bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the sex bias in housekeeping gene expression in adipose tissue: a comprehensive meta-analysis of transcriptomic studies
Authors: Guaita-Cespedes Maria , Grillo-Risco Rubén , Hidalgo Marta R. , Fernández-Veledo Sonia , Burks Deborah Jane , de la Iglesia-Vayá María , Galán Amparo , Garcia-Garcia Francisco
Published: April 2023

Background

As the housekeeping genes (HKG) generally involved in maintaining essential cell functions are typically assumed to exhibit constant expression levels across cell types, they are commonly employed as internal controls in gene expression studies. Nevertheless, HKG may vary gene expression profile according to different variables introducing systematic errors into experimental results. Sex bias can indeed affect expression display, however, up to date, sex has not been typically considered as a biological variable.

Methods

In this study, we evaluate the expression profiles of six classical housekeeping genes (four metabolic: GAPDH, HPRT, PPIA, and UBC, and two ribosomal: 18S and RPL19) to determine expression stability in adipose tissues (AT) of Homo sapiens and Mus musculus and check sex bias and their overall suitability as internal controls. We also assess the expression stability of all genes included in distinct whole-transcriptome microarrays available from the Gene Expression Omnibus database to identify sex-unbiased housekeeping genes (suHKG) suitable for use as internal controls. We perform a novel computational strategy based on meta-analysis techniques to identify any sexual dimorphisms in mRNA expression stability in AT and to properly validate potential candidates.

Results

Just above half of the considered studies informed properly about the sex of the human samples, however, not enough female mouse samples were found to be included in this analysis. We found differences in the HKG expression stability in humans between female and male samples, with females presenting greater instability. We propose a suHKG signature including experimentally validated classical HKG like PPIA and RPL19 and novel potential markers for human AT and discarding others like the extensively used 18S gene due to a sex-based variability display in adipose tissue. Orthologs have also been assayed and proposed for mouse WAT suHKG signature. All results generated during this study are readily available by accessing an open web resource (https://bioinfo.cipf.es/metafun-HKG) for consultation and reuse in further studies.

Conclusions

This sex-based research proves that certain classical housekeeping genes fail to function adequately as controls when analyzing human adipose tissue considering sex as a variable. We confirm RPL19 and PPIA suitability as sex-unbiased human and mouse housekeeping genes derived from sex-specific expression profiles, and propose new ones such as RPS8 and UBB.
Constructing a knowledge graph for open government data: the case of Nova Scotia disease datasets
Authors: Rajabi Enayat , Midha Rishi , de Souza Jairo Francisco
Published: April 2023

The majority of available datasets in open government data are statistical. They are widely published by various governments to be used by the public and data consumers. However, most open government data portals do not provide the five-star Linked Data standard datasets. The published datasets are isolated from one another while conceptually connected. This paper constructs a knowledge graph for the disease-related datasets of a Canadian government data portal, Nova Scotia Open Data. We leveraged the Semantic Web technologies to transform the disease-related datasets into Resource Description Framework (RDF) and enriched them with semantic rules. An RDF data model using the RDF Cube vocabulary was designed in this work to develop a graph that adheres to best practices and standards, allowing for expansion, modification and flexible re-use. The study also discusses the lessons learned during the cross-dimensional knowledge graph construction and integration of open statistical datasets from multiple sources.
FACI is a novel clathrin adaptor protein 2-binding protein that facilitates low-density lipoprotein endocytosis
Authors: Cheng Yun , Kang Xiao-Zhuo , Chan Pearl , Cheung Pak-Hin Hinson , Cheng Tao , Ye Zi-wei , Chan Chi-Ping , Yu Cheng-Han , Jin Dong-Yan
Published: April 2023

Background

Cholesterol plays a vital role in multiple physiological processes. Cellular uptake of cholesterol is mediated primarily through endocytosis of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor. New modifiers of this process remain to be characterized. Particularly, the role of fasting- and CREB-H-induced (FACI) protein in cholesterol homeostasis merits further investigation.

Methods

Interactome profiling by proximity labeling and affinity purification − mass spectrometry was performed. Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy were used to analyze protein co-localization and interaction. Mutational analysis was carried out to define the domain and residues required for FACI localization and function. Endocytosis was traced by fluorescent cargos. LDL uptake in cultured cells and diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in mice were assessed.

Results

FACI interacted with proteins critically involved in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, vesicle trafficking, and membrane cytoskeleton. FACI localized to clathrin-coated pits (CCP) on plasma membranes. FACI contains a conserved DxxxLI motif, which mediates its binding with the adaptor protein 2 (AP2) complex. Disruption of this motif of FACI abolished its CCP localization but didn’t affect its association with plasma membrane. Cholesterol was found to facilitate FACI transport from plasma membrane to endocytic recycling compartment in a clathrin- and cytoskeleton-dependent manner. LDL endocytosis was enhanced in FACI-overexpressed AML12 cells but impaired in FACI-depleted HeLa cells. In vivo study indicated that hepatic FACI overexpression alleviated diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in mice.

