bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media: A Prospective Descriptive Study of the Microbiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns
Authors: Suttle Tessa K. , Els Timothy , Toman Julia , Curtis Danielle , McNab Rheese , Sizemore Anna , Van Cleve Margaret , Brombacher Richard A.
Published: March 2024

Objective

This study aims to identify dominant causative pathogens of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. The secondary objective is to assess the cholesteatoma concurrence among this population.

Study Design

A prospective descriptive study.

Setting

Port Elizabeth Provincial Hospital, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Methods

Aural swabs of purulent otorrhoea were collected from patients with CSOM attending the otorhinolaryngology outpatient department between April 2022 and June 2023. Samples were analyzed to determine the microbiological spectrum and evaluate antimicrobial sensitivities. Patient files were reviewed to identify cases with cholesteatoma. The study population size of 169 enabled representative results for a confidence interval of 90%.

Results

Patients were divided into 2 age categories: children (0‐12 years) and adults (>12 years). Adults represented the majority of cases (76.9%) and females (58.6%) were affected more than males. Fungal isolates, Candida species and Aspergillus species, were the most common (20.8%). This was followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.4%) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.8%). 3.6% of cases cultured Mycobacterial tuberculosis which was high compared to global estimates. Susceptibility patterns showed 94.3% sensitivity of fungal cultures to fluconazole. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 100% susceptible to piperacillin‐tazobactam and cefepime, but only 76.2% sensitive to ciprofloxacin. Cholesteatoma concurrence was identified in 17.8%.

Conclusion

CSOM remains a public health challenge. This study highlights the need to consider fungal etiology in instances where standard antibiotic treatments prove ineffective. Given the variety of cultured organisms and their susceptibility patterns, incorporating culture‐directed therapy should be considered standard practice for chronic otorrhoea patients.
Environmental vulnerability as a public priority: The view of local economic elites
Authors: Castillo Manlio F.
Published: March 2024

The study explains the factors leading local economic elites (LEEs) to consider vulnerability to natural hazards (VNH) a priority public problem. An Optimal Scaling Regression model was estimated based on information from 57 Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) cities. The estimation included variables related to risk exposure, social conditions, and disaster management instruments. The central factors that explain why LEEs consider VNH a priority problem are the level of real exposure to natural risks and a high proportion of the local population living in poverty. LEEs seem to assume that the social deprivations that accentuate environmental vulnerability should be treated independently of the problem of equity; LEEs seem to relativize the VNH problem as the size of the city increases by assuming that VNH does not affect the whole city; government instruments for the management of natural hazards do not exert any influence on the perception of LEEs on environmental vulnerability. The findings help us to understand the low collective effectiveness of emergency management instruments in the LAC region.
Identification of a new α‐glucosidase inhibitor: Alkyl ferulate ester derived from unripe fruits of Solanum torvum Swartz
Authors: Le Tho Huu , Nguyen Tien Hoang , Phan Vy Thuy Hoang , Nguyen Hai Xuan , Truong Thang Quoc , Nguyen Thy Anh , Van Do Truong Nhat , Nguyen Mai Thanh Thi
Published: March 2024

In this study, the phytochemical compositions and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity of the ethyl acetate extract derived from the unripe fruits of Solanum torvum Swartz have been investigated. The investigation led to the isolation of a new isoferulate fatty alkyl ester, solacanin B (1), in addition to eight known compounds, including lyciumol A (2), ethyl caffeate (3), caffeic acid (4), scopoletin (5), p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (6), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (7), vanillic acid (8) and 1‐O‐palmitoylglycerol (9). The structural elucidation of these compounds was achieved through extensive spectroscopic analyses and reference literature. Bioactivity assay of all compounds demonstrated that compounds 1–4, and 7 showed more potent α‐glucosidase inhibition activities, with IC50 values of 48.4, 29.3, 38.8, 95.0, and 186.6 µm, respectively, than that of positive control acarbose (IC50, 214.5 µm).
Merging two cultures: Deep and statistical learning
Authors: Bhadra Anindya , Datta Jyotishka , Polson Nicholas G. , Sokolov Vadim , Xu Jianeng
Published: March 2024

Our goal is to provide a review of deep learning methods which provide insight into structured high‐dimensional data. Merging the two cultures of algorithmic and statistical learning sheds light on model construction and improved prediction and inference, leveraging the duality and trade‐off between the two. Prediction, interpolation, and uncertainty quantification can be achieved using probabilistic methods at the output layer of the model. Rather than using shallow additive architectures common to most statistical models, deep learning uses layers of semi‐affine input transformations to provide a predictive rule. Applying these layers of transformations leads to a set of attributes (or, features) to which probabilistic statistical methods can be applied. Thus, the best of both worlds can be achieved: scalable prediction rules fortified with uncertainty quantification where sparse regularization finds the features. We review the duality between shallow and wide models such as principal components regression, and partial least squares and deep but skinny architectures such as autoencoders, multilayer perceptrons, convolutional neural net, and recurrent neural net. The connection with data transformations is of practical importance for finding good network architectures. By incorporating probabilistic components at the output level, the predictive uncertainty is allowed. We illustrate this idea by comparing plain Gaussian processes (GP) with partial least squares + Gaussian process (PLS + GP) and deep learning + Gaussian process (DL + GP).

