bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Muslim nurse’s spiritual sensitivity as a higher perception and reflection toward spiritual care: a qualitative study in southeast Iran
Authors: Akbari Omolbanin , Dehghan Mahlagha , Tirgari Batool
Published: October 2022

Background

Spiritually sensitive nurses perceive the spiritual attitudes and feelings of others. They play a positive role in providing spiritual care to patients. Spiritually sensitive nurses deal appropriately with suffering, frustration, and spiritual dysfunction. Therefore, the present study aimed to explain Iranian nurses’ experiences of spiritual sensitivity.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive explorative study used conventional content analysis and purposeful sampling to explain the experiences of Iranian nurses (n = 19). This study used in-depth semi-structured interviews with 19 nurses, as well as maximum variation sampling to gather rich information (age, sex, religion, work experience, level of education, marital status, type of hospital and ward) from March 2021 to January 2022. The current study also employed Guba & Lincoln criteria to increase data trustworthiness and Graneheim and Lundman approach to analyze the content.

Results

The research data showed 497 codes, 1 theme, 3 categories, and 6 subcategories. The theme of “Nurse’s spiritual sensitivity as a higher perception and reflection toward spiritual care” included three categories of the spiritual and professional character of the nurse, perception of the spiritual needs of patients and their families, and the nurse’s reflection on the religious beliefs of patients and their families.

Conclusion

Spiritual sensitivity helps a nurse to provide holistic care for patients and their families. Therefore, managers and policymakers should create guidelines to help nurses become more spiritually sensitive as well as to meet spiritual needs of patients. Further quantitative and qualitative research should confirm these results in other social and cultural contexts.
Necrotizing hepatitis caused by Clostridium novyi type B in a dog with no predisposing liver lesions: a case report
Authors: Trusiano Brie , Todd S. Michelle , Barrett Sarah , Ciepluch Michael , Fox Alexandra , McClendon Diamond , Lahmers Kevin K. , Oakes Vanessa J. , Carvallo Francisco , Corrigan Virginia , LeCuyer Tessa E.
Published: October 2022

Background

Infectious necrotic hepatitis (INH) is typically a disease of ruminants caused byClostridium novyitype B. Growth of the causative agent is supported by development of an anaerobic environment within the liver. In dogs,C. novyiis rare and has only been previously reported as a post-mortem diagnosis. In one case, infection was secondary to metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma and the other was presumptively diagnosed on histopathology of a hepatic lesion in a dog initially presented for acute collapse.

Case presentation

An 8-year-old spayed, female mixed breed dog was presented for acute onset of hyporexia and vomiting. Serum biochemistry revealed elevated hepatocellular injury and cholestatic liver enzymes. Ultrasound revealed peritoneal fluid accumulation and multiple hepatic masses. Cytologic examination of liver aspirates and peritoneal fluid revealed frequent 4 × 1 μm bacilli with a terminal endospore. Anaerobic bacterial growth isolated from the fluid sample could not be identified using typical laboratory identification techniques. Long-read, whole genome sequencing was performed, and the organism was identified asClostridium novyitype B. Antimicrobial and hepatic support treatment were initiated. The patient re-presented 27 days later, and the follow up liver aspirate with cytology revealed no appreciable bacteria and anaerobic culture was negative. The patient was presented four months later and a large hepatic mass and peritoneal fluid were again identified on abdominal ultrasound. Cytologic examination of the peritoneal fluid revealed bacilli similar to those identified on initial presentation. The patient was euthanized. The most significant finding on necropsy was necrotizing hepatitis with intralesional endospore-forming bacilli compatible with recurrence ofClostridium novyitype B. There was no identifiable cause of an anaerobic insult to the liver.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates the diagnostic utility of using cytology as part of the initial diagnostic work up for infectious hepatitis. The cytologic findings coupled with whole genome sequencing and anaerobic culture were crucial for the identification and classification of the organism identified on fine needle aspirate.Clostridium novyitype B should be considered when bacilli organisms containing a terminal endospore are identified on liver aspirates collected from canine patients.
Stem cell secretome as a mechanism for restoring hair loss due to stress, particularly alopecia areata: narrative review
Authors: Salhab Ola , Khayat Luna , Alaaeddine Nada
Published: October 2022

Background

Living organisms are continuously exposed to multiple internal and external stimuli which may influence their emotional, psychological, and physical behaviors. Stress can modify brain structures, reduces functional memory and results in many diseases such as skin disorders like acne, psoriasis, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata. In this review, we aim to discuss the effect of secretome on treating alopecia, especially alopecia areata. We will shed the light on the mechanism of action of the secretome in the recovery of hair loss and this by reviewing all reported in vitro and in vivo literature.