Conclusions

FACI facilitates LDL endocytosis through its interaction with the AP2 complex.
ICU admission for solid cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Toffart Anne-Claire , Meert Anne-Pascale , Wallet Florent , Gibelin Aude , Guisset Olivier , Gonzalez Frédéric , Seguin Amélie , Kouatchet Achille , Delaunay Myriam , Debieuvre Didier , Duchemann Boris , Rousseau-Bussac Gaëlle , Nyunga Martine , Grimaldi David , Levrat Albrice , Azoulay Elie , Lemiale Virginie
Published: April 2023

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the management of cancer. They can induce immune-related adverse events (irAE) leading to intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We aimed to describe irAEs for ICU admissions in solid cancer patients treated with ICIs.

Methods

This prospective multicenter study was conducted in France and Belgium. Adult patients with solid tumor and treated with systemic ICIs within the last 6 months, requiring non-programmed ICU admission were included. Patients admitted for microbiologically documented sepsis were excluded. Imputability of irAEs in ICU admissions was described according to the WHO-UMC classification system at ICU admission and at ICU discharge. The use of immunosuppressant treatment was reported.

Results

115 patients were eligible. Solid tumor was mainly lung cancer (n = 76, 66%) and melanoma (n = 18, 16%). They were mainly treated with an anti-PD-(L)1 alone (n = 110, 96%). Main ICU admission reasons were acute respiratory failure (n = 66, 57%), colitis (n = 14, 13%), and cardiovascular disease (n = 13, 11%). ICU admission was considered “likely” associated with irAE for 48% (n = 55) of patients. Factors independently associated with irAE were a good ECOG performance status (PS) (ECOG-PS of 0 or 1 vs. ECOG-PS of 2–3, odds ratio [OR] = 6.34, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.13–18.90, and OR = 3.66, 95% CI 1.33–10.03, respectively), and a history of irAE (OR = 3.28, 95% CI 1.19–9.01). Steroids were prescribed for 41/55 (75%) patients with ICU admission “likely” related to irAE. Three patients were subsequently treated with immunosuppressants.

Conclusion

IrAEs accounted for half of ICU admissions in cancer patients receiving ICIs. They could be treated with steroids. Identifying the imputability of irAEs in ICU admissions remains a challenge.
On the Durrmeyer variant of q-Bernstein operators based on the shape parameter λ
Authors: Su Lian-Ta , Aslan Reşat , Zheng Feng-Song , Mursaleen M.
Published: April 2023

In this work, we consider several approximation properties of a Durrmeyer variant ofq-Bernstein operators based on Bézier basis with the shape parameter$\lambda \in[ -1,1]$λ∈[−1,1]. First, we calculate some moment estimates and show the uniform convergence of the proposed operators. Next, we investigate the degree of approximation with regard to the usual modulus of continuity, for elements of Lipschitz-type class and Peetre’sK-functional, respectively. Finally, to compare the convergence behavior and consistency of the related operators, we demonstrate some convergence and error graphs for certain$\lambda \in[ -1,1]$λ∈[−1,1]andq-integers.
Asset management analytics for urban water mains: a literature review
Authors: Delnaz Atefeh , Nasiri Fuzhan , Li S. Samuel
Published: April 2023

This study presents a review of the state-of-the-art literature on water pipe failure predictions, assessment of water losses risk, optimal pipe maintenance plans, and maintenance coordination strategies. In addition, it provides a categorization of water main (WM) failures as well as a taxonomy of WM maintenance strategies. In particular, predictive and prescriptive analytics are highlighted with the investigation of their contributions and drawbacks from methodological and application perspectives. This review aims at providing a review of failure analytics developed recently in water mains domain either for prediction of failure or identification of optimal maintenance strategies conjointly. Future research directions and challenges are elaborated in advancing the understanding about the mechanisms leading to failures. The existing gaps between theory and practice in managing assets across water distribution networks ensuring cost-effectiveness and reliability are discussed. As knowledge about the state of the water mains and related areas is crucial, thus, this review provides an state-of-the-art update from recent studies, and accordingly, presents and discusses avenues for future research.
“Major pathologic response” in lymph nodes: a modified nodal classification for non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy
Authors: Deng Hongsheng , Xiong Shan , Zhong Ran , Zheng Yongmei , Liang Hengrui , Cheng Bo , Li Jianfu , Li Feng , Chen Zhuxing , Wang Haixuan , He Jianxing , Liang Wenhua
Published: April 2023

