bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Multiobjective Incremental Control Allocation Strategy for Tailless Aircraft
Authors: Su Maoyu , Hu Jianbo , Wang Yingyang , He Zihou , Cong Jiping , Han Linxiao
Published: December 2022

To address the control allocation problem caused by the redundant arrangement of control surfaces with nonlinear effectiveness for tailless aircraft, a novel multiobjective incremental control allocation (MICA) strategy is proposed. Firstly, the incremental nonlinear control allocation (INCA) method together with the active set quadratic programming algorithm is adopted to precisely allocate the virtual control commands. Secondly, a series of normalized objective functions in the form of increment are designed. Combining these functions by means of linear weighted sum, an incremental multiobjective function is constructed. Then, an improved nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (INSGA) is introduced to offline determine a set of weights that best meets the requirements of each flight phase. In this way, the dependence on subjective experience is minimized based on the theory of Pareto optimal. Meanwhile, the huge computational burden that the intelligent optimization algorithm brings can also be avoided. Finally, combined with the nonlinear dynamic inversion (NDI) control method, a closed-loop validation for the effectiveness of this control allocation strategy is carried out on the tailless aircraft model.
Artemisinin Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Oxidative Damage via Regulating PHB2-Mediated Autophagy in the Human Neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y Cell Line
Authors: Jiang Menghan , Lai Xiaoyi , Zhang Yongjiang , Shen Mengmeng , Ma Hongxia , Liu Anran , Wu Jiannan , Yan Junqiang
Published: December 2022

Oxidative stress plays a key role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Artemisinin (ART) has antioxidative stress activity in addition to its powerful antimalarial effects. In this article, we investigated the effect of ART on OGD/R-induced oxidative stress injury and its underlying mechanisms. We used oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) to establish an in vitro model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. CCK-8 and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release were used to assess cellular damage. Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) estimates oxidative stress-induced damage and protection from ART effect. OGD/R treatment aggravated oxidative stress damage, whereas ART reversed the effects of OGD/R. Autophagy is closely related to oxidative stress; in order to confirm whether the antioxidative stress effect of ART is related to PHB2-mediated autophagy, we examined the protein expression of prohibitin 2 (PHB2), TOMM20, p62, and the conversion of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3I (LC3I) to LC3II and found that the protein expression of PHB2, TOMM20, p62, and LC3II/LC3I was significantly correlated with OGD/R treatment. The colocalization of PHB2 and LC3, TOMM20, and LC3 was reduced after OGD/R treatment, and ART reversed this change. After silencing PHB2, the protective effect of ART against OGD/R-induced oxidative stress injury was reduced, the protein expressions of PHB2, TOMM20 and LC3II/LC3I and the colocalization of PHB2 and LC3, TOMM20, and LC3 were decreased. We used chloroquine to block the lysosomal pathway and found that ART increased the conversion of LC3I to LC3II, silencing PHB2 which inhibited the conversion of LC3I to LC3II, and impaired mitophagy. Our findings showed that ART attenuated OGD/R-induced oxidative stress damage through PHB2-mediated mitophagy. To the current knowledge, our study is the first to demonstrate that ART attenuates OGD/R-induced oxidative stress injury through PHB2-mediated autophagy in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line, which provided new insights into the treatment of OGD/R injury.
Research on Adaptive Handover Decision Algorithm in Next-Generation High-Speed Railway Scenario
Authors: Chen Yong , Kang Jie , Niu Kaiyu
Published: December 2022

For the 5G-R wireless communication system of the next-generation high-speed railway, there is a problem of single algorithm consideration when handover is carried out. In high-speed environment, it is easily affected by handover risk, which leads to the problem of low handover success. To solve the above problems, this study proposed a next-generation high-speed railway handover decision algorithm, which is based on improved Criteria Importance through Intercrieria Correlation and Technology for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (CRITIC-TOPSIS) theory. Firstly, considering the factors of reference signal receiving power (RSRP), reference signal receiving quality (RSRQ), and co-frequency interference, an improved CRITIC-TOPSIS multi-attribute joint handover decision method is proposed, which overcomes the problem of single consideration of handover. Then, a handover risk assessment model based on prospect theory is constructed, and the handover risks of trains triggered at different positions are analyzed. Finally, the comprehensive utility value of train handover is obtained by normalization, and the optimal handover position is recommended according to the comprehensive utility value, so as to complete the handover. The experimental results show that the success rate of train handover exceeds 99.5% in viaduct, urban area, open area, and mountainous area. In addition, under different operation scenarios, when the train runs at a speed of 200 km/h to 500 km/h, the handover success rate can be between 99.51% and 99.68%. The proposed method can meet the requirement that the success rate of quality of service (QoS) of 5G-R wireless communication system is greater than 99.5%. The research results provide a theoretical reference for the evolution of the next-generation 5G-R high-speed railway system.
A Novel Inflammatory and Nutritional Prognostic Scoring System for Nonpathological Complete Response Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Authors: Jiang Cong , Xiu Yuting , Zhang Shiyuan , Yu Xiao , Qiao Kun , Huang Yuanxi
Published: December 2022

