bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exosomal transmission of viruses, a two-edged biological sword
Authors: Mardi Narges , Haiaty Sanya , Rahbarghazi Reza , Mobarak Halimeh , Milani Morteza , Zarebkohan Amir , Nouri Mohammad
Published: January 2023

As a common belief, most viruses can egress from the host cells as single particles and transmit to uninfected cells. Emerging data have revealeden blocviral transmission as lipid bilayer-cloaked particles via extracellular vesicles especially exosomes (Exo). The supporting membrane can be originated from multivesicular bodies during intra-luminal vesicle formation and autophagic response. Exo are nano-sized particles, ranging from 40–200 nm, with the ability to harbor several types of signaling molecules from donor to acceptor cells in a paracrine manner, resulting in the modulation of specific signaling reactions in target cells. The phenomenon of Exo biogenesis consists of multiple and complex biological steps with the participation of diverse constituents and molecular pathways. Due to similarities between Exo biogenesis and virus replication and the existence of shared pathways, it is thought that viruses can hijack the Exo biogenesis machinery to spread and evade immune cells. To this end, Exo can transmit complete virions (as single units or aggregates), separate viral components, and naked genetic materials. The current review article aims to scrutinize challenges and opportunities related to the exosomal delivery of viruses in terms of viral infections and public health.
An artificial intelligence model for the pathological diagnosis of invasion depth and histologic grade in bladder cancer
Authors: Pan Jiexin , Hong Guibin , Zeng Hong , Liao Chengxiao , Li Huarun , Yao Yuhui , Gan Qinghua , Wang Yun , Wu Shaoxu , Lin Tianxin
Published: January 2023

Background

Accurate pathological diagnosis of invasion depth and histologic grade is key for clinical management in patients with bladder cancer (BCa), but it is labour-intensive, experience-dependent and subject to interobserver variability. Here, we aimed to develop a pathological artificial intelligence diagnostic model (PAIDM) for BCa diagnosis.

Methods

A total of 854 whole slide images (WSIs) from 692 patients were included and divided into training and validation sets. The PAIDM was developed using the training set based on the deep learning algorithm ScanNet, and the performance was verified at the patch level in validation set 1 and at the WSI level in validation set 2. An independent validation cohort (validation set 3) was employed to compare the PAIDM and pathologists. Model performance was evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value.

Results

The AUCs of the PAIDM were 0.878 (95% CI 0.875–0.881) at the patch level in validation set 1 and 0.870 (95% CI 0.805–0.923) at the WSI level in validation set 2. In comparing the PAIDM and pathologists, the PAIDM achieved an AUC of 0.847 (95% CI 0.779–0.905), which was non-inferior to the average diagnostic level of pathologists. There was high consistency between the model-predicted and manually annotated areas, improving the PAIDM’s interpretability.

Conclusions

We reported an artificial intelligence-based diagnostic model for BCa that performed well in identifying invasion depth and histologic grade. Importantly, the PAIDM performed admirably in patch-level recognition, with a promising application for transurethral resection specimens.
CCL3 secreted by hepatocytes promotes the metastasis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by VIRMA-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification
Authors: Zhou Shurui , Yang Kege , Chen Shaojie , Lian Guoda , Huang Yuzhou , Yao Hanming , Zhao Yue , Huang Kaihong , Yin Dong , Lin Haoming , Li Yaqing
Published: January 2023

Background

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a malignant disease characterized by onset occult, rapid progression, high relapse rate, and high mortality. However, data on how the tumor microenvironment (TME) regulates ICC metastasis at the transcriptomic level remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the mechanisms and interactions between hepatocytes and ICC cells.

Methods

We analyzed the interplay between ICC and liver microenvironment through cytokine antibody array analysis. Then we investigated the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification and the downstream target in vitro, in vivo experiments, and in clinical specimens.

Results

Our study demonstrated that cytokine CCL3, which is secreted by hepatocytes, promotes tumor metastasis by regulating m6A modification via vir-like m6A methyltransferase associated (VIRMA) in ICC cells. Moreover, immunohistochemical analyses showed that VIRMA correlated with poor outcomes in ICC patients. Finally, we confirmed both in vitro and in vivo that CCL3 could activate VIRMA and its critical downstream target SIRT1, which fuels tumor metastasis in ICC.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our results enhanced our understanding of the interaction between hepatocytes and ICC cells, and revealed the molecular mechanism of the CCL3/VIRMA/SIRT1 pathway via m6A-mediated regulation in ICC metastasis. These studies highlight potential targets for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of ICC.
Early peripheral blood gene expression associated with good and poor 90-day ischemic stroke outcomes
Authors: Amini Hajar , Knepp Bodie , Rodriguez Fernando , Jickling Glen C. , Hull Heather , Carmona-Mora Paulina , Bushnell Cheryl , Ander Bradley P. , Sharp Frank R. , Stamova Boryana
Published: January 2023

Background

This study identified early immune gene responses in peripheral blood associated with 90-day ischemic stroke (IS) outcomes.

