bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image Findings of Juxtacortical Lesions
Authors: Foremny Gregory B. , Quintero Daniel , Emerson Christopher P. , Baker Lauren , Subhawong Ty , Pretell-Mazzini Juan , Jose Jean
Published: November 2022

Juxtacortical lesions appear as neoplastic formations on the outer cortical surface of bone. They can arise from nonneoplastic and neoplastic origin, the latter of which might be malignant. Juxtacortical lesions of neoplastic origin can be categorized into bone-forming lesions, cartilaginous lesions, fibrous lesions, lesions of local vascular or neurogenic origin, or metastatic lesions. Forming a differential diagnosis can be challenging for any physician assistant. We selected a series of cases from our tertiary care clinic that have been subject to discussion for their similarity but vastly different prognosis. Our aim is to provide a rubric to compare juxtacortical lesions with guide orthopaedic and sport medicine providers in determining the immediacy of referral and follow-up.
Allogeneic Red Blood Cell Transfusion and Infectious Complications Following Pediatric Spinal Fusion
Authors: Eisler Lisa , Hassan Fthimnir , Lenke Lawrence G. , Chihuri Stanford , Hod Eldad A. , Li Guohua
Published: November 2022

Background:

Substantial bleeding occurs during spinal fusion surgery in the pediatric population, and many patients receive allogeneic red blood cell transfusion (ARBT) for the treatment of resulting perioperative anemia. ARBT is thought to increase vulnerability to postoperative infections following major surgical procedures, but studies of this relationship in children undergoing spinal fusion have yielded conflicting results.

Methods:

Patients who underwent spinal fusion before the age of 18 years were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (NSQIP-P) 2016 to 2019 databases, along with patient and procedure-specific characteristics, transfusion events and volumes, and postoperative infectious complications such as wound-related infection, pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), and sepsis. Multivariable logistic regression analyses provided adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between ARBT and each infection outcome and the overall risk of infection.

Results:

Among 19,159 patients studied, 714 (3.7%) developed a total of 931 episodes of postoperative infection. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, perioperative ARBT was independently associated with postoperative pneumonia (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.40 to 2.68), UTI (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.19 to 2.73), sepsis (aOR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.10 to 2.28), and the overall risk of infection (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.20 to 1.64). The risk of any postoperative infection increased in a dose-response fashion with transfusion volume.

Conclusions:

ARBT in pediatric spinal fusion is associated with significantly increased risks of postoperative pneumonia, UTI, and sepsis. The overall risk of postoperative infection increases with the volume transfused. Enhanced efforts to minimize perioperative anemia and ARBT should be considered as a means of improving patient outcomes.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Coexistencia de sífilis en el primer año de inicio de TAR y control virológico en pacientes con infección VIH del Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo
Authors:   , Tenorio Quispe Anabell Marcela , Velarde Meza Sonny Sthefanie
Published: November 2022

Introducción: Las coinfecciones en pacientes con VIH pueden relacionarse con cambios en la progresión de la infección, recuperación inmunológica o control virológico más tardíos, una de ellas la coinfección por sífilis, sin embargo, esta relación no es concluyente. Objetivo: Determinar si existe variación en la recuperación inmunológica y en el control virológico en pacientes con VIH que inician terapia antiviral (TAR) con relación a la infección reciente por sífilis. Metodología: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo de cohortes, a partir de la población de pacientes ingresados en el programa TAR del Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo en Lima, Perú durante los años 2015 hasta 2019 en un seguimiento de un año al inicio de TAR. Se realizaron modelos lineales generalizados (GLM) tipo Gaussiano para determinar relación entre las variables principales (edad, sexo, tipo de TAR, estadio clínico, variación de CD4 y control virológico). (CI:95%) P<0.05. Resultados: De 1117 pacientes infectados por VIH, se identificaron 222 pacientes con coinfección VIH-sífilis al inicio del TAR. La mediana de edad fue 29 años, 211 (95%) fueron varones, 35% en estadio SIDA, 23.5% con reinicio de TAR. No hubo diferencias entre coinfectados y no coinfectados con sífilis a los 6 meses y al año de inicio de TAR en el control virológico, CD4 y variación de CD4 con relación al basal. Conclusión: La presencia de coinfección sífilis-VIH no se relacionó con variación en el control virológico o recuperación inmunológica posterior al inicio de TAR a los 6 meses hasta el año de iniciado TAR.
Television-Viewing Time and Bodily Pain in Australian Adults with and without Type 2 Diabetes: 12-Year Prospective Relationships
Authors: Dzakpasu Francis Q. S. , Owen Neville , Carver Alison , Sethi Parneet , Brakenridge Christian J. , Salim Agus , Urquhart Donna M. , Cicuttini Flavia , Dunstan David W.
Published: November 2022

Background: Bodily pain is a common presentation in several chronic diseases, yet the influence of sedentary behaviour, common in ageing adults, is unclear. Television-viewing (TV) time is a ubiquitous leisure-time sedentary behaviour, with a potential contribution to the development of bodily pain. We examined the longitudinal relationships of TV time with bodily pain trajectories; and further, the potential moderation by type 2 diabetes (T2D) status.
Method: Data were from 4099participants (aged 35 to 65 years at baseline) in the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study (AusDiab), who took part in the follow-ups at 5 years, 12 years, or both. Bodily pain (from SF36 questionnaire: a 0 to 100 scale, where lower scores indicate more-severe pain), TV time, and T2D status [normal glucose metabolism (NGM), prediabetes, and T2D] were assessed at all three time-points. Multilevel growth curve modelling used age (centred at 50 years) as the time metric, adjusting for potential confounders, including physical activity and waist circumference.
Results: Mean TV time increased, and bodily pain worsened across the three-time points. Those with T2D had higher TV time and more-severe bodily pain than those without T2D at all time points. In a fully adjusted model, the mean bodily pain score for those aged 50 years at baseline was 76.9(SE: 2.2) and worsened significantly by 0.3(SE: 0.03) units every additional year (p <0.001). Those with initially more-severe pain had a higher rate of increase in pain severity. For every one-hour increase in daily TV time, there was a significant increase in pain severity [by 0.69(SE: 0.17) units each additional hour; p <0.001], accounting for the linear change in age and confounders. Above 2.5 hours/day of TV time, the association was significantly more-pronounced in those with T2D than in those without (prediabetes or NGM).
Conclusion: Increments in TV time predicted increased severity of bodily pain over 12 years in middle-aged and older Australian adults, and this was more pronounced in those with T2D. While increasing physical activity is a mainstay of the prevention and management of chronic health problems, these new findings highlight the potential of reducing sedentary behaviours in this context.
Electronic Platform-based Education for Radiology Residents: Results of a Two-Year Survey
Authors: Quaia Emilio
Published: November 2022

Background
Electronic platform-based resident education is increasing. The aim of this study was to identify the most reliable predictor variables related to the usage of electronic platform-based educational material for radiology residents which can predict a successful final year multiple choice test.
Methods
A two year survey was conducted based on the records of an electronic platform-based educational material for radiology residents. Radiology resident education was based on the educational content of two educational electronic platform databases. A pool of questions were addressed by each resident after reading the content of each electronic section related to a specific topic. A per-resident analysis was performed between the number of per-topic addressed questions and number of electronic platform content access, in terms of login access number, during the academic year (predictor variables) and final percentage of correct answers on final year electronic test (outcome variable). Statistical significance (p < 0.05) was determined using correlation analysis.
Results
Total login times (OR, 3; 95% CI, 2.2 -4), login frequency per month (OR, 4; 95% CI, 3.1–5.3), the number of per-topic addressed questions (OR, 3; 95% CI, 2.2 -4), and the number of topic-verified correct answers to multiple choice test (OR, 30.5; 95% CI, 12.8–80.9) all showed a statistically significant correlation with final percentage of correct answers on final year electronic test.
Conclusion
The number of correct answers to multiple choice test was related to the number and frequency of login access number, the number of per-topic addressed questions and the number of topic-verified correct answers to multiple choice test. The electronic-based educational material contributes significantly to a successful radiology residency program.
Effect of anthocyanins on gut health markers, Firmicutes-Bacteroidetes ratio and short-chain fatty acids: A systematic review via meta-analysis
Authors: Kapoor Payal , Tiwari Apoorv , Sharma Saloni , Tiwari Vandita , Sheoran Bhawna , Ali usman , Garg Monika
Published: November 2022

Researchers discovered that diets rich in anthocyanin-rich fruits and vegetables significantly impacted gut flora. To conclude that large-scale randomized controlled clinical trials are difficult to conduct; therefore, merging data from multiple small studies may aid. A systematic review collects and analyses all research on a certain subject and design. This comprehensive review and meta-analysis examined the influence of dietary anthocyanins on Firmicutes/Bacteroide (Fir/Bac) and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content. The current meta-analysis study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Diets high in anthocyanins substantially reduced the Fir/Bac ratio in the trials that were assessed. Among three SCFAs, highest impact was observed on the acetic acid; followed by propionic acid and then butanoic acid. The meta-analyses result also obtained sufficient heterogeneity, as indicated by I2 values. There is strong evidence that anthocyanin supplementation improves rodent gut health biomarkers (Fir/Bac and SCFAs), reducing obesity-induced gut dysbiosis, as revealed in this systematic review/meta-analysis. Anthocyanin intervention duration and dosage significantly influenced the Fir/Bac ratio and SCFA. Anthocyanin-rich diets were more effective when consumed over a more extended period and at a high dosage.
Partial least squares enhance multi-trait genomic prediction of potato cultivars in new environments
Authors: Ortiz Rodomiro , Reslow Fredrik , Montesinos-López Abelardo , Huicho José , Pérez-Rodriguez Paulino , Montesinos-López Osval , Crossa José
Published: November 2022

