bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between residential greenness and severe psychological distress and the moderating role of ‘stay-at-home’ status: a population-based cross-sectional study during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Authors: Nishimura Hisaaki , Nawa Nobutoshi , Yamaoka Yui , Koyama Yuna , Kuramochi Jin , Fujiwara Takeo
Published: August 2023

Objective

There is a need for public health strategies to address the negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role of residential green exposure has gained prominence, particularly in the context of the ‘new normal’ and the prevailing ‘stay-at-home’ policies. This study aimed to evaluate the association between residential greenness and severe psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. We also investigated the association stratified by ‘stay-at-home’ status, a proxy for exposure to residential greenness.

Methods and analysis

We used data from a population-based cohort study conducted in Utsunomiya City, Japan. Residential greenness was measured by the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) averaged over circular buffers around residence. Severe psychological distress was defined as a Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) score ≥13. ‘Stay-at-home’ status was categorised as either ‘not stay-at-home’ (individuals working outside the home or self-employed) or ‘stay-at-home’ (working from home or not working), based on the working status. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between residential greenness and severe psychological distress.

Results

A total of 615 participants were analysed. Among the ‘stay-at-home’ group, an IQR increase in NDVI was inversely associated with severe psychological distress (100 m buffer: OR=0.27, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.77; 250 m buffer: OR=0.26, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.69; 500 m buffer: OR=0.33, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.95). However, no significant association was observed for the ‘not stay-at-home’ group.

Conclusion

Residential greenness was a protective factor for severe psychological distress among the ‘stay-at-home’ group, who were assumed to have spent more time in their residence.
Development and validation of the Overall Fidelity Enactment Scale for Complex Interventions (OFES-CI)
Authors: Ginsburg Liane , Hoben Matthias , Berta Whitney , Doupe Malcolm , Estabrooks Carole A , Norton Peter G , Reid Colin , Geerts Ariane , Wagg Adrian
Published: August 2023

Background

In many quality improvement (QI) and other complex interventions, assessing the fidelity with which participants ‘enact’ intervention activities (ie, implement them as intended) is underexplored. Adapting the evaluative approach used in objective structured clinical examinations, we aimed to develop and validate a practical approach to assessing fidelity enactment—the Overall Fidelity Enactment Scale for Complex Interventions (OFES-CI).

Methods

We developed the OFES-CI to evaluate enactment of the SCOPE QI intervention, which teaches nursing home teams to use plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. The OFES-CI was piloted and revised early in SCOPE with good inter-rater reliability, so we proceeded with a single rater. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess inter-rater reliability. For 27 SCOPE teams, we used ICC to compare two methods for assessing fidelity enactment: (1) OFES-CI ratings provided by one of five trained experts who observed structured 6 min PDSA progress presentations made at the end of SCOPE, (2) average rating of two coders’ deductive content analysis of qualitative process evaluation data collected during the final 3 months of SCOPE (our gold standard).

Results

Using Cicchetti’s classification, inter-rater reliability between two coders who derived the gold standard enactment score was ‘excellent’ (ICC=0.93, 95% CI=0.85 to 0.97). Inter-rater reliability between the OFES-CI and the gold standard was good (ICC=0.71, 95% CI=0.46 to 0.86), after removing one team where open-text comments were discrepant with the rating. Rater feedback suggests the OFES-CI has strong face validity and positive implementation qualities (acceptability, easy to use, low training requirements).

Conclusions

The OFES-CI provides a promising novel approach for assessing fidelity enactment in QI and other complex interventions. It demonstrates good reliability against our gold standard assessment approach and addresses the practicality problem in fidelity assessment by virtue of its suitable implementation qualities. Steps for adapting the OFES-CI to other complex interventions are offered.
Temporal trends in mortality of aortic dissection and rupture in the UK, Japan, the USA and Canada
Authors: Hibino Makoto , Verma Subodh , Jarret Craig M , Shimamura Junichi , Verma Raj , Hibino Hiromi , Baeza Cristian R , Aune Dagfinn , Yanagawa Bobby , Usui Akihiko , Nienaber Christoph A , Pelletier Marc P
Published: August 2023

Objective

Aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm rupture are aortic emergencies and their clinical outcomes have improved over the past two decades; however, whether this has translated into lower mortality across countries remains an open question. The purpose of this study was to compare mortality trends from aortic dissection and rupture between the UK, Japan, the USA and Canada.

Methods

We analysed the WHO mortality database to determine trends in mortality from aortic dissection and rupture in four countries from 2000 to 2019. Age-standardised mortality rates per 100 000 persons were calculated, and annual percentage change was estimated using joinpoint regression.

Results

Age-standardised mortality rates per 100 000 persons from aortic dissection and rupture in 2019 were 1.04 and 1.80 in the UK, 2.66 and 1.16 in Japan, 0.76 and 0.52 in the USA, and 0.67 and 0.81 in Canada, respectively. There was significantly decreasing trends in age-standardised mortality from aortic rupture in all four countries and decreasing trends in age-standardised mortality from aortic dissection in the UK over the study period. There was significantly increasing trends in mortality from aortic dissection in Japan over the study period. Joinpoint regression identified significant changes in the aortic dissection trends from decreasing to increasing in the USA from 2010 and Canada from 2012. In sensitivity analyses stratified by sex, similar trends were observed.

