bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trabalhadores da saúde frente aos marcos cronológicos em dois anos de COVID-19
Authors: Mello Lívia de Rezende de , Marano Daniele , Moreira Maria Elisabeth Lopes
Published: June 2023

Objetivo: Apresentar de forma integrada os dados de casos e óbitos das categorias de trabalhadores da saúde mais afetadas pela COVID-19 e contextualizar com os marcos cronológicos e mudanças ocorridas durante os dois primeiros anos da pandemia. A apresentação desse cenário facilita a compreensão da articulação de eventos históricos com os eventos de impacto social, como é o caso da morbidade e morte de trabalhadores da saúde. Métodos: Foi realizada revisão narrativa a partir de artigos, notas técnicas e boletins epidemiológicos oficiais divulgados entre os anos 2020/2022 e posterior compilação e apresentação integrada desses dados. Resultados: O Brasil esteve entre os três primeiros países em número absoluto de casos de COVID-19, onde 2.624.368 destes eram pessoas trabalhadoras da saúde, sendo a enfermagem a categoria mais acometida. Conclusão: Concluímos que o cenário epidemiológico foi de muita incerteza durante a pandemia, devido à qualidade dos dados disponibilizados nos Sistemas de Informação em Saúde. Acreditamos que a compilação qualitativa destes dados auxiliará no planejamento em saúde e na construção de medidas efetivas de proteção da força de trabalho e de segurança epidemiológica aos mais vulneráveis.
Entrepreneurial Leadership, Entrepreneurial Orientation, Organizational Effectiveness and Their Relationships Towards Firm Performance
Authors: Suhendi Rudi , Soebowo Musa
Published: June 2023

This study is a cross-sectional descriptive & confimatory study that analyzes the Indonesian heavy equipment industry. Therefore, the results only represent the condition of the industry at a certain point in time the research was conducted, unlike longitudinal data. Another implication is that this research cannot determine causality between constructs and can only represent the current condition.

The construct that the author measures is entrepreneurial leadership (EL), entrepreneurial orientation (EO), organizational effectiveness (OE) and Firm performance (FP).

FP is a relevant construct in strategic management research and is often used as the dependent variable. Despite this relevance, there is almost no consensus on its definition, dimensions and measurement, what is limiting progress in research and understanding of the concept.

Successful FP operating in dynamic and changing environments have the ability to reach out and explore new sights. When the current conditions for new employee recruitment have been reduced, even every year there are no additional new employees, expenses, optimization & additional work jobs for each employee, etc. Possibly with this, I as the author would like to examine current  in the company whether they have EL, EO, OE to improve FP, where employees understand and apply how Risks of risk and uncertainty as well as being proactive in maintaining the company's growth, so that the company can survive in a dynamic business situation. And for this study the author also wants to clarify that EL, EO, OE and FP are their have  relationship have a positive effect for each others.
SYNTHESIS OF 3-HYDROXY-2-NAPHTHOIC ACID ANILIDE CATALYZED BY PHOSPHORUS (III) COMPOUNDS IN VARIOUS MEDIA
Authors: Shteinberg Leon
Published: June 2023

Catalysis with phosphorus P(III) compo­unds (phosphorus trichloride and phospho­rous acid) in the acylation of aniline with 3=hydroxy=2=naphthoic acid in various media (toluene, octane, chlorobenzene, para=­xylene, ortho=xylene, ortho=chlorotoluene, mesitylene, pseudocumene, n.=deсan, ortho= di­chlo­ro­benzene, mixtures of ortho=xylene with nitrobenzene) upon boiling and vigorous distillation of water leads to the formation of 3=hydroxy=2=naphthoic acid anilide. With an increase in the reaction temperature in the range from 111 (toluene) to 170 °C (pseudo cumene), a monotonous increase in the initial rate of formation of the target product is observed. In this case, the temperature depen­dence of the logarithm of the velocity obeys the Arrhenius equation, and the activation energy Ea is 66.2 kJ/mol.

Higher-boiling n.=decane (175 °С) and ortho=dichlorobenzene (180 °С) fall out of this dependence, in which the initial rate of formation of anilide 3=hydroxy=2=naphthoic acid, compared with that for pseudocumene (170 °С), decreases. The latter may be due to the decomposition or oxidation of the catalyst at such a high temperature with the transition of P(III) to P(V), which does not have catalytic activity.

The interaction of aniline with 3=hydro­xyl=2=naphthoic acid proceeds as a series of sequential and parallel reactions in which, in addition to 3=hydroxyl=2= naphthoic acid ani­lide, 3=aniline=2=naphthoic acid and its anilide are formed as impurities.

The most acceptable solvents are ortho=xylene and ortho=chlorotoluene with boiling points of 146 and 156°C, in which the yield of the target product is up to 98%. Below 146 °C the reaction proceeds at a relatively low rate; above 156°C the amount of impurities increases significantly, mainly in parallel with an increase in the reaction temperature, and the maximum yield of 3=hydroxyl=2=naphthoic acid anilide decreases. This requires its additional purification, significantly complicating the technological process.