Background. It has been demonstrated that inflammatory and nutritional variables are associated with poor breast cancer survival. However, some studies do not include these variables due to missing data. To investigate the predictive potential of the INPS, we constructed a novel inflammatory-nutritional prognostic scoring (INPS) system with machine learning. Methods. This retrospective analysis included 249 patients with malignant breast tumors undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). After comparing seven potent machine learning models, the best model, Xgboost, was applied to construct an INPS system. K-M survival curves and the log-rank test were employed to determine OS and DFS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out with the Cox regression model. Additionally, we compared the predictive power of INPS, inflammatory, and standard nutritional variables using the

Z

test. Results. After comparing seven machine learning models, it was determined that the XGBoost model had the best OS and DFS performance (

AUC
=
0.865
 
and
 
0.771

, respectively). For overall survival (OS,

cutoff
 
value
=
0.3917

) and disease-free survival (

cutoff
 
value
=
0.4896

), all patients were divided into two groups by the INPS. Those with low INPS had higher 5-year OS and DFS rates (77.2% vs. 50.0%,

P
<
0.0001

; and 59.6% vs. 32.1%,

P
<
0.0001

, respectively) than patients with high INPS. For OS and DFS, the INPS exhibited the highest AUC compared to the other inflammatory and nutritional variables (

AUC
=
0.615

,

P
=
0.0003

;

AUC
=
0.596

,

P
=
0.0003

, respectively). Conclusion. The INPS was an independent predictor of OS and DFS and exhibited better predictive ability than BMI, PNI, and MLR. For patients undergoing NAC for nonpCR breast cancer, INPS was a crucial and comprehensive biomarker. It could also forecast individual survival in breast cancer patients with low HER-2 expression.
A Case of Lithium Encephalopathy with Therapeutic Lithium Levels: The Diagnostic Role of EEG
Authors: Carmassi Claudia , Nardi Benedetta , Battaglini Simone , Bonelli Chiara , Violi Miriam , Bonanni Enrica , Dell’Osso Liliana
Published: December 2022

Introduction. Lithium is considered a first-line therapy for both the acute phase and the maintenance of bipolar disorder. Many studies highlighted its neuroprotective and neuroplastic capacity suggesting a potential usefulness in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Despite the undeniable efficacy, lithium clearly presents several adverse effects including neurotoxicity, also known as lithium encephalopathy, regarding both neurological, psychiatric, and cognitive side effects. In this case, adverse reactions are not always related to its serum levels, possibly appearing within the therapeutic range. Case Presentation. We analyzed the case of a bipolar patient who has been uncontinuosly treated with lithium salts since the onset of the psychopathological picture. Over the years, the average values of lithemia always remained around 0.60-0.70 mEq/L, but in 2019, the patient begun to manifest distal tremors and in the mandibular district accompanied, in the following months, by psychomotor slowdown, generalized tremors, reduced alertness, spatiotemporal disorientation, and aphasia. While alterations referable to neurodegenerative diseases were excluded, EEG maintained rhythm alteration 1 year after the probable intoxication. Discussion. This case confirms the central role of EEG for lithium neurotoxicity, while its dosages are in therapeutic range, being plasma levels are not always indicative of liquoral and neuronal lithium’s levels. We highlight the importance of an early diagnosis of lithium encephalopathy proposing EEG as an indispensable tool for assessing lithium neurotoxicity both in acute and chronic intoxication.
Common Mental Disorder and Its Associated Factors among Prisoners in North Wollo Zone Correctional Institutions, Northeastern Ethiopia
Authors: Tegegne Kindie Mekuria , Aragie Teshome Gebremeskel , Lemma Mekonnin Tesfa , Zikarg Yossef Teshome , Demeke Solomon Moges
Published: December 2022

Background. Globally, about 450 million people suffer from mental disorders of which about 11% are assumed to be prisoners. The presence of mental illness among prisoners contributes to an increase in the risk of suicide, violence, morbidity, and mortality. In Ethiopia, there is a paucity of data particularly from resource-limited areas to assist policy maker’s efforts in reforming mental health care. Objective. This study is aimed at assessing common mental disorders and its associated factors among prisoners in North Wollo zone correctional institutions, Northeastern Ethiopia. Method. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 401 study participants from January–February 2021. A simple random sampling technique was employed to enroll the study participants. Structured interviewer-administered Self Reporting Questionnaires-20 (SRQ-20) developed by the World Health Organization was used to collect the data. Data were checked for completeness, coded and entered into Epi data version 4.2, and transferred to SPSS version 23.0 for final analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with common mental disorders. Statistical significance was declared at

p

values < 0.05 in the final model. Results. The prevalence of common mental disorders was found to be 63.6% (95% CI 58.9, 68.3). After adjusting for confounding factors using multiple logistic regression, having children (