Methods

Peripheral blood samples from the CLEAR trial IS patients at ≤ 3 h, 5 h, and 24 h after stroke were compared to vascular risk factor matched controls. Whole-transcriptome analyses identified genes and networks associated with 90-day IS outcome assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS).

Results

The expression of 467, 526, and 571 genes measured at ≤ 3, 5 and 24 h after IS, respectively, were associated with poor 90-day mRS outcome (mRS ≥ 3), while 49, 100 and 35 genes at ≤ 3, 5 and 24 h after IS were associated with good mRS 90-day outcome (mRS ≤ 2). Poor outcomes were associated with up-regulated genes or pathways such as IL-6, IL-7, IL-1, STAT3, S100A12, acute phase response, P38/MAPK, FGF, TGFA, MMP9, NF-kB, Toll-like receptor, iNOS, and PI3K/AKT. There were 94 probe sets shared for poor outcomes vs. controls at all three time-points that correlated with 90-day mRS; 13 probe sets were shared for good outcomes vs. controls at all three time-points; and 46 probe sets were shared for poor vs. good outcomes at all three time-points that correlated with 90-day mRS. Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) revealed modules significantly associated with 90-day outcome for mRS and NIHSS. Poor outcome modules were enriched with up-regulated neutrophil genes and with down-regulated T cell, B cell and monocyte-specific genes; and good outcome modules were associated with erythroblasts and megakaryocytes. Finally, genes identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to contain significant stroke risk loci or loci associated with stroke outcome including ATP2B, GRK5, SH3PXD2A, CENPQ, HOXC4, HDAC9, BNC2, PTPN11, PIK3CG, CDK6, and PDE4DIP were significantly differentially expressed as a function of stroke outcome in the current study.

Conclusions

This study suggests the immune response after stroke may impact functional outcomes and that some of the early post-stroke gene expression markers associated with outcome could be useful for predicting outcomes and could be targets for improving outcomes.
A two-year follow-up: Twitter activity regarding misinformation about spinal manipulation, chiropractic care and boosting immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Kawchuk Gregory Neil , Harsted Steen , Hartvigsen Jan , Nyirö Luana , Nim Casper Glissmann
Published: January 2023

Background

Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is offered by many health professions, most often by chiropractors. While SMT can be effective for some musculoskeletal disorders, there is no evidence that SMT improves human immunity in a clinically meaningful way. Despite this, we showed previously that Twitter misinformation about chiropractic/SMT  improving immunity increased sharply at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, we perform a two-year follow-up.

Methods

We previously employed specialized software (i.e. Talkwalker) to search the entirety of Twitter activity in the  months before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was declared (March 11, 2020). In this paper, we conducted follow-up searches over two successive 12 month periods using terms related to SMT, immunity and chiropractic. The resulting tweets were then coded into those promoting/refuting a relation between SMT and immunity (tone) and messaging about chiropractic/interventions (content). Further analyses were performed to subcategorize tweet content, tally likes, retweets and followers, and evaluate refuting tweets and the country of origin. Finally, we created a chronology of Twitter activity superimposed with dates of promoting or refuting activities undertaken by chiropractic organizations.

Results

Over the 27 month study period, Twitter activity peaked on March 31, 2020 then declined continuously. As in our first paper, our follow-up data showed that (1) the ratio of refuting/promoting tweets remained constant and (2) tweets that refuted a relationship between SMT and immunity were substantially more liked, retweeted and followed than those promoting. We also observed that promoting tweets suggesting that SMT improves immunity decreased more rapidly. Overwhelmingly, promoting tweets originated in the USA while refuting tweets originated in Canada, Europe and Australia. The timing of the decline in peak Twitter activity, together with a parallel decline in tweets claiming that SMT improves immunity, was coincident with initiatives by chiropractic organizations and regulators targeting misinformation.

Conclusion

Overwhelmingly, Twitter activity during the COVID-19 pandemic focussed on refuting a relation between chiropractic/SMT and immunity. A decline in Twitter activity promoting a relation between SMT and immunity was observed to coincide with initiatives from chiropractic organizations and regulators to refute these claims. The majority of misinformation about this topic is generated in the United States.
Comparison of the effectiveness of different machine learning algorithms in predicting new fractures after PKP for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
Authors: Ma Yiming , Lu Qi , Yuan Feng , Chen Hongliang
Published: January 2023

Background

The use of machine learning has the potential to estimate the probability of a second classification event more accurately than traditional statistical methods, and few previous studies on predicting new fractures after osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) have focussed on this point. The aim of this study was to explore whether several different machine learning models could produce better predictions than logistic regression models and to select an optimal model.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 529 patients who underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for OVCFs at our institution between June 2017 and June 2020 was performed. The patient data were used to create machine learning (including decision trees (DT), random forests (RF), support vector machines (SVM), gradient boosting machines (GBM), neural networks (NNET), and regularized discriminant analysis (RDA)) and logistic regression models (LR) to estimate the probability of new fractures occurring after surgery. The dataset was divided into a training set (75%) and a test set (25%), and machine learning models were built in the training set after ten cross-validations, after which each model was evaluated in the test set, and model performance was assessed by comparing the area under the curve (AUC) of each model.

