bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resolution of severe gastroparesis induced by parasympathetic surge following facial trauma: a case report
Authors: Haseeb-Ul-Rasool Muhammad , Elhawary Ahmed , Saha Utsow , Sethi Arshia , Swaminathan Gowri , Abosheaishaa Hazem
Published: May 2024

Background

Gastroparesis is a condition that affects the motility of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, causing a delay in the emptying process and leading to nausea, vomiting, bloating, and upper abdominal pain. Motility treatment along with symptom management can be done using antiemetics or prokinetics. This study highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of gastroparesis and suggests a potential link between facial trauma and symptom remission, indicating the need for further investigation.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old Hispanic man with hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and hyperlipidemia on amlodipine 10 mg, lisinopril 5 mg, empagliflozin 25 mg, and insulin glargine presented with a diabetic foot ulcer with probable osteomyelitis. During hospitalization, the patient developed severe nausea and vomiting. The gastroenterology team advised continuing antiemetic medicine and trying very small sips of clear liquids. However, the patient didn’t improve. Therefore, the gastroenterology team was contacted again. They advised having stomach emptying tests to rule out gastroparesis as the source of emesis. In addition, they recommended continuing metoclopramide, and starting erythromycin due to inadequate improvement. Studies found a 748-min stomach emptying time. Normal is 45–90 min. An uneventful upper GI scope was done. Severe gastroparesis was verified, and the gastroenterology team advised a percutaneous jejunostomy or gastric pacemaker for gastroparesis. Unfortunately, the patient suffered a mechanical fall resulting in facial trauma. After the fall, the patient’s nausea eased, and emesis stopped. He passed an oral liquids trial after discontinuation of erythromycin and metoclopramide.

Conclusion

This case exemplifies the difficulties in diagnosing and treating gastroparesis. An interesting correlation between parasympathetic surges and recovery in gastroparesis may be suggested by the surprising remission of symptoms following face injuries.
Searching for the social determinants of health: observations from evidence synthesis publications
Authors: Hanneke Rosie , Brunskill Amelia
Published: May 2024

Background

The social determinants of health (SDOH) are the focus of an exponentially increasing number of publications, including evidence syntheses. However, there is not an established standard for searching for SDOH literature. This study seeks to identify published evidence syntheses pertaining to the SDOH, analyzing the search strategies used and the studies included within these reviews. The primary objectives are to compare search strategies and create a test set of SDOH publications.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus for evidence syntheses that mentioned the SDOH in their research questions and included an SDOH search strategy. Relevant data extracted from each review included databases searched; search terms used for the SDOH; conceptual frameworks referenced; and the citations of primary studies included in the reviews, which were compiled to form a test set of cited papers. The relative recall of the respective search strategies was tested by documenting the total number of MEDLINE results each retrieved and the number of test set papers retrieved.

Results

Sixty-four evidence syntheses were identified and included in the analysis, and 2750 cited papers were extracted. Findings indicate few commonalities across search strategies in search terms used, the total number of results retrieved, and the number of test set cited papers retrieved. One hundred and ninety-three unique MeSH terms and 1385 unique keywords and phrases were noted among the various search strategies. The number of total results retrieved by the SDOH search strategies ranged from 21,793 to over 16 million. The percentage of cited papers retrieved by the search strategies ranged from 2.46 to 97.9%. Less than 3% of the cited papers were indexed with the Social Determinants of Health MeSH.

Conclusions

There has been little consistency across evidence syntheses in approaches to searching for SDOH literature. Differences in these strategies could have a significant impact on what literature is retrieved, included in reviews, and, consequently, incorporated into evidence-based practice. By documenting these differences and creating a set of papers relevant to SDOH, this research provides a snapshot of the current challenges in searching for SDOH content and lays the groundwork for the creation of a standardized search approach for SDOH literature.
Perioperative management of the vulnerable and failing right ventricle
Authors: Arora R. C. , Brown J. K. , Chatterjee S. , Gan T. J. , Singh G. , Tong M. Z. ,   on behalf of the POQI IX Consortium
Published: May 2024

Under recognition combined with suboptimal management of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and failure is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality. The contemporary perioperative team must be prepared with an approach for early recognition and prompt treatment. In this review, a consensus-proposed scoring system is described to provide a pragmatic approach for expeditious decision-making for these complex patients with a vulnerable RV. Importantly, this proposed scoring system incorporates the context of the planned surgical intervention. Further, as the operating room (OR) represents a unique environment where patients are susceptible to numerous insults, a practical approach to anesthetic management and monitoring both in the OR and in the intensive care unit is detailed. Lastly, an escalating approach to the management of RV failure and options for mechanical circulatory support is provided.
How peer relationships affect academic achievement among junior high school students: The chain mediating roles of learning motivation and learning engagement
Authors: Shao Yanhong , Kang Shumin , Lu Quan , Zhang Chao , Li Ruoxi
Published: May 2024

Background

Despite the recognition of the impact of peer relationships, learning motivation, and learning engagement on academic achievement, there is still a gap in understanding the specific mechanisms through which peer relationships impact academic achievement via learning motivation and learning engagement.