AOR
=
3.7

, 95% CI: 1.93, 7.36), poor social support (

AOR
=
6.6

, 95% CI: 2.93, 14.93), history of mental illness (

AOR
=
6.5

, 95% CI: 1.78, 24.3), one- to five-year prison stay (

AOR
=
2.6

, 95% CI: 1.38, 5.04), greater than five-year prison stay (

AOR
=
5.7

, 95% CI: 2.05, 16.27), experiencing one stressful life event (

AOR
=
5.2

, 95% CI: 1.83, 15.01), experiencing two or more stressful life events (

AOR
=
7.3

, 95% CI: 2.98, 17.9), unavailability of reading materials (

AOR
=
4.3

, 95% CI: 1.63, 11.43), and greater than or equal to eleven years of sentences (

AOR
=
4.4

, 95 CI: 1.82, 10.70) were factors significantly associated with common mental disorders. Conclusion. Common mental disorders are highly prevalent among prisoners in this study area. The result of this study suggests the importance of screening and providing psychiatric counseling to this highly vulnerable population.
MYC Overexpression Drives Immune Evasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma That Is Reversible through Restoration of Proinflammatory Macrophages
Authors: Dhanasekaran Renumathy , Hansen Aida S. , Park Jangho , Lemaitre Lea , Lai Ian , Adeniji Nia , Kuruvilla Sibu , Suresh Akanksha , Zhang Josephine , Swamy Varsha , Felsher Dean W.
Published: December 2022

Cancers evade immune surveillance, which can be reversed through immune-checkpoint therapy in a small subset of cases. Here, we report that the MYC oncogene suppresses innate immune surveillance and drives resistance to immunotherapy. In 33 different human cancers, MYC genomic amplification and overexpression increased immune-checkpoint expression, predicted nonresponsiveness to immune-checkpoint blockade, and was associated with both Th2-like immune profile and reduced CD8 T-cell infiltration. MYC transcriptionally suppressed innate immunity and MHCI-mediated antigen presentation, which in turn impeded T-cell response. Combined, but not individual, blockade of PDL1 and CTLA4 could reverse MYC-driven immune suppression by leading to the recruitment of proinflammatory antigen-presenting macrophages with increased CD40 and MHCII expression. Depletion of macrophages abrogated the antineoplastic effects of PDL1 and CTLA4 blockade in MYC-driven hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hence, MYC is a predictor of immune-checkpoint responsiveness and a key driver of immune evasion through the suppression of proinflammatory macrophages. The immune evasion induced by MYC in HCC can be overcome by combined PDL1 and CTLA4 blockade.

Significance:

Macrophage-mediated immune evasion is a therapeutic vulnerability of MYC-driven cancers, which has implications for prioritizing MYC-driven hepatocellular carcinoma for combination immunotherapy.
Prospective and Cross-sectional Associations of the Rectal Tissue Microbiome with Colorectal Adenoma Recurrence
Authors: Byrd Doratha A. , Vogtmann Emily , Ortega-Villa Ana M. , Wan Yunhu , Gomez Maria , Hogue Stephanie , Warner Andrew , Zhu Bin , Dagnall Casey , Jones Kristine , Hicks Belynda , Albert Paul S. , Murphy Gwen , Sinha Rashmi
Published: December 2022

Background:

The gut microbiome is plausibly associated with colorectal cancer risk; however, previous studies mostly investigated this association cross-sectionally. We investigated cross-sectional and prospective associations of the rectal tissue microbiome with adenoma recurrence in the Polyp Prevention Trial (PPT).

Methods:

PPT is a 4-year randomized clinical trial of the effect of a dietary intervention on adenoma recurrence among community members. We extracted DNA from rectal biopsies at baseline, end of year 1, and end of year 4 among 455 individuals and sequenced the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. At each timepoint, we investigated associations of alpha diversity, beta diversity, and presence and relative abundance of select taxa with adenoma recurrence using multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

Variation in beta diversity was primarily explained by subject and minimally by year of collection or time between biopsy and colonoscopy. Cross-sectionally, year 4 alpha diversity was strongly, inversely associated with adenoma prevalence [ORQ3 vs. Q1 Shannon index = 0.40 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.21–0.76)]. Prospective alpha diversity associations (i.e., baseline/year 1 alpha diversity with adenoma recurrence 3–4 years later) were weak or null, as were cross-sectional and prospective beta diversity–adenoma associations. Bacteroides abundance was more strongly, positively associated with adenoma prevalence cross-sectionally than prospectively.

Conclusions:

Rectal tissue microbiome profiles may be associated with prevalent adenomas, with little evidence supporting prospective associations.

Impact:

Additional prospective studies, with serial fecal and tissue samples, to explore microbiome-colorectal cancer associations are needed. Eventually, it may be possible to use microbiome characteristics as intervenable risk factors or screening tools.
The Interplay of Cesarean-Section Delivery and First-Birth Order as Risk Factors in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Pombo-de-Oliveira Maria S. ,   for the EMiLI Study Group, Petridou Eleni Th. , Karalexi Maria A. , Junqueira Maria Elizangela Ramos , Braga Flávio Henrique Paraguassu , Bouzas Luis Fernando , Murra Glaucia Regina Costa , Lopes Luiz Fernando , Ntzani Evangelia , Greaves Mel
Published: December 2022

Background:

Childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL) has been associated with early-life exposures, including birth by cesarean section (C-section), and a deficit of social exposure (first child). These exposures as proxies for microbiome acquisition in infancy are essential to prime the immune system and restrain later dysregulated immune responses that can trigger ALL in susceptible individuals. We tested risk factors pertaining to immune stimulation that may impact BCP-ALL development.