Results

Among the six machine learning algorithms, except that the AUC of DT [0.775 (95% CI 0.728–0.822)] was lower than that of LR [0.831 (95% CI 0.783–0.878)], RA [0.953 (95% CI 0.927–0.980)], GBM [0.941 (95% CI 0.911–0.971)], SVM [0.869 (95% CI 0.827–0.910), NNET [0.869 (95% CI 0.826–0.912)], and RDA [0.890 (95% CI 0.851–0.929)] were all better than LR.

Conclusions

For prediction of the probability of new fracture after PKP, machine learning algorithms outperformed logistic regression, with random forest having the strongest predictive power.

Graphical Abstract
Assessing welfare risks in unowned unsocialised domestic cats in Denmark based on associations with low body condition score
Authors: Nielsen Søren Saxmose , Thuesen Ida Sofie , Mejer Helena , Agerholm Jørgen Steen , Nielsen Stine Thorsø , Jokelainen Pikka , Thamsborg Stig Milan , Sandøe Peter
Published: January 2023

Background

Populations of unowned unsocialised cats are present worldwide. Generally, there is concern about their welfare. Low body condition score (BCS) is a potentially relevant indicator that is relatively easy to assess: emaciated cats are likely to have welfare problems while thin cats may be at risk of becoming emaciated. The objective of this study was to assess the association of low BSC with a selection of factors relating to the host, disease, and infection in unowned unsocialised domestic cats. We necropsied 598 euthanised unowned unsocialised cats from Denmark. We recorded each cat’s age-group, sex, and neuter status, together with its pregnancy status, the season and location of trapping, as well as gross lesions at necropsy. We also tested for feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukaemia virus, recorded presence of ectoparasites, and a subsample of the cats were also tested for endoparasites. Cats with no or sparse adipose deposits were categorised as having low BCS, and logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with low BCS.

Results

Of the cats, 11.4% had low BCS. Season, age-group and sex were associated with low BCS and confounded potential associations with other variables. Intact adult males and females in spring and early summer were at highest risk of low BCS. When these factors were taken into account, cats with biting lice had 2.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–5.4) times higher odds of low BCS, and cats with gastro-intestinal findings (i.e., enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, abdominal hernia, diarrhoea, obstructive foreign bodies, or diaphragmatic hernia) had 50 (95% CI 10–417) times higher odds of low BCS, than cats with no such findings. Cats with low BCS were primarily adult intact cats with tooth lesions and skin lesions, ear mite infection, and positive test result for feline immunodeficiency virus.

Conclusions

The results highlight associations that can be used to define a risk profile: low BCS, notably in summer-autumn, in an unowned unsocialised cat was associated with underlying, less visible problems. Thus, low BCS can be more than a step towards being emaciated; it can also be an indicator of other underlying welfare problems.
The Weimberg pathway: an alternative for Myceliophthora thermophila to utilize d-xylose
Authors: Liu Defei , Zhang Yongli , Li Jingen , Sun Wenliang , Yao Yonghong , Tian Chaoguang
Published: January 2023

Background

With d-xylose being the second most abundant sugar in nature, its conversion into products could significantly improve biomass-based process economy. There are two well-studied phosphorylative pathways for d-xylose metabolism. One is isomerase pathway mainly found in bacteria, and the other one is oxo-reductive pathway that always exists in fungi. Except for these two pathways, there are also non-phosphorylative pathways named xylose oxidative pathways and they have several advantages over traditional phosphorylative pathways. In Myceliophthora thermophila, d-xylose can be metabolized through oxo-reductive pathway after plant biomass degradation. The survey of non-phosphorylative pathways in this filamentous fungus will offer a potential way for carbon-efficient production of fuels and chemicals using d-xylose.

Results

In this study, an alternative for utilization of d-xylose, the non-phosphorylative Weimberg pathway was established in M. thermophila. Growth on d-xylose of strains whose d-xylose reductase gene was disrupted, was restored after overexpression of the entire Weimberg pathway. During the construction, a native d-xylose dehydrogenase with highest activity in M. thermophila was discovered. Here, M. thermophila was also engineered to produce 1,2,4‐butanetriol using d-xylose through non-phosphorylative pathway. Afterwards, transcriptome analysis revealed that the d-xylose dehydrogenase gene was obviously upregulated after deletion of d-xylose reductase gene when cultured in a d-xylose medium. Besides, genes involved in growth were enriched in strains containing the Weimberg pathway.