We aim to examine the prognostic value of major pathologic response in metastatic lymph nodes (mLN-MPR) after immunochemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and demonstrate the pathological characteristic of regression in mLN. Adult patients consecutively undergone neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy and radical-intent surgery for initial stage cIII NSCLC between 2020 and 2021 were included. Hematoxylin- and eosin-stained slides of paraffinembedded sections of the degree of pathologic response in the primary tumor (PT) and its paired involved LNs were reviewed. Imaging mass cytometry was conducted to quantify the immunological status. With 10% as residual viable tumor (RVT) cutoff, mLN-MPR (HR: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.14–0.78; P = 0.011, ref: mLN-MPR(-)) showed more significant correlation with DFS than ypN0 (HR: 0.40, 95%CI: 0.17–0.94; P = 0.036, ref: ypN1-N2). And mLN-MPR combined with PT-MPR, compared with ypN stage combined with PT-MPR (p-value: 0.030 vs. 0.117), can better distinguished the DFS curves of the 4 subgroups of patients. mLN-MPR(+)/PT-MPR(+) patients had the best prognosis compared with other subgroups. Pathologic responses of RVT in PT and paired regional LNs [MPR inconsistency rate: 21/53 (39.6%)], and across different LNs could be inconsistent, especially in squamous cell carcinoma. RVT% in mLNs after immunochemotherapy appeared to be polarized [16 (30.2%) cases with RVT ≥ 70%; 34 (64.2%) with RVT ≤ 10%]. Partial regression of LN metastasis could present with distinct immune subtypes: immune-inflamed or immune-evacuation subtype, and the former presented with higher CD3, CD8, and PD-1 expression in the invasive margin. mLN-MPR demonstrated a potential prognostic value in predicting DFS in patients treated with neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy, but further research is needed to validate its usefulness for other survival outcomes, including OS.
Subjective social status and well-being of adolescents and young adults in Ghanaian schools: conditional process analysis
Authors: Quansah Frank , Agormedah Edmond Kwesi , Hagan John Elvis , Frimpong James Boadu , Ankomah Francis , Srem-Sai Medina , Dadaczynski Kevin , Okan Orkan , Schack Thomas
Published: April 2023

Background

With the growing concern and interest in the mental health and well-being of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) including those in schools, many studies have explored the bivariate relationship between subjective social status (SSS) and AYAs’ subjective well-being (SWB). Acknowledging the spurious nature of this relationship, we assessed the relationship between SSS and SWB of AYAs in schools within Northern Ghana, focusing on the conditional indirect effect of monetary resource (MR) and sense of coherence (SoC).

Methods

We utilised a cross-sectional descriptive design to survey 1096 senior high school students from two regions in Ghana’s Northern zone through a stratified sampling method. A questionnaire consisting of a number of calibrated standardized measures was used for the data collection. The data were processed using SPSS and PROCESS Macro and analysed using Hayes’ conditional process analysis.

Results

The results revealed that students’ MR significantly moderated the relationships between SSS and SoC as well as SSS and SWB. A significant moderated mediation effect of MR and SoC on the relationship between SSS and SWB was found. Particularly, AYAs who reported higher levels of MRl, SSS and SoC reported a better SWB.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the relevance of providing sufficient financial support for students in secondary schools in Ghana; thus, highlighting the sheer relevance of economic capital as a leading factor for better well-being. The findings also place much emphasis on building students’ personal coping mechanisms as a key variable in explaining how the students’ SSS and MR translate into having positive mental health outcomes.
Suicidality and homelessness: prevalence and associated factors of suicidal behaviour among homeless young adults in Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Yohannes Kalkidan , Gezahegn Melkamu , Birhanie Mekonnen , Simachew Yilkal , Moges Awoke , Ayano Getinet , Toitole Kusse Koirita , Mokona Hirbaye , Abebe Lulu
Published: April 2023

Background

Research indicates that homelessness is associated with an increased risk of suicide. While street homelessness is a global problem, it is a disproportionately serious concern in low- and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia. Despite their high risk of suicidal thoughts and attempts, there has been limited research on this subject among homeless young people in Ethiopia. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence and factors contributing to suicidal behaviour among homeless young people in the southern region of this country.

Methods

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study from 15 June to 15 August 2020 involving 798 homeless young adults in four southern Ethiopian towns and cities. The Suicide Behaviour Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) was used to assess suicidal behaviour. Data were coded and entered into Epi-Data version 7 and analysed using SPSS version 20. We conducted a multivariable logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with suicidal behaviour. Variables with a p-value of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was determined to indicate the association’s strength.

Results

The overall prevalence of suicidal behaviour among young homeless individuals was 38.2% (95% CI: 34.8%, 41.5%). The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning and attempt was 10.7% (95% CI: 8.6–12.9%), 5.1% (95% CI: 3.6–6.6%) and 3% (95% CI: 1.9–4.3%), respectively. A longer duration of homelessness (1–2 years) (AOR = 2.244, 95% CI: 1.447–3.481), stressful life events (AOR = 1.655, 95% CI: 1.132–2.418) and the stigma associated with homelessness (AOR = 1.629, 95% CI: 1.149–1.505) were significantly associated with suicidal behaviour.

Conclusion

The results of our study indicate that suicide is a serious public health problem among homeless young people in southern Ethiopia. We have found associations between suicidal behaviour and stressful events, homelessness lasting for one to two years and stigma. Our study suggests that policymakers and programme planners need to develop a strategy for preventing, detecting and managing suicidal behaviour among street-dwelling homeless young adults, a vulnerable and understudied population. A community-based suicide prevention campaign is also essential for street-dwelling homeless young people in Ethiopia.
A new method to reconstruct the 3D ground surface temperature from aerial TIR and visible images: application to the active crater of Aso volcano, Japan
Authors: Nashimoto Subaru , Yokoo Akihiko
Published: April 2023

At active volcanoes, the surface temperature and its spatial distribution can indicate changes in the underlying magmatic and hydrothermal system. Surface temperature monitoring has been widely performed using thermal remote sensing with thermal infrared (TIR) cameras. One of the drawbacks of this method is that the unknown viewing orientation of TIR images inhibits quantitative evaluations of the spatial extent and distributions of thermal anomalies. Therefore, many studies have performed 3D temperature-field reconstructions by processing TIR images photogrammetrically. However, these studies have not included the correction of TIR wave atmospheric attenuation and viewing-angle variation in emissivity in the reconstruction procedure, which can result in significant temperature misestimation. We propose a simple method that incorporates the correction into the reconstruction process, which can improve the estimation of surface temperature, especially in rugged terrains. We demonstrate our method for the active crater of Aso volcano in Japan. We create digital elevation models by applying the Structure from Motion–Multi-view Stereo algorithm to aerial visible images taken at the same time as the TIR images and then project the TIR images onto the DEM with the direct georeferencing method. The correction is carried out using the geometric parameters acquired in the process. We create 1-m resolution orthorectified thermal images of the crater on two separate dates (18 August 2020 and 16 March 2022) and calculate the heat discharge rates from steaming grounds and a volcanic lake. We find that the heat discharge rate from the fumarolic field on the south crater wall showed a sevenfold increase after the phreatic explosions that occurred on 14 and 20 October 2021.

Graphical Abstract
Successful omental flap coverage repair of a rectovaginal fistula after low anterior resection: a case report
Authors: Kuhara Yuta , Hotei Hiroshi , Hashimoto Tatsunori , Seo Shingo , Amioka Ai , Murao Naoki , Kuwada Aki , Nakashima Akira , Sakabe Ryutaro , Tahara Kou
Published: April 2023

Background

Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is a troublesome and refractory complication after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. An omental flap repair was performed for the RVF caused due to Crohn’s disease and childbirth trauma. However, there are few cases of an omental flap repair for RVF after LAR. Herein, we present a successfully repaired case of RVF by omental flap coverage after LAR for rectal cancer.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old female patient with advanced rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic LAR with double-stapling technique anastomosis and achieved curative resection. She complained of a stool from the vagina and was diagnosed with RVF on the postoperative day (POD) 18. Conservative therapy was ineffective. We performed laparoscopic fistula resection and direct closure of the vagina and rectum, designed the omentum that could reach the pelvis, repaired RVF by omental flap coverage, and performed transverse colostomy on POD 25. She was discharged on initial POD 48. Seven months after the initial operation, colostomy closure was administered. There was no recurrence of RVF found 1 year after the initial operation.

Conclusions

The patient achieved an omental flap coverage for RVF. We successfully performed the omental flap coverage repair in patients with RVF after the leakage of LAR. An omental flap may become an alternative treatment for muscle flap or an effective treatment for RVF.
Effects of probiotic supplementation with weight reducing intervention on anthropometric measures, body composition, eating behavior, and related hormone levels in patients with food addiction and weight regain after bariatric surgery: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Ghafouri-Taleghani Fateme , Abiri Behnaz , Zamanian Ali , Saidpour Atoosa
Published: April 2023

Background

One of the unfortunate events after bariatric surgery is the weight regain, which occurs in some patients. Food addiction is an eating disorder related to the brain-intestinal axis and can be effective in weight regain after bariatric surgery. In addition, the gut microbiome plays a vital role in eating behaviors, including food addiction. So, this study will aim to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation with a weight-reducing diet and cognitive behavioral therapy on anthropometric measures, body composition, eating behavior, and related hormone levels, leptin, oxytocin, and serotonin, in patients with food addiction and weight regain after bariatric surgery.

Methods

We will carry out a triple-blinded randomized clinical trial for 12 weeks to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation with a weight-reducing diet and cognitive behavioral therapy on anthropometric measures, body composition, eating behavior, and related hormone levels including leptin, oxytocin, and serotonin, in patients with food addiction and weight regain after bariatric surgery.

Discussion

Based on the available evidence, probiotic supplementation by modifying the intestinal microbiome can improve food addiction and subsequent weight loss.

Trial Registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20220406054437N1 Registered on 2022–06-01.
Financial Toxicity in Cancer Care: Implications for Clinical Care and Potential Practice Solutions
Authors: Khan Hiba M. , Ramsey Scott , Shankaran Veena
Published: April 2023

Patients with cancer face an array of financial consequences as a result of their diagnosis and treatment, collectively referred to as financial toxicity (FT). In the past 10 years, the body of literature on this subject has grown tremendously, with a recent focus on interventions and mitigation strategies. In this review, we will briefly summarize the FT literature, focusing on the contributing factors and downstream consequences on patient outcomes. In addition, we will put FT into context with our emerging understanding of the role of social determinants of health and provide a framework for understanding FT across the cancer care continuum. We will then discuss the role of the oncology community in addressing FT and outline potential strategies that oncologists and health systems can implement to reduce this undue burden on patients with cancer and their families.
Regulation of HAND2 Expression by LncRNA HAND2-AS1 in Ovarian Endometriosis Involving DNA Methylation
Authors: Liu Lingli , Dong Huijing , Guan Yining , Fan Tingting , Sun Wenxia , Bagchi Indrani C , Miao Congxiu , Li Quanxi
Published: April 2023

