bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel EEG channel selection and classification methodology for multi‐class motor imagery‐based BCI system design
Authors: Jindal Komal , Upadhyay Rahul , Singh Hari Shankar
Published: January 2022

Multi‐class MI EEG analysis is an extensively used paradigm in BCI. However, multiple EEG channels lead to redundant information extraction and would reduce the distinction among various MI tasks. Therefore, optimal channel selection from multi‐channel EEG activity still remains a challenging task. In this study, to enhance the multi‐class BCI system's performance, a novel channel selection, and features optimization methodology have been proposed. First, multi‐channel EEG dataset is reduced to an optimum no. of channels subset using developed MDA‐SOGWO based EEG channel selection criterion. After that, the discriminable feature‐set is generated from time, frequency, and FAWT based time‐frequency domain of EEG dataset. Then, an informative feature‐set is constructed from extracted features through CCA‐RFE based feature selection criterion. Finally, training and validation of selected feature‐set are carried out using ELM, LDA, RF, and MLP classifiers. The proposed methodology is evaluated on multi‐class MI datasets of BCI Competition IV 2a and BCI Competition III 3a, yielding classification accuracy of 85.65% and 95.15%, respectively. The classification results pose the proposed methodology as an efficient method for future BCI system design.
Can laboratory parameters be an alternative to CT and RT‐PCR in the diagnosis of COVID‐19? A machine learning approach
Authors: Kalaycı Mehmet , Ayyıldız Hakan , Tuncer Seda Arslan , Bozdag Pinar Gundogan , Karlidag Gulden Eser
Published: January 2022

In this study, a machine learning‐based decision support system that uses routine laboratory parameters has been proposed in order to increase the diagnostic success in COVID‐19. The main goal of the proposed method was to reduce the number of misdiagnoses in the RT‐PCR and CT scans and to reduce the cost of testing. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the files of patients who presented to the coronavirus outpatient. The demographic, thoracic CT, and laboratory data of the individuals without any symptoms of the disease, who had negative RT‐PCR test and who had positive RT‐PCR test were analyzed. CT images were classified using hybrid CNN methods to show the superiority of the decision support system using laboratory parameters. Detection of COVID‐19 from CT images achieved an accuracy of 97.56% with the AlexNet‐SVM hybrid method, while COVID‐19 was classified with an accuracy of 97.86% with the proposed method using laboratory parameters.
Inter‐alpha‐trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4: A serologic marker relating to disease risk, activity, and treatment outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: He Kejian , He Sanshan , Su Min
Published: January 2022

Objective

Inter‐alpha‐trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 (ITIH4) regulates immunity and inflammation, but its clinical role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients remains unclear. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the association of circulating ITIH4 with disease risk, clinical features, inflammatory cytokines, and treatment outcomes of RA.

Methods

After the enrollment of 93 active RA patients and 50 health controls (HCs), their serum ITIH4 level was analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For RA patients only, serum ITIH4 level at week (W) 6 and W12 after treatment was also analyzed. Besides, serum tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐17A at baseline of RA patients were also detected by ELISA.

Results

ITIH4 was downregulated in RA patients (151.1 (interquartile range (IQR): 106.2–213.5) ng/mL) than in HCs (306.8 (IQR: 238.9–435.1) ng/mL) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, ITIH4 was negatively related to C‐reactive protein (CRP) (rs = −0.358, p < 0.001) and 28‐joint disease activity score using erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28‐ESR) (rs = −0.253, p = 0.014) in RA patients, but not correlated with other clinical features (all p > 0.05). Besides, ITIH4 was negatively linked with TNF‐α (rs = −0.337, p = 0.001), IL‐6 (rs = −0.221, p = 0.033), and IL‐17A (rs = −0.368, p < 0.001) in RA patients, but not correlated with IL‐1β (rs = −0.195, p = 0.061). Moreover, ITIH4 was gradually elevated in RA patients from baseline to W12 after treatment (p < 0.001). Additionally, the increment of ITIH4 at W6 and W12 was linked with treatment response and remission in RA patients (all p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Circulating ITIH4 possesses clinical utility in monitoring disease risk, inflammation, disease activity, and treatment outcomes of RA.
Impact of environmental factors on Streptomyces spp. metabolites against Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Boukaew Sawai , Yossan Siriporn , Cheirsilp Benjamas , Prasertsan Poonsuk
Published: January 2022