Conclusions

The Weimberg pathway was established in M. thermophila to support its growth with d-xylose being the sole carbon source. Besides, M. thermophila was engineered to produce 1,2,4‐butanetriol using d-xylose through non-phosphorylative pathway. To our knowledge, this is the first report of non-phosphorylative pathway recombinant in filamentous fungi, which shows great potential to convert d-xylose to valuable chemicals.
Comparative genomic and transcriptome analysis of Bacillus velezensis CL-4 fermented corn germ meal
Authors: Chen Long , Qu Zihui , Yu Wei , Zheng Lin , Qiao Haixin , Wang Dan , Wei Bingdong , Zhao Zijian
Published: January 2023

Bacillus, an excellent organic-degrading agent, can degrade lignocellulose. Notably, some B. velezensis strains encode lignocellulases. However, their ability to degrade lignocellulose in fermented feed is not much appreciated. This study performed a comparative genomic analysis of twenty-three B. velezensis strains to find common carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) encoding genes and evaluated their potential to degrade lignocellulose. The comparative genomic and CAZyme database-based analyses identified several potential CAZymes genes that degrade cellulose (GH1, GH4, GH5, GH13, GH16, GH32, PL1, and PL9), hemicellulose (GH11, GH26, GH43, GH51, and CE3) and lignin (AA4, AA6, AA7, and AA10). Furthermore, Illumina RNA-seq transcriptome analysis revealed the expression of more than 1794 genes in B. velezensis CL-4 fermented corn germ meal at 48 h (FCGM 48 h). Gene ontology analysis of expressed genes revealed their enrichment in hydrolase activity (breaking the glycosyl bonds during carbohydrate metabolism), indicating the upregulation of CAZymes. In total, 58 differentially upregulated CAZymes-encoding genes were identified in FCGM 48 h compared to FCGM 0 h. The upregulated CAZymes-encoding genes were related to cellulose (6-phospho-β-galactosidase and 6-phospho-α-glucosidase), starch (α-glucosidase and α-amylase), pectin (pectin lyase), and hemicellulose (arabinan endo-1,5-α-L-arabinosidase, xylan 1,4-beta-xylosidase, α-N-arabinofuranosidase, and acetyl xylan esterase). Importantly, arabinoxylan degradation mainly occurred in FCGM 48 h, followed by partial degradation of cellulose, pectin, and starch. This study can support the development of enzymatic cocktails for the solid-state fermented feed (SFF).
Carbon pool dynamics after variable retention harvesting in Nothofagus pumilio forests of Tierra del Fuego
Authors: Chaves Jimena E. , Aravena Acuña Marie-Claire , Rodríguez-Souilla Julián , Cellini Juan M. , Rappa Nolan J. , Lencinas María V. , Peri Pablo L. , Martínez Pastur Guillermo J.
Published: January 2023

Background

It is necessary to determine the implications for managing forest stands using variable retention harvesting for maintaining carbon and for calculating the effects of different harvesting practices on above- and below-ground carbon balance in forest ecosystems. In this context, forest carbon management has gained more attention among managers and policy-makers during recent years. The aim of this study was to determine carbon pool dynamics in different forest ecosystem components after variable retention harvesting (VRH) to characterize the ecological stability and quantify the recovery rate through the years-after-harvesting (YAH).

Methods

Carbon pool compartmentalization of 14 different components was determined in 60 harvested and primary unmanaged forests during the first 18 YAH in Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). We compared them using uni- and multi-variate methods, relativizing the outputs with primary unmanaged forests.

Results

We determined the effectiveness to retain carbon components in post-harvested stands under different retention strategies (aggregated vs. dispersed). The balance among carbon pool components changed between managed and unmanaged stands across the YAH, and was directly related to the impact magnitude. Aggregated retention improved the ecological stability of the harvested areas, where the below-ground components were more stable than the above-ground components. The recovery rate was directly related to the post-harvesting natural dynamics of the stands. The studied period was not enough to fully recover the C levels of primary unmanaged forests, but VRH showed advantages to increase the C pools in the managed stands.

Conclusions

Promoting VRH can improve sustainable forestry at the landscape level and in the long term, generating positive synergies with biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services. This study provides important new insights into forest carbon management, in particular to setting standards in carbon projects and sets the groundwork for analysing the economics of the mentioned harvesting systems.
Assessing rheometry for measuring the viscosity-average degree of polymerisation of cellulose in paper degradation studies
Authors: Maraghechi Siavash , Dupont Anne-Laurence , Cardinaels Ruth , Paris-Lacombe Sabrina , Hoefnagels Johan P. M. , Suiker Akke S. J. , Bosco Emanuela
Published: January 2023

