bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting Mismatch‐Repair Status in Rectal Cancer Using Multiparametric MRI‐Based Radiomics Models: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Jing Guodong , Chen Yukun , Ma Xiaolu , Li Zhihui , Lu Haidi , Xia Yuwei , Lu Yong , Lu Jianping , Shen Fu
Published: August 2022

Detecting mismatch‐repair (MMR) status is crucial for personalized treatment strategies and prognosis in rectal cancer (RC). A preoperative, noninvasive, and cost‐efficient predictive tool for MMR is critically needed. Therefore, this study developed and validated machine learning radiomics models for predicting MMR status in patients directly on preoperative MRI scans. Pathologically confirmed RC cases administered surgical resection in two distinct hospitals were examined in this retrospective trial. Totally, 78 and 33 cases were included in the training and test sets, respectively. Then, 65 cases were enrolled as an external validation set. Radiomics features were obtained from preoperative rectal MR images comprising T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted imaging (T1WI), and combined multisequences. Four optimal features related to MMR status were selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method. Support vector machine (SVM) learning was adopted to establish four predictive models, i.e., ModelT2WI, ModelDWI, ModelCE-T1WI, and Modelcombination, whose diagnostic performances were determined and compared by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). Modelcombination had better diagnostic performance compared with the other models in all datasets (all p < 0.05). The usefulness of the proposed model was confirmed by DCA. Therefore, the present pilot study showed the radiomics model combining multiple sequences derived from preoperative MRI is effective in predicting MMR status in RC cases.
Exploring the Muscle Metabolomics in the Mouse Model of Sepsis-Induced Acquired Weakness
Authors: Jiang Yikang , Wei Qiang , Liu Wei , Chen Qiunan , Chen Xia , Yuan Zhongzhen , Luo Na , Chen Xi , Wang Chuanjiang
Published: August 2022

Background/Aim. We aimed to identify the differentially expressing metabolites (DEMs) in the muscles of the mouse model of sepsis-induced acquired weakness (sepsis-AW) using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Materials and Methods. Sepsis by cecal ligation puncture (CLP) with lower limb immobilization was used to produce a sepsis-AW model. After this, the grip strength of the C57BL/6 male mice was investigated. The transmission electron microscopy was utilized to determine the pathological model. LC-MS was used to detect the metabolic profiles within the mouse muscles. Additionally, a statistically diversified analysis was carried out. Results. Compared to the sepsis group, 30 DEMs, including 17 upregulated and 13 down-regulated metabolites, were found in the sepsis-AW group. The enriched metabolic pathways including purine metabolism, valine/leucine/isoleucine biosynthesis, cGMP-PKG pathway, mTOR pathway, FoxO pathway, and PI3K-Akt pathway were found to differ between the two groups. The targeted metabolomics analysis explored significant differences between four amino acid metabolites (leucine, cysteine, tyrosine, and serine) and two energy metabolites (AMP and cAMP) in the muscles of the sepsis-AW experimental model group, which was comparable to the sepsis group. Conclusion. The present work identified DEMs and metabolism-related pathways within the muscles of the sepsis-AW mice, which offered valuable experimental data for diagnosis and identification of the pathogenic mechanism underlying sepsis-AW.
Seismic Fragility Analysis of Self‐Anchored Suspension Bridge Considering Damping Effect
Authors: Zhou Xiangong , Cao Lei , Han Heng , Zheng Xiaobo , Zhang Hanhao , Zhang Zhiqing
Published: August 2022

The self‐anchored suspension bridge is a kind of the flexible and redundant structural system. For this type of bridge, the current code only gives the overall seismic design principle, and there is little research on seismic fragility in the existing literature. Taking the three‐tower self‐anchored suspension bridge as the research object, the finite‐element dynamic models with and without damping are established, respectively. Based on the strong earthquake database of PEER (Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research), 10 ground motion records are selected, and the seismic fragility curves of piers, bearings, towers, and slings are established by using the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) method. The fragility curves of the bridge system were established by first‐order reliability theory. In this study, the damage probability of bridge components under a seismic wave is studied. The results show that the damage exceedance probability of the damped connection system is reduced compared with the undamped fully floating structure system under the action of seismic waves. The damper device makes the seismic performance of the structure significantly improved, and the reduction effect of the damper device on high‐intensity earthquakes is more obvious than that on low‐intensity earthquakes.
Performance Analysis of Distance-Based D2D Matching Mechanism
Authors: Liu Qiaoshou , Gu Yingchen , Wang Jiaxin , Zou Jianwen
Published: August 2022