It is of paramount importance in plant breeding to have methods dealing with large numbers of predictor variables and few sample observations, as well as efficient methods for dealing with high correlation in predictors and measured traits. This paper explores in terms of prediction performance the partial least squares (PLS) method under uni-trait (UT) and multi-trait (MT) prediction of potato traits. The first prediction was for tested lines in tested environments under a five-fold cross-validation (5FCV) strategy and the second prediction was for tested lines in untested environments (herein denoted as leave one environment out cross validation, LOEO). There was a good performance in terms of predictions (with accuracy mostly > 0.5 for Pearson’s correlation) the accuracy of 5FCV was better than LOEO. Hence, we have empirical evidence that the UT and MT PLS framework is a very valuable tool for prediction in the context of potato breeding data
The spatial-temporal effect of air pollution on individuals’ reported health and its variation by ethnic groups in the United Kingdom: A multilevel longitudinal analysis
Authors: Ahad Mary Abed Al , Demšar Urška , Sullivan Frank , Kulu Hill
Published: November 2022

Background
Air pollution affects the individuals’ health negatively; though it is unclear whether this effect is stronger for ethnic minorities compared to the rest of population. This study uses longitudinal data to investigate the spatial-temporal effect of air pollution on individuals’ reported health and its variation by ethnicity in the United-Kingdom (UK).
Methods
Longitudinal individual-level data from Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study including 67,982 adult individuals with 404,264 repeated responses over 11years (2009–2019) were utilized and were linked to yearly concentrations of NO2, SO2, and particulate-matter (PM10, PM2.5) pollution once at the local authority and once at the census Lower Super Output Area (LSOA) of residence for each individual. This allows for analysis at two geographical scales over time. The association between air pollution and individuals’ health (Likert scale: 1–5, Excellent to poor) and its variation by ethnicity was assessed using three-levels mixed-effect linear models. The analysis distinguished between spatial (between areas) and temporal (across time within each area) effects of air pollution on health.
Results
Higher concentrations of NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 pollution were associated with poorer health. Decomposing air pollution into between (spatial: across local authorities or LSOAs) and within (temporal: across years within each local authority or LSOA) effects, showed a significant between effect for NO2 and SO2 pollutants at both geographical scales, while a significant between effect for PM10 and PM2.5 was shown only at the LSOAs level. No significant within effects were detected at either geographical level. Indian, Pakistani/Bangladeshi, Black/African/Caribbean and other ethnic groups and non-UK-born individuals reported poorer health with increasing concentrations of NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5 pollutants in comparison to the British-white and UK-born individuals.
Conclusions
Using longitudinal data on individuals’ health linked with air pollution data at two geographical scales (coarse local authorities and detailed LSOAs), this study supports the presence of a spatial-temporal association between air pollution and poor self-reported health, which is stronger for ethnic minorities and foreign-born individuals in the UK, partly explained by location-specific differences. Air pollution mitigation is necessary to improve the individuals’ health, especially for ethnic minorities who are affected the most.
Predicting Cholangiocarcinoma in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Using Artificial Intelligence, Clinical and Laboratory Data
Authors: Hu Chang , Iyer Ravishankar , Juran Brian , McCauley Bryan , Atkinson Elizabeth , Eaton John , Ali Ahmad , Lazaridis Konstantinos
Published: November 2022

Background: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients have a risk of developing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Establishing predictive models for CCA in PSC is important.
Methods: In a large cohort of 1,459 PSC patients seen at Mayo Clinic (1993-2020), we quantified the impact of clinical/laboratory variables on CCA development using univariate and multivariate Cox models and predicted CCA using statistical and artificial intelligence approaches. We explored plasma bile acid (BA) levels’ predictive power of CCA (subset of 300 patients, BA cohort).
Results: Eight significant risk factors (false discovery rate: 20%) were identified with univariate analysis; prolonged inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was the most important one. IBD duration, PSC duration, and total bilirubin remained significant (p<0.05) with multivariate analysis. Clinical/laboratory variables predicted CCA with cross-validated C-indexes of 0.68–0.71 at different time points of disease, significantly better compared to commonly used PSC risk scores. Lower chenodeoxycholic acid, higher conjugated fraction of lithocholic acid and hyodeoxycholic acid, and higher ratio of cholic acid to chenodeoxycholic acid were predictive of CCA. BAs predicted CCA with a cross-validated C-index of 0.66 (std: 0.11, BA cohort), similar to clinical/laboratory variables (C-index=0.64, std: 0.11, BA cohort). Combining BAs with clinical/laboratory variables leads to the best average C-index of 0.67 (std: 0.13, BA cohort).
Conclusions: In a large PSC cohort, we identified clinical and laboratory risk factors for CCA development and demonstrated the first artificial intelligence based predictive models that performed significantly better than common risk scores. More predictive data modalities are needed for clinical adoption of these models.
A systematic evaluation of human expert agreement on optical coherence tomography biomarkers using multiple devices
Authors: Michl Martin , Neschi Martina , Kaider Alexandra , Hatz Katja , Deák Gábor , Gerendas Bianca , Schmidt-Erfurth Ursula
Published: November 2022