In paper degradation studies, the viscosity-average degree of polymerisation (DPv) is often used as a key indicator of the extent of degradation of cellulosic paper. DPv can be deduced from the viscosity of dilute paper solutions, as typically measured through glass capillary viscometry. The current study proposes an efficient, alternative method to evaluate DPv of cellulosic paper, which is based on rotational rheometry. The proposed methodology relies on the application of a shear flow in a thin film of cellulose solution to measure its dynamic viscosity, from which DPv can be subsequently derived in a straightforward fashion. Rheometry allows to measure the viscosity for a range of shear rates, which results in multiple DPv evaluations per sample, and thus in statistically representative data from an individual test. Further, rheometry typically requires considerably less paper mass per test than glass capillary viscometry, which makes the method attractive for paper degradation studies with limited sample availability. Also, rheometry measurements are less work-intensive than glass capillary viscometry measurements. The rheometry method has been applied to 4 hygrothermally aged cellulose paper samples and the unaged counterpart. The measurement results regarding the age-dependency of DPv and the number of cellulose chain scissions are compared to those obtained by glass capillary viscometry, showing a very good agreement. At a longer ageing time, both experimental methods reveal a non-linear decrease in time of DPv, and a non-linear increase in time of the number of cellulose chain scissions, which indicate that the cellulose ageing process is realistically captured. The agreement in measurement results further demonstrates that rheometry is an easy-to-use, accurate and efficient alternative for DPv measurements by glass capillary viscometry.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation impacts expression of aquaporins and salt overly sensitive genes and enhances tolerance of salt stress in tomato
Authors: Liu Ming-Yang , Li Qiu-Shuang , Ding Wan-Yu , Dong Li-Wei , Deng Min , Chen Jia-Hui , Tian Xiao , Hashem Abeer , Al-Arjani Al-Bandari Fahad , Alenazi Mekhled M. , Abd-Allah Elsayed Fathi , Wu Qiang-Sheng
Published: January 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) that establish reciprocal symbiosis with plant roots can enhance resistance to various stresses, including salt stress, but relevant mechanisms, especially at the molecular level, are scarce. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Paraglomus occultum on plant growth, leaf gas exchange, and expression of plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs) and salt overly sensitive (SOS) genes in tomato under salt (150 mmol/L NaCl) and non-salt stress. Salt stress for 4 weeks inhibited root colonization rate of P. occultum and soil hyphal length by 0.21- and 0.57-fold, respectively. Salt stress also inhibited plant growth performance and leaf gas exchange, while inoculation with P. occultum significantly enhanced them under salt and non-salt stress conditions. AMF showed diverse regulation of root SlPIPs and SlTIPs expression, among which under salt stress, SlPIP1;2, SlPIP1;5, SlPIP2;1, SlPIP2;6, SlPIP2;9, SlPIP2;10, SlTIP2;2, SlTIP3;2, and SlTIP5;1 were up-regulated by AMF colonization, and SlPIP1;7, SlPIP2;5, SlPIP2;8, SlPIP2;11, SlPIP2;12, SlTIP2;3, and SlTIP3;1 were down-regulated, accompanied by no change in SlPIP1;1, SlPIP1;3, SlPIP2;4, SlTIP1;1, SlTIP1;2, SlTIP1;3, SlTIP2;1, and SlTIP2;5. Interestingly, salt stress inhibited the expression of SlSOS1 and SlSOS2 in non-mycorrhizal plants, while it increased the expression of SlSOS1 and SlSOS2 in mycorrhizal plants. AMF colonization down-regulated expression of SlSOS1 and SlSOS2 under non-salt stress while up-regulated expression of SlSOS1 and SlSOS2 under salt stress. It was concluded that AMF inoculation impacted the expression of stress-responsive genes, especially SOS1 and SOS2, and enhanced salt resistance of tomato.

Graphical Abstract
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Childhood obesity risk increases with increased screen time: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis
Authors: Ramírez-Coronel Andrés Alexis , Abdu Wamaungo Juma , Alshahrani Shadia Hamoud , Treve Mark , Jalil Abduladheem Turki , Alkhayyat Ameer S. , Singer Nermeen
Published: January 2023

Background

The role of screen time in promoting obesity among children has been reported in previous studies. However, the effects of different screen types and the dose–response association between screen time and obesity among children is not summarized yet. In the current meta-analysis we systematically summarized the association between obesity and screen time of different screen types in a dose–response analysis.

Methods

A systematic search from Scopus, PubMed and Embase electronic databases was performed. Studies that evaluated the association between screen time and obesity up to September 2021 were retrieved. We included 45 individual studies that were drawn from nine qualified studies into meta-analysis.

Results

The results of the two-class meta-analysis showed that those at the highest category of screen time were 1.2 times more likely to develop obesity [odds ratio (OR) = 1.21; confidence interval (CI) = 1.113, 1.317; I2 = 60.4%; P < 0.001). The results of subgrouping identified that setting, obesity status and age group were possible heterogeneity sources. No evidence of non-linear association between increased screen time and obesity risk among children was observed (P-nonlinearity = 0.310).