Main body

Hair loss has been widely known to be enhanced by stressful events. Alopecia areata is one of the skin disorders which can be highly induced by neurogenic stress especially if the patient has a predisposed genetic background. This condition is an autoimmune disease where stress in this case activates the immune response to attack the body itself leading to hair cycle destruction. The currently available treatments include medicines, laser therapy, phototherapy, and alternative medicine therapies with little or no satisfactory results. Regenerative medicine is a new era in medicine showing promising results in treating many medical conditions including Alopecia. The therapeutic effects of stem cells are due to their paracrine and trophic effects which are due to their secretions (secretome).

Conclusion

Stem cells should be more used as an alternative to conventional  therapies due to their positive outcomes. More clinical trials on humans should be done to maximize the dose needed and type of stem cells that must be used to treat alopecia areata.
The economic burden of malaria: a systematic review
Authors: Andrade Mônica V. , Noronha Kenya , Diniz Bernardo P. C. , Guedes Gilvan , Carvalho Lucas R. , Silva Valéria A. , Calazans Júlia A. , Santos André S. , Silva Daniel N. , Castro Marcia C.
Published: October 2022

Background

Quantifying disease costs is critical for policymakers to set priorities, allocate resources, select control and prevention strategies, and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions. Although malaria carries a very large disease burden, the availability of comprehensive and comparable estimates of malaria costs across endemic countries is scarce.

Methods

A literature review to summarize methodologies utilized to estimate malaria treatment costs was conducted to identify gaps in knowledge.

Results

Only 45 publications met the inclusion criteria. They utilize different methods, include distinct cost components, have varied geographical coverage (a country vs a city), include different periods in the analysis, and focus on specific parasite types or population groups (e.g., pregnant women).

Conclusions

Cost estimates currently available are not comparable, hindering broad statements on the costs of malaria, and constraining advocacy efforts towards investment in malaria control and elimination, particularly with the finance and development sectors of the government.
LPAR5 confers radioresistance to cancer cells associated with EMT activation via the ERK/Snail pathway
Authors: Sun Xiao-Ya , Li Hao-Zheng , Xie Da-Fei , Gao Shan-Shan , Huang Xin , Guan Hua , Bai Chen-Jun , Zhou Ping-Kun
Published: October 2022

Background

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical event contributing to more aggressive phenotypes in cancer cells. EMT is frequently activated in radiation-targeted cells during the course of radiotherapy, which often endows cancers with acquired radioresistance. However, the upstream molecules driving the signaling pathways of radiation-induced EMT have not been fully delineated.

Methods

In this study, RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis was performed to identify the early responsive genes of HeLa cells to γ-ray irradiation. EMT-associated genes were knocked down by siRNA technology or overexpressed in HeLa cells and A549 cells, and the resulting changes in phenotypes of EMT and radiosensitivity were assessed using qPCR and Western blotting analyses, migration assays, colony-forming ability and apoptosis of flow cytometer assays.

Results

Through RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis, we found that LPAR5 is downregulated in the early response of HeLa cells to γ-ray irradiation. Radiation-induced alterations in LPAR5 expression were further revealed to be a bidirectional dynamic process in HeLa and A549 cells, i.e., the early downregulating phase at 2 ~ 4 h and the late upregulating phase at 24 h post-irradiation. Overexpression of LPAR5 prompts EMT programing and migration of cancer cells. Moreover, increased expression of LPAR5 is significantly associated with IR-induced EMT and confers radioresistance to cancer cells. Knockdown of LPAR5 suppressed IR-induced EMT by attenuating the activation of ERK signaling and downstream Snail, MMP1, and MMP9 expression.

Conclusions

LPAR5 is an important upstream regulator of IR-induced EMT that modulates the ERK/Snail pathway. This study provides further insights into understanding the mechanism of radiation-induced EMT and identifies promising targets for improving the effectiveness of cancer radiation therapy.
Doppler study of portal vein and renal venous velocity predict the appropriate fluid response to diuretic in ICU: a prospective observational echocardiographic evaluation
Authors: Guinot Pierre-Grégoire , Bahr Pierre-Alain , Andrei Stefan , Popescu Bogdan A. , Caruso Vincenza , Mertes Paul-Michel , Berthoud Vivien , Nguyen Maxime , Bouhemad Belaid
Published: October 2022

Background

Fluid overload and venous congestion are associated with morbi-mortality in the ICU (intensive care unit). Administration of diuretics to correct the fluid balance is common, although there is no strong relationship between the consequent fluid loss and clinical improvement. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ability of the portal pulsatility index, the renal venous impedance index, and the VEXUS score (venous ultrasound congestion score) to predict appropriate diuretic-induced fluid depletion.

Methods

The study had a prospective, observational, single-center observational design and was conducted in a university-affiliated medico-surgical ICU. Adult patients for whom the clinician decided to introduce loop diuretic treatment were included. Hemodynamic and ultrasound measurements (including the portal pulsatility index, renal venous impedance index and VEXUS score) were performed at inclusion and 2 hours after the initiation of the diuretics. The patients’ characteristics were noted at inclusion, 24 h later, and at ICU discharge. The appropriate diuretic-induced fluid depletion was defined by a congestive score lower than 3 after diuretic fluid depletion. The congestive score included clinical and biological parameters of congestion.