Objectives:To assess the agreement in evaluating optical coherence tomography (OCT) variables in the leading macular diseases such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) among OCT-certified graders.Methods:SD-OCT volume scans of 356 eyes were graded by seven graders. The grading included presence of intra- and subretinal fluid (IRF, SRF), pigment epithelial detachment (PED), epiretinal membrane (ERM), conditions of the vitreomacular interface (VMI), central retinal thickness (CRT) at the foveal centerpoint (CP) and central millimeter (CMM), as well as height and location of IRF/SRF/PED. Kappa statistics (κ) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to report categorical grading and measurement agreement.Results:The overall agreement on the presence of IRF/SRF/PED was κ = 0.82/0.85/0.81; κ of VMI condition was 0.77, that of ERM presence 0.37. ICC for CRT measurements at CP and CMM was excellent with an ICC of1.00.Height measurements of IRF/SRF/PED showed robust consistency with ICC=0.85-0.93. There was substantial to almost perfect agreement in locating IRF/SRF/PED with κ=0.67-0.86. Between diseases, κ of IRF/SRF presence was 0.69/0.80 for nAMD, 0.64/0.83 for DME and 0.86/0.89 for RVO.Conclusion:Even in the optimized setting, featuring certified graders, standardized image acquisition and the use of a professional reading platform, there is a disease dependent variability in biomarker evaluation that is most pronounced for IRF in nAMD as well as DME. Our findings highlight the variability in the performance of human expert OCT grading and the need for AI-based automated feature analyses.
Large-Scale Functional Hyperconnectivity Patterns Characterizing Trauma-Related Dissociation: A rs-fMRI Study of PTSD and its Dissociative Subtype
Authors: Shaw Saurabh , Terpou Braeden , Densmore Maria , Theberge Jean , Frewen Paul , McKinnon Margaret , Lanius Ruth
Published: November 2022

The dissociative subtype of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a distinct PTSD phenotype characterized by trauma-related dissociation, alongside unique patterns of small and large-scale functional connectivity. However, disparate findings across these various scales of investigation have highlighted the need for a cohesive understanding of dissociative neurobiology. We took a step towards this goal by conducting the largest region of interest (ROI)-to-ROI analysis performed on a PTSD population to date. While modest functional connectivity differences were found between participants with PTSD and controls in the temporal regions and the right frontoparietal network, participants with the dissociative subtype demonstrated a markedly different pattern of widespread functional hyperconnectivity among subcortical regions, sensorimotor-related networks, and other intrinsic connectivity networks, when compared to controls. Furthermore, joint brain-behavior factor analysis identified two dissociative and one PTSD symptom-linked factor. These results advance our understanding of dissociative neurobiology, characterizing it as a divergence from normative small-world organization.
Inversion of time-varying gravity field before and after the 2013 Lushan MS7.0 earthquake
Authors: Wang Linhai , Chen Shi , Zhuang Jiancang , Zhang Bei , Shi Wen , Yang Jinling , Xu Weimin
Published: November 2022

The 2013 MS7.0 Lushan earthquake, Sichuan, China, occurs on a blind thrust fault in the southern Longmenshan fault belt. The terrestrial hybrid gravity observations enable us to investigate how the deep mass changes before and after the earthquake. Based on the gravity measurement data, we find a transient increase in the gravity field about 2 years before the earthquake and a drop after the mainshock. To find out the cause, a Bayesian inversion method with spatiotemporal smoothness prior is employed to extract apparent density changes. We hypothesize that the significant increase of apparent density over the region on the south of the focal zone might be related to mass transfer in the deep crust. Therefore, we introduce a disc-shaped equivalent source model with a homogeneous density to address this hypothesis. Based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations, we also estimate that the disc-shaped model has a radius of about 96 km, with a thickness of about 1.2 km and a depth of about 14 km. As a fluid diffusion footprint is indicated by seismicity migration in this region, with a fitted diffusion rate of 10 m2/s, we conclude that such deep crustal mass transfer may be caused by fluid diffusion.
Intervertebral disc approach versus nerve root approach in the treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: a cohort study
Authors: Kong Shuyi , Yang Yunuo , Cai Jianfeng , Ding Xiaoyan , Wang Kaiqiang
Published: November 2022

Background
With the gradual development of minimally invasive surgery, the treatment of cervical spondylosis is becoming more sophisticated and diversified. However, there was no previous study on the efficacy of intervertebral disc approach and nerve root approach for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. This trial aims to provide a basis for the clinical treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the two cutting-edge surgical methods.
Methods
Collect relevant information of patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy in 3 hospitals and follow up on the postoperative curative effect of the two surgical methods. The improvement of pain and numbness symptoms and cervical spine function were evaluated by NRS, NDI, and Macnab scores, and the postoperative recovery time and the improvement rate of dizziness were comprehensively analyzed. After that, we analyzed the mechanism of the different curative effects of the two surgical methods and found the different characteristics of their therapeutic targets.
Results
Compared with before treatment, the NRS scores and NDI scores of the two groups of patients were significantly decreased after treatment (P<0.05). The postoperative NRS score and NDI score of the plasma group were significantly lower than those of the radiofrequency group (2 to 3, 10 to 13, P<0.01), and the therapeutic efficiency of the plasma group was higher than that of the radiofrequency group (82% to 61%, P<0.01). The improvement rate of dizziness symptoms in the plasma group was higher than that in the radiofrequency group (79% to 43%, P<0.05), however, the proportion of people in the radiofrequency group whose symptoms improved within one week after the operation was significantly higher than that in the plasma group (51% to 24%, P<0.01).
Conclusions
Both treatment options could effectively relieved the symptoms of patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, but the degree of relief was different. Compared with cervical nerve radiofrequency, cervical intervertebral disc plasma decompression can better relieve upper extremity symptoms in patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy, promote the recovery of cervical spine function and improve cervical spondylosis-related dizziness symptoms, which may be closely related to the reduction of the pressure on the internal tissues of the cervical spine.
Therapeutic outcome and long-term naturalistic follow-up of female adolescent outpatients with AN: clinical, personality and psychopathology evolution, process indicators and outcome predictors
Authors: Amianto Federico , Arletti Luca , Vesco Serena , Davico Chiara , Vitiello Benedetto
Published: November 2022