Methods

This study aims to investigate how peer relationships affect junior high school students’ academic achievement through the chain mediating roles of learning motivation and learning engagement, employing the self-system model of motivational development as the theoretical framework. In January 2024, 717 participants were selected from two middle schools in eastern China (mean age = 13.49 years, SD = 0.5). The data analysis in this study was performed using the structural equation model (SEM) in AMOS 24.0 and SPSS 24.0.

Results

The results showed that peer relationships were directly and significantly related to junior high school students’ academic achievement, and that peer relationships were indirectly and positively related to junior high school students’ academic achievement via learning motivation and learning engagement respectively. The results also revealed a significant indirect and positive relationship between peer relationships and junior high school students’ academic achievement, mediated by the sequential mediating roles of learning motivation and learning engagement. Moreover, the path “peer relationship→learning motivation→academic achievement” has the strongest indirect effect.

Conclusion

For junior high school students to achieve academic success, the appropriate interventions should be implemented to improve peer relationships, learning motivation, and learning engagement.
Using null models to decipher bacterial assembly mechanisms in oat silages harvested from southern China
Authors: Dong Zhihao , Fang Di , Hu Shiwei , Zhao Jie , Wang Siran , Li Junfeng , Shao Tao
Published: May 2024

Background

Deciphering the assembly rules of microbial communities is vital for a mechanistic understanding of the general principles driving microbiome structures and functions. In this study, a null modeling-based framework was implemented to infer the assembly rules of bacterial community in oat silages harvested in southern China starting from the grain-filling stage through to full ripening.

Results

Most silages displayed “inferior” or “very inferior” fermentation quality. The fermentation qualities of silages tended to further decrease with the delay of harvest. Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, unclassified_f_Enterobacteriaceae, and Hafnia–Obesumbacterium constituted the predominated genera in silages. Delaying harvest increased the proportions of Hafnia–Obesumbacterium. Null model analysis revealed that stochastic processes were the primary contributor to the assembly of rare subcommunity during silage fermentation. The succession of abundant subcommunity was controlled both by stochastic and deterministic processes. Deterministic processes, more specifically, heterogeneous selection, were more prominent in the assembly of abundant bacteria in silages with the delay of harvest. Linear regression analysis indicated the important roles of DM, WSC and pH in the assembly of abundant subcommunity.

Conclusion

This study, from the ecological perspectives, revealed the ecological processes controlling the bacterial community assembly in silage, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying the construction of silage bacterial community.

Graphical Abstract
Wind stress curl as a driving force of annual waves in the upper ocean for interpreting energetics at all latitudes
Authors: Ye Kaiwen , Aiki Hidenori
Published: May 2024

The dynamics of waves and eddies in the upper ocean plays an important role in the climate variation of tropical and subtropical regions. Previous diagnoses for annual Rossby waves in oceanic model outputs manifested zonally alternating signals (ZASs) in the time-averaged distributions of wind input as well as pressure-flux divergence terms in the budget equation of wave energy. This is the case when the annual mean of the wind input is estimated as the inner product of simulated velocity vector and wind stress vector in previous studies. The present study proposes a new mathematical expression for estimating the wind input that is analogous to one derived from the quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity equation. Namely, the wind input is estimated as the negative of the product of pseudo-streamfunction and wind stress curl, the latter of which is associated with the horizontal divergence of Ekman velocity. This can be interpreted as replacement of kinetic energy input with gravitational potential energy input. Pseudo-streamfunction in the present study is inverted from Ertel’s potential vorticity anomaly and is seamlessly available at all latitudes. This contrasts with the quasi-geostrophic streamfunction which is singular at the equator. The new expression enables reducing ZASs in the horizontal distributions of both wind input and pressure-flux divergence terms, without harming the qualitative advantage of energy flux vectors to indicate the group velocity of waves at all latitudes.
The status of academic interventional radiologists in Germany with focus on gender disparity: how can we do better?
Authors: Blum Sophia Freya Ulrike , Dewald Cornelia Lieselotte Angelika , Becker Lena , Staudacher Emona , Franke Mareike , Katoh Marcus , Hoffmann Ralf-Thorsten , Rohde Stefan , Paprottka Philip Marius , Wacker Frank , Westphalen Kerstin , Bruners Philipp , Gebauer Bernhard , Das Marco , Uller Wibke
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The aim was to characterize the framework conditions in academic interventional radiology (IR) in Germany with focus on differences between genders.

