bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in an Infant: Case Report with Review of Literature
Authors: Dave Vinayak , Shah Aekta , Parambil Badira , Panjwani Poonam , Qureshi Sajid , Ramadwar Mukta
Published: December 2023

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an intermediate-grade neoplasm of myofibroblastic lineage occurring due to a cytogenetic clonal abnormality of chromosome 2p23. Pediatric renal IMTs are rare and infant renal IMTs are almost anecdotal. We herein report a 1-year-old female child who presented with a firm mass in the right lumbar region. Biopsy, and later, surgical resection revealed a tumor composed of spindle cells with intermixed plasma cells. On immunohistochemistry (IHC), the lesional cells were positive for smooth muscle actin and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). A diagnosis of IMT was made based on morphology and IHC. Diagnosis of renal IMTs become challenging especially in a tiny biopsy wherein clear cell sarcoma of kidney, Wilms tumor with predominant mesenchymal component, congenital mesoblastic nephroma, and metanephric stromal tumor are the differential diagnoses in this age group. Renal IMTs generally have better prognosis as compared to extrarenal IMTs. Approximately, 50 to 60% of these tumors harbor ALK gene rearrangement as demonstrated by positivity for ALK IHC. ALK inhibitors like crizotinib or ceritinib can be given for advanced metastatic tumors.
Female early-career scientists have conducted less interdisciplinary research in the past six decades: evidence from doctoral theses
Authors: Liu Meijun , Yang Sijie , Bu Yi , Zhang Ning
Published: December 2023

Interdisciplinary research is a driving force of transformative and innovative science, yet it remains unclear how early-career scientists pursue interdisciplinary research paths. Analyzing data from 675,135 doctoral theses of U.S. Ph.D. graduates who graduated from 1950 to 2016, we study the development of interdisciplinary doctoral theses in the five scientific domains of behavioral sciences, biological sciences, engineering, health and medical sciences, and mathematical and physical sciences. We propose an indicator to measure the degree of interdisciplinarity embedded in the doctoral research by employing co-occurrence matrices of subjects assigned to doctoral theses in the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Database. This study finds that interdisciplinary doctoral theses have exhibited a growing trend across different scientific domains, and universities of varying research intensity. Since the 1990s, interdisciplinary research has played a dominant role in doctoral theses within the five scientific domains. The results of multivariate regression models suggest persistent gender disparities in the interdisciplinarity level of doctoral theses. Specifically, male-authored doctoral theses demonstrate a higher level of interdisciplinarity than female-authored doctoral theses. In addition, this study suggests that being supervised by female advisors may amplify gender disparities in the interdisciplinarity level of their students’ doctoral theses. The findings indicate the potential underrepresentation of female scientists in pursuing interdisciplinary research at the early stages of their careers. Given that funding agencies have promoted interdisciplinary research and its potential benefits, the lower level of interdisciplinarity in the doctoral theses of female students may hinder their career advancement. Furthermore, our findings indicate that offering increased support to female faculty members may not only directly benefit their career development but also hold considerable significance in promoting future generations of female scientists. The findings of this study have important policy implications for advancing the careers of female scientists.
Inequities in pre-pregnancy folic acid use in Central and South Auckland: secondary analysis from a postpartum contraception survey
Authors: Tutty Esther , Wimsett Jordon , Oyston Charlotte , Tutty Sue , Harwood Matire , Legget Emelia , Sadler Lynn
Published: December 2023

Introduction In Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), there is inequity in rates of neural tube defects (NTDs). Among Maaori, NTD occur in 4.58/10 000 live births, and for Pacific peoples, it is 4.09/10 000 live births; this is compared to 2.81/10 000 live births for non-Maaori, non-Pacific peoples. Aim To describe self-reported pre-pregnancy folic acid supplementation and to determine the association between pregnancy intendedness, ethnicity, parity, maternal age, care provider and pre-pregnancy folic acid supplementation. Methods Secondary analysis of postpartum survey data collected at Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai and Counties Manukau birthing facilities in 2020 was conducted. Descriptive analyses explored pregnancy intendedness and self-reported folic acid use by demographic variables. Multivariable logistic regression explored independent associations between demographic variables and folic acid use among intended pregnancies. Results In total, 398 participants completed the survey. The response rate was (140/149) 94% at Counties Manukau and (258/315) 82% at Te Toka Tumai. Pre-pregnancy supplementation was reported by 182 of 398 participants (46%). Use was higher among those who intended their pregnancy (151/262, 58%) compared to those who were ‘pregnancy ambivalent’ (9/33, 27%) or did not intend to become pregnant (22/103, 21%). Factors independently associated with supplementation among intended pregnancies included: ‘Other ethnicity’ (European, Middle Eastern, Latin American, African) compared to Maaori (aOR 5.3 (95% CI 1.3, 21.8)), age ≥30 years compared to <30 years (aOR 2.1 (1.0, 4.1)), and private obstetrician compared to midwifery care (aOR 4.2 (1.6, 10.9)). Discussion Low rates of pre-pregnancy folic acid supplementation exist in Auckland with significant ethnic disparity. Mandatory fortification of non-organic wheat is important, but supplementation is still recommended to maximally reduce risk.
Marine mammal strandings recorded in New Caledonia, South West Pacific Ocean, 1877 to 2022
Authors: Garrigue Claire , Derville Solène , Bonneville Claire , Brisset Maële , Bustamante Paco , Cleguer Christophe , Clua Eric E. G. , Dabin Willy , Fiat Sylvie , Justine Jean-Lou , Machful Pauline , Mai Tepoerau , Plichon Patrice , Portal Annie , Sidobre Christine , Steel Debbie , Vivier Jean-Christophe , Vourey Elodie
Published: December 2023