The addition of 10–20% by volume of nit­robenzene to ortho=xylene leads to an increase in the yield of 3=oxy=2=naphthoic acid anilide by 1.25–1.42 times in the temperature range of 146–148°C with increasing solvent polarity (ε), respectively, from 2.3 to 7.64. This may be due to an increase in the quantity of the monomers of the catalyst and/or 3=oxy=2=naphthoic acid and aniline in reaction mass and the speed of water separation.
Investigation of the Effects of Different Environmental Conditions on Zeleny Sedimentation and Bread Properties in Wheat
Authors: AYDOĞAN Seydi , ŞAHİN Mehmet , GÖÇMEN AKÇACIK Aysun , DEMİR Berat , HAMZAOĞLU Sümeyra , MECİTOĞLU GÜÇBİLMEZ Çiğdem , GÜR Sadi , TANER Seyfi
Published: June 2023

This study was carried out in Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute in the growing period of 2014-2015 with 14 different bread wheat varieties in rainfed and irrigated growing conditions according to a Randomized Block Trial Design with 2 replications. In the study, Zeleny sedimentation values and bread weight and bread volume traits of bread wheat varieties were investigated. Differences between varieties grown in irrigated and rainfed conditions were evaluated statistically. Zeleny sedimentation values were changed between 26.00-39.50 ml, bread weight was between 140.20-146.5 g, bread volume was between 340-475 cm3 and specific volume was between 2.36-3.37 cm3/g in rainfed conditions, while Zeleny sedimentation values were between 31-51 ml, bread weight was between 141.61-149.47 g, bread volume was 367.50-485.00 cm3 and specific volume 2.48-3.38 cm3/g in irrigated conditions. It has been determined that the varieties grown in irrigated conditions gave better values than in rainfed conditions in terms of the examined quality parameters.
Out-of-State Donors and Surrogate Representation in the US Senate
Authors: Keena Alex
Published: June 2023

Since the 1970s, the financing of congressional elections has been dominated by a small network of wealthy donors who give to candidates across the country. Scholarship provides many insights into these donors and their influence, but less work has studied legislators and their mobilization of these donors. I exploit the design of the US Senate (where members serve six-year staggered terms) to investigate the fundraising effects of legislative behavior. Bringing together the literature on political behavior and legislative studies, I find that out-of-state donors flood senators with money during reelection, with the most money going to senators at risk of losing and those with higher legislative effectiveness scores. However, senators not facing reelection raise money from out-of-state donors through bill sponsorship. These results show that out-of-state donors respond to position taking by legislators, and implies that out-of-state donors reward legislators for the issues they prioritize through legislation.
Sustained in vivo perfusion of a re-endothelialized tissue engineered kidney graft in a human-scale animal model
Authors: Uzarski Joseph S. , Beck Emily C. , Russell Emily E. , Vanderslice Ethan J. , Holzner Matthew L. , Wadhera Vikram , Adamson Dylan , Shapiro Ron , Davidow Dominique S. , Ross Jeff J. , Florman Sander S.
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Despite progress in whole-organ decellularization and recellularization, maintaining long-term perfusion in vivo remains a hurdle to realizing clinical translation of bioengineered kidney grafts. The objectives for the present study were to define a threshold glucose consumption rate (GCR) that could be used to predict in vivo graft hemocompatibility and utilize this threshold to assess the in vivo performance of clinically relevant decellularized porcine kidney grafts recellularized with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Materials and methods: Twenty-two porcine kidneys were decellularized and 19 were re-endothelialized using HUVECs. Functional revascularization of control decellularized (n = 3) and re-endothelialized porcine kidneys (n = 16) was tested using an ex vivo porcine blood flow model to define an appropriate metabolic glucose consumption rate (GCR) threshold above which would sustain patent blood flow. Re-endothelialized grafts (n = 9) were then transplanted into immunosuppressed pigs with perfusion measured using angiography post-implant and on days 3 and 7 with 3 native kidneys used as controls. Patent recellularized kidney grafts underwent histological analysis following explant.

Results: The glucose consumption rate of recellularized kidney grafts reached a peak of 39.9 ± 9.7 mg/h at 21 ± 5 days, at which point the grafts were determined to have sufficient histological vascular coverage with endothelial cells. Based on these results, a minimum glucose consumption rate threshold of 20 mg/h was set. The revascularized kidneys had a mean perfusion percentage of 87.7% ± 10.3%, 80.9% ± 33.1%, and 68.5% ± 38.6% post-reperfusion on Days 0, 3 and 7, respectively. The 3 native kidneys had a mean post-perfusion percentage of 98.4% ± 1.6%. These results were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate that human-scale bioengineered porcine kidney grafts developed via perfusion decellularization and subsequent re-endothelialization using HUVEC can maintain patency with consistent blood flow for up to 7 days in vivo. These results lay the foundation for future research to produce human-scale recellularized kidney grafts for transplantation.
In silico characterisation of minor wave genes and LINE-1s transcriptional dynamics at murine zygotic genome activation
Authors: Ansaloni Federico , Gustincich Stefano , Sanges Remo
Published: June 2023

Introduction: In mouse, the zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is coordinated by MERVL elements, a class of LTR retrotransposons. In addition to MERVL, another class of retrotransposons, LINE-1 elements, recently came under the spotlight as key regulators of murine ZGA. In particular, LINE-1 transcripts seem to be required to switch-off the transcriptional program started by MERVL sequences, suggesting an antagonistic interplay between LINE-1 and MERVL pathways.

Methods: To better investigate the activities of LINE-1 and MERVL elements at ZGA, we integrated publicly available transcriptomics (RNA-seq), chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) and Pol-II binding (Stacc-seq) datasets and characterised the transcriptional and epigenetic dynamics of such elements during murine ZGA.

Results: We identified two likely distinct transcriptional activities characterising the murine zygotic genome at ZGA onset. On the one hand, our results confirmed that ZGA minor wave genes are preferentially transcribed from MERVL-rich and gene-dense genomic compartments, such as gene clusters. On the other hand, we identified a set of evolutionary young and likely transcriptionally autonomous LINE-1s located in intergenic and gene-poor regions showing, at the same stage, features such as open chromatin and RNA Pol II binding suggesting them to be, at least, poised for transcription.

Discussion: These results suggest that, across evolution, transcription of two different classes of transposable elements, MERVLs and LINE-1s, have likely been confined in genic and intergenic regions respectively in order to maintain and regulate two successive transcriptional programs at ZGA.
Coupled cluster theory on modern heterogeneous supercomputers
Authors: Corzo Hector H. , Hillers-Bendtsen Andreas Erbs , Barnes Ashleigh , Zamani Abdulrahman Y. , Pawłowski Filip , Olsen Jeppe , Jørgensen Poul , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Bykov Dmytro
Published: June 2023

This study examines the computational challenges in elucidating intricate chemical systems, particularly throughab-initiomethodologies. This work highlights the Divide-Expand-Consolidate (DEC) approach for coupled cluster (CC) theory—a linear-scaling, massively parallel framework—as a viable solution. Detailed scrutiny of the DEC framework reveals its extensive applicability for large chemical systems, yet it also acknowledges inherent limitations. To mitigate these constraints, the cluster perturbation theory is presented as an effective remedy. Attention is then directed towards the CPS (D-3) model, explicitly derived from a CC singles parent and a doubles auxiliary excitation space, for computing excitation energies. The reviewed new algorithms for the CPS (D-3) method efficiently capitalize on multiple nodes and graphical processing units, expediting heavy tensor contractions. As a result, CPS (D-3) emerges as a scalable, rapid, and precise solution for computing molecular properties in large molecular systems, marking it an efficient contender to conventional CC models.
Transition metal anchored on red phosphorus to enable efficient photocatalytic H2 generation
Authors: Lu Lu , Sun Mingzi , Wu Tong , Lu Qiuyang , Chen Baian , Chan Cheuk Hei , Wong Hon Ho , Huang Bolong
Published: June 2023

Transition metal (TM) single atom catalysts (SACs) are of great potential for photocatalytic H2 production because of their abundant catalytic active sites and cost-effectiveness. As a promising support material, red phosphorus (RP) based SACs are still rarely investigated. In this work, we have carried out systematic theoretical investigations by anchoring TM atoms (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) on RP for efficient photocatalytic H2 generation. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations have revealed that 3d orbitals of TM locate close to the Fermi level to guarantee efficient electron transfer for photocatalytic performances. Compared with pristine RP, the introduction of single atom TM on the surface exhibit narrowed bandgaps, resulting in easier spatial separation for photon-generated charge carriers and an extended photocatalytic absorption window to the NIR range. Meanwhile, the H2O adsorptions are also highly preferred on the TM single atoms with strong electron exchange, which benefits the subsequent water-dissociation process. Due to the optimized electronic structure, the activation energy barrier of water-splitting has been remarkably reduced in RP-based SACs, revealing their promising potential for high-efficiency H2 production. Our comprehensive explorations and screening of novel RP-based SACs will offer a good reference for further designing novel photocatalysts for high-efficiency H2 generation.
Plasma osteoprotegerin predicts adverse cardiovascular events in stable coronary artery disease: the PEACE trial
Authors: Ma Teng , Zhao Jian , Yan Yechao , Liu Junying , Zang Jie , Zhang Yaqi , Ruan Kun , Xu Hong , He Wan
Published: June 2023

Background

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secretory glycoprotein and participates in the progression of atherosclerotic lesions. We aim to explore the relationship between OPG and the prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

Plasma OPG concentrations were measured in 3,766 patients with stable CAD enrolled in the PEACE trial. The PEACE trial (NCT00000558) group followed up the patients and examined their future clinical outcomes.

Results

In summary, 208 (5.5%) primary outcomes occurred, 295 patients (7.8%) died from all-cause death, 128 (3.4%) died from cardiovascular causes, and 94 (2.5%) experienced heart failure during a median follow-up of 1,892 days. In addition, we found that higher plasma levels of OPG were associated with a higher incidence of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and heart failure, even after adjusting clinical cofounders.

