bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zircon processing in sodium carbonate melt
Authors: Mukhachev Anatoliy , Shevchenko Volodymyr , Yelatontsev Dmytro
Published: April 2023

The process of alkaline zircon processing with soda and a mixture of soda with intensifying additives carbon and NaOH was studied. As a result, a complete exclusion of acid-soluble sodium zirconosilicate formation was ensured. The introduction of carbon into soda melt increased the agent’s reactivity due to the formation of highly reactive Na2O. At 1100 °C, the optimal amount of introduced carbon is 4 wt.%, while the duration of the process is reduced to 10 minutes. Zircon processing in two stages – at 1150 °C and 1000 °C with the soda addition from 2.5 to 4.0 wt.% provided the production of metazirconate and sodium silicate, excluding the transition of silicon to the solid phase, providing an opening degree > 99%. The novel bakor-lined electric furnace of high operational reliability has been successfully tested. Carbonization of the sodium silicate solution in the presence of water vapor ensures complete precipitation of hydrated silicon dioxide, with a bulk density of 150 g/L. The optimal concentration of CO2 is ~ 8%, which allows using off-gases from thermal power plants for carbonization. The presence of water vapor in the gaseous phase increases the utilization of CO2 and Na2CO3 regeneration.
Fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions modelling in Ukraine using Multiple Linear Regression and Artificial Neural Networks
Authors: Batur Maryna , Babii Kateryna
Published: April 2023

The constant growth of carbon emissions is one of the main causes of global warming, which in turn leads to the adverse environmental effects involving a risk of droughts, wildfires, flooding, glacier melting, etc. Ukraine is not among priority countries for greenhouse gases emitters. However, from both, an economic and environmental points of view, monitoring and on-time analysis of CO2 emissions will help beforehand to determine the main drivers of CO2 emissions and, thus, will serve as a base for government to set a number of programs on reducing of greenhouse gases (GHG) or adapting to it. The aim of this paper is to offer the mathematical model for fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions forecasting using statistical technique of Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and computing method of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). Three different models are obtained to predict CO2 emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas consumptions taking into account the main carbon drivers. Based on the accuracy assessment analysis, models derived with ANN reveals in more accurate prediction than those obtained with MLR. Therefore, ANN models can be applied while planning several steps ahead and planning out every conceivable worst-case scenario, protecting against it.
Spall fracture forms of high rock samples under uniaxial compression
Authors: Vasyliev Leonid , Bulich Yurii , Vasyliev Dmytro , Malich Mykola , Rizo Zakhar , Polishchuk Alla , Kress Denis , Kuttiubaev Aidar
Published: April 2023

Prof. L.I. Baron identified five forms of destruction during uniaxial compression of samples of regular geometry of rocks including truncated wedge, wedge, diagonal, longitudinal, and explosive forms. All of them are commonly characterized by the destruction of samples in their central parts showing two or more cracks, while the trajectories of crack development align with the corner points of the samples. Recently, was unexpectedly discovered a spall fracture in the form of a single crack emerged from the side wall of the specimen and propagating into it under uniaxial compression. Based on the discovery, the method for creating stress-strain diagrams for high rock samples was developed using four rock properties such as rock shear resistance limit, contact friction ratio, internal friction ratio, and modulus of elasticity. The stress-strain diagram of the spall fracture of high samples is described by a descending curve, which is typical for the diagrams of fracture created by two adjacent cracks of regular geometry samples. The maximum stresses required for the destruction of high rock samples are lower than those for the destruction of regular geometry samples of rocks with similar physical and mechanical properties.
PROSER: A Web-Based Peripheral Blood Smear Interpretation Support Tool Utilizing Electronic Health Record Data
Authors: Iscoe Mark S , Loza Andrew J , Turbiville Donald , Campbell Sheldon M , Peaper David R , Balbuena-Merle Raisa I , Hauser Ronald G
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Peripheral blood smear (PBS) interpretation represents a cornerstone of pathology practice and resident training but has remained largely static for decades. Here, we describe a novel PBS interpretation support tool.

Methods

In a mixed-methods quality improvement study, a web-based clinical decision support (CDS) tool to assist pathologists in PBS interpretation, PROSER, was deployed in an academic hospital over a 2-month period in 2022. PROSER interfaced with the hospital system’s electronic health record and data warehouse to obtain and display relevant demographic, laboratory, and medication information for patients with pending PBS consults. PROSER used these data along with morphologic findings entered by the pathologist to draft a PBS interpretation using rule-based logic. We evaluated users’ perceptions of PROSER with a Likert-type survey.

Results

PROSER displayed 46 laboratory values with corresponding reference ranges and abnormal flags, allowed for entry of 14 microscopy findings, and computed 2 calculations based on laboratory values; it composed automated PBS reports using a library of 92 prewritten phrases. Overall, PROSER was well received by residents.

Conclusions

In this quality improvement study, we successfully deployed a web-based CDS tool for PBS interpretation. Future work is needed to quantitatively evaluate this intervention’s effects on clinical outcomes and resident training.
Esophageal Granular Cell Tumor in Children: A Clinicopathologic Study of 11 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: Malik Faizan , Bernieh Anas , Saad Ali G
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Granular cell tumor (GCT) commonly presents in the subcutaneous tissue and head and neck region, and it is uncommon in the gastrointestinal tract. Experience with esophageal GCTs in the pediatric population is limited, with only 7 cases reported in the literature, 3 with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).

Methods

Case information from 11 pediatric patients with GCTs of the esophagus was retrieved. H&E and immunohistochemical slides were reviewed with clinical, endoscopic, and follow-up data from all patients.

Results

In total, 7 male and 4 female patients were included, with ages ranging from 3 to 14 years. Indications for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) included EoE (n = 3), follow-up for Crohn disease, and other nonspecific complaints. Endoscopically, all patients had a single submucosal, firm mass protruding into the lumen, with normal overlying mucosa. The nodules were removed endoscopically in multiple fragments in all cases. Histologically, the tumors showed sheets and trabeculae of cells containing bland nuclei, inconspicuous nucleoli, and abundant pink granular cytoplasm without atypical features. All tumors were immunoreactive for S100, CD68, and SOX10. Follow-up showed that all patients were disease-free (median, 2 years).

Conclusions

We report the largest series of pediatric esophageal GCTs with coincidental association with EoE. These EGD findings are characteristic, and removal by biopsy is both diagnostic and therapeutic.
Prenylated acetophenones from the roots of Calendula officinalis and their anti-inflammatory activity
Authors: Kadowaki Wataru , Miyata Ryo , Mizuno Sayaka , Fujinami Misa , Sato Yoshizumi , Kumazawa Shigenori
Published: April 2023

Calendula officinalis is a medicinal plant in the Asteraceae family, and it has a broad range of biological activities. In this study, we focused on the roots of C. officinalis, which have remarkable anti-inflammatory properties. By using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach, prenylated acetophenones 1 and 2—of which 1 was previously unknown—were isolated, and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Both compounds decreased lipopolysaccharide-stimulated NO production in J774.1 cells. This study could lead to the use of the Calendula roots as a natural source of inflammatory mediators.
Early aging and premature vascular aging in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Tanriover Cem , Copur Sidar , Mutlu Ali , Peltek Ibrahim Batuhan , Galassi Andrea , Ciceri Paola , Cozzolino Mario , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: April 2023

Aging is the progressive decline of body functions and a number of chronic conditions can lead to premature aging characterized by frailty, a diseased vasculature, osteoporosis, and muscle wasting. One of the major conditions associated with premature and accelerated aging is chronic kidney disease (CKD), which can also result in early vascular aging and the stiffening of the arteries. Premature vascular aging in CKD patients has been considered as a marker of prognosis of mortality and cardiovascular morbidity and therefore requires further attention. Oxidative stress, inflammation, advanced glycation end products, fructose, and an aberrant gut microbiota can contribute to the development of early aging in CKD patients. There are several key molecular pathways and molecules which play a role in aging and vascular aging including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and klotho. Potential therapeutic strategies can target these pathways. Future studies are needed to better understand the importance of premature aging and early vascular aging and to develop therapeutic alternatives for these conditions.
Testing the functional reserve of the kidney before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: doubt remains
Authors: De Moor Bart , Sprangers Ben
Published: April 2023

Acute kidney injury is a common and important complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the nephrology community, acute kidney injury is no longer viewed as a simple temporary and potentially reversible decline in kidney clearance as acute kidney injury imposes a risk for immediate and future complications. Therefore, stratifying patients for the risk of acute kidney injury following stem cell transplantation would be very helpful to optimize peri-stem cell transplant management and could potentially improve outcomes in this patient population. In the current issue of CKJ, Mancianti et al. report on the testing of the kidney's functional reserve in patients planned for stem cell transplantation and demonstrate that stem cell transplant candidates with a preserved kidney response on a protein load had a higher chance of full kidney recovery after an episode of acute kidney injury. In this editorial, we discuss the kidney's functional reserve test and its limitations.
Validation of the German Registry for Acute Aortic Dissection Type A Score in predicting 30-day mortality after type A aortic dissection surgery
Authors: Gemelli Marco , Di Tommaso Ettorino , Natali Roberto , Dixon Lauren Kari , Mohamed Ahmed Eltayeb , Rajakaruna Cha , Bruno Vito D
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES

No reliable scores are available to predict mortality following surgery for type A acute aortic dissection (TAAAD). Recently, the German Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A (GERAADA) score has been developed. We aim to compare how the GERAADA score performs in predicting operative mortality for TAAAD to the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) II.

METHODS

We calculated the GERAADA score and EuroSCORE II in patients who underwent TAAAD repair at the Bristol Heart Institute. As there are no precise criteria to calculate the GERAADA score, we used 2 methods: a Clinical-GERAADA score, which evaluated malperfusion with clinical and radiological evidence, and a Radiological-GERAADA score, where malperfusion was assessed by computed tomography scan alone.

RESULTS

207 consecutive patients had surgery for TAAAD, and the observed 30-day mortality was 15%. The Clinical-GERAADA score showed the strongest discriminative power with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71–0.89], while the Radiological-GERAADA score had an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI 0.67–0.87). EuroSCORE II showed acceptable discriminative power with an AUC of 0.77 (95% CI 0.67–0.87).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical GERAADA score performed better than the other scores and it is specific and easy to use in the context of a TAAAD. Further validation of the new criteria for malperfusion is needed.
Deletion of biofilm synthesis in Eubacterium limosum ATCC 8486 improves handling and transformation efficiency
Authors: Sanford Patrick A , Miller Katherine G , Hoyt Kathryn O , Woolston Benjamin M
Published: April 2023

Eubacterium limosum is an acetogenic bacterium of potential industrial relevance for its ability to efficiently metabolize a range of single carbon compounds. However, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) produced by the type strain ATCC 8486 is a serious impediment to bioprocessing and genetic engineering. To remove these barriers, here we bioinformatically identified genes involved in EPS biosynthesis, and targeted several of the most promising candidates for inactivation, using a homologous recombination-based approach. Deletion of a single genomic region encoding homologues for epsABC, ptkA, and tmkA resulted in a strain incapable of producing EPS. This strain is significantly easier to handle by pipetting and centrifugation, and retains important wild-type phenotypes including the ability to grow on methanol and carbon dioxide and limited oxygen tolerance. Additionally, this strain is also more genetically tractable with a 2-fold increase in transformation efficiency compared to the highest previous reports. This work advances a simple, rapid protocol for gene knockouts in E. limosum using only the native homologous recombination machinery. These results will hasten the development of this organism as a workhorse for valorization of single carbon substrates, as well as facilitate exploration of its role in the human gut microbiota.
Evaluation of bacterial and fungal communities during the fermentation of pine needle
Authors: Xu Yinyu , Wen Qian , He Hao , Shi Hao , Chen Hongjun , Shi Pengtu , Zhou Wenhua
Published: April 2023

To improve the quality and organoleptic properties of fermented pine needle, the physiological parameters and microbial communities must be explored. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was used to explore bacterial and fungal communities during the fermentation process of pine needle after adding starter culture of 0.8% activated dry yeast and Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 and Bifidobacterium Breve M-16 V. During the fermentation, the total flavonoid (from 0.049 to 111.404 mg/L) and polyphenol (from 19.412 to 183.399 mg/L) contents increased rapidly from 0 to 15 days. The total sugar increased from 0 to 3 days fermentation with a range from 3.359 mg/mL to 45.502 mg/mL in yeast fermentation stage, and reached the maximum value on day 3. The content of total acid (39.167 g/L) and amino acid nitrogen (1.185 g/L) gradually increased during the entire fermentation process and reached a maximum on day 7 of bacterial fermentation. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria phyla were the predominant bacteria in all time periods. At the genus level, well-known Lactobacillus was the most abundant bacterial strain on day 3, followed by Gluconobacter. The Acetobacter constituted more than 50% of the total bacterial abundance on day 1, but it decreased with the fermentation process. Exploration of fermented pine needle microbial community structure will expand the knowledge about their microbiota to manipulate the microbial community and improve their quality and organoleptic properties using different microbial recipes.
Increased Risks for Suicide, Self-Harm, Substance Use, and Psychiatric Disorders in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Nationwide Study in the United States From 2007 to 2017
Authors: Tse Chung Sang , Weng Chien-Hsiang , Kwon Michelle , Wolk Courtney Benjamin , Brown Lily A , Malani Kanika , Shah Samir A , Fine Sean D
Published: April 2023

Lay Summary

In an analysis of over 260 million emergency department visits across the United States from 2007 to 2017, inflammatory bowel disease conferred >10-fold risk for suicide deaths, self-harm, substance use, and psychiatric disorders, though the overall self-harm rates were low (<1% of all-cause inflammatory bowel disease emergency department visits; total 56 suicide deaths).
Online Dictionaries and Accessibility for People with Visual Impairments
Authors: Rees Geraint Paul
Published: April 2023

Making information about language accessible to users has long been a key concern of lexicographic research. Adopting a narrower perspective, this examination of three dictionary websites (collinsdictionary.com, merriam-webster.com, and dle.rae.es) employs the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to examine their accessibility for people with visual impairments. Dictionaries can be motors for social inclusion of this oft-marginalised group since, beyond resolving language doubts, they can also help affirm socio-cultural identities. Unlike paper dictionaries where space-saving conventions make accessibility a challenge, in principle, online resources are adaptable to the needs of users with visual impairments. In practice, although none of the websites evaluated meet any officially recognised WCAG conformance level, they do contain features aimed at improving accessibility for this group. Most impediments to accessibility are the result of ancillary elements such as advertising, social media, games, and word of the day features. Although these ancillary elements may not necessarily be the principal focus of dictionary use, they nonetheless have a negative effect on the accessibility of the dictionary entry itself. This article concludes with suggestions for solving several of these accessibility issues.
UnravelingAzospirillum’s colonization ability through microbiological and molecular evidence
Authors: Nievas S , Coniglio A , Takahashi W Y , López G A , Larama G , Torres D , Rosas S , Etto R M , Galvão C W , Mora V , Cassán F
Published: April 2023

It is known that members of the bacterial genus Azospirillum can promote the growth of a great variety of plants, an ability harnessed by the industry to create bioproducts aimed to enhance the yield of economically relevant crops. Its versatile metabolism allows this bacterium to adapt to numerous environments, from optimal to extreme or highly polluted. The fact of having been isolated from soil and rhizosphere samples collected worldwide and many other habitats proves its remarkable ubiquity. Azospirillum rhizospheric and endophytic lifestyles are governed by several mechanisms, leading to efficient niche colonization. These mechanisms include cell aggregation and biofilm formation, motility, chemotaxis, phytohormone and other signaling molecules production, and cell-to-cell communication, in turn, involved in regulating Azospirillum interactions with the surrounding microbial community. Despite being infrequently mentioned in metagenomics studies after its introduction as an inoculant, an increasing number of studies detected Azospirillum through molecular tools (mostly 16S rRNA sequencing) as part of diverse, even unexpected, microbiomes. This review focuses on Azospirillum traceability and the performance of the available methods, both classical and molecular. An overview of Azospirillum occurrence in diverse microbiomes and the less-known features explaining its notorious ability to colonize niches and prevail in multiple environments is provided.
Machine-learning enhancement of urine dipstick tests for chronic kidney disease detection
Authors: Jang Eun Chan , Park Young Min , Han Hyun Wook , Lee Christopher Seungkyu , Kang Eun Seok , Lee Yu Ho , Nam Sang Min
Published: April 2023

Objective

Screening for chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m2) from a blood sample and a proteinuria level from a urinalysis. We developed machine-learning models to detect CKD without blood collection, predicting an eGFR less than 60 (eGFR60 model) or 45 (eGFR45 model) using a urine dipstick test.

Materials and Methods

The electronic health record data (n = 220 018) obtained from university hospitals were used for XGBoost-derived model construction. The model variables were age, sex, and 10 measurements from the urine dipstick test. The models were validated using health checkup center data (n = 74 380) and nationwide public data (KNHANES data, n = 62 945) for the general population in Korea.

Results

The models comprised 7 features, including age, sex, and 5 urine dipstick measurements (protein, blood, glucose, pH, and specific gravity). The internal and external areas under the curve (AUCs) of the eGFR60 model were 0.90 or higher, and a higher AUC for the eGFR45 model was obtained. For the eGFR60 model on KNHANES data, the sensitivity was 0.93 or 0.80, and the specificity was 0.86 or 0.85 in ages less than 65 with proteinuria (nondiabetes or diabetes, respectively). Nonproteinuric CKD could be detected in nondiabetic patients under the age of 65 with a sensitivity of 0.88 and specificity of 0.71.

Discussion and Conclusions

The model performance differed across subgroups by age, proteinuria, and diabetes. The CKD progression risk can be assessed with the eGFR models using the levels of eGFR decrease and proteinuria. The machine-learning-enhanced urine-dipstick test can become a point-of-care test to promote public health by screening CKD and ranking its risk of progression.
Comprehensive Quality Evaluation of Qizhi Xiangfu Pills Based on Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components by a Single Marker Combined with GC Fingerprints and Chemometrics
Authors: Zou Jia-Jia , Xu Xiao-Li , Yang Lin , Wang Yi-Wu , Li Yan , Dai Lei , He Dan
Published: April 2023

Background

Qizhi Xiangfu Pills (QXPs) are a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used clinically for qi stagnation and blood stasis. The current quality control of QXPs in the ministry standards and the reported literature is minimal, and requires improvement.

Objective

This study aimed to analyze and determine the active ingredients in QXPs for its overall evaluation.

Methods

In this study, a quantitative analysis of multi-components by a single marker (QAMS) method was established to simultaneously determine caryophyllene oxide, cyperotundone, ligustilide, and α-cyperone in QXPs by GC. Moreover, the GC fingerprints of 22 batches of samples were also established, and the common peaks were initially identified by GC–MS, then classified in various dimensions using chemometric methods, and the main markers causing the discrepancies between groups were analyzed by orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA).

Results

Compared with an internal standard method (ISM), the determination results obtained by QAMS had no significant difference. Twenty-two common peaks were distinguished in the fingerprint of 22 batches of QXPs, 17 of which were identified, and the similarity of the fingerprints was greater than 0.898. The 22 batches of QXPs were roughly divided into 3 categories, and 12 main markers causing the discrepancies were discovered.

Conclusion

The established QAMS method combined with the GC fingerprint and chemometrics is convenient and feasible, which helps to improve the quality evaluation of QXPs and provides a demonstration for the related study of compound preparations and single herbs.

Highlights

QAMS combined with a GC fingerprint and chemometrics method was established to evaluate the quality of QXPs for the first time.
A Helper Antibody-Based Competitive Fluorescence Immunochromatographic Assay for Quantitative Detection of Florfenicol in Poultry Eggs
Authors: Zhang Enhui , Liu Bochao , Lu Jinhui , Liang Chaolan , Zhao Fang , Li Jinfeng , Li Tingting , Li Chengyao , Zhang Ling
Published: April 2023

Background

Florfenicol (FF) is a chloramphenicol analogue used in animals, and florfenicol amine (FFA) is the main metabolite of FF. However, their residues in agricultural products are harmful to human health. A highly specific and sensitive assay for FF/FFA detection needs to be developed since the traditional detection methods are low in sensitivity.

Objective

In this study, a new method for rapid quantification of FF/FFA in poultry eggs by helper antibody-based fluorescent immunochromatographic assay (HAFIA) was established.

Methods

Triple antibodies including a primary monoclonal antibody (mAb) specific to the targets FF and FFA, a secondary polyclonal antibody (pAb) labeled with europium nanoparticles (EuNPs), and a helper monoclonal antibody (hAb), reacting with pAb but not with the mAb or the target antigen, are designed, which can form structural aggregation complexes in microwells with a single step of reactions. By loading the reaction sample solution, the triple-antibodies (mAb–pAb–hAb)–EuNPs complexes migrate to the test (T) line on the nitrocellulose membrane of testing strip and are competitively captured by the immobilized FF–bovine serum album (BSA) conjugates on the membrane and the FF/FFA targets in the sample solution.

Results

Fluorescence on the T line is read by a portable fluorescent strip reader in 10 min, and the result is given as the ratio of fluorescent intensities on the T and control (C) lines. This new fluorescent testing strip, with amplified signal from the triple-antibody complex, has 50-fold higher sensitivity than conventional colloidal gold-lateral flow immunoassays (CG-LFIAs), and can detect as low as 0.01 ng/mL FF and 0.1 ng/mL FFA targets from egg samples.

Conclusion

The developed competitive fluorescent immunochromatography method based on auxiliary antibodies has the advantages of high sensitivity and specificity for the rapid and quantitative detection of FF/FFA in poultry eggs.

Highlights

Newly designed helper antibody and portable device were applied to quantitative detection. HAFIA tests egg samples and results can be obtained in 10 minutes. HAFIA has the advantages of being more convenient, faster and does not require professional laboratory personnel.
Cost-effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence-Aided Colonoscopy for Adenoma Detection in Colon Cancer Screening
Authors: Barkun Alan N , von Renteln Daniel , Sadri Hamid
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Artificial intelligence-aided colonoscopy significantly improves adenoma detection. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of the GI Genius technology, an artificial intelligence-aided computer diagnosis for polyp detection (CADe), in improving colorectal cancer outcomes, adopting a Canadian health care perspective.

Methods

A Markov model with 1-year cycles and a lifetime horizon was used to estimate incremental cost-effectiveness ratio comparing CADe to conventional colonoscopy polyp detection amongst patients with a positive faecal immunochemical test. Outcomes were life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALY) gained. The analysis applied costs associated with health care resource utilization, including procedures and follow-ups, from a provincial payer’s perspective using 2022 Canadian dollars. Effectiveness and cost data were sourced from the literature and publicly available databases. Extensive probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed, assessing model robustness.

Results

Life years and QALY gains for the CADe and conventional colonoscopy groups were 19.144 versus 19.125 and 17.137 versus 17.113, respectively. CADe and conventional colonoscopies’ overall per-case costs were $2990.74 and $3004.59, respectively. With a willingness-to-pay pre-set at $50,000/QALY, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was dominant for both outcomes, showing that CADe colonoscopy is cost-effective. Deterministic sensitivity analysis confirmed that the model was sensitive to the incidence risk ratio of adenoma per colonoscopy for large adenomas. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the CADe strategy was cost-effective in up to 73.4% of scenarios.

Conclusion

The addition of CADe solution to colonoscopy is a dominant, cost-effective strategy when used in faecal immunochemical test-positive patients in a Canadian health care setting.
Isoliquiritigenin regulates microglial M1/M2 polarisation by mediating the P38/MAPK pathway in cerebral stroke
Authors: Wang Ruixia , Zhang Weili
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Regulation of microglia polarisation may be a new way to treat ischaemic stroke based on its effects on brain injury. Isoliquiritigenin (ILG) is a flavonoid with neuroprotective function. The study investigated whether ILG regulated microglial polarisation and affects brain injury.

Methods

Here, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model in vivo and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced BV2 cells in vitro were established. Brain damage was assessed using a 2,3,5-triphenyl-tetrazolium-chloride staining assay. Microglial polarisation was analysed using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence assay. The levels of p38/MAPK pathway-related factors were measured by western blot.

Key findings

ILG suppressed infarct volume and neurological function of tMCAO rats. Moreover, ILG facilitated M2 microglia polarisation and suppressed M1 polarisation in the tMCAO model and LPS-induced BV2 cells. Moreover, ILG reduced the phosphorylation of p38, MAPK activated protein kinase 2, and heat shock protein 27 induced by LPS. Rescue study showed that activating the p38/MAPK pathway reversed the microglia polarisation induced by ILG and inactivating the p38/MAPK pathway enchanced the microglia polarisation.

Conclusion

ILG promoted microglia M2 polarisation by inactivating the p38/MAPK pathway, suggesting that ILG has the potential for the treatment of ischaemic stroke.
Electron transport in cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes: are cyanobacteria simple models for photosynthetic organisms?
Authors: Shimakawa Ginga
Published: April 2023

Cyanobacteria are structurally the simplest oxygenic phototrophs, but it is difficult to understand the regulation of their photosynthesis because the photosynthetic and respiratory processes share the same thylakoid membranes and cytosolic space. This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms and in vivo activities of electron transport in cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes based on the latest progress in photosynthesis research in cyanobacteria. Photosynthetic linear electron transport for CO2 assimilation is the dominant electron flux in the thylakoid membranes. The capacity for O2 photoreduction mediated by flavodiiron proteins is comparable to that for photosynthetic CO2 assimilation in cyanobacteria. Additionally, cyanobacterial thylakoid membranes harbour the significant electron flux of respiratory electron transport through a homologue of respiratory complex I, which is also recognized as forming part of the cyclic electron transport chain if it is coupled with photosystem I in the light. Further, O2-independent alternative electron transport through hydrogenase and nitrate reductase function with reduced ferredoxin as the electron donor. Whereas all these electron transport chains are understood individually, the regulatory complexity of the whole system remains to be uncovered in the near future.
New insights into the regulation of plant metabolism by O-acetylserine: sulfate and beyond
Authors: Apodiakou Anastasia , Hoefgen Rainer
Published: April 2023

Under conditions of sulfur deprivation, O-acetylserine (OAS) accumulates, which leads to the induction of a common set of six genes, called OAS cluster genes. These genes are induced not only under sulfur deprivation, but also under other conditions where OAS accumulates, such as shift to darkness and stress conditions leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) or methyl-jasmonate accumulation. Using the OAS cluster genes as a query in ATTED-II, a co-expression network is derived stably spanning several hundred conditions. This allowed us not only to describe the downstream function of the OAS cluster genes but also to score for functions of the members of the co-regulated co-expression network and hence the effects of the OAS signal on the sulfate assimilation pathway and co-regulated pathways. Further, we summarized existing knowledge on the regulation of the OAS cluster and the co-expressed genes. We revealed that the known sulfate deprivation-related transcription factor EIL3/SLIM1 exhibits a prominent role, as most genes are subject to regulation by this transcription factor. The role of other transcription factors in response to OAS awaits further investigation.
Serum aspartate aminotransferase is an adverse prognostic indicator for patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: He Meifang , Liu Yin , Huang Hefei , Wu Jiali , Wu Juehui , Wang Ruizhi , Wang Dong
Published: April 2023

Objective

In this study, the association between preoperative levels of serum liver enzymes and overall survival (OS) was evaluated in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer.

Methods

Preoperative serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferases (AST), γ-glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase of 101 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) were collected. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazard models were used to identify independent variables associated with OS in this cohort.

Results

Patients with elevated AST levels had significantly worse OS than patients with lower AST levels. A nomogram was created using TNM staging and AST levels and was shown to be more accurate in prediction than the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition standard method.

Conclusion

Preoperative AST levels could be a novel independent prognostic biomarker for patients with PDAC. The incorporation of AST levels into a nomogram with TNM staging can be an accurate predictive model for OS in patients with resectable PDAC.
Resilient Prescribing: An Approach to Psychotropic Use in Deployed Environments
Authors: van Schalkwyk Gerrit I , Parker Trisha N , Horne Jenna G , Agapoff Jame A
Published: April 2023

Resilient prescribing is an approach to the use of psychotropics that considers the significance of the treatment beyond the direct effects of the medication. Within this strengths-based approach, those who are prescribed medications must retain a sense of self-efficacy, understand the importance of their own actions in their recovery, have reasonable expectations of what a medication can and cannot do, and avoid the adoption of a disempowering illness identity. These constitute the principles of resilient prescribing. In this manuscript, we explore these principles with consideration for how they may be applied in deployed settings where the ability of service members to recover from behavioral health concerns is mission critical. These principles offer a roadmap to prescribing that builds upon the service members’ own strengths and has the potential to amplify the positive impacts of mental health treatment.
Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis (microsporidia) in HIV-positive patients in central Spain
Authors: Chozas Mercedes , Dashti Alejandro , Prieto-Pérez Laura , Pérez-Tanoira Ramón , Cobo Elena , Bailo Begoña , del Palacio Marta , Hernández-Castro Carolina , González-Barrio David , Carmena David , Köster Pamela C
Published: April 2023

Microsporidia are fungi-related eukaryotic intracellular parasites that opportunistically infect immunocompromised individuals such as those infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. are the most clinically relevant species. We investigated the occurrence and genetic diversity of microsporidial and protist infections in mostly immunocompetent HIV-positive patients in Madrid, Spain. A structured questionnaire was used to retrieve data on factors potentially associated with an increased risk of infection, including sexual attitudes and sex-risk behaviour. Faecal samples (n = 96) from 81 HIV-positive patients were collected and analysed by molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) methods. Two microsporidial pathogens were detected: Ent. bieneusi (2.5%, 95% CI: 0.3–8.6) and Enc.intestinalis (4.9%, 95% CI: 1.4–12.2). The two Ent. bieneusi isolates were identified as zoonotic genotype A. Among protists, Entamoeba dispar was the species most prevalently found (33.3%, 95% CI: 23.2–44.7), followed by Blastocystis spp. (19.8%, 95% CI: 11.7–30.1), Giardia duodenalis (13.6%, 95% CI: 7.0–23.0), and Cryptosporidium spp. and Entamoeba histolytica (2.5%, 95% CI: 0.3–8.6 each). Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cystoisospora belli were not detected. Subtypes ST1 (70.6%, 12/17) and ST3 (29.4%, 5/17) were identified within Blastocystis sp., sub-assemblages AII and BIII (50%, 1/2 each) within G. duodenalis, and Cry. parvum and canine-adapted Cry. canis (50%, 1/2 each) within Cryptosporidium spp. Microsporidial and protist parasites were frequent in well-controlled, mostly immunocompetent HIV-positive patients and should be included in diagnostic algorithms when diarrhoea is present.
HST PanCET programme: a flat optical transmission spectrum for the Hot Jupiter WASP-101b
Authors: Rathcke Alexander D , Buchhave Lars A , Mendonça João M , Sing David K , López-Morales Mercedes , Alam Munazza K , Henry Gregory W , Nikolov Nikolay K , García Muñoz A , Mikal-Evans Thomas , Wakeford Hannah R , Dos Santos Leonardo A , Rajpaul Vinesh Maguire
Published: April 2023

We present an optical transmission spectrum of the hot Jupiter WASP-101b. We observed three primary transits with Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, covering a wavelength range from 0.3 to 1 $\mu$m. The observations suffer from significant systematics that we model using Gaussian Processes. Kernel selection for the Gaussian Processes is performed in a data-driven approach through Bayesian model comparison. We find a flat and featureless transmission spectrum, corroborating a previous measurement obtained with HST/Wide-Field Camera 3 in the 1–1.7 $\mu$m range. The spectrum is consistent with high-altitude clouds located at less than 100 $\mu$bar. This cloud layer completely blocks our view into deeper parts of the atmosphere and makes WASP-101b the cloudiest gas giant observed so far. We compute a series of temperature-pressure profiles for WASP-101b and compare these to condensation curves for cloud particles, which match clouds composed of silicates. We also include 13 transits observed with Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite and use these to refine system parameters.
Cosmic ray-driven magnetohydrodynamic waves in magnetized self-gravitating dusty molecular clouds
Authors: Boro Pallab , Prajapati Ram Prasad
Published: April 2023

The impact of galactic cosmic rays (CRs) in terms of CR pressure and parallel CR diffusion has been investigated on the low-frequency magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves and linear gravitational instability in the typical dusty plasma environment of molecular clouds (MCs). The dusty fluid model is formulated by combining the equations of the magnetized electrons/ions and dust particles, including the CR effects. The interactions between CR fluid and gravitating magnetized dusty plasma have been studied with the help of modified dispersion properties of the MHD waves and instabilities using the hydrodynamic fluid–fluid (CR–plasma) approach. CR diffusion affects the coupling of CR pressure-driven mode with dust-Alfvén MHD mode and causes damping in the MHD waves. It persists in its effect along the direction of the magnetic field and is diminished across the magnetic field. The phase-speed diagram shows that for super-Alfvénic wave, the slow mode becomes the intermediate Alfvén mode. The fundamental Jeans instability criterion remains unaffected due to CR effects, but in the absence of CR diffusion, the effects of dust-acoustic speed and CR pressure-driven wave speed are observed in the instability criterion. It is found that CR pressure stabilizes while CR diffusion destabilizes the growth rates of Jeans instability and significantly affects the gravitational collapse of dusty MCs. The charged dust grains play a dominant role in the sub-Alfvénic and super-Alfvénic MHD waves and the collapse of MCs, triggering gravitational instability. The consequences have been discussed to understand the gravitational instability in the dense photodissociation regions of dusty MCs.
Accretion of aerodynamically large pebbles
Authors: Huang Helong , Ormel Chris W
Published: April 2023

Due to their aerodynamical coupling with gas, pebbles in protoplanetary discs can drift over large distances to support planet growth in the inner disc. In the past decade, this pebble accretion has been studied extensively for aerodynamically small pebbles (Stokes number St < 1). However, accretion can also operate in the St > 1 mode, e.g. when planetesimals collisionally fragment to smaller bodies or when the primordial gas disc disperses. This work aims to extend the study of pebble accretion to these aerodynamically loosely coupled particles. We integrate the pebble’s equation of motion, accounting for gas drag, stellar and planetary gravity, in the mid-plane of a laminar disc. The accretion probability (ϵ) is calculated as function of Stokes number, disc pressure gradient index, planet mass, and eccentricity. We find that for Stokes number above unity ϵ(St) first rises, due to lower drift and aided by a large atmospheric capture radius, until it reaches a plateau where the efficiency approaches 100 per cent. At high St, the plateau region terminates as particles become trapped in resonance. These results are well described by a semi-analytical ‘kick-and-drift’ model and we also provide fully analytical prescriptions for ϵ. We apply our model to the accretion of ${\sim }30\, \mu \mathrm{m}$ dust particles in a dispersing protoplanetary and secondary (CO-rich) debris disc. It shows that such physically small particles are mainly accreted as aerodynamically large Stokes number pebbles during the debris disc phase. Earth-mass planets may obtain ∼25 per cent of their heavy elements through this late accretion phase.
Off-centre supermassive black holes in bright central galaxies
Authors: Chu Aline , Boldrini Pierre , Silk Joe
Published: April 2023

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are believed to reside at the centre of massive galaxies such as brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs). However, as BCGs experienced numerous galaxy mergers throughout their history, the central BH can be significantly kicked from the central region by these dynamical encounters. By combining the TNG300 simulations and orbital integrations, we demonstrate that mergers with satellite galaxies on radial orbits are a main driver for such BH displacements in BCGs. BHs can get ejected to distances varying between a few parsecs to hundreds of kiloparsecs. Our results clearly establish that SMBH offsets are common in BCGs and more precisely a third of our BHs are off-centred at z = 0. This orbital offset can be sustained for up to at least 6 Gyr between z = 2 and z = 0 in half of our BCGs. Since the dense gas reservoirs are located in the central region of galaxies, we argue that the consequences of off-centre SMBHs in BCGs are to quench any BH growth and BH feedback.
Infrared spectroscopic confirmation of z ∼ 2 photometrically selected obscured quasars
Authors: Ishikawa Yuzo , Wang Ben , Zakamska Nadia L , Richards Gordon T , Hennawi Joseph F , Rivera Angelica B
Published: April 2023

The census of obscured quasar populations is incomplete and remains a major unsolved problem, especially at higher redshifts, where we expect a greater density of galaxy formation and quasar activity. We present Gemini GNIRS near-infrared spectroscopy of 24 luminous obscured quasar candidates from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey’s Stripe 82 region. The targets were photometrically selected using a WISE/W4 selection technique that is optimized to identify IR-bright and heavily reddened/optically obscured targets at z > 1. We detect emission lines of Hα, Hβ, and/or [O iii] in 23 sources allowing us to measure spectroscopic redshifts in the range 1 < z < 3 with bolometric luminosities spanning L = 1046.3–1047.3 erg s−1. We observe broad 103–104 km s−1 Balmer emissions with large Hα/Hβ ratios, and we directly observe a heavily reddened rest-frame optical continuum in several sources, suggesting high extinction (AV ∼ 7–20 mag). Our observations demonstrate that such optical/infrared photometric selection successfully recovers high-redshift obscured quasars. The successful identification of previously undetected red, obscured high-redshift quasar candidates suggests that there are more obscured quasars yet to be discovered.
Photometric and spectroscopic monitoring of YSOs in nearby star-forming regions – I. Eruptive YSOs
Authors: Contreras Peña Carlos , Herczeg Gregory J , Ashraf Mizna , Jose Jessy , Lee Ho-Gyu , Johnstone Doug , Lee Jeong-Eun , Zhou Xing-yu , Liu Hanpu , Yoon Sung-Yong
Published: April 2023

Mid-infrared (mid-IR) variability in young stellar objects (YSOs) is driven by several physical mechanisms, which produce a variety of amplitudes and light-curve shapes. One of these mechanisms, variable disc accretion, is predicted by models of episodic accretion to drive secular variability, including in the mid-IR. Because the largest accretion bursts are rare, adding new objects to the YSO eruptive variable class aids our understanding of the episodic accretion phenomenon and its possible impact on stellar and planetary formation. A previous analysis of 6.5 yr of NeoWISE light curves (3–5 μm) of ∼7000 nearby YSOs found an increase in the fraction of variability and variability amplitude for objects at younger stages of evolution. To help interpret these light curves, we have obtained low- and high-resolution near-IR spectra of 78 objects from this sample of YSOs. In this work, we present the analysis of nine nearby YSOs (d<1 kpc) that show the characteristics of known classes of eruptive variable YSOs. We find one FU Orionis (FUor)-like source, one EX Lupi type object, and six YSOs with mixed characteristics or V1647 Ori like objects. The varied characteristics observed in our sample are consistent with recent discoveries of eruptive YSOs. We discuss how a wide range in YSO outburst parameters (central mass, maximum accretion rate during outburst, evolutionary stage, and/or instability leading to the outburst) may play a significant role in the observed spectrophotometric properties of YSO outbursts.