Materials and methods

After IRB approval, all members of The German Society for Interventional Radiology and Minimally Invasive Therapy (n = 1,632) were invited to an online survey on work and research. Statistical comparisons were undertaken with the Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test or Pearson’s Chi-squared test.

Results

From 267 available questionnaires (general response rate 16.4%), 200 were fully completed. 40% of these (78/200) were involved in research (71% men vs. 29% women, p < 0.01) and eligible for further analysis. Of these, 6% worked part-time (2% vs. 17%, p < 0.05). 90% of the respondents spent less than 25% of their research during their paid working hours, and 41% performed more than 75% of their research during. leisure time. 28% received exemption for research. 88% were (rather) satisfied with their career. One in two participants successfully applied for funding, with higher success rates among male applicants (90% vs. 75%) and respondents with protected research time (93% vs. 80%). Compared to men, women rated their entrance in research as harder (p < 0.05), their research career as more important (p < 0.05), felt less noticed at congresses (93% vs. 53%, p < 0.01), less confident (98% vs. 71%, p < 0.01), and not well connected (77% vs. 36%, p < 0.01). 

Conclusion

Women and men did research under the same circumstances; however, women were underrepresented. Future programs should generally focus on protected research time and gather female mentors to advance academic IR in Germany.
Lipid-modifying agents and risk of all-cause, natural and suicide mortality in schizophrenia: nationwide cohort study
Authors: Chen Pao-Huan , Tsai Shang-Ying , Chen Po-Yu , Pan Chun-Hung , Su Sheng-Siang , Chen Chiao-Chicy , Kuo Chian-Jue
Published: May 2024

Background

Individuals with schizophrenia face high mortality risks. The effects of lipid-modifying agents on this risk remain understudied.

Aim

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of lipid-modifying agents on mortality risk in people with schizophrenia.

Method

This nationwide cohort study collected the data of people with schizophrenia from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database for the period between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2019. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression with a time-dependent model was used to estimate the hazard ratio for mortality associated with each lipid-modifying agent.

Results

This study included 110 300 people with schizophrenia. Of them, 22 528 died (19 754 from natural causes and 1606 from suicide) during the study period, as confirmed using data from Taiwan's national mortality database. The use of lipid-modifying agents was associated with reduced risks of all-cause (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]:0.37; P < 0.001) and natural (aHR:0.37; P < 0.001) mortality during a 5-year period. Among the lipid-modifying agents, statins and fibrates were associated with reduced risks of all-cause mortality (aHRs:0.37 and 0.39, respectively; P < 0.001 for both) and natural mortality (aHRs: 0.37 and 0.42, respectively; P < 0.001 for both). Notably, although our univariate analysis indicated an association between the use of lipid-modifying agents and a reduced risk of suicide mortality, the multivariate analysis revealed no significant association.

Conclusions

Lipid-modifying agents, particularly statins and fibrates, reduce the risk of mortality in people with schizophrenia. Appropriate use of lipid-modifying agents may bridge the mortality gap between these individuals and the general population.
Niraparib, Dostarlimab, and Bevacizumab as Combination Therapy in Pretreated, Advanced Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer: Findings From Cohort A of the OPAL Phase II Trial
Authors: Liu Joyce F. , Gaillard Stéphanie , Wahner Hendrickson Andrea E. , Yeku Oladapo , Diver Elisabeth , Gunderson Jackson Camille , Arend Rebecca , Ratner Elena , Samnotra Vivek , Gupta Divya , Chung Jon , Zhang Hailei , Compton Natalie , Baines Amanda , Bacqué Emeline , Liu Xiaohong , Felicetti Brunella , Konecny Gottfried E.
Published: May 2024

PURPOSE

To report the results of OPAL (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03574779 ) cohort A, a single-arm substudy of niraparib plus dostarlimab and bevacizumab for the treatment of advanced, platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC).

METHODS

Participants with PROC who received 1-2 previous lines of therapy were treated with niraparib (200 or 300 mg once daily), dostarlimab (500 mg once every 3 weeks for four 21-day cycles, followed by 1,000 mg once every 6 weeks), and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg once every 3 weeks). The primary end point was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST v1.1. Safety was also assessed. Exploratory biomarker end points included evaluation of changes in the tumor molecular profile and microenvironment using baseline and on-treatment tumor samples.