Conclusion

It was demonstrated that elevated plasma OPG levels were associated with an increased incidence of all-cause death, cardiovascular death, and heart failure in patients with stable CAD.

Systematic Review Registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00000558?term=NCT00000558&draw=2&rank=1, identifier: NCT00000558.
Age-based factors modulating the required thyroxine dose to achieve thyrotropin suppression in intermediate-and high-risk papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Zhou Ruo-Yun , Li Ning , Tan Hai-Long , Tang Neng , Chen Pei , Liu Mian , Ou-Yang Deng-Jie , Qin Zi-En , Ai Lei , Wei Bo , Zhao Ya-Xin , Chang Shi , Huang Peng
Published: June 2023

Background

Guidelines widely recommend thyrotropin suppression to reduce the risk of recurrence in intermediate- and high-risk papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) after total thyroidectomy. However, an insufficient or excessive dosage may result in a number of symptoms/complications especially in older patients.

Patients and methods

We constructed a retrospective cohort including 551 PTC patient encounters. Using propensity score matching and logistic regression models, we determined the independent risk factors affecting levothyroxine therapy at different ages. Our outcomes included: expected TSH level and an unexpected TSH level, which was based on the initial thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) goal< 0.1 mIU/L with usual dosage of L-T4 (1.6 μg/kg/day).

Results

From our analysis, more than 70% of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy did not achieve the expected TSH level using an empirical medication regimen, and the effect of the drug was affected by age (odds ratio [OR], 1.063; 95% CI, 1.032-1.094), preoperative TSH level (OR, 0.554; 95% CI, 0.436-0.704) and preoperative fT3 level (OR, 0.820; 95% CI, 0.727-0.925). In patients with age < 55 years old, preoperative TSH level (OR, 0.588; 95% CI, 0.459-0.753), and preoperative fT3 level (OR, 0.859; 95% CI, 0.746-0.990) were two independent protective factors, while, in patients with age ≥ 55 years old, only preoperative TSH level (OR, 0.490; 95% CI, 0.278-0.861) was the independent protective factors to achieve expected TSH level.

Conclusion

Our retrospective analysis suggested the following significant risk factors of getting TSH suppression in PTC patients: age (≥55 years), lower preoperative TSH and fT3 levels.
Development of predictive nomograms clinical use to quantify the risk of diabetic foot in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Peng Bocheng , Min Rui
Published: June 2023

Objective

The aim of the study was to explore the risk factors for diabetic foot disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to establish and verify the nomogram model of DF risk in patients with T2DM.

Methods

The clinical data of 705 patients with type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. According to random sampling, the patients were divided into two groups: the training set (DF = 84; simple T2DM = 410) and the verification set (DF = 41; simple T2DM = 170). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for DF in patients with T2DM in the training set. According to the independent risk factors, the nomogram risk prediction model is established and verified.

Results

Logistic regression analysis showed age (OR = 1.093, 95% CI 1.062–1.124, P <0.001), smoking history (OR = 3.309, 95% CI 1.849–5.924, P <0.001), glycosylated hemoglobin (OR = 1.328, 95% CI 1.173–1.502, P <0.001), leukocyte (OR = 1.203, 95% CI 1.076–1.345, and LDL-C (OR = 2.002, 95% CI 1.463–2.740), P <0.001) was independent risk factors for T2DM complicated with DF. The area of the nomogram model based on the above indexes under the ROC curve of the training set and the verification set is 0.827 and 0.808, respectively; the correction curve shows that the model has good accuracy; and the DCA results show that when the risk threshold is between 0.10–0.85 (training set) and 0.10–0.75 (verification set), the clinical practical value of the model is higher.

Conclusion

The nomogram model constructed in this study is of high value in predicting the risk of DF in patients with T2DM and is of reference value for clinicians to identify people at high risk of DF and provide them with early diagnosis and individual prevention.
Utilization of genetic information for medicines development and equitable benefit sharing
Authors: Matsuyama Kotone , Kurihara Chieko , Crawley Francis P. , Kerpel-Fronius Sandor
Published: June 2023

Advances in genomic research have significantly enhanced modern drug development. However, equitable benefit sharing of the results of scientific advancement has not always been achieved. This paper shows how molecular biology has modified medicines development while also leaving open significant challenges for benefit sharing. Presented here is a conceptual modeling describing the processes in genetic-related medicines development and how these are related to specific ethical considerations. The focus is on three important areas: 1) population genetics and the need for discrimination prevention; 2) pharmacogenomics and the need for inclusive governance; and 3) global health to be achieved in open science frameworks. Benefit sharing is taken as the ethical value that underlies all these aspects. The implementation of benefit sharing requires a value shift in which the outcomes of health science are not viewed simply as trade commodities but also as a “global public good”. This approach should lead to genetic science to contribute to promoting the fundamental human right to health to all members of the global community.
The mechanism of assortative mating for educational attainment: a study of Finnish and Dutch twins and their spouses
Authors: Gonggrijp Bodine M. A. , Silventoinen Karri , Dolan Conor V. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Kaprio Jaakko , Willemsen Gonneke
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Assortative mating refers describes a phenomenon in which individuals with similar phenotypic traits are more likely to mate and reproduce with each other; i.e. assortative mating occurs when individuals choose partners based on their similarity or dissimilarity in certain traits.to patterns of non-random mating of spouses leading to phenotypic resemblance. There are various theories about the its underlying mechanisms, which have different genetic consequences.