HAND2 is a critical mediator of progesterone receptor signaling in endometrium. Silencing of HAND2 expression is associated with female infertility and endometrial cancers. We recently observed that lncRNA HAND2-AS1 and HAND2 are expressed coordinately in human endometrial stromal cells. To investigate involvement of HAND2-AS1 and HAND2 in pathogenesis of endometriosis, we employed immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and quantitative real-time PCR to assess their expression in normal endometrium and the ectopic lesions obtained from patients with ovarian endometriosis. HAND2 promoter methylation was also monitored in these samples. Our results revealed that HAND2 and HAND2-AS1 expression levels were reduced but promoter methylation was enhanced significantly in ectopic endometrium when compared with the normal controls. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed that HAND-AS1 is predominantly localized in the nuclei of endometrial stromal cells in contrast to the cytoplasmic distribution in epithelial cell compartment. To further investigate regulation of HAND2 expression by HAND2-AS1, HAND2-AS1 was silenced or overexpressed in human endometrial stromal cells. Our studies showed that expression levels of HAND2 and its direct target IL15 were attenuated markedly in HAND2-AS1 silenced cells but enhanced significantly in the overexpressed human endometrial stromal cells. Silencing of HAND2-AS1 also impaired endometrial stromal cell decidualization as indicated by downregulation of decidual biomarkers IGFBP1 and PRL. In addition, HAND2 promoter methylation was also enhanced upon HAND2-AS1 silencing. RNA immunoprecipitation studies further revealed that HAND2-AS1 is capable of binding to DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, indicating that HAND2-AS1 governs HAND2 expression epigenetically involving DNA methylation.
Diffuse Isocitrate Dehydrogenase–Mutant Gliomas With Histone H3 Alterations Are Distinguished by Unique Clinical Characteristics, Molecular Expression Profile, and Survival Prognosis
Authors: Cheng Cheng , Wang Di , Yu Mingchen , Zhai You , Pan Changqing , Liang Bo , Zhang Jiazheng , Wang Chen , Yin Yiyun , Li Lianwang , Wu Fan , Shi Zhongfang , Fan Xing , Liu Xing , Wang Zhiliang , Zhao Zheng , Li Guanzhang , Jiang Tao , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Histopathological features and molecular biomarkers have been studied as potential prognostic factors. This study aimed to investigate the clinical features, molecular phenotypes, and survival prognosis of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant (IDHmt) gliomas with histone H3 alterations (H3-alterations).

METHODS:

A total of 236 and 657 patients with whole-exome sequencing data were separately collected from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas and The Cancer Genome Atlas databases. Survival analysis of patients with glioma was performed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves stratified by histone H3 status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the associations between histone H3 status and other clinicopathological factors with survival in patients with IDH-mutant gliomas.

RESULTS:

Diffuse gliomas with H3 alterations are more likely to be high grade in 2 cohorts (P = .025 and P = .021, respectively). IDHmt glioma patients with H3-alteration had significantly less life expectancy than histone H3 wild-type (P = .041 and P = .008, respectively). In the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas cohort, Karnofsky performance scores ≤ 80 (HR 2.394, 95% CI 1.257-4.559, P = .008), extent of resection (HR 0.971, 95% CI 0.957-0.986, P < .001), high WHO grade (HR 6.938, 95% CI 2.787-17.269, P < .001), H3-alteration (HR 2.482, 95% CI 1.183-4.981, P = .016), and 1p/19q codeletion (HR 0.169, 95% CI 0.073-0.390, P < .001) were independently associated with IDHmt gliomas. In the The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort, age (HR 1.034, 95% CI 1.008-1.061, P = .010), high WHO grade (HR 2.365, 95% CI 1.263-4.427, P = .007), and H3-alteration (HR 2.501, 95% CI 1.312-4.766, P = .005) were independently associated with IDHmt gliomas.

CONCLUSION:

Identification and assessment of histone H3 status in clinical practice might help improve prognostic prediction and develop therapeutic strategies for these patient subgroups.
Combined Endoscopic Endonasal and Transpalatal Repair of Congenital Anterior Cranial Fossa Agenesis
Authors: Yang Nathan , Feldstein Neil A. , Gudis David A.
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND:

Congenital basal meningoceles and encephaloceles are rare pathologies that may present in isolation or with characteristic-associated clinical features. Rarely, children with congenital midline defects may present with massive encephaloceles secondary to anterior cranial fossa agenesis. Traditionally, transcranial approaches with frontal craniotomies were used to reduce the herniated contents and repair the skull base defect. However, high rates of morbidity and mortality associated with craniotomies have favored the development and adoption of less-invasive techniques.

OBJECTIVE:

To present a novel technique for combined endoscopic endonasal and transpalatal repair of a giant basal meningocele through an extensive sphenoethmoidal skull base defect.

METHODS:

A representative case of congenital anterior cranial fossa agenesis with a giant meningocele was selected. Clinical and radiological presentations were reviewed, and the intraoperative surgical technique was documented and recorded.

RESULTS:

A surgical video highlighting each surgical step was included to complement the description of the technique. The surgical outcome from the selected case is also presented.