Conclusions

Trends in mortality from aortic rupture are decreasing; however, mortality from aortic dissection is increasing in Japan, the USA and Canada. Further study to explain these trends is warranted.
Location of CD39+T cell subpopulations within tumors predict differential outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Koppensteiner Lilian , Mathieson Layla , Pattle Samuel , Dorward David A , O’Connor Richard , Akram Ahsan R
Published: August 2023

Purpose

An improved mechanistic understanding of immunosuppressive pathways in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is important to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Here, we investigate the prognostic significance of the ectonucleotidases CD39 and CD73 in NSCLC.

Experimental design

The expression and localization of CD39, CD73 and CD103 was digitally quantified in a cohort of 162 early treatment naïve NSCLC patients using multiplex-immunofluorescence and related to patient outcome. Expression among different cell-populations was assessed via flow cytometry. Targeted RNA-Seq was performed on CD4+and CD8+T cells from digested NSCLC tumor tissue and single-cell RNA-Seq data was analyzed to investigate the functional significance of CD39+T cell populations.

Results

We demonstrate that flow cytometry of early untreated NSCLC patients shows an upregulation of CD39 expression in the tumor tissue among natural killer (NK) cells, fibroblasts and T cells. CD73 expression is mainly found among fibroblasts and Epcam+cells in the tumor tissue. Multiplex Immunofluorescence in a cohort of 162 early untreated NSCLC patients demonstrates that CD39 expression is mainly localized in the tumor stroma while CD73 expression is equally distributed between tumor nest and stroma, and high expression of CD39 and CD73 in the tumor stroma is associated with poor recurrence-free survival (RFS) at 5 years. Additionally, we find that CD8+T cells located in the tumor nest express CD103 and the density of CD39+CD103+CD8+ T cells in the tumor nest predicts improved RFS at 5 years. Targeted RNA-Seq shows that the tumor microenvironment of NSCLC upregulates regulatory pathways in CD4+T cells and exhaustion in CD8+T cells, and analysis of a single cell RNA sequencing dataset shows that CD39+CD4+cells are enriched in Treg signature gene-sets, and CD39+CD103+cytotoxic T lymphocyte show gene signatures indicative of an exhausted cytotoxic phenotype with upregulated expression of CXCL13.

Conclusions

Knowledge of patterns of distribution and location are required to understand the prognostic impact of CD39+T cell populations in NSCLC. This study provides an improved understanding of spatial and functional characteristics of CD39+T cells and their significance to patient outcome.
NKG2A gene variant predicts outcome of immunotherapy in AML and modulates the repertoire and function of NK cells
Authors: Hussein Brwa Ali , Kristenson Linnea , Pesce Silvia , Wöhr Anne , Tian Yarong , Hallner Alexander , Brune Mats , Hellstrand Kristoffer , Tang Ka-Wei , Bernson Elin , Thorén Fredrik B
Published: August 2023

Background

The natural killer (NK) complex (NKC) harbors multiple genes such as KLRC1 (encoding NKG2A) and KLRK1 (encoding NKG2D) that are central to regulation of NK cell function. We aimed at determining to what extent NKC haplotypes impact on NK cell repertoire and function, and whether such gene variants impact on outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Methods

Genotype status of NKG2D rs1049174 and NKG2A rs1983526 was determined using the TaqMan-Allelic discrimination approach. To dissect the impact of single nucloetide polymorphim (SNP) on NK cell function, we engineered the K562 cell line with CRISPR to be killed in a highly NKG2D-dependent fashion. NK cells were assayed for degranulation, intracellular cytokine production and cytotoxicity using flow cytometry.

Results

In AML patients receiving immunotherapy, the NKG2A gene variant, rs1983526, was associated with superior leukemia-free survival and overall survival. We observed that superior NK degranulation from individuals with the high-cytotoxicity NKG2D variant was explained by presence of a larger, highly responsive NKG2A+subset. Notably, NK cells from donors homozygous for a favorable allele encoding NKG2A mounted stronger cytokine responses when challenged with leukemic cells, and NK cells from AML patients with this genotype displayed higher accumulation of granzyme B during histamine dihydrochloride/IL-2 immunotherapy. Additionally, among AML patients, the NKG2A SNP defined a subset of patients with HLA-B-21 TT with a strikingly favorable outcome.

Conclusions

The study results imply that a dimorphism in the NKG2A gene is associated with enhanced NK cell effector function and improved outcome of IL-2-based immunotherapy in AML.
Clinical significance and prevalence of subarachnoid hyperdensities on flat detector CT after mechanical thrombectomy: does it really matter?
Authors: Zidan Mousa , Ghaei Shiwa , Bode Felix J , Weller Johannes M , Krueger Nadine , Lehnen Nils Christian , Petzold Gabor C , Radbruch Alexander , Dorn Franziska , Paech Daniel
Published: August 2023

Background

Subarachnoid hyperdensities after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) are a common finding. However, it is often regarded as clinically insignificant.