The traditional cellular architecture where devices connect to their service base station (BS) may cause poor performance especially for edge users. Device-to-device (D2D) communication enables nearby user as a relay to help BS forward information, thereby improving the network coverage and quality of service (QoS) of edge users. This paper proposes a distance-based D2D matching mechanism for general cellular networks, where a relay user who successfully connects to its targeted BS can transmit data to its closest user for D2D communication. A link of BS to D2D pair contains two sublinks, which occur at different time phases in each cell. Assuming a nonsynchronous system, we consider that there exists cross-layer interference for D2D links. Based on the techniques of stochastic geometry, we develop the performance of coverage probability and ergodic rate of the D2D network. A key intermediate step in this analysis is the derivation of the interference expressions for D2D links caused by BSs and cochannel D2D users. Then, we derive the meta distribution of the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) to capture the performance changes of individual links. Simulation results demonstrate that our matching mechanism based on the appropriate time resource allocation favors the edge users with a higher probability of successful communication and transmission rate.
Protective Effect of Galangin Methylation Modification Based on Cell Imaging on Inflammatory Lung Injury and Its Molecular Mechanism
Authors: Hu Ke , Li Yuxian , Jin Ling , Chen Yuefu , Chen Lijun , Zhang Yingjun , Huang Minjiang , Ding Yan , Yin Huiming , Liang Minghua , Tan Bifeng
Published: August 2022

Background. Recently, inflammation has become a major threat to human health. Studies have confirmed that some Chinese traditional medicine ingredients may effectively interfere with the expression of inflammatory mediators through epigenetic modification, showing a great potential of the application. Objective. To investigate the role of the PPAR/DNMT3A pathway in the reversal of galangin‐mediated inflammatory lung injury, promote the development of new anti‐inflammatory drugs, reduce the side effects of chemical synthetic drugs on the body, and prove the effectiveness and safety of galangin in inhibiting inflammatory response and injury. Methods. 120 rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: (Group 1) LPS group; (Group 2) LPS + galangin group; (Group 3) LPS + galangin +  GW9662 group; (Group 4) LPS + galangin + DNMT3A siRNA group; (Group 5) LPS + galangin + siRNA negative group; (Group 6) control group. The model of inflammatory lung injury was established by intrathecal instillation of LPS in the first five groups and NS in the control group. SD survival rate was recorded every 24 hours after modeling, lasting for 168 hours. The lung tissues were taken 168 hours after the establishment of the model. The pathological morphology of lung tissue was observed after the staining under the light microscope, and the lung dry/wet weight ratio was calculated after drying. After NS was perfused into lung tissue, the lavage fluid was collected and the levels of IL‐6 and TNF‐a were measured by ELISA. The contents of PPAR, DNMT3A, phosphorylated p65, and ERK in monocytes were detected by the WB method, and the binding contents of p65 and AP‐1 in the promoter regions of IL‐6 and TNF‐a genes were detected by the Chip‐qPCR method. Results. Intraperitoneal injection of galangin could inhibit the synthesis of alveolar inflammatory factors (TFs) in the SD model of lung injury induced by LPS, reduce the degree of pathological injury of lung tissue, and improve the survival rate of the SD model. GW9662 can completely reverse the protective effect, while DNMT3A interference can only partially block its protective effect. In addition, galangin could significantly inhibit the LPS‐induced expression of p65 and AP‐1 in alveolar monocytes and their binding content in the promoter region of inflammatory genes by activating PPAR/DNMT3A pathway. GW9662 could completely reverse the inhibitory effect of galangin. DNMT3A interference could restore the binding content of transcription factors at the promoter of the inflammatory gene but had no significant effect on its synthesis. Conclusion. Galangin can interfere with the binding of transcription factors to inflammatory gene promoters through the methylation modification induced by PPAR/DNMT3A pathway, so as to inhibit the synthesis of inflammatory molecules and reverse inflammatory lung injury.
Diagnostic Performance of Three ELISAs for Detection of Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in Human Samples
Authors: Meira Cássio , Silva Dahara , Santos Ivanilson , Barreto Breno , Rocha Vinícius , Santos Emanuelle , dos Reis Bruna , Evangelista Afrânio , Ribeiro dos Santos Ricardo , Machado Bruna , Ribeiro Guilherme , Badaró Roberto , Soares Milena
Published: August 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease with a high rate of transmission. Serological tests are important to perform surveys and to determine the immunological status of the population. Based on this, we evaluated three enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) using different antigens from SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of 161 patients. The performance of the ELISA developed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) measurement against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated based on sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. We found specificities of 0.98, 0.98, and 0.99 and sensitivities of 0.99, 0.91, and 0.87 for the nucleocapsid (N) protein, spike protein, and receptor binding domain (RBD) fraction, respectively. The accuracy assessment indicated the N protein (accuracy = 0.98) as the antigen most likely to give a correct diagnosis. Overall, the antibody responses were present for all three proteins in subjects with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, showing a similar pattern of antibody production for different antigens. In summary, these highly sensitive and specific ELISAs, with a more competitive price, appear to be a valid approach for the serodiagnosis of COVID-19.
Genomic and Clinical Analysis of Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Liu Yu , Nuriding Hailiqiguli , Zhao Li , Wang Xuemei , Yue Yingbin , Song Yue , Yan Mei
Published: August 2022

Objective. This study investigated the types and significance of mutant genes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods. The gene sequencing data of 89 ALL children were retrospectively analyzed. Log-rank test was used to analyze the effect of different numbers of mutant genes on the clinical characteristics of the patients and disease. Results. Known gene mutations were detected in 64% (57/89) of the children, including one gene mutation in 31% and two or more gene mutations in 33% of the patients. Gene sequencing showed that most mutations occurred in KRAS (17%), NRAS (15%), FLT3 (7%), TP53 (7%), and PTPN11 (7%), and functional clustering analysis showed that most were signaling pathway genes (50%). In the overall cohort, no association was found between clinical characteristics and gene mutation. The children were then classified into three groups: group A (no gene mutation), group B (one gene mutation), and group C (two or more gene mutations). Correlation analysis showed that group A had significantly more children with medium risk ALL (

P
=
0.037

), and group C had markedly more children with high risk ALL (

P
=
0.001

). Further analysis showed that children with mutant genes took significantly more time to enter the maintenance phase than children without mutations. Conclusion. Children with ALL had a high gene mutation rate, especially in KRAS and NRAS genes, and the mutant genes were mainly signal pathway-related. The gene mutations were significantly correlated with clinical phenotype and the time taken to enter the maintenance phase.
Carbon-Filled E-Glass Fibre-Reinforced Epoxy Composite: Erosive Wear Properties at an Angle of Impingement
Authors: Sravanthi K. , Mahesh V. , Rao B.N. , Fernandez George , Haiter Lenin A.
Published: August 2022

In the current study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and carbon particles (micron size) were employed to create carbon particle dispersions. At different impact angles, the erosion of abrasive particles in an air jet is examined. Carbon particles dispersed across a metal matrix increased the fibre bonding but decreased the mechanical strength. In the sample, carbon nanotubes make up 5% of the total. The strength of carbon nanotubes in matrix materials overcomes the growth in carbon particle length significantly. When carbon particles are present, the matrix material weakens and becomes brittle. Due to the effect of attrition on exposed surfaces, materials that are subjected to particle impingement are more vulnerable to erosive processes. Carbon has significantly improved the matrix material’s surface property. The research findings significantly affect 5% of the CNT composite. At 30°, 0.0033 g/min showed the least proportion of abrasive wear. Erosive wear decreases at the lowest impingement angle but increases as the impact angle increases. Since it causes brittleness, increasing the weight percentage of carbon particles is discouraged.
Construal Attacks on Wireless Data Storage Applications and Unraveling Using Machine Learning Algorithm
Authors: Kshirsagar Pravin R. , Manoharan Hariprasath , Alterazi Hassan A. , Alhebaishi Nawaf , Rabie Osama Bassam J. , Shitharth S.
Published: August 2022

Cloud services are a popular concept used to describe how internet-based services are delivered and maintained. The computer technology environment is being restructured with respect to information preservation. Data protection is of critical importance when storing huge volumes of information. In today’s cyber world, an intrusion is a significant security problem. Services, information, and services are all vulnerable to attack in the cloud due to its distributed structure of the cloud. Inappropriate behavior in the connection and in the host is detected using intrusion detection systems (IDS) in the cloud. DDoS attacks are difficult to protect against since they produce massive volumes of harmful information on the network. This assault forces the cloud services to become unavailable to target consumers, which depletes computer resources and leaves the provider exposed to massive financial and reputational losses. Cyber-analyst data mining techniques may assist in intrusion detection. Machine learning techniques are used to create many strategies. Attribute selection techniques are also vital in keeping the dataset’s dimensionality low. In this study, one method is provided, and the dataset is taken from the NSL-KDD dataset. In the first strategy, a filtering method called learning vector quantization (LVQ) is used, and in the second strategy, a dimensionality-simplifying method called PCA. The selected attributes from each technique are used for categorization before being tested against a DoS attack. This recent study shows that an LVQ-based SVM performs better than the competition in detecting threats.
Optimization of Industrial Cluster Management in Urban Development Zones Driven by Big Data
Authors: Wang Wei , Liu Ying
Published: August 2022

This paper analyzes the optimization of industrial cluster management in urban development zones driven by Big Data. This paper introduces model calculation to improve management optimization, analyzes the industrial clusters of urban development zones driven by Big Data through the model, and verifies the driving role of industrial cluster management optimization of urban development zones driven by Big Data with the help of empirical analysis. According to the experimental data, the total assets of target task decomposition increased from 20 to 200, the net assets increased from 13 to 110, and the debt ratio decreased year by year from 2017 to 2020. This paper analyzes the problems existing in the management of Liling Economic Development Zone and investigates the reasons, which are mainly caused by the following reasons: the inaccurate positioning of management functions has scattered the energy of park management and weakened the initiative and enthusiasm of work; affected by the changes of national policies, the work efficiency is reduced and the economic cost is increased; resources and energy have a great impact and are facing transformation and upgrading; the degree of marketization of the park is not high, which is difficult to adapt to the development situation. At the same time, by summarizing the advantages of Big Data, the research on the optimization of industrial cluster management in urban development zones driven by Big Data is realized. Driven by Big Data, the industrial cluster management of urban development zones has strong efficiency in economic promotion. We should actively promote this management optimization method, which can promote the improvement of economic construction level.
Imaging Glioblastoma Response to Radiotherapy Using 2H Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Measurements of Fumarate Metabolism
Authors: Hesse Friederike , Wright Alan J. , Somai Vencel , Bulat Flaviu , Kreis Felix , Brindle Kevin M.
Published: August 2022