Methods: We analyzed examined two possible mechanisms underlying assortative mating – phenotypic assortment and social homogamy – for educational attainment in two countries utilizing data of mono- and dizygotic twins and their spouses (1,451 Finnish and 1,616 Dutch twin-spouse pairs).

Results: The spousal correlations were 0.51 in Finland and 0.45 in the Netherlands, to which phenotypic assortment contributed 0.35 and 0.30, and social homogamy 0.16 and 0.15, respectively.

Conclusion: Both social homogamy and phenotypic assortment are important processes in spouse selection in Finland and the Netherlands. In both countries, phenotypic assortment contributes to a greater degree to the similarity of spouses than social homogamy.
LSnet: detecting and genotyping deletions using deep learning network
Authors: Luo Junwei , Gao Runtian , Chang Wenjing , Wang Junfeng
Published: June 2023

The role and biological impact of structural variation (SV) are increasingly evident. Deletion accounts for 40% of SV and is an important type of SV. Therefore, it is of great significance to detect and genotype deletions. At present, high accurate long reads can be obtained as HiFi reads. And, through a combination of error-prone long reads and high accurate short reads, we can also get accurate long reads. These accurate long reads are helpful for detecting and genotyping SVs. However, due to the complexity of genome and alignment information, detecting and genotyping SVs remain a challenging task. Here, we propose LSnet, an approach for detecting and genotyping deletions with a deep learning network. Because of the ability of deep learning to learn complex features in labeled datasets, it is beneficial for detecting SV. First, LSnet divides the reference genome into continuous sub-regions. Based on the alignment between the sequencing data (the combination of error-prone long reads and short reads or HiFi reads) and the reference genome, LSnet extracts nine features for each sub-region, and these features are considered as signal of deletion. Second, LSnet uses a convolutional neural network and an attention mechanism to learn critical features in every sub-region. Next, in accordance with the relationship among the continuous sub-regions, LSnet uses a gated recurrent units (GRU) network to further extract more important deletion signatures. And a heuristic algorithm is present to determine the location and length of deletions. Experimental results show that LSnet outperforms other methods in terms of the F1 score. The source code is available from GitHub at https://github.com/eioyuou/LSnet.
The immune role of the intestinal microbiome in knee osteoarthritis: a review of the possible mechanisms and therapies
Authors: Sun Chang , Zhou Xing , Guo Ting , Meng Jia
Published: June 2023

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage damage and synovial inflammation and carries an enormous public health and economic burden. It is crucial to uncover the potential mechanisms of OA pathogenesis to develop new targets for OA treatment. In recent years, the pathogenic role of the gut microbiota in OA has been well recognized. Gut microbiota dysbiosis can break host-gut microbe equilibrium, trigger host immune responses and activate the “gut-joint axis”, which aggravates OA. However, although the role of the gut microbiota in OA is well known, the mechanisms modulating the interactions between the gut microbiota and host immunity remain unclear. This review summarizes research on the gut microbiota and the involved immune cells in OA and interprets the potential mechanisms for the interactions between the gut microbiota and host immune responses from four aspects: gut barrier, innate immunity, adaptive immunity and gut microbiota modulation. Future research should focus on the specific pathogen or the specific changes in the gut microbiota composition to identify the related signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of OA. In addition, future studies should include more novel interventions on immune cell modifications and gene regulation of specific gut microbiota related to OA to validate the application of gut microbiota modulation in the onset of OA.
Southwestern Atlantic ocean fronts detected from the fusion of multi-source remote sensing data by a deep learning model
Authors: Wang Zhi , Chen Ge , Ma Chunyong , Liu Yalong
Published: June 2023

In the Southwestern Atlantic, the Falkland Current intrudes onto the South American shelf, resulting in the meeting of two water masses which are completely different in temperature and dynamic characteristics, thus generating the Southwestern Atlantic Front (SAF). Therefore, the SAF has prominent characteristics of thermal and dynamics. The current ocean front detection is mainly by performing gradient operations on sea surface temperature (SST) data, where regions with large temperature gradients are considered as ocean fronts. The thermal gradient method largely ignores the dynamical features, leading to inaccurate manifestation of SAF. This study develops a deep learning model, SAFNet, to detect the SAF through the synergy of 10-year (2010-2019) satellite-derived SST and sea surface height (SSH) observations to achieve high accuracy detection of SAF with fused thermal and dynamic characteristics. The comparative experimental results show that the detection accuracy of SAFNet reaches 99.45%, which is significantly better than other models. By comparing the frontal probability (FP) obtained by SST, SSH and SST-SSH fusion data respectively, it is proved that the necessity of fusion multi-source remote sensing data for SAF detection. The detection results of fusion data can reflect the spatial distribution of SAF more comprehensively and accurately. According to the meridional variation of FP, the main reason for the seasonal variation of the SAF is the change in its thermal characteristics, and the SAF has stable dynamic characteristics.
Connecting the use of innovative treatments and glucocorticoids with the multidisciplinary evaluation through rule-based natural-language processing: a real-world study on patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis
Authors: Motta Francesca , Morandini Pierandrea , Maffia Fiore , Vecellio Matteo , Tonutti Antonio , De Santis Maria , Costanzo Antonio , Puggioni Francesca , Savevski Victor , Selmi Carlo
Published: June 2023

Background

The impact of a multidisciplinary management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and psoriasis on systemic glucocorticoids or innovative treatments remains unknown. Rule-based natural language processing and text extraction help to manage large datasets of unstructured information and provide insights into the profile of treatment choices.

