bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of Smoking Cessation Into Standard Treatment for Patients Receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy Who Are Smoking Tobacco: Protocol for a Randomised Controlled Trial (ATLAS4LAR)
Authors: Druckrey-Fiskaaen Karl Trygve , Furulund Einar , Daltveit Jan Tore , Vold Jørn Henrik , Lid Torgeir Gilje , Madebo Tesfaye , Fadnes Lars Thore
Published: July 2022

Background: About 85% of patients receiving opioid agonist therapy (OAT) for opioid dependence are smoking tobacco. Although smoke-related pulmonary diseases are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality, few smoking cessation interventions are evaluated within this group, and few OAT patients are offered smoking cessation as an integrated part of their addiction treatment. This study protocol describes an integrated smoking cessation intervention aimed at patients receiving OAT and smoking tobacco.Methods: This is a multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial that will recruit 266 daily tobacco smoking patients receiving OAT in OAT outpatient clinics in Bergen and Stavanger, Norway. The patients randomised for the intervention arm will be offered smoking cessation therapy consisting of weekly brief behavioural interventions and prescription-free nicotine replacement products. In the control arm, patients will receive standard care without any added interventions related to smoking cessation.The smoking cessation intervention includes psychoeducational techniques with components from motivational interviewing, and nicotine replacement products such as nicotine lozenges, patches and chewing gum. The duration of the intervention is 16 weeks, with the option of extending it with a further eight weeks. The main outcomes are measured at 16 weeks after initiation of the intervention, and sustained effects are evaluated one year after intervention initiation. The primary outcome is smoking cessation verified by carbon monoxide (CO)-levels or at least a 50% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked. Secondary outcomes are changes in psychological well-being, biochemical inflammation markers, changes in physical health functioning, quality of life and fatigue. Discussion: Integration of other treatments to standard OAT care improves adherence and completion rates providing another rationale for integrated smoking cessation treatment. Thus, if integrated smoking cessation treatment is superior to standard care, this trial provides important information on further scale-up. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05290025, Date of registry 22. March 2022
The Wide Range of Uses of Indocyanine Green in Thoracic Surgery: State-of-the-art
Authors: marziali valentina , Frasca Luca , Longo Filippo , Vega Raffaella , Crucitti Pierfilippo
Published: July 2022

Background: Thoracic surgery is a constantly evolving field that require innovative solutions. Invisible near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green is an intraoperative technology that could be help for surgeons. Indocyanine green is a nontoxic dye with low rate of adverse reaction. Indocyanine green binds with plasma proteins and lipoprotein that allow a deep tissue penetration, and also the amphiphilic proprieties allow indocyanine green to migrate within lymphatics. Methods: We selected forty-nine previous studies from the literature searching terms “lung cancer”, “indocyanine green”, “thoracic surgery”, “fluorescent images”. The topics of the paper were: sentinel lymph node mapping, pulmonary nodes identification, intersegmental plane identification, and other application (pulmonary bullous lesions, bronchopleural fistula, bronchoplasty, pulmonary sequestration, chyle leak, hyperidrosis). Results: In the different applications indocyanine green showed a high identification rate, overall accuracy, sensibility, and specificity. Conclusions: This review describes the advantages and current applications in thoracic surgery of intraoperative near-infrared fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green.
Quantitative evaluation method of smoke exhaust performance and application on exhaust volume optimization in tunnel fires under lateral centralized mode
Authors: Zhu Daiqiang , Xu Pai , Xing Rongjun , Guo Yufei , Liu Yixian , Jiang Shuping , Li Linjie
Published: July 2022

The indicators in the quantitative method are investigated to evaluate smoke exhaust performance in tunnel fires, which provides a theoretical basis for the optimization of the smoke extraction system under the lateral centralized mode. The criterion is proposed for plug-holing, and the theoretical models of smoke exhaust efficiency are established to distinguish whether the plug-holing occurs or not. The relationship between efficiency, effectiveness, and efficacy is analyzed from the perspective of smoke and heat exhaust. Meanwhile, this evaluation method is applied to the optimization of exhaust volume through FDS numerical simulation. The results show that Ri is a vital basis for judging the movement form of smoke and the exhaust effect. The critical value of Ri is 1.09 when plug-holing occurs, resulting in a significant reduction in the efficiency of smoke exhaust. The greater the exhaust volume of the exhaust fan, the greater the Ri value, the higher the total smoke and heat exhaust efficiency, and the better the exhaust effectiveness of smoke inlets without plug-holing. Under longitudinal ventilation, the optimal exhaust volume is 180m3/s at 20MW and 360m3/s at 50MW.
Entirely recyclable all-organic electronics enabled by closed-loop recycling for the sustainable future wearable systems
Authors: Park Haechan , Kim Sehyun , Lee Juyeong , Lee Inwoo , Bontapalle Sujitkumar , Na Younghoon , Sim Kyoseung
Published: July 2022

With growing interest and effort in developing organic electronics for future technologies such as wearable electronics, organic e-wastes generated during synthesis and disposal are becoming an inevitable environmental issue. Organic e-wastes possess unforeseeable potential genotoxicity and cytotoxicity in nature and humans, but efforts to reduce e-wastes have primarily focused on recapturing metallic materials. Here, we report a recyclable organic flexible (ROF) electronic device enabled by closed-loop recycling of entire materials recapturing and reusing through selective dissolution and spin-coating-free fabrication. The ROF electrode and electronics show reliable electrical properties under mechanical bending and after five times recycling. Moreover, ROF transistors and logic gates based on organic semiconductors and dielectrics were fabricated, and recycled devices show no considerable degradation. Finally, we achieved the sustainable devices cycle by reconstructing various ROF electronics using only recycled materials from different functional devices. The ROF electronics in this work provide a promising strategy for a sustainable future wearable electronic system.
Evaluation of Soil Liquefaction Caused by Earthquakes With Design Program Soilengineering Using Synthetic Data
Authors: Aytaş Zeval , Alpaslan Nuray , Özçep Ferhat
Published: July 2022

Dynamic loads, such as earthquakes, can cause damage to soils, especially from soil liquefaction. Liquefaction analyses provide more reliable results when combined with the properties of soils and earthquakes. In recent years, computer programs have been developed in which many parameters can be used to perform these analyses for solving geotechnical engineering problems. SoilEngineering is a Microsoft Excel-based geotechnical design program with which calculations can be carried out and graphical results can be achieved based on empirical relationships. In this study, the effects of soil and earthquake parameters on soil liquefaction were analyzed using a standard penetration test (SPT) and shear wave velocity (Vs). We observed that there is conformity between the parameters used in different techniques. Taken together, our results show that calculating the liquefaction risk using both soil and earthquake properties will produce reliable results in solving geotechnical problems.
TCF-7 differentially regulates CD4 T cells mediated alloimmunity
Authors: Harris Rebecca , Mammadli Mahinbanu , Suo Liye , Sen Misra , Karimi Mobin
Published: July 2022

The transcription factor T Cell Factor-7, encoded by TCF-7, is critical for T cell development. However, the role of TCF-7 on peripheral CD4 T cell-mediated alloimmunity is currently unknown. In this report using a clinically relevant model, we presented novel findings on how TCF-7 regulates CD4 T cell functions, including CD4 T cell activation, phenotype, and effector and central memory formation. We uncovered how TCF-7 regulates chemokine receptors, which are essential for CD4 T cell migration to the site of inflammation. We provide molecular, and transcriptomic evidence that TCF-7 functionally regulates CD4 T cell-mediated apoptosis and cell death, T cell-mediated processes, and proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production, differentiation at baseline and after alloactivation. These novel findings represent a step forward to designing a target-specific approach for CD4 T cell-mediated diseases, while enhancing understanding of the molecular mechanism behind the role of CD4 T cells in alloimmunity.
Radiogenomic Analysis of Prediction HER2 status in Breast Cancer by Linking Ultrasound Radiomic Feature Modules with Biological Functions
Authors: Cui Hao , Sun Yue , Zhao Dantong , Zhang Xudong , Kong Hanqing , Hu Nana , Wang Panting , Zuo Xiaoxuan , Fan Wei , Yao Yuan , Fu Baiyang , Tian Jiawei , Gao Yue , Ning Shangwei , Zhang Lei
Published: July 2022

Background
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressed associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer (BRCA) and HER2 has been defined as a therapeutic target for BRCA treatment. We aimed to exploring the molecular biological information in ultrasound radiomic features (URFs) of HER2-positive BRCA using radiogenomic analysis. Moreover, a radiomics model was developed to predict the status of HER2 in BRCA.
Methods
This retrospective study included 394 patients who were diagnosed with BRCA. URFs were extracted from a radiomics analysis set using PyRadiomics. The correlations between differential URFs and HER2-related genes were calculated using Pearson correlation analysis. Functional enrichment of the identified URFs-correlated HER2 positive-specific genes was performed. Lastly, the radiomics model was developed based on the URF-modules mined from auxiliary differential URFs to assess the HER2 status of BRCA.
Results
Eight differential URFs (P < 0.05) were identified among the 86 URFs extracted by Pyradiomics. Twenty-five genes that were found to be the most closely associated with URFs. Then, the relevant biological functions of each differential URF were obtained through functional enrichment analysis. Among them, Zone Entropy is related to immune cell activity, which regulate the generation of calcification in BRCA. The radiomics model based on the Logistic classifier and URF-modules showed good discriminative ability (AUC = 0.80, 95% CI).
Conclusion
We searched for the URFs of HER2-positive BRCA, and explore the underlying genes and biological functions of these URFs. Furthermore, the radiomics model based on the Logistic classifier and URF-modules accurately predicted the HER2 status in BRCA.
Inhaled Paraquat-Induced Lung Injury in Rat, Improved by the Extract of Zataria Multiflora boiss and PPARγ Agonist, Pioglitazone
Authors: Amin Fatemeh , Kazerani Hamid Reza , Memarzia Arghavan , Rad Hamideh Kazemi , Ghasemi Seyedeh Zahra , Boskabady Mohammad Hossein
Published: July 2022