Results

Eighty-one patients were included, and 43 (53%) patients presented with clinically significant congestion score at inclusion. Thirty-four patients (42%) had an appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion. None of the left- and right-sided echocardiographic parameters differed between the two groups. The baseline portal pulsatility index was the best predictor of appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion (AUC = 0.80, CI95%:0.70–0.92, p = 0.001), followed by the renal venous impedance index (AUC = 0.72, CI95% 0.61–0.84, p = 0.001). The baseline VEXUS score (AUC of 0.66 CI95% 0.53–0.79, p = 0.012) was poorly predictive of appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion.

Conclusion

The portal pulsatility index and the renal venous impedance index were predictive of the appropriate response to diuretic-induced fluid depletion in ICU patients. The portal pulsatility index should be evaluated in future randomized studies.
Associations of resting heart rate with incident dementia, cognition, and brain structure: a prospective cohort study of UK biobank
Authors: Deng Yue-Ting , Kuo Kevin , Wu Bang-Sheng , Ou Ya-Nan , Yang Liu , Zhang Ya-Ru , Huang Shu-Yi , Chen Shi-Dong , Guo Yu , Zhang Rui-Qi , Tan Lan , Dong Qiang , Feng Jian-Feng , Cheng Wei , Yu Jin-Tai
Published: October 2022

Background

Resting heart rate (RHR) has been linked with an increased risk of dementia. However, evidence characterizing the associations of RHR with different dementia subtypes and their underlying mechanisms remains scarce. This study aims to investigate the relationships of RHR with different dementia types, cognitive function, and brain structural abnormalities.

Methods

Three hundred thirty-nine thousand nine hundred one participants with no prior diagnosis of dementia from the UK biobank were analyzed. Cox regression and restricted cubic spline models examined the associations between RHR with all-cause dementia (ACD) and its major subtypes—Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). Logistic regression models assessed the associations of RHR with cognitive function, and linear regression models estimated the associations with hippocampal subfield volume and white matter tract integrity indexed by magnetic resonance imaging data.

Results

During an average of 3148 (± 941.08) days of follow-up, 4177 individuals were diagnosed with dementia, including 2354 AD and 989 VaD cases. RHR ≥ 80bpm was associated with ACD (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.08–1.28, P < 0.001) and VaD (HR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.08–1.54, P = 0.005) but not AD in multi-adjusted models. A 10-bpm increment of RHR demonstrated non-linear effects in VaD, consisting of J-shape relationships. Several heterogeneities were indicated in stratified analysis, in which RHR measures only showed associations with dementia incidents in relatively younger populations (age ≤ 65) and females. Apart from dementia analysis, elevated RHR was associated with worsening performance in fluid intelligence and reaction time of cognitive tasks, decreased hippocampal subfields volume, and poor white matter tract integrity.

Conclusions

RHR is associated with increased risks of ACD and VaD but also presented with few heterogeneities across different sex and age groups. Elevated RHR also appears to have deleterious effects on cognitive function and is distinctively associated with volume reduction in hippocampal subfields and impaired white matter tract integrity.
Microbiome-driven breeding strategy potentially improves beef fatty acid profile benefiting human health and reduces methane emissions
Authors: Martínez-Álvaro Marina , Mattock Jennifer , Auffret Marc , Weng Ziqing , Duthie Carol-Anne , Dewhurst Richard J. , Cleveland Matthew A. , Watson Mick , Roehe Rainer
Published: October 2022

Background

Healthier ruminant products can be achieved by adequate manipulation of the rumen microbiota to increase the flux of beneficial fatty acids reaching host tissues. Genomic selection to modify the microbiome function provides a permanent and accumulative solution, which may have also favourable consequences in other traits of interest (e.g. methane emissions). Possibly due to a lack of data, this strategy has never been explored.

Results

This study provides a comprehensive identification of ruminal microbial mechanisms under host genomic influence that directly or indirectly affect the content of unsaturated fatty acids in beef associated with human dietary health benefits C18:3n-3, C20:5n-3, C22:5n-3, C22:6n-3 orcis-9,trans-11C18:2 andtrans-11C18:1 in relation to hypercholesterolemic saturated fatty acids C12:0, C14:0 and C16:0, referred to as N3 and CLA indices. We first identified that ~27.6% (1002/3633) of the functional core additive log-ratio transformed microbial gene abundances (alr-MG) in the rumen were at least moderately host-genomically influenced (HGFC). Of these, 372alr-MG were host-genomically correlated with the N3 index (n=290), CLA index (n=66) or with both (n=16), indicating that the HGFC influence on beef fatty acid composition is much more complex than the direct regulation of microbial lipolysis and biohydrogenation of dietary lipids and that N3 index variation is more strongly subjected to variations in the HGFC than CLA. Of these 372alr-MG, 110 were correlated with the N3 and/or CLA index in the same direction, suggesting the opportunity for enhancement of both indices simultaneously through a microbiome-driven breeding strategy. These microbial genes were involved in microbial protein synthesis (aroFandserA), carbohydrate metabolism and transport (galT,msmX), lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis (kdsA,lpxD,lpxB), or flagellar synthesis (flgB,fliN) in certain genera within the Proteobacteria phyla (e.g.Serratia,Aeromonas). A microbiome-driven breeding strategy based on these microbial mechanisms as sole information criteria resulted in a positive selection response for both indices (1.36±0.24 and 0.79±0.21 sd of N3 and CLA indices, at 2.06 selection intensity). When evaluating the impact of our microbiome-driven breeding strategy to increase N3 and CLA indices on the environmental trait methane emissions (g/kg of dry matter intake), we obtained a correlated mitigation response of −0.41±0.12 sd.

Conclusion

This research provides insight on the possibility of using the ruminal functional microbiome as information for host genomic selection, which could simultaneously improve several microbiome-driven traits of interest, in this study exemplified with meat quality traits and methane emissions.
Farm management practices, biosecurity and influenza a virus detection in swine farms: a comprehensive study in Colombia
Authors: Ciuoderis-Aponte Karl , Diaz Andres , Muskus Carlos , Peña Mario , Hernández-Ortiz Juan , Osorio Jorge
Published: October 2022

Biosecurity protocols (BP) and good management practices are key to reduce the risk of introduction and transmission of infectious diseases into the pig farms. In this observational cross-sectional study, survey data were collected from 176 pig farms with inventories over 100 sows in Colombia. We analyzed a complex survey dataset to explore the structure and identify clustering patterns using Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) of swine farms in Colombia, and estimated its association with Influenza A virus detection. Two principal dimensions contributed to 27.6% of the dataset variation. Farms with highest contribution to dimension 1 were larger farrow-to-finish farms, using self-replacement of gilts and implementing most of the measures evaluated. In contrast, farms with highest contribution to dimension 2 were medium to large farrow-to-finish farms, but implemented biosecurity in a lower degree. Additionally, two farm clusters were identified by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), and the odds of influenza A virus detection was statistically different between clusters (OR 7.29, CI: 1.7,66, p = < 0.01). Moreover, after logistic regression analysis, three important variables were associated with higher odds of influenza detection: (1) “location in an area with a high density of pigs”, (2) “farm size”, and (3) “after cleaning and disinfecting, the facilities are allowed to dry before use”. Our results revealed two clustering patterns of swine farms. This systematic analysis of complex survey data identified relationships between biosecurity, husbandry practices and influenza status. This approach helped to identify gaps on biosecurity and key elements for designing successful strategies to prevent and control swine respiratory diseases in the swine industry.
Film-trigger applicator (FTA) for improved skin penetration of microneedle using punching force of carboxymethyl cellulose film acting as a microneedle applicator
Authors: Kim Youseong , Min Hye Su , Shin Jiwoo , Nam Jeehye , Kang Geonwoo , Sim Jeeho , Yang Huisuk , Jung Hyungil
Published: October 2022

Background

Dissolving microneedle (DMN) is a transdermal drug delivery system that creates pore in the skin and directly deliver drug through the pore channel. DMN is considered as one of the promising system alternatives to injection because it is minimally invasive and free from needle-related issues. However, traditional DMN patch system has limitations of incomplete insertion and need of complex external devices. Here, we designed film-trigger applicator (FTA) system that successfully delivered DMN inside the skin layers using fracture energy of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) film via micropillars. We highlighted advantages of FTA system in DMN delivery compared with DMN patch, including that the film itself can act as DMN applicator.

Methods

FTA system consists of DMNs fabricated on the CMC film, DMN array holder having holes aligned to DMN array, and micropillars prepared using general purpose polystyrene. We analyzed punching force on the film by micropillars until the film puncture point at different CMC film concentrations and micropillar diameters. We also compared drug delivery efficiency using rhodamine B fluorescence diffusion and skin penetration using optical coherence tomography (OCT) of FTA with those of conventional DMN patch.
In vivo
experiments were conducted to evaluate DMN delivery efficiency using C57BL/6 mice and insulin as a model drug.

Results

FTA system showed enhanced delivery efficiency compared with that of the existing DMN patch system. We concluded CMC film as a successful DMN applicator as it showed enhanced DMN penetration in OCT and rhodamine B diffusion studies. Further, we applied FTA on shaved mouse dorsal skin and observed successful skin penetration. The FTA group showed higher level of plasma insulin
in vivo
than that of the DMN patch group.

Conclusions

FTA system consisting of simple polymer film and micropillars showed enhanced DMN delivery than that of the existing DMN patch system. Because FTA works with simple finger force without sticky patch and external devices, FTA is a novel and promising platform to overcome the limitations of conventional microneedle patch delivery system; we suggest FTA as a next generation applicator for microneedle application in the future.
Analysis of the viscoelasticity in coal based on the fractal theory
Authors: Zhao TaiLang , Zou GuanGui , Peng SuPing , Zeng Hu , Gong Fei , Yin YaJun
Published: October 2022

Coal is a complex viscoelastic porous medium with fractal characteristics at different scales. To model the macroscale structure of coal, a fractal viscoelastic model is established, and the P-wave velocity dispersion and attenuation characteristics are discussed based on the complex modulus derived from this model. The numerical simulation results indicate that the fractional order [Formula: see text] and relaxation time [Formula: see text] greatly affect the P-wave velocity dispersion and attenuation. The fractal viscoelastic model indicates a full-band velocity dispersion between 1 Hz and 104 Hz. Meanwhile, the P-wave velocity has a weaker dispersion with the fractal viscoelastic model than with the Kelvin-Voigt model and Zener model between 1 Hz and 104 Hz for the same relaxation time and elastic modulus, but the velocity at 1 Hz based on the fractal viscoelastic model is higher with the Kelvin-Voigt model and Zener model. Simultaneously, the velocities of five coal samples are tested, and the attenuation factor is calculated using a low-frequency system. The experimental results indicate a strong dispersion in coal in the range of 10–250 Hz. The classic Kelvin-Voigt model and Zener model cannot describe the dispersion characteristics of coal, but the fractal viscoelastic model can describe them well by using the appropriate fractional order and relaxation time.
Joint physics-based and data-driven time-lapse seismic inversion: Mitigating data scarcity
Authors: Liu Yanhua , Feng Shihang , Tsvankin Ilya , Alumbaugh David , Lin Youzuo
Published: October 2022

In carbon capture and sequestration, developing rapid and effective imaging techniques is crucial for real-time monitoring of the spatial and temporal dynamics of [Formula: see text] propagation during and after injection. With continuing improvements in computational power and data storage, data-driven techniques based on machine learning (ML) have been effectively applied to seismic inverse problems. In particular, ML helps alleviate the ill-posedness and high computational cost of full-waveform inversion (FWI). However, such data-driven inversion techniques require massive high-quality training data sets to ensure prediction accuracy, which hinders their application to time-lapse monitoring of [Formula: see text] sequestration. We develop an efficient “hybrid” time-lapse workflow that combines physics-based FWI and data-driven ML inversion. The scarcity of the available training data is addressed by developing a new data-generation technique with physics constraints. The method is validated using a synthetic [Formula: see text]-sequestration model based on the Kimberlina storage reservoir in California. Our approach is shown to synthesize a large volume of high-quality, physically realistic training data, which is critically important in accurately characterizing the [Formula: see text] movement in the reservoir. The developed hybrid methodology can also simultaneously predict the variations in velocity and saturation and achieve high spatial resolution in the presence of realistic noise in the data.
Two-stage broad learning inversion framework for shear-wave velocity estimation
Authors: Yang Xiao-Hui , Han Peng , Yang Zhentao , Chen Xiaofei
Published: October 2022

Shear-wave (S-wave) velocity is considered an essential parameter for the study of the earth, and Rayleigh wave inversion has been widely accepted and used to determine it. Given high-quality measured dispersion curves, the inversion performance depends on the applied optimization algorithm inside the inversion process. We propose a novel inversion framework to promote efficient and accurate inversion, i.e., a two-stage broad learning inversion framework (TS-BL). The proposed TS-BL not only inherits the powerful mapping capability and simple configured structure of broad learning (BL) network but also makes two significant improvements to better acclimatize itself to Rayleigh wave inversion. First, TS-BL adopts a two-stage inversion strategy to perform optimizing two times. It does not yield the same search space in the two inversion stages. In the first stage, because the inversion aims to find an approximation rather than the accurate value of model parameters, the difficulty in constructing the mapping model is reduced by sacrificing accuracy. Then, an effective BL network can be established using smaller sample sizes. In the second stage, the search space becomes much narrower, commencing with the approximation results obtained in the prior stage. This helps the final BL network to easily and quickly model the actual relationship between measured dispersion curves and unknown model parameters. After that, the forward modeling of measurements rather than the validation data set is exploited for tuning the network’s hyperparameters. The physical model is superior to the validation data set for selecting a suitable network complexity to adapt to the measured dispersion curves because the latter only describes an overall relationship. As a result, accurate S-wave velocities can be efficiently acquired by using the proposed TS-BL with a low cost of training samples. The efficiency and reliability of TS-BL have been demonstrated in numerical and field data examples.
3D generalized spherical multifocusing seismic imaging
Authors: Jodeiri Akbari Fam Hossein , Naghizadeh Mostafa , Yilmaz Oz , Smith Richard
Published: October 2022

We introduce a 3D generalized spherical multifocusing (GSMF) algorithm to generate a high-resolution 3D stacked volume that is equivalent to a synthesized 3D zero-offset wavefield for crooked-line/3D seismic data. The proposed algorithm can be applied to arbitrary recording geometry from areas with irregular topography, a complex near the surface, and complex subsurface. The 3D GSMF method simultaneously corrects for elevation statics, nonhyperbolic moveout associated with reflections beneath complex overburden structures, and azimuth-dependent dip-moveout effects. In addition, the formulation is dually generalized for the optical domain and the effective medium. The optical domain and effective medium parameterizations account for heterogeneity either by shifting the reference time to project the problem into the optical image space or by adjusting the velocity of an effective overburden, respectively. We test the performance of our method using 3D synthetic data with 3D and crooked-line surveys. The numerical tests have shown that the accuracy of the new approximation is significant for gently to highly curved interfaces beneath low to relatively high heterogeneous overburden with rugged topography, even at large offsets and midpoint separations. In addition, we rigorously evaluate the method using 3D real seismic data acquired over a complex thrust-belt area with rugged terrain. Compared with conventional 3D stacking, the new formulation yields a high resolution and accurate seismic stacked volume from land seismic data collected with arbitrary 3D geometries.
Maternal Thyroid Dysfunction and Neuropsychological Development in Children
Authors: Chen Yuanzhi , Luo Zhong-Cheng , Zhang Ting , Fan Pianpian , Ma Rui , Zhang Jun , Ouyang Fengxiu
Published: October 2022

Context

Thyroid hormones are essential for fetal brain development. The potential effects of maternal gestational thyroid dysfunction on offspring neuropsychological development remain inconclusive.

Objective

This work aimed to estimate effects of maternal thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy on offspring neuropsychological development in the first 2 years.

Methods

We prospectively examined 1903 mothers and their children from the Shanghai Birth Cohort. Thyroid hormones were assessed at about 12 gestational weeks. Maternal thyroid function was classified into 7 categories: euthyroid, overt/subclinical hyperthyroidism, overt/subclinical hypothyroidism, hyperthyroxinemia, and hypothyroxinemia. Neuropsychological development was assessed by the Ages and Stages Questionnaire at age 6 months, and Bayley Scales at age 24 months.

Results

Compared with children of euthyroid mothers, maternal overt hypothyroidism was associated with 7.0 points (95% CI, 1.7-12.4) lower scores in personal-social domain in girls aged 6 months, 7.3 points (95% CI, 2.0-12.6) lower in motor domain, and 7.7 points (95% CI, 1.1-14.2) lower social-emotional scores in boys at age 24 months; maternal subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with 6.5 points (95% CI, 1.0-12.1) poorer social-emotional domain in boys at age 6 months, and 7.4 points (95% CI, 0.1-14.8) poorer adaptive behavior domain in boys at age 24 months; maternal hypothyroxinemia was associated with 9.3 points (95% CI, 3.5-15.1) lower motor scores in boys at age 24 months; and maternal subclinical hyperthyroidism was associated with 6.9 points (95% CI, 0.1-13.7) lower language scores in girls at age 24 months.

Conclusion

Maternal overt hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroxinemia during early pregnancy were associated with weakened neuropsychological development in infancy, and some effects may be sex specific.
Diabetes Mellitus is Associated With Higher Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Levels in the General US Population
Authors: Ciardullo Stefano , Muraca Emanuele , Bianconi Eleonora , Cannistraci Rosa , Perra Silvia , Zerbini Francesca , Perseghin Gianluca
Published: October 2022

Context

Serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) levels are biomarkers of neuroaxonal injury in multiple neurological diseases.

Objective

Given the paucity of data on the distribution of sNfL levels in the general population, in the present study we identified predictors of sNfL levels in a community setting and investigated the association between diabetes and sNfL.

Methods

sNfL levels were measured in 2070 people aged 20 to 75 years from the general US population (275 with and 1795 without diabetes) that participated in the 2013-2014 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated the association between diabetes and sNfL levels after adjustment for age, sex, race-ethnicity, alcohol use, and kidney function using a multivariable linear regression model. Cognitive function was evaluated in a subset of participants aged 60 to 75 years using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease-Word Learning test, the Animal Fluency test, and the Digit Symbol Substitution test.

Results

The weighted prevalence of diabetes was 10.4% (95% CI, 9.0-11.9). In each age stratum, patients with diabetes exhibited higher sNfL levels compared with nondiabetic participants. Age, proportion of males, prevalence of diabetes, and homeostatic model of insulin resistance increased progressively across quartiles of sNfL levels in the overall population, whereas estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) showed an opposite trend. In the multivariable model, age, sex, eGFR, alcohol use and diabetes were significantly associated with sNfL levels. Moreover, higher sNfL levels were associated with worse performance in all 3 cognitive function tests.

Conclusion

Diabetes is associated with higher sNfL. Further large-scale and prospective studies are needed to replicate our results and evaluate the ability of sNfL to predict the incidence of neuropathy and dementia in this patient population.
Spatial Knowledge Making from Writing about Appalachia outside Appalachia
Authors: Shepley Nathan
Published: October 2022

This article uses narrative inquiry to examine one instructor's experiences teaching two first-year writing classes, each one marked by different pedagogical choices. Themed with the topic of place and foregrounding the recurring example of Appalachia, the classes were nonetheless taught outside the region usually called Appalachia and to college students coming from, and identifying with, places other than Appalachia. This resulting data lends support for easing non-Appalachian-identified students into studying Appalachia as a rhetorical case and for encouraging students to explore various ways that textual representations of Appalachia reveal social and economic patterns noticeable in some form elsewhere.
Dentate gyrus morphogenesis is regulated by β-catenin function in hem-derived fimbrial glia
Authors: Parichha Arpan , Datta Debarpita , Suresh Varun , Chatterjee Mallika , Holtzman Michael J. , Tole Shubha
Published: October 2022

The dentate gyrus, a gateway for input to the hippocampal formation, arises from progenitors in the medial telencephalic neuroepithelium adjacent to the cortical hem. Dentate progenitors navigate a complex migratory path guided by two cell populations that arise from the hem, the fimbrial glia and Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells. As the hem expresses multiple Wnt genes, we examined whether β-catenin, which mediates canonical Wnt signaling and also participates in cell adhesion, is necessary for the development of hem-derived lineages. We report that, in mice, the fimbrial glial scaffold is disorganized and CR cells are mispositioned upon hem-specific disruption of β-catenin. Consequently, the dentate migratory stream is severely affected, and the dentate gyrus fails to form. Using selective Cre drivers, we further determined that β-catenin function is required in the fimbrial glial scaffold, but not in the CR cells, for guiding the dentate migration. Our findings highlight a primary requirement for β-catenin for the organization of the fimbrial scaffold and a secondary role for this factor in dentate gyrus morphogenesis.
Absence of atrial smooth muscle in the heart of the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta): a re-evaluation of its role in diving physiology
Authors: Costello Leah M. , García-Párraga Daniel , Crespo-Picazo Jose Luis , Codd Jonathan R. , Shiels Holly A. , Joyce William
Published: October 2022

Contraction of atrial smooth muscle in the hearts of semi-aquatic emydid turtles regulates ventricular filling, and it has been proposed that it could regulate stroke volume during characteristic rapid transitions in cardiac output associated with diving. For this hypothesis to be supported, atrial smooth muscle should be widely distributed in diving Testudines. To further understand the putative function and evolutionary significance of endocardial smooth muscle in Testudines, we studied the hearts of loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta (n=7), using immunohistochemistry and histology. Surprisingly, we found no evidence of prominent atrial smooth muscle in C. caretta. However, smooth muscle was readily identified in the sinus venosus. Our results suggest that atrial smooth muscle does not contribute to the diving capabilities of C. caretta, indicating that the possible roles of smooth muscle in emydid turtle hearts require a re-evaluation. In sea turtles, the sinus venosus may instead contribute to regulate cardiac filling.
Ethanolamine Derivatives Prompt Oxidation-Mediated Cleavage of Phosphorothioated DNA via Redox Control and Competition with Desulphurization
Authors: Hu Kunling , Sun Wenhua , Tang Ruobing , Zhang Boying , An Ran , Liang Xingguo
Published: October 2022

In the early 2000s, an epoch-making discovery of phosphorothioated DNA (PS-DNA, also as medicines) was made to show that sulfur atoms are present on the DNA backbone in microorganisms. However, its reaction activity and mechanism have not been well clarified. We show that PS-DNA is cleaved efficiently via oxidation, but not previously believed alkylation; this sulfur modification can be repaired by desulphurization once the sulfhydryl is further oxidized. When Tris or other ethanolamine derivatives are present, the cleavage becomes extremely efficient. Analyzed by enzymatic digestion, ligation, and mass spectroscopy, a mechanism is proposed to explain effects of ethanolamine derivatives and the competition between repair and breakage. Tris favors cleavage by keeping and utilizing the oxidation at –S(O)OH (sulfinic group) stage. The hydroxyl group on ethanolamine derivatives attacks the activated phosphor atom for cleavage with an intramolecular-like mode to form simultaneously a phosphoester bond. Desulphurization is dominant once the PS-DNA is oxidized to –S(O2)OH (sulfonic group). We believe that the biological significance of PS-DNA is protection of DNA nucleobases from weak oxidants by direct repairing or cleavage-repairing approach, which is affected by amines. Besides understanding the biological significance of PS-DNA, our findings will contribute greatly to developing new bio-techniques and nucleic acid medicines.
Efficacy and positive outcome of physical activity in pregnant women
Authors: Okafor Uchenna Benedine , Goon Daniel Ter
Published: October 2022

Background & Objective: Evidence has shown the innumerable benefits of prenatal physical activity practice; therefore, the knowledge pregnant women have, and efforts to sustain the knowledge and encourage them to engage in prenatal physical activity, are desirable. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes concerning prenatal physical activity of pregnant women attending primary health antenatal care clinics.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1082 pregnant in Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa were sampled from July to October 2019. Socio-demographic and maternal characteristics, and knowledge, attitude and practices towards prenatal activity were obtained.

Results: Overall, 62.4% women had high knowledge regarding prenatal physical activity; and half of the women showed a positive attitude toward it (50.1%). The majority of the participants affirmed prenatal physical activity is safe (88.2%) and beneficial for the baby (79.6%). Whilst participants had knowledge of other types of antenatal exercises, 80.9% of the women had no knowledge of swimming exercise. Negative attitudes towards physical activity included the feeling of tiredness (67.7%), lack of interest (64.8%), and inadequate information on physical activity (59.5%).

Conclusions: The women had high knowledge of prenatal physical activity, and relatively positive attitudes toward prenatal physical activity. The feeling of tiredness, lack of motivation and inadequate information on physical activity constituted negative attitudes towards physical activity. There is need to provide education and advocacy in the clinical settings; also, interventions to encourage and promote prenatal physical activity in the community and at home are desirable to address the weaknesses identified in this study regarding the women’s knowledge and attitudes concerning prenatal physical activity.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.4911

How to cite this:Okafor UB, Goon DT. Efficacy and positive outcome of physical activity in pregnant women. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.4911

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A2TEA: Identifying trait-specific evolutionary adaptations
Authors: Stöcker Tyll , Uebermuth-Feldhaus Carolin , Boecker Florian , Schoof Heiko
Published: October 2022

Background: Plants differ in their ability to cope with external stresses (e.g., drought tolerance). Genome duplications are an important mechanism to enable plant adaptation. This leads to characteristic footprints in the genome, such as protein family expansion. We explore genetic diversity and uncover evolutionary adaptation to stresses by exploiting genome comparisons between stress tolerant and sensitive species and RNA-Seq data sets from stress experiments. Expanded gene families that are stress-responsive based on differential expression analysis could hint at species or clade-specific adaptation, making these gene families exciting candidates for follow-up tolerance studies and crop improvement.

Software: Integration of such cross-species omics data is a challenging task, requiring various steps of transformation and filtering. Ultimately, visualization is crucial for quality control and interpretation. To address this, we developed A2TEA: Automated Assessment of Trait-specific Evolutionary Adaptations, a Snakemake workflow for detecting adaptation footprints in silico. It functions as a one-stop processing pipeline, integrating protein family, phylogeny, expression, and protein function analysis. The pipeline is accompanied by an R Shiny web application that

allows exploring, highlighting, and exporting the results interactively. This allows the user to formulate hypotheses regarding the genomic adaptations of one or a subset of the investigated species to a given stress.

Conclusions: While our research focus is on crops, the pipeline is entirely independent of the underlying species and can be used with any set of species. We demonstrate pipeline efficiency on real-world datasets and discuss the implementation and limits of our analysis workflow as well as planned extensions to its current state. The A2TEA workflow and web application are publicly available at: https://github.com/tgstoecker/A2TEA.Workflow and https://github.com/tgstoecker/A2TEA.WebApp, respectively.
Intestinal inflammation and increased intestinal permeability in Plasmodium chabaudi AS infected mice
Authors: Mooney Jason P , DonVito Sophia M , Lim Rivka , Keith Marianne , Pickles Lia , Maguire Eleanor A , Wagner-Gamble Tara , Oldfield Thomas , Bermejo Pariente Ana , Ehimiyein Ajoke M , Philbey Adrian A , Bottomley Christian , Riley Eleanor M , Thompson Joanne
Published: October 2022

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms are commonly associated with acute Plasmodium spp infection. Malaria-associated enteritis may provide an opportunity for enteric pathogens to breach the intestinal mucosa, resulting in life-threatening systemic infections.

Methods: To investigate whether intestinal pathology also occurs during infection with a murine model of mild and resolving malaria, C57BL/6J mice were inoculated with recently mosquito-transmitted Plasmodium chabaudi AS. At schizogony, intestinal tissues were collected for quantification and localisation of immune mediators and malaria parasites, by PCR and immunohistochemistry. Inflammatory proteins were measured in plasma and faeces and intestinal permeability was assessed by FITC-dextran translocation after oral administration.

Results: Parasitaemia peaked at approx. 1.5% at day 9 and resolved by day 14, with mice experiencing significant and transient anaemia but no weight loss. Plasma IFNγ, TNFα and IL10 were significantly elevated during peak infection and quantitative RT-PCR of the intestine revealed a significant increase in transcripts for ifng and cxcl10. Histological analysis revealed parasites within blood vessels of both the submucosa and intestinal villi and evidence of mild crypt hyperplasia. In faeces, concentrations of the inflammatory marker lactoferrin were significantly raised on days 9 and 11 and FITC-dextran was detected in plasma on days 7 to 14. At day 11, plasma FITC-dextran concentration was significantly positively correlated with peripheral parasitemia and faecal lactoferrin concentration.

Conclusions: In summary, using a relevant, attenuated model of malaria, we have found that acute infection is associated with intestinal inflammation and increased intestinal permeability. This model can now be used to explore the mechanisms of parasite-induced intestinal inflammation and to assess the impact of increased intestinal permeability on translocation of enteropathogens.