Objective

With this single-center investigation, to identify the prevalence of subarachnoid hyperdensities following MT, associated predictors, and the impact on the clinical outcome of the patients.

Methods

383 patients from the stroke registry were analyzed for the presence of subarachnoid hyperdensities on flat detector CT (FDCT) directly after the completion of MT, and on follow-up dual-energy CT, then classified according to a visual grading scale. 178 patients were included with anterior circulation occlusions. Regression analysis was performed to identify significant predictors, and Kruskal-Wallis analysis and Χ2test were performed to test the variables among the different groups. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days and was analyzed with the Wilcoxon–Mann-Whitney rank-sum test.

Results

The prevalence of subarachnoid hyperdensities on FDCT was (66/178, 37.1%) with patients experiencing a significant unfavorable outcome (P=0.035). Significantly fewer patients with subarachnoid hyperdensities achieved a mRS score of ≤3 at 90 days 25/66 (37.9%) vs 60/112 (53.6%), P=0.043). In addition, mortality was significantly higher in the subarachnoid hyperdensities group (34.8% vs 19.6%, P=0.024). Distal occlusions and a higher number of device passes were significantly associated with subarachnoid hyperdensities (P=0.026) and (P=0.001), respectively. Patients who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator had significantly fewer subarachnoid hyperdensities (P=0.029).

Conclusions

Postinterventional subarachnoid hyperdensities are a frequent finding after MT and are associated with neurological decline and worse functional outcome. They are more common with distal occlusions and multiple device passes.
Endovascular therapy for acute intracranial large vessel occlusion due to atherothrombosis: Multicenter historical registry
Authors: Uchida Kazutaka , Yamagami Hiroshi , Sakai Nobuyuki , Shirakawa Manabu , Beppu Mikiya , Toyoda Kazunori , Matsumaru Yuji , Matsumoto Yasushi , Todo Kenichi , Hayakawa Mikito , Shindo Seigo , Ota Shinzo , Morimoto Masafumi , Takeuchi Masataka , Imamura Hirotoshi , Ikeda Hiroyuki , Tanaka Kanta , Ishihara Hideyuki , Kakita Hiroto , Sano Takanori , Araki Hayato , Nomura Tatsufumi , Sakakibara Fumihiro , Yoshimura Shinichi
Published: August 2023

Background

Atherothrombotic stroke-related large vessel occlusion (AT-LVO) is caused by two etiologies, the intracranial artery occlusion due to in situ occlusion (intracranial group) or due to embolism from cervical carotid occlusion or stenosis (tandem group). The prognosis and reocclusion rate of each etiology after endovascular therapy (EVT) is unclear.

Methods

We conducted a historical multicenter registry study at 51 Japanese centers to compare the prognoses of AT-LVO between two etiologies. The primary outcome was the incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke or reocclusion of the treated vessels within 90 days after EVT. Each of the primary outcome means the incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke and reocclusion of the treated vessels within 90 days after EVT.

Results

We analyzed 582 patients (338 in the intracranial group and 244 in the tandem group). Patients in the intracranial group were younger (mean 71.9 vs 74.5, p=0.003), more of them were female and fewer of them were current smokers than those in the tandem group. In the tandem group, the patients’ National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score on admission was higher (13 vs 15, p=0.006), onset to puncture time was shorter (299 [145–631] vs 232 [144–459] minutes, p=0.03) and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) was lower (8 [7–9] vs 8 [6–9], p=0.0002). The primary outcome was higher in the intracranial group (22.5% vs 8.2%, p<0.0001). However, any ICH and death were not significantly different in the two groups.

Conclusions

The incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke or reocclusion after EVT for AT-LVO was higher in the intracranial group.
Long-term effectiveness of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in the management of fatigue in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, controlled trial versus standard care
Authors: Gay Marie Claire , Cassedanne Fanny , Barbot Frederic , Vaugier Isabelle , Thomas Sarah , Manchon Eric , Bensmail Djamel , Blanchere Marie , Heinzlef Olivier
Published: August 2023

Background

Fatigue is a disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The lack of effective therapeutics has promoted the development of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based fatigue management programmes. However, their efficacy does not sustain over time. We proposed to test the long-term effectiveness of a 6-week fatigue programme supplemented with four booster sessions (‘FACETS+’) in patients with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) and fatigue.

Methods

This multicentre, randomised, controlled, open-label, parallel-group trial versus standard care enrolled patients with RRMS and fatigue. Participants were randomised to either FACETS+ plus standard care or standard care alone. The primary outcome measure was fatigue impact (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) at 12 months) based on intention-to-treat analyses.

Results

From May 2017 to September 2020, 162 patients were screened; 105 were randomly assigned to FACETS+ (n=57) or standard care (n=48) and 88 completed the primary outcome assessment for the MFIS. At month 12, participants showed improved MFIS compared with baseline in the intervention group (mean difference (MD)=14.0 points; (95% CI 6.45 to 21.5)) and the control group (MD=6.1 points; (95% CI −0.30 to 12.5)) with a significant between-group difference in favour of the intervention group (adjusted MD=7.89 points; (95% CI 1.26 to 14.52), standardised effect size=0.52, p=0.021). No trial-related serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

A 6-week CBT-based programme with four booster sessions is superior to standard care alone to treat MS-related fatigue in the long term (12 months follow-up). The results support the use of the FACETS+ programme for the treatment of MS-related fatigue.