Methods:

Cases comprised 1,126 children (0–12 years) with ALL (BCP-ALL: 78.5%) from the EMiLI study group in Brazil (2002–2020). Age- and sex-matched controls (n = 2,252) were randomly selected from healthy children whose mothers participated in the National Placental and Umbilical Cord Blood Bank donation. Multiple logistic regression was run fitted and adjusted for selected covariates models.

Results:

C-section delivery was associated with increased risk for ALL [odds ratio (OR) ALL: 1.10; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.04–1.15; ORBCP-ALL: 1.09; 95% CI, 1.03–1.14], as well as being the firstborn child. Interaction analysis showed a significant effect of first birth on the observed C-section associations (P < 0.0001). Indeed, high-risk children, namely, firstborn children delivered via C-section were at increased risk for ALL (OR: 2.33; 95% CI, 2.40–4.84) compared with non-first, vaginally born children. An increased risk was found for firstborn children delivered by C-section and non-breastfed with ALL (ORALL: 2.32; 95% CI, 1.27–4.24; ORBCP-ALL: 2.37; 95% CI, 1.18–4.76).

Conclusions:

Our observations are in accord with the prediction that exposures determining microbiome composition and adrenal pathway in infancy contribute to the risk of BCP-ALL.

Impact:

These findings encourage the exploration of potential preventive interventions.

See related commentary by Wiemels and Gallant, p. 292
Factors Related to Human Papillomavirus Positivity among Oral Cavity and Pharynx Cancers from Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program Data
Authors: Jordan Kelsey H. , Fisher James L. , Stephens Julie A. , Paskett Electra D.
Published: December 2022

Background:

As human papillomavirus positive (HPV+) oral cavity and pharynx cancer (OCPC) incidence increases significantly, our objective was to determine whether selected sociodemographic and clinical factors were associated with HPV+ OCPCs overall and by oropharyngeal and non-oropharyngeal sites.

Methods:

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program data were used in this study. Specifically, univariate and logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between HPV+ and HPV− OCPC cases and age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, factors of neighborhood socioeconomic status (i.e., nSES/Yost index) and rurality/urbanity, first malignancy status, histology, reporting source, stage at diagnosis, and OCPC anatomic site. The same approach was used to identify risk factors for HPV positivity for oropharyngeal and non-oropharyngeal OCPCs separately.

Results:

In all OCPCs, cases that were male, <80 years old, lived in the four highest nSES categories, diagnosed with a non-“gum and other mouth” OCPC (ref = hypopharynx), not locally staged at diagnosis, and a first malignancy had higher odds of being HPV+. Cases that were American Indian/Alaska Native and Asian or Pacific Islander (ref = White), Spanish-Hispanic-Latino ethnicity, non-married/partnered, and not reported by a hospital/clinic had lower odds of being HPV+. Associations were maintained in oropharyngeal OCPCs and only age and race remained significant for non-oropharyngeal OCPCs.

Conclusions:

Sociodemographic and clinical differences in HPV+ and HPV− OCPC, overall and for (non)oropharyngeal, cases exist.

Impact:

Identification of OCPC and (non)oropharyngeal risk factors for HPV positivity may assist in discovering high-risk groups that should receive enhanced public health efforts to reduce the U.S. OCPC burden.
MFRP-Associated Retinopathy and Nanophthalmos in Two Irish Probands: A Case Report
Authors: O’Connell Ann , Zhu Julia , Stephenson Kirk A.J. , Whelan Laura , Dockery Adrian , Turner Jacqueline , O’Byrne James J. , Farrar G. Jane , Keegan David
Published: December 2022

The conjunction of nanophthalmos (NO) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) provides challenges to effective clinical management while narrowing the genetic spectrum for targeted molecular diagnostics. This case study describes two not knowingly related adult cases of MFRP-associated retinopathy and nanophthalmos (MARN). Structural features including short axial lengths (mean 16.4 mm), steep keratometry (mean 49.98 D), adult-onset signs, and symptoms of retinal dystrophy and acquired disease (i.e., cataract, angle-closure glaucoma) were evident in both cases. Pathogenic variants in the MFRP gene impair both prenatal eye growth and childhood emmetropization while also leading to RPE/outer retinal degeneration in 75% of cases. We discuss the “small-eye” phenotype spectrum and associated defining characteristics, molecular mechanisms with particular focus on MFRP-associated NO with RP features (MARN), the spectrum of visual morbidities (e.g., extreme refractive error, amblyopia, cystoid macular lesions, early cataract) and the challenges of their treatment/surgical management.
Renal-Type Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Prostate: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Ansari Jamshid , Khaleghi Shima , Seif Fatemeh
Published: December 2022

Occurrence of clear cell carcinoma of the prostate is exceedingly rare and presents a diagnostic dilemma. We describe a case of a 47-year-old male nonsmoker, who presented with a history of frequency, dribbling urination, and dysuria for 6 months. In a digital rectal exam, enlarged prostate with a hard consistency was identified. All results for hematological and biochemical tests were normal. Also, the serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 2.7 ng/mL (within normal range). Open prostatectomy was done and the result showed a 300 g specimen, and a histopathological examination revealed clear cell carcinoma. A computerized tomography scan and ultrasound did not show any mass in the kidneys, but three nodules in both lungs in favor of metastasis were identified. Three months after surgery, a PET scan revealed hyperactivity in the abdominal wall, pelvic lymph nodes, and lung fields in favor of metastasis; thereafter, systemic therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitor was prescribed. To the best of our knowledge, clear cell carcinoma of the prostate has been reported very rarely.
Uberização: precarização do trabalho e ação política dos trabalhadores no Brasil de 2020
Authors: Uchôa-de-Oliveira Flávia Manuella , Bastos Juliano Almeida
Published: December 2022

Este artigo tem por objetivo geral debater o que é trabalhar no Brasil de 2020, a partir do processo de precarização em sua versão mais atualizada: a uberização. Em específico, nosso objetivo é discutir as estratégias e reinvenções desenvolvidas por uma categoria de trabalhadores uberizados para minimizar ou conter o avanço da precarização. Seguindo a tradição teórico-metodológica da psicologia social do trabalho, conduzimos uma análise temática a partir do perfil oficial do movimento dos Entregadores Antifascistas na rede social Instagram. O material para análise compreende postagens, entrevistas e reportagens em formato escrito e audiovisual, de acesso público. Nossa análise é apresentada a partir de três temas que emergem como fundamentais para o debate proposto: a precarização e seu aprofundamento na pandemia; o empreendedorismo funcionando para a precarização do trabalho; e o encontro da política com o trabalho dos entregadores. Concluímos que acompanhar a emergência e o desenvolvimento de movimentos de trabalhadores no enfrentamento à uberização nos mundos do trabalho permite identificar e compreender as implicações psicossociais dessas novas modalidades de organização do trabalho.
Estratégias de mediação utilizadas por trabalhadores da área de drogas
Authors: Marcos Cristiane Barros , Monteiro Janine Kieling , Campos Marlon Freitas de , Guerin Marina
Published: December 2022

As estratégias de mediação, para a psicodinâmica do trabalho, compreendem as estratégias de defesa e as de enfrentamento empregadas pelo trabalhador para mediar o sofrimento laboral. Este estudo visa compreender essas estratégias utilizadas por trabalhadores que executam as políticas públicas sobre drogas no eixo cuidado, em uma cidade do sul do Rio Grande do Sul. De abordagem qualitativa, é transversal e descritivo, e contou com duas etapas: entrevista individual e questionário sociodemográfico com 20 trabalhadores; e grupo focal com sete participantes no primeiro encontro e outros quatro no segundo. Utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo de Bardin. A priori, foram definidas as categorias estratégias de defesa e estratégias de enfrentamento. Na primeira, as subcategorias encontradas foram: racionalização; negação; desinvestimento afetivo e cognitivo; e isolamento. Na segunda, destacaram-se a transgressão, revoluções moleculares, busca por capacitação e busca por diálogo. Identificou-se a necessidade de espaços de trocas entre o coletivo de trabalhadores. Espera-se subsidiar discussões sobre o funcionamento dos serviços e seu impacto na vida dos trabalhadores, visando promover a saúde mental.
O trabalho como dispositivo de inclusão e exclusão na criminalidade: uma poção mágica para a oficina do diabo?
Authors: Melo Tatiane Alves de , Souza Eloísio Moulin de
Published: December 2022

Este artigo analisa a atuação do trabalho como dispositivo de inclusão e exclusão na criminalidade, a partir das histórias de vida de um ex-interno do Sistema Socioeducativo e egresso do Sistema Prisional da Região Sudeste do Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, por meio do método biográfico, que considerou os relatos da história de vida de um sujeito do gênero masculino. Recolhidos a partir de entrevistas em profundidade, os relatos foram analisados por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Foi possível compreender o trabalho como um dispositivo que paradoxalmente opera tanto na inclusão, quanto na exclusão de um indivíduo na criminalidade. O sujeito é incluído em atividades lícitas, na vida de trabalhador de boa conduta, e simultaneamente na vida de trabalhador-traficante, que pratica atividades ilícitas por meio da criminalidade. O trabalho não atua como uma poção mágica na exclusão da criminalidade; e não cumpre esse papel de salvador para os sujeitos considerados (ex)criminosos. O dispositivo trabalho não pode ser visto como uma panaceia que vai dar conta da fragilidade de tantos outros que atuam na sociedade e por ela são produzidos.
Gut Microbiota-Generated Phenylacetylglutamine and Heart Failure
Authors: Romano Kymberleigh A. , Nemet Ina , Prasad Saha Prasenjit , Haghikia Arash , Li Xinmin S. , Mohan Maradumane L. , Lovano Beth , Castel Laurie , Witkowski Marco , Buffa Jennifer A. , Sun Yu , Li Lin , Menge Christopher M. , Demuth Ilja , König Maximilian , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , DiDonato Joseph A. , Deb Arjun , Bäckhed Fredrik , Tang W.H. Wilson , Naga Prasad Sathyamangla Venkata , Landmesser Ulf , Van Wagoner David R. , Hazen Stanley L.
Published: December 2022

Background:

The gut microbiota-dependent metabolite phenylacetylgutamine (PAGln) is both associated with atherothrombotic heart disease in humans, and mechanistically linked to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis in animal models via modulation of adrenergic receptor signaling.

Methods:

Here we examined both clinical and mechanistic relationships between PAGln and heart failure (HF). First, we examined associations among plasma levels of PAGln and HF, left ventricular ejection fraction, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide in 2 independent clinical cohorts of subjects undergoing coronary angiography in tertiary referral centers (an initial discovery US Cohort, n=3256; and a validation European Cohort, n=829). Then, the impact of PAGln on cardiovascular phenotypes relevant to HF in cultured cardiomyoblasts, and in vivo were also examined.

Results:

Circulating PAGln levels were dose-dependently associated with HF presence and indices of severity (reduced ventricular ejection fraction, elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) independent of traditional risk factors and renal function in both cohorts. Beyond these clinical associations, mechanistic studies showed both PAGln and its murine counterpart, phenylacetylglycine, directly fostered HF-relevant phenotypes, including decreased cardiomyocyte sarcomere contraction, and B-type natriuretic peptide gene expression in both cultured cardiomyoblasts and murine atrial tissue.

Conclusions:

The present study reveals the gut microbial metabolite PAGln is clinically and mechanistically linked to HF presence and severity. Modulating the gut microbiome, in general, and PAGln production, in particular, may represent a potential therapeutic target for modulating HF.

Registration:

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/
; Unique identifier: NCT00590200 and URL:
https://drks.de/drks_web/
; Unique identifier: DRKS00020915.
Stages of Valvular Heart Disease Among Older Adults in the Community: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study
Authors: Shelbaya Khaled , Claggett Brian , Dorbala Pranav , Skali Hicham , Solomon Scott D. , Matsushita Kunihiro , Konety Suma , Mosley Thomas H. , Shah Amil M.
Published: December 2022

Background:

Limited data exist on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association valvular heart disease (VHD) stage prevalence, progression, and association with incident cardiovascular diseases in late life.

Methods:

Participants in the ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities), a prospective community-based cohort study, underwent protocol echocardiography at ARIC visits 5 (2011–2013) and 7 (2018–2019), and their aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, and mitral regurgitation stage were defined according to American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. The overall VHD stage prevalence at visit 5 was measured. The associations between VHD stages and incident adjudicated death, heart failure, coronary heart disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation were assessed with Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex, race, hypertension, diabetes, prior myocardial infarction, heart failure, body mass index, study center, systolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and low-density lipoprotein at visit 5. Longitudinal changes in VHD stage prevalence over ≈6 years were estimated with inverse probability of attrition weights to account for participant attrition.

Results:

Among 6118 ARIC participants, the mean±SD age was 76±5 years, 42% were male, and 22% reported Black race. Stage A VHD was present in 39%, stage B in 17%, and stage C/D in 1.1%;, 0.7% had previously undergone valve replacement or repair. A graded association was observed between stage A, B, and C/D VHD and risk of all-cause mortality, incident heart failure, incident atrial fibrillation, and incident coronary heart disease, but not incident stroke. Similar findings were observed for stages of each valvular lesion individually. During the 6.6 years (interquartile range, 6.1–7.0 years) between visits 5 and 7 (mean age, 81±4 years), the prevalence of freedom from VHD stage decreased from 43% to 24%, whereas the prevalence of stage C/D VHD increased from 1% to 7%.

Conclusions:

Subclinical VHD is common in older adults, with 39% at risk (stage A) and 17% with progressive VHD (stage B), and is independently associated with risk of incident cardiovascular events. VHD stages progress over 6 years in late life, with a several-fold increase in prevalence of severe VHD (stage C/D), highlighting the public health importance of interventions to mitigate VHD progression.
Navigating childrearing, fatherhood, and mobilities: A transnational relational analysis
Authors: Lan Pei-Chia
Published: December 2022

To overcome the pitfall of methodological nationalism, I propose a transnational relational analysis to examine how people raise children in multi-layered, multi-sited transnational social fields, involving the interconnection of different sorts of mobilities and immobilities. Drawing on three cases of fatherhood in the contexts of migration and transnationalism – the transnational middle class in Taiwan, Taiwanese immigrants with professional jobs in the US, and Taiwanese fathers who married wives from China or Southeast Asia – this article illustrates how fathers navigate childrearing and negotiate masculinity in relation to local and transnational reference groups. A transnational relational analysis interrogates the experiences of global householding in a relational manner, revealing visible and invisible links between those who move and those who stay. The framework offers a theoretical tool to unpack the social process and emotional politics in which individuals navigate spatial and social divides to search for security and dignity and to bring to the fore the global formation of class, race, and gender relations.
Understanding the Rice Fungal Pathogen Tilletia horrida from Multiple Perspectives
Authors: Wang Aijun , Shu Xinyue , Xu Deze , Jiang Yuqi , Liang Juan , Yi Xiaoqun , Zhu Jianqing , Yang Feng , Jiao Chunhai , Zheng Aiping , Yin Desuo , Li Ping
Published: December 2022

Rice kernel smut (RKS), caused by the fungus Tilletia horrida, has become a major disease in rice-growing areas worldwide, especially since the widespread cultivation of high-yielding hybrid rice varieties. The disease causes a significant yield loss during the production of rice male sterile lines by producing masses of dark powdery teliospores. This review mainly summarizes the pathogenic differentiation, disease cycle, and infection process of the T. horrida, as well as the decoding of the T. horrida genome, functional genomics, and effector identification. We highlight the identification and characterization of virulence-related pathways and effectors of T. horrida, which could foster a better understanding of the rice–T. horrida interaction and help to elucidate its pathogenicity molecular mechanisms. The multiple effective disease control methods for RKS are also discussed, included chemical fungicides, the mining of resistant rice germplasms/genes, and the monitoring and early warning signs of this disease in field settings.
Profiling the BLAST bioinformatics application for load balancing on high-performance computing clusters
Authors: Cheng Trinity , Chin Pei-Ju , Cha Kenny , Petrick Nicholas , Mikailov Mike
Published: December 2022

Background

The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) is a suite of commonly used algorithms for identifying matches between biological sequences. The user supplies a database file and query file of sequences for BLAST to find identical sequences between the two. The typical millions of database and query sequences make BLAST computationally challenging but also well suited for parallelization on high-performance computing clusters. The efficacy of parallelization depends on the data partitioning, where the optimal data partitioning relies on an accurate performance model. In previous studies, a BLAST job was sped up by 27 times by partitioning the database and query among thousands of processor nodes. However, the optimality of the partitioning method was not studied. Unlike BLAST performance models proposed in the literature that usually have problem size and hardware configuration as the only variables, the execution time of a BLAST job is a function of database size, query size, and hardware capability. In this work, the nucleotide BLAST application BLASTN was profiled using three methods: shell-level profiling with the Unix “time” command, code-level profiling with the built-in “profiler” module, and system-level profiling with the Unix “gprof” program. The runtimes were measured for six node types, using six different database files and 15 query files, on a heterogeneous HPC cluster with 500+ nodes. The empirical measurement data were fitted with quadratic functions to develop performance models that were used to guide the data parallelization for BLASTN jobs.

Results

Profiling results showed that BLASTN contains more than 34,500 different functions, but a single function, RunMTBySplitDB, takes 99.12% of the total runtime. Among its 53 child functions, five core functions were identified to make up 92.12% of the overall BLASTN runtime. Based on the performance models, static load balancing algorithms can be applied to the BLASTN input data to minimize the runtime of the longest job on an HPC cluster. Four test cases being run on homogeneous and heterogeneous clusters were tested. Experiment results showed that the runtime can be reduced by 81% on a homogeneous cluster and by 20% on a heterogeneous cluster by re-distributing the workload.

Discussion

Optimal data partitioning can improve BLASTN’s overall runtime 5.4-fold in comparison with dividing the database and query into the same number of fragments. The proposed methodology can be used in the other applications in the BLAST+ suite or any other application as long as source code is available.
NPGREAT: assembly of human subtelomere regions with the use of ultralong nanopore reads and linked-reads
Authors: Adam Eleni , Ranjan Desh , Riethman Harold
Published: December 2022

Background

Human subtelomeric DNA regulates the length and stability of adjacent telomeres that are critical for cellular function, and contains many gene/pseudogene families. Large evolutionarily recent segmental duplications and associated structural variation in human subtelomeres has made complete sequencing and assembly of these regions difficult to impossible for many loci, complicating or precluding a wide range of genetic analyses to investigate their function.

Results

We present a hybrid assembly method, NanoPore Guided REgional Assembly Tool (NPGREAT), which combines Linked-Read data with mapped ultralong nanopore reads spanning subtelomeric segmental duplications to potentially overcome these difficulties. Linked-Read sets of DNA sequences identified by matches with 1-copy subtelomere sequence adjacent to segmental duplications are assembled and extended into the segmental duplication regions using Regional Extension of Assemblies using Linked-Reads (REXTAL). Mapped telomere-containing ultralong nanopore reads are then used to provide contiguity and correct orientation for matching REXTAL sequence contigs as well as identification/correction of any misassemblies. Our method was tested for a subset of representative subtelomeres with ultralong nanopore read coverage in the haploid human cell line CHM13. A 10X Linked-Read dataset from CHM13 was combined with ultralong nanopore reads from the same genome to provide improved subtelomere assemblies. Comparison of Nanopore-only assemblies using SHASTA with our NPGREAT assemblies in the distal-most subtelomere regions showed that NPGREAT produced higher-quality and more complete assemblies than SHASTA alone when these regions had low ultralong nanopore coverage (such as cases where large segmental duplications were immediately adjacent to (TTAGGG) tracts).

Conclusion

In genomic regions with large segmental duplications adjacent to telomeres, NPGREAT offers an alternative economical approach to improving assembly accuracy and coverage using linked-read datasets when more expensive HiFi datasets of 10–20 kb reads are unavailable.
Hydrogen peroxide pretreatment assisted phytoremediation of sodium dodecyl sulfate by Juncus acutus L
Authors: Abeed Amany H. A. , Tammam Suzan A. , El-Mahdy M. T.
Published: December 2022

Background

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) an anionic surfactant pollutant has emerged as a serious hazard to the aquatic and terrestrial environment. Due to physical and chemical methodological difficulties for SDS removal, phytoremediation techniques are efficient alternative strategies to tackle such adversities. Juncus acutus L. (J. acutus) is a pioneer wetland species that has been recently exploited for phytoremediation purposes. To our knowledge, the role of exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in improving the phytoextraction of SDS has not been examined yet. In this study, pretreatment foliar spray of H2O2 (15 mM) combined with two levels of SDS (50 and 100 ppm) in water culture was evaluated to remove SDS contamination and add value to the phytoremediation process.

Results

The outcomes revealed that J. acutus has considerable translocation and bioaccumulation abilities for SDS and can be utilized as an appropriate hyperaccumulator in SDS-contaminated sites. However, the involvement of H2O2 extended phytoremediation capacity and successive removal of SDS. H2O2 significantly assisted in increasing SDS remediation via more accumulation in J. acutus tissues by 29.9 and 112.4% and decreasing SDS concentration in culture media by 33.3 and 27.3% at 50 and 100 ppm SDS, respectively. Bioaccumulation factor (BCF) increased by 13.8 and 13.2%, while translocation factor (TCF) positively maximized by 82.4 and 76.2% by H2O2 application at 50 and 100 ppm SDS, respectively. H2O2 pretreatment could drive the decline in biochemical attributes in SDS-affected plants by modulating stress tolerance indices, pigments, water relations, proline content, enzymatic activities, and further, reduced oxidative stress in terms of electrolyte leakage, cellular H2O2, malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation.

Conclusions

H2O2 could play a potential role in maximizing phytoremediation capacity of SDS by J. acutus in polluted sites.
Clinical characteristics of central nervous system candidiasis due to Candida albicans in children: a single-center experience
Authors: Xiao Haijuan , Miao Yiqing , Liu Linlin , Feng Wenya , Liu Shuping , Guo Lingyun , Guo Xin , Chen Tianming , Hu Bing , Hu Huili , Xu Fang , Han Lianlian , Ren Lili , Li Wei , Liu Gang
Published: December 2022

Background

Central nervous system candidiasis due to Candida albicans (CNSC) in children is easily misdiagnosed and is associated with poor outcomes and a high mortality rate. There is no big data research or systematic review of CNSC.

Methods

Patients diagnosed as CNSC with positive culture results of Candida albicans in Beijing Children’s Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from March 2010 to March 2019 were included. Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy or transplantation, or with malignant tumours were excluded. We analysed the clinical characteristics, follow-up results, drug susceptibility tests and whole-exome sequencing (WES) results.

Results

Thirty-three definitive patients were enrolled, including 22 males and 11 females. Twenty-five patients suffered from CNSC when they were less than 1 year old, and a total of 29 patients had high-risk factors. The main clinical manifestations were fever, convulsions, and positive neurological signs. Twenty-two patients had CNS infections alone, and 11 patients had CNS infections combined with invasive infections involving multiple sites. Twenty-seven cases had a positive CSF and/or blood culture at our hospital. All strains were susceptible to fluconazole, and 2 strains had intermediate susceptibility to voriconazole. As for amphotericin B, all the strains were wild type (WT). WES of 16 patients revealed 2 cases with CARD9 mutations, who suffered from recurrent onychomycosis or thrush before.

Conclusion

CNSC mostly existed in children younger than 1 year old, who all had underlying risk factors. CNSC patients with onset at an older age or with recurrent superficial fungal infections might have primary immunodeficiency.
Variation of caesarean section rates in Palestinian governmental hospitals
Authors: Shalash Aisha , Wahdan Yasmeen , Alsalman Hasan M. M. , Shehab Ala’a Jamal Kamel , Afifi Tayseer , Nabaa Hendia A. , Sarsour Iman , Jarour Naheel , Hamed Alaa , Abu-Rmeileh Niveen M. E.
Published: December 2022

Background

Globally, the increased use of cesarean sections has become prevalent in high-income and low and middle-income countries. In Palestine, the rate had risen from 20.3% in 2014 to 25.1% in 2018. We have rates as high as 35.8% in some governmental hospitals and some as low as 15%. This study aimed to understand better why there is a variation in cesarean rates in governmental hospitals that use the same guidelines.

Methods

A qualitative and quantitative research approach was used. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 specialists, obstetrics and gynecologists, and midwives in five government hospitals. The hospitals were selected based on the 2017 Annual Health Report reported cesarean section rates. The interview guide was created with the support of specialists and researchers and was piloted. Questions focused mainly on adherence to the obstetric guidelines and barriers to the use, sources of information, training for healthcare providers, the hospital system, and the factors that affect decision-making. Each hospital's delivery records for one month were analyzed to determine the reason for each cesarean section.

Results

The results indicated that each governmental hospital at the system level had a different policy on cesarean sections. The National Guidelines were found to be interpreted differently among hospitals. One obstetrician-gynecologist decided on a cesarean section at high-rate hospitals, while low-rate hospitals used collective decision-making with empowered midwives. At the professional level, all hospitals urged the importance of a continuous training program to refresh the medical team knowledge, in-house training of new members joining the hospital, and discussion of cases subjective to obstetrician-gynecologists interpretations.

Conclusion

Several institutional factors were identified to strengthen the implementation of the national obstetric guidelines. For example, encouraging collective decision-making between obstetrician-gynecologists and midwives, promoting the use of a second opinion, and mandatory training.