CONCLUSION:

This report describes a combined endoscopic endonasal and transpalatal approach to repair an extensive anterior skull base defect with herniation of intracranial content. This technique capitalizes on the advantages of each approach to address this complex pathology.
Validation of ageism scale for dental students in India: (Ageism Scale for Dental Students- India) – a cross sectional study.
Authors: Shenoy Ramya , Jodalli Praveen S , Rao B Shushma , Shetty Aishwarya Shodhan , Thomas Manuel , Shigli Kamal , Marchini Leonardo
Published: April 2023

Background:

Ageism persists in many different societies as it is innate and subconscious in nature. Negative effects such as loneliness, mistreatment, and occupational discrimination are frequently present due to ageism. The dental students in our study were wary of the possible benefits of expensive dental care because ageism is rife in their field. There is no validated and reliable ageism scale to assess how dental students perceive ageism in India. The current study was carried out to validate the ageism scale for dental students in the Indian context.

Methods:

This was a cross sectional analytical study carried out among both males and females in Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Mangalore in which the instrument was 27-item Ageism scale for dental students. Content validity was done by six subject experts. The final version was administered to 213 students/Residents of dental school. The factorability of data was confirmed with KMO = 0.61 and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity resulting in p < 0.001.

Results:

Final PCA model resulted in 15 items and six components that together accounted for 70.37% of overall variance. The six components had reliability ranging from marginal 0.51 (Component 6) to a high of 0.81 (Component 3). As per the gender differences by component females showed less ageism than men in “non-compliance” (-0.9(-1.66-0.14), p<0.05) and “practitioner perspective” (1.43 (0.84, 2.03), p<0.01). Statistical significance was seen in Barriers/concerns in dental treatment of elderly where residents showed reversed (1.4 (0.41, 2.38), p<0.01). Urban group showed more ageism for component ‘time restraint’ (-0.79 (-1.57, -0.02), p<0.05.

Conclusion:

Preliminary validation resulted in 15 item scale with six components with acceptable validity of the ageism scale and could be further tested in large samples. This scale will help recognize ageism in Indian context and provide necessary information to make changes in the curriculum as required.
Foresight in clinical proteomics: current status, ethical considerations, and future perspectives
Authors: Mundt Filip , Albrechtsen Nicolai J. Wewer , Mann Sebastian Porsdam , Treit Peter , Ghodgaonkar-Steger Medini , O’Flaherty Martina , Raijmakers Reinout , Vizcaíno Juan Antonio , Heck Albert J.R. , Mann Matthias
Published: April 2023

With the advent of robust and high-throughput mass spectrometric technologies and bioinformatics tools to analyze large data sets, proteomics has penetrated broadly into basic and translational life sciences research. More than 95% of FDA-approved drugs currently target proteins, and most diagnostic tests are protein-based. The introduction of proteomics to the clinic, for instance to guide patient stratification and treatment, is already ongoing. Importantly, ethical challenges come with this success, which must also be adequately addressed by the proteomics and medical communities. Consortium members of the H2020 European Union-funded proteomics initiative: European Proteomics Infrastructure Consortium-providing access (EPIC-XS) met at the Core Technologies for Life Sciences (CTLS) conference to discuss the emerging role and implementation of proteomics in the clinic. The discussion, involving leaders in the field, focused on the current status, related challenges, and future efforts required to make proteomics a more mainstream technology for translational and clinical research. Here we report on that discussion and provide an expert update concerning the feasibility of clinical proteomics, the ethical implications of generating and analyzing large-scale proteomics clinical data, and recommendations to ensure both ethical and effective implementation in real-world applications.
Effect of Integrated Phonological Awareness Intervention for Children with Speech Sound Disorders
Authors: Kang Ye-lim , Ha Seunghee
Published: April 2023

Objectives: Some children with speech sound disorders (SSD) are likely to have difficulty with phonological awareness skills and develop reading problems when they reach school age. This study aimed to examine the effect of the integrated phonological awareness intervention for children with SSD.Methods: Three children with SSD participated in the intervention study. All of them were 5 years old and showed consonant accuracy of about 50-80% in word levels of the Assessment of Phonology and Articulation for Children (APAC) test. They had no previous experience in speech therapy or specific phonological awareness training. Integrated phonological awareness which emphasized production practices for target phonemes as well as phonological awareness tasks were provided to the three children for approximately 12 weeks within a multiple baseline and AB design.Results: All the three children showed improvements in consonant accuracy of spontaneous speech as well as all target phonemes. Also, they showed progress in phonological awareness skills at syllable and body-coda levels. The intervention effects were maintained after the intervention phases were completed.Conclusion: This study confirmed that integrated phonological awareness intervention was effective in improving articulation and phonological awareness skills for children with SSD. It is expected that the intervention would prevent them from showing reading difficulties.
Corrigendum: Comparison of ultrasonography and fluoroscopy as guides for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in nephrolithiasis patients: a systematic review
Authors: Duarsa Gede Wirya Kusuma , Putra Christian Nurtanto , Ivandi Kevin , Wiryadana Kadek Adit , Tirtayasa Pande Made Wisnu , Pribadi Firman
Published: April 2023

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.13181/mji.oa.226140]
Pico-tesla magnetic field detection with integrated flux concentrators using a multi-frequency modulation technique on the solid nuclear spin in diamonds
Authors: Zhao Junzhi , Li Yang , Liu Xinyu , Gao Yuxin , Zheng Doudou , Wang Qimeng , Liu Zhenhua , Li Zhonghao , Guo Hao , Yasuhiro Sugawara , Tang Jun , Ma Zongmin , Liu Jun
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we implement integrated magnetic flux concentrators
(MFCs) combined with a multi-frequency modulation method to achieve
high-magnetic-detection sensitivity using a nuclear spin on the solid
nuclear spin in diamonds. First, we excited the nuclear spin in
diamonds using a continuous-wave technique, and a linewidth of
1.37 MHz and frequency resolution of 79 Hz were
successfully obtained, which is reduced by one order of the linewidth,
and increased by 56 times in frequency resolution compared to that
excited by an electron spin. The integrated high-permeability MFC was
designed to magnify the magnetic field near the diamond, with a
magnification of 9.63 times. Then, the multi-frequency modulation
technique was used to fully excite the hyperfine energy level of
Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centers along the four axes on the diamond with
MFC, and magnetic detection sensitivity of 250pT/Hz1/2 was realized. These techniques should
allow designing an integrated NV magnetometer with high sensitivity in
a small volume.
Construction of a backpropagation starlight atmospheric refraction model based on ray tracing
Authors: Wu Shaochong , Wang Hongyuan , Wang Bingwen
Published: April 2023

The atmospheric refraction model is a vital part of the refraction navigation system. A more accurate model needs to be constructed for the navigation algorithm design and simulation verification. Based on the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics/Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (TIMED/SABER) dataset and the geometrical ray propagation law, a ray tracing algorithm is proposed to calculate the atmospheric refraction angles. Moreover, a neural network starlight atmospheric refraction model (BP model) is constructed to better describe the relationship between time, location, and refraction angle. Compared with the experimental data, the bias error of the backpropagation (BP) model is 1.06′′, which is better than the 3.75′′ of the traditional model. It indicates that the BP model is exact and has important guiding significance for the starlight refraction navigation technology.
Primary assessment of medicines for expected migrastatic potential with holographic incoherent quantitative phase imaging
Authors: Šuráňová Markéta , Ďuriš Miroslav , Štenglová Netíková Irena , Brábek Jan , Horák Tomáš , Jůzová Veronika , Chmelík Radim , Veselý Pavel
Published: April 2023

Solid tumor metastases cause most cancer-related deaths. The prevention of their occurrence misses suitable anti-metastases medicines newly labeled as migrastatics. The first indication of migrastatics potential is based on an inhibition of in vitro enhanced migration of tumor cell lines. Therefore, we decided to develop a rapid test for qualifying the expected migrastatic potential of some drugs for repurposing. The chosen Q-PHASE holographic microscope provides reliable multifield time-lapse recording and simultaneous analysis of the cell morphology, migration, and growth. The results of the pilot assessment of the migrastatic potential exerted by the chosen medicines on selected cell lines are presented.
Third-harmonic generation in silica wedge resonators
Authors: Soares Jorge H. , Fujii dos Santos Laís , Santos Felipe G. S. , Inga Marvyn , Espinel Yovanny A. V. , Wiederhecker Gustavo S. , Alegre Thiago P. Mayer
Published: April 2023

Whispering-gallery-mode microcavities are known to have a high optical quality factor, making them suitable for nonlinear optical interactions. Here, third-harmonic generation is observed using a relatively small radius wedge silicon oxide optical microcavity. The small radii wedge microdisks can be dispersion-tailored to obtain either normal or anomalous group velocity dispersion. In our case, we operated in the normal dispersion regime preventing frequency comb generation by suppressing IR cascading four-wave mixing. This approach allowed for a clean third-harmonic generation at phase-matched visible optical modes. Tunability of the third-harmonic emission was obtained due to a combination of thermo-optical and Kerr effects. An additional thermal control of the phase-matching condition allows the optimization of the third-harmonic generation, and an agreement between this process and the couple-mode theory was demonstrated.
Importance of crystal length on the stability of a picosecond supercontinuum generated in undoped YAG
Authors: Roškot Lukáš , Novák Ondřej , Csanaková Bianka , Mužík Jiří , Smrž Martin , Jelínek Michal , Mocek Tomáš
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we present the stability characteristics of a supercontinuum (SC) generated in a 60 mm, 100 mm, and 130 mm long undoped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystal pumped by a Yb thin-disk regenerative amplifier. The 1.2 ps pulses with a central wavelength of 1030 nm and repetition rate of 89 kHz are loosely focused (NA = 0.0031) into the crystal in order to prevent laser-induced damage and to increase the energy stability of the generated SC. Out of the tested crystal lengths, the optimal is experimentally determined to be 130 mm. The energy contained in the blueshifted side, which has a 530 nm spectral cutoff, is 71 nJ and exhibits average power stability of 0.4% RMS, which is 2.5× better than the stability of the pump beam.
Noise-resilient deep learning for integrated circuit tomography
Authors: Guo Zhen , Liu Zhiguang , Barbastathis George , Zhang Qihang , Glinsky Michael E. , Alpert Bradley K. , Levine Zachary H.
Published: April 2023

X-ray tomography is a non-destructive imaging technique that reveals the interior of an object from its projections at different angles. Under sparse-view and low-photon sampling, regularization priors are required to retrieve a high-fidelity reconstruction. Recently, deep learning has been used in X-ray tomography. The prior learned from training data replaces the general-purpose priors in iterative algorithms, achieving high-quality reconstructions with a neural network. Previous studies typically assume the noise statistics of test data are acquired a priori from training data, leaving the network susceptible to a change in the noise characteristics under practical imaging conditions. In this work, we propose a noise-resilient deep-reconstruction algorithm and apply it to integrated circuit tomography. By training the network with regularized reconstructions from a conventional algorithm, the learned prior shows strong noise resilience without the need for additional training with noisy examples, and allows us to obtain acceptable reconstructions with fewer photons in test data. The advantages of our framework may further enable low-photon tomographic imaging where long acquisition times limit the ability to acquire a large training set.
Optically polarized selective transmission of a fractional vector vortex beam by the polarized atoms with external magnetic fields
Authors: Sun Yujie , Wang Zhaoying
Published: April 2023

We investigate the role of external magnetic fields and linearly polarized pump light, especially when their directions are parallel or vertical, on the propagation of the fractional vector vortex beams (FVVBs) through a polarized atomic system. Herein, the different configurations of external magnetic fields lead to various optically polarized selective transmissions of FVVBs with different fractional topological charge α caused by the polarized atoms, which is theoretically demonstrated by the atomic density matrix visualization analysis and experimentally explored by Cesium atom vapor. Meanwhile, we find that the FVVBs-atom interaction is a vectorial process due to the different optical vector polarized states. In this interaction process, the atomic optically polarized selection property provides potential for the realization of the magnetic compass based on warm atoms. For the FVVBs, due to the rotational asymmetry of the intensity distribution, we can observe some transmitted light spots with unequal energy. Compared with the integer vector vortex beam, it is possible to obtain a more precise magnetic field direction by fitting the different “petal” spots of the FVVBs.
Rapid theoretical method for inverse design on a tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) probe
Authors: Meng Zhao-dong , Tian Zhong-qun , Yi Jun
Published: April 2023

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) can provide correlated topographic and chemical information at the nanoscale, with great sensitivity and spatial resolution depending on the configuration of the TERS probe. The sensitivity of the TERS probe is largely determined by two effects: the lightning-rod effect and local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). While 3D numerical simulations have traditionally been used to optimize the TERS probe structure by sweeping two or more parameters, this method is extremely resource-intensive, with computation times growing exponentially as the number of parameters increases. In this work, we propose an alternative rapid theoretical method that reduces computational loading while still achieving effective TERS probe optimization through the inverse design method. By applying this method to optimize a TERS probe with four free-structural parameters, we observed a nearly 1 order of magnitude improvement in enhancement factor (|E/E0|2), in contrast to a parameter sweeping 3D simulation that would take ∼7000 hours of computation. Our method, therefore, shows great promise as a useful tool for designing not only TERS probes but also other near-field optical probes and optical antennas.
Suppressing the sample-to-sample variation of photonic crystal nanocavity Q-factors by air-hole patterns with broken mirror symmetry
Authors: Fukuda Akari , Asano Takashi , Kawakatsu Taro , Takahashi Yasushi , Noda Susumu
Published: April 2023

It is known that the quality factors (Q) of photonic crystal nanocavities vary from sample to sample due to air-hole fabrication fluctuations. In other words, for the mass production of a cavity with a given design, we need to consider that the Q can vary significantly. So far, we have studied the sample-to-sample variation in Q for symmetric nanocavity designs, that is, nanocavity designs where the positions of the holes maintain mirror symmetry with respect to both symmetry axes of the nanocavity. Here we investigate the variation of Q for a nanocavity design in which the air-hole pattern has no mirror symmetry (a so-called asymmetric cavity design). First, an asymmetric cavity design with a Q of about 250,000 was developed by machine learning using neural networks, and then we fabricated fifty cavities with the same design. We also fabricated fifty symmetric cavities with a design Q of about 250,000 for comparison. The variation of the measured Q values of the asymmetric cavities was 39% smaller than that of the symmetric cavities. This result is consistent with simulations in which the air-hole positions and radii are randomly varied. Asymmetric nanocavity designs may be useful for mass production since the variation in Q is suppressed.
Complex structured beam direct generation by coherent superposition of a complete set of degenerate eigenmodes
Authors: Zhang Zilong , Zhao Suyi , Wang Xin , He Wei , Wang Yuqi , Zhao Changming
Published: April 2023

Structured beams have played an important role in many fields due to their rich spatial characteristics. The microchip cavity with a large Fresnel number can directly generate structured beams with complex spatial intensity distribution, which provides convenience for further exploring the formation mechanism of structured beams and realizing low-cost applications. In this article, theoretical and experimental studies are carried out on complex structured beams directly generated by the microchip cavity. It is demonstrated that the complex beams generated by the microchip cavity can be expressed by the coherent superposition of whole transverse eigenmodes within the same order, thus forming the eigenmode spectrum. The mode component analysis of complex propagation-invariant structured beams can be realized by the degenerate eigenmode spectral analysis described in this article.