Trial registration number

NCT03758820.
Antibiotic exposure in prenatal and early life and risk of juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a nationwide register-based cohort study
Authors: Hestetun Sigrid , Andersen Svend , Sanner Helga , Størdal Ketil
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Early antibiotic exposure influences the gut microbiota which is believed to be involved in the pathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We aimed to investigate the association between systemic antibiotics in prenatal and early life and risk of JIA.

Methods

We conducted a register-based cohort study including all children born in Norway from 2004 through 2012. The children were followed until 31 December 2020. Main exposures were dispensed antibiotics to the mother during pregnancy and to the child during 0–24 months of age. The outcome was defined by diagnostic codes indicating JIA. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the association between antibiotic exposure and JIA.

Results

We included 535 294 children and their mothers in the analyses; 1011 cases were identified. We found an association between exposure to systemic antibiotics during 0–24 months and JIA (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.40, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.59), with a stronger association for >1 course (aOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.74) vs 1 course (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.53). Subanalyses showed significant associations in all age periods except 0–6 months, and stronger association with sulfonamides/trimethoprim and broad-spectrum antibiotics. There was no association between prenatal antibiotic exposure and JIA.

Conclusions

The novel observation of no association with prenatal antibiotic exposure and JIA suggests that the association between antibiotics in early life and JIA is unlikely to be confounded by shared family factors. This may indicate that exposure to antibiotics in early life is an independent risk factor for JIA.
A comprehensive discussion for the identification of cracking points in f(R) theories of gravity
Authors: Malik Adnan , Shafaq Attiya , Naz Tayyaba , Al-khaldi A. H.
Published: August 2023

This paper investigates the concept of cracking and overturning to analyze the impact of local density perturbations on the stability of self-gravitating compact objects in the framework of $$f(R,\phi , X)$$

f
(
R
,
ϕ
,
X
)

theory of gravity, where R, $$\phi $$
ϕ
, and X denote the Ricci scalar, scalar potential, and kinetic term, respectively. In this context, we developed the hydrostatic equilibrium equation for spherically symmetric spacetime with anisotropic matter configuration and subsequently employed the Krori Barua technique. We then perturb the hydrostatic equilibrium state of the configuration by employing the local density perturbation technique, while taking into account the barotropic equation of state. To validate this technique, we employed it on different compact stars namely, Her X-1, SAX J1808.4-3658, 4U 1820-30, PSR J1614-2230, Vela X-1, and Cen X-3, and found that all stars exhibit cracking or overturning for a specific range of model parameters. Conclusively, this study emphasizes that the proposed cracking technique provides significant insights into the stability analysis of self-gravitating compact objects.
Effects of Chinese Medicine on Pyroptosis in Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Li Chuangpeng , Liu Qingqing , Chen Qiuxiong , Liu Peizhong , Wang Dawei , Yang Rongyuan , Liu Qing
Published: August 2023

Pyroptosis, an apoptotic pathway for pro-inflammatory cells, has attracted attention from researchers because of its role in the development of cardiac inflammation reactions. Chinese medicine (CM) has been given more and more attention during the pursuit of a treatment for coronary heart disease (CHD). Evidence suggests that myocardial cell pyroptosis affects the progression of CHD. Pyroptosis pathways include the canonical pyroptosis pathway mediated by the caspase-1 inflammasome and the non-canonical pyroptosis pathway induced by cytoplasmic lipopolysaccharide-activated caspase-4/5/11. The frequently studied compounds that regulate pyroptosis in CHD include astragaloside IV (AS-IV), tanshinone IIA, aucubin, cinnamaldehyde (CD), ginsenoside Rb1, paeoniflorin, apigenin, berberine (BBR), ruscogenin (Rus), and total glucosides of paeonia (TGP). The patent drugs of CM that regulate pyroptosis in CHD include the Qishen granule (QSG), the Simiao Yong’an decoction (SMYAD), the Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD), and the Shexiang Baoxin pill (SBP). Therefore, this paper reviews the pathogenesis of pyroptosis, the role of pyroptosis in CHD, and the potential therapeutic roles of CMs and their active ingredients targeting cell pyroptosis in the development of CHD.
A New Perspective on Metabolites and Bioactive Compounds from Fungi
Authors: Balasubramaniyam Thananjeyan , Choi Seo-Ree , Nathan Vinod Kumar , Basu Abhishikta , Lee Joon-Hwa
Published: August 2023

