molecular blueprints. Modern science has started to confirm that the distinction between nutrition and medicine is blurred. With economic development empowering a greater percentage of the world’s people, urban areas continuing to expand, and human populations projected to double in the next 50 years, it seems certain that natural resources will face increasing threat. Habitat loss, unsustainable extraction of plants, spread of invasive species, climate change, and other human activities will have tremendous impacts. In this overview, we assess the changes in ethnobotanical research in the Andes and Amazon in the last decades using the Chábobo Ethnobotany Project as an example for modern ethnobotanical research under Convention on Biological Diversity and the attached Nagoya Protocol, and reflect on the possibilities of using this model for future ethnobotanical studies in a post-SARS-CoV-2 world.
Nonextensive Tsallis statistics in Unruh effect for Dirac neutrinos
Authors: Luciano Giuseppe Gaetano , Blasone Massimo
Published: November 2021

Flavor mixing of quantum fields was found to be responsible for the breakdown of the thermality of Unruh effect. Recently, this result was revisited in the context of nonextensive Tsallis thermostatistics, showing that the emergent vacuum condensate can still be featured as a thermal-like bath, provided that the underlying statistics is assumed to obey Tsallis prescription. This was analyzed explicitly for bosons. Here we extend this study to Dirac fermions and in particular to neutrinos. Working in the relativistic approximation, we provide an effective description of the modified Unruh spectrum in terms of the q-generalized Tsallis statistics, the q-entropic index being dependent on the mixing parameters $$\sin \theta $$

sin
θ

and $$\Delta m$$

Δ
m

. As opposed to bosons, we find $$q>1$$

q
>
1

, which is indicative of the subadditivity regime of Tsallis entropy. An intuitive understanding of this result is discussed in relation to the nontrivial entangled structure exhibited by the quantum vacuum for mixed fields, combined with the Pauli exclusion principle.
Theoretical study of soft X-ray emission and dynamics of laser-induced plasma of double stream gas puff
Authors: Zakharov Vassily S , Zakharov Sergey V
Published: November 2021

The double stream gas puff-based laser-produced plasma is studied as a source of soft X-ray radiation in nm wavelength spectral range. Dynamics of plasma induced by Nd:YAG laser beam and its emission is simulated with radiation-magnetohydrodynamic code Zstar. The modeling results for krypton gas stream in an annular helium jet as a circumferential gas for various picosecond and nanosecond laser pulses corresponding to the experiments are presented. The spatial–spectral features and temporal behavior of the soft X-ray and EUV emission are investigated. Under ps pulse, the gas is rapidly ionized in the laser beam channel, but it does not have enough time to shift sensibly during the pulse, and the plasma electron density grows against the background of almost constant ion density during the ionization in the laser radiation field. There is ionization instability only capable to be developed in ps range. At ns pulse, the gas ionization and heating leads to gas pushing out of the channel, and the formation of a divergent compression wave transforming into the shock wave. Behind the compression wave front, conditions arise for the development of Rayleigh–Taylor-type instability. The instability leads to the redistribution of plasma temperature and density, and to the formation of increased soft X-ray emission spots. Time evolution of spatial distributions and spectral characteristics of emitted SXR radiation is analyzed for different laser pulses. Transient effects in multicharged ion plasma are discussed, fundamental understanding of those is required for optimization of plasma radiation source. A conversion efficiency of laser energy into soft X-ray wavebands from krypton plasma is scanned by laser parameters and analyzed.
MnCo2O4/g-C3N4 composite material preparation and its capacitance performance
Authors: Wang Qing , Li Yirong , Gao Haoran , Dai Jianfeng , li Weixue
Published: November 2021

MnCo2O4/g-C3N4 composite material was synthesized by the hydrothermal method, compared with MnCo2O4 without g-C3N4, it has excellent electrochemical performance. The composite material can reach a specific capacitance of 350 Fg[Formula: see text] at 1 Ag[Formula: see text]. The capacity retention rate is 96% after 1000 cycles at the rate of 2 Ag[Formula: see text]. Experiments show that g-C3N4 can effectively disperse and improve the conductivity of urchin-like MnCo2O4, and the composite of sufficient g-C3N4 can give full play to the performance of urchin-like MnCo2O4, provide faster electronic transport channels, effectively improve the ion migration rate, and make urchin-like MnCo2O4 increase the rate performance under high charge and discharge rates.
Impact of Noninterest Income on Bank Risk-Taking and Bank Lending Spread
Authors: Jawad Muhammad , Naz Munazza , Shamsi Muhammad Aftab
Published: November 2021

This study investigates the impact of diversification between traditional margin income and nontraditional income (noninterest-based income) on bank risk-taking and bank lending spread for banks operating in Pakistan. Bank risk is measured with the nonperforming loan ratio and bank [Formula: see text]-score. Data of this study is obtained from financial statements, which are an annual publication of State Bank of Pakistan, for the period 2006–2016 for 52 banks in Pakistan. Panel regression with the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimator is employed. The study reveals that an increase in noninterest income increases bank risk-taking (spending on highly risky assets), as noninterest income is riskier than interest income. It is also revealed that banks with greater dependence on noninterest income may grant a loan with lower lending spread. These results have implications for the betterment of the banking system, regulatory authority, and stakeholders as well. From a regulatory perspective, the study provides guidelines for making rules and regulations to control and monitor the dependence on noninterest income as well as on interest income. Pakistan banks regulatory authority should focus on the increase in disclosure of the composition of noninterest income and this disclosure would increase understanding of changing environment of banking in Pakistan.
Automatic segmentation of foveal avascular zone based on adaptive watershed algorithm in retinal optical coherence tomography angiography images
Authors: Liu Jian , Yan Shixin , Lu Nan , Yang Dongni , Fan Chunhui , Lv Hongyu , Wang Shuanglian , Zhu Xin , Zhao Yuqian , Wang Yi , Ma Zhenhe , Yu Yao
Published: November 2021

The size and shape of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) have a strong positive correlation with several vision-threatening retinovascular diseases. The identification, segmentation and analysis of FAZ are of great significance to clinical diagnosis and treatment. We presented an adaptive watershed algorithm to automatically extract FAZ from retinal optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images. For the traditional watershed algorithm, “over-segmentation” is the most common problem. FAZ is often incorrectly divided into multiple regions by redundant “dams”. This paper analyzed the relationship between the “dams” length and the maximum inscribed circle radius of FAZ, and proposed an adaptive watershed algorithm to solve the problem of “over-segmentation”. Here, 132 healthy retinal images and 50 diabetic retinopathy (DR) images were used to verify the accuracy and stability of the algorithm. Three ophthalmologists were invited to make quantitative and qualitative evaluations on the segmentation results of this algorithm. The quantitative evaluation results show that the correlation coefficients between the automatic and manual segmentation results are 0.945 (in healthy subjects) and 0.927 (in DR patients), respectively. For qualitative evaluation, the percentages of “perfect segmentation” (score of 3) and “good segmentation” (score of 2) are 99.4% (in healthy subjects) and 98.7% (in DR patients), respectively. This work promotes the application of watershed algorithm in FAZ segmentation, making it a useful tool for analyzing and diagnosing eye diseases.
Russian regional Carboniferous stratigraphy
Authors: Alekseev Alexander S. , Nikolaeva Svetlana V. , Goreva Nataliya V. , Donova Nina B. , Kossovaya Olga L. , Kulagina Elena I. , Kucheva Nadezhda A. , Kurilenko Alena V. , Kutygin Ruslan V. , Popeko Lyudmila I. , Stepanova Tatyana I.
Published: November 2021

Several existing schemes for Carboniferous stratigraphy officially adopted in regions of the Russian Federation are summarized and discussed. These regions with different geological histories and distinct depositional settings include the Moscow Basin, the Urals, North Timan, Siberia, the Kuznetsk Basin and the Mongol–Okhotsk, Verkhoyansk–Okhotsk and Kolyma–Omolon regions. Broad correlations based on macro- and microfossils are possible between the regions, while all regional schemes are correlated to the official Russian General Stratigraphic Scheme for the Carboniferous, using zonations based on orthostratigraphic fossils. The Russian General Stratigraphic Scheme is correlated to the International Stratigraphic Scale using ammonoids, conodonts, foraminifers and palynomorphs.
True hopper fossils (Fulgoromorpha and Cicadomorpha) in the Jurassic to Cretaceous of eastern Asia and their evolutionary implications
Authors: Chen Jun
Published: November 2021

True hoppers, consisting of Fulgoromorpha and Cicadomorpha, are plant feeders with very high species-level diversity. A large number of true hopper fossils have been reported from eastern Asia, especially from the Middle to Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota, the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota and mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber in the last two decades. Herein, true hoppers from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of eastern Asia are reviewed, and combining palaeontological data from other regions of the world and recent advances of molecular studies, the evolutionary history of true hoppers in the mid–late Mesozoic is discussed.
Permocicada beipiaoensis
Wang, 1987
and
Archijassus plurinervis
Zhang, 1985
are here excluded from Prosboloidea and Archijassidae, respectively. By the end of 2020, a total of 203 species with definite systematic position had been documented in the Jurassic and Cretaceous of eastern Asia (China, Myanmar, Siberia, Mongolia, Japan and Korea), and were attributed to 116 genera in 22 families and 7 superfamilies. Available fossil data suggest that true hopper components strongly changed in the Cretaceous: primitive groups reduced and went extinct successively, and the origin and/or early diversification of most lineages (family or subfamily level) occurred, likely owing to the displacement of host-plants in the angiosperm floristic revolution.
Is the beetle
Omma
(Insecta: Coleoptera) a living fossil?
Authors: Jarzembowski Edmund A. , Zheng Daran , Zhao Xianye
Published: November 2021

A new ommatin beetle,
Omma
(
Coronomma
)
axsmithi
subgen. et sp. nov. (Insecta: Coleoptera: Archostemata: Ommatidae
sensu stricto
(Cupedidae
sensu lato
)) is described in mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber from northern Myanmar. The new taxon distinctly differs from nominotypical
Omma
in possessing a subquadrilateral v. subglobose pronotum, the latter visible in
Omma lii
from the same deposit. The uniquely preserved male genitalia of the latter are compared and contrasted with extant ommatins and fossil notocupedins. This new analysis suggests that the living Australian ommatin beetles (
Omma
,
Beutelius
) may not be as ancient as is sometimes supposed.