Conclusion

In the current systematic review and meta-analysis we revealed a positive association between screen time and obesity among children without any evidence of non-linear association. Due to the cross-sectional design of included studies, we suggest further studies with longitudinal or interventional design to better elucidate the observed associations.
Customer-centric product presentations for monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Bittner Beate
Published: January 2023

Delivering customer-centric product presentations for biotherapeutics, such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), represents a long-standing and paramount area of engagement for pharmaceutical scientists. Activities include improving experience with the dosing procedure, reducing drug administration-related expenditures, and ultimately shifting parenteral treatments outside of a controlled healthcare institutional setting. In times of increasingly cost-constrained markets and reinforced with the coronavirus pandemic, this discipline of “Product Optimization” in healthcare has gained momentum and changed from a nice-to-have into a must.

This review summarizes latest trends in the healthcare ecosystem that inform key strategies for developing customer-centric products, including the availability of a wider array of sustainable drug delivery options and treatment management plans that support dosing in a flexible care setting. Three disease area archetypes with varying degree of implementation of customer-centric concepts are introduced to highlight relevant market differences and similarities. Namely, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, and oncology have been chosen due to differences in the availability of subcutaneously dosed and ready-to-use self-administration products for mAb medicines and their follow-on biologics.

Different launch scenarios are described from a manufacturer’s perspective highlighting the necessity of platform approaches. To unfold the full potential of customer-centric care, value-based healthcare provider reimbursement schemes that incentivize the efficiency of care need to be broadly implemented.
A case of early pulmonary embolism following blunt trauma to chest and a long bone fracture: a case report
Authors: Thivaharan Yalini , Dayapala Asurappulige , Thanushan Muthulingam
Published: January 2023

Background

After substantial trauma, pulmonary embolism (PE) carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Early post-traumatic PE in the absence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a distinct entity that might be connected to rare mechanisms or unidentified biochemical processes.

Case presentation

A driver of a car was presented with worsening chest pain and shortness of breath (SOB) following a road traffic accident in which he suffered an impact on the chest against the steering wheel and a closed fracture of the right femur. Radiological investigations revealed a pulmonary embolism in the left posterior segment pulmonary artery, without evidence of internal chest injuries or DVT within 12 h from the incident. D-dimer, troponin I, and creatinine kinase were elevated without evidence of myocardial infarction or myocardial injury. Other parameters were within the normal range.

Conclusions

Possibilities of early PE in the absence of detectable DVT could be due to hyper-coagulability states, clots from the lower extremity completely getting detached and embolizing to the pulmonary circulation, screening errors, and “de novo” thrombi in the pulmonary circulation. Chest trauma is an identified risk factor for early or late pulmonary embolism. Action of the post-traumatic adrenergic response causing vascular endothelial inflammation and the synthesis of circulating adhesion molecules leading to localized thrombosis have also been suggested as causes for this phenomenon. A greater understanding of rare risk factors for early PE and the possibility of rare complications of chest trauma is useful in detecting and treating them in time, reducing morbidity and mortality.
Biological characteristics and parasitization potential of Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on the whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), a pest of greenhouse crops in north-western Indian Himalayas
Authors: Deeksha  , Ghongade Dilip Shriram , Sood Ajay Kumar
Published: January 2023

Background

The greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) constitutes key pests of greenhouses and field crops, which have developed pesticide resistance over the years. It has emerged as a difficult pest to manage owing to its indiscriminate exposure to higher dosages of insecticides. The use of natural enemies is environmentally safe alternative management tactic. Efficacy of Encarsia formosa Gahan (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) was determined by studying its biological characteristics on T. vaporariorum.

Results

Parasitization by E. formosa was higher on fourth-instar nymphs of the greenhouse whitefly (GHWF) (37.2%), which was at par with that of third instar (36.4%), both differing significantly to the parasitization observed in second instar (19.6%). Total developmental duration of the parasitoid was longer on second instar (33.2 days) than that of fourth instar (29.9 days). Adult longevity was found significantly higher for the adults that emerged from fourth-instar nymphs of GHWF, which was at par to that of third instar and longevity of E. formosa adults was significantly higher in the absence of parasitoid host. The size of parasitoid that emerged from different instars of GHWF varied non-significantly. T. vaporariorum was reared on brinjal, cucumber, French bean, lettuce, tobacco, and tomato plants for mass production of E. formosa. Among them, French bean and tobacco were found to be the best host plants for mass production of E. formosa based on higher parasitization (37.2%). Total developmental period varied from 26.4 to 27.3 days on different host plants, the variations being non-significant. The maximum adult longevity was observed on cucumber (8.0 days) in the absence of host, and the adult size of parasitoid varied non-significantly. Results on host to parasitoid ratio of 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1 and 80:1 revealed that parasitization rate varied from 61.2 to 95.0% with maximum parasitization recorded in host–parasitoid proportion of 20:1 and minimum in 80:1. The total developmental duration varied non-significantly among all the proportions (15.1–15.4 days). Adult longevity was higher in the proportion of 40:1 (6.5 days), which was at par to the proportion of 5:1 (6.2 days), 20:1 (6.2 days), 80:1 (6.2 days) and 10:1 (6.1 days) in the absence of the host, respectively.