Background Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious mental illness of growing prevalence in childhood and adolescence. Despite its severity, there are still no completely satisfactory evidence-based treatments. Follow-up studies represent the most effective attempt to enlighten treatment effectiveness, outcome predictors and process indicators. Methods 73 female participants affected with AN were assessed at intake (T0), and at 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) months after treatment into an outpatient multimodal treatment program, 19 participants were also assessed 15 years after demission (T3). Changes in diagnostic criteria were compared with the chi-square test. Clinical, personality and psychopathology evolution were tested with GLM ANOVA for repeated measures, and using t-test or Wilcoxon test as post-hoc. T0 features of dropout, stable and healed participants were compared with ANOVA. Healed and unhealed long-term follow-up groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Treatment changes were correlated to each other and to initial features using multivariate regression analysis. Results the rate of complete remission after treatment (T2) was 64.4% and 73.7% in the long-term follow-up participants (T3). Twenty-two percent of participants maintained a full diagnosis after treatment (T2), and only 15.8% of the participants at follow-up (T3). BMI significantly increased at each timepoint with respect to T0. A significant decrease of persistence and increase in self-directedness were evidenced between T0 and T2. Interoceptive awareness, drive to thinness, and impulsivity significantly decreased after treatment. Parent-rated and adolescent-rated general psychopathology significantly reduced after treatment. Lower reward dependence and cooperativeness characterized the dropout group. The healed group displayed lower adolescent-rated aggressive and externalizing, and lower parent-rated delinquent behaviors. BMI, personality and psychopathology changes were related with each other and with initial features. Conclusion a 12-months outpatient multimodal treatment encompassing psychiatric, nutritional and psychological approaches is an effective approach for the treatment of mild to moderate anorexia nervosa in adolescence. Treatment not only increases BMI but also fosters personality development and changes in both eating and general psychopathology. Lower relational abilities may obstacle healing. Approaches to treatment resistance should be personalized according to these features.
Design of compact dual wideband bandpass filter based on transversal signal interaction concepts
Authors: Qian Lirong , Zhang Zeqin , Li Cuiping , Tian Yahui , Li Honglang , Wang Litian
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a transversal dual-band wideband bandpass filter (BPF) with two transmission paths is proposed. Two shorted coupled lines are employed as ideal 180° phase shifting structure to realize additional transmission path. Multiple transmission zeroes are obtained by transversal signal cancellation mechanism and high selectivity passbands can be achieved. By employing the classical odd-/even mode analysis method, seven modes can be excited for dual wideband construction. The fractional band width of the first wide passband can reach 107% for multiservice application. The presented transversal BPF with dual wideband is fabricated for verification. Good agreement between experimental results and simulation predictions validates the effectiveness of presented design methodology.
Endoscopic resection for local residual or recurrent cancer after definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tani Yasuhiro , Ishihara Ryu , Matsuura Noriko , Okubo Yuki , Kawakami Yushi , Sakurai Hirohisa , Nakamura Takahiko , Matsueda Katsunori , Miyake Muneaki , Shichijo Satoki , Maekawa Akira , Kanesaka Takashi , Yamamoto Sachiko , Takeuchi Yoji , Higashino Koji , Uedo Noriya , Michida Tomoki
Published: November 2022

Background: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and radiotherapy (RT) are treatment options for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but local residual/recurrent cancer after CRT/RT is a major problem. Endoscopic resection (ER) is an effective treatment option for local residual/recurrent cancer. To ensure the efficacy of ER, complete removal of endoscopically visible lesions with cancer-free vertical margins is desired. This study aimed to identify endoscopic parameters associated with the complete endoscopic removal of local residual/recurrent cancer.
Methods: In this single-center, retrospective study, we used a prospectively maintained database to identify esophageal lesions that were diagnosed as local residual/recurrent cancer after CRT/RT and treated by ER between January 2012 and December 2019. We evaluated the associations of endoscopic R0 resection with findings on conventional endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS).
Results: In total, 98 lesions (83 cases) were identified from our database. The rate of endoscopic R0 resection was higher for flat lesions (100% versus 77%, P = 0.00014). EUS was performed for 24 non-flat lesions, and endoscopic R0 resection was achieved for 94% of lesions with an uninterrupted fifth layer.
Conclusions: Flat lesions on conventional endoscopy and lesions with an uninterrupted fifth layer on EUS are good candidates for ER.
Cabotegravir – global access to long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV
Authors: Pepperrell Toby , Cross Samuel , Hill Andrew
Published: November 2022