RESULTS

Of 41 enrolled participants (median age, 66.0 years [range, 37-83 years]), 9.8% had tumors that were BRCA-mutated, 19.5% were homologous recombination (HR)–deficient, and 17.1% were HR repair (HRR)–mutated. As of the cutoff date, all participants discontinued treatment. The ORR was 17.1% (80% CI, 9.8 to 27.0), including one complete response (2.4%); the disease control rate was 73.2% (80% CI, 62.3 to 82.2). Two participants withdrew before first postbaseline scan because of adverse events (AEs). Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent AEs were reported in 92.7% of participants, with the most common being hypertension (26.8%). Response was not correlated with BRCA, HRR, HR deficiency (HRD), or PD-L1 status. Changes suggesting immune activation were observed in on-treatment samples after triplet therapy.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrated modest activity of niraparib, dostarlimab, and bevacizumab in participants with PROC, many of whom had prognostic factors for poor treatment response. Most participants with response were bevacizumab-naïve. No association was found with HRD, BRCA, or PD-L1 status. AEs were consistent with previous monotherapy reports, except that hypertension was reported more frequently.
Revisiting Queer and Trans Representation in Junior
Authors: Heggestad Jon
Published: May 2024

The 1994 film Junior (dir. Ivan Reitman), starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as the world's first pregnant man, has been the subject of much scholarly debate since its initial release. Specifically, feminist critiques have both called attention to the film's androcentric usurpation of reproduction and lauded its break from more traditional and gendered forms of this labor. The following analysis of Junior and its reception builds on this critical feminist foundation while reconsidering the film's potential as an early blockbuster work that explores alternative modes of queer family-making. This reading draws on the work of Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, applying her analytic framework of binaristic formations to the film. In so doing, a series of dyads emerge—feminist/misogynist, feminist/queer, trans/cis, queer/heteronormative, masculine/feminine, passive/active, hard/soft. Navigating these divisions not only offers a more reparative reading of the film, it also produces a fruitful study for addressing the ways in which queerness on-screen so frequently operates through such binary formations. Lastly, new insights regarding the way male pregnancy, as a theme, has historically been depicted in Western film and television are born out of this queer re-reading. By revisiting Junior through this approach, zaniness—as conceptualized by Sianne Ngai—illustrates yet another division where queer modes of family-making reside—the binaristic formation of horror/humor.
A study protocol for vitamin-D level in sepsis and its outcome in patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit
Authors: Ahuja Abhinav , Agrawal Sachin , Kumar Sunil
Published: May 2024

Vitamin D functions as a prohormone that promotes bone mineralization by regulating calcium and phosphate levels in the skeletal system. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that is required for immunomodulation, cytokine regulation, and cell proliferation. As a result, Vitamin D is a powerful hormone with pleiotropic effects that improve overall health. Sepsis is the leading cause of death in critically unwell people. According to a recent study, numerous trace minerals and nutrients have the ability to alter the human body, and supplementing these nutrients can improve the prognosis of sepsis patients. A considerable number of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have low vitamin D levels, a frequent condition that can increase the risk of infectious diseases. According to various studies, severely ill patients admitted to the ICU who have a vitamin D deficiency are at a higher risk of requiring mechanical ventilation and facing a higher likelihood of mortality. Nonetheless, the connection between insufficient vitamin D levels and mortality in sepsis patients remains a topic of debate.
Factors that influence the formation and impact of mentorship relationships for OB/GYN residents
Authors: Ketch Peter W. , Kim Justin , Roane Brandon M. , Taylor Kristin N. , Liang Margaret I. , Kim Kenneth H.
Published: May 2024

Background Mentorship is critical for successful careers in academic medicine. There is a gap in the literature regarding specific qualities that make effective mentorship relationships for Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) residents. This study aimed to identify the attributes most valued by OB/GYN residents in their mentorship relationships and to explore the factors influencing their choice of mentors. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among OB/GYN residents, distributed electronically November 2021-March 2022. Demographic data, mentor qualities, satisfaction with current mentorship and mentee factors were identified. The survey incorporated questions adapted from the validated Ideal Mentor Scale assessing three mentor attributes: Integrity, Guidance, and Relationship. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Student’s t-tests, chi-squared tests, and Fisher’s Exact tests where appropriate. Results 48 of 60 (80%) of surveyed residents responded. Among the respondents, 72.9% were female and 29.1% identified as non-white. Integrity emerged as the most valued Ideal Mentor attribute. No statistically significant gender-based differences were observed in the preferences for mentor characteristics including gender of a mentor. Non-white respondents placed greater importance on having a mentor of the same race (p<0.01). Residents interested in subspecialties expressed a stronger preference for mentors with fellowship training (p<0.01) and shared research experiences (p=0.03). Conclusions OB/GYN residents seek mentors characterized by integrity and who are active in research and professional societies aligned with their interests. The data highlight the importance of considering race and subspecialty preferences in fostering influential and equitable mentorship for all residents.
What’s UPDOG? A novel tool for trans-ancestral polygenic score prediction
Authors: Howard David M. , Pain Oliver , Gillett Alexandra C. , Vassos Evangelos , Lewis Cathryn M.
Published: May 2024