Conclusion

This study suggests that augmentative biological control of T. vaporariorum under polyhouse conditions with E. formosa appears to be an effective strategy for the management of this economic pest.
Phylogenetic analysis and biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic fungi against Tropinota (=Epicometis) hirta (Poda) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) and the apple scab disease Ventura inaequalis
Authors: Kutalmış Alperen , Terzioğlu Zeynep , Şen Rabia Hande , Sevim Ali
Published: January 2023

Background

Entomopathogenic fungi have long been used as a biopeptide in the biological control of insect pests in agriculture, forestry and veterinary. At the same time, it is known that these fungi have positive effects on plant growth, health, and the antagonist effect against various plant pathogens. Entomopathogenic fungal isolation was performed from soil samples collected from apple orchards and Tropinota (=Epicometis) hirta (Poda) (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) adults which is an important pest of fruit trees. The isolated fungi were identified at the species level by phylogenetic analysis based on multi-locus sequence approach using various gene sequences (ITS, rpb1, bloc, EF1-α and β-tubulin). The fungi obtained were tested against T. hirta and the apple scab disease, Ventura inaequalis under laboratory conditions.

Results

Three (Bz isolates) and 15 (AK isolates) entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) were isolated from T. hirta adults and 48 soil samples, respectively. The isolated fungi were identified as Beauveria bassiana (Bz-1, Bz-2, AK-10, AK-14, AK-17, and AK-18), Metarhizium robertsii (Bz-3, AK-4, AK-5, AK-6, AK-7, AK-8, AK-9, AK-11, AK-13, AK-15, and AK-16) and Metarhizium sp. (AK-12). All isolated fungi were tested against T. hirta adults, causing the same mortality but different mycosis values. In addition, the antagonistic effects of fungal isolates against V. inaequalis, the important apple pathogen, were determined and the highest effect was obtained from B. bassiana AK-10 with 69.3%.

Conclusion

This is the first study to determine the effectiveness of EPF against T. hirta and V. inaequalis, and the results obtained are thought to be useful for the biological control of both pests.
Sling technique in microvascular decompression surgery for trigeminal neuralgia: early experience and functional outcomes
Authors: Abougamil Ahmed B. , Metwaly Tamer Ibrahim , Deif Osama Ahmed , Khedr Wael
Published: January 2023

Background

Trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) is a facial pain disorder often caused by arterial compression of the trigeminal nerve. Microvascular decompression (MVD) remains the most definitive treatment for this disorder, with a reported cure rate between 60 and 80%. MVD techniques often involve a retrosigmoid craniotomy with placement of an inert foreign material, such as Gore-Tex or Teflon, between the nerve and the compressing vessel.

Recurrence of TGN after MVD has been associated with vessel migration and adhesion formation. In this study, we tested the use of Gore-Tex sling, fixed in place with fibrin glue to displace the compressing vessel away from the nerve.

Results

This is a retrospective study including 20 patients who had an MVD for treatment of idiopathic TGN where a sling of Gore-Tex was used with the application of fibrin glue to prevent dislocation of the vessel. It showed that sling MVD technique is an effective method for treatment of classic trigeminal neuralgia. Eighteen patients improved within 2 weeks postoperatively. One patient had recurrence of symptoms and was reoperated 1 year later.

Conclusion

Gore-Tex slinging technique is a safe simple technique for preventing re-dislocation of the offending vessel and thus recurrence of symptoms. However, larger series is needed to judge on the long-term efficacy and safety of this technique.
Indigenous use of fire in the paramo ecosystem of southern Ecuador: a case study using remote sensing methods and ancestral knowledge of the Kichwa Saraguro people
Authors: Díaz Sandy Celi , Quezada Liliana Correa , Álvarez Leticia Jiménez , Loján-Córdova Julia , Carrión-Paladines Vinicio
Published: January 2023

Background

The Indigenous Kichwa Saraguro people of southern Ecuador have long relied on traditional burning to manage their environment. However, their traditional use of fire in one of the most important ecosystems in southern Ecuador, the herbaceous paramo, is not well known. This lack of knowledge does not allow for the improvement of local regulations related to integrated fire management, which is a shortcoming compared to other regulations applied in South America. In this context, and to understand the impacts of the Indigenous use of fire, a climatic analysis of the area was carried out, generating a historical climograph (period: years 1981–2021) and four annual climographs that were contrasted with a remote sensing study of fire severity over 4 years (years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021). In addition, traditional fire use was determined through the application of semi-structured interview questionnaires applied to 61 women and 89 men, whose data were analyzed with the level of information fidelity (LIF), informant consensus factor (ICF), and principal component analysis (PCA). Therefore, in this study, we argue that it is important to incorporate the concepts of (i) wildfire severity and (ii) cultural burning in wildfire policies and regulations in southern Ecuador.

Results

The results indicate that low-severity fires occur within the Saraguro territory and that fire use knowledge is transmitted to new generations incorporating both how and where to perform traditional burning. They also know when to burn using the burning calendar that is generally applied during the climatic phenomenon known as “Veranillo del Niño” (VdN).