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Deep Learning
Wodurch wird eine soziale Pluralität zu einer epistemischen Autorität?
Authors: Hauswald Rico
Published: March 2024

Intuitiv besteht der Unterschied zwischen einer gut funktionierenden wissenschaftlichen Gemeinschaft und einer pseudowissenschaftlichen Gemeinschaft darin, dass ein Konsens, eine Mehrheitsmeinung usw., der/die in der ersteren besteht, gute wahrheitsindikative Eigenschaften besitzt (d. h. man kann mit relativ hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit davon ausgehen, dass p der Fall ist, wenn es einen Konsens, eine Mehrheitsmeinung usw. in der Gemeinschaft gibt), wohingegen ein Konsens, eine Mehrheitsmeinung usw. in der letzteren weniger zuverlässig die Wahrheit anzeigt. Um diesen Unterschied begrifflich zu fassen, werde ich auch sagen, dass erstere einen „epistemischen Output“ hervorbringt, den man (z. B. als Laie) zur Wahrheitsfeststellung verwenden kann, letztere dagegen nicht, wobei „epistemischer Output“ eine auf alle Wahrheitsindikatoren anwendbare Sammelbezeichnung ist.
Plurale Verstehens-Autoritäten
Authors: Hauswald Rico
Published: March 2024

Ich hatte in Teil II argumentiert, dass individuelle epistemische Autoritäten einen Autoritätsstatus nicht nur im Hinblick auf die Kenntnis propositionaler Wahrheiten über eine thematische Domäne besitzen können, sondern auch im Hinblick auf das Verstehen einer Domäne. Für Subjekte, die die Domäne verstehen möchten, sind solche Verstehens-Autoritäten die richtigen Ansprechpartner. Können plurale epistemische Autoritäten in vergleichbarer Weise als Verstehens-Autoritäten in Erscheinung treten? Um diese Frage soll es in diesem Kapitel gehen. Ich werde zunächst im Allgemeinen verschiedene Hinsichten diskutieren, in denen epistemische Güter einen kollektiven Charakter haben können, und im Besonderen überlegen, inwiefern auch Verstehen einen derartigen kollektiven Status besitzen kann.
Ziele, Thesen und Aufbau der Untersuchung
Authors: Hauswald Rico
Published: March 2024

Die Hauptziele der Untersuchung bestehen darin, das Konzept einer pluralen epistemischen Autorität in die sozialepistemologische Debatte über epistemische Autorität einzuführen, die Relevanz pluraler Autoritäten für unsere epistemischen Praktiken deutlich zu machen und zu untersuchen, was genau es heißt, sich auf eine plurale Autorität epistemisch zu stützen. Die Grundidee besteht darin, plurale epistemische Autoritäten über den Begriff eines Wahrheitsindikators zu charakterisieren. Wenn man sich auf eine individuelle epistemische Autorität stützt, dann verwendet man typischerweise deren Überzeugungen als Indikatoren dafür, dass die Sachverhalte, auf die sich diese Überzeugungen beziehen, tatsächlich bestehen.
A ketone monoester drink reduces postprandial blood glucose concentrations in adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Monteyne Alistair J. , Falkenhain Kaja , Whelehan Gráinne , Neudorf Helena , Abdelrahman Doaa R. , Murton Andrew J. , Wall Benjamin T. , Stephens Francis B. , Little Jonathan P.
Published: March 2024

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of the present study was to conduct a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial to determine whether pre-meal ketone monoester ingestion reduces postprandial glucose concentrations in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design study, ten participants with type 2 diabetes (age 59±1.7 years, 50% female, BMI 32±1 kg/m2, HbA1c 54±2 mmol/mol [7.1±0.2%]) were randomised using computer-generated random numbers. The study took place at the Nutritional Physiology Research Unit, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. Using a dual-glucose tracer approach, we assessed glucose kinetics after the ingestion of a 0.5 g/kg body mass ketone monoester (KME) or a taste-matched non-caloric placebo before a mixed-meal tolerance test. The primary outcome measure was endogenous glucose production. Secondary outcome measures were total glucose appearance rate and exogenous glucose appearance rate, glucose disappearance rate, blood glucose, serum insulin, β-OHB and NEFA levels, and energy expenditure.

Results

Data for all ten participants were analysed. KME ingestion increased mean ± SEM plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate from 0.3±0.03 mmol/l to a peak of 4.3±1.2 mmol/l while reducing 2 h postprandial glucose concentrations by ~18% and 4 h postprandial glucose concentrations by ~12%, predominately as a result of a 28% decrease in the 2 h rate of glucose appearance following meal ingestion (all p<0.05). The reduction in blood glucose concentrations was associated with suppressed plasma NEFA concentrations after KME ingestion, with no difference in plasma insulin concentrations between the control and KME conditions. Postprandial endogenous glucose production was unaffected by KME ingestion (mean ± SEM 0.76±0.15 and 0.88±0.10 mg kg–1 min–1 for the control and KME, respectively). No adverse effects of KME ingestion were observed.