Context Strandings are an important source of information for estimating marine mammal biodiversity, particularly in data-sparse ocean basins such as Oceania. Aims Here, we report on knowledge acquired from 218 stranding events recorded in the waters of New Caledonia (1877–2022). Methods We investigated spatio-temporal distribution, stable isotope signatures, trace element concentrations, biometry measurements, genetic diversity, and diet, for the four most commonly stranded taxa (dugongs, 35% of events; sperm whales, 19%; Delphinidae, 18%; pygmy and dwarf sperm whales, 14%). Key results Beginning in 1991, reports of stranding events increased (183 events, 322 individuals, 20 species from seven families: Dugongidae, Physeteridae, Delphinidae, Kogiidae, Ziphiidae, Balaenopteridae, Otariidae), with hotspots identified on the west coast (Bourail, Ouano, Nouméa) and in Prony Bay. Causes of death were not determined in 84% of stranding events, but were identified in the majority of expert-led necropsies (24 of 29 individuals from 10 species). Yet, valuable information regarding the impact of anthropogenic activities was gathered for some species of concern, such as the endangered dugong (28% human-caused). Since 2016, training and outreach have been provided to rangers, veterinarians, and various public safety officers to support their engagement in the scientific monitoring of marine mammal strandings. A website (www.rescue.ird.nc) was developed to facilitate standardised data collection and storage, and to provide public access to stranding records. Conclusion Although the number of individuals reported here remains modest, this study provides new information on poorly documented species in New Caledonia. Implications Long-term monitoring of strandings can help design effective conservation measures.
An interaction network approach predicts protein cage architectures in bionanotechnology
Authors: Fatehi Farzad , Twarock Reidun
Published: December 2023

Protein nanoparticles play pivotal roles in many areas of bionanotechnology, including drug delivery, vaccination, and diagnostics. These technologies require control over the distinct particle morphologies that protein nanocontainers can adopt during self-assembly from their constituent protein components. The geometric construction principle of virus-derived protein cages is by now fairly well understood by analogy to viral protein shells in terms of Caspar and Klug’s quasi-equivalence principle. However, many artificial, or genetically modified, protein containers exhibit varying degrees of quasi-equivalence in the interactions between identical protein subunits. They can also contain a subset of protein subunits that do not participate in interactions with other assembly units, called capsomers, leading to gaps in the particle surface. We introduce a method that exploits information on the local interactions between the capsomers to infer the geometric construction principle of these nanoparticle architectures. The predictive power of this approach is demonstrated here for a prominent system in nanotechnology, the AaLS pentamer. Our method not only rationalises hitherto discovered cage structures but also predicts geometrically viable options that have not yet been observed. The classification of nanoparticle architecture based on the geometric properties of the interaction network closes a gap in our current understanding of protein container structure and can be widely applied in protein nanotechnology, paving the way to programmable control over particle polymorphism.
Combinatorial design of ionizable lipid nanoparticles for muscle-selective mRNA delivery with minimized off-target effects
Authors: Chen Jingan , Xu Yue , Zhou Muye , Xu Shufen , Varley Andrew James , Golubovic Alex , Lu Rick Xing Ze , Wang Kevin Chang , Yeganeh Mina , Vosoughi Daniel , Li Bowen
Published: December 2023

Ionizable lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) pivotal to the success of COVID-19 mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccines hold substantial promise for expanding the landscape of mRNA-based therapies. Nevertheless, the risk of mRNA delivery to off-target tissues highlights the necessity for LNPs with enhanced tissue selectivity. The intricate nature of biological systems and inadequate knowledge of lipid structure–activity relationships emphasize the significance of high-throughput methods to produce chemically diverse lipid libraries for mRNA delivery screening. Here, we introduce a streamlined approach for the rapid design and synthesis of combinatorial libraries of biodegradable ionizable lipids. This led to the identification of iso-A11B5C1, an ionizable lipid uniquely apt for muscle-specific mRNA delivery. It manifested high transfection efficiencies in muscle tissues, while significantly diminishing off-targeting in organs like the liver and spleen. Moreover, iso-A11B5C1 also exhibited reduced mRNA transfection potency in lymph nodes and antigen-presenting cells, prompting investigation into the influence of direct immune cell transfection via LNPs on mRNA vaccine effectiveness. In comparison with SM-102, while iso-A11B5C1’s limited immune transfection attenuated its ability to elicit humoral immunity, it remained highly effective in triggering cellular immune responses after intramuscular administration, which is further corroborated by its strong therapeutic performance as cancer vaccine in a melanoma model. Collectively, our study not only enriches the high-throughput toolkit for generating tissue-specific ionizable lipids but also encourages a reassessment of prevailing paradigms in mRNA vaccine design. This study encourages rethinking of mRNA vaccine design principles, suggesting that achieving high immune cell transfection might not be the sole criterion for developing effective mRNA vaccines.
Structural and thermodynamic framework for PIEZO1 modulation by small molecules
Authors: Jiang Wenjuan , Wijerathne Tharaka D. , Zhang Han , Lin Yi-Chun , Jo Sunhwan , Im Wonpil , Lacroix Jerome J. , Luo Yun L.
Published: December 2023

Mechanosensitive PIEZO channels constitute potential pharmacological targets for multiple clinical conditions, spurring the search for potent chemical PIEZO modulators. Among them is Yoda1, a widely used synthetic small molecule PIEZO1 activator discovered through cell-based high-throughput screening. Yoda1 is thought to bind to PIEZO1’s mechanosensory arm domain, sandwiched between two transmembrane regions near the channel pore. However, how the binding of Yoda1 to this region promotes channel activation remains elusive. Here, we first demonstrate that cross-linking PIEZO1 repeats A and B with disulfide bridges reduces the effects of Yoda1 in a redox-dependent manner, suggesting that Yoda1 acts by perturbing the contact between these repeats. Using molecular dynamics–based absolute binding free energy simulations, we next show that Yoda1 preferentially occupies a deeper, amphipathic binding site with higher affinity in PIEZO1 open state. Using Yoda1’s binding poses in open and closed states, relative binding free energy simulations were conducted in the membrane environment, recapitulating structure–activity relationships of known Yoda1 analogs. Through virtual screening of an 8 million-compound library using computed fragment maps of the Yoda1 binding site, we subsequently identified two chemical scaffolds with agonist activity toward PIEZO1. This study supports a pharmacological model in which Yoda1 activates PIEZO1 by wedging repeats A and B, providing a structural and thermodynamic framework for the rational design of PIEZO1 modulators. Beyond PIEZO channels, the three orthogonal computational approaches employed here represent a promising path toward drug discovery in highly heterogeneous membrane protein systems.
Phenotypic plasticity: A missing element in the theory of vegetation pattern formation
Authors: Bennett Jamie J. R. , Bera Bidesh K. , Ferré Michel , Yizhaq Hezi , Getzin Stephan , Meron Ehud
Published: December 2023

Regular spatial patterns of vegetation are a common sight in drylands. Their formation is a population-level response to water stress that increases water availability for the few via partial plant mortality. At the individual level, plants can also adapt to water stress by changing their phenotype. Phenotypic plasticity of individual plants and spatial patterning of plant populations have extensively been studied independently, but the likely interplay between the two robust mechanisms has remained unexplored. In this paper, we incorporate phenotypic plasticity into a multi-level theory of vegetation pattern formation and use a fascinating ecological phenomenon, the Namibian “fairy circles,” to demonstrate the need for such a theory. We show that phenotypic changes in the root structure of plants, coupled with pattern-forming feedback within soil layers, can resolve two puzzles that the current theory fails to explain: observations of multi-scale patterns and the absence of theoretically predicted large-scale stripe and spot patterns along the rainfall gradient. Importantly, we find that multi-level responses to stress unveil a wide variety of more effective stress-relaxation pathways, compared to single-level responses, implying a previously underestimated resilience of dryland ecosystems.
A Possible γ-Ray Pulsation from PSR J1740−5340B in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397
Authors: Zheng Jiao , Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Li
Published: December 2023

Recently, a new radio millisecond pulsar (MSP) J1740−5340B, hosted in the globular cluster (GC) NGC 6397, was reported with a 5.78 ms spin period in an eclipsing binary system with a 1.97 days orbital period. Based on a modified radio ephemeris updated by tool tempo2, we analyze the ∼15 yr γ-ray data obtained from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and detect PSR J1740−5340B’s γ-ray pulsation at a confidence level of ∼4σ with a weighted H-test value of ∼26. By performing a phase-resolved analysis, the γ-ray luminosity in on-pulse interval of PSR J1740−5340B is L

γ
∼ 3.8 × 1033 erg s−1 using NGC 6397's distance of 2.48 kpc. And γ-rays from the on-pulse part of PSR J1740−5340B contribute ∼90% of the total observed γ-ray emissions from NGC 6397. No significant γ-ray pulsation of another MSP J1740−5340A in the GC is detected. Considering that the previous four cases of MSPs in GCs, more data in γ-ray, X-ray, and radio are encouraged to finally confirm the γ-ray emissions from MSP J1740−5340B, especially starving for a precise ephemeris.
Proton Emission From the Interaction of 7 MeV Energy Protons With 59Co Nucleus
Authors: Zholdybayev T.K. , Ussabayeva G.A. , Temirzhanov A.A. , Mukan Zh.T. , Sadykov B.M. , Duisebayev B.A.
Published: December 2023