Conclusions

These results can help decision-makers design policies, regulations, and proposals for the correct use of fire as a tool for the management of ecosystems in southern Ecuador affected by wildfires. In addition, the results can be used to improve the National Strategy for Integrated Fire Management 2021–2025 promoted by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador.
Quantitative interpretation of geoelectric inverted data with a robust probabilistic approach
Authors: Isunza Manrique Itzel , Caterina David , Nguyen Frederic , Hermans Thomas
Published: January 2023

The nonuniqueness of the solution to the geophysical inverse problem can lead to misinterpretation while characterizing the subsurface. To tackle this situation, ground-truth information from excavations and wells can be used to improve, calibrate, and interpret inverted models. We refer to quantitative interpretation as the decision analysis based on probability theory, which is focused on solving a classification problem. First, we present a probabilistic approach to classify the different types of materials or “categories” observed in borehole logs using multiple data sources: inverted 2D electrical resistivity tomography and induced polarization data and the positions ( x, z) of these boreholes. Then, using the Bayes’ rule and permanence of ratios, we compute the joint conditional probabilities of each category, given all data sources in the whole inverted model domain. We validate this approach with synthetic data modeling for a complex anthropogenic-geologic scenario and using real data from an old landfill. Afterward, we assess the performance of the probabilistic approach for classification and compare it with the machine learning algorithm of multilayer perceptron (MLP). In addition, we analyze the effect that the different data sources and the number of boreholes (and their distribution) have on both approaches with the synthetic case. Our results indicate that the MLP performance is better for delineating the different categories where the lateral contrasts in the synthetic resistivity model are small. Nevertheless, the classification obtained with the probabilistic approach using real data seems to provide a more geologically realistic distribution. We conclude that the probabilistic approach is robust for classifying categories when high spatial heterogeneity is expected and when ground-truth data are limited or not sparsely distributed. Finally, this approach can be easily extended to integrate multiple geophysical methods and does not require the optimization of hyperparameters as for MLP.
Automatic velocity analysis with physics-constrained optimal surface picking
Authors: Xue Zhiwen , Wu Xinming
Published: January 2023

Stacking velocity is generally obtained by picking the energy peaks in velocity semblance which can be time consuming when performed manually. Numerous automatic methods have been proposed for accelerating the velocity picking but often generate physically unreasonable picking results when strong and spatially consistent energy anomalies (due to noise and multiples) appear in the semblance map. We develop a constrained optimal surface picking method to automatically pick a 2D velocity field from a 3D semblance volume with high efficiency and robustness. This method is improved from the 2D dynamic programming algorithm by incorporating vertical physical constraints in the time direction and lateral smoothness constraints in the common-midpoint (CMP) direction. The time-direction physical constraint ensures that the picked velocity is positive when converted to an interval velocity, whereas the CMP-direction smoothness constraint ensures that the picked 2D velocity field is laterally continuous. Tests on the Marmousi-2 model indicate that our constrained optimal surface picking algorithm improves the spatial structure consistency of the picked velocity field and is able to robustly avoid picking the strong and consistent energy features generated in the semblance volume by multiples. We further determine the robustness of our method in a 2D real data example by comparing our automatic picking from a 3D semblance volume with a result that is manually picked from individual 2D semblance slices. The comparison indicates that the general trend of our result is consistent with the manual picking and our result looks geologically more reasonable in detail and generates a better stacking image with improved, focused, and more continuous reflections.
Permeability prediction based on dual seismic pore structure factors
Authors: Ding Qian , Gan Lideng , Wei Lele , Zhang Xin , Zhang Ming , Dai Xiaofeng , Yang Hao
Published: January 2023

Pore structure, especially pore shape and size, is a key factor affecting reservoir permeability. There is a poor correlation between permeability and porosity when the pore structure is complex, which leads to the low accuracy of permeability prediction by using porosity. In view of the preceding problems, six factors related to pore structure are summarized from rock physical models and entitled seismic pore structure factors (SPSFs), and the sensitivity of SPSF to permeability is analyzed with the data of two groups of clastic rock cores. The results find that the shear Lee factor is most sensitive to permeability, followed by the shear flexibility factor. In addition, there are good linear correlations between the shear Lee factor and pore size and between the shear flexibility factor and pore aspect ratio. Therefore, the combination of the shear Lee factor and pore aspect ratio can better characterize pore structure, and thus reservoir permeability. A seismic permeability prediction method based on pore aspect ratio, the shear Lee factor, and lithofacies is developed and applied to the Jurassic tight sandstone reservoirs of the Sichuan Basin. The results find that the permeability prediction accuracy is within half an order of magnitude, which is five times higher than the single-factor method of the shear flexibility factor. Compared with porosity, permeability distribution is more consistent with the measured productivity, which confirms the effectiveness of the method. It also provides a new way to predict the spatial distribution of reservoir permeability.