Conclusions/interpretation

KME ingestion appears to delay glucose absorption in adults with type 2 diabetes, thereby reducing postprandial glucose concentrations. Future work to explore the therapeutic potential of KME supplementation in type 2 diabetes is warranted.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05518448.

Funding

This project was supported by a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Project Grant (PJT-169116) and a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Discovery Grant (RGPIN-2019-05204) awarded to JPL and an Exeter–UBCO Sports Health Science Fund Project Grant awarded to FBS and JPL.

Graphical Abstract
Microbiomic Analysis of Bacteria Associated with Rock Tripe Lichens from Alpine Areas in Eastern Alps and Equatorial Africa
Authors: He Zichen , Naganuma Takeshi , Nakai Ryosuke , Uetake Jun , Hahn Martin W.
Published: March 2024

The diversity of bacteria associated with alpine lichens was profiled. Lichen samples belonging to the Umbilicariaceae family, commonly known as rock tripe lichens, were gathered from two distinct alpine fellfields: one situated on Mt. Brennkogel located in the Eastern European Alps (Austria), and the other on Mt. Stanley located in the Rwenzori mountains of equatorial Africa (Uganda). The primary aim of this research was to undertake a comparative investigation into the bacterial compositions, and diversities, identifying potential indicators and exploring their potential metabolisms, of these lichen samples. Bulk genomic DNA was extracted from the lichen samples, which was used to amplify the 18S rRNA gene by Sanger sequencing and the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene by Illumina Miseq sequencing. Examination of the fungal partner was carried out through the analysis of 18S rRNA gene sequences, belonging to the genus Umbilicaria (Ascomycota), and the algal partner affiliated with the lineage Trebouxia (Chlorophyta), constituted the symbiotic components. Analyzing the MiSeq datasets by using bioinformatics methods, operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were established based on a predetermined similarity threshold for the V3-V4 sequences, which were assigned to a total of 26 bacterial phyla that were found in both areas. Eight of the 26 phyla, i.e. Acidobacteriota, Actinomycota, Armatimonadota, Bacteroidota, Chloroflexota, Deinococcota, Planctomycetota, and Pseudomonadota, were consistently present in all samples, each accounting for more than 1% of the total read count. Distinct differences in bacterial composition emerged between lichen samples from Austria and Uganda, with the OTU frequency-based regional indicator phyla, Pseudomonadota and Armatimonadota, respectively. Despite the considerable geographic separation of approximately 5430 km between the two regions, the prediction of potential metabolic pathways based on OTU analysis revealed similar relative abundances. This similarity is possibly influenced by comparable alpine climatic conditions prevailing in both areas.
Associations of gender with sexual functioning, loneliness, depression, fatigue and physical function amongst patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis with a particular focus on methotrexate usage
Authors: Bay Laila T. , Nielsen Dorthe S. , Flurey Caroline , Giraldi Annamaria , Möller Sören , Graugaard Christian , Ellingsen Torkell
Published: March 2024

There is a lack of knowledge regarding methotrexate (MTX) usage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its possible links with gender, disease characterization and sexual functioning, loneliness, fatigue and depression. We, therefore, investigated the associations of gender with physical function, fatigue, depression, loneliness and sexual functioning with a particular focus on MTX usage. A cross-sectional study design was used. Inclusion criteria were RA diagnosis, age above 18 years and available data on MTX treatment 1 year after diagnosis. Data consisted of responses from validated questionnaires regarding physical function, fatigue, depression, loneliness and sexual functioning combined with evaluations from medical records. Data were analysed with linear regression models comparing numerical outcome measures between male and female patients and between MTX users and MTX non-users. Amongst 286 patients with RA (69 men and 217 women), 67.8% were MTX users 1 year after diagnosis. Comparing women and men, both overall and within subgroups of MTX usage, we found significantly more adverse outcomes for women than men in physical functioning at diagnosis and in sexual function, depression, fatigue and physical functioning at enrolment in the study. Gender differences were also present when comparing MTX users with MTX non-users divided by gender. There were only significant differences in the HAQ and loneliness scores when comparing MTX users with MTX non-users. Women with RA had more negative outcomes measured by the selected PROMs compared to men with RA, both overall and in subgroups of users and non-users of MTX. These findings call for sharpened attention to the importance of gender in the treatment and care of patients with RA, as well as in future clinical research.
Higher order phase-field modeling of brittle fracture via isogeometric analysis
Authors: Greco Luigi , Patton Alessia , Negri Matteo , Marengo Alessandro , Perego Umberto , Reali Alessandro
Published: March 2024