Background Polygenic scores provide an indication of an individual’s genetic propensity for a trait within a test population. These scores are calculated using results from genetic analysis conducted in discovery populations. Where the test and discovery populations have similar ancestries, the predictions are better than when the ancestries differ. As many of the genetic analyses are conducted in European populations this hinders the potential for maximising predictions in many of the currently underrepresented populations in research. Methods To address this, UP and Downstream Genetic scoring (UPDOG) was developed to consider the concordance of genetic variation around lead variants between the discovery and test cohorts before calculating polygenic scores. Where there was non-concordance between the discovery cohort and an individual in the test cohort, the lead variant’s effect was down weighted for that individual. Results UPDOG was tested across four ancestries and six phenotypes and benchmarked against five existing tools for polygenic scoring. In approximately two-thirds of cases UPDOG improved trans-ancestral prediction, although the increases were small. Conclusions The development of novel methodologies aimed at maximising the efficacy of polygenic scores for the global population is of high importance and enables progress towards personalised medicine and universal equality in healthcare.
The genome sequence of the Blue-bordered Carpet moth Plemyria rubiginata (Denis & Schiffermüller) 1775
Authors: Boyes Douglas , Lees David C. , Wawman Denise C. ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Natural History Museum Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Management, Samples and Laboratory team,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: Sequencing Operations,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life Core Informatics team,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: May 2024

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Plemyria rubiginata (the Blue-bordered Carpet moth; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Geometridae). The genome sequence is 356.2 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 30 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z and W sex chromosomes. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 17.64 kilobases in length.
The Pitfalls of Review Solicitation: Evidence from a Natural Experiment on TripAdvisor
Authors: Gao Baojun , Wang Jing , Ding Xiaojie , Guo Yue
Published: May 2024

This study examines the effect of firms’ participation in platform-endorsed review solicitation programs on consumers’ online review generation. We leverage a natural experiment on TripAdvisor, which launched a review solicitation program that allows hotels to collect reviews directly from guests after their stays with the aid of certified connectivity partners. Applying a two-stage difference-in-differences approach to a panel data set of online reviews for a matched set of hotels across TripAdvisor and Expedia, we find that hotels’ participation in the review solicitation program results in a 34.3% increase in review volume, a 0.151 increase in review rating, but a 16.9% decrease in review length. Review solicitation, however, generates a notable negative spillover effect on the volume of organic reviews. Specifically, the volume of organic reviews is reduced by 15.5% after hotels start soliciting reviews. We provide evidence that the motivational crowding-out effect plays an important role in driving this negative spillover. Further analyses reveal that the effects of review solicitation are heterogeneous with respect to hotels of different types and consumers with different demographic and behavioral characteristics. Finally, using a novel structural topic model, we detect a significant shift in review content from specific and concrete topics to general and abstract topics. Our findings suggest that review platforms and firms should be cautious about the unintended negative consequences of review solicitation on consumers’ review generation.

This paper was accepted by Hemant Bhargava, information systems.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72371192, 72132008, 71872061, and 72061127002] and the Humanities and Social Science Fund of Ministry of Education of China [Grant 22YJA630021].

Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.01006 .
Efficacy and safety of an anti-infection topical desiccating agent (DEBRICHEM) in hard-to-heal wounds
Authors: McRobert John , Jeffery Steven , Delloson Debbie
Published: May 2024

A single centre, non-comparative evaluation was undertaken to observe the clinical results achieved when following best practice for the application of Debrichem. The treatment protocol involved use of this debridement product plus standard of care. The sample comprised 21 patients with complex, non-healing wounds of various aetiologies. One patient dropped out of the evaluation for unknown reasons. Wound types were either venous leg ulcers (n=16) or post-traumatic wounds (n=25). The mean wound duration was 22 months (range: 2 weeks–17 years). Over the 4-week follow-up period, there was a decline in the mean percentage of devitalised tissue present on the wounds, reducing from 69% at baseline to 49% at week 4. Most of the devitalised tissue was slough, for which the mean baseline percentage was 63% compared with an endpoint of 49%. Conversely, the mean percentage of granulation tissue increased from 31% at baseline to 51% at week 4. The mean visual analogue pain score reported during application was 4/10, where 0 represents no pain. However, general wound-related pain scores improved during the follow-up period, with no scores above 2 at week 2, compared with five at baseline. The results indicate that Debrichem is a safe and effective method of debridement that requires minimal training and is single use.
IDENTIFICATION OF HEALTHY AND TENDINOPATHIC CELL SUBTYPES IN FOOT AND ANKLE TENDONS USING SINGLE-CELL TRANSCRIPTOMICS
Authors: Kendal A. , Brown R. , Loizou C. , Rogers M. , Sharp R. , Carr A.
Published: May 2024