Early detection of tumor cell death in glioblastoma following treatment with chemoradiation has the potential to distinguish between true disease progression and pseudoprogression. Tumor cell death can be detected noninvasively in vivo by imaging the production of [2,3-2H2]malate from [2,3-2H2]fumarate using 2H magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic imaging. We show here that 2H MR spectroscopy and spectroscopic imaging measurements of [2,3-2H2]fumarate metabolism can detect tumor cell death in orthotopically implanted glioblastoma models within 48 hours following the completion of chemoradiation. Following the injection of [2,3-2H2]fumarate into tumor-bearing mice, production of [2,3-2H2]malate was measured in a human cell line–derived model and in radiosensitive and radioresistant patient-derived models of glioblastoma that were treated with temozolomide followed by targeted fractionated irradiation. The increase in the [2,3-2H2]malate/[2,3-2H2]fumarate signal ratio posttreatment, which correlated with histologic assessment of cell death, was a more sensitive indicator of treatment response than diffusion-weighted and contrast agent–enhanced 1H MRI measurements, which have been used clinically to detect responses of glioblastoma to chemoradiation. Overall, early detection of glioblastoma cell death using 2H MRI of malate production from fumarate could help improve the clinical evaluation of response to chemoradiation.

Significance:

2H magnetic resonance imaging of labeled fumarate metabolism can detect early evidence of tumor cell death following chemoradiation, meeting a clinical need to reliably detect treatment response in glioblastoma.
Expanding the Full Potential of Liquid Biopsies for Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Rolfo Christian , Malapelle Umberto , Russo Alessandro
Published: August 2022

In recent years, there has been tremendous therapeutic progress for advanced lung cancer, leading to the identification of a multitude of therapeutic targets and significantly expanding the list of potential target genes to be tested. However, precision oncology requires knowledge of the exact biology of the tumor through sequencing of the cancer genome, which is hampered by limited tissue availability in thoracic malignancies. Liquid biopsy, namely plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis, has expanded these opportunities and is now firmly established in the diagnostic algorithm of patients with lung cancer with metastatic disease. However, the full potential of this powerful tool has been largely underexplored. In this issue of Cancer Research, Nair and colleagues provide evidence of the clinical utility of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cfDNA profiling through an ultra-deep next-generation sequencing approach. The study findings support further development of BAL cfDNA analysis for tumor genotyping, besides the current gold standard sources (tissue and plasma), as a complementary tool in patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy for tumor diagnosis and/or rebiopsy, increasing the success rates of genomic analyses. In addition, BAL cfDNA profiling might represent an important diagnostic tool in early-stage lung cancer, outperforming plasma cfDNA in stage I–II and detecting field cancerization signs, potentially identifying tumors before their clinical appearance. Further studies should confirm the full potential of BAL cfDNA profiling in lung cancer and its place in the large family of liquid biopsies.

See related article by Nair et al., p. 2838
Immunocompetence after SARS-CoV-2 Infection in a Patient with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Ofatumumab: A Case Report
Authors: Jasińska Elżbieta
Published: August 2022

Ofatumumab is the first fully human anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that, on March 26, 2021, was approved by the EMA to treat patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis. This paper aimed to present a case confirming the ability to produce and maintain anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a patient treated with ofatumumab for over 4 years. The course of the infection was moderate, and the patient did not require hospitalization. Antibody measurements were performed five times post-COVID-19 infection. The first test was performed in the fourth month (131 days), and the last, over 1 year after the infection. To date, only 2 cases have been published describing the ability of a patient treated with the same drug to produce antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, although the observation was conducted over a shorter period. In our case study, we have 15-month follow-up data. The patient was not vaccinated and additionally received suppressive steroid therapy due to the relapse. We observed an increase in antibodies up to 10 months from the infection. The case under analysis suggests that patients treated with ofatumumab, despite complete peripheral B-cell depletion, can produce and maintain a long-lasting immune response.
Splenic Abscess due to a Perforated Duodenal Ulcer Successfully Treated with Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Transgastric Drainage
Authors: Yoshimoto Taiji , Nishimoto Fumiya , Yamamoto Ryuichi , Takenoya Takashi , Takihara Hiroshi
Published: August 2022

