bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a hybrid automatic planning solution for rectal cancer
Authors: Peng Jiyou , Yu Lei , Xia Fan , Zhang Kang , Zhang Zhen , Wang Jiazhou , Hu Weigang
Published: October 2022

Background

Script-based planning and knowledge-based planning are two kinds of automatic planning solutions. Hybrid automatic planning may integrate the advantages of both solutions and provide a more robust automatic planning solution in the clinic. In this study, we evaluated and compared a commercially available hybrid planning solution with manual planning and script-based planning.

Methods

In total, 51 rectal cancer patients in our institution were enrolled in this study. Each patient generated 7 plans: one clinically accepted manual plan ($${plan}_{manual}$$

plan

manual

), three script-based plans and three hybrid plans generated with the volumetric-modulated arc therapy technique and 3 different clinical goal settings: easy, moderate and hard ($${plan}_{hybrid}^{easy}$$

plan

hybrid

easy

, $${plan}_{hybrid}^{moderate}$$

plan

hybrid

moderate

, $${plan}_{hybrid}^{hard}$$

plan

hybrid

hard

, $${plan}_{script}^{easy}$$

plan

script

easy

, $${plan}_{script}^{moderate}$$

plan

script

moderate

and $${plan}_{script}^{hard}$$

plan

script

hard

). Planning goals included planning target volume (PTV) Dmax, bladder Dmean and femur head Dmean. The PTV prescription was the same (50.00 Gy) for the 3 goal settings. The hard setting required a lower PTV Dmax and stricter organ at risk (OAR) dose, while the easy setting was the opposite. Plans were compared using dose metrics and plan quality metric (PQM) scores, including bladder D15 and D50, left and right femur head D25 and D40, PTV D2, D98, CI (conformity index) and HI (homogeneity index).

Results

Compared to manual planning, hybrid planning with all settings significantly reduced the OAR dose (p < 0.05, paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test) for all dose-volume indices, except D25 of the left femur head. For script-based planning, $${plan}_{script}^{easy}$$

plan

script

easy

significantly increased the OAR dose for the femur head and D2 and the PTV homogeneity index (p < 0.05, paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank test). Meanwhile, the maximum dose of the PTV was largely increased with hard script-based planning (D2 = 56.06 ± 7.57 Gy). For all three settings, the comparison of PQM between hybrid planning and script-based planning showed significant differences, except for D25 of the left femur head and PTV D2. The total PQM showed that hybrid planning could provide a better and more robust plan quality than script-based planning.

Conclusions

The hybrid planning solution was manual-planning comparable for rectal cancer. Hybrid planning can provide a better and more robust plan quality than script-based planning.
Inclusive education in a refugee camp for children with disabilities: How are school setting and children’s behavioral functioning related?
Authors: Crea Thomas M. , Klein Elizabeth K. , Okunoren Oladoyin , Jimenez Maria Paula , Arnold Greg St. , Kirior Truphena , Velandria Eric , Bruni Daniela
Published: October 2022

Many refugee children face challenges accessing education, but refugee children with disabilities are especially vulnerable to exclusion from school environments as well as social settings. Mainstreaming is considered a best practice but may not always be feasible given the limited resources available in refugee camps. The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which school setting (i.e., special needs vs. mainstream classrooms) is associated with changes in children’s prosocial behaviors (i.e., social skills and ability to get along well with peers) and behavioral difficulties, accounting for disability status. In Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, researchers collected two waves of data (approximately 2.5 years apart) for students enrolled in special needs schools (n = 78) and students who had transitioned from special needs schools into mainstream classrooms (n = 51). Children’s average prosocial scores decreased between wave 1 and wave 2, but scores from children in special needs schools decreased at a lower rate indicating potential protective factors in these settings. While children’s average total difficulties decreased over time, children’s difficulties in special needs schools decreased at a faster rate, also indicating potential protective factors. Neither severity of disability nor gender significantly predicted change in prosocial or difficulties scores. In the context of a refugee camp, mainstreaming alone may not fully address the needs of children with disabilities. Specific factors seen in special education settings, such as individualized services, accessible accommodations, and infrastructure supports, must be considered as a means of creating inclusive educational environments.
DC electrical stimulation enhances proliferation and differentiation on N2a and MC3T3 cell lines
Authors: Martín Daniel , Bocio-Nuñez J. , Scagliusi Santiago F. , Pérez Pablo , Huertas Gloria , Yúfera Alberto , Giner Mercè , Daza Paula
Published: October 2022

Background

Electrical stimulation is a novel tool to promote the differentiation and proliferation of precursor cells. In this work we have studied the effects of direct current (DC) electrical stimulation on neuroblastoma (N2a) and osteoblast (MC3T3) cell lines as a model for nervous and bone tissue regeneration, respectively. We have developed the electronics and encapsulation of a proposed stimulation system and designed a setup and protocol to stimulate cell cultures.

Methods

Cell cultures were subjected to several assays to assess the effects of electrical stimulation on them. N2a cells were analyzed using microscope images and an inmunofluorescence assay, differentiated cells were counted and neurites were measured. MC3T3 cells were subjected to an AlamarBlue assay for viability, ALP activity was measured, and a real time PCR was carried out.

Results

Our results show that electrically stimulated cells had more tendency to differentiate in both cell lines when compared to non-stimulated cultures, paired with a promotion of neurite growth and polarization in N2a cells and an increase in proliferation in MC3T3 cell line.

Conclusions

These results prove the effectiveness of electrical stimulation as a tool for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, both for neural and bone injuries. Bone progenitor cells submitted to electrical stimulation have a higher tendency to differentiate and proliferate, filling the gaps present in injuries. On the other hand, neuronal progenitor cells differentiate, and their neurites can be polarized to follow the electric field applied.
Anti-Müllerian hormone independently affect mtDNA copy number in human granulosa cells
Authors: Bowolaksono Anom , Sundari Ayu Mulia , Fauzi Muhammad , Maidarti Mila , Wiweko Budi , Mutia Kresna , Iffanolida Pritta Ameilia , Febri Ririn Rahmala , Dwiranti Astari , Funahashi Hiroaki
Published: October 2022

Background:

Recently, as a delayed childbearing trend is emerging in modern women’s adulthood, diminished reproductive potential due to age-related changes is more prevalent. Reduction in the abundance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies and circulating anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) have been separately reported with aging, contributing to the decrease in successful reproduction. However, there are limited reports on the impact of age on mtDNA and AMH in the same individual and whether mtDNA copy numbers are influenced by age and AMH.

Methods:

In the present study, we utilized a real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) to quantify the mtDNA copy number of granulosa cells obtained from 43 women undergoing an in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) program.

Results:

According to our analysis, a significant correlation was observed between age and mtDNA copy number (r = −0.54, P < 0.001) and between age and AMH level (r = −0.48, P < 0.001) of the same individual. There was also a positive correlation between mtDNA copy number and AMH (r = 0.88, P < 0.001) with AMH level falling as mtDNA decreases. In our regression, age and AMH were shown to have low collinearity (VIF = 1.297) but only AMH was correlated with mtDNA quantity (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Our study suggests that both mtDNA and AMH abundance are influenced by age and that AMH levels independently affect mtDNA copy number regardless of age. Further research is required to understand the role of AMH on mitochondria bioenergetics.
Absence of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in anti-citrullinated protein antibody-expressing B cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Kroos Sanne , Kampstra Arieke S. B. , Toes René E. M. , Slot Linda M. , Scherer Hans U.
Published: October 2022

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the presence of disease-specific autoreactive B cell responses, in particular those generating anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). For many years, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been implicated in disease pathogenesis, possibly by facilitating the development and persistence of autoreactive B cells. To test this hypothesis, the presence of EBV episomes in ACPA-expressing B cells was analyzed.

Methods

ACPA-expressing B cells derived from peripheral blood (PB) of seven EBV-seropositive RA patients, and synovial fluid (SF) of one additional EBV-seropositive RA patient, were isolated by flow cytometry. PB cells were expanded for 11–12 days, after which supernatant was harvested and analyzed for cyclic citrullinated-peptide (CCP)2 reactivity. SF cells were isolated directly in a lysis buffer. DNA was isolated and qPCR reactions were performed to determine the EBV status of the cells. EBV-immortalized B cell lymphoblastoid-cell lines (EBV blasts) served as standardized controls.

Results

Two hundred ninety-six PB and 60 SF ACPA-expressing B cells were isolated and divided over 16 and 3 pools containing 10–20 cells, respectively. Supernatants of all 16 cultured PB pools contained CCP2-Ig. DNA of all pools was used for qPCR analysis. While EBV-blast analysis showed sensitivity to detect EBV DNA in single B cells, no EBV DNA was detected in any of the ACPA-expressing B cell pools.

Conclusion

ACPA-expressing B cells are not enriched for EBV-DNA-containing clones. These results do not support the hypothesis that EBV infection of autoreactive B cells causes or maintains autoreactive B cell populations in RA. Instead, other mechanisms might explain the association between positive EBV serology and RA.
Metabolic syndrome and the immunogenicity of Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine: a cross-sectional study in Japanese healthcare workers
Authors: Van Hoang Dong , Yamamoto Shohei , Fukunaga Ami , Inoue Yosuke , Mizoue Tetsuya , Ohmagari Norio
Published: October 2022

Background

The clustering of metabolic abnormalities may weaken vaccine-induced immunity, but epidemiological data regarding SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are scarce. The present study aimed to examine the cross-sectional association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and humoral immune response to Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine among the staff of a research center for medical care in Japan.

Methods

Participants were the staff (aged 21–75 years) of the National Center of Global Health and Medicine who had completed the second dose of Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine 1–3 months before the survey. MetS was defined according to the Joint Interim Statement. SARS-CoV-2 spike immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody was measured using quantitative assays. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate the geometric mean titers (GMT) and geometric mean ratio (GMR) of IgG titers, relative to MetS status.

Results

Of 946 participants who received the second vaccine dose, 51 (5.4%) had MetS. Those with MetS had a significantly lower IgG titer (GMT 4125; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2885–5896) than those without MetS (GMT 5348; 95% CI, 3914–7309); the GMR was 0.77 (95% CI 0.64–0.93). Taking those having no MetS component as reference, fully adjusted GMR (95% CI) for those having 1, 2, 3 or ≥ 4 components was 1.00 (0.90, 1.11), 0.89 (0.77, 1.04), 0.86 (0.68, 1.10) and 0.61 (0.45, 0.82), respectively (P trend = 0.024).

Conclusion

Results suggest that having MetS and a greater number of its components are associated with a weaker humoral immune response to the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine.
Temporal decay for the highest-order derivatives of solutions of the compressible Hall-magnetohydrodynamic equations
Authors: Sun Rui , Guo Yuting , Wang Weiwei
Published: October 2022

Recently, Gao and Yao established the global existence and temporal decay rates of solutions for a system of compressible Hall-magnetohydrodynamic fluids (Gao and Yao in Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 36: 3077–3106, 2016). However, because of the difficulty of derivative loss in the nonlinear terms, Gao and Yao could not provide the temporal decay for the highest-order derivatives of classical solutions. In this paper, motivated by the decomposition technique of both low and high frequencies of solutions in (Wang and Wen in Sci. China Math. 65: 1199–1228 2022), we further derive the temporal decay for the highest-order derivatives of the strong solutions. Moreover, the decay rate is optimal, since it agrees with the solutions of the linearized system.
Imaging near-surface S-wave velocity and attenuation models by full-waveform inversion with distributed acoustic sensing-recorded surface waves
Authors: Pan Wenyong , Qu Luping , Innanen Kristopher A. , Dettmer Jan , Macquet Marie , Lawton Donald , Wang Yanfei
Published: October 2022

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology is, increasingly, the seismic acquisition mode of choice for its high spatial sampling rate, low cost, and nonintrusive deployability. It is being widely evaluated as an enabler of seismic monitoring for [Formula: see text] sequestration in building subsurface time-lapse images and in characterizing near-surface environments. To advance this evaluation, field seismic surveys with optical fibers have been conducted at the Containment and Monitoring Institute’s Field Research Station (CaMI.FRS) in Newell County, Alberta, Canada. In comparison to the standard geophones, optical fibers deployed in surface trenches at CaMI.FRS have recorded high-quality surface waves, rich in low frequencies and exhibiting limited spatial aliasing. These benefits have motivated us to apply the full-waveform inversion (FWI) approach to image the S-wave velocity ([Formula: see text]) and attenuation (quality factor [Formula: see text]) models at shallow site using the surface waves recorded by optical fibers. Compared to the conventional surface-wave dispersion approach, FWI can intrinsically incorporate fundamental and high-order modes and produce [Formula: see text] model with high spatial resolution that resolves horizontal variations. The low-frequency components below 10 Hz measured in the DAS recordings are helpful to overcome the cycle-skipping problem of FWI. Following the adjoint-state method, [Formula: see text] sensitivity kernel can be calculated efficiently with memory strain variables. The [Formula: see text] model is iteratively estimated with a new misfit function measuring root-mean-square amplitude differences, which helps to reduce the trade-off artifacts. The synthetic data obtained from the inverted models are consistent with the observed data in amplitude and phase. The inversion results provide valuable information to characterize the near-surface environments at CaMI.FRS and are expected to support seismic imaging in deeper [Formula: see text] injection zones.
Enhancing Administrative Claims Data: Feasibility, Validation and Application of Linking Medicare Claims Data and National Marrow Donor Program Search Data
Authors: Preussler Jaime M. , Meyer Christa L. , Sees Coles Jennifer A. , Yoo Dana , Mau Lih-Wen , Garrett Nicole D. , Auletta Jeffery J.
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

Administrative claims data provide real-world service utilization of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment, but lacks insight into treatment delays or barriers. The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP)/Be The Match Search (Search) data contains information on donor search, but lacks information on treatment received if allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) is not performed. We hypothesized that linking these two data sets would create a rich resource to define factors associated with receiving HCT that could not be evaluated with either data set alone.

METHODS

A subset of 2010-2016 Medicare administrative claims data was linked with Search data. A total of 5,351 patients with AML age 65-74 years (HCT = 607, no HCT = 4,744) were identified using Medicare. These patients were then linked to 93,800 records with a donor search between 2009 and 2016. Patient date of birth, sex, disease, ZIP code, transplant center/hospital, and diagnosis date were used for matching. Exploratory analysis was conducted to identify predictors associated with receiving HCT for patients with AML who received a search.

RESULTS

The data sets were successfully linked, showing high sensitivity and specificity. The final cohort included 5,085 patients with AML (HCT = 533, no HCT = 4,552). Of 97 patients who received HCT without a matched search, more than 85% received a related donor HCT. Of those not receiving HCT, 609 had a matched NMDP search and 3,943 did not have a matched NMDP search. Multivariate analysis showed time to search, age, diagnosis year, race/ethnicity, and neighborhood education status associated with receiving HCT.

CONCLUSION

Methods herein demonstrate the feasibility of linking Search and Medicare data. Similar methods may be applied to answer critical questions regarding barriers to HCT, thereby identifying areas to improve access to care.
Fractured Lumbar Drain Catheter Retrieval Using an Endoscopic Transforaminal Approach to the Lumbar Spine
Authors: Sulhan Suraj , Sadrameli Saeed S. , Barber Sean , Holman Paul , Britz Gavin , Huang Meng
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE:

Lumbar drain placement is a common neurosurgical procedure, with several surgical and medical indications extending even beyond the specialty. One complication of placement is a fractured catheter fragment. In some circumstances, catheter retrieval is necessary which is classically performed through an open approach. Here, we present the only reported case of a retained lumbar drain catheter which was retrieved using a transforaminal endoscopic approach to the lumbar spine.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION:

This is a 39 year-old woman who underwent an elective craniotomy with planned perioperative lumbar drain placement for cerebrospinal fluid diversion using a 14-gauge Tuohy needle. Placement was noted to be technically challenging, and during the final attempt on removal of the system, it was noted that the distal end of the catheter had been sheared and retained in the thecal sac. Postoperatively a computed tomography scan of the lumbar spine was obtained showing the catheter fragment which entered the thecal sac dorsally at the L3-4 level but penetrated the ventral dura traveling in the epidural space caudally and terminating in the left lateral recess of L4-5. Given its presumed epidural location near the left L4-5 lateral recess and foramen, the decision was made to attempt a left transforaminal endoscopic approach for catheter retrieval before resorting to a standard open surgery.

CONCLUSION:

As minimally invasive spine techniques for spine surgery continue to evolve, we have highlighted the versatility of the endoscope in spine surgery as it was implemented in our case, allowing for reduced perioperative morbidity associated with retained spinal catheter retrieval.
Angiographic Evaluation of Cranial Venous Outflow Patterns in Patients With and Without Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
Authors: Sattur Mithun G. , Amans Matthew , Fargen Kyle Michael , Huisman Thierry A. G. M. , Brinjikji Waleed , Hui Ferdinand , Shingala Aakash , Vosler Peter S. , Pereira Vitor Mendes , Hepworth Ed , Dehdashti Amir R. , Patsalides Athos , Lo Sheng-fu Larry , Spiotta Alejandro M.
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND:

Several collateral venous pathways exist to assist in cranial venous drainage in addition to the internal jugular veins. The important extrajugular networks (EJN) are often readily identified on diagnostic cerebral angiography. However, the angiographic pattern of venous drainage through collateral EJN has not been previously compared among patients with and without idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

OBJECTIVE:

To quantify EJN on cerebral angiography among patients both with and without IIH and to determine whether there is a different EJN venous drainage pattern in patients with IIH.

METHODS:

Retrospective imaging review of 100 cerebral angiograms (50 IIH and 50 non-IIH patients) and medical records from a single academic medical center was performed by 2 independent experienced neuroendovascular surgeons. Points were assigned to EJN flow from 0 to 6 using an increasing scale (with each patient's dominant internal jugular vein standardized to 5 points to serve as the internal reference). Angiography of each patient included 11 separately graded extrajugular networks for internal carotid and vertebral artery injections.

RESULTS:

Patients in the IIH group had statistically significant greater flow in several of the extrajugular networks. Therefore, they preferentially drained through EJN compared with the non-IIH group. Right transverse-sigmoid system was most often dominant in both groups, yet there was a significantly greater prevalence of codominant sinus pattern on posterior circulation angiograms.

CONCLUSION:

Patients with IIH have greater utilization of EJN compared with patients without IIH. Whether this is merely an epiphenomenon or possesses actual cause-effect relationships needs to be determined with further studies.
Admp regulates tail bending by controlling ventral epidermal cell polarity via phosphorylated myosin localization in Ciona
Authors: Kogure Yuki S. , Muraoka Hiromochi , Koizumi Wataru C. , Gelin-alessi Raphaël , Godard Benoit , Oka Kotaro , Heisenberg Carl-Philipp , Hotta Kohji
Published: October 2022

Ventral tail bending, which is transient but pronounced, is found in many chordate embryos and constitutes an interesting model of how tissue interactions control embryo shape. Here, we identify one key upstream regulator of ventral tail bending in embryos of the ascidian Ciona. We show that during the early tailbud stages, ventral epidermal cells exhibit a boat-shaped morphology (boat cell) with a narrow apical surface where phosphorylated myosin light chain (pMLC) accumulates. We further show that interfering with the function of the BMP ligand Admp led to pMLC localizing to the basal instead of the apical side of ventral epidermal cells and a reduced number of boat cells. Finally, we show that cutting ventral epidermal midline cells at their apex using an ultraviolet laser relaxed ventral tail bending. Based on these results, we propose a previously unreported function for Admp in localizing pMLC to the apical side of ventral epidermal cells, which causes the tail to bend ventrally by resisting antero-posterior notochord extension at the ventral side of the tail.
Internal sensory neurons regulate stage-specific growth in Drosophila
Authors: Ohhara Yuya , Yamanaka Naoki
Published: October 2022

Animals control their developmental schedule in accordance with internal states and external environments. In Drosophila larvae, it is well established that nutrient status is sensed by different internal organs, which in turn regulate production of insulin-like peptides and thereby control growth. In contrast, the impact of the chemosensory system on larval development remains largely unclear. Here, we performed a genetic screen to identify gustatory receptor (Gr) neurons regulating growth and development, and found that Gr28a-expressing neurons are required for proper progression of larval growth. Gr28a is expressed in a subset of peripheral internal sensory neurons, which directly extend their axons to insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in the central nervous system. Silencing of Gr28a-expressing neurons blocked insulin-like peptide release from IPCs and suppressed larval growth during the mid-larval period. These results indicate that Gr28a-expressing neurons promote larval development by directly regulating growth-promoting endocrine signaling in a stage-specific manner.
The transcription factors Foxf1 and Foxf2 integrate the SHH, HGF and TGFβ signaling pathways to drive tongue organogenesis
Authors: Xu Jingyue , Liu Han , Lan Yu , Jiang Rulang
Published: October 2022

The tongue is a highly specialized muscular organ with diverse cellular origins, which provides an excellent model for understanding mechanisms controlling tissue-tissue interactions during organogenesis. Previous studies showed that SHH signaling is required for tongue morphogenesis and tongue muscle organization, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Here we demonstrate that the Foxf1/Foxf2 transcription factors act in the cranial neural crest cell (CNCC)-derived mandibular mesenchyme to control myoblast migration into the tongue primordium during tongue initiation, and thereafter continue to regulate intrinsic tongue muscle assembly and lingual tendon formation. We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis and identified Hgf, Tgfb2 and Tgfb3 among the target genes of Foxf2 in the embryonic tongue. Through genetic analyses of mice with CNCC-specific inactivation of Smo or both Foxf1 and Foxf2, we show that Foxf1 and Foxf2 mediate hedgehog signaling-mediated regulation of myoblast migration during tongue initiation and intrinsic tongue muscle formation by regulating the activation of the HGF and TGFβ signaling pathways. These data uncover the molecular network integrating the SHH, HGF and TGFβ signaling pathways in regulating tongue organogenesis.
Loss of function of the maternal membrane oestrogen receptor ERα alters expansion of trophoblast cells and impacts mouse fertility
Authors: Rusidzé Mariam , Faure Mélanie C. , Sicard Pierre , Raymond-Letron Isabelle , Giton Frank , Vessieres Emilie , Prevot Vincent , Henrion Daniel , Arnal Jean-François , Cornil Charlotte A. , Lenfant Françoise
Published: October 2022

The binding of 17β-oestradiol to oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) plays a crucial role in the control of reproduction, acting through both nuclear and membrane-initiated signalling. To study the physiological role of membrane ERα in the reproductive system, we used the C451A-ERα mouse model with selective loss of function of membrane ERα. Despite C451A-ERα mice being described as sterile, daily weighing and ultrasound imaging revealed that homozygous females do become pregnant, allowing the investigation of the role of ERα during pregnancy for the first time. All neonatal deaths of the mutant offspring mice resulted from delayed parturition associated with failure in pre-term progesterone withdrawal. Moreover, pregnant C451A-ERα females exhibited partial intrauterine embryo arrest at about E9.5. The observed embryonic lethality resulted from altered expansion of Tpbpa-positive spiral artery-associated trophoblast giant cells into the utero-placental unit, which is associated with an imbalance in expression of angiogenic factors. Together, these processes control the trophoblast-mediated spiral arterial remodelling. Hence, loss of membrane ERα within maternal tissues clearly alters the activity of invasive trophoblast cells during placentogenesis. This previously unreported function of membrane ERα could open new avenues towards a better understanding of human pregnancy-associated pathologies.
EGFR signal transduction is downregulated in C. elegans vulval precursor cells during dauer diapause
Authors: O'Keeffe Catherine , Greenwald Iva
Published: October 2022

Caenorhabditis elegans larvae display developmental plasticity in response to environmental conditions: in adverse conditions, second-stage larvae enter a reversible, long-lived dauer stage instead of proceeding to reproductive adulthood. Dauer entry interrupts vulval induction and is associated with a reprogramming-like event that preserves the multipotency of vulval precursor cells (VPCs), allowing vulval development to reinitiate if conditions improve. Vulval induction requires the LIN-3/EGF-like signal from the gonad, which activates EGFR-Ras-ERK signal transduction in the nearest VPC, P6.p. Here, using a biosensor and live imaging we show that EGFR-Ras-ERK activity is downregulated in P6.p in dauers. We investigated this process using gene mutations or transgenes to manipulate different steps of the pathway, and by analyzing LET-23/EGFR subcellular localization during dauer life history. We found that the response to EGF is attenuated at or upstream of Ras activation, and discuss potential membrane-associated mechanisms that could achieve this. We also describe other findings pertaining to the maintenance of VPC competence and quiescence in dauer larvae. Our analysis indicates that VPCs have L2-like and unique dauer stage features rather than features of L3 VPCs in continuous development.
Genetic deletion of hspa8 leads to selective tissue malformations in zebrafish embryonic development
Authors: Wang Caixia , Zhang Xin , Wang Xinyu , Zhai Yanpeng , Li Mengjiao , Pan Jun , Bai Yan , Rong Xiaozhi , Zhou Jianfeng
Published: October 2022

The heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein HSPA8 (also known as HSC70), a constitutively expressed cognate member of the heat shock protein 70 family, plays an essential role in protein quality control and cell homeostasis maintenance. HSPA8 has been implicated in many diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. Owing to massive cell death after knockdown of HSPA8 and nonviable Hspa8 knockout mice, the physiological role of HSPA8 in vertebrates and its underlying mechanisms of action have not yet been elucidated. To address this issue, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology and genetically deleted hspa8 in zebrafish embryos. Genetic deletion of hspa8 resulted in malformations of the pharyngeal arches, pectoral fins, head and eyes at the later stages. We next focused on pharyngeal arch deficiency and found that pharyngeal arches in hspa8 mutant embryos exhibited induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of the unfolded protein response via the Perk/p-eIF2α/Atf4 signaling cascade. Inhibition of Perk/p-eIF2α/Atf4 signaling rescued the developmental deficiency of pharyngeal arches caused by depletion of Hspa8. Taken together, our results provide novel insights into the tissue-specific roles of Hspa8 in the regulation of vertebrate embryonic development.
The insect perspective on Z-disc structure and biology
Authors: Schöck Frieder , González-Morales Nicanor
Published: October 2022

Myofibrils are the intracellular structures formed by actin and myosin filaments. They are paracrystalline contractile cables with unusually well-defined dimensions. The sliding of actin past myosin filaments powers contractions, and the entire system is held in place by a structure called the Z-disc, which anchors the actin filaments. Myosin filaments, in turn, are anchored to another structure called the M-line. Most of the complex architecture of myofibrils can be reduced to studying the Z-disc, and recently, important advances regarding the arrangement and function of Z-discs in insects have been published. On a very small scale, we have detailed protein structure information. At the medium scale, we have cryo-electron microscopy maps, super-resolution microscopy and protein–protein interaction networks, while at the functional scale, phenotypic data are available from precise genetic manipulations. All these data aim to answer how the Z-disc works and how it is assembled. Here, we summarize recent data from insects and explore how it fits into our view of the Z-disc, myofibrils and, ultimately, muscles.
Chronic Diarrhea: A rare presentation of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Furqan Saira , Khan Sajjad Ali , Ali Dania , Badini Kaleemullah
Published: October 2022

Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. There are two subtypes of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: Nodular lymphocyte predominant (NLPHL) and classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma which has further four types. It has a bimodal distribution and is more common among males. The most common presentation is painless swelling in the neck, armpit or groin region. Associated Symptoms include night sweats, unintentional weight loss, fever, persistent cough or dyspnea. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare occurrence. Diagnosis is based on hematological, radiological and histochemical studies.

Here we report a rare presentation of a 47-year-old male who presented with symptoms of loose stools, weight loss and fever. CT scan and abdominal lymph node biopsy findings were consistent with a lymphoproliferative disorder Patient was being managed in the line of malabsorption syndrome with possible underlying malignancy but his condition deterioted before the histological diagnosis was confirmed. Thus, this report highlights the importance having a consideration for Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the management of chronic diarrhea.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.5452

How to cite this:Furqan S, Khan SA, Ali D, Badini K. Chronic Diarrhea: A rare presentation of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.5452

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.
Η εσωτερίκευση των στάσεων του σχολικού περιβάλλοντος προς τους/τις μη ακούοντες/ουσες μαθητές/τριες και η κοινωνική τους προσαρμογή
Authors: Λαζαρίδου Γεωργία
Published: October 2022

Οι μαθητές με προβλήματα ακοής αποτελούν έναν πολύ ετερογενή πληθυσμό. Οι διαφορές αυτού του πληθυσμού ενδέχεται να επηρεάσουν τη γλώσσα, τα ακαδημαϊκά επιτεύγματα και την κοινωνική λειτουργία κατά τη διάρκεια των σχολικών ετών και μετά. Η γνώση των χαρακτηριστικών των μαθητών σε κάθε περιβάλλον θα βοηθήσει τους μελετητές και τους εκπαιδευτικούς να αναγνωρίσουν και να κατατάξουν τους πόρους, τις γνώσεις και τις υποστηρικτικές ικανότητες για να ανταποκριθούν αποτελεσματικότερα στις ανάγκες των μαθητών αυτών. Οι μαθητές με προβλήματα ακοής έχουν ανάγκη από την ανάπτυξη κοινωνικών δεξιοτήτων και κοινωνικής επάρκειας, στο πλαίσιο της ψυχολογικής τους προσαρμογής, που σχετίζεται με την ψυχολογική ευημερία και τη συναισθηματική προσαρμογή. Επίσης στο πλαίσιο της κοινωνικής σύγκρισης, οι μαθητές με προβλήματα ακοής ενδέχεται να έχουν δυσκολία συμμετοχής σε κοινωνικά προσανατολισμένες ευκαιρίες μάθησης εντός της συνεκπαίδευσης. ότι υπάρχουν αρκετοί παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τα χαρακτηριστικά των μαθητών με προβλήματα ακοής, όπως είναι τα χαρακτηριστικά της προσωπικότητάς τους, η υποστήριξη από τους εκπαιδευτικούς, αλλά και η γλωσσική τους ανάπτυξη και η επικοινωνία με τους φροντιστές / γονείς τους. Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, απώτερος στόχος αυτής της έρευνας είναι να διερευνηθούν οι στάσεις των εκπαιδευτικών απέναντι στα παιδιά με προβλήματα ακοής. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, η έρευνα αυτή προσδιορίζει τους παράγοντες εκείνους που συμβάλλουν στην ανάπτυξη της κοινωνικής επάρκειας, την ανθεκτικότητα και της ψυχολογικής προσαρμογής των μαθητών με προβλήματα ακοής που φοιτούν σε γενικά σχολεία πρωτοβάθμιας και δευτεροβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης, στη βάση των απόψεων των εκπαιδευτικών. Με βάση τα συμπεράσματα που εξήχθησαν από την παρούσα έρευνα διαπιστώνεται η ανάγκη να δοθεί περισσότερη προσοχή στις ανάγκες, εκπαιδευτικές και μη, των ατόμων με προβλήματα ακοής, όπως σε επίπεδο εκπαιδευτικών και επαγγελματικών ευκαιριών, εκπροσώπησης στα ΜΜΕ, και συνολικά κοινωνικού στιγματισμού και διευκόλυνσης της ανεξάρτητης και ποιοτικής διαβίωσής τους.
Humanizing science: seven actions for PhD students to become next generation, future-proof scientists
Authors: Valks Ingrid , Satrio Dara , Reitsma Angelica , Wolthers Katja , Dierickx Kris , Benschop Kim , Pajkrt Dasja ,   OrganoVIR
Published: October 2022

PhD students, also referred to as the early stage researchers (ESRs), that are participating in the European Union’s Horizon 2020 consortium, OrganoVIR, have the ambition to become top scientists in virology with innovative, animal-free, research models; organoids. To achieve this ambition, developing more self-confidence and resilience was used to strengthen personal leadership needed in such professional role. Towards this purpose, seven actions have been selected that guide the ESRs through their PhD journey and help them elevate their career perspectives and employability in the international labor market. In this essay, we share the seven personal development actions that have been carried out by the ESRs in the OrganoVIR H2020 Innovative Training Network (ITN) project, with the goal of demonstrating how training human skills can contribute to innovation and collaboration in European research. This article is an effort by OrganoVIR’s Training and Education Committee to provide views on personal growth and leadership awareness.
The genome sequence of the Arran brown, Erebia ligea (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Lohse Konrad , Hayward Alex , Laetsch Dominik R. , Vila Roger , Lucek Kay ,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: October 2022

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Erebia ligea (Arran brown; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae). The genome sequence is 506 megabases in span. The majority (99.92%) of the assembly is scaffolded into 29 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled. The complete mitochondrial genome was also assembled and is 15.2 kilobases in length.
Machine Learning Based Technique to Learn Hippocampal Atrophy from Axial MRI for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Ramkumar D. K. , Balaji N. V. , Genish T.
Published: October 2022

Hippocampus (HC) is one of the small brain components and its features majorly take part in diagnosing diseases such as Alzheimer and Dementia. The earlier detection of the size changes of HC leads to take preventive action against Alzheimer disease at initial stage. Thus the HC voxel quantification becomes essential to know the severity of the disease and thus induces computerized segmentation process. Several semi-automatic and automatic HC segmentation techniques proposed earlier. Though, it requires large memory space and high computational cost. This paper reduces the risk of searching a high configuration machine and reduces the cost by utilizing limited number of features. It is to be done by using some strategic features based on mathematical framework of wavelet, statistical features and gray level computations called level set. The features fed as input to the supervised machine learning model called back propagation neural network. A deep study conducted to train the net and analyzed in various views. The results were compared with the similar existing models which were using Random forest, Quicknat and deep learning. The proposed machine learning model produces the higher and similar dice scores of existing model. The validation of the proposed method yields 85% of dice score and 96% of sensitivity and 96% of specificity.
Identification of the Phenomenon of Cognitive Polyphasia about Mental Illness Using the Projective Technique «Bubbles»
Authors: Israelyan Tat'yana
Published: October 2022

The article discusses the results of the application of the projective technique "Bubbles" in the study of social representations of mental illness. The purpose of the study: to identify multidirectional social perceptions of mental illness. Research hypothesis: respondents' social perceptions of mental illness are characterized by duality. The sample consisted of Muslims – N = 111 (men – 53, women – 58 people) and Orthodox Christians – N = 114 (men – 49 people, women – 65 people), non–believers – N=113 (men – 76 people, women - 37 people), aged 18-23, 40-45, 60-65 years old, living in Moscow. Used: the author's questionnaire, which included 29 statements, the "Bubbles" technique. It was found that in both groups of respondents, the core of the JV about the mentally ill contains elements that demonstrate a positive orientation. The use of the "Bubbles" projective technique revealed the predominant negative nature of the perception of mentally ill people in three groups of respondents (the least negative perception in the group of respondents of Muslims (p<0.07). Respondents of the studied groups aged 18-23 years demonstrate the most positive representation of a mentally ill person than respondents aged 60-65 years (p<0.08). Thus, the results obtained with the help of a quantitative survey are in contradiction with the results of the qualitative method, thereby revealing the coexistence of SPS of different content, and therefore, allowing us to assert the phenomenon of cognitive polyphasia.
The Study of Teachers Professional Interaction Specifics at School Educational System Development
Authors: Serikova L.
Published: October 2022

The article is about results of study teachers’ professional interactions specifics at school educational system development. Author determines nature of individual and group subjectivity at teachers’ professional interaction; gives characteristics of teachers’ participation index for professional interaction at school educational system development.
Środowisko intelektualne Zakładu Narodowego im. Ossolińskich w dziewiętnastowiecznym Lwowie
Authors: Karolczak Kazimierz
Published: October 2022

THE INTELLECTUAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE OSSOLIŃSKI NATIONAL INSTITUTE IN THE NINETEENTH-CENTURY LVIV

Nineteenth-century Lviv in the Habsburg monarchy played the role of a provincial capital, and it was the largest city in Galicia, the seat of many administrative, judicial and educational institutions. In 1817, with the initiative of Józef Maksymilian Ossoliński, the Ossoliński National Institute, which in the years 1827-1945 had its seat in Lviv, was established. One of the oldest institutions of Polish culture, it attracted Poles from all the partitions. However, the intellectual environment of the Institute was created by its literary curators and vice-curators, deputies and directors, and a range of employees and associates. They all contributed to the intellectual life of Lviv with their various activities. Outstanding scholars, professors of the University of Lviv, writers, journalists, collectors and many aristocrats who supported the Institute financially were associated with the Ossolineum by donating their book collections. They played a significant role in the intellectual life not only of Lviv but also of Galicia.
Z rektorskiego fotela do poselskich ław
Authors: Szymczak Damian
Published: October 2022

FROM THE RECTOR’S CHAIR TO DEPUTIES’ BENCHES: THE RECTORS OF THE LVIV UNIVERSITY AS VIRILIST DEPUTIES OF THE NATIONAL GALICIAN PARLIAMENT 

In 1861, the National Galician Parliament was established. Among its deputies, there were the representatives of Galician Universities. It was the institution of the so-called ex-officio members of parliament or chancellors virilists. Despite its many shortcomings, the chancellors stayed in the benches of the Galician Parliament until the end of the Habsburg Monarchy. In the years 1861-1914, the University of Lviv sent 50 rectors to the Galician Parliament. They were mostly Poles, and to a lesser extent Germans and Ukrainians. The rectors were rather not involved in political debates. The main area of their interest was the field of education.
Spisy powszechne w Polsce w latach 1921 i 1931 jako źródło do badań liczebności, struktury etniczno-wyznaniowej i zatrudnienia przedsiębiorców przemysłowych we Lwowie w okresie międzywojennym
Authors: Dudiak Ołeh
Published: October 2022

THE POLISH CENSUSES OF 1921 AND 1931 AS A SOURCE FOR STUDYING THE NUMBER, ETHNO-CONFESSIONAL STRUCTURE, AND EMPLOYMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN INