bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concomitant chronic subdural hematomas and arachnoid cysts in young adults
Authors: Benek Huseyin Berk , Akcay Emrah
Published: April 2022

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between arachnoid cysts and chronic subdural hematomas in young adults.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated ten patients having concomitant chronic subdural hematomas and arachnoid cysts. Patients were evaluated with the data of age and gender, location of hematoma and arachnoid cyst, trauma history, symptoms at admission, maximum hematoma diameter, contiguity between arachnoid cyst and hematoma, and treatment  methods.

Results: We treated 285 patients who were diagnosed with cSDH between January 2013 and December 2019. 22 patients were under the age of 40 years. Ten of them had both cSDH and arachnoid cysts. The mean age of patients was 24.8±3.9 years. Patients with only chronic subdural hematoma had higher mean age than the patients with arachnoid cyst-related chronic subdural hematoma. In four patients, the onset of chronic subdural hematoma was reported after arachnoid cyst diagnosis. Four of the patients did not have causative trauma history, and two patients suffered minor sports-related traumas. All patients had headache, and only two patients had hemiparesis. The location of arachnoid cysts were in the middle fossa in eight patients. All patients had chronic subdural hematomas on the ipsilateral side of arachnoid cyst. Four patients who had smaller than 10 mm maximal cSDH diameter underwent conservative management. They were followed by serial neuroimaging studies and it was noted that the hematoma disappered and the size of the arachnoid cysts decreased over time without any neurological complication. In six cases, craniotomy was required, and all recovered completely. cSDH did not recur during 5–60 months of follow-up period (median 12 months).

Conclusions: It seems that presence of an arachnoid cyst in young adults is a predisposing factor for the formation of chronic subdural hematoma. Coincidentally diagnosed arachnoid cyst patients may be followed up with periodical clinical examinations and neuroimaging studies.
Silencing of Carboxypeptidase E expression inhibits proliferation and invasion of Panc-1 pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Lou Hong , Loh Y Peng
Published: April 2022

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading cause of cancer-related death globally. The molecular basis of this disease is complex and not fully understood. Previous studies have indicated that carboxypeptidase E (CPE) plays a role in promoting tumorigenesis in many cancer types. Here we have investigated the effect of carboxypeptidase E (CPE), including its isoform, in regulating the proliferation, migration and invasion of Panc-1 cells, a pancreatic cell line.

Methods: Panc-1 cells were transfected with CPE siRNA which targets both CPE-wild type and its isoform, or scrambled siRNA, for 24 h and then assayed for proliferation by the MTT and colony formation assays, and migration and invasion by wound healing and matrigel assays, respectively.

Results: CPE siRNA treatment of Panc-1 cells down-regulated the expression of CPE mRNA by 94.8%. Silencing of CPE mRNA expression resulted in a significant decrease in proliferation as revealed by the MTT assay and a 62.8% decrease in colony formation. Western blot analysis of expression of Cyclin D1 in Panc-1 cells treated with CPE siRNA showed a decrease of 32.5% compared to scr siRNA treated cells, indicating that CPE regulates proliferation through modulating this cell cycle protein.  Additionally, suppression of CPE expression in Panc-1 cells significantly decreased migration and invasion.

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CPE may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation, migration and invasion to promote pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis.
The impact of telemedicine enabled pre-hospital triage in acute stroke – a protocol for a mixed methods systematic review
Authors: McCartan Deirdre , Lee Stuart , Bejleri Jorin , Murphy Paul , Hickey Anne , Williams David
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Increasing access to thrombolysis and thrombectomy through improved pathway organisation remains a health service challenge that requires contextualisation to the geographic, demographic and resourcing status of any regional stroke service. Pre-hospital delays or delays during inter-hospital transfers can result in patients being outside the window for one or both interventions. Pre-hospital triage using technology-enabled interdisciplinary communication networks may facilitate rapid individualized care decisions, permitting streamlined care pathways to hospital sites most appropriate to their clinical presentation and history in the first instance. Understanding the experience of those involved in efforts to improve or reorganise care may help to explain the impact observed.

Objectives

1. To review the impact of pre-hospital telemedicine enabled workflow intervention strategies on patient outcomes and on service process metrics in hyper-acute stroke care

2. To examine how the experience of those involved in providing or receiving such interventions might identify key characteristics of effective interventions

Inclusion criteria

Quantitative, qualitative and primary mixed methods studies will be included. Quantitative studies will assess effectiveness of telemedicine-enabled interventions that facilitate pre-hospital acute stroke triage. Intervention effects on functional outcomes of patients, on intervention rates and on key time metrics in hyperacute stroke care will be assessed. Qualitative studies will explore the experiences of people involved in or impacted by these interventions.

Methods and analysis

A convergent segregated mixed methods systematic review will synthesise and integrate primary qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute  methodology. Database searches will include OVID (MEDLINE), EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science. Critical appraisal will include the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool. Results of quantitative studies and findings of qualitative studies will be integrated and configured to explore and contextualize each single method synthesis.

Systematic review registration

This protocol has been submitted for registration with PROSPERO.
Gradient-Based Algorithms for Convex Discrete Optimization via Simulation
Authors: Zhang Haixiang , Zheng Zeyu , Lavaei Javad
Published: April 2022

Solving Convex Discrete Optimization via Simulation via Stochastic Search Algorithms

Many decision-making problems in operations research and management science require the optimization of large-scale complex stochastic systems with high-dimensional discrete decision variables. For a number of applications, the objective function exhibits convexity in the discrete decision variables, or the problem can be transformed into a convex one. In “Gradient-Based Algorithms for Convex Discrete Optimization via Simulation,” Zhang, Zheng, and Lavaei propose provably efficient simulation–optimization algorithms for general convex optimization via simulation problems with high-dimensional discrete decision space. By utilizing the convex structure, the developed algorithms demonstrate a polynomial dependence on the dimension and scale of the decision space. In addition, information-theoretic lower bounds are derived to show the limit of algorithm design. In the case when possibly biased gradient estimators are available, they propose simulation–optimization algorithms to achieve optimality guarantees with a reduced dependence on the dimension.
Retiform Purpura of the Lower Limbs Associated with Levamisole-Adulterated Cocaine
Authors: Farrugia Stephanie , Micallef Daniel , Pisani David , Betts Alexandra , Vella Sandro , Boffa Michael J
Published: April 2022

A young man was treated in hospital for sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and multi-organ failure. He was a regular intranasal cocaine user up to 1 day prior to symptom onset. Clinical examination revealed extensive retiform purpura affecting both his lower limbs. Skin biopsy revealed widespread thrombosis in the small- and medium-sized vessels of the mid dermis and the subcutaneous fat with surrounding leucocytoclasis. There was also extensive ischaemic necrosis of the upper reticular and papillary dermis and focal ischaemic necrosis of the epidermis. These findings were in keeping with a thrombotic vasculopathy with associated cutaneous ischaemic necrosis, likely associated with levamisole-adulterated cocaine (LAC). An autoimmune screen showed extremely raised levels of anti-B2-glycoprotein IgM, IgG and anti-cardiolipin IgG antibodies, usually seen in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). The literature describes how APS could be secondary to various underlying conditions, including LAC, and that levamisole toxicity may mimic APS and hence be missed.
Effect of Thai Junior High Student Intercultural Competence on Resilience, Well-being, and Reading Attitudes
Authors: Chang Yuan-Cheng , Bangsri Anongkarat , Jabioon Chotikan , Pakdeewong Utumporn
Published: April 2022

Students' intercultural competence and reading ability are an essential aspect of their education. Intercultural competence, defined as respect for the cultural views, beliefs, and traditions of others, is a necessary skill for effective and appropriate communication. Using a multidimensional model, this study investigated the effect of intercultural competence among Thai junior high school students on their resilience, well-being, and attitudes toward reading. A 2018 Program for International Student Assessment data set relating to 7,411 students from 289 schools in Thailand was analyzed using structural equation modeling. The research findings suggest that improved intercultural competence strengthens resilience, well-being, and attitudes toward reading.
O comércio de produtos zooterápicos na cidade de Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Andrade Juliana N. , Costa Neto Eraldo M.
Published: April 2022

Este artigo discute o uso de animais comercializados com finalidade medicinal e mágico-ritual na cidade de Feira de Santana, estado da Bahia, nordeste do Brasil. Os dados foram obtidos em outubro e novembro de 2003 por meio de entrevistas livres e semi-estruturadas realizadas com cinco homens e quatro mulheres, cujas idades variaram de 17 a 54 anos. Estes eram lojistas e vendedores ambulantes. Parte das entrevistas foi registrada em fitas micro-cassetes e tanto as transcrições quanto as fitas estão mantidas no Laboratório de Etnobiologia da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana. Foram registrados 16 tipos de animais comercializados para diversos fins medicinais e mágico-rituais. Os entrevistados forneceram dados sobre: os modos de preparo e de administração dos produtos; como eles são obtidos; valores de compra e venda; parcela da população que adquire esses produtos; e como eles mesmos adquiriram conhecimentos a respeito da prática zooterapêutica. O comércio de produtos animais em estabelecimentos comerciais, em feiras livres ou em barracas ambulantes nas ruas da cidade resulta em uma prática que impõe riscos aos comerciantes, visto que é ilegal negociar com produtos de origem animal extraídos da natureza. No entanto, tais produtos são importantes tanto para os indivíduos que os vendem quanto para aqueles que os compram. Deve-se buscar, pois, um uso de recursos animais que seja mais ecológica e eticamente sustentável.
Selective plane illumination microscope dedicated to volumetric imaging in microfluidic chambers
Authors: Bissardon Caroline , Mermet Xavier , Quintard Clément , Sanjuan Federico , Fouillet Yves , Bottausci Frédéric , Carriere Marie , Rivera Florence , Blandin Pierre
Published: April 2022

In this article, we are presenting an original selective plane illumination fluorescence microscope dedicated to image “Organ-on-chip”-like biostructures in microfluidic chips. In order to be able to morphologically analyze volumetric samples in development at the cellular scale inside microfluidic chambers, the setup presents a compromise between relatively large field of view (∼ 200 µm) and moderate resolution (∼ 5 µm). The microscope is based on a simple design, built around the chip and its microfluidic environment to allow 3D imaging inside the chip. In particular, the sample remains horizontally avoiding to disturb the fluidics phenomena. The experimental setup, its optical characterization and the first volumetric images are reported.
Optical clearing imaging assisted evaluation of urokinase thrombolytic therapy on cerebral vessels with different sizes
Authors: Li Dongyu , Deng Lu , Hu Zhengwu , Li Yusha , Yu Tingting , Zhong Xiang , Zhu Jingtan , Zhu Dan
Published: April 2022

Ischemic stroke is caused by occlusion of the blood vessels in the brain, where intravenous thrombolytic therapy is the most effective treatment. Urokinase is a commonly used drug for intravenous thrombolytic therapy, while the effect of vessel size has not been thoroughly studied on urokinase. In this work, using the thrombin-combined photothrombosis model and craniotomy-free skull optical clearing window, we studied the recanalization of different cortical vessels after urokinase treatment. The results demonstrated that, compared to small vessels in distal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and large MCA, urokinase has the best therapeutic effect on secondary branches of MCA. This study holds potential to provide references for the clinical applications of urokinase.
Underwater image enhancement via two-level wavelet decomposition maximum brightness color restoration and edge refinement histogram stretching
Authors: Zhou Jingchun , Wei Xiaojing , Shi Jinyu , Chu Weishen , Lin Yi
Published: April 2022

Underwater images suffer color distortions and low contrast. This is because the light is absorbed and scattered when it travels through water. Different underwater scenes result in different color deviations and levels of detail loss in underwater images. To address these issues of color distortion and low contrast, an underwater image enhancement method that includes two-level wavelet decomposition maximum brightness color restoration, and edge refinement histogram stretching is proposed. First, according to the Jaffe-McGlamery underwater optical imaging model, the proportions of the maximum bright channel were obtained to correct the color of underwater images. Then, edge refinement histogram stretching was designed, and edge refinement and denoising processing were performed while stretching the histogram to enhance contrast and noise removal. Finally, wavelet two-level decomposition of the color-corrected and contrast-stretched underwater images was performed, and the decomposed components in equal proportions were fused. The proposed method can restore the color and detail and enhance the contrast of the underwater image. Extensive experiments demonstrated that the proposed method achieves superior performance against state-of-the-art methods in visual quality and quantitative metrics.
Size effect on nonlinear optical properties and ultrafast dynamics of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Jijuan , Miao Fengjuan , Wu Wenzhi , Kong Degui , Ridi Buyinga , Gao Yachen
Published: April 2022

Z-scan technology was used to study the nonlinear absorption (NLA) and nonlinear refraction (NLR) of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) with various sizes under different laser intensities. The results demonstrate that the NLA and NLR of Ag NPs were size-dependent. Specifically, the 10 nm Ag NPs exhibit saturation absorption (SA) and insignificant NLR. The 20 and 40 nm Ag NPs show the coexistence of SA and reverse saturation absorption (RSA). SA is believed to result from ground-state plasma bleaching, whereas RSA originates from excited state absorption (ESA). The 20 nm and 40 nm Ag NPs shows increasing self-defocusing with the increase of laser intensity. It was observed that the energy relaxation of Ag NPs mainly includes two processes of electron-phonon and phonon-phonon couplings on the order of picoseconds.
Digital OPLL-based distributed Brillouin sensing system in optical fibers
Authors: Chin Sanghoon , Denis Séverine , Kundermann Stefan , Brasch Victor , Lecomte Steve
Published: April 2022

A digital optical phase-locked loop (OPLL) has been implemented to develop a distributed Brillouin sensing system in optical fibers. In our experiment, two commercial semiconductor lasers are phase-locked to each other with a highly flexible offset frequency using field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based electronics. Then, the difference frequency between the two lasers is highly stabilized and scanned by a desired step frequency in the vicinity of the Brillouin frequency of standard single-mode optical fibers. Consequently, the distribution of Brillouin frequency shift over a 50 km-long sensing fiber has been successfully measured by a very simple and low-cost Brillouin optical time-domain reflectometry (BOTDR) sensing system without any penalty in the sensing performance. The measurement repeatability at 50 km position of sensing fiber with a 5 m spatial resolution was measured be 4.5 MHz under fast measurement conditions: the number of trace averaging of 2000 and the frequency scan step of 12.8 MHz, showing the figure-of-merit of 3.0.
Ultrafast laser stress figuring for accurate deformation of thin mirrors
Authors: Chalifoux Brandon D. , Laverty Kevin A. , Arnold Ian J.
Published: April 2022

Fabricating freeform mirrors relies on accurate optical figuring processes capable of arbitrarily modifying low-spatial frequency height without creating higher-spatial frequency errors. We present a scalable process to accurately figure thin mirrors using stress generated by a focused ultrafast laser. We applied ultrafast laser stress figuring (ULSF) to four thin fused silica mirrors to correct them to 10-20 nm RMS over 28 Zernike terms, in 2-3 iterations, without significantly affecting higher-frequency errors. We measured the mirrors over a month and found that dielectric-coated mirrors were stable but stability of aluminum-coated mirrors was inconclusive. The accuracy and throughput for ULSF is on par with existing deterministic figuring processes, yet ULSF doesn’t significantly affect mid-spatial frequency errors, can be applied after mirror coating, and can scale to higher throughput using mature laser processing technologies. ULSF offers new potential to rapidly and accurately shape freeform mirrors.
Near optical coaxial phase measuring deflectometry for measuring structured specular surfaces
Authors: Gao Feng , Xu Yongjia , Jiang Xiangqian
Published: April 2022

Phase measuring deflectometry (PMD) is an important technique for the form measurement of specular surfaces. However, the existing stereo-PMD techniques have noticeable weaknesses for structured specular surfaces measurement due to the optical axis of the imaging system must have a notable intersection angle with the optical axis of the display system according to the law of reflection. This leads to the imaging sensor and the fringe display screen must be located on the opposite sides of the normal of the surface under test (SUT), which results in large system volume and measurement shadows when measuring discontinuous specular surfaces. In this paper, we propose a novel near optical coaxial PMD (NCPMD) by utilizing a plate beamsplitter. With the assistance of plate beamsplitter, the optical axis of display screen can be configured much closer to the optical axis of the imaging system which makes the system more compact and has significantly reduced volume compared with the conventional PMD configuration. Moreover, imaging sensors in the proposed configuration can perpendicularly capture the SUT, which can drastically decrease measurement shadows caused by discontinuous structures on the SUT and increases measurement efficiency. A comparison between the proposed NCPMD and the conventional PDM is studied by measuring a specular step to show the advantage of the proposed configuration in reducing measurement error caused by structure shadows. A portable NCPMD prototype with stereo imaging sensors is developed and verified through experiments. Experimental results show the portable prototype has comparable measurement accuracy with the existing PMD techniques while has obviously advanced performances for portable and embedded form measurement, such as small system volume, and light weight.
Intense vector supercontinuum radiation from femtosecond filamentation
Authors: Li Dongwei , Chang Junwei , Li Deming , Ji Longfei , Liang Wei , Xu Litong , Zhang Lanzhi , Xi Tingting , Hao Zuoqiang
Published: April 2022

Intense vector supercontinuum (SC) radiation with spatial polarization is obtained by using 800nm femtosecond vector laser beams in the air. The SC generated by azimuthally, radially, cylindrically polarized beams, and higher-order vector beams are investigated, respectively. The results show that the SC generated by vector beams is greatly enhanced compared to that by a Gaussian beam. The energy density of SC radiation reaches the order of 1µJ/nm in a bandwidth of 258 nm from 559 nm to 817 nm and 0.1 µJ/nm from 500 nm to 559 nm. Furthermore, by checking the polarization distribution of SC in different wavelengths from visible to near-infrared bands, we find that the SC maintains nearly the same polarization distribution as pump pulses. This work provides an effective and convenient way to generate powerful SC vector beams which may facilitate potential applications including optical communication, micro/nano-fabrication, and super-resolution microscopy.
Embedded micro-probe fiber optic interferometer with low nonlinearity against light intensity disturbance
Authors: Zhang Chen , Dong Yisi , Hu Pengcheng , Fu Haijin , Yang Hongxing , Yang Ruitao , Zou Limin
Published: April 2022

A novel low-nonlinearity Michelson microprobe fiber interferometer against light intensity disturbance for high-precision embedded displacement measurements is introduced. To analyze the influence of light intensity disturbance on the microprobe and measurement accuracy of the integrated fiber interferometer, an equivalent model of micro-probe sensing with the tilted target is established. The proposed PGC demodulation and nonlinearity correction method with simple principle helps avoid DC component varying with light intensity. The experiments show that residual displacement errors of the micro-probe fiber interferometer are reduced from 4.36 nm to 0.46 nm, thus allowing embedded displacement detection with sub-nanometer accuracy under low frequency light intensity disturbance.
Microscopic optical nonlinearities and transient carrier dynamics in indium selenide nanosheet
Authors: Chen Chenduan , Dong Ningning , Huang Jiawei , Wang Zixin , Wang Jun
Published: April 2022

This work systematically investigates the third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties and ultrafast carrier dynamics of layered indium selenide (InSe) obtained by mechanical exfoliation (ME). The two-photon absorption (TPA) effect of layered InSe was tested using micro-Z/I-scan techniques. The results indicate that InSe flakes undergo the TPA response under the excitation of both 520 nm and 1040 nm fs pulses, and that InSe is more likely to achieve TPA saturation under visible light excitation. Furthermore, ultrafast carrier dynamics revealed that InSe flakes in the visible region undergo a transition from photoinduced absorption to photobleaching and exhibit a fast recombination time of ∼0.4–1ps, suggesting a high optical modulation speed as high as ∼1–2.5 THz.
Numerical analysis of an ultra-broadband and highly efficient beam splitter in the visible region
Authors: Liu Zhihui , Wu Tiesheng , Wang Yiping , Liu Yan , Liu Rui , Zhong Xu , Yang Dan , Yang Zuning
Published: April 2022

We report a quasi-continuous beam splitter with highly efficient equal-power beam splitting in a wide spectral range. It consists of rhombic aluminum antimonide nanorods standing on a silica substrate. Firstly, a beam splitter based on discrete structures is designed, and the structures are optimized to obtain the quasi-continuous beam splitter. The beam splitter achieves a splitting efficiency of over 80% within the region of 675–786 nm (bandwidth = 111 nm), where the splitting angle can vary in the range of 97.2°−121.8°. In particular, the splitting efficiency reaches 93.4% when the wavelength is 690 nm. Overall, the proposed beam splitter potentially paves the way for realizing broadband metasurfaces and high-performance quasi-continuous metasurface-based devices.
Resolving the subwavelength width of nanoslits by full-Stokes polarization analysis of scattered light
Authors: Zhao Kun , Zhang Zhiyu , Zang Haofeng , Luo Haoqi , Lu Yonghua , Wang Pei
Published: April 2022

Due to the diffraction limit, subwavelength nanoslits (whose width is strictly smaller than λ/2) are hard to resolve by optical microscopy. Here, we overcome the diffraction limit by measuring the full Stokes parameters of the scattered field of the subwavelength nanoslits with varying width under the illumination of a linearly-polarized laser with a 45° polarization orientation angle. Because of the depolarization effect arising from the different phase delay and amplitude transmittance for TM polarization (perpendicular to the long axis of slit) and TE polarization (parallel to the long axis of slit), the state of polarization (SOP) of the scattered light strongly depends on the slit width for subwavelength nanoslits. After correcting for residual background light, the nanoslit width measured by the SOP of scattered light is consistent with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurement. The simulation and experiment in this work demonstrate a new far-field optical technique to determine the width of subwavelength nanoslits by studying the SOP of the scattered light.
Deep learning approach for inverse design of metasurfaces with a wider shape gamut
Authors: Panda Soumyashree S. , Choudhary Sumit , Joshi Siddharth , Sharma Satinder K. , Hegde Ravi S.
Published: April 2022

While the large design degrees of freedom (DOFs) give metasurfaces a tremendous versatility, they make the inverse design challenging. Metasurface designers mostly rely on simple shapes and ordered placements, which restricts the achievable performance. We report a deep learning based inverse design flow that enables a fuller exploitation of the meta-atom shape. Using a polygonal shape encoding that covers a broad gamut of lithographically realizable resonators, we demonstrate the inverse design of color filters in an amorphous silicon material platform. The inverse-designed transmission-mode color filter metasurfaces are experimentally realized and exhibit enhancement in the color gamut.
Efficient carrier multiplication and extraction in aqueous-processed giant CdTe-CdS nanocrystal bulk heterostructures
Authors: Xu Chen-Yu , Lin Yu-Han , Wang Lei , Wang Hai-Yu , Sun Hong-Bo
Published: April 2022

Auger recombination as an intrinsic mechanism for bypassing the ‘phonon bottleneck’ plays an important role in semiconductor quantum dots, which makes the possible carrier multiplication or multiple-exciton generation occurred in nanoscale. Here, we show that for aqueous-processed giant CdTe-CdS core-shell nanocrystal solids (the diameter of CdTe core is ∼20 nm, larger than its bulk exciton Bohr radius of ∼7.5 nm), it is a type-II structure with small band offsets and strong delocalization of electrons. Thus, there is an efficient carrier multiplication by Auger processes, in comparison with the exciton relaxation behaviors in reference films consisting of large CdTe quantum dots (the diameter is ∼11 nm) synthesized by an oil-phase approach. The efficient carrier extractions are further demonstrated using TiO2 and MoO3 as carrier transport layers in CdTe-CdS nanocrystal depleted bulk heterostructures, and imbalanced carrier extraction efficiencies by TiO2 and MoO3 are revealed. Our findings unravel the fundamental photophysical mechanisms for the high-efficient all-solid nanocrystal photovoltaics based on aqueous-processed giant CdTe-CdS nanocrystal solids.
Rapid prototyping of silica optical fibers
Authors: Maniewski Pawel , Harvey Clarissa M. , Mühlberger Korbinian , Oriekhov Taras , Brunzell Martin , Laurell Fredrik , Fokine Michael
Published: April 2022

We demonstrate a method for rapid prototyping of optical fibers. Silica-based glass rods were 3D printed using laser powder deposition. Different doping of the 3D printed rods is evaluated, including alumina, titania, and erbium-doped glass. The rods were subsequently used as the core material in preforms with optical fibers drawn using a laser-based draw tower. A transmission loss of 3.2 dB/m was found for a fiber with 1 wt% titania doped core and pure silica cladding. Using this fabrication method, prototyping from powder to optical fiber could be achieved within a few hours.
Differential modulation of C. elegans motor behavior by NALCN and two-pore domain potassium channels
Authors: Zhou Chuanman , Zhou Qian , He Xiaohui , He Yunxia , Wang Xiaoqin , Zhu Xiaowei , Zhang Yujia , Ma Long
Published: April 2022

Two-pore domain potassium channels (K2P) are a large family of “background” channels that allow outward “leak” of potassium ions. The NALCN/UNC80/UNC79 complex is a non-selective channel that allows inward flow of sodium and other cations. It is unclear how K2Ps and NALCN differentially modulate animal behavior. Here, we found that loss of function (lf) in the K2P gene twk-40 suppressed the reduced body curvatures of C. elegans NALCN(lf) mutants. twk-40(lf) caused a deep body curvature and extended backward locomotion, and these phenotypes appeared to be associated with neuron-specific expression of twk-40 and distinct twk-40 transcript isoforms. To survey the functions of other less studied K2P channels, we examined loss-of-function mutants of 13 additional twk genes expressed in the motor circuit and detected defective body curvature and/or locomotion in mutants of twk-2, twk-17, twk-30, twk-48, unc-58, and the previously reported twk-7. We generated presumptive gain-of-function (gf) mutations in twk-40, twk-2, twk-7, and unc-58 and found that they caused paralysis. Further analyses detected variable genetic interactions between twk-40 and other twk genes, an interdependence between twk-40 and twk-2, and opposite behavioral effects between NALCN and twk-2, twk-7, or unc-58. Finally, we found that the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity property of TWK-40 residue 159 could affect the channel activity. Together, our study identified twk-40 as a novel modulator of the motor behavior, uncovered potential behavioral effects of five other K2P genes and suggests that NALCN and some K2Ps can oppositely affect C. elegans behavior.
Activation of class 1 integron integrase is promoted in the intestinal environment
Authors: Baltazar Murielle , Bourgeois-Nicolaos Nadège , Larroudé Macarena , Couet William , Uwajeneza Solange , Doucet-Populaire Florence , Ploy Marie-Cécile , Da Re Sandra
Published: April 2022

Class 1 integrons are widespread genetic elements playing a major role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. They allow bacteria to capture, express and exchange antibiotic resistance genes embedded within gene cassettes. Acquisition of gene cassettes is catalysed by the class 1 integron integrase, a site-specific recombinase playing a key role in the integron system. In in vitro planktonic culture, expression of intI1 is controlled by the SOS response, a regulatory network which mediates the repair of DNA damage caused by a wide range of bacterial stress, including antibiotics. However, in vitro experimental conditions are far from the real lifestyle of bacteria in natural environments such as the intestinal tract which is known to be a reservoir of integrons. In this study, we developed an in vivo model of intestinal colonization in gnotobiotic mice and used a recombination assay and quantitative real-time PCR, to investigate the induction of the SOS response and expression and activity of the class 1 integron integrase, IntI1. We found that the basal activity of IntI1 was higher in vivo than in vitro. In addition, we demonstrated that administration of a subinhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin rapidly induced both the SOS response and intI1 expression that was correlated with an increase of the activity of IntI1. Our findings show that the gut is an environment in which the class 1 integron integrase is induced and active, and they highlight the potential role of integrons in the acquisition and/or expression of resistance genes in the gut, particularly during antibiotic therapy.
“Separated during the first hours”—Postnatal care for women and newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study from a global online survey of maternal and newborn healthcare providers
Authors: Semaan Aline , Dey Teesta , Kikula Amani , Asefa Anteneh , Delvaux Thérèse , Langlois Etienne V. , van den Akker Thomas , Benova Lenka
Published: April 2022

Routine postnatal care (PNC) allows monitoring, early detection and management of complications, and counselling to ensure immediate and long-term wellbeing of mothers and newborns; yet effective coverage is sub-optimal globally. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted availability and quality of maternal and newborn care despite established guidelines promoting continuity of essential services. We conducted a cross-sectional global online survey of 424 maternal and newborn healthcare providers from 61 countries, to explore PNC provision, availability, content and quality following the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The questionnaire (11 languages), included four multiple-choice and four open-text questions on changes to PNC during the pandemic. Quantitative and qualitative responses received between July and December 2020 were analysed separately and integrated during reporting. Tightened rules for visiting postpartum women were reported in health facilities, ranging from shorter visiting hours to banning supportive companions and visitors. A quarter (26%) of respondents reported that mothers suspected/confirmed with COVID-19 were routinely separated from their newborns. Early initiation of breastfeeding was delayed due to waiting for maternal SARS-CoV-2 test results. Reduced provision of breastfeeding support was reported by 40% of respondents in high-income countries and 7% in low-income countries. Almost 60% reported that women were discharged earlier than usual and 27% perceived a reduction in attendance to outpatient PNC. Telemedicine and home visits were mostly reported in high-income countries to ensure safe care provision. Beyond the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, severe disruptions to content and quality of PNC continued to exist, whereas disruptions in availability and use were less commonly reported. Depriving women of support, reducing availability of PNC services, and mother-newborn separation could lead to negative long-term outcomes for women, newborns and families, and deny their rights to respectful care. Protecting these essential services is imperative to promoting quality woman-centred PNC during and beyond the pandemic.
Variations in the relative age effect with age and sex, and over time—Elite-level data from international soccer world cups
Authors: Pedersen Arve Vorland , Aune Tore Kristian , Dalen Terje , Lorås Håvard
Published: April 2022

The relative age effect (RAE) is a statistical bias observed across sport contexts and consists of a systematic skewness in birth date distribution within an annual-age cohort. In soccer, January 1st is the common cut-off date when categorizing players in competitions according to their chronological age, which potentially disadvantages those within the cohort who were born later in the year. Thus, relatively older soccer players in their cohort can be favored in talent identification, selection, and development. The aim of the current study was to investigate the variations in RAE in male and female international youth world-cup tournaments (U17 and U20) in the period from 1997–2019 and in international senior world-cup-tournaments from 2006–2019. A total of 20,401 soccer players participating in 47 different tournaments were analyzed. The birthdate distributions were categorized into four quartiles (January-March, Q1; April-June, Q2; July-September, Q3; October-December, Q4) and compared to a uniform distribution using Chi-square analysis with Cramer’s V (Vc) as a measure of effect size. Based on the existing data concerning RAE in elite junior and senior soccer, it was hypothesized that: (I) the RAE is present in youth soccer world cup tournaments but is stronger in male players than in female players; (II) the younger the soccer players, the stronger the RAE; and (III) the RAE in world cup soccer tournaments has strengthened over time. All these hypotheses were supported by the data; novel findings included that the effect has now entered women’s soccer, and in men’s soccer it persists into senior world cup tournaments. Thus, a strong RAE bias occurs in selection among elite soccer players competing in international world cup tournaments.
COVID-19 mortality in the United States: It’s been two Americas from the start
Authors: Stoto Michael A. , Schlageter Samantha , Kraemer John D.
Published: April 2022

During the summer of 2021, a narrative of "two Americas" emerged: one with high demand for the COVID-19 vaccine and the second with widespread vaccine hesitancy and opposition to masks and vaccines. We analyzed “excess mortality” rates (the difference between total deaths and what would have been expected based on earlier time periods) prepared by the CDC for the United States from January 3, 2020 to September 26, 2021. Between Jan. 3, 2020 and Sept. 26, 2021, there were 895,693 excess deaths associated with COVID-19, 26% more than reported as such. The proportion of deaths estimated by the excess mortality method that was reported as COVID-19 was highest in the Northeast (92%) and lowest in the West (72%) and South (76%). Of the estimated deaths, 43% occurred between Oct. 4, 2020 and Feb. 27, 2021. Before May 31, 2020, approximately 56% of deaths were in the Northeast, where 17% of the population resides. Subsequently, 48% of deaths were in the South, which makes up 38% of the population. Since May 31, 2020, the South experienced COVID-19 mortality 26% higher than the national rate, whereas the Northeast’s rate was 42% lower. If each region had the same mortality rate as the Northeast, more than 316,234 COVID-19 deaths between May 31, 2020 and Sept. 26, 2021 were "avoidable." More than half (63%) of the avoidable deaths occurred between May 31, 2020 and February, 2021, and more than half (60%) were in the South. Regional differences in COVID-19 mortality have been strong throughout the pandemic. The South has had higher mortality rates than the rest of the U.S. since May 31, 2020, and experienced 62% of the avoidable deaths. A comprehensive COVID-19 policy, including population-based restrictions as well as vaccines, is needed to control the pandemic.
Mental health literacy survey among Cambodia’s urban and rural populations: Results from a vignette-based population survey
Authors: Nishio Akihiro , Marutani Toshiyuki
Published: April 2022

Background

Although there are effective methods for the treatment and management of various mental illnesses, some individuals still do not seek psychiatric treatment. Various factors could affect this reluctance toward treatment, one of which is the public’s lack of mental health literacy. This survey aimed to measure and compare mental health literacy in Cambodia’s urban and rural areas.

Method

Tours were held to hold seminars that provided information about mental health in the health centers around Phnom Penh (PP) and Siem Reap (SR), and a survey was conducted on mental health literacy for the participants before the seminar at each location. Anthony Jorm’s vignette of psychosis (young adult) and Angermeyer’s questionnaire were used. After the participants were classified into the “agree group” and “disagree group” for each item, the answers for each item given by the participants in PP and SR were compared using the chi-square test and the odds rate was calculated.

Results

The participants in SR were more likely to give reasons such as inherited causes, economic problems, stress at work, or family problems as the cause of schizophrenia. The percentage of these beliefs about schizophrenia was relatively lower in PP than in SR. Regarding attitudes toward schizophrenia, the participants in SR were more likely to have negative views and predict negative prognoses than the participants in PP. As for participants’ feelings about schizophrenia, the participants in SR reacted more strongly than those in PP. Even though the participants in SR reacted more negatively, they were sympathetic toward individuals with schizophrenia.

Conclusion

Overall, the participants in the SR group were more likely to have negative attitudes toward schizophrenia than those in the PP group. These results support our hypothesis that mental health literacy represents the maturity of community mental health in a targeted area.
X-ray crystal structure of the Escherichia coli RadD DNA repair protein bound to ADP reveals a novel zinc ribbon domain
Authors: Osorio Garcia Miguel A. , Satyshur Kenneth A. , Cox Michael M. , Keck James L.
Published: April 2022

Genome maintenance is an essential process in all cells. In prokaryotes, the RadD protein is important for survival under conditions that include DNA-damaging radiation. Precisely how RadD participates in genome maintenance remains unclear. Here we present a high-resolution X-ray crystal structure of ADP-bound Escherichia coli RadD, revealing a zinc-ribbon element that was not modelled in a previous RadD crystal structure. Insights into the mode of nucleotide binding and additional structure refinement afforded by the new RadD model will help to drive investigations into the activity of RadD as a genome stability and repair factor.
Prevalence of uncoupling protein one genetic polymorphisms and their relationship with cardiovascular and metabolic health
Authors: Dinas Petros C. , Nintou Eleni , Vliora Maria , Pravednikova Anna E. , Sakellariou Paraskevi , Witkowicz Agata , Kachaev Zaur M. , Kerchev Victor V. , Larina Svetlana N. , Cotton James , Kowalska Anna , Gkiata Paraskevi , Bargiota Alexandra , Khachatryan Zaruhi A. , Hovhannisyan Anahit A. , Antonosyan Mariya A. , Margaryan Sona , Partyka Anna , Bogdanski Pawel , Szulinska Monika , Kregielska-Narozna Matylda , Czepczyński Rafał , Ruchała Marek , Tomkiewicz Anna , Yepiskoposyan Levon , Karabon Lidia , Shidlovskii Yulii , Metsios George S. , Flouris Andreas D.
Published: April 2022

Contribution of UCP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to susceptibility for cardiometabolic pathologies (CMP) and their involvement in specific risk factors for these conditions varies across populations. We tested whether UCP1 SNPs A-3826G, A-1766G, Ala64Thr and A-112C are associated with common CMP and their risk factors across Armenia, Greece, Poland, Russia and United Kingdom. This case-control study included genotyping of these SNPs, from 2,283 Caucasians. Results were extended via systematic review and meta-analysis. In Armenia, GA genotype and A allele of Ala64Thr displayed ~2-fold higher risk for CMP compared to GG genotype and G allele, respectively (p<0.05). In Greece, A allele of Ala64Thr decreased risk of CMP by 39%. Healthy individuals with A-3826G GG genotype and carriers of mutant allele of A-112C and Ala64Thr had higher body mass index compared to those carrying other alleles. In healthy Polish, higher waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was observed in heterozygotes A-3826G compared to AA homozygotes. Heterozygosity of A-112C and Ala64Thr SNPs was related to lower WHR in CMP individuals compared to wild type homozygotes (p<0.05). Meta-analysis showed no statistically significant odds-ratios across our SNPs (p>0.05). Concluding, the studied SNPs could be associated with the most common CMP and their risk factors in some populations.
Computed tomography myelography technique and spinal morphometry in healthy Yucatan pigs
Authors: Barden Lelia E. B. , Gaschen Lorrie , Hampton Chiara De Caro Carella , Takawira Catherine , Liu Chin-Chi , Nourbakhsh Ali , Lopez Mandi J.
Published: April 2022

Porcine models of spinal cord injury (SCI) have an irreplaceable role in the development of experimental therapies. There is little literature regarding CT myelogram (CTM) techniques in swine and morphometry in miniature swine has not been established. A CT-guided method for performing myelography as well as reference values for spinal morphometry in healthy Yucatan miniature swine is lacking. The goal of this study is to describe a CT-guided method of performing CTM in a porcine model of SCI and to establish spinal morphometric reference values in mature Yucatan pigs. Six healthy, Yucatan sows, 9 months of age, weighing between 39–57.7kg, with no history of spinal disease, spinal injury, or neurologic deficits on physical exam were used in this study. CT myelography was performed in each sow under general anesthesia. CT scout images were used to guide needle placement at the L3-L4 intervertebral site. Once correct needle placement was confirmed using a 1ml test injection, a full dose of iodinated contrast (0.3ml/kg) was injected slowly over a 2-minute time period. Morphometry was performed using area measurements of the spinal cord (SC), vertebral body (VB), dural sac (DS), and vertebral canal (VC) at the mid-body and the intervertebral disc space of each spinal segment. Of the quantitative measurements, the spinal cord surface area had the widest range of values and the greatest coefficient of variance (CV) while those parameters for the vertebral canal had a low CV. Of the morphometric ratios, the DS:VC, had the lowest CV while the spinal cord ratios to DS and VC had the highest (>30). The vertebral canal surface area and the dural space: vertebral canal ratio may serve as reference values in future studies using this animal model.
Effects of facial expression and gaze interaction on brain dynamics during a working memory task in preschool children
Authors: Kashihara Koji , Matsuda Yoshitaka
Published: April 2022

Executive functioning in preschool children is important for building social relationships during the early stages of development. We investigated the brain dynamics of preschool children during an attention-shifting task involving congruent and incongruent gaze directions in emotional facial expressions (neutral, angry, and happy faces). Ignoring distracting stimuli (gaze direction and expression), participants (17 preschool children and 17 young adults) were required to detect and memorize the location (left or right) of a target symbol as a simple working memory task (i.e., no general priming paradigm in which a target appears after a cue stimulus). For the preschool children, the frontal late positive response and the central and parietal P3 responses increased for angry faces. In addition, a parietal midline α (Pmα) power to change attention levels decreased mainly during the encoding of a target for angry faces, possibly causing an association of no congruency effect on reaction times (i.e., no faster response in the congruent than incongruent gaze condition). For the adults, parietal P3 response and frontal midline θ (Fmθ) power increased mainly during the encoding period for incongruent gaze shifts in happy faces. The Pmα power for happy faces decreased for incongruent gaze during the encoding period and increased for congruent gaze during the first retention period. These results suggest that adults can quickly shift attention to a target in happy faces, sufficiently allocating attentional resources to ignore incongruent gazes and detect a target, which can attenuate a congruency effect on reaction times. By contrast, possibly because of underdeveloped brain activity, preschool children did not show the happy face superiority effect and they may be more responsive to angry faces. These observations imply a crucial key point to build better relationships between developing preschoolers and their parents and educators, incorporating nonverbal communication into social and emotional learning.