Botrytis cinerea is an economically important disease on numerous vegetables including tomato. From our previous studies, a spore suspension of Streptomyces philanthi RL‐1‐178 and RM‐1‐138 and Streptomyces mycarofaciens SS‐2‐243 showed strong inhibition against B. cinerea. In this study, the efficacy of their antifungal metabolites against B. cinerea was investigated after enhancing the production through the optimum culture medium and environmental conditions (temperature, light/dark cycle). In vitro studies indicated that glucose yeast‐malt (GYM) agar and incubation at 28°C were optimal for growth and mass spore production of all three Streptomyces strains. Moreover, light/dark conditions had a positive effect on the growth and spore production of S. philanthi RM‐1‐138 and RL‐1‐178 but not on S. mycarofaciens SS‐2‐243. Both strains of S. philanthi possessed an antifungal activity against B. cinerea (100% inhibition) while S. mycarofaciens showed different results on PDA (83% inhibition) and GYM (88% inhibition) at the optimum incubation temperature at 21°C. The antifungal compounds from S. philanthi RM‐1‐138 exhibited the highest protection efficacy against B. cinerea on tomato leaves (82.89% and 0.33 cm2 lesion areas symptoms). The antifungal compounds RM‐1‐138, identified by GC‐MS, were greatly altered based on components concentration under various temperatures and light/dark conditions. The anti‐B. cinerea of S. philanthi RM‐1‐138 was established at a higher level in several metabolic compounds in the dark condition (11 and 32 antifungal compounds after incubation at 21°C and 28°C, respectively) than in the light condition (11 and 19 antifungal compounds after incubation at 21°C and 28°C, respectively). At 21°C, the dominant component was acetic acid (67.41% and 68.77% in light and dark conditions, respectively) while at 28°C, benzeneacetamide (43.58% in light) and propanamide (20.68% in the dark) were dominant. The results clearly demonstrated the significant influence of environmental factors on the production of antifungal metabolites of Streptomyces spp.
Increased N2 emissions from an arable soil four years after biochar application#
Authors: Michel Kerstin , Tatzber Michael , Kitzler Barbara
Published: January 2022

Four years after a single biochar (BC) application of 72 t ha−1, significantly higher N2 fluxes were measured from BC‐treated soil using the helium gas flow soil core method compared with the control. Nitrous oxide was below the detection limit. Soil moisture and temperature significantly affected N2 fluxes, which were highest at 70% water‐filled pore space and 5°C. The BC‐treated soil was characterized by higher organic C and NO3–N concentrations and a wider C/N ratio of the microbial biomass.
A class of higher inductive types in Zermelo‐Fraenkel set theory
Authors: Swan Andrew W.
Published: January 2022

We define a class of higher inductive types that can be constructed in the category of sets under the assumptions of Zermelo‐Fraenkel set theory without the axiom of choice or the existence of uncountable regular cardinals. This class includes the example of unordered trees of any arity.
Cascade (Dithio)carbonate Ring Opening Reactions for Self‐Blowing Polyhydroxythiourethane Foams
Authors: Coste Guilhem , Negrell Claire , Caillol Sylvain
Published: January 2022

Polyurethane (PU) foams are very common materials that have found many applications over the years. Their use is constantly improving due to their unique physical properties and easy blowing which does not require the addition of a blowing agent. Greener routes have been explored in the recent years to replace isocyanates. One of the most promising routes is leading to polyhydroxyurethanes (PHU). However, with PHUs, external blowing agent are usually required to obtain a foam. Thus, the work focuses on PHU foam synthesis using in situ reaction to produce NIPU foam. Hence, the aminolysis of thiocyclic carbonate triggers Pearson reaction between released thiols and cyclic carbonates which serves as a chemical blowing agent.
TO WHAT EXTENT DOES IN‐PERSON SCHOOLING CONTRIBUTE TO THE SPREAD OF COVID‐19? EVIDENCE FROM MICHIGAN AND WASHINGTON
Authors: Goldhaber Dan , Imberman Scott A. , Strunk Katharine O. , Hopkins Bryant G. , Brown Nate , Harbatkin Erica , Kilbride Tara
Published: January 2022

In this paper we use data from Michigan and Washington on COVID case rates at the county level linked to information on the instructional modality offered by local public school districts during the 2020/2021 school year to assess the relationship between modality and COVID spread. We focus primarily on COVID case rates, but also provide estimates for hospitalizations (in Washington only) and deaths. District and month fixed effects models that exploit within‐district (over time) variation in instructional modality and account for time‐invariant district factors show that, in both states, in‐person/hybrid schooling relative to remote instruction can lead to increases in COVID spread in communities with moderate to high levels of preexisting COVID cases. Event study estimates show sharp increases in Michigan case rates after a district opens for in‐person or hybrid schooling, but these largely fade out over two months.
Copy‐number intratumor heterogeneity increases the risk of relapse in chemotherapy‐naive stage II colon cancer
Authors: Lahoz Sara , Archilla Ivan , Asensio Elena , Hernández‐Illán Eva , Ferrer Queralt , López‐Prades Sandra , Nadeu Ferran , Del Rey Javier , Sanz‐Pamplona Rebeca , Lozano Juan José , Castells Antoni , Cuatrecasas Miriam , Camps Jordi
Published: January 2022

Optimal selection of high‐risk patients with stage II colon cancer is crucial to ensure clinical benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy. Here, we investigated the prognostic value of genomic intratumor heterogeneity and aneuploidy for disease recurrence. We combined targeted sequencing, SNP arrays, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry on a retrospective cohort of 84 untreated stage II colon cancer patients. We assessed the clonality of copy‐number alterations (CNAs) and mutations, CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration, and their association with time to recurrence. Prognostic factors were included in machine learning analysis to evaluate their ability to predict individual relapse risk. Tumors from recurrent patients displayed a greater proportion of CNAs compared with non‐recurrent (mean 31.3% versus 23%, respectively; p = 0.014). Furthermore, patients with elevated tumor CNA load exhibited a higher risk of recurrence compared with those with low levels [p = 0.038; hazard ratio (HR) 2.46], which was confirmed in an independent cohort (p = 0.004; HR 3.82). Candidate chromosome‐specific aberrations frequently observed in recurrent cases included gain of the chromosome arm 13q (p = 0.02; HR 2.67) and loss of heterozygosity at 17q22–q24.3 (p = 0.05; HR 2.69). CNA load positively correlated with intratumor heterogeneity (R = 0.52; p < 0.0001). Consistently, incremental subclonal CNAs were associated with an elevated risk of relapse (p = 0.028; HR 2.20), which we did not observe for subclonal single‐nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions. The clinico‐genomic model rated an area under the curve of 0.83, achieving a 10% incremental gain compared with clinicopathological markers (p = 0.047). In conclusion, tumor aneuploidy and copy‐number intratumor heterogeneity were predictive of poor outcome and improved discriminative performance in early‐stage colon cancer. © 2022 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Effect of B Site Substitution on the Catalytic Activity of La‐Based Perovskite for Oxidative Coupling of Methane
Authors: Gan Rongguang , Nishida Yoshihide , Haneda Masaaki
Published: January 2022

The effect of B site element in LaBO3(B = Al, Ga, In, Yb, Co, Mn, Fe) perovskites on the catalytic performance for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) reaction is investigated. Among the catalysts tested, LaAlO3, LaGaO3, LaInO3,and LaYbO3show higher activity for the formation of C2hydrocarbons in the OCM reaction. From the kinetic study on LaAlO3and LaCoO3, which are the highest and lowest active catalysts, the CH3• formation, as the first step in the OCM reaction, via the reaction of CH4with oxygen is strongly affected by the B site element. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and the16O/18O isotopic exchange reaction suggest that the role of the B site element in LaBO3perovskite is to create enough amount of surficial mobile oxygen species.
Identifying service users' experience of the education, health and care plan process: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ahad Anila , Thompson Angela M. , Hall Katherine E.
Published: January 2022

Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) were introduced in 2014 to improve provision for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Some service users have found this change positive, but there is also dissatisfaction among service users with the EHCP process. This was captured in the recent Education Select Committee report, which took evidence from a range of stakeholders, representatives and service users examining the context, support and barriers associated with SEND (House of Commons, 2019). This review identifies and appraises research concerning service users' experience of the EHCP process, to establish key barriers to improving SEND provision. Papers evaluating the experience of children, young people, parents and professionals with EHCPs were included to assess levels of user satisfaction. A total of 25 studies were reviewed in‐depth. Five key themes were revealed: lack of integration with health and social care; insufficient knowledge and understanding; involvement of children, young people and parents; increased expectations and demands for professionals; and need for greater parity and clarity. Most service users were dissatisfied with the process and expressed a need for greater funding and time spent disseminating knowledge of the EHCP process. This paper summarises key limitations of, and potential improvements to, the current EHCP process. Structural reform is required to ensure accountability of service failures. Further research is required focusing on the experience of additional professional groups, such as educational psychologists and social workers, whose experiences are under‐represented.
Manipulating Electrocatalytic Activity of Perovskite Oxide Through Electrochemical Treatment
Authors: Fan Weiwei , Sun Zhu , Bai Yu
Published: January 2022

Perovskite oxides are widely used in electrochemical cells, profiting from their excellent accommodation of different elements and structure stability. Here, it is reported that when rapidly exceeding the electrochemical stability window of a perovskite oxide through electrochemical treatment, nanoparticles can dynamically exsolve from the perovskite lattice, yielding a nanoparticle decorated material (NDM) with fascinating particle population and distribution. It is reported that as compared to the NDM produced by chemical gas reduction, electrochemical treatment fabricated NDM shows much better electrochemical performance. At 900 °C, a peak power density (PPD) of 896 mW cm−2 (more than tenfold enhancement) is obtained for a yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte‐supported symmetrical cell with La0.43Ca0.37Ti0.8Co0.1Fe0.1O3−δ (LCTCF) electrode after electrochemical treatment for several minutes, while it only reaches to 210 mW cm−2 after chemical gas treatment for tens of hours using humidified hydrogen as fuel. The study establishes a new fairyland for tuning the performance of—but not limited to—the electrochemical cells.
Analysis and Performance Assessment of the Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing Data Workflow: Currently Available Tools and a Practical Guide to Advance DNA Methylation Studies
Authors: Gong Ting , Borgard Heather , Zhang Zao , Chen Shaoqiu , Gao Zitong , Deng Youping
Published: January 2022

DNA methylation is associated with transcriptional repression, genomic imprinting, stem cell differentiation, embryonic development, and inflammation. Aberrant DNA methylation can indicate disease states, including cancer and neurological disorders. Therefore, the prevalence and location of 5‐methylcytosine in the human genome is a topic of interest. Whole‐genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) is a high‐throughput method for analyzing DNA methylation. This technique involves library preparation, alignment, and quality control. Advancements in epigenetic technology have led to an increase in DNA methylation studies. This review compares the detailed experimental methodology of WGBS using accessible and up‐to‐date analysis tools. Practical codes for WGBS data processing are included as a general guide to assist progress in DNA methylation studies through a comprehensive case study.
New Findings for the Much‐Promised Hematite Photoanodes with Gradient Doping and Overlayer Elaboration
Authors: Ye Kai-Hang , Hu Peng , Liu Kuiliang , Tang Songtao , Huang Duan , Lin Zhan , Zhang Shanqing , Huang Yongchao , Ji Hongbing , Yang Shihe
Published: January 2022