The evolution of brittle fracture in a material can be conveniently investigated by means of the phase-field technique introducing a smooth crack density functional. Following Borden et al. (2014), two distinct types of phase-field functional are considered: (i) a second-order model and (ii) a fourth-order one. The latter approach involves the bi-Laplacian of the phase field and therefore the resulting Galerkin form requires continuously differentiable basis functions: a condition we easily fulfill via Isogeometric Analysis. In this work, we provide an extensive comparison of the considered formulations performing several tests that progressively increase the complexity of the crack patterns. To measure the fracture length necessary in our accuracy evaluations, we propose an image-based algorithm that features an automatic skeletonization technique able to track complex fracture patterns. In all numerical results, damage irreversibility is handled in a straightforward and rigorous manner using the Projected Successive Over-Relaxation algorithm that is suitable to be adopted for both phase-field formulations since it can be used in combination with higher continuity isogeometric discretizations. Based on our results, the fourth-order approach provides higher rates of convergence and a greater accuracy. Moreover, we observe that fourth- and second-order models exhibit a comparable accuracy when the former methods employ a mesh-size approximately two times larger, entailing a substantial reduction of the computational effort.
Cracking the code: unveiling the nexus between atopic dermatitis and addictive behavior: a cross-sectional exploration of risk factors
Authors: Mick Antonia , Wecker Hannah , Ziehfreund Stefanie , Maul Julia-Tatjana , Biedermann Tilo , Zink Alexander
Published: March 2024

Atopic dermatitis (AD) stands as a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a global reach. Beyond its cutaneous manifestations, AD is accompanied by comorbidities and psychological issues, significantly compromising the overall quality of life for individuals who suffer from AD. Previous research has evidenced a heightened prevalence of addictive disorders among dermatological patients when compared to the general population. Considering these findings, this study endeavors to examine the prevalence of addictive disorders among AD patients and, furthermore, to discern potential risk factors associated with this comorbidity. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted involving patients with AD diagnosed by dermatologists within a large university hospital in Munich, South Germany, between January 2016 and December 2019. Patients received an anonymous paper-based questionnaire comprising standardized and reliable assessment tools concerning disease severity, quality of life, sexual dysfunction, well-being, and anxiety disorder as well as screening tools for various addictive disorders (compulsive internet use, drug abuse, pathological alcohol consumption, and smoking). Data were analyzed descriptively, and a multivariate logistic regression model was conducted. A total of 208 patients participated in the study, comprising 38% males and 62% females with a mean age of 44.8 ± standard deviation:17.9 years. Females showed a higher mean POEM (Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure) score compared to males (female 14.6 ± 7.8; male 12.5 ± 7.7), as well as a higher DLQI (Dermatology Life Quality Index) (female 8.5 ± 6; male 6.5 ± 6.5). Positive addictions were found in 14.9% for daily smoking, 15.4% for critical alcohol consumption, 16.8% for compulsive internet use, and 5.8% for drug abuse. Younger patients were more likely to be affected by one or multiple addictions than older patients. Patients with at least one addiction showed significantly impaired well-being and increased severe anxiety symptoms. Given the notable prevalence of addictive disorders among individuals with AD, it could be useful to implement systematic screening for such conditions as part of patient-centered care, especially focusing on young AD patients or those displaying concurrent indications of depression or anxiety.
Salvage endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a non-endemic area
Authors: Valentini Marco , Lambertoni Alessia , Sileo Giorgio , Arosio Alberto Daniele , Dalfino Gianluca , Pedretti Fabio , Karligkiotis Apostolos , Bignami Maurizio , Battaglia Paolo , Castelnuovo Paolo , Turri-Zanoni Mario
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To analyze oncological outcomes of endoscopic surgical treatment of locally recurrent EBV-related undifferentiated non-keratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (uNK-NPC) in a non-endemic area.

Methods

Retrospective review of patients affected by recurrent uNK-NPC treated with nasopharyngeal endoscopic resection (NER) in a tertiary-care referral center from 2003 to 2022, by evaluating survival rates, prognostic factors, and follow-up strategies.

Results

The oncological outcomes of 41 patients were analyzed, over a mean follow-up period of 57 months. The 5-year overall, disease-specific, and disease-free survival of the cohort were 60.7% ± 8.9%, 69% ± 9%, and 39.7% ± 9.2%, respectively. The local (rT) and regional (rN) extension of recurrent disease, stage of disease, and status of resection margins appeared to significantly influence survivals. After a mean follow-up period of 21 months, a further recurrence after NER was observed in 36.6% of cases. Skull base osteonecrosis induced by previous irradiation and post-surgical bone remodeling represent the major challenges for early detection of further local relapses during postoperative follow-up.

Conclusion

NER appeared as a safe and effective treatment for recurrent uNK-NPC. The adequate selection of patients eligible for NER is essential, to maximize the chances to cure and minimize the risk of local complications.
Efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab up to every 16 weeks in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 2-year results from the Japan subgroup of the phase III TENAYA trial
Authors: Koizumi Hideki , Gomi Fumi , Tsujikawa Akitaka , Honda Shigeru , Mori Ryusaburo , Ochi Haruka , Iwasaki Keisuke , Okada Annabelle Ayame ,   for the TENAYA and LUCERNE Investigators
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To evaluate 2-year efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab in the TENAYA Japan subgroup and pooled global TENAYA/LUCERNE cohort of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

Subgroup analysis of TENAYA/LUCERNE (NCT03823287/NCT03823300): phase III, multicentre, randomised, active comparator–controlled, double-masked, non-inferiority trials. Treatment-naïve patients aged ≥ 50 years with nAMD were randomised (1:1) to intravitreal faricimab (6.0 mg up to every 16 weeks [Q16W] after 4 initial Q4W doses) or aflibercept (2.0 mg Q8W after 3 initial Q4W doses). Outcomes were assessed through year 2 for the TENAYA Japan subgroup (N = 133) and global pooled TENAYA/LUCERNE cohort (N = 1329).

Results

Vision and anatomic improvements achieved with faricimab at year 1 were maintained over 2 years and were generally comparable between the TENAYA Japan subgroup and pooled TENAYA/LUCERNE cohort. Adjusted mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) change from baseline at year 2 for the TENAYA Japan subgroup and global pooled TENAYA/LUCERNE cohort was +7.1 (3.7–10.5) and +4.4 (3.2–5.5) letters in the faricimab arm, respectively, and +5.2 (1.9–8.6) and +4.3 (3.1–5.4) letters in the aflibercept arm, respectively. At week 112, the proportion of faricimab-treated patients on Q16W dosing was 61.0% and 63.1% in the TENAYA Japan subgroup and pooled TENAYA/LUCERNE cohort. Faricimab was well tolerated through year 2.

Conclusion

Year 2 TENAYA Japan subgroup findings for faricimab were generally consistent with the pooled global TENAYA/LUCERNE results in patients with nAMD. Vision and anatomical benefits with faricimab were similar to those with aflibercept but with fewer injections.
Comparing 2-dimensional macular pigment optical density with objective and subjective perimetry and visual acuity in age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Rai Bhim B. , Sabeti Faran , van Kleef Joshua P. , Carle Corinne F. , Rohan Emilie M. F. , Essex Rohan W. , Barry Richard C. , Maddess Ted
Published: March 2024

Purpose

To compare diagnostic power for different severities of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) of two-dimensional macular pigment optical densities (2D-MPOD) and spatially matched objective perimetry, with standard perimetry and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Methods

The ObjectiveField Analyser (OFA) provided objective perimetry, and a Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) measured 2D-MPOD in AMD patients, both completed twice over 0.99 ± 0.16 years. From each 2D-MPOD image, we extracted 20 regions/macula, matched to the 20 OFA stimuli/macula. For each region, we calculated 7 measures from the 2D-MPOD pixel values and correlated those with OFA sensitivities and delays. We quantified 2D-MPOD changes, the ability of 2D-MPOD and OFA to discriminate AMD stages, and the discriminatory power of Matrix perimetry and BCVA using percentage area under receiver operator characteristic plots (%AUROC).

Results

In 58 eyes of 29 subjects (71.6 ± 6.3 years, 22 females), we found significant correlations between 2D-MPOD and OFA sensitivities for Age-Related Eye Disease Studies (AREDS)-3 and AREDS-4 severities. Delays showed significant correlations with AREDS-2. For AREDS-4, correlations extended across all eccentricities. Regression associated with the Bland–Altman plots showed significant changes in 2D-MPOD over the study period, especially variability measures. MPOD per-region medians discriminated AREDS-1 from AREDS-3 eyes at a %AUROC of 80.0 ± 6.3%, outperforming OFA, Matrix perimetry, and BCVA.

Conclusions

MPOD changes correlated with central functional changes and significant correlations extended peripherally in later-stage AMD. Good diagnostic power for earlier-stage AMD and significant change over the study suggest that 2D-MPOD and OFA may provide effective biomarkers.
Prognostic significance of immunohistochemical classification utilizing biopsy specimens in patients with extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer treated with first-line chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Shijubou Naoki , Sumi Toshiyuki , Kubo Terufumi , Sasaki Kenta , Tsukahara Tomohide , Kanaseki Takayuki , Murata Kenji , Keira Yoshiko , Terai Kotomi , Ikeda Tatsuru , Yamada Yuichi , Chiba Hirofumi , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Torigoe Toshihiko
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), together with cytotoxic chemotherapy (chemoimmunotherapy), have been adapted for the initial treatment of extensive-disease small-cell lung cancer (ED-SCLC), they have achieved limited success. In ED-SCLC, a subtype of SCLC, the expression of immune-related molecules and clinical data are not well understood in relation to ICI treatment efficiency.

Methods

We examined lung biopsy specimens from patients diagnosed with ED-SCLC treated with chemoimmunotherapy or chemotherapy. SCLC subtype, expression of HLA class I, and infiltration of CD8-positive cells were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Subsequently, the association between clinical factors, IHC results, and progression-free survival or overall survival was assessed.

Results

Most of the cases showed the achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1) subtype. Among the 75 SCLC cases, 29 expressed high levels of HLA class I, while 46 showed low levels or a negative result; 33 patients were characterized as CD8-high, whereas 42 were CD8-low. In the chemoimmunotherapy cohort, multivariate analysis revealed a correlation between CD8-high and improved survival. Specifically, patients in the CD8-high group of the chemoimmunotherapy cohort experienced enhanced survival compared to those in the chemotherapy cohort, which was attributed to ICI addition. IHC subtype analysis demonstrated a survival advantage in the SCLC-I and SCLC-A groups when ICI was combined with chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the predictive value of IHC-classified subtypes and CD8-positive cell infiltration in estimating outcomes for patients with ED-SCLC treated with chemoimmunotherapy as a first-line therapy. These findings have practical implications for daily clinical assessments and treatment decisions.
Efficacy of an automatic electric toothbrush with nylon bristles in dental plaque removal: a cross-over randomized controlled trial
Authors: Statie Maria Denisa , Lomonaco Irene , Nieri Michele , Giuntini Veronica , Franceschi Debora , Franchi Lorenzo
Published: March 2024

Objectives

The objective of this single-use, five-treatment, five-period, cross-over randomized controlled trial (RCT) was to compare the efficacy in dental plaque removal of a new Y-shaped automatic electric toothbrush (Y-brush) compared to a U-shaped automatic electric toothbrush (U-brush), a manual toothbrushing procedure (for 45 and 120 s), and no brushing (negative control).

Materials and methods

Eligible participants were volunteer students randomized to the treatments in the five periods of the study. The primary outcome measure was the reduction in full-mouth plaque score (FMPS) after brushing while the secondary outcome variable was a visual analogic scale (VAS) on subjective clean mouth sensation. Mixed models were performed for difference in FMPS and VAS.

Results

After brushing procedures, manual toothbrushing (120 s) showed a statistically significant reduction in FMPS than Y-brush (difference 36.9; 95%CI 29.6 to 44.1, p < 0.0001), U-brush (difference 42.3; 95%CI 35.1 to 49.6, p < 0.0001), manual brushing (45 s) (difference 13.8; 95%CI 6.5 to 21.1, p < 0.0001), and No brushing (difference 46.6; 95%CI 39.3 to 53.9, p < 0.0001). Y-brush was significantly more effective than No brushing (difference 9.8; 95%CI 2.5 to 17.0, p = 0.0030), while there was no significant difference compared to U- brush. Similar results were obtained for the differences in the Clean Mouth VAS.

Conclusions

Y-brush was significantly more effective than no brushing (negative control) in removing dental plaque. When compared to manual toothbrushing for both 45 and 120 s, however, Y-brush was less effective in dental plaque removal.

Clinical relevance

Modified design of automatic toothbrushing devices could improve plaque reduction, especially in patients with intellectual disabilities or motor difficulties.
A review on visible-light eye-tracking methods based on a low-cost camera
Authors: Molina-Cantero Alberto J. , Lebrato-Vázquez Clara , Castro-García Juan A. , Merino-Monge Manuel , Biscarri-Triviño Félix , Escudero-Fombuena José I.
Published: March 2024

This paper is the first of a two-part study aiming at building a low-cost visible-light eye tracker (ET) for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The whole study comprises several phases: (1) analysis of the scientific literature, (2) selection of the studies that better fit the main goal, (3) building the ET, and (4) testing with final users. This document basically contains the two first phases, in which more than 500 studies, from different scientific databases (IEEE Xplore, Scopus, SpringerLink, etc.), fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and were analyzed following the guidelines of a scoping review. Two researchers screened the searching results and selected 44 studies (-value = 0.86, Kappa Statistic). Three main methods (appearance-, feature- or model- based) were identified for visible-light ETs, but none significantly outperformed the others according to the reported accuracy -p = 0.14, Kruskal–Wallis test (KW)-. The feature-based method is abundant in the literature, although the number of appearance-based studies is increasing due to the use of deep learning techniques. Head movements worsen the accuracy in ETs, and only a very few numbers of studies considered the use of algorithms to correct the head pose. Even though head movements seem not to be a big issue for people with ALS, some slight head movements might be enough to worsen the ET accuracy. For this reason, only studies that did not constrain the head movements with a chinrest were considered. Five studies fulfilled the selection criteria with accuracies less than $$2^{\circ }$$

2
∘

, and one of them is illuminance invariant.
Interfacial carbon tailoring of porous SiOx/carbon nanotube hybrids towards high-rate lithium storage
Authors: Fan Yingwei , Chen Bo , Guo Xiaohui
Published: March 2024

Fast charging Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is highly required with the massive development of the electric vehicle market. Integrating silicon with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has shown great promise for constructing high-rate anodes of LIBs. However, current reported silicon axially coated CNTs electrodes fail to provide a robust conductive connection within the interfacial layer, causing unsatisfactory rate performance. In this paper, a series of novel coaxial hollow nanocables of SiOx/C coated CNTs composite were presented based on a simple sol–gel method and subsequent calcination. Due to the uniform composition of carbon and SiOx at sub-nanometer scale in the coating layer, a strong 3D conductive network is formed between the internal carbon nanotubes and the neighboring electrode particles. When utilized as LIBs anodes, such novel hybrids manifest high reversible capacity (511 mA h g−1 remained after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g−1), high-rate capability (232 mA h g−1 at 5 A g−1) and ultra-long high-current cycling stability (396 mA h g−1 remained after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). The structural characterization and electrochemical dynamics analysis show that the synergistic effect of abundant mesoporous channels in the coating layer and strong carbon 3D conductive network makes this unique composite structure exhibit excellent electrochemical performance. This work sheds novel light on the wisely design of advanced Si-based anodes with enhanced fast charging performance.
Before the Word Was Queer
Authors: Turton Stephen
Published: March 2024

Bringing together research from queer linguistics and lexicography, this book uncovers how same-sex acts, desires, and identities have been represented in English dictionaries published in Britain from the early modern to the inter-war period. Moving across time – from the appearance of the ﬁrst standalone English dictionary to the completion of the ﬁrst edition of the Oxford English Dictionary – and shuttling across genres – from general usage, hard words, thieves' cant, and slang to law, medicine, classical myth, women's biography, and etymology – it asks how dictionary-writers made sense of same-sex intimacy, and how they failed or refused to make sense of it. It also queries how readers interacted with dictionaries' constructions of sexual morality, against the broader backdrop of changing legal, religious, and scientiﬁc institutions. In answering these questions, the book responds and contributes to established traditions and new trends in linguistics, queer theory, literary criticism, and the history of sexuality.
Early Modern Print Media and the Art of Observation
Authors: Leitch Stephanie A.
Published: March 2024

Early modern printmakers trained observers to scan the heavens above as well as faces in their midst. Peter Apian printed the Cosmographicus Liber (1524) to teach lay astronomers their place in the cosmos, while also printing practical manuals that translated principles of spherical astronomy into useful data for weather watchers, farmers, and astrologers. Physiognomy, a genre related to cosmography, taught observers how to scrutinize profiles in order to sum up peoples' characters. Neither Albrecht Dürer nor Leonardo escaped the tenacious grasp of such widely circulating manuals called practica. Few have heard of these genres today, but the kinship of their pictorial programs suggests that printers shaped these texts for readers who privileged knowledge retrieval. Cultivated by images to become visual learners, these readers were then taught to hone their skills as observers. This book unpacks these and other visual strategies that aimed to develop both the literate eye of the reader and the sovereignty of images in the early modern world.
High-repetition-rate source of nanosecond duration kA-current pulses driven by relativistic laser pulses
Authors: Ehret Michael , Cikhardt Jakub , Bradford Philip Wykeham , Vladisavlevici Iuliana-Mariana , Burian Tomas , de Luis Diego , Henares Jose Luis , Martín Rubén Hernández , Apiñaniz Jon Imanol , Lera Roberto , Pérez-Hernández José Antonio , Santos João Jorge , Gatti Giancarlo
Published: March 2024

We report the first high-repetition-rate generation and simultaneous characterization of nanosecond-scale return currents of kA-magnitude issued by the polarization of a target irradiated with a PW-class high-repetition-rate titanium:sapphire laser system at relativistic intensities. We present experimental results obtained with the VEGA-3 laser at intensities from

$5\times {10}^{18}$

to

$1.3\times {10}^{20}$

W cm

${}^{-2}$

. A non-invasive inductive return-current monitor is adopted to measure the derivative of return currents of the order of kA ns

${}^{-1}$

and analysis methodology is developed to derive return currents. We compare the current for copper, aluminium and Kapton targets at different laser energies. The data show the stable production of current peaks and clear prospects for the tailoring of the pulse shape, which is promising for future applications in high-energy-density science, for example, electromagnetic interference stress tests, high-voltage pulse response measurements and charged particle beam lensing. We compare the target discharge of the order of hundreds of nC with theoretical predictions and a good agreement is found.
A defence of merit transfer: Aquinas's interpretation and desert theory
Authors: Yee Ethan Leong
Published: March 2024

According to Joel Feinberg and most modern scholars of desert, the basis of desert must be a fact about the deserving person, and not about someone else. This widely accepted notion seems self-evident. However according to some religious traditions, such as Buddhism and Roman Catholicism, merit can be transferred from one person to another. That is, someone can deserve something based on some fact about someone else, such as the fact that someone else has carried out an action. This article examines the Catholic concept of merit transfer, first distinguishing it from other contemporary qualifications to the claim that a desert basis must be something about the deserving person. Then the article draws on Thomas Aquinas's explanation of the central role of relationship and love in merit and how it justifies merit transfer to address several objections made by modern scholars to such transfers. After addressing these objections, the article argues that literal understandings of merit transfer are preferable to metaphorical ones, and lastly some implications of merit transfer for Christian theology and the theory of desert more broadly are briefly discussed.
Consumption of Psychological Horror is Associated With Reduced	Stigmatization of Mental Illness
Authors: Sacco Donald F. , Walters Megan , Brown Mitch
Published: March 2024

Abstract: Pervasive reactions toward mental illness include dehumanization and stigma. Given the portrayal of such disorders as threatening in psychological horror films, consumption of this subgenre of horror could be associated with pronounced stigmatization of mental illness through dehumanization. We report results of an online survey of U.S. undergraduates ( N = 202) who indicated how frequently they consumed various subgenres of horror films, in addition to their tendencies to dehumanize and stigmatize those experiencing mental illnesses. Only psychological horror consumption was associated with these ascriptions. However, and contrary to predictions, greater psychological horror consumption was associated with less stigmatization and dehumanization of mental illness. We provided updated empirical findings and theoretical conceptualizations to provide context for these unexpected findings and discuss the broader potential benefits of the horror genre in reducing stigmatization.
The Effects of Social Distance and Gender on Moral Decisions and Judgments
Authors: Szczepaniak Zoé , Gaboriaud Aurore , Quinton Jean-Charles , Smeding Annique
Published: March 2024