The effects of a PPAR-γ agonist, pioglitazone and Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) on inhaled paraquat (PQ)-induced lung oxidative stress, inflammation, pathological changes and tracheal responsiveness were examined. The study was carried out in control rats exposed to normal aerosol of saline, PQl and PQh groups exposed to aerosols of 27 and 54 mg/m3 PQ, groups exposed to high PQ concentration (PQh) and treated with 200 and 800 mg/kg/day Z. multiflora, 5 and 10 mg/kg/day pioglitazone, low doses of Z. multiflora + pioglitazone, and 0.03 mg/kg/day dexamethasone. Increased tracheal responsiveness, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) and lung pathological changes due to PQh were significantly improved by high doses of Z. multiflora and pioglitazone, dexamethasone and extract + pioglitazone, (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). In group treated with low doses of the extract + pioglitazone, the improvements of most measured variables were significantly higher than the low dose of two agents alone (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Z. multiflora improved lung injury induced by inhaled PQ similar to dexamethasone and pioglitazone which could be mediated by PPAR-γ receptor.
Sex-Differences in COVID-19 Diagnosis, Risk Factors and Disease Comorbidities
Authors: Kharroubi Samer A , Harake Marwa El-
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 are greater for males, however, the mechanisms for this difference are unclear. We aim to investigate sex-gender differences in COVID-19 in a large US-based cohort, namely COVID-19 Research Database. Specifically, the objectives of the present study are to explore the socio-economic characteristics of COVID-19 male and female patients and to examine potential sex differences in lifestyle factors and disease comorbidities among diagnosed patients. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study comparing males versus females with test-confirmed COVID-19 between January 2020 and December 2021 (N=62,310). The study used secondary data, called Healthjump, which were extracted from patients’ medical claims and electronic health records (e.g., demographics, encounters, medical history, procedures, social history, and vitals). Results: Significant socio-demographic and comorbidity differences were observed between male and female patients (p<0.05). For example, a significantly higher proportion of males (vs. females) were aged ≥70-year-old (17.04% vs. 15.01%) and smokers (11.04 %vs. 9.24%, p<0.0001). In addition, multiple logistic regression showed that hypertension and diabetes were significantly more frequent in males (AOR=66.19 and AOR=22.90). Conclusions: Understanding the differences in outcomes between males and females will inform gender equity responsive policy approaches to COVID-19 and improve the effectiveness of health interventions.
Strategies for Managing Neonates with Congenital Lung Mass Presenting with Respiratory Distress
Authors: He Taozhen , Sun Xiaoyan , Luo Dengke , Dai Shiyi , Yuan Miao , Yang Gang , Cheng Kaisheng , Xu Chang
Published: July 2022

Background: Congenital lung mass is a group of entities which are usually prenatally diagnosed and not uncommon. However, patients that present with respiratory distress in neonatal period and require emergency intervention seem to be rare. Moreover, what is the best policy facing this condition has not reached a consensus in recent years. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of our strategies in managing neonates with congenital lung mass presenting with respiratory distress.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of five congenital lung mass neonates presenting with respiratory distress from April 2020 to April 2022 for whom different strategies were adopted and favorable outcomes were obtained. The clinical presentations, complications, histological examination, and treatment were analyzed. Literature concerning neonates with respiratory distress undergoing emergency interventions due to large lung lesions was also reviewed.Results: All the neonatal patients were prenatally diagnosed with congenital lung mass, and among them, four neonates with cystic lung masses accepted percutaneous thoracic catheter drainage prior to surgery. One neonate with a cystic lung mass experienced prompt open lobectomy due to little alleviation of respiratory symptoms after two maneuvers. The other three patients obtained good drainage of the large air-filled cyst, thus gaining the opportunity for elective thoracoscopic surgery in median 48 d. The fifth case directly underwent emergency surgery due to the solid nature of the lung lesion. Four patients were diagnosed with congenital pulmonary airway malformation, and the fifth patient was diagnosed with a fetal lung interstitial tumor according to the pathological findings. There were no major complications, such as major bleeding, air leakage or death.Conclusions: For neonates with cystic lung masses presenting with respiratory distress due to mediastinal compression, percutaneous thoracic catheter drainage and subsequent elective thoracoscopic surgery were superior to emergency thoracotomy in terms of safety and parenchyma-sparing surgery based on the study and literature. For those with solid lung lesions whose CVR value is no less than 1.6, either EXIT surgery or emergency thoracotomy is a reliable strategy depending on the medical resources available.
Sequential decision making for a class of hidden Markov processes, application to medical treatment optimisation
Authors: Cleynen Alice , de Saporta Benoîte
Published: July 2022