A novel injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis, cabotegravir, has greater efficacy and acceptability than oral TDF/FTC for prevention of HIV infection. Cabotegravir is currently priced at $22,200 per year, 370-times higher than the potential $60 estimated cost-effectiveness threshold for MICs. Following civil society pressure, ViiV agreed access to generic versions in 90 countries with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), including all African nations. However, several MICs outside Africa have rapidly growing HIV epidemics. We analysed the ViiV-MPP deal to assess population covered and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. There were 38 countries excluded from the ViiV-MPP deal despite having a GDP per Capita lower than the highest earning African country. These countries include 2.4 billion people (30% global population), with an incidence of 122 thousand (8%). For cabotegravir to have a significant impact on HIV infections, millions will need to be treated at affordable prices in a wide range of countries.
Use of thermography to assess heat tolerance in cattle breeds
Authors: Vieira Renata , Dias Eduardo A. , Stumpf Marcelo T. , Pereira Gabriel R. , Barcellos Julio O. J. , Kolling Giovani J. , McManus Concepta
Published: November 2022

Thermography has grown in use in recent years. It is a valuable tool for measuring animal heat tolerance under heat stress conditions since it is a non-invasive, safe and practical methodology. Physiological variables such as respiration rate and eye temperature, and environmental variables such as air temperature and wet bulb temperature were analysed in animals from nine cattle breeds (Angus, Braford, Brangus, Canchim, Charolais, Hereford, Nelore, Simmental and Santa Gertrudis) and one bubaline (Mediterranean) from the Expointer event in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Positive correlations were observed between air temperature and respiration rate and eye temperature. Furthermore, the breed strongly influenced the eye temperature and respiration rate of the animals. The inflexion points in the broken line analysis indicated the environmental temperature limits at which breeds begin to change their respiration to compensate for environmental variation. Logistic regression analysis allows us to observe how each breed behaves with the temperature change. Using respiration rates and eye temperatures it was possible to identify physiological limits for comfort in different breeds of bovine.
Functional annotation of proteins for signaling network inference in non-model species
Authors: Broeck Lisa Van den , Bhosale Dinesh , Song Kuncheng , de Lima Cássio Fonseca , Ashley Michael , Zhu Tingting , Zhu Shanshuo , De Cotte Brigitte Van , Neyt Pia , Ortiz Anna , Sikes Tiffany , Aper Jonas , Lootens Peter , Locke Anna , De Smet Ive , Sozzani Rosangela
Published: November 2022

Molecular biology aims to understand the molecular basis of cellular responses, unravel dynamic regulatory networks, and model complex biological systems. However, these studies remain challenging in non-model species as a result of poor functional annotation of regulatory proteins, like kinases or phosphatases. To overcome this limitation, we developed a multi-layer neural network that annotates proteins by determining functionality directly from the protein sequence. We annotated the kinases and phosphatases in the non-model species, Glycine max (soybean), achieving a prediction sensitivity of up to 97%. To demonstrate the applicability, we used our functional annotations in combination with Bayesian network principles to predict signaling cascades using time series phosphoproteomics. We shed light on phosphorylation cascades in soybean seedlings upon cold treatment and identified Glyma.10G173000 (TOI5) and Glyma.19G007300 (TOT3) as predicted key temperature response regulators in soybean. Importantly, the network inference does not rely upon known upstream kinases, kinase motifs, or protein interaction data, enabling de novo identification of kinase-substrate interactions. In addition to high accuracy and strong generalization, we showed that our functional prediction neural network is scalable to other model and non-model species, including Oryza sativa (rice), Zea mays(maize), Sorghum bicolor (sorghum), and Triticum aestivum (wheat). Taking together, we demonstrated a data-driven systems biology approach for non-model species leveraging our predicted upstream kinases and phosphatases.
The association of Cardiac Valve Calcification and 1-year Mortality after Lower-extremity Amputation in Diabetic Patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Ye Weibin , Li Li , Zeng Jianfeng
Published: November 2022

Background:Cardiac valve calcification predisposes patients to a higher risk of adverse events. This study aimed to investigate the association between cardiac valve calcification and 1-year mortality in diabetic patients after lower-extremity amputation.Methods:Diabetic patients requiring lower-extremity amputation were retrospectively studied. Preoperative detailed anamnesis was taken. Cardiac valve calcification was assessed using echocardiography at baseline. One-year follow-up was conducted and included clinical visits, hospital record assessment, and telephone reviews to obtain the survival status of patients.Results:Ninety-three diabetic patients participated in the study. The 1-year follow-up mortality rate after amputation was 24.7%. Compared to the survival group, the prevalence of cardiac valve calcification and RCRI were higher in the mortality group. In the Cox regression analysis, cardiac valvular calcification (HR=3.427, 95% CI=1.125-10.443, P=0.030) was found to be an independent predictor of all-cause mortality after amputation. In addition, the patients with both aortic valve calcification and mitral annular calcification had a higher all-cause mortality rate (50%). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed a stronger predictive ability when using a combination of calcified valve number and RCRI (AUC=0.786 95%, CI=0.676-0.896, P=0.000).Conclusion:In diabetic patients after lower-extremity amputation, cardiac valve calcification was associated with all-cause mortality during 1-year follow-up. Combination of calcified valves number and RCRI showed a stronger predictive valuefor mortality.
An Autophagy-Related Gene Signature can Better Predict Prognosis in Osteosarcoma
Authors: Yang Liang.
Published: November 2022