Abstract: In morality, social distance should influence judgments and decisions. Singer et al.’s (2019) Everyday Moral Conflict Situations scale was created to assess altruistic versus egoistic choices in everyday moral contexts depending on social distance manipulated at the item level. Via a reanalysis of their data, we found an unreported interaction effect between social distance and gender on behavioral choices. We conducted a conceptual replication (Part 1) and extended previous research by empirically assessing the link between altruism and morality (Part 2). This pre-registered study ( N = 299) confirmed the gender-by-social distance interaction, with a stronger social distance effect for males and for egoistic behaviors. Furthermore, behavioral choices were linked to moral judgments of wrongness. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Projecting Flood Risk Dynamics for Effective Long‐Term Adaptation
Authors: Schoppa Lukas , Barendrecht Marlies H. , Paprotny Dominik , Sairam Nivedita , Sieg Tobias , Kreibich Heidi
Published: March 2024

Flood losses have steadily increased in the past and are expected to grow even further owing to climate and socioeconomic change. The reduction of flood vulnerability, for example, through adaptation, plays a key role in the mitigation of future flood risk. However, lacking knowledge about vulnerability dynamics, which arise from the interaction between floods and the ensuing response by society, limits the scope of current risk projections. We present a socio‐hydrological method for flood risk assessment that simulates the interaction between society and flooding continuously, including changes in vulnerability through collective (structural) and private (non structural) measures. Our probabilistic approach quantifies uncertainties and exploits empirical data to chart risk dynamics including how society copes with flooding. In a case study for the commercial sector in Dresden, Germany, we show that increased adaptation is necessary to counteract the expected four‐fold growth in flood risk due to transient hydroclimatic and socioeconomic boundary conditions. We further use our holistic approach to identify solutions for effective long‐term adaptation, demonstrating that integrated adaptation strategies (i.e., combined structural and non structural measures) can reduce the average risk by up to 60% at the study site. Ultimately, our case study highlights the benefit of the model for robust flood risk assessment as it can capture unintended, adverse feedbacks of adaptation measures such as the levee effect. Consequently, our socio‐hydrological method contributes to a more systemic and reliable flood risk assessment that can inform adaptation planning by exploring the possible system evolutions comprehensively including unlikely futures.
Leveraging Spatial Metadata in Machine Learning for Improved Objective Quantification of Geological Drill Core
Authors: Grant Lewis J. C. , Massot‐Campos Miquel , Coggon Rosalind M. , Thornton Blair , Rotondo Francesca C. , Harris Michelle , Evans Aled D. , Teagle Damon A. H.
Published: March 2024

Here we present a method for using the spatial x–y coordinate of an image cropped from the cylindrical surface of digital 3D drill core images and demonstrate how this spatial metadata can be used to improve unsupervised machine learning performance. This approach is applicable to any data set with known spatial context, however, here it is used to classify 400 m of drillcore imagery into 12 distinct classes reflecting the dominant rock types and alteration features in the core. We modified two unsupervised learning models to incorporate spatial metadata and an average improvement of 25% was achieved over equivalent models that did not utilize metadata. Our semi‐supervised workflow involves unsupervised network training followed by semi‐supervised clustering where a support vector machine uses a subset of M expert labeled images to assign a pseudolabel to the entire data set. Fine‐tuning of the best performing model showed an f1 (macro average) of 90%, and its classifications were used to estimate bulk fresh and altered rock abundance downhole. Validation against the same information gathered manually by experts when the core was recovered during the Oman Drilling Project revealed that our automatically generated data sets have a significant positive correlation (Pearson's r of 0.65–0.72) to the expert generated equivalent, demonstrating that valuable geological information can be generated automatically for 400 m of core with only ∼24 hr of domain expert effort.
Capillary‐Driven Backflow During Salt Precipitation in a Rough Fracture
Authors: Chen Xu‐Sheng , Hu Ran , Zhou Chen‐Xing , Xiao Yang , Yang Zhibing , Chen Yi‐Feng
Published: March 2024

Salt precipitation is a crucial process occurring during CO2 injection into saline aquifers. It significantly alters the porous space, leading to reduced permeability and impaired injectivity. While the dynamics of precipitation have been studied within porous media, our understanding of precipitation patterns and permeability evolution within rough fractures remains inadequate. Here, we conduct flow‐visualization experiments on salt precipitation, wherein dry air invades brine‐filled rough fractures under various flow rate conditions. Our observations reveal that the precipitation pattern shifts from ex situ precipitation to homogeneous form as the flow rate (capillary number Ca) increases. Through real‐time imaging of the salt precipitation process, we determine that ex situ precipitation is due to capillary‐driven backflow. This backflow phenomenon occurs when previously precipitated salt, acting as a hydrophilic porous medium, attracts the brine flow backward. As a result, precipitation occurs at a location different from the original site. We further show that the impact of capillary‐driven backflow is significant at low flow rates and is gradually suppressed as the flow rate increases. We provide a theoretical estimation for the critical Ca for the occurrence of capillary‐driven backflow. As Ca is smaller than this critical value, backflow‐precipitation positive feedback causes fracture voids to become completely clogged, thereby leading to a more substantial permeability reduction. In contrast, a homogeneous precipitation pattern tends to only partially clog the fracture voids, causing a relatively smaller permeability reduction. This study enhances our understanding of the role of capillary‐driven backflow in controlling salt precipitation and permeability reduction in fractures.