Methods

We obtained structured information from text data of outpatient visits between 2017 and 2022 using regular expressions (RegEx) to define elastic search patterns and to consider only affirmative citation of diseases or prescribed therapy by detecting negations. Care processes were described by binary flags which express the presence of RA, PsA and psoriasis and the prescription of glucocorticoids and biologics or small molecules in each cases. Logistic regression analyses were used to train the classifier to predict outcomes using the number of visits and the other specialist visits as the main variables.

Results

We identified 1743 patients with RA, 1359 with PsA and 2,287 with psoriasis, accounting for 5,677, 4,468 and 7,770 outpatient visits, respectively. Among these, 25% of RA, 32% of PsA and 25% of psoriasis cases received biologics or small molecules, while 49% of RA, 28% of PsA, and 40% of psoriasis cases received glucocorticoids. Patients evaluated also by other specialists were treated more frequently with glucocorticoids (70% vs. 49% for RA, 60% vs. 28% for PsA, 51% vs. 40% for psoriasis; p < 0.001) as well as with biologics/small molecules (49% vs. 25% for RA, 64% vs. 32% in PsA; 51% vs. 25% for psoriasis; p < 0.001) compared to cases seen only by the main specialist.

Conclusion

Patients with RA, PsA, or psoriasis undergoing multiple evaluations are more likely to receive innovative treatments or glucocorticoids, possibly reflecting more complex cases.
Keratinoctye-neuro-immune-units (KNICUs): collaborative impact on the initiation and maintenance of psoriasis
Authors: Chen Xue-Yan , Wang Zhao-Yuan , Zhou Yuan , Ye Li-Ran , Man Xiao-Yong
Published: June 2023

The skin is the outermost barrier that separates the human body from the external environment. In psoriasis, immune cells reside within or infiltrate the epidermis to form the epidermal (epithelial) immunological microenvironment (EIME) and engage in complex interactions with keratinocytes, nerves, and microbiota. The proposed hypothesis is that psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly mediated by a specific inflammatory environment composed of keratinocyte–neuro–immune cell units (KNICUs). These KNICUs arise from the interaction between activated epidermal keratinocytes, nerves, immune cells, and the skin microbiota, forming a complex interaction framework. Multiple units gather to complete the circulatory and amplified loops, consequently serving as a group army to initiate and maintain psoriasis.
Characterization and expression of fungal defensin in Escherichia coli and its antifungal mechanism by RNA-seq analysis
Authors: Chen Yu-Pei , Li Yingying , Chen Fangfang , Wu Hongtan , Zhang Shudi
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are fatally threatening to critical patients. The fungal defensin as an antifungal protein can widely inhibit fungi.

Methods

In this study, eight antifungal genes from different filamentous fungi were optimized by synonymous codon bias and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli.

Results and discussion

Only the antifungal protein (AFP) from Aspergillus giganteus was produced, whereas the AFP from its mutation of the chitin-binding domain could not be expressed, thereby suggesting the importance of the motif for protein folding. In addition, the recombinant AFP (rAFP, 100 μg/mL) pre-heated at 50°C for 1 h effectively inhibited Paecilomyces variotii CICC40716 of IFIs by 55%, and no cell cytotoxicity was observed in RAW264.7 cells. After being pre-heated at 50°C for 8 h, the fluorescence emission intensity of the rAFP decreased and shifted from 343 nm to 335 nm. Moreover, the helix and β-turn of the rAFP gradually decreased with the pre-heated treatment temperature of 50°C via circular dichroism spectroscopy. Propidium iodide staining revealed that the rAFP could cause damage to the cell membrane. Moreover, the corresponding differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for downregulation such as amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, as well as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway involved in the cell wall integrity were found via the RNA-seq of rAFP treatment. By contrast, the upregulated DEGs were enriched in response to the oxidative stress of Biological Process by the Gene Ontology (GO) database. The encoding proteins of laccase, multicopper oxidase, and nitroreductase that contributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging could be recognized. These results suggested that the rAFP may affect the integrity of the cell wall and cell membrane, and promote the increase in ROS, thereby resulting in fungal death. Consequently, drug development could be based on the inhibitory effect of the rAFP on IFIs.
Identification of novel Jingmen tick virus from parasitic ticks fed on a giant panda and goats in Sichuan Province, southwestern China
Authors: Huang Lin , Liu Shunshuai , Chen Lu , Wang Fei , Ye Ping , Xia Luoyuan , Jiang Baogui , Tang Hao , Zhang Qingyu , Ruan Xiangdong , Chen Weijun , Jiang Jiafu
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Tick-borne viruses (TBVs) pose a significant risk to the health of humans and other vertebrates. A class of multisegmented flavi-like viruses, Jingmen tick virus (JMTV) was first discovered in Rhipicephalus microplus ticks collected from Jingmen of Hubei Province, China in 2010. JMTV has been confirmed to have a relatively wide distribution in vectors and hosts and is associated with human diseases.