Herein, it is demonstrated that gradient Ti doping coupled with an overlayer of NiFeOx on hematite can markedly improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water‐splitting efficiency of hematite‐based photoanodes, which are prized from sustainability considerations but have met daunting challenges. First, the gradient Ti doping of hematite has effectively lowered the onset potential while maintaining the high efficiency of photo‐generated charge separation and transmission. Second, the NiFeOx layer not only substantially reduces the surface trap states, but also significantly enhances the oxygen evolution kinetics of hematite‐based photoanodes as an oxygen evolution catalyst, resulting in a further improvement of the onset potential. Consequently, with the TiO2 layer and a double electrode stack design, a remarkable photocurrent density of 4.49 mA cm−2 is achieved at 1.23 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) for NiFeOx/(Grad Ti)‐Fe2O3/TiO2 photoanode without any hole scavenger, delivering a high applied bias photo‐to‐current efficiency of up to 0.58% at 1 V versus RHE. This multipronged attack for improving PEC water‐splitting efficiency revitalizes the great promise of hematite photoanodes and sheds light on the design and development of the next‐generation photoelectrodes.
Facile Synthesis of Fe‐Doped CoO Nanotubes as High‐Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Tang Fan , Guo Sijie , Sun Yonggang , Lin Xijie , Qiu Jianhua , Cao Anmin
Published: January 2022

Developing high‐performance, low‐cost, and robust electrocatalysts is of great importance to boost the efficiency of oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, based on the integrated design of chemical composition and geometric structure, Fe‐doped CoO nanotubes (NTs) with high OER activity are prepared by a facile template‐free approach. The construction of this tubular structure is realized via a simple wet‐chemical reaction to prepare solid nanorods as precursor and a subsequent calcination treatment of the precursor to form hollow cavity. The favorable composition and unique hollow structure endow these Fe‐doped CoO NTs with remarkable activity toward OER. When used as the electrocatalyst for OER, the Fe‐doped CoO NTs show a small overpotential of 282 mV at the current density of 10 mA cm−2, a low Tafel slope of 78.26 mV dec−1, and a high turnover frequency of 0.0965 s−1 at the overpotential of 282 mV, which is superior to those of CoO NTs and solid CoO nanoparticles. Moreover, the Fe‐doped CoO NTs also exhibit excellent long‐term stability of 24 h at the current density of 10 mA cm−2.
New leptons with exotic decays: collider limits and dark matter complementarity
Authors: Guedes Guilherme , Santiago José
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We describe current and future hadron collider limits on new vector-like leptons with exotic decays. We consider the possibility that, besides standard decays, the new leptons can also decay into a Standard Model charged lepton and a stable particle like a dark photon. To increase their applicability, our results are given in terms of arbitrary branching ratios in the different decay channels. In the case that the dark photon is stable at cosmological scales we discuss the interplay between the dark photon and the vector-like lepton in generating the observed dark matter relic abundance and the complementarity of collider searches and dark matter phenomenology.
Dark matter in three-Higgs-doublet models with S3 symmetry
Authors: Khater W. , Kunčinas A. , Ogreid O. M. , Osland P. , Rebelo M. N.
Published: January 2022

Abstract

Models with two or more scalar doublets with discrete or global symmetries can have vacua with vanishing vacuum expectation values in the bases where symmetries are imposed. If a suitable symmetry stabilises such vacua, these models may lead to interesting dark matter candidates, provided that the symmetry prevents couplings among the dark matter candidates and the fermions. We analyse three-Higgs-doublet models with an underlying S3 symmetry. These models have many distinct vacua with one or two vanishing vacuum expectation values which can be stabilised by a remnant of the S3 symmetry which survived spontaneous symmetry breaking. We discuss all possible vacua in the context of S3-symmetric three-Higgs-doublet models, allowing also for softly broken S3, and explore one of the vacuum configurations in detail. In the case we explore, only one of the three Higgs doublets is inert. The other two are active, and therefore the active sector, in many aspects, behaves like a two-Higgs-doublet model. The way the fermions couple to the scalar sector is constrained by the S3 symmetry and is such that the flavour structure of the model is solely governed by the VCKM matrix which, in our framework, is not constrained by the S3 symmetry. This is a key requirement for models with minimal flavour violation. In our model there is no CP violation in the scalar sector. We study this model in detail giving the masses and couplings and identifying the range of parameters that are compatible with theoretical and experimental constraints, both from accelerator physics and from astrophysics.
Cognitive performance during adulthood in a rat model of neonatal diffuse white matter injury
Authors: Achterberg E. J. Marijke , van Oldeniel Ralf J. , van Tilborg Erik , Verharen Jeroen P. H. , Nijboer Cora H. , Vanderschuren Louk J. M. J.
Published: January 2022

Rationale

Infants born prematurely risk developing diffuse white matter injury (WMI), which is associated with impaired cognitive functioning and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder. Recently, our rat model of preterm diffuse WMI induced by combined fetal inflammation and postnatal hypoxia showed impaired motor performance, anxiety-like behaviour and autism-like behaviour in juvenile rats, especially males. Immunohistochemistry showed delayed myelination in the sensory cortex and impaired oligodendrocyte differentiation.

Objective

To assess long-term cognitive deficits in this double-hit rat model of diffuse WMI, animals were screened on impulsivity, attention and cognitive flexibility in adulthood using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) and a probabilistic reversal learning task, tests that require a proper functioning prefrontal cortex. Thereafter, myelination deficits were evaluated by immunofluorescent staining in adulthood.

Results

Overall, little effect of WMI or sex was found in the cognitive tasks. WMI animals showed subtle differences in performance in the 5CSRTT. Manipulating 5CSRTT parameters resulted in performance patterns previously seen in the literature. Sex differences were found in perseverative responses and omitted trials: female WMI rats seem to be less flexible in the 5CSRTT but not in the reversal learning task. Males collected rewards faster in the probabilistic reversal learning task. These findings are explained by temporally rather than permanently affected myelination and by the absence of extensive injury to prefrontal cortical subregions, confirmed by immunofluorescent staining in both adolescence and adulthood.

Conclusion

This rat model of preterm WMI does not lead to long-term cognitive deficits as observed in prematurely born human infants.
A 3D printable adapter for solid-state fluorescence measurements: the case of an immobilized enzymatic bioreceptor for organophosphate pesticides detection
Authors: Rodrigues Andreia C. M. , Barbieri Maria Vittoria , Chino Marco , Manco Giuseppe , Febbraio Ferdinando
Published: January 2022

The widespread use of pesticides in the last decades and their accumulation into the environment gave rise to major environmental and human health concerns. To address this topic, the scientific community pointed out the need to develop methodologies to detect and measure the presence of pesticides in different matrices. Biosensors have been recently explored as fast, easy, and sensitive methods for direct organophosphate pesticides monitoring. Thus, the present work aimed at designing and testing a 3D printed adapter useful on different equipment, and a membrane support to immobilize the esterase-2 from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius (EST2) bioreceptor. The latter is labelled with the IAEDANS, a bright fluorescent probe. EST2 was selected since it shows a high specificity toward paraoxon. Our results showed good stability and replicability, with an increasing linear fluorescent intensity recorded from 15 to 150 pmol of labelled EST2. Linearity of data was also observed when using the immobilized labelled EST2 to detect increasing amounts of paraoxon, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.09 pmol. This LOD value reveals the high sensitivity of our membrane support when mounted on the 3D adapter, comparable to modern methods using robotic workstations. Notably, the use of an independent support significantly simplified the manipulation of the membrane during experimental procedures and enabled it to match the specificities of different systems. In sum, this work emphasizes the advantages of using 3D printed accessories adapted to respond to the newest research needs.

Graphical abstract
Arterio-ureteral fistula: a nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire analysis
Authors: Lock Tycho M. T. W. , Kamphorst Kyara , van den Bergh Roderick C. N. , Moll Frans L. , de Vries Jean-Paul P. M. , Lo Rob T. H. , de Kort Gérard A. P. , Bruijnen Rutger C. G. , Dik Pieter , Horenblas Simon , de Kort Laetitia M. O.
Published: January 2022

Purpose

Arterio-ureteral fistula (AUF) is an uncommon diagnosis, but potentially lethal. Although the number of reports has increased over the past two decades, the true incidence and contemporary urologists’ experience and approach in clinical practice remains unknown. This research is conducted to provide insight in the incidence of AUF in The Netherlands, and the applied diagnostic tests and therapeutic approaches in modern practice.

Methods

A nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire analysis was performed by sending a survey to all registered Dutch urologists. Data collection included information on experience with patients with AUF; and their medical history, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up, and were captured in a standardized template by two independent reviewers. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results

Response rate was 62% and 56 AUFs in 53 patients were reported between 2003 and 2018. The estimated incidence of AUF in The Netherlands in this time period is 3.5 AUFs per year. Hematuria was observed in all patients; 9% intermittent microhematuria, and 91% presenting with, or building up to massive hematuria. For the final diagnosis, angiography was the most efficient modality, confirming diagnosis in 58%. Treatment comprised predominantly endovascular intervention.

Conclusion

The diagnosis AUF should be considered in patients with persistent intermittent or massive hematuria.
The effects of eccentric hamstring exercise training in young female handball players
Authors: Váczi Márk , Fazekas Gábor , Pilissy Tamás , Cselkó Alexandra , Trzaskoma Lukasz , Sebesi Balázs , Tihanyi József
Published: January 2022

Purpose

The multidimensional role of hamstring muscle group strength in athletic performance and injury prevention is well documented, and nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is a popular method for the development of hamstring strength. Our aim was to examine the EMG characteristics of the eccentric NHE as well as the effects of long-term eccentric NHE training on muscle strength and vertical jump performance in 10- to 11-year-old female handball players.

Methods

Players from the same handball team were randomly assigned to an eccentric NHE training (13 players) or a control group (10 players). Both groups continued their regular handball training routine, but the NHE group performed additional eccentric NHE exercises once or twice a week, with progressively increasing volume, over 20 weeks. To test training effects, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, eccentric hamstring impulse, peak torque, and angle of peak torque were evaluated before, during and after the training period. In the pre-exercise test, EMG activity of the medial and lateral hamstring muscle was also assessed during NHE.

Results

Hamstring activities ranged between 98 and 129%. Lateral hamstring activity was greater than medial only in the right leg during NHE. Eccentric hamstring impulse improved in both legs at 10 weeks in both groups. Then, at 20 weeks, it remained unchanged in the NHE but decreased in controls. A similar adaptation was seen in eccentric hamstring torque, without change in the optimum knee angle. CMJ height improved only in the NHE.

Conclusion

It is concluded that NHE activates the hamstring musculature effectively, and a favourable mechanical adaptation to long-term NHE exercise in girls can be triggered as early as 11 years of age.
The invasive crayfish Faxonius immunis causes the collapse of macroinvertebrate communities in Central European ponds
Authors: Herrmann Alexander , Grabow Karsten , Martens Andreas
Published: January 2022

The invasive crayfish Faxonius immunis is regarded as a threat to amphibians and macroinvertebrates in the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany, eradicating macrophytes and establishing high-density populations in stagnant waters. This study investigates the macroinvertebrate community structure of five conservation ponds south of Karlsruhe, Germany, to identify effects caused by this invasive crayfish. Two of the ponds had a high population density of F. immunis, two were expected to have lower crayfish densities as they had been habitat modified with gravelled water beds as a crayfish management approach, and one pond was known to be free of crayfish but contained fish. The macroinvertebrate communities were analyzed considering their species richness and composition. The relative density of F. immunis within the samples was regarded as a representative indicator for crayfish population density and tested for its influence on the ordination along with habitat composition and abiotic factors using distance-based redundancy analysis. F. immunis was identified as a driving factor of the macroinvertebrate communities of sampled ponds. Additionally, this study indicates that gravelling ground beds as a management method for invasive burrowing crayfish species does not significantly influence the community composition but can minimize indirect effects caused by F. immunis.
Strain Sensor Based on Embedded Fiber Bragg Grating in Thermoplastic Polyurethane Using the 3D Printing Technology for Improved Sensitivity
Authors: Ahmad Harith , Alias Mohamad Ashraff , Ismail Mohammad Faizal , Ismail Nor Najwa , Zaini Muhammad Khairol Annuar , Lim Kok Sing , Brambilla Gilberto , Grattan Kenneth T. V. , Rahman B. M. Azizur
Published: January 2022

A new and easy-to-fabricate strain sensor has been developed, based on fiber Bragg grating (FBG) technology embedded into a thermoplastic polyurethane filament using a 3-dimensional (3D) printer. Taking advantage of the flexibility and elastic properties of the thermoplastic polyurethane material, the embedding of the FBG provides durable protection with enhanced flexibility and sensitivity, as compared to the use of a bare FBG. Results of an evaluation of its performance have shown that the FBG sensors embedded in this way can be applied effectively in the measurement of strain, with an average wavelength responsivity of 0.013 5 nm/cm of displacement for tensile strain and −0.014 2 nm/cm for compressive strain, both showing a linearity value of up to 99%. Furthermore, such an embedded FBG-based strain sensor has a sensitivity of ∼1.74 times greater than that of a bare FBG used for strain measurement and is well protected and suitable for in-the-field use. It is also observed that the thermoplastic polyurethane based (TPU-based) FBG strain sensor carries a sensitivity value of ∼2.05 times higher than that of the polylactic acid based (PLA-based) FBG strain sensor proving that TPU material can be made as the material of choice as a “sensing” pad for the FBG.
MacularNet: Towards Fully Automated Attention-Based Deep CNN for Macular Disease Classification
Authors: Mishra Sapna S. , Mandal Bappaditya , Puhan Niladri B.
Published: January 2022

In this work, we propose an attention-based deep convolutional neural network (CNN) model as an assistive computer-aided tool to classify common types of macular diseases: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, choroidal neovascularization, macular hole, and central serous retinopathy from normal macular conditions with the help of scans from optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Our proposed architecture unifies refined deep pre-trained models using transfer learning with limited training data and a deformation-aware attention mechanism encoding crucial morphological variations appearing in the deformation of retinal layers, detachments from the subsequent layers, presence of fluid-filled regions, geographic atrophy, scars, cysts, drusen, to achieve superior macular imaging classification performance. The proposed attention module facilitates the base network to automatically focus on the salient features arising due to the macular structural abnormalities while suppressing the irrelevant (or no cues) regions. The superiority of our proposed method lies in the fact that it does not require any pre-processing steps such as retinal flattening, denoising, and selection of a region of interest making it fully automatic and end-to-end trainable. Additionally, it requires a reduced number of network model parameters while achieving higher diagnostic performance. Extensive experimental results, analysis on four datasets along with the ablation studies show that the proposed architecture achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Impact of Dissolution of Saline‐Alkaline Soils on the Hydrochemistry and Erosion Rates of the Ganga River System
Authors: Chatterjee Jayati , Singh Sunil Kumar
Published: January 2022

We characterize here the saline‐alkaline soils composed of Na2CO3and NaHCO3in the Ganga floodplain and the peninsular basin using various chemical proxies and the isotopic composition of Sr. Abundance of saline‐alkaline soils in the Ganga floodplain and their higher solubility make them an important source of non‐chloride Na and other dissolved ions including Sr to the river waters. Inverse model based source apportionment of dissolved ions indicates ∼26%–71% of Na at the Ganga outflow is influenced by the saline‐alkaline soils; however, in some of the tributaries of the Ganga in the floodplain, for example, in the Gomti, this contribution exceeds 85%. The estimated silicate erosion rate by correcting for the saline‐alkaline soil contribution in the Ganga floodplain (∼5 tons km−2 yr−1) is less than one third of that of the Himalayan headwaters (16 tons km−2 yr−1) emphasizing the important role of physical erosion in controlling the chemical erosion in the mountain catchments compared to higher temperature and residence time in the floodplain. The silicate sourced dissolved fluxes from the floodplains are comparable to those from the Himalaya because of the vast drainage area of the floodplains and peninsular catchment. The findings of this study have direct relevance to studies on the determination of silicate weathering rates of not only the Ganga system, but also of other basins infested by saline‐alkaline soils such as the Columbia, the Colorado, the upper Rio Grande, the Missouri‐Mississippi river system, the Parana river, the Niger, the Nile, and the Orange.
GLOBAL HOSPITALIZATION TRENDS FOR CROHN’S DISEASE AND ULCERATIVE COLITIS: SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH TEMPORAL ANALYSES
Authors: Buie Michael , Quan Joshua , Windsor Joseph , Coward Stephanie , Gearry Richard , Hansen Tawnya , King James , Kotze Paulo , Ng Siew , Mak Joyce , Panaccione Remo , Seow Cynthia , Underwood Fox , Kaplan Gilaad
Published: January 2022

INTRODUCTION

The evolving epidemiologic patterns of IBD throughout the world, in conjunction with advances in therapeutic treatments, may influence hospitalization rates of IBD in the 21st century. We performed a systematic review with temporal analysis of hospitalization rates for IBD across the world in the 21st century.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed MedLine and Embase for population-based studies reporting hospitalization rates for IBD, Crohn’s disease (CD), or ulcerative colitis (UC) since 2000. Log-linear models were used to calculate average annual percentage change (AAPC) with associated 95% confidence intervals (CI). Random effects meta-analysis pooled AAPCs stratified by countries in the Western world (i.e. North America, Western Europe, and Oceania) versus newly industrialized countries in Eastern Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Secondarily, we compared hospitalization rates by primary diagnosis of IBD versus all-cause hospitalizations. QGIS 3.44 was used to create a choropleth map of AAPC and ArcGIS Pro 2.4.1 was used to develop an online, interactive map of global hospitalization trends.

RESULTS

Data were extracted from 87 studies comprising 42 countries. Overall, hospitalization rates were stable in countries of the Western world for IBD (AAPC=−0.25; 95% CI: −0.90, 0.41, n=22), CD (AAPC=2.76; 95% CI: −0.62, 6.15, n=8), and UC (AAPC=1.44; 95% CI: −1.98, 4.86, n=7) (Table 1). However, heterogeneity between countries was observed, for example, hospitalization rates for CD (−0.02%; 95%CI: −0.52, 0.48) and UC (0.40%; 95%CI: −0.81, 1.63) were stable in the USA, but increasing for CD (2.05%; 95%CI: 1.25, 2.84) and UC (1.69%; 95%CI: 0.99, 2.39) in Portugal (Figure 1). CD and UC hospitalization rates in newly industrialized countries increased in Mexico (CD: 5.21%; 95%CI: 3.07, 7.39; UC: 5.96%; 95%CI: 4.30, 7.64), Chile (CD: 6.03%; 95%CI: 5.21, 6.86; UC: 3.78%; 95%CI: 3.43, 4.13), Bahrain (CD: 12.98%; 95%CI: 7.83, 18.38; UC: 7.27%; 95%CI: 2.12, 12.69), and Hong Kong (CD: 8.67%; 95%CI: 5.81, 11.61; UC: 0.14%; 95%CI: −2.21, 2.53), but significantly decreased in Brazil for CD (−3.22%; 95%CI: −5.24, −1.15) and UC (−3.41; 95%CI: −4.63, −2.18) (Figure 1). Studies that defined hospitalization rates as the primary diagnosis of IBD versus all-cause hospitalizations may explain heterogeneity between countries (Table 1).