Sequential decision-making under uncertainty is a difficult problem that is typically encountered in patient follow-up settings. The literature on finite states problems is well developed; however there has been very little work involving continuous time and state processes. We propose to model a disease evolution through a partially observed piecewise deterministic semi-Markov process where theinter-jump times have a general distribution. The discrete coordinate (e.g. global health state of thepatient) is not observed, the continuous one (e.g. result of some blood measurement) is observed with noise at some (possibly scarce) observation times. The objective is to optimally select the observation dates while controlling the process so that it remains close to a nominal value. Thisproblem being analytically untractable, we exhibit an explicit policy close to optimality based on discretisations of the belief process. Construction of discretisation grids with theoretical guaranteesare discussed at length. The paper is illustrated with experiments on synthetic data fitted fromthe Intergroupe Francophone du Mylome 2009 clinical trial. We provide data and codes on github.
Faunal change over three decades to reveal Rotundocollarette capoori n. gen., n.sp., a unique anisakid from Johnius dussumieri at the Central west coast of India at Goa
Authors: YADAV ANITA , MALHOTRA SANDEEP K , Kapoor Neerja
Published: July 2022

A unique anisakid roundworm, Rotundocollarette capoori n. gen., n.sp. infesting Johnius dussumieri from the Central West coast of India at Goa has been described. The worms are typically characterized by a cephalic collarette, a muscular collarette in post-caudal zone, intestinal caecum and a ventricular appendix. 3 pores, a part of cephalic infrastructure– a dorsal oral aperture, a dorso-laterally placed genital pore, and a sub-ventral excretory pore at the junction of the bases of the 2 ventro-lateral lips were typically unique as revealed by SEM studies. A pair of large squarish teeth flanked each of these three pores in the cephalic region, with 3-5 denticles in the median group, at the junction of the two arms of V-shaped structure, that joined 26-29 denticles on each arm of this V-shaped formation running parallel and crossed past dentigerous ridges on each lip. In addition a set of 49-50 medially organized denticles occupying the dorsal arm of V- shaped formation, in the medial space, were a conspicuous configuration, besides 40 minute triangular denticles at the junction of sub-ventral lips. A spined mucron at the tip of tail. The key provided by Moravec and Justine (2020) to segregate Porrocaecum -like nematode genera ( Porrocaecum , Pseudoterranova , Pulchrascaris , Euterranova , and Neoterranova ) has been revised to include the newly proposed genus, Rotundocollarette capoori n. gen., n.sp.
Dynamic habitat suitability and connectivity analyses to inform management of an invasive species and conservation of its native competitor
Authors: Goicolea Teresa , Lewison Rebecca L. , Mateo-Sánchez M. Cruz , Jennings Megan K.
Published: July 2022

Forecasting habitat suitability and connectivity can be central to both controlling invasive species expansion and promoting native species conservation, especially under changing climate conditions. This study aimed to identify and prioritize areas in Spain to control the expansion of one of the most harmful invasive species in Europe, while conserving its counterpart, the endangered European mink, under current and future conditions. We used dynamic ensemble habitat suitability and connectivity models to predict species ranges and movement routes considering likely climate change under three emission scenarios. Then, using habitat availability metrics, we prioritized areas for invasive mink control and native mink conservation and classified them into different management zones that reflected the overlap between species and threat from American to European minks. Results suggest that both species are likely to experience declines in habitat and connectivity under climate change scenarios with significantly larger declines by the end of the century for European minks (72 and 80% respectively) than for American minks (41 and 32%). Priority areas for management of both species varied over time and across emission scenarios, with a general shift in priority habitat towards the North-East of the study area. Our findings demonstrate how dynamic habitat suitability and connectivity approaches can guide long-term management strategies to control invasive species and conserve native species while accounting for likely landscape changes. The simultaneous study of both invasive and native species can support prioritized management action and inform management planning of the intensity, extent, and techniques of intervention depending on the overlap between species.
Phase separation enhanced drug delivery system for anti-cancer therapy
Authors: Bai Xun , Pei Pengfei , Duan Guangfei , Chen Long , Xue Song , Luo Shi-Zhong
Published: July 2022

The cellular phase-separated condensates compartmentalize and concentrate biomolecules with distinct physicochemical properties, which has great potential for therapy purposes. However, the discovered phase separation phenomena in living organisms were restricted intracellularly, which limits the biomedical application of phase separation. Here, we designed a phase separation enhanced delivery system to specifically condensate molecules on the cell surface for efficient drug delivery. As a proof of concept, we demonstrated that an anti-cancer drug conjugate can selectively co-phase separate with the targeting component on cancer cell surface and efficiently kill the cells after internalization. Both cellular and in vivo assays showed more potency with this system than traditional antibody conjugates. The method provides insights in the application of phase separation as a powerful tool for therapeutic purpose.
Label-free third harmonic generation imaging and quantification of lipid droplets in live filamentous fungi
Authors: Pajić Tanja , Todorović Nataša V. , Živić Miroslav , Nikolić Stanko N. , Rabasović Mihailo D. , Clayton Andrew H. A. , Krmpot Aleksandar J.
Published: July 2022