Methods

Parasitic and host-seeking ticks were collected in Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province. Total RNA was extracted and then enriched the viral RNA. The DNA library was constructed and then were sequenced with MGI High-throughput Sequencing Set (PE150). After the adaptor sequences,low-quality bases and host genome were removed, resulting reads classified as a virus were subsequently de novo assembled into contigs, which were then compared to the NT database. Those annotated under the kingdom virus were initially identified as potential virus-associated sequences. Phylogenetic and Reassortment analysis of sequences were performed using MEGA and SimPlot software, respectively.

Results and discussion

Two host-seeking ticks and 17 ticks that fed on giant pandas and goats were collected. Through high-throughput sequencing, whole virus genomes were attained from four tick samples (PC-13, PC-16, PC-18, and PC-19) that shared 88.7–96.3% similarity with known JMTV. Phylogenetic tree showed that it was a novel JMTV-like virus, referred to as Sichuan tick virus, which also had the signals of reassortment with other JMTV strains, suggesting a cross-species transmission and co-infection of segmented flavi-like viruses among multiple tick hosts.

Conclusion

We discovered and confirmed one new Jingmen tick virus, Sichuan tick virus. Further investigation is required to determine the pathogenicity of Sichuan tick virus to humans and animals, as well as its epidemiological characteristics in nature.
The role of epigenetic modifications in sensory hair cell development, survival, and regulation
Authors: Xiao Ying , Li Dan
Published: June 2023

The cochlea is the sensory organ in the periphery, and hair cells are its main sensory cells. The development and survival of hair cells are highly controlled processes. When cells face intracellular and environmental stimuli, epigenetic regulation controls the structure and function of the genome in response to different cell fates. During sensory hair cell development, different histone modifications can induce normal numbers of functional hair cells to generate. When individuals are exposed to environmental-related hair cell damage, epigenetic modification also plays a significant role in the regulation of hair cell fate. Since mammalian hair cells cannot regenerate, their loss can cause permanent sensorineural hearing loss. Many breakthroughs have been achieved in recent years in understanding the signaling pathways that determine hair cell regeneration, and it is fascinating to note that epigenetic regulation plays a significant role in hair cell regeneration. In this review, we discuss the role of epigenetics in inner ear cell development, survival and regeneration and the significant impact on hearing protection.
Higher prefrontal activity based on short-term neurofeedback training can prevent working memory decline in acute stroke
Authors: Tetsuka Masayuki , Sakurada Takeshi , Matsumoto Mayuko , Nakajima Takeshi , Morita Mitsuya , Fujimoto Shigeru , Kawai Kensuke
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to clarify whether short-term neurofeedback training during the acute stroke phase led to prefrontal activity self-regulation, providing positive efficacy to working memory. A total of 30 patients with acute stroke performed functional near-infrared spectroscopy-based neurofeedback training for a day to increase their prefrontal activity. A randomized, Sham-controlled, double-blind study protocol was used comparing working memory ability before and after neurofeedback training. Working memory was evaluated using a target-searching task requiring spatial information retention. A decline in spatial working memory performance post-intervention was prevented in patients who displayed a higher task-related right prefrontal activity during neurofeedback training compared with the baseline. Neurofeedback training efficacy was not associated with the patient’s clinical background such as Fugl–Meyer Assessment score and time since stroke. These findings demonstrated that even short-term neurofeedback training can strengthen prefrontal activity and help maintain cognitive ability in acute stroke patients, at least immediately after training. However, further studies investigating the influence of individual patient clinical background, especially cognitive impairment, on neurofeedback training is needed. Current findings provide an encouraging option for clinicians to design neurorehabilitation programs, including neurofeedback protocols, for acute stroke patients.
The prognosis value of CONUT and SIS score for recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with second-line immunotherapy
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Han , Shen Wen-Bin , Wang Duo , Wang He-Song , Song Chun-Yang , Deng Wen-Zhao
Published: June 2023

Objective

To investigate the predictive value of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and systemic inflammation (SIS) score in the prognosis, short-term efficacy, and immune-related side effects of patient with recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (R/M ESCC) receiving immunotherapy as second line therapy combined with or without radiotherapy.

Methods

Forty-eight patients with R/M ESCC who received second-line therapy with Camrelizumab were retrospectively studied. They were divided into the high and low score groups according to the CONUT and SIS score. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze factors that might affect patient prognosis and the effects of different CONUT score and SIS on the short-term efficacy and immune-related toxic and side effects of patients.