CONCLUSION

Hospitalization rates for IBD are stabilizing in North America, Europe, and Oceania. In contrast, newly industrialized countries in Asia and Latin America have rapidly rising hospitalization rates, contributing to an increasing burden on global healthcare systems. Future studies should explore clinical and methodological factors that explain heterogeneity between country-specific hospitalization rates.
INTESTINAL EPITHELIAL CELL-SPECIFIC CFTR KNOCKOUT MICE EXHIBIT FECAL MICROBIAL DYSBIOSIS
Authors: Young Sarah , Ericsson Aaron , Woode Rowena , Clarke Lane
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Chronic intestinal inflammation is a poorly understood manifestation of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) disease. Fecal microbial dysbiosis has the potential of inducing intestinal inflammation and has been reported in people with CF as well as CF mouse models. CF mice consuming an osmotic polyethylene glycol (PEG) laxative in drinking water to prevent intestinal obstruction have low levels of intestinal inflammation and low intestinal bacterial loads. In contrast, CF mice consuming a nutritionally complete liquid diet to prevent intestinal impaction exhibit intestinal inflammation and high intestinal bacterial loads (R. C. De Lisle, et al., Am J Physiol 293, G577-G584, 2007) To investigate the development of dysbiosis in a CFTR-deficient intestine, we transitioned adult intestinal epithelial cell-specific knockout and wild-type (WT) mice from life-long consumption of PEG laxative to a nutritionally-complete liquid diet for a two week period before collection of fecal samples.

METHODS

Fecal samples collected from B6.Cg-Tg(Vil1-cre)-Cftrf10/f10 intestinal-specific Cftr knockout mice (iCftr KO) and their WT sex-matched littermates were DNA extracted and prepared for 16S rRNA sequencing and evaluation of the microbiome. Microbial community composition, richness and diversity indices, and relative abundance of bacterial species of interest were evaluated.

RESULTS

16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis revealed significant differences in microbial composition with intestinal-specific loss of CFTR as compared to WT, as well as a significant decrease in Shannon diversity and Chao-1 richness indices. A significant deficit of taxa was seen in the intestinal-specific CF mice, as compared to WT, which corresponded with a significant increase in bacterial species that potentially serve as provocateurs of intestinal inflammation including Helicobacter typhlonius, Clostridium perfringens, Ruminococcus gnavus, and Tyzerella spp.

CONCLUSIONS

As compared to WT, the transition from PEG laxative to a nutritionally-complete liquid diet resulted in overt differences in the fecal microbiota composition in iCftr KO mice which included enrichment of potential bacterial pathobionts capable of stimulating intestinal inflammation. These studies suggest that the CFTR-deficient intestinal epithelium provides an environment selective for potential bacterial pathobionts. The paradigm of the study may prove useful for investigating the development of dysbiosis and corresponding changes in intestinal mucosal immunity.
IMPACT OF TIMING OF INITIATION OF INFLIXIMAB ON THE RISK OF IBD-RELATED SURGERY AND COMPLICATIONS
Authors: Young Denise , Thavamani Aravind , Perez Jaime , Moses Jonathan
Published: January 2022

BACKGROUND

Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal system. Approximately 20% of new diagnoses are pediatric patients. Treatment for pediatric IBD has changed in recent years, focusing on decreased steroid use, and shifting to early initiation of biologics, especially in those at risk for complicated disease. Infliximab (IFX) is used for induction and maintenance. Clinical trials have shown that IFX improves clinical remission rates, and decreases hospitalizations and surgery rates. However, there is conflicting long-term data on whether infliximab has changed the natural course of IBD and decreased surgical risk.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to evaluate factors associated with increased risk of surgery in pediatric CD and UC patients using a large national health claims network database.

METHODS

We used TriNetX database and identified patients up to age 18 years, with a diagnosis of CD or UC (using ICD 9 and 10 codes) and treated with infliximab from January 1, 2006 to October 1, 2020. For each patient, we collected data on demographics profile, medication use, IBD related surgeries, and complications. Patients were then categorized into “early treatment” and “late treatment” groups, with early treatment being those who initiated infliximab therapy within 90 days of IBD diagnosis. The primary outcome was the need for surgery (partial or total colectomy, small intestinal resection and stricturoplasty). Secondary outcome was any IBD related complications (intraabdominal abscess, fistula formation, perianal abscess, fistuloectomy and fistulotomy).

RESULTS

A total of 7,954 IBD patients met inclusion criteria, of which 5,756 patients had CD, and 2,198 patients had UC. There were 2366 patients who were started on infliximab therapy within 90 days of initial diagnosis and the remaining 5,558 patients were in the late treatment group. A total of 169 (2.1%) patients underwent a major surgery and 560 (7%) patients experienced an IBD-related complication. Multivariate regression analysis did not reveal any significant association between timing of initiation of infliximab therapy and risk of surgery for both CD (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 0.72 to 1.69, P=0.60) and UC (OR:1.57 ;95% CI: 0.91, 2.67, P=0.09). However, among CD patients, TPN use (OR: 5.45; 95% CI: 1.15 to 18.76, P = 0.014), fistulizing CD (OR: 4.59; 95% CI: 2.73 to 7.49; P <0.0001) and malnutrition (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.47, P = 0.03), were more likely to develop IBD-related complications. There were no significant risk factors associated with greater odds of surgery or IBD-related complications in UC patients.

CONCLUSION

Late initiation of infliximab therapy was not associated with increased risk of surgery or IBD-related complication compared to early therapy. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate these findings.