The aim of this work was to measure the double differential cross-sections for 59Co(p, xp) reactions at a proton energy of 7 MeV on the 59Co nucleus at the U-150M isochronous cyclotron of the Institute of Nuclear Physics (Kazakhstan). The analysis of the experimental results was carried out on the basis of the exciton model of nuclear decay within the framework of the PRECO-2006 computational code, which describes the transition of an excited system to an equilibrium state. The contributions of the pre-equilibrium, compound, and direct mechanisms are calculated for the formation of the protons energy spectrum.
Straw signal modeling using Garfield++ interface to LTSPICE
Authors: Mukhamejanova A , Baigarashev D , Bautin V , Bulanova S , Enik T , Kambar Y , Kuznetsova E , Nasybulin S , Paulau A , Salamatin K , Sosnov D , Zelenov A
Published: December 2023

The aim of this work is to describe method of modeling straw signal using Garfield++ interface to LTspice. Straw Tube Trackers will be use in the SPD experiment. When designing such large scale and complex detector it is of extreme importance to run precise simulations. The physical task of this research is to reliably predict drift time and shape signal, which is important for further modeling of electronics for SPD Straw Trackers
Prospects for the application of nuclear reactor with homogeneous solution fuel for the production of medical radioisotopes
Authors: Malikov Sh R , Yuldashev M B , Amanov O O
Published: December 2023

The use of isotopes in medicine has opened up new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. One of the effective radiopharmaceuticals is the strontium-89 isotope, which is used to treat many cancers, including bone cancer. Spreading and sorbing in the bone tissue (as an analog of calcium), strontium has both therapeutic and long-term analgesic effects. This allows you to do without drugs and saves the patient from severe drug addiction. Therefore, obtaining the radioisotope strontium-89 is a very serious task.
A comprehensive review of hydrodynamic studies on fish schooling
Authors: Ligman Montana , Lund Joshua , Fürth Mirjam
Published: December 2023

Collective motion of organisms is a widespread phenomenon exhibited by many species, most commonly associated with colonial birds and schools of fish. The benefits of schooling behavior vary from defense against predators, increased feeding efficiency, and improved endurance. Schooling motions can be energetically beneficial as schools allow for channeling and vortex-based interactions, creating a less demanding stroke rate to sustain high swimming velocities and increased movement efficiency. Biomimetics is a fast-growing field, and there have been several attempts to quantify the hydrodynamics behind group dynamics and the subsequent benefits of increased maneuverability, which can be applied to unmanned vehicles and devices traveling in a group or swarm-like scenarios. Earlier efforts to understand these phenomena have been composed of physical experimentation and numerical simulations. This literature review examines the existing studies performed to understand the hydrodynamics of group collective motion inspired by schooling habits. Both numerical simulation and physical experimentation are discussed, and the benefits and drawbacks of the two approaches are compared to help future researchers and engineers expand on these models and concepts. This paper also identifies some of the limitations associated with different approaches to studies on fish schooling and suggests potential directions for future work.
Vertical characteristics of temperature and relative humidity during the spring continuous warming processes in Altay, Xinjiang of China
Authors: Li Shujuan , Mao Weiyi , Chen Jing , Li Jiangang , Zhang Xu , Tolewubieke Dilinur
Published: December 2023

To understand the triggering conditions of snowmelt floods in northern Xinjiang, China, the diurnal evolution and altitude dependence characteristics of spring temperature and relative humidity (RH) are investigated, particularly placing emphasis on continuous warming process, mainly based on the data collected from the densely sounding experiment at Altay Station in spring 2021. The results show that the mean maximum and minimum temperature respectively occur at nightfall and sunrise, the mean RH below 2,000 m is the highest at sunrise and the lowest at nightfall, and the mean RH above 5,000 m is the highest at sunrise and the lowest at midday. The mean RH value climbs up first but goes down later, and the largest mean RH is within the height range of 2,500–5,000 m. The radiation inversion with the depth of 660 m tends to occur frequently at midnight and around sunrise, and it does not exist when the continuous warming process sets out but gradually develops with the advancing process. During the continuous warming processes, there exists an unsynchronized warming from the ground to the upper air. The upper-air warming lags behind that on the ground for 2–5 d, and then it continues the trend. Below 2,000 m, accompany with the advance of the warming processes, the RH keeps at relatively low level and changes small along height after the first 2–3 days, when the max RH drop swiftly from 80%–98% to less than 25% and tend to be consistent at the four observation times. The trough and ridge systems responsible for the continuous warming processes in early and middle spring are mainly the deep long-wave system, but in the middle and late spring, the adjustment speed of the trough and ridge systems are accelerated and more short-wave activities fuel the continuous warming.
Recent advances in platelet-rich plasma and its derivatives: therapeutic agents for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Authors: Shome Sayanti , Kodieswaran M , Dadheech Rajat , Chevella Maheshwari , Sensharma Sreemoyee , Awasthi Sanu , Bandyopadhyay Ashutosh , Mandal Biman B
Published: December 2023

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a suspension of bioactive factors and chemokine enriched plasma. Platelets are a distinctive source of membrane bound and soluble proteins that are released upon their activation. The higher count of platelets renders PRP with an array of tissue regenerative abilities. PRP can be employed in the form of platelet containing plasma, platelet lysate plasma, or in the form of a pre-gelled fibrin matrix. PRP has been an essential alternative source of growth factors in the healing and regeneration of various tissues, such as musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and dermal tissue, with additional applications in other tissues, such as hepatic and neural. A wide range of preparative and isolation strategies have been developed for various forms of PRP at laboratory and commercial scales. Concomitantly, PRP has found its applicability as an active component in several tissue regenerative approaches, including 3D printed/bioprinted constructs, injectable hydrogels, and crosslinked scaffolds. This review focuses on the various forms of PRP and their preparation methods, the latest tissue engineering applications of PRP, and the various tissue-specific clinical trials and findings conducted using PRP. We have further discussed the optimizations required in the methods of preparation, delivery, and long-term storage of PRP. Therefore, this review seeks to benefit the scope of research on PRP-based therapeutic agents in tissue engineering by providing comprehensive insights into the widespread application. We envisage PRP could be instrumental in future patient-specific tissue engineering applications in both pre-clinical and clinical settings.
Unconventional fly-gen airborne wind energy system
Authors: Sarmiento R Avella , González Cruz F J
Published: December 2023

Based on capturing wind energy at altitudes, known as Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES , and the system called Ram air turbine (RAT), we propose and study an Unconventional Fly-Gen Airborne Wind Energy System that converses mechanical energy into electrical energy by Faraday’s law of induction, using mass flow produced on the PT6 engine cowling operating at idle gear. We show that it is possible to obtain electromotive force by varying the angle between the air mass produced by the engine propeller and the axial fan. We found that the amplitude and frequency of this EMF are inverse functions of

cos
γ

and the induced peak power is independent of the type of biofuel with which the PT6 is fed.
Progressive Contouring of the Platysma With Barbed Sutures
Authors: Sozer Sadri Ozan , Sibar Serhat , Kachare Milind D
Published: December 2023

Background

As the prevalence of neck lift surgeries increases, the field is continually enriched by evolving techniques for enhancing neck aesthetics. While many recent publications focus on deep neck procedures, it is essential not to overlook the significance of platysmal contouring as an integral aspect of neck rejuvenation surgery. Accordingly, we would like to elucidate our unique approach to contouring the platysma.

Objectives

This study was designed to assess the efficacy of the progressive contouring concept, a technique in which the neck is reshaped with barbed sutures synergistically with other treatment strategies.

Methods

Our study encompassed 337 patients who received neck rejuvenation treatment with the progressive contouring technique from 2014 to 2021. We conducted a retrospective review to evaluate the change in cervicomental angle (CMA) with Mirror software during the preoperative and postoperative stages.

Results

The study sample predominantly comprised females (304 out of 337), with a median age of 61 years (24-88). Most patients (95%) underwent deep cervicoplasty, with a surgical net applied in all cases for skin adaptation. After a median follow-up of 14 months, significant improvements were observed in CMA values (reduced from 149.8° to 106.7°). This demonstrated statistically significant differences when comparing preoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Conclusions

Progressive shaping of the neck with barbed sutures is an effective technique in neck rejuvenation. It utilizes multipoint and multivector plication, particularly when integrated with other adjunctive surgical maneuvers.

Level of Evidence: 3
Using the PharmCAT tool for Pharmacogenetic clinical decision support
Authors: Tippenhauer Kevin , Philips Marwin , Largiadèr Carlo , Sariyar Murat
Published: December 2023

Here, we will provide our insights into the usage of PharmCAT as part of a pharmacogenetic clinical decision support pipeline, which addresses the challenges in mapping clinical dosing guidelines to variants to be extracted from genetic datasets. After a general outline of pharmacogenetics, we describe some features of PharmCAT and how we integrated it into a pharmacogenetic clinical decision support system within a clinical information system. We conclude with promising developments regarding future PharmCAT releases.
escheR: unified multi-dimensional visualizations with Gestalt principles
Authors: Guo Boyi , Huuki-Myers Louise A , Grant-Peters Melissa , Collado-Torres Leonardo , Hicks Stephanie C
Published: December 2023

The creation of effective visualizations is a fundamental component of data analysis. In biomedical research, new challenges are emerging to visualize multi-dimensional data in a 2D space, but current data visualization tools have limited capabilities. To address this problem, we leverage Gestalt principles to improve the design and interpretability of multi-dimensional data in 2D data visualizations, layering aesthetics to display multiple variables. The proposed visualization can be applied to spatially-resolved transcriptomics data, but also broadly to data visualized in 2D space, such as embedding visualizations. We provide an open source R package escheR, which is built off of the state-of-the-art ggplot2 visualization framework and can be seamlessly integrated into genomics toolboxes and workflows.

Availability and implementation

The open source R package escheR is freely available on Bioconductor (https://bioconductor.org/packages/escheR).
NMJ Analyser: a novel method to quantify neuromuscular junction morphology in zebrafish
Authors: Singh Jaskaran , Pan Yingzhou Edward , Patten Shunmoogum A
Published: December 2023

Motivation

Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) structural integrity is crucial for transducing motor neuron signals that initiate skeletal muscle contraction. Zebrafish has emerged as a simple and efficient model to study NMJ structural morphology and function in the context of developmental neurobiology and neuromuscular diseases. However, methods to quantify NMJ morphology from voluminous data of NMJ confocal images accurately, rapidly, and reproducibly are lacking.

Results

We developed an ImageJ macro called “NMJ Analyser” to automatically and unbiasedly analyse NMJ morphology in zebrafish. From the Z-stack of a zebrafish hemisomite, both presynaptic and postsynaptic fluorescently labeled termini at NMJs are extracted from background signal, with larger clusters of termini being segmented into individual termini using an unbiased algorithm. The program then determines whether each presynaptic terminus is co-localized with a postsynaptic terminus and vice versa, or whether it is orphaned, and tabulates the number of orphan and co-localized pre- and postsynaptic termini. The usefulness of this ImageJ macro plugin will be helpful to quantify NMJ parameters in zebrafish, particularly during development and in disease models of neuromuscular diseases. It can enable high-throughput NMJ phenotypic screens in the drug discovery process for neuromuscular diseases. It could also be further applied to the investigation of NMJ of other developmental systems.

Availability and implementation

NMJ Analyser is available for download at https://github.com/PattenLab/NMJ-Analyser.git.
invMap: a sensitive mapping tool for long noisy reads with inversion structural variants
Authors: Wei Ze-Gang , Bu Peng-Yu , Zhang Xiao-Dan , Liu Fei , Qian Yu , Wu Fang-Xiang
Published: December 2023

Motivation

Longer reads produced by PacBio or Oxford Nanopore sequencers could more frequently span the breakpoints of structural variations (SVs) than shorter reads. Therefore, existing long-read mapping methods often generate wrong alignments and variant calls. Compared to deletions and insertions, inversion events are more difficult to be detected since the anchors in inversion regions are nonlinear to those in SV-free regions. To address this issue, this study presents a novel long-read mapping algorithm (named as invMap).

Results

For each long noisy read, invMap first locates the aligned region with a specifically designed scoring method for chaining, then checks the remaining anchors in the aligned region to discover potential inversions. We benchmark invMap on simulated datasets across different genomes and sequencing coverages, experimental results demonstrate that invMap is more accurate to locate aligned regions and call SVs for inversions than the competing methods. The real human genome sequencing dataset of NA12878 illustrates that invMap can effectively find more candidate variant calls for inversions than the competing methods.

Availability and implementation

The invMap software is available at https://github.com/zhang134/invMap.git.
Establishing mRNA and microRNA interactions driving disease heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient survival
Authors: Waller Rachel , Bury Joanna J , Appleby-Mallinder Charlie , Wyles Matthew , Loxley George , Babel Aditi , Shekari Saleh , Kazoka Mbombe , Wollff Helen , Al-Chalabi Ammar , Heath Paul R , Shaw Pamela J , Kirby Janine
Published: December 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, associated with the degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons of the motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Death in most patients results from respiratory failure within 3–4 years from symptom onset. However, due to disease heterogeneity some individuals survive only months from symptom onset while others live for several years. Identifying specific biomarkers that aid in establishing disease prognosis, particularly in terms of predicting disease progression, will help our understanding of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathophysiology and could be used to monitor a patient’s response to drugs and therapeutic agents. Transcriptomic profiling technologies are continually evolving, enabling us to identify key gene changes in biological processes associated with disease. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs typically associated with regulating gene expression, by degrading mRNA or reducing levels of gene expression. Being able to associate gene expression changes with corresponding microRNA changes would help to distinguish a more complex biomarker signature enabling us to address key challenges associated with complex diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The present study aimed to investigate the transcriptomic profile (mRNA and microRNA) of lymphoblastoid cell lines from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients to identify key signatures that are distinguishable in those patients who suffered a short disease duration (<12 months) (n = 22) compared with those that had a longer disease duration (>6 years) (n = 20). Transcriptional profiling of microRNA–mRNA interactions from lymphoblastoid cell lines in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients revealed differential expression of genes involved in cell cycle, DNA damage and RNA processing in patients with longer survival from disease onset compared with those with short survival. Understanding these particular microRNA–mRNA interactions and the pathways in which they are involved may help to distinguish potential therapeutic targets that could exert neuroprotective effects to prolong the life expectancy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of transthoracic echocardiogram vs. cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of left ventricular thrombus
Authors: Phuah YuZhi , Tan Ying Xin , Zaghloul Sheref , Sim Sharmaine , Wong Joshua , Usmani Saba , Snell Lily , Thavabalan Karish , García-Pérez Carmen Lucia , Kumar Niraj S , Glatzel Hannah , Ahmad Reubeen Rashid , Candilio Luciano , Bray Jonathan J H , Ahmed Mahmood , Providencia Rui
Published: December 2023

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the most commonly used imaging modality to diagnose left ventricular thrombus (LVT), however, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) remains the gold standard investigation. A comparison of the diagnostic performance between two modalities is needed to inform guidelines on a diagnostic approach towards LVT. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the diagnostic performance of three methods of TTE (non-contrast, contrast, and apical wall motion scoring) for the detection of LVT compared to CMR as a reference test. Studies comprising 2113 patients investigated for LVT using both TTE and CMR were included in the meta-analysis. For non-contrast TTE, pooled sensitivity and specificity were 47% [95% confidence interval (CI): 32–62%], and 98% (95% CI: 96–99%), respectively. In contrast, TTE pooled sensitivity and specificity values were 58% (95% CI: 46–69%), and 98% (95% CI: 96–99%), respectively. Apical wall motion scoring on non-contrast TTE yielded a sensitivity of 100% [95% CI: 93–100%] and a specificity of 54% (95% CI: 42–65%). The area under the curve (AUC) values from our summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC) for non-contrast and contrast TTE were 0.87 and 0.86 respectively, with apical wall motion studies having the highest AUC of 0.93. Despite high specificity, routine contrast and non-contrast TTE are likely to miss a significant number of LVT, making it a suboptimal screening tool. The addition of apical wall motion scoring provides a promising method to reliably identify patients requiring further investigations for LVT, whilst excluding others from unnecessary testing.
Cerebral blood flow and neurocognition in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Lazar Ronald M , Myers Terina , Gropen Toby I , Leesar Massoud A , Davies James , Gerstenecker Adam , Norling Amani , Pavol Marykay A , Marshall Randolph S , Kodali Susheel
Published: December 2023

Aims

Aortic valve stenosis (AS) results in higher systolic pressure to overcome resistance from the stenotic valve, leading to heart failure and decline in cardiac output. There has been no assessment of cerebral blood flow (CBF) association with neurocognition in AS or the effects of valve replacement. The goal was to determine if AS is associated with altered cerebral haemodynamics and impaired neurocognition, and whether transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves haemodynamics and cognition.

Methods and results

In 42 patients with planned TAVR, transcranial Doppler (TCD) assessed bilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) mean flow velocities (MFVs); abnormality was <34.45 cm/s. The neurocognitive battery assessed memory, language, attention, visual–spatial skills, and executive function, yielding a composite Z-score. Impairment was <1.5 SDs below the normative mean. The mean age was 78 years, 59% Male, and the mean valve gradient was 46.87 mm/Hg. Mean follow-up was 36 days post-TAVR (range 27–55). Pre-TAVR, the mean MFV was 42.36 cm/s (SD = 10.17), and the mean cognitive Z-score was −0.22 SDs (range −1.99 to 1.08) below the normative mean. Among the 34 patients who returned after TAVR, the MFV was 41.59 cm/s (SD = 10.42), not different from baseline (P = 0.66, 2.28–3.67). Post-TAVR, average Z-scores were 0.17 SDs above the normative mean, not meeting the pre-specified threshold for a clinically significant 0.5 SD change.

Conclusion

Among patients with severe AS, there was little impairment of MFV on TCD and no correlation with cognition. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement did not affect MFV or cognition. Assumptions about diminished CBF and improvement after TAVR were not supported.
Gender and Leadership in Organisations: the Threat of Backlash
Authors: Chakraborty Priyanka , Serra Danila
Published: December 2023

Decisions made by leaders please some people and upset others. We examine whether the possibility of backlash has a differential impact on men’s and women’s self-selection into leadership roles, and their decisions as leaders. In a laboratory experiment that simulates corporate decision-making, we find that women are significantly less likely to self-select into a leadership position when they can receive backlash. Once in a leadership role, women get more backlash. There are some gender differences in leaders’ decision-making and communication styles under the threat of backlash, but little difference in final outcomes. An online experiment sheds light on possible mechanisms.
The additive effects of anaemia and transfusion on long-term survival after coronary artery bypass surgery
Authors: Abreu Armando , Máximo José , Almeida Cláudia , Lourenço André , Leite-Moreira Adelino
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVES

To compare the independent and combined effects of anaemia and red blood cell transfusion on late survival after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 5243 consecutive patients undergoing primary isolated coronary artery bypass grafting, performed from 2000 to 2015, in a Portuguese Academic Hospital. We identified 1649 patients with preoperative anaemia (A+) and 1422 patients who received a perioperative transfusion (T+)—the 4 possible combinations allowed for the creation of 4 subgroups (A−/T−, A−/T+, A+/T− and A+/T+). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality at 10 years. We employed inverse probability weighting to control for confounding variables.

RESULTS

Thirty-one percent of the patients had preoperative anaemia, and 27.0% had at least one packed red blood cell transfusion. Inverse probability weighting was effective in eliminating differences in all significant baseline characteristics. The primary endpoint of all-cause mortality at 10 years occurred in 568 patients (20.5%) in the A−/T− group, as compared with 204 (24.4%) in the A−/T+ group (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 1.31; P = 0.053), 358 (33.8%) in the A+/T− group (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.38 to 1.71; P < 0.001), 254 (43.6%) in the A+/T+ group (hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.97 to 2.56; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This longitudinal, population-level study emphasizes the adverse long-term outcomes of preoperative anaemia and perioperative red blood cell transfusion. It stresses the importance of an evidence-based, multimodal and multidisciplinary approach to conserving blood resources and optimizing outcomes in patients at high risk for transfusion.
Cost of illness of the vaccine-preventable diseases influenza, herpes zoster and pneumococcal disease in France
Authors: Brown Lauren , Sutton Kelly J , Browne Chantelle , Bartelt-Hofer José , Greiner Wolfgang , Petitjean Audrey , Roiz Julie
Published: December 2023

Background

The incidence of certain vaccine-preventative diseases, such as influenza, herpes zoster and pneumococcal infection, continues to be high despite the availability of vaccines, resulting in a substantial health and economic burden on society, particularly among older adults aged ≥65 years.

Methods

A cost calculator was developed to assess the cost of illness of influenza, herpes zoster and pneumococcal disease in France. Direct medical costs related to diagnosis and treatment in the older adult population in both inpatient and outpatient settings were modelled over a 1-year time horizon. Scenario analyses were conducted to determine the impact of hospitalizations on the results by considering only influenza-attributed diagnoses.

Results

In France, influenza has the highest incidence, followed by herpes zoster and pneumococcal disease. Similarly, influenza poses the greatest cost burden among all older adults, while pneumococcal disease poses the greatest cost burden among those aged 65–74 years. When considering only influenza-attributed diagnoses, the number of inpatient visits and associated costs was reduced by 63% in the overall older adult population. In the low-incidence season, the number of inpatient visits and associated costs were reduced by 69%, while in the high-incidence season, the number of inpatient visits and associated costs increased by 63%.

Conclusion

Influenza remains a leading vaccine-preventable disease among older adults in France, resulting in a substantial economic burden that could be prevented by increasing vaccine uptake.
Investigation of gut microbiota changes and allergic inflammation of mice with milk protein-induced allergic enteritis
Authors: Wang Zhongmin , Wu Qiao , Guan Minchang , Li Ze , Pan Wei , Tang Weihong
Published: December 2023

This study aimed to investigate the changes of gut microbiota and allergic inflammation in mice with allergic enteritis caused by milk protein. In this study, female BALB\C mice in the whey protein (WP-sensitized) group were gavaged with WP and normal saline, the sham-sensitized group was given normal saline once a week for 5 weeks. One week later, the WP-sensitized mice were administered 60 mg β-lactoglobulin (BLG). The results showed that mice's body weight decreased, feces with loose and bloody, and systemic allergic reactions and ear swelling increased in the WP-sensitized group. The levels of WP-specific Ig, mMCP-1, calprotectin of feces, and inflammation-related factors in the WP-sensitized group were increased. WP-sensitized group intestine tissues were damaged severely and the expressions of ZO-1, Claudin-1, and Occludin reduced. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing showed that there were differences in operational taxonomic units (OUT) levels of gut microbes between the two groups, o_Clostridiales, c_Clostridia, and f_Lachnospiraceae were more abundant in the WP-sensitized group. In conclusion, the WP sensitization can induce the allergic inflammation, intestinal injury and intestinal barrier dysfunction in mice, and the gut microbes were also changed, which provided a reference for the treatment of WP-sensitized mice.
The Role of Political Leaders’ Emotions in Shaping International Rivalries: The Case of Former Bolivian President Evo Morales
Authors: Thiers Consuelo
Published: December 2023

This study applies the appraisal theory of emotions to explore how they influence leaders’ responses in the context of long-standing rivalries between states. It argues that policymakers’ emotions toward a rival country can help elucidate periods of higher and lower tensions in their bilateral relationship. Focusing on the Bolivian–Chilean rivalry, this study examines the case of Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales to shed light on the noticeable change in foreign policy toward Chile during two of his presidential terms. The findings reveal that Morales’s emotions were distinctly different during the period of cooperation or de-escalation compared to the period of escalation of tensions. The period of cooperation is characterized by strategies that promote contact, aligning with motive-consistent appraisals of events. Conversely, the period of escalation is marked by strategies that favor distance, stemming from motive-inconsistent appraisals.
A bibliometric analysis of research trends for missing persons globally and in East Asia from 2000 to 2021
Authors: Zeng Zixuan , Dikeledi Ishmael , Lv Yehui
Published: December 2023

A bibliometric analysis was performed to explore the current research status and development trends for missing persons globally and in East Asia and to identify research hotspots and frontiers relating to this topic. A search was conducted to identify relevant literature on missing persons using the Web of Science Core Collection database for the period 2000–2021. Subsequently, a knowledge map was constructed using CiteSpace software to perform a visual analysis of the distribution of authors and institutions, journals, and national/regional distribution; citation frequency; high-frequency keywords; and emerging research hotspots. The results showed firstly that discussions on missing persons and related topics in East Asia are held at the regional scale. There is a paucity of research on this topic, which has been conducted on a limited scale, lacks depth and possibly innovation, and entails limited discussion in this region. Secondly, there is a lack of social science research on missing persons and related topics worldwide. Thirdly, relevant research in East Asia should continue to preserve its own characteristics, effectively addressing current issues and enabling more people to participate in social science-oriented discussions focusing on the topic of missing persons. This approach provides a promising direction for pursuing the sustainable development of the topic of missing persons.

Key points