Splenic abscesses are rare, with a reported prevalence of 0.14–0.7% in autopsy studies. The treatment options for splenic abscesses include intravenous antimicrobial therapy, percutaneous drainage, and splenectomy. Although the dissemination of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) intervention techniques has made it possible to perform puncture and drainage via the transgastrointestinal route for intra-abdominal abscesses where the percutaneous route has been difficult, there have been few reports of EUS-guided drainage of splenic abscesses. A case of a splenic abscess associated with a perforated duodenal ulcer that was successfully treated with EUS-guided transgastric drainage is described. An 89-year-old Asian woman with a perforated duodenal ulcer underwent surgery at another hospital. After surgery, the patient developed a splenic abscess, for which percutaneous treatment was anatomically difficult. Therefore, she was referred to our hospital for treatment of the splenic abscess using EUS-guided drainage. EUS-guided transgastric drainage was performed under sedation using a convex EUS scope. The splenic abscess, measuring approximately 4 × 3 cm2, was punctured using a 19-gauge aspiration needle. A 6-Fr pigtail nasocystic drainage tube was placed in the abscess cavity. The procedure was completed without any complications. After EUS-guided drainage, the abscess cavity decreased in size over time, and the patient had a good clinical course and was subsequently discharged. EUS-guided drainage of splenic abscesses may be a safe and effective therapeutic alternative to percutaneous drainage and surgery; however, large-scale investigations are required to confirm the present findings.
Ablation Surgeries for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Reported Case Series
Authors: Hurwitz Trevor A. , Honey Christopher R. , Sepehry Amir Ali
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives: Ablative lesion procedures remain as the last option in treatment of refractory depression. Contemporary ablative psychosurgeries involve producing lesions in the anterior limb of the internal capsule (bilateral anterior capsulotomy – BAC), the supragenual anterior cingulate gyrus and cingulum (bilateral anterior cingulotomy – BACING), and subgenual anterior cingulate gyrus and subcortical orbitofrontal white matter (bilateral subcaudate tractotomy – BST). A combination of BACING and BST is known as limbic leukotomy (bilateral limbic leukotomy – BLL). All procedures claim some success, but cohorts are small, depression assessment instruments differ, and inclusion and outcome criteria and follow-up duration vary. In some cohorts, more than one type of surgery was performed in several patients, further confounding interpreting the available data. Current evidence is equivocal on which surgical target works best. Method and Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) standard on published cohorts was conducted to review and identify which is the best standalone ablative procedure for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) based on response rate (event rate) and adverse-effect profile using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Results and Conclusion: As a standalone neurosurgical procedure, we found that BAC appears to be the most effective and safest of all the ablative targets for TRD. A major limitation of this conclusion is the paucity of published case series where sample sizes are small and all are open label.
Ethnic and National Differences in Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Incidence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Navarro-Zambrana Andrea N. , Sheets Lincoln R.
Published: August 2022

Background: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder that causes defects in the adrenal cortex enzymes that impair the biosynthesis of cortisol, aldosterone, or both. The most common type is the 21-hydroxylase enzyme deficiency in approximately 95% of cases resulting from CYP21A2 gene mutations or deletions. Objectives: This study aimed to systematically review the national differences in CAH incidence and analyze the pooled results to determine disparities and whether ethnicity can predispose people to develop CAH. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and LILACS were used to achieve results until June 22, 2018. Study eligibility criteria included availability of full-text; English, Spanish, or Portuguese languages; incidence or number of new cases; and number of live births or sample population. Only the classic CAH type (salt-wasting and simple-virilizing) was considered, and no distinction was made between the enzyme deficiency types. Results: This study summarizes the findings of 58 studies and 31 countries (from 1969 to 2017), in which the overall CAH incidence was 1:9,498 (95% confidence interval: 1:9,089, 1:9,945). Countries from the Eastern Mediterranean and Southeast Asia revealed the highest CAH incidence. The lowest incidence was reported in countries of the Western Pacific of Asia. No remarkable difference was observed in the Hispanics/Latino and White groups. However, they manifested a higher incidence of CAH than people identified as Black or of African descent. Published studies on CAH incidence in the sub-Saharan African region and parts of Europe were insufficient. Conclusions: This study highlights the at-risk population for CAH and regions that need monitoring for CAH. The highest CAH incidence could be attributed to higher consanguinity, less genetic diversity, or other genetic causes since CAH is an inherited genetic disorder. Cultural practices in some places regarding consanguineous unions or geographic isolation may directly affect the incidence. Newborn screening for CAH may be unavailable in many developing countries, thereby affecting the actual CAH incidence. Therefore, healthcare workers should be trained to recognize CAH at an early stage to reduce its complications and mortality.
Temporal Trends of Heart Failure Hospitalizations in Cardiology Versus Noncardiology Wards According to Ejection Fraction: 16-Year Data From the SwedeHF Registry
Authors: Canepa Marco , Kapelios Chris J. , Benson Lina , Savarese Gianluigi , Lund Lars H.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) may receive different care depending on type of ward. We describe temporal changes in triage of HF patients with preserved, mildly reduced, and reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF, HFmrEF, and HFrEF) hospitalized for AHF to cardiology versus noncardiology wards in Sweden.

Methods:

We analyzed temporal changes in ward type for AHF for HFrEF versus HFmrEF versus HFpEF between 2000 and 2016.

Results:

Among 37 918 patients with AHF, 19 777 (52%) had HFrEF, 7712 (20%) had HFmrEF, and 10 429 (28%) had HFpEF. Overall, 19 646 (52%) were hospitalized in cardiology and 18 272 (48%) in noncardiology. The proportions hospitalized in noncardiology in 2000 to 2004 versus in 2013 to 2016 were for HFrEF: 45 versus 47%, for HFmrEF: 52 versus 56%, and for HFpEF: 46 versus 64%, respectively. The overall proportion of HFrEF in 2000 to 2004 versus in 2013 to 2016 decreased (60% versus 49%) especially in noncardiology (58% versus 41%), whereas the overall proportion of HFpEF increased (20% versus 30%) especially in noncardiology (21% versus 37%). The average age and prevalence of comorbidities also increased over time, with older patients with multiple comorbidities being more frequently admitted to noncardiology wards.

Conclusions:

Over time, AHF hospitalization for HFpEF occurred increasingly in noncardiology, whereas for HFrEF and HFmrEF the proportions of patients treated in cardiology versus noncardiology were substantially unchanged over time. This may have implications for implementation of emerging HFpEF therapy.
Variation in Left Ventricular Assist Device Postdischarge Caregiver Requirements: Results From a Mixed-Methods Study With Equity Implications
Authors: Knoepke Christopher E. , Siry-Bove Bonnie , Mayton Caitlin , Latimer Abigail , Hart Jan , Allen Larry A. , Daugherty Stacie L. , McIlvennan Colleen K. , Matlock Daniel D. , Khazanie Prateeti
Published: August 2022

Background:

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) evaluation includes a psychosocial assessment, conducted by social workers (SWs) on the advanced heart failure multidisciplinary team. Postdischarge caregiving plans are central to psychosocial evaluation. Caregiving’s relationship with LVAD outcomes is mixed, and testing patients’ social resources may disadvantage those from historically undertreated groups. We describe variation in policies defining adequate caregiving plans post-LVAD implant and possible impacts on patients from marginalized groups.

Methods:

This was a 2-phase sequential mixed-methods study: (1) phase 1, survey of US-based LVAD SWs, describing assessment structure and policies guiding candidacy outcomes; and (2) phase 2, individual interviews with SWs to further describe how caregiving plan adequacy impacts LVAD candidacy.

Results:

Sixty-seven SWs returned surveys (rr=47%) from unique programs. Caregiving plan inadequacy (n=30) was the most common psychosocial dealbreaker. When asked what duration of caregiving is required, 23% indicated ≥3 months, 27% 4 to 12 weeks, and 30% <4 weeks. Two reported no duration requirement, 6 stated an indefinite 24/7 commitment was necessary. Across 22 interviews, SWs mirrored that caregiving plans were the most common psychosocial contraindication. How caregiving is operationalized varied. Participants voiced a tension between extended caregiving improving outcomes and the sense that some people of color, women, or low socioeconomic status patients struggle to meet stringent requirements.

Conclusions:

Policies regarding adequate duration of 24/7 caregiving vary, but inadequate caregiving plans are the most common psychosocial contraindication. Participants worry about patients’ ability to meet restrictive requirements, particularly from historically undertreated groups. This highlights a need to operationalize quality caregiving, standardize assessment, and support medically appropriate patients with strained social resources.
Diffusion of Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in US Markets
Authors: Bjarnason Thorarinn A. , Mentias Amgad , Panaich Sidakpal , Vaughan Sarrazin Mary , Gao Yubo , Desai Milind , Pandey Ambarish , Dhruva Sanket S. , Desai Nihar R. , Girotra Saket
Published: August 2022

Background:

Percutaneous ventricular assist devices (PVADs) have been replacing intra-aortic balloon pumps for hemodynamic support during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), even though data supporting a benefit for hard clinical end points remain limited. We evaluated diffusion of PVADs across US markets and examined the association of market utilization of PVAD with mortality and cost.

Methods:

Using the 2013 to 2019 Medicare data, we identified all patients aged ≥65 years who underwent PCI with either a PVAD or intra-aortic balloon pump. We used hospital referral region to define regional health care markets and categorized them in quartiles based on the proportional use of PVADs during PCI. Multilevel models were constructed to determine the association of patient, hospital, and market factors with utilization of PVADs and the association of PVAD utilization with 30-day mortality and cost.

Results:

A total of 79 176 patients underwent PCI with either intra-aortic balloon pump (47 514 [60.0%]) or PVAD (31 662 [40.0%]). The proportion of PCI procedures with PVAD increased over time (17% in 2013 to 57% in 2019;
P
for trend, <0.001), such that PVADs overtook intra-aortic balloon pump for hemodynamic support during PCI in 2018. There was a large variation in PVAD utilization across markets (range, 0%–85%), which remained unchanged after adjustment of patient characteristics (median odds ratio, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.91–2.17]). The presence of acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, and emergent status was associated with a 45% to 50% lower odds of PVAD use suggesting that PVADs were less likely to be used in the sickest patients. Greater utilization of PVAD at the market level was not associated with lower risk mortality but was associated with higher cost.

Conclusions:

Although utilization of PVADs for PCI continues to increase, there is large variation in PVAD utilization across markets. Greater market utilization of PVADs was not associated with lower mortality but was associated with higher cost.
Male and female reproductive systems of the pseudocycnid copepod Cybicola armatus (Bassett-Smith, 1898) (Siphonostomatoida) infecting the commercially important scombrid fish Scomberomorus commerson: a light and electron microscopic study
Authors: Helna A. K. , Kappalli Sudha
Published: August 2022

Cybicola armatus (Bassett-Smith, 1898), a host-specific parasitic copepod, massively infects gill filaments of the scombrid fish, Scomberomorus commerson. While the female attaches to the host fish’s gills, the relatively small-sized male prefers to attach to the female genital somite in copulatory position. To our knowledge this is the first report on the structural features of male and female reproductive organs of C. armatus, a pseudocycnid parasite, using morphological, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural parameters. In males, the sac-like testis is followed by a highly coiled vas deferens ending with a bulbous spermatophore sac in which the round-shaped spermatozoa are abundantly seen. Histologically, germ cells in the testis are at different maturation stages and region-specific. In females, the ovaries are comprised of germarium, previtellogenic oocytes and follicle cells. However, interestingly, mature vitellogenic oocytes enveloped by follicular cells are seen only in the oviducts, which are ensheathed by longitudinal and circular muscle bands. The spermathecae of the post-copulatory females contain filiform spermatozoa, while in pre-copulatory specimens, the spermathecae appear as thin, flabby structures. The post-copulatory female carries spermatophore sacs at her genital orfice. The developing eggs in the egg sacs did not display synchrony with respect to stages of embryogenesis, as borne out from histological studies. The currently reported study also demonstrates, for the first time, the copulatory events of C. armatus that help us understand the mode of sperm transfer in this fish parasite. The total of information derived from the currently reported study is pertinent not only from the perspective of understanding the reproductive mechanism and adaptive strategies of a potential, but rather unexplored pseudocycnid copepod. Rather, it throws light as well on the necessity and, until now, inadequacy of investigations on parasitic crustaceans that inflict heavy damage to fisheries and contaminate the aquatic ecosystem.
Demographic characteristics and stock assessment of the giant tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon Fabricius, 1798 (Decapoda, Dendrobranchiata) in Pulicat Lake, southeast coast of India
Authors: Jesintha N. , Jayakumar N. , Karuppasamy K. , Madhavi K.
Published: August 2022

Demographic characteristics and stock status of the giant tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon were investigated in Pulicat Lake, southeast coast of India, using the FiSAT II software package. The asymptotic length () and growth coefficient (K) were estimated as 20.44 cm and 0.90 year−1, respectively, by the ELEFAN method. The growth performance index (Ø′) was calculated as 2.575. The mortality parameters Z, F and M were computed to be 3.70, 2.15 and 1.55 year−1, respectively. The recruitment pattern was found to be continuous throughout the year with a peak in June and July. The estimated MSY and annual catch were 81.90 tonnes and 95.18 tonnes, respectively. The current exploitation rate (E) was found to be relatively higher than the optimum level. Hence it is recommended that the current effort level be decreased by 13.9% in order to sustain the fishery of this particular species in Pulicat Lake.
Are Speeded Tests Unfair? Modeling the Impact of Time Limits on the Gender Gap in Mathematics
Authors: Stoevenbelt Andrea H. , Wicherts Jelte M. , Flore Paulette C. , Phillips Lorraine A. T. , Pietschnig Jakob , Verschuere Bruno , Voracek Martin , Schwabe Inga
Published: August 2022

When cognitive and educational tests are administered under time limits, tests may become speeded and this may affect the reliability and validity of the resulting test scores. Prior research has shown that time limits may create or enlarge gender gaps in cognitive and academic testing. On average, women complete fewer items than men when a test is administered with a strict time limit, whereas gender gaps are frequently reduced when time limits are relaxed. In this study, we propose that gender differences in test strategy might inflate gender gaps favoring men, and relate test strategy to stereotype threat effects under which women underperform due to the pressure of negative stereotypes about their performance. First, we applied a Bayesian two-dimensional item response theory (IRT) model to data obtained from two registered reports that investigated stereotype threat in mathematics, and estimated the latent correlation between underlying test strategy (here, completion factor, a proxy for working speed) and mathematics ability. Second, we tested the gender gap and assessed potential effects of stereotype threat on female test performance. We found a positive correlation between the completion factor and mathematics ability, such that more able participants dropped out later in the test. We did not observe a stereotype threat effect but found larger gender differences on the latent completion factor than on latent mathematical ability, suggesting that test strategies affect the gender gap in timed mathematics performance. We argue that if the effect of time limits on tests is not taken into account, this may lead to test unfairness and biased group comparisons, and urge researchers to consider these effects in either their analyses or study planning.
Team Situation Awareness, Cohesion, and Autonomic Synchrony
Authors: Guastello Stephen J. , Bednarczyk Cooper , Hagan Ryan , Johnson Camerhon , Marscisek Laura , McGuigan Laura , Peressini Anthony F.
Published: August 2022

Objective

This study evaluated the causal relationships among situation awareness (SA), cohesion, and autonomic synchrony ( S E) within teams. SA is often a team effort and should be more accurate in better-functioning teams.

Background

Cohesive teams perform better overall, although the relationship appears reciprocal; the relationship to SA has not been considered previously. S E is a collective neurocognitive activity that has been connected to team coordination, communication, and performance in some circumstances.

Method

In this experiment, 71 undergraduates, organized into 16 teams, played two matches of a first-person shooter computer game and completed self-report measures of cohesion and SA. S E was determined through time series analysis of electrodermal responses using the driver-empath framework.

Results

Empaths and those who came from more synchronized teams reported less cohesion in the team. Granger causality regression showed reciprocal relations among SA, S E , and cohesion that were both positive and negative after controlling for match difficulty.

Conclusion

The cohesion-SA relationship is similar to the reciprocal cohesion-performance relationship. S E plays an important and independent role in both the social and cognitive aspects of team behavior. It is possible, furthermore, that individuals who are more attuned to their co-workers reported a more accurate, and less obliging, social situation.

Application

Results are applicable to situations requiring teamwork in a dynamic environment.
Paradigmatic and Syntagmatic Effects in Estonian Spontaneous Speech
Authors: Lõo Kaidi , Tomaschek Fabian , Lippus Pärtel , Tucker Benjamin V.
Published: August 2022

Recent evidence indicates that a word’s paradigmatic neighbors affect production. However, these findings have mostly been obtained in careful laboratory settings using words in isolation, and thus ignoring potential effects that may arise from the syntagmatic context, which is typically present in spontaneous speech. The current corpus analysis investigates paradigmatic and syntagmatic effects in Estonian spontaneous speech. Following work on English, we focus on the duration of inflected and uninflected word-final /-s/ in content words, while simultaneously investigating whole words. Our analyses reveal three points. First, we find an effect of realized inflectional paradigm size, such that smaller paradigms actively used by the speakers lead to longer durations. Second, higher conditional probability is associated with shorter word forms and shorter segments. Finally, we do not directly replicate previous work on effects of inflectional status as in English word-final /-s/. Instead, we find that inflectional status interacts with conditional probability. We discuss the results in light of models of speech production and how they account for morphologically complex words and their paradigmatic neighbors.
Modification and release of calcitonin gene-related peptide on silk fibroin film
Authors: Meng Lingpeng , Li Meng , Zhang Yao , Tu Fangfang , Zhang Boyu , Dong Fenglin , Wang Jiannan
Published: August 2022

As a breakthrough in traditional textiles, silk fibroin (SF) has been widely studied for biomedical material applications. In order to enhance the electronegativity of SF for electrostatic adsorption of positively charged biological factors, a kind of blend film was designed by introducing adipic acid (AA) with two carboxyl groups using ethanol treatment or chemical crosslinking. Following this, a positively charged calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP, pI = 9.5) was introduced onto the SF/AA film surfaces through electrostatic interaction. The loading capacity and release kinetics of the CGRP were explored. Results showed that the zeta potential on the SF/AA film surfaces decreased with the increasing AA content. When the mass ratio of SF to AA changed from 100:0 to 100:2.5, the zeta potential of crosslinked blends decreased from –13.6 to –32.6 mV. The maximum loading dose of CGRP on the crosslinked blends (100:2.5) was 500 ng/cm2. In phosphate buffered saline (pH = 7.4), the CGRP on the film surfaces was released rapidly and in high quantity from 12 to 24 h. The release rate was relatively slow under weakly acidic conditions at pH = 5, and it also decreased when the pH value was changed from 7.4 to 9.0. This study provides a new strategy for improving the biological activity of SF used as specific tissue repair materials.
National audit on maternal mortality in Guinea-Bissau, West-Africa: A retrospective observational study of 2020
Authors: Nóbrega T. , Bruins S. , Costeira M.J.
Published: August 2022

Guinea-Bissau has particularly alarming indicators of maternal health, with one of the highest maternal mortality (MM) worldwide. According to UNICEF-2014, this ratio (MMR) was 900/100,000 live births, mostly due to preventable and treatable causes. In 2013, the European Union developed an Integrated Programme to reduce Maternal and Infant Mortality (EU/PIMI),** the largest project of this kind, implemented in Guinea-Bissau. This study performed a national audit of MM over 2020, with the aim to analyse its numbers, characteristics, and causes. We used data of local and regional hospitals where EU/PIMI-II was operating. These hospitals showed lower MMR than previous national figures; however, the exclusion of the main obstetrical referral hospitals, and the unknown number of community-based deliveries make it difficult to compare. Guinea-Bissau still faces enormous challenges in reducing MM. Despite the slow progresses, this study gives us hope, as EU/PIMI-IÍs interventions appeared to have a positive impact in MM reduction.