Tendinopathy can commonly occur around the foot and ankle resulting in isolated rupture, debilitating pain and degenerative foot deformity. The pathophysiology and key cells involved are not fully understood. This is partly because the dense collagen matrix that surrounds relatively few resident cells limits the ability of previous techniques to identify and target those cells of interest. In this study, we apply novel single cell RNA sequencing (CITE-Seq) techniques to healthy and tendinopathic foot/ankle tendons. For the first time we have identified multiple sub-populations of cells in human tendons. These findings challenge the view that there is a single principal tendon cell type and open new avenues for further study. Healthy tendon samples were obtained from patients undergoing tendon transfer procedures; including tibialis posterior and FHL. Diseased tendon samples were obtained during debridement of intractable Achilles and peroneal tendinopathy, and during fusion of degenerative joints. Single cell RNA sequencing with surface proteomic analysis identified 10 sub-populations of human tendon derived cells. These included groups expressing genes associated with fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) as well as ITGA7+VCAM1- recently described in mouse muscle but, as yet, not human tendon. In addition we have identified previously unrecognised sub-classes of collagen type 1 associated tendon cells. Each sub-class expresses a different set of extra-cellular matrix genes suggesting they each play a unique role in maintaining the structural integrity of normal tendon. Diseased tendon harboured a greater proportion of macrophages and cytotoxic lymphocytes than healthy tendon. This inflammatory response is potentially driven by resident tendon fibroblasts which show increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, identification of a previously unknown sub-population of cells found predominantly in tendinopathic tissue offers new insight into the underlying pathophysiology. Further work aims to identify novel proteins targets for possible therapeutic pathways.
Transferring optical characteristics into magnetic matter through magneto-optical interactions
Authors: Hildever Luana , Ferro Thiago , Dias Adrielson , Holanda José
Published: May 2024

The effects of light-magnetic matter interaction have been widely studied because they present the possibility of accessing degrees of freedom and the use of magneto-optical interactions. In this work, we access a new direction for research in optospintronics, where we transfer optical characteristics into magnetic matter through magneto-optical interactions. This feat opens a new horizon provided by the equations of electromagnetism since magneto-optical interactions have magnetic and optical characteristics, allowing one area to access the other, as it occurs with electricity and magnetism.
Tailoring the nonclassicality of light states via mode detuning in waveguide beam splitters
Authors: Datta Ananga Mohan , Perez-Leija Armando , Busch Kurt
Published: May 2024

The recent advent of integrated waveguide systems with reconfigurable propagation constants and coupling coefficients has opened the door to using waveguide detuning as a resource for readily tailoring the quantum properties of light states. Here we theoretically demonstrate that waveguide mode detuning can be used for molding the nonclassical properties of two interacting quantum optical fields in integrated waveguide couplers. In particular, we explore the states that are generated by conditional measurements when one of the input ports of the waveguide coupler is excited by coherent states, squeezed vacuum states, and thermal states, while the other port is excited by a single-photon Fock state. We explore the detuning range required to attain nonclassical states. Our findings could pave the way for a robust integrated-optics protocol, providing enhanced control and engineering capabilities over multiphoton quantum states.
16-channel 200-GHz-spacing RW-DFB laser array with low noise and high output power
Authors: Zhang Yuanhao , Lu Qianru , Liu Can , Li Guojiong , Xiang Minwen , Xia Juan , Lu Qiaoyin , Guo Weihua
Published: May 2024

We experimentally demonstrated a ridge waveguide (RW) distributed feedback (DFB) continuous-wave (CW) laser array with high output power, low relative intensity noise (RIN) and narrow linewidth for all 16 channels with 200-GHz-spacing. The ridge waveguide is formed above an offset-quantum-well structure to increase single transverse mode waveguide width to 8-µ;m for higher output power and lower noise. A relatively long cavity length of 800-µm as well as a backup laser technique are introduced to achieve good single mode stability. The fabricated RW-DFB laser array realizes the maximum power over 85 mW, RIN lower than -155 dB/Hz and Lorentzian linewidth below 250 kHz for each channel laser. Besides, the side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) is over 51 dB for all 16 channels. These features can help to boost the application in wavelength dimension multiplexed system.
High sensitivity distributed dynamic pressure sensor based on dual-linear frequency modulated optical frequency domain reflectometry
Authors: Zheng Hua , Wang Yuyao , Wu Huan , Huang Dongmei , Yu Changyuan , Lu Chao
Published: May 2024