Fungi play an important role in the solution to important global problems. Making use of processes and goods that are based on fungi can help promote sustainability by making the most efficient use of natural resources. Fungi stand apart from other organisms due to their extraordinary capacity to generate organic compounds. They are necessary for the psychological and physiological well-being of people worldwide. They are excellent producers of vitamins, pigments, hydrolytic enzymes, biofuels, organic acids, polysaccharides, and secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, anticancer treatments, hypocholesterolemic pharmaceuticals, and immunosuppressants. Other secondary metabolites include biofuels. In addition, polysaccharides are produced by them. We provide a condensed explanation of the significance of secondary metabolites in a variety of industries, such as the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, the textile industry, and the transportation industry. In addition to providing a better understanding of biosynthetic regulation and the possibilities of genetic engineering, improved laboratory processes for the selection of nontoxigenic fungal strains have permitted the manufacture of larger quantities of safe commercial items. The significance of fungi in industrial settings is the topic that will be investigated in this review.
Joint UV Optimization and Texture Baking
Authors: Knodt Julian , Pan Zherong , Wu Kui , Gao Xifeng
Published: August 2023

Level of detail has been widely used in interactive computer graphics. In current industrial 3D modeling pipelines, artists rely on commercial software to generate highly detailed models with UV maps and then bake textures for low-poly counterparts. In these pipelines, each step is performed separately, leading to unsatisfactory visual appearances for low polygon count models. Moreover, existing texture baking techniques assume the low-poly mesh has a small geometric difference from the high-poly, which is often not true in practice, especially with extremely low poly count models.

To alleviate the visual discrepancy of the low-poly mesh, we propose to jointly optimize UV mappings during texture baking, allowing for low-poly models to faithfully replicate the appearance of the high-poly even with large geometric differences. We formulate the optimization within a differentiable rendering framework, allowing the automatic adjustment of texture regions to encode appearance information. To compensate for view parallax when two meshes have large geometric differences, we introduce a spherical harmonic parallax mapping, which uses spherical harmonic functions to modulate per-texel UV coordinates based on the view direction. We evaluate the effectiveness and robustness of our approach on a dataset composed of online downloaded models, with varying complexities and geometric discrepancies. Our method achieves superior quality over state-of-the-art techniques and commercial solutions.
Impact of the Seeding Method on Physiological, Agronomic, and Biochemical Performance of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Varieties Grown in Burkina Faso
Authors: Badoua Badiel , Adama Pascal Kihindo , Koffi Bertin Yao , Rasmata Nana , Razacswendé Fanta Ouedraogo , Edmond Dondasse , Zoumbiessé Tamini
Published: August 2023

In Burkina Faso, the sesame sector is still relatively unorganized, with poor quality seeds that are unsuitable or outdated farming practices and noncompliant with recommended technical itineraries. This situation is very worrying and needs to be rectified. For this reason, we undertook this study to highlight the impact of the seeding method on the physiological, morphological, and agronomic performances of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties grown in Burkina Faso. The experiment was conducted at the Gampèla agropedagogical station located at 12°25′N, 12°22′W from Ouagadougou. Varieties S-42, 32-15, Wollega, and Humera were grown in strips (broadcast seeding) and in randomized complete blocks (row sowing). Row seeding favored plant growth and development for all varieties. Seed yield per plant for row seeding was significantly (

P
<
0.001

) higher than for broadcast seeding. In terms of 1000 seed weight, there was a decrease in the Wollega variety (2.42 g) in the broadcast seeding group compared with the row seeding group (3.13 g). The seeding method had no effect on the other varieties. The seeding method also had no significant influence on the lipid and protein contents of the seeds. When sown in rows, varieties S-42 (25.7 g/kg), 32-15 (20.64 g/kg), and Wollega (17.33 g/kg) accumulated more K than the broadcast seeding groups. For the Humera variety, the seeding method had no effect on K. Na accumulation in leaves was statistically equal for all varieties in both broadcast and row seeding. Variety 32-15 accumulated more Mg when sown broadcast (5.95 g/kg) than when sown in rows (3.85 g/kg). On the other hand, the varieties S-42 (3.13 g/kg), Wollega (4.21 g/kg), and Humera (3.12 g/kg) accumulated less Mg when broadcast than when sown in rows (S-42 (4.37 g/kg), Wollega (5.68 g/kg), and Humera (5.73 g/kg)). Thus, seeding in rows is recommended to obtain better vegetative development and higher capsule and seed yields for all varieties. Both of the seeding methods deliver the same lipid, protein, and Na contents for all varieties. Broadcast seeding is recommended for better Mg content for variety 32-15, and row seeding is recommended for better K content for varieties S-42, Wollega, and 32-15.
Dairy Farmers’ Choice of Milk Market Outlets: Evidence from Farm Households in Central Ethiopia
Authors: Mengistu Abay Tafere , Meressa Abrha Megos
Published: August 2023

This study examines dairy farmers’ choices of marketing channels and factors that determine their choices using primary data collected from households in central Ethiopia. We use the multinomial logit model to analyze the data and investigate factors affecting farmers’ choices of whether to sell to local consumers market, cooperative unions, hotels/restaurants, or milk processing plants. The results show that households’ number of milking cows, household size, and the relative price of milk increase farmers’ likelihood of choosing the milk processing plant channels compared to local milk consumers. Access to information, dairy farming experience, cooperative membership, and market information increase farmers’ probability to choose cooperative market outlets while access to dairy extension services and modes of payment affect farmers’ choices of hotel/restaurant channel. These findings imply that creating better extension services and information can improve farmers’ awareness and the need to increase market efficiency through farmers’ development capability to organize and access to updated information and better marketing channels.
Mine Microseismic Signal Denoising Based on a Deep Convolutional Autoencoder
Authors: Hu Ting , Xu Bin , Wang Yongfa , Zhu Jiayi , Zhou Jiang , Wan Zhongyi
Published: August 2023

Mine microseismic signal denoising is a basic and crucial link in microseismic data processing, which influences the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring system, and is of great significance with regard to safety during mining. Therefore, this study introduces a deep learning method to improve the mapping function and sparsity of signals in the time-frequency domain and constructs a denoising framework based on a deep convolutional autoencoder to address the denoising problem of mine microseismic signals. First, all noisy microseismic signals are normalized to ensure the nonlinear expression ability of the constructed denoising framework. Then, the normalized signals are transformed into the time-frequency domain using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and the real and imaginary parts of time-frequency coefficients serve as the input of the deep convolutional autoencoder to output the masks of the effective and noise signals. Next, these masks are applied to the time-frequency coefficients of the noisy microseismic signals, and the time-frequency coefficients of the potentially effective and noise signals are estimated. Finally, inverse STFT is used to transform these time-frequency coefficients to the time domain to obtain the final denoised effective and noise signals. The constructed framework automatically learns rich features from synthetic data to separate the effective and noise signals, thereby achieving the purpose of fast and automatic denoising. The experimental results show that compared with the wavelet threshold and ensemble empirical mode decomposition, the denoising framework considerably improves the signal-to-noise ratio of mine microseismic signals with less waveform distortion. Moreover, it can achieve a better denoising effect efficiently even in the case of a low SNR, which has obvious advantages. The constructed denoising framework is suitable for microseismic monitoring signals of various mine dynamic disasters and provides strong technical support for intelligent monitoring and early warning concerning production risks in mines.
GPR and Magnetic Techniques to Locate Ancient Mining Galleries (Linares, Southeast Spain)
Authors: Mendoza Rosendo , Marinho Bruna , Rey Javier
Published: August 2023

Old mining districts have created numerous subsurface cavities, often at shallow depths. The resulting subsidence risk is a major territorial planning problem, especially when these holes are in urban expansion areas. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic techniques can help to detect and to characterise these shallow mining structures based on the strong contrast of electromagnetic and magnetic properties (dielectric constant and magnetic susceptibility) between the rock and the backfill of cavities. In the present study, these techniques were used to locate old mining cavities near the city of Linares, located south of Spain and connected to the area’s old mining district. GPR and magnetometry (total magnetic field and vertical magnetic gradient) were performed on a grid in one of the most important veins in the sector. By comparing both working methods, the vein structure within the granite can be detected. On the one hand, the magnetic prospecting technique (magnetic anomalies) has allowed us to detect when the vein is covered by metallic elements of natural or anthropogenic origin. On the other hand, strong reflections and hyperbolic events associated in GPR profiles confirm the presence of cavities related to old mining operations. Shallow magnetic anomalies not associated to GPR variations are related to the slag present in the study area (detected in the outcrop) or to unexploited vein mineralizations.
Selenium Donor Inhibited Hepatitis B Virus Associated Hepatotoxicity via the Apoptosis and Ferroptosis Pathways
Authors: Shi Jingdong , Liu Zhen , Li Weina , Wang Di
Published: August 2023

Background and Aim. Selenium possesses anticancer and antiviral properties, but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Especially, the impact of selenium on hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory properties of selenium on HBV replication and its related hepatotoxicity via the apoptosis and ferroptosis pathways. Methods. The serum selenium level was determined in 45 patients with HBV‐positive HCC (HBV+‐HCC group), 45 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB group), and 45 healthy cases (HC group). The sodium selenite (Na2SeO3)‐treated HepG2.2.15 cells were used to observe the regulatory role of selenium on HBV replication. D‐GalN/erastin‐added HL7702 was used to determine the regulatory roles of Na2SeO3 on hepatotoxicity or hepatocyte ferroptosis. The wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and HBx‐Tg mice were received lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/D‐GalN, together with or without Na2SeO3 administration for indicated period. Following euthanasia, the blood and liver tissue samples were collected, and specific markers were evaluated subsequently. Results. The serum selenium level was downregulated in patients with HBV‐positive HCC (HBV+‐HCC group) (57.2 ± 22.5 μg/L vs. 91.8 ± 43.9 μg/L, P < 0.001), and its higher level could provide a better prognosis in these patients. The treatment using Na2SeO3, a selenium donor, at high concentration (5 μM), suppressed the HBV replication by about 50% in HepG2.2.15 cells (P < 0.001), through promoting apoptotic cell death and inhibiting cellular inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (cIAPs). In addition, low‐dose (500 nM) Na2SeO3 could almost totally reversed the hepatotoxicity induced by hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) (P < 0.001), which were the main causes of HCC in patients. Studies at the cellular levels showed that low‐dose Na2SeO3 inhibited the HBx‐related hepatotoxicity by blocking ferroptosis, and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) mediated this regulatory role. Mice model results confirmed that the treatment with Na2SeO3 could mitigated LPS/D‐GalN‐induced hepatic injury through ferroptosis pathways. Conclusion. Selenium regulated the dual cell death in different HCC stages via different signaling pathways, which could partly explain the anti‐HBV and anti‐HCC properties of selenium.
Epidemiological Surveillance and Mutational Pattern Analysis of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks in Bangladesh during 2012–2021
Authors: Hossain Kazi Alamgir , Anjume Humaira , Akther Masuda , Alam K.M. Mazharul , Yeamin Ashabul , Akter Salma , Islam M. Rafiul , Sultana Munawar , Hossain M. Anwar
Published: August 2023

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cloven-hoofed animals is considered an economically devastating disease in endemic countries like Bangladesh, where the livestock sector contributes to a greater portion of the nation’s economy. The causative agent of the disease, foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), equipped with higher mutational frequency challenges the efficacy of the existing vaccine and control measures. This study, including 32 districts and 71 outbreaks to reveal epidemiological patterns and mutational trends of FMDV over the past 10 years (2012–2021), reported a 54.7% prevalence of FMD, with the majority of outbreaks occurring during the rainy season. Different risk factors such as age, gender, farming system, and vaccination status demonstrated a significant association with FMD cases which was confirmed by the χ2 test (

p
<
0.05

). VP1 sequence analyses reported the predominance of serotype O (85%) over serotype A (11%) and serotype Asia 1 (4%). Bangladesh has foreseen the emergence of several novel FMDV strains during this decade. Novel sublineages, Ind-2001BD1 (Ind-2001e) and Ind-2001BD2, were reported under serotype O, the G-IX lineage of serotype Asia 1 emerged in 2018, and most recently in 2021, a new genotype named MYMBD21 under the lineage SA-2018 was detected for the first time in Bangladesh. Until now, Ind-2001e (Ind-2001BD1) sublineage under serotype O became the predominant sublineage in Bangladesh. From the mutational trend analysis, highly variable sites were observed at positions 138 and 140 within the G-H loop for serotype O. For serotype A and Asia 1, 45th and 44th residues within the B-C loop showed the highest amino acid variations, respectively. A changing mutational pattern among the 2019–2021 FMDV O and A isolates was also observed. The findings of the study would be crucial to understand the FMD situation and designing necessary preventive steps according to the progressive control pathway for FMD control in Bangladesh.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses of a Vero Cell Line in Suspension versus Adherent Culture Conditions
Authors: Sène Marie-Angélique , Xia Yu , Kamen Amine A.
Published: August 2023

The Vero cell line is the most used continuous cell line for viral vaccine manufacturing. Its anchorage-dependent use renders scaling up challenging and operations very labor-intensive which affects cost effectiveness. Thus, efforts to adapt Vero cells to suspension cultures have been invested, but hurdles such as the long doubling time and low cell viability remain to be addressed. In this study, building on the recently published Vero cell line annotated genome, a functional genomics analysis of the Vero cells adapted to suspension is performed to better understand the genetic and phenotypic switches at play during the adaptation of Vero cells from anchorage-dependent to suspension cultures. Results show downregulation of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) pathway, highlighting the dissociation between the adaptation to suspension process and EMT. Surprisingly, an upregulation of cell adhesion components is observed, notably the CDH18 gene, the cytoskeleton pathway, and the extracellular pathway. Moreover, a downregulation of the glycolytic pathway is balanced by an upregulation of the asparagine metabolism pathway, promoting cell adaptation to nutrient deprivation. A downregulation of the adherens junctions and the folate pathways alongside with the FYN gene are possible explanations behind the currently observed low-cell viability and long doubling time.
Administrative Burden Associated with Cost-Related Delays in Care in U.S. Cancer Patients
Authors: Doherty Meredith , Thom Bridgette , Gardner Daniel S.
Published: August 2023

Background:

U.S. cancer patients engage in administrative tasks to pay for their healthcare. This study investigated the relationship between payment tasks and timely access to cancer care.

Methods:

We analyzed online survey data from 510 U.S. cancer patients and survivors to understand the relationship between administrative payment tasks and cost-related delays and nonadherence. Two-part modelling was used to determine if, and to what extent, there was a relationship between administrative burden and cost-related delays/nonadherence.

Results:

Younger patients (≤44 years) reported more payment tasks and cost-related delays/nonadherence than older patients (≥ 55 years); African American patients reported more payment tasks and cost-related delays/nonadherence than white patients. After accounting for age, race/ethnicity, education, and out-of-pocket costs, patients who reported engaging in more tasks had greater log odds of delaying/forgoing care [b = 0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.12–0.24]. Cost-related delays/nonadherence increased by 32% for every unit increase in administrative payment burden (b = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18–0.46).

Conclusions:

Administrative payment burden increased the odds of cost-related delays and nonadherence by 49%, taking the form of delayed or skipped doctor appointments, tests and bloodwork, and prescription fulfillment. Younger patients and those identifying as African American were more likely to engage in payment tasks and to delay or forgo care due to cost. Administrative burdens can disrupt access to care and traditionally underserved patient populations are disproportionately exposed to these hardships.