Background
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a bone malignant tumor that occurs in children and adolescents. Due to a lack of reliable prognostic biomarkers, the prognosis of OS patients is often uncertain. This study aimed to construct an autophagy-related gene signature to predict the prognosis of OS patients.
Methods
The gene expression profile data of OS and normal muscle tissue samples were downloaded separately from the Therapeutically Applied Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. The differentially expressed autophagy-related genes (DEARGs) in OS and normal muscle tissue samples were screened using R software, before being subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed and hub autophagy-related genes were screened. Finally, the screened autophagy-related genes were subjected to univariate Cox regression, Lasso Cox regression, survival analysis, and clinical correlation analysis.
Results
A total of 120 DEARGs and 10 hub autophagy-related genes were obtained. A prognostic autophagy-related gene signature consisting of 9 genes (BNIP3, MYC, BAG1, CALCOCO2, ATF4, AMBRA1, EGFR, MAPK1, and PEX) was constructed. This signature was significantly correlated to the prognosis (P < 0.0001) and distant metastasis of OS patients (P = 0.013).
Conclusion
This signature based on 9 autophagy-related genes could predict metastasis and survival in patients with OS.
Tree volume estimation for small silvopastoral systems: do we really need the height variable to obtain sufficiently accurate results?
Authors: Müller Marcelo Dias , Borges Cristiano Amancio Vieira , Resende Leonardo Oliveira , Martins Carlos Eugênio
Published: November 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance of single and double-entry volumetric models in estimating tree volume of eucalypt trees in different silvopastoral systems in Coronel Pacheco, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Diameter at breast height, total height, and diameter outside the bark along the stems of the sample trees were recorded. Four single-entry and five double-entry volume models were fitted to the observed data for six strata consisting of different Eucalyptus genetic material and three silvopastoral systems, and were compared to select the best alternative. Double-entry models, specifically logarithmic Spurr and logarithmic Schumacher & Hall, fitted statistically better then single-entry ones for all but one of the strata, where they were overcome by the Husch’s model. However, although the superiority of the former can have been easily verified by different and complementary statistics, we found that the volume estimates provided by the best double-entry and the best single-entry model of each stratum differed by a quantity that can be considered irrisory, from both practical and monetary points of view. In a per tree basis, the differences, in absolute values, did not surpassed 0.051 m3, or only US$ 0.25, considering a market value of US$ 4.90/m3. And even when simulating a real scenario of batch sales for each stratum, by simple extrapolation of the mean volume and considering their effective tree stand, such differences did not exceed ±0.25 m3/ha, or ±US$ 1.20/ha. These findings suggest that the smallholder farmer does not need to estimate the height of its trees; more than this, he/she can save money by not having to do a complete forest inventory and by using single-entry models such as the Husch model for estimating the wood volume of his/her plant stand. Another highlight or reinforcement of this work is that the use of the Furnival index was crucial for a reliable selection of the best models, once it allows for comparisons at the same scale of variation.
RETRACTED: Effects of age on secondary dentine mineralization and resin bonding capacity
Authors: Anastasiadis Konstantinos , Spiros Zinelis , Eliades George
Published: November 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Matlab Programming on Iris Biometric Security Using Feature Extraction Process
Authors: M Elakia , P Praveena , B Prabavathi , M Astalakshmi
Published: November 2022

A Biometric system provides automatic identification of an individual based on a unique feature or characteristics possessed by the individual. Iris recognition is one of the important biometrics recognition system that identify people based on the iris. Among, the biometric system iris recognition is the best and most reliable and accurate. The aim is to identify a person in real time, with high efficiency and accuracy. In this paper, iris recognition algorithm is implemented via; hybrid techniques and feature extraction process by using MATLAB coding. In hybrid technique, iris recognition is implemented using histogram equalization, wavelet techniques and some of the best edge detection, feature extraction. And Extracting a shape and texture from Characterize images using the feature extraction process.
Slit-Robo expression in the leech nervous system: insights into eyespot evolution
Authors: Kwak Hee-Jin , Jimenez Brenda Irene Medina , Park Soon Cheol , Kim Jung-Hyeuk , Jeong Geon-Hwi , Jeon Mi-Jeong , Kim Sangil , Kim Jung-Woong , Weisblat David , Cho Sung-Jin
Published: November 2022

Background
Slit and Robo are evolutionarily conserved ligand and receptor proteins, respectively, but the number of slit and robo gene paralogs varies across recent bilaterian genomes. Previous studies indicate that this ligand-receptor complex is involved in axon guidance. Given the lack of data regarding Slit/Robo in the Lophotrochozoa compared to Ecdysozoa and Deuterostomia, the present study aims to identify and characterize the expression of Slit/Robo orthologs in leech development.
Results
We identified one slit (Hau-slit), and two robo genes (Hau-robo1 and Hau-robo2), and characterized their expression spatiotemporally during the development of the glossiphoniid leech Helobdella austinensis. Throughout segmentation and organogenesis, Hau-slit and Hau-robo1 are broadly expressed in complex and roughly complementary patterns in the ventral and dorsal midline, nerve ganglia, foregut, visceral mesoderm and/or endoderm of the crop, rectum and reproductive organs. Before yolk exhaustion, Hau-robo1 is also expressed where the pigmented eye spots will later develop, and Hau-slit is expressed in the area between these future eye spots. In contrast, Hau-robo2 expression is extremely limited, appearing first in the developing pigmented eye spots, and later in the three additional pairs of cryptic eye spots in head region that never develop pigment. Comparing the expression of robo orthologs between H. austinensis and another glossiphoniid leech, Alboglossiphonia lata allows to that robo1 and robo2 operate combinatorially to differentially specify pigmented and cryptic eyespots within the glossiphoniid leeches.
Conclusions
Our results support a conserved role in neurogenesis, midline formation and eye spot development for Slit/Robo in the Lophotrochozoa, and provide relevant data for evo-devo studies related to nervous system evolution.
Nanofibrillated lignocellulose-based superhydrophobic coating with antimicrobial performance
Authors: Ye Mengting , Wang Shengdan , Ji Xingxiang , Tian Zhongjian , Dai Lin , Si Chuanling
Published: November 2022

Superhydrophobic coatings have been widely developed to endue the materials with antibacterial, self-cleaning, antiseptic, and some other multi-functionalities. Fluorochemicals are the most commonly used superhydrophobic coatings, however, the released toxic substances from fluorinated polymers are a significant source of water pollution and even a threat to human health. With the increasingly great attention to the environment, it is imperative to exploit green and effective hydrophobic coatings. Here, a nanofibrillated lignocellulose-based multifunctional superhydrophobic coating (NMSC) was fabricated by using an efficient silylation process from cellulose, tetraethyl orthosilicate, and cetyl trimethoxysilane. Microscopic, chemical structural, and thermal properties analyses revealed that the NMSC has nano roughness, low surface energy, and good thermal stability. More importantly, the NMSC displayed an unprecedented hydrophobic and self-cleaning performance (water contact angle ~ 165°). The NMSC superhydrophobic coating can realize long-term effective barriers to many fluids, including strong acid (pH = 1), strong alkali (pH = 13), alcohols, alkanes, esters, and some other organic solvents. Moreover, the NMSC also showed good antibacterial properties with E. coli and S. aureus. This work not only improved the high-value application of lignocellulose but also provides a good pathway for the development of ecological and sustainable multi-functional coatings.
Cloning and functional analysis of the molting gene CYP302A1 of Daphnia sinensis
Authors: Qi Huiying , Cao Huijuan , Zhao Yajie , Cao Yaqin , Jin Qide , Wang Yeping , Zhang Kun , Deng Daogui
Published: November 2022

Background
Molting is an important physiological process in the growth and development of arthropoda, which is mainly regulated by juvenile hormone and ecdysone. CYP302A1 is a key enzyme which plays a critical role in the synthesis of ecdysone in insects, but it has not been identified in cladocera.
Results
The CYP302Al gene of D. sinensis was cloned and its function was analyzed in this paper. The CYP302Al gene of D. sinensis was 5926 bp in full-length, with an open reading frame (ORF) of 1596 bp that encoded 531 amino acids, a molecular weight of 60.82 kDa and an isoelectric point of 9.29. The amino acid sequence analysis revealed that there were five characteristic conserved regions of cytochrome P450 family (namely helix-C, helix-K, helix-I, PERF and heme-binding). In dsRNA mediated experiment, the expression level of CYP302A1 gene decreased significantly (knock-down of 56.22%) in the 5% Escherichia coli concentration treatment. In addition, the expression levels of EcR and USP and HR3 genes in the downstream decreased also significantly, whereas that of FTZ-f1 gene increased significantly. In the 5% E. coli concentration treatment, the molting time at first pregnancy of D. sinensis prolonged, and the development of embryos in the incubation capsule appeared abnormal or disintegrated. The whole-mount in situ hybridization showed that the CYP302A1 gene of D. sinensis had six expression sites before RNA interference (RNAi), which located in the first antennal ganglion, ovary, gastric coeca, olfactory hair, thoracic limb and tail spine. However, the expression signal of the CYP302A1 gene of D. sinensis disappeared in the first antennal ganglion and obviously attenuated in the ovary after RNAi.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the CYP302A1 gene played an important role in the ecdysone synthesis pathway of D. sinensis, and the knock-down of the gene affected the molting and reproduction of D. sinensis.