In this Letter, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a highly sensitive distributed dynamic pressure sensor based on a dual-linear frequency modulated optical frequency domain reflectometry (OFDR) and a coating thickness-enhanced single-mode fiber (SMF). A dual-sideband linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal is used to interrogate the sensing fiber, which allows us to obtain a dual-sideband Rayleigh backscattering signal. Due to the opposite slopes of the two LFM sidebands, the Rayleigh backscattering spectra of the two sidebands drift in opposite directions when the fiber is disturbed. By subtracting the frequency shifts of the two spectra, we can double the system’s sensitivity. We further enhance the sensitivity by using an SMF with a coating thickness of 200 μm. This results in a pressure sensitivity of 3979 MHz/MPa, a measurement accuracy of 0.76 kPa, and a spatial resolution of 35 cm over a 500 m optical fiber. Our system successfully detected a dynamic pressure change at a sampling rate of 1.25 kHz, demonstrating the sensor’s excellent dynamic measuring capabilities.
Two-site microendoscopic imaging probe for simultaneous three-dimensional imaging at two anatomic locations in tissues
Authors: Liu Guigen , Ahn Sebastian W. , Kang Jeon Woong , Bhagavatula Sharath , Matthew Destiny , Martin Samantha , Marlin Courtney , So Peter T. C. , Tearney Guillermo J. , Jonas Oliver
Published: May 2024

Systems that can image in three dimensions at cellular resolution and across different locations within an organism may enable insights into complex biological processes, such as immune responses, for which a single location measurement may be insufficient. In this Letter, we describe an in vivo two-site imaging probe (TIP) that can simultaneously image two anatomic sites with a maximum separation of a few centimeters. The TIP consists of two identical bendable graded index (GRIN) lenses and is demonstrated by a two-photon two-color fluorescence imaging system. Each GRIN lens has a field of view of 162 × 162 × 170 µm3, a nominal numerical aperture of 0.5, a magnification of 0.7, and working distances of 0.2 mm in air for both ends. A blind linear unmixing algorithm is applied to suppress bleedthrough between channels. We use this system to successfully demonstrate two-site two-photon two-color imaging of two biomedically relevant samples, i.e., (1) a mixture of two autofluorescent anti-cancer drugs and (2) a live hybrid tumor consisting of two spectrally distinct fluorescent cell lines.
Inferring fungal growth rates from optical density data
Authors: Hameed Tara , Motsi Natasha , Bignell Elaine , Tanaka Reiko J.
Published: May 2024

Quantifying fungal growth underpins our ability to effectively treat severe fungal infections. Current methods quantify fungal growth rates from time-course morphology-specific data, such as hyphal length data. However, automated large-scale collection of such data lies beyond the scope of most clinical microbiology laboratories. In this paper, we propose a mathematical model of fungal growth to estimate morphology-specific growth rates from easy-to-collect, but indirect, optical density (OD600) data of Aspergillus fumigatus growth (filamentous fungus). Our method accounts for OD600 being an indirect measure by explicitly including the relationship between the indirect OD600 measurements and the calibrating true fungal growth in the model. Therefore, the method does not require de novo generation of calibration data. Our model outperformed reference models at fitting to and predicting OD600 growth curves and overcame observed discrepancies between morphology-specific rates inferred from OD600 versus directly measured data in reference models that did not include calibration.
Leishmania Ribosomal Protein (RP) paralogous genes compensate each other’s expression maintaining protein native levels
Authors: Borges Francisca S. , Quilles José C. , Lorenzon Lucas B. , Espada Caroline R. , Freitas-Castro Felipe , Defina Tânia P. A. , Holetz Fabíola B. , Cruz Angela K.
Published: May 2024

In the protozoan parasite Leishmania, most genes encoding for ribosomal proteins (RPs) are present as two or more copies in the genome. However, their untranslated regions (UTRs) are predominantly divergent and might be associated with a distinct regulation of the expression of paralogous genes. Herein, we investigated the expression profiles of two RPs (S16 and L13a) encoded by duplicated genes in Leishmania major. The genes encoding for the S16 protein possess identical coding sequences (CDSs) and divergent UTRs, whereas the CDSs of L13a diverge by two amino acids and by their UTRs. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, we generated knockout (Δ) and endogenously tagged transfectants for each paralog of L13a and S16 genes. Combining tagged and Δ cell lines we found evidence of differential expression of both RPS16 and RPL13a isoforms throughout parasite development, with one isoform consistently more abundant than its respective copy. In addition, compensatory expression was observed for each paralog upon deletion of the corresponding isoform, suggesting functional conservation between these proteins. This differential expression pattern relates to post-translational processes, given compensation occurs at the level of the protein, with no alterations detected at transcript level. Ribosomal profiles for RPL13a indicate a standard behavior for these paralogues suggestive of interaction with heavy RNA-protein complexes, as already reported for other RPs in trypanosomatids. We identified paralog-specific bound to their 3’UTRs which may be influential in regulating paralog expression. In support, we identified conserved cis-elements within the 3’UTRs of RPS16 and RPL13a; cis-elements exclusive to the UTR of the more abundant paralog or to the less abundant ones were identified.
Exploring consumer preferences for cannabis edible products to support public health policy: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: Donnan Jennifer , Johnston Karissa , Coombs Michael , Najafizada Maisam , Bishop Lisa
Published: May 2024

Background

In October 2019, cannabis edibles were legalized for sale in Canada for non-medical use. This move was intended to improve public safety by regulating contents (including a maximum 10 mg tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) per package) and packaging to prevent accidental ingestion or over consumption. This study aimed to explore consumer preferences for cannabis edibles to inform cannabis policy.