We report the utilization of the Third-Harmonic Generation (THG) microscopy, using home built nonlinear laser scanning microscope, for label-free live cell imaging of lipid droplets in the hypha of filamentous fungus Phycomyces blakesleeanus. THG microscopy images show bright spherical features dispersed throughout hypha cytoplasm in control conditions and a transient increase in the number of bright features after complete nitrogen starvation. We show that predominant source of THG signal in imaged hypha are lipid droplets and test side by side two methods for quantification of lipid droplet size and number from THG images: Particle Size Analysis (PSA) and Image Correlation Spectroscopy (ICS). The two analysis methods gave congruous results, showing expected increase of lipid droplet number after nitrogen starvation, while ICS showed somewhat lower mean diameter of lipid droplets than PSA. We conclude that THG imaging, followed by PSA and ICS, can be easily and reliably used on filamentous fungi for the in vivo quantification of lipid droplets since there is no need for sample labeling, fixation or any other specific preparation. In addition, we demonstrate that ICS is suitable for THG microscopy image analysis, although it is primarily developed and have been mostly used for fluorescence signals so far.
Dissemination and Genome Characterization of a Human Adenovirus F41 in a Patient with B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Fall Amary , Campodonico Victoria L. , Howard Craig , Gallagher Nicholas , Bailey Gabrielle , Kajon Adriana E. , Mostafa Heba H.
Published: July 2022

Adenovirus (HAdV) F41 is a common cause of gastroenteritis and has rarely been reported associated with disseminated disease. In this report, a fifty-eight-year-case with a history of ulcerative colitis, cryptogenic cirrhosis, stage III adenocarcinoma, high-grade diffuse large B-cell lymphoma on chemotherapy was diagnosed with disseminated adenovirus infection. HAdV DNA was quantified in stool, plasma, and urine with viral loads of 7, 4, and 3 log10 copies/mL, respectively. The patient’s course was rapidly progressive and he passed away 2 days after initiation of antiviral therapy. The patient’s infecting virus was characterized as HAdV-F41 by whole genome sequencing.
A deep learning-based dimensional measurement directly from limited-angle CT sinograms for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: HAN ZHENYE , HU XIAODONG , XIA XIAOQIN , PENGXIANG JI , ZHAO JINTAO , ZOU JING
Published: July 2022

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a layer-by-layer manufacturing method which is growing considerably in recent years. Inner dimensional measurement based on Computed Tomography (CT) image is an irreplaceable method for quality control in AM. However, for special AM components, limited-angle CT imaging is the only method because of physical limitations. CT reconstruction image with ghost artifacts through incomplete data can’t be used to implement dimensional measurement. To deal with this problem, a method based on encoder-decoder neural network is proposed and applied to characterize the dimensional parameter directly from CT sinogram without reconstruction. Experiment results showed that when characterizing AM component with length of side from 10 to 15mm, the relative accuracy is less than 18.26% and the relative accuracy is less than 10% in over 83.5% sample, which verifies the effectiveness of the method that can be applied in dimensional measurement.
Delineation of seawater intrusion and groundwater quality assessment in coastal aquifers : the Korba coastal aquifer (Northeastern Tunisia)
Authors: Ayari Jamel , Ouelhazi Hassen , Charef Abdelkarin , Barhoumi Anis
Published: July 2022

In semi-arid regions, a major challenge facing the coastal population is the design of sustainable aquifer protection plans which primary require a reliable understanding of groundwater. The aim of this study was to determine the general state of the Korba aquifer (northwestern Tunsia) with respect to seawater intrusion and to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. A total of 60 samples collected from coastal shallow aquifer are analysed for physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, Cl−, NO3 −, SO42− and Br−). The obtained results are further interpreted using ionic ratios, geochemical modelling and Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagram (HFE-Diagram) coupled with a GIS‐based framework. Major ionic ratios reveal the dominance of the reverse ion exchange process triggered by the marine intrusion. Br−/Cl− ratio suggests that the irrigation with saline water and wastewater are potential additional sources of salinization. HFE-Diagram indicates that most of samples are located beneath the mixing line, showing dominant marine intrusion process with reverse ion exchange. Based on the water quality index (WQI), most of groundwater samples are unsuitable for drinking. In addition, according to high sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), the groundwater quality is limited for irrigation purposes. The results obtained can be useful in further management of the coastal aquifer by delineating the areas affected by seawater.
External and internal morphological analysis in fused-rooted mandibular second molars: a micro-computed tomographic study
Authors: Wu Weiwei , Meng Yajun , Tsauo Chialing , Chen Min , Huang Dingming , Zhou Xuedong , Zou Ling , Gao Yuan
Published: July 2022

Objectives
To investigate the root canal morphology of fused-rooted mandibular second molars (MSMs) based on the pulp chamber floor (PCF) and to analyze the correlation between external morphology of the radicular groove and internal morphology of the PCF and root canal configuration.
Materials and Methods
Two hundred and ninety-one fused-rooted MSM were selected from a Chinese population, and were scanned and reconstructed using micro-computed tomography. The morphology of the PCF was observed under a dental operating microscope (DOM). The classification of the PCFs and root canals configuration were identified according to modified Min’s and Gao’s classifications, respectively. A new radicular groove classification was proposed. The correlation among these morphological characteristics were investigated using the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test (α = 0.05).
Results
A total of 216 (74.2%) teeth had C-shaped PCFs; 61 (21.0%) had NC-shaped PCFs; and 14 (4.8%) had no PCF. The root canals were categorized as follows: 109 (37.5%) teeth were identified as merging type, 119 (40.9%) as symmetrical type; 43 (14.8%) as asymmetrical type, 6 (2.0%) exhibited taurodontism, and 14 (4.8%) had a single root canal. Statistical analysis showed a correlation between the type of PCFs and the root canals (P = 0.000). For teeth with C-shaped PCFs, the majority of the root canal was classified under merging type and symmetrical type, and asymmetrical type was not identified in NC-shaped PCFs. Besides, the results revealed a morphological association between the root canals configuration and radicular grooves types (P = 0.000).
Conclusions
The internal morphology of fused-rooted MSM is very complex. To a certain extent, it is feasible to predict the morphology of root canal by using PCF observed under a DOM.
Clinical Relevance
An understanding of the morphological aspects of the root canal based on the PCF will assist the clinician in the prediction and identification of canals below the visible orifice and further achieve more predictable clinical outcomes.
A Feedforward Network with a Few Million Neurons Learns from Images to Covertly Attend to Contextual Cues like Human and Bayesian Ideal Observers
Authors: Srivast Sudhanshu , Wang William , Eckstein Miguel
Published: July 2022

Human behavioral experiments with predictive cues and contexts have led to influential conceptualizations of visual attention, such as limited resource mechanisms or weighting by Bayesian priors. How brains might learn to manifest cue/context effects with simple neural architectures is not known. We show that a feedforward convolutional neural network (CNN) with a few million neurons trained on noisy images to detect targets learns to utilize predictive cues and context and predicts human performance for the three most prominent behavioral signatures of covert attention: Posner cueing, set-size effects in search, and contextual cueing. The CNN also approximates a Bayesian ideal observer that has all prior statistical representations of the noise, targets, cues, and context. A larger network pre-trained on natural images and transfer learning can also account for human performance. The findings help understand the neurobiological requirements, computations, and simple neural architectures that lead to covert attention's three landmark behavioral effects.
Metastatic Hepatocellular Carcinoma To The Nasal Cavity And Sinus: A Potential Diagnostic Challenge And The Detection Of Programmed Death Ligand-1 Expression
Authors: Ye Min , Hu Chunyan , Yuan Cuncun , Zhai Changwen , Lin Lan
Published: July 2022

PurposeHepatocellular carcinoma that metastasizes to the sinonasal cavity is very rare. So far, there are limited reports related to this kind of rare condition within the literature. We are committed to concluding the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of these special patients. Materials and methodswe retrospectively analyzed 12 patients suffered from nasal metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma from 2010 to 2021 at Fudan University Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital(FDUEENT). The clinical characteristics ,pathological morphology and immunohistochemistry, follow-up induration and prognosis analysis of these patients were investigated.ResultsThere were 11 males and 1 female included in our study. And the metastatic sites mainly include nasal cavity, nasopharynx, sphenoid sinus and maxillary sinus. In the light microscope, the tumor cells mainly showed diffuse distribution around obvious blood vessels. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that at least one of the specific epithelial markers (hepatocyte paraffin-1, alpha-fetoprotein, glypican-3, arginase-1) was expressed in tumor cells. And the expression of programmed death ligand-1 was detected in one case which might provide a potent therapeutic target. The available follow-up information of six cases indicated that sinonasal metastases usually arise several years after developing liver cancer. However, their survival time since developing sinonasal metastasis was less than 9 months. ConclusionsIn summary, hepatocellular metastasis to sinonasal cavity remains very rare and the outcome of such patients was dismal. However, the definite early diagnosis coupled with aggressive treatment might play an important role in improving prognosis.
Floating flocks: 2D long-range uniaxial order in 3D active fluids
Authors: Maitra Ananyo
Published: July 2022

Elongated active units cannot break rotation symmetry in bulk Stokesian fluids to form nematic or polar phases. This has led to the defining image of active suspensions as spontaneously evolving, spatiotemporally chaotic fluids. In contrast, I show that bulk active fluids have stable active nematic and polar states at fluid-fluid or fluid-air interfaces. The active flows that ``anti-screen'' orientational fluctuations in the bulk, destroying the ordered phase, screen angular fluctuations of interfacial uniaxial states leading to long-range order. This implies that active fluids are unique in having a surface ordering transition in a system in which a bulk transition is forbidden for any parameter value and form states in which surfaces are quiescent and ordered while the bulk is chaotic.
When active species are constrained to live at a fluid interface, immotile units do not order, but motile particles still form a long-range-ordered polar phase. I exactly characterise the hydrodynamic properties of these phases. This is the first prediction of stable, uniaxial, active phases in bulk Stokesian fluids and has functional consequences for active transport.
Remarkable response to pralsetinib in an advanced pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma patient harboring a KIF5B-RET rearrangement: A case report
Authors: Wu Ying , Yan Zhecheng , Pan Juan , Chang Xiaona , Huang Bo , Luo Danju , Shi Heshui , Fan Jun , Nie Xiu
Published: July 2022

Background
Pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) is a rare and unconventional non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that appears to be more aggressive, with a poorer prognosis and response to conventional treatment. Approximately 30% of PSCs have potentially targetable genomic alterations, but few studies have involved RET gene fusions, and corresponding targeted therapies are lacking.
Case presentation:
In this report, we describe a patient with PSC harboring a KIF5B-RET gene fusion who was initially diagnosed with stage IVb lung cancer. Due to the poor performance status, the patient was unable to tolerate any radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Based on the next-generation sequencing (NGS) result of RET gene fusion, the patient was treated with pralsetinib. Two months after the treatment, the patient achieved a partial response.
Conclusions
Our case indicates that RET is one of the main driver oncogenes of PSC and provides useful information for precise RET inhibitor administration in the future. In addition, this case shows that dynamic NGS tests can assist in clinical decision-making by presenting molecular changes.
Risk Prediction Models for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Development or Amputation: A Review of Reviews
Authors: Kaka Anjum , Landsteiner Adrienne , Ensrud Kristine , Logan Brittany , Sowerby Catherine , Ullman Kristen , Yoon Patrick , Wilt Timothy J. , Sultan Shahnaz
Published: July 2022

Background
In adults with diabetes, diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) and amputation are common and associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Purpose
Identify tools predicting risk of DFU or amputation that are prognostically accurate and clinically feasible.
Methods
We searched for systematic reviews (SRs) of tools predicting DFU or amputation published in multiple databases from initiation to July 2021. We assessed risk of bias (ROB) and provided a narrative review of reviews describing performance characteristics (calibration and discrimination) of prognostically accurate tools. For such tools, we additionally reviewed original studies to ascertain implementation clinical applicability and feasibility (variables included, score calculation, and risk categorization).
Results
We identified 3 eligible SRs predicting DFU or amputation risk. Two recent SRs (2020 and 2021) were rated as moderate and low ROB respectively. Four risk prediction models – Boyko, Martins-Mendes (simplified), Martins-Mendes (original), and PODUS 2020 had good prognostic accuracy for predicting DFU or amputation over time horizons ranging from 1- to 5-years. PODUS 2020 predicts absolute average risk (e.g., 6% risk of DFU at 2 years) and consists of 3-binary variables with a simple, summative scoring (0–4) making it feasible for clinic implementation. The other 3 models categorize risk subjectively (e.g., high-risk for DFU at 3 years), include 2–7 variables, and require a calculation device. No data exist to inform rescreening intervals. Furthermore, the effectiveness of targeted interventions in decreasing incidence of DFU or amputation in response to prediction scores is unknown.
Conclusions
In this review of reviews, we identified 4 prognostically accurate models that predict DFU or amputation in persons with diabetes. The PODUS 2020 model, predicting absolute average DFU risk at 2 years, has the most favorable prognostic accuracy and is clinically feasible. Rescreening intervals and effectiveness of intervention based on prediction score are uncertain.
Cloud-Based Bug Tracking Software DefectsAnalysis using Deep Learning
Authors: Hai Tao , Zhou Jincheng , Li Ning , Jain Sanjiv Kumar , Agrawal Shweta
Published: July 2022

Cloud technology is not immune to bugs and issue tracking. A dedicated system is required that will extremely error prone and less cumbersome and must command a high degree of collaboration, flexibility of operations and smart decision making. One of the primary goals of software engineering is to provide high-quality software within a specified budget and period for cloud-based technology. However, defects found in Cloud-Based Bug Tracking software’s can result in quality reduction as well as delay in the delivery process. Therefore, software testing plays a vital role in ensuring the quality of software in the cloud, but software testing requires higher time and cost with the increase of complexity of user requirements. Early detection of defect-prone components in software helps to recognize which components require higher attention during testing and thereby allocate the available resources effectively and efficiently. This research was motivated by the demand of minimizing the time and cost required for Cloud-Based Bug Tracking Software testing while ensuring the delivery of high-quality software products without any delays emanating from the cloud. Notwithstanding that several machine learning techniques have been widely applied for building software defect prediction models in general, achieving higher prediction accuracy is still a challenging task. Thus, the primary aim of this research is to investigate how deep learning methods can be used for Cloud-Based Bug Tracking Software defect detection with a higher accuracy. The research conducted an experiment with four different configurations of Multi-Layer Perceptron neural network using five publicly available software defect datasets. Results of the experiments show that the best possible network configuration for software defect detection model using Multi-Layer Perceptron can be the prediction model with two hidden layers having 25 neurons in the first hidden layer and 5 neurons in the second hidden layer.
High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Circulating Biomarkers of Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Aghel Nazanin , Gustafson Dakota , Delgado Diego , Atenafu Eshetu , Fish Jason , Lipton Jeffrey H
Published: July 2022

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the management of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML); however, reports of cardiovascular (CV) toxicities caused by these drugs are concerning. While the role of CV risk factors and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the pathogenesis of CV events is known, limited data exist in CML patients. In this study, we investigated the relationship between hsCRP, CV risk factors, CML disease activity, and exposure to TKIs in 262 CML patients enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Additionally, we explored whether novel markers of vascular dysfunction were associated with exposure to specific TKIs. In multivariable analyses only body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.15, 95% I: 1.108–1.246; P < 0.001) and CML duration (OR: 1.004, 95% CI: 1.001–1.008; P = 0.024) were independently associated with higher hsCRP. HsCRP level was not associated with CML disease activity or a specific TKI. In exploratory analyses, novel endothelial-centric markers (e.g., ET-1 and VCAM-1) were differential across the various TKIs, particularly amongst nilotinib- and ponatinib-treated patients. Using hsCRP to risk stratify CML patients may be a potential strategy for implementing aggressive CV risk factor modification in these patients while circulating markers of vascular dysfunction should be explored as potential markers of TKI-associated CV risk.
Patient selection for surgery for peritoneal sarcomatosis in retroperitoneal sarcoma —— external validation of the Simplified Peritoneal Sarcomatosis Score
Authors: Lv Ang , Li Yang , Sun Rong-Ze , Xue Guo-Qiang , Tian Xiu-Yun , Hao Chun-Yi
Published: July 2022

Background
Peritoneal sarcomatosis (PS) in patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) often indicates a poor prognosis. The Simplified Peritoneal Sarcomatosis Score (SPSS) had been devised as a simple tool to stratify such patients. This study aimed to validate the effectiveness of SPSS and attempted to explore factors predicting surgical outcomes.
Methods
Patients with PS in RPS who underwent surgery between January 2011 and January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Survival analyses were performed to analyze SPSS, together with other factors such as completeness of surgery, surgical history and pathological types.
Results
A total of 49 patients were included, 34 of whom underwent macroscopically complete excision (CE) successfully. Eighteen and 31 patients were considered SPSS-L (low) and SPSS-H (high), respectively. The median follow-up time was 36.0 months. In univariate analysis, both SPSS and completeness of surgery showed obvious influences on survival. Compared to SPSS-H patients, SPSS-L patients had a significantly longer median overall survival (OS) (27 vs. 10 months; P = 0.03) and progression-free survival (PFS) (14 vs. 8 months, P = 0.021). Similarly, patients who underwent CE had superior median OS (20 vs. 8 months, P = 0.022) and PFS (14 vs. 8 months, P = 0.027) than those who underwent imcomplete excision. In multivariate analysis, completeness of surgery was shown to be the only independent predictor of both OS (P = 0.037) and PFS (P = 0.027).
Conclusions
SPSS is a useful tool to stratify RPS patients with PS, while achievement of CE is the key factor to improving their prognosis.
Relationship between biochemical parameters and paraoxonase 1 activity of boar seminal plasma and semen quality
Authors: Nedić Svetlana , Đurić Miloje , Vakanjac Slobodanka , Arsić Sveta , Nedić Sreten , Samardžija Marko , Borozan Sunčica
Published: July 2022

The aim of this study was to examine the biochemical components and the parameters of antioxidant protection in the seminal plasma (SP) of boars, as well as their relationship with semen quality parameters. Thirty-six boars were included in the study, whose ejaculates were divided into two groups: Group I (good quality semen, > 70% progressively motile sperm, n = 16), and Group II (poor quality semen, < 70% progressively motile sperm, n = 20). Significantly higher concentrations of ionized calcium (iCa), total cholesterol (TC), lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, as well as significantly higher values ​​of antioxidant protection parameters: thiol groups (-SH), paraoxonase 1 (PON1), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) ) were found in the good quality semen, while higher phosphorus (P) concentrations and increased alkaline-phosphatase (ALP) activity were found in the semen of poor quality. A negative correlation of total and progressive sperm motility with P and ALP was found in all examined semen samples, while a positive correlation was found with PON1 and TAC. The percentage of fast sperm cells positively correlated with iCa, chlorine (Cl), lactate, LDH and TAC, while a negative correlation was found with P, magnesium (Mg) and the enzyme creatine-kinase (CK). The percentage of immobile sperm positively correlated with P and ALP, and negatively correlated with TC, CK, PON1 and TAC. Elevated values ​​of PON1 and TAC in SP and a positive correlation with sperm motility indicate the possible use of these parameters as sensitive biomarkers of boar semen quality.