Results

The 1- and 2-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 42.9% and 22.5%, and 29.0% and 5.8%, respectively. The CONUT score ranged from 0 to 6 (3.31 ± 1.43), whereas the SIS score ranged from 0 to 2 (1.19 ± 0.73). Multivariate analysis showed that treatment related toxicity, number of cycles of Camrelizumab used, short-term effect and SIS score were independent prognostic factors for OS (P=0.044, 0.021, 0.021, 0.030, respectively), whereas SIS and CONUT scores were independent prognostic factors for PFS (P=0.005, 0.047, respectively). Patients with low CONUT/SIS score had a low incidence rate of immune-related adverse reactions (X2 = 9.735, 5.693; P=0.002, 0.017) and better short-term efficacy (X2 = 4.427, 7.438; P=0.035, 0.006).

Conclusion

R/M ESCC patients with low CONUT/SIS score have better prognosis, higher objective response rate, lower incidence of immune-related toxic and side effects after receiving immunotherapy as second-line therapy. CONUT scores and SIS scores may be reliable prognostic indicators for patient receiving immunotherapy as second-line therapy for R/M ESCC.
Addressing the unmet need for a comprehensive lung cancer registry in Romania
Authors: Olteanu Gheorghe-Emilian , Oancea Cristian Iulian , Catalin Marian , Trifa Adrian Pavel , Dascalu Stefan
Published: June 2023

In this perspective article, we describe the vital need for a well-organized cancer registry in Romania, where lung cancer prevalence and mortality rates are alarmingly high. We discuss contributing factors such as increased use of chest X-rays and CT scans during the COVID-19 pandemic and delayed diagnoses due to limited medical care access. With the nation’s characteristically limited access to healthcare, it is plausible that the surge in acute imaging for COVID-19 has inadvertently resulted in a higher detection rate of lung cancer. This inadvertent early detection underscores the vital need for a well-organized cancer registry in Romania, where lung cancer prevalence and mortality rates are alarmingly high. Although impactful, these factors are not the primary causes of the high lung cancer cases in the country. We provide an overview of current options and propose future perspectives for epidemiological monitoring of lung cancer patients in Romania, aiming to enhance patient care, bolster research, and promote data-driven policy-making. While our primary focus is establishing a national registry for lung cancer, we address challenges, considerations, and best practices applicable to all cancer types. Through our proposed strategies and recommendations, we aim to contribute to the development and improvement of a comprehensive national cancer registry system in Romania.
Symptom clusters after chemoradiotherapy in discharged nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients
Authors: Li Xiang , Fu Gui-Fen , Huang Yu-Ying , Jiang Qing-Yu , Huang Xiao-Yan , Zhang Jin-Tao , Qu Shen-Hong
Published: June 2023

Objective

To investigate the incidence of complications and types of chemoradiotherepy induces symptom clusters in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who were first diagnosed after treatment and discharged from hospital.

Methods

After their discharge home, 130 NPC patients who had been treated with chemoradiotherapy were asked to complete a modified Chinese version of the Quality of Life Questionnaire–Head and Neck Module developed by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer in the Head and Neck. Symptom clusters in patients were identified through exploratory factor analysis.

Results

The most serious symptoms for discharged NPC patients who had received chemoradiotherapy were dental problems, a sense of obstruction while swallowing, embarrassment in physical contact with family members and friends, difficulty in speaking with others, and embarrassment in public. The six symptom clusters identified through exploratory factor analysis were (1) painful eating, (2) social difficulties, (3) psychological disorders, (4) symptomatic shame, (5) teeth/throat injuries, and (6) sensory abnormalities. The total contribution rate of variance was 65.73%.

Conclusion

NPC patients who are treated with chemoradiotherapy can experience adverse symptom clusters that continue after discharge. Nurses should evaluate the patients’ symptoms before discharge and provide targeted health education services which would reduce the patients’ complications and improve the quality of life at home. Besides, medical staff should evaluate the complications in a timely and comprehensive manner and provide individualized health education for the affected patients to help them manage chemoradiotherapy side effects.
Syntaxin 3 is haplosufficient for long-term photoreceptor survival in the mouse retina
Authors: Perez-Hurtado Mariajose , Dao Calvin , Saenz Amanda E. , Heidelberger Ruth
Published: June 2023

Biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the syntaxin 3 gene have been linked to a severe retinal dystrophy in humans that presents in early childhood. In mouse models, biallelic inactivation of the syntaxin 3 gene in photoreceptors rapidly leads to their death. What is not known is whether a monoallelic syntaxin 3 loss-of-function mutation might cause photoreceptor loss with advancing age. To address this question, we compared the outer nuclear layer of older adult mice (≈ 20 months of age) that were heterozygous for syntaxin 3 with those of similarly-aged control mice. We found that the photoreceptor layer maintains its thickness in mice that are heterozygous for syntaxin 3 relative to controls and that photoreceptor somatic counts are comparable. In addition, dendritic sprouting of the rod bipolar cell dendrites into the outer nuclear layer, which occurs following the loss of functional rod targets, was similar between genotypes. Thus, syntaxin 3 appears to be haplosufficient for photoreceptor survival, even with advancing age.