Methods

We explored the relative importance and trade-offs consumers make for attributes of cannabis edibles using a discrete choice experiment. Attributes included type of edible, price, THC content, cannabis taste, package information, product consistency, product recommendations, and Health Canada regulation. Participants lived in Canada, were 19 years of age or older, and purchased a cannabis edible in the last 12 months. A multinomial logit (MNL) model was used for the base model, and latent class analysis to assess preference sub-groups. This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee.

Results

Among 684 participants, the MNL model showed that potency was the most relevant attribute, followed by edible type. A two-group latent class model revealed two very distinct preference patterns. Preferences for group 1 (~65% of sample) were driven primarily by edible type, while for group 2 (~35% of sample) were driven almost entirely by THC potency.

Conclusion

This study found that consumer preferences for ~65% of consumers of cannabis edibles are being met through regulated channels. The remaining ~35% are driven by THC potency at levels that are not currently available on the licensed market. Attracting this market segment will require reviewing the risks and benefits of restricting THC package content.
Mathematical modeling of heat transfer in tissues with skin tumor during thermotherapy
Authors: Sherief Hany H. , Zaky Mohamed F. , Abbas Mohamed F. , Mahrous Samar A.
Published: May 2024

The study of thermal therapy to tumors and the response of living cells to this therapy used to treat tumor is very important due to the complexity of heat transfer in biological tissues. In the past few years, there has been a growing interest among clinicians, mathematicians, and engineers regarding the use of computational and mathematical methods to simulate biological systems. Numerous medical proceedings also employ mathematical modeling and engineering techniques as a means to guarantee their safety and evaluate the associated risks effectively. This manuscript provides an analytical solution used for the first time to study the mechanism of biological thermal response during heat therapy on spheroidal skin tumor. The proposed method used a generalized thermoelasticity model with one relaxation time. The influence of relaxation times on the responses of diseased and healthy tissues is studied and interpreted graphically. Also, the impact of different laser irradiance on the thermal profile of the malignant tumor cells over a period of 2 minutes is interpreted graphically. To investigate the transfer of heat within biological tissues during the thermal therapy, the Laplace transform and inverse Laplace transform methods were applied. A comparison of the present generalized thermoelasticity model and different models based on Pennes bioheat transfer PBT shows that our proposed model yields more realistic and accurate predictions. The current model can be used to explain various therapeutic methods.
A predictor-informed multi-subject bayesian approach for dynamic functional connectivity
Authors: Lee Jaylen , Hussain Sana , Warnick Ryan , Vannucci Marina , Menchaca Isaac , Seitz Aaron R. , Hu Xiaoping , Peters Megan A. K. , Guindani Michele
Published: May 2024

Dynamic functional connectivity investigates how the interactions among brain regions vary over the course of an fMRI experiment. Such transitions between different individual connectivity states can be modulated by changes in underlying physiological mechanisms that drive functional network dynamics, e.g., changes in attention or cognitive effort. In this paper, we develop a multi-subject Bayesian framework where the estimation of dynamic functional networks is informed by time-varying exogenous physiological covariates that are simultaneously recorded in each subject during the fMRI experiment. More specifically, we consider a dynamic Gaussian graphical model approach where a non-homogeneous hidden Markov model is employed to classify the fMRI time series into latent neurological states. We assume the state-transition probabilities to vary over time and across subjects as a function of the underlying covariates, allowing for the estimation of recurrent connectivity patterns and the sharing of networks among the subjects. We further assume sparsity in the network structures via shrinkage priors, and achieve edge selection in the estimated graph structures by introducing a multi-comparison procedure for shrinkage-based inferences with Bayesian false discovery rate control. We evaluate the performances of our method vs alternative approaches on synthetic data. We apply our modeling framework on a resting-state experiment where fMRI data have been collected concurrently with pupillometry measurements, as a proxy of cognitive processing, and assess the heterogeneity of the effects of changes in pupil dilation on the subjects’ propensity to change connectivity states. The heterogeneity of state occupancy across subjects provides an understanding of the relationship between increased pupil dilation and transitions toward different cognitive states.