Impact:

Reducing the complexity of healthcare through universal, human-centered design could reduce burdens and increase access.
TABLE 2 from Development and Validation of a 15-gene Expression Signature with Superior Prognostic Ability in Stage II Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rokavec Matjaz , Özcan Elif , Neumann Jens , Hermeking Heiko
Published: August 2023

Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models for estimating the contribution of indicated variables to predict recurrence in indicated patient cohorts
TABLE 2 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Comparison of promoter and gene body DMRs associated with genes previously reported as differentially methylated by HPV status
Supplementary Table S4 from Development and Validation of a 15-gene Expression Signature with Superior Prognostic Ability in Stage II Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rokavec Matjaz , Özcan Elif , Neumann Jens , Hermeking Heiko
Published: August 2023

Supplementary Table S4 shows the concordance of the 15-gene and the Oncotype DX colon signatures.
Supplementary Table S1 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Supplemental Table S1- Summary of differentially methylated regions
FIGURE 3 from Development and Validation of a 15-gene Expression Signature with Superior Prognostic Ability in Stage II Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Rokavec Matjaz , Özcan Elif , Neumann Jens , Hermeking Heiko
Published: August 2023

Validation and refinement of the prognostic gene signature in the in-house cohort. A, KM analysis of RFS according to the 52-gene signature classifier (derived from the 61-gene signature) in the in-house cohort. B, ROC graph showing the sensitivity, specificity, and AUC value of the 52-gene signature to predict relapse in the in-house cohort. The red dot indicates the recurrence score threshold that was used to determine sensitivity and specificity. C, Risk of recurrence as a continuous function of the 52-gene signature recurrence score within 10 years after surgery in-house cohort. The shaded area around the curve represents the lower and upper 95% CI. D, Significance [−log10(log-rank P value)] of the most significant signature (y-axis) for every n-gene combination (x-axis). E, KM analysis of RFS according to the 15-gene signature classifier in the in-house cohort. F, ROC graph showing the sensitivity, specificity and AUC value of the 15-gene signature to predict relapse in the in-house cohort. The red dot indicates the recurrence score threshold that was used to determine sensitivity and specificity. G, Risk of recurrence as a continuous function of the 15-gene signature recurrence score within 10 years after surgery in the in-house cohort. The shaded area around the curve represents the lower and upper 95% CI. H, KM analysis of OS according to the 15-gene signature classifier in the in-house cohort.
Supplementary Fig 4 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Patient-level methylation at repetitive regions, stratified by disease stage (A), by subtype and HPV status across genome (B) or at different genomic regions (C).
Supplementary Fig 1 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Companion figure showing significance results for main Figure 1D-F and Figure 2A.
FIGURE 6 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Inferred regulatory activity for genomic regions of interest differ between HNSCC subtypes and correlate with pathway scores. A, MIRA profile of CTCF binding sites in the NHEK cell line. Samples are colored by HPV(−), IMU, or KRT. B, Box plot displaying MIRA scores separated by subtype for CTCF binding sites, strong enhancers, and weak enhancers each from the NHEK cell line. C, Correlation between CTCF MIRA scores and gene expression–based keratinization scores with subtype shown by color. D, Box plot of MIRA scores by subtype for JunD, NFκB, and STAT3 binding sites each taken from different cell lines as indicated in the parentheses. E, Correlation between CTCF MIRA scores and JunD MIRA scores denoting subtype by color. Both scatter plots display the Pearson correlation coefficient (R) and corresponding P value. All P values < 0.05 are shown and P values < 0.00625 are considered significant. F, Box plot displaying gene expression values separated by subtype for transcription factors of interest. FDRs < 0.05 are indicated (*, FDR < 0.05; **, FDR < 0.01).
FIGURE 2 from Whole-genome CpG-resolution DNA Methylation Profiling of HNSCC Reveals Distinct Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis for Fine-scale HPV+ Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Qin Tingting , Li Shiting , Henry Leanne E. , Chou Elysia , Cavalcante Raymond G. , Garb Bailey F. , D'Silva Nisha J. , Rozek Laura S. , Sartor Maureen A.
Published: August 2023

Global methylation is associated with genomic stability and tumor subtype. A, Overall methylation profiles at repetitive regions, as well as their upstream and downstream 2 kb regions in normal epithelial cell lines, IMU, KRT subtypes, and HPV(−) tumors. B, Average methylation at repetitive elements (Alu, L1, and L2) by subtype. C, Boxplots of genome-wide average methylation in normal cell types and subtypes/HPV(−) HNSCC samples of our cohort. D, Average cancer-specific methylation grouped by HPV(+) HNSCC subtypes (IMU and KRT) and HPV(−) HNSCC. Cancer-specific methylation levels derived from EPIC and MethylCIBERSORT approaches are shown separately. E, Correlation between genomic instability and cancer-specific methylation of the 36 HNSCC samples, denoted by different colors according to their subtypes. The Pearson correlation (R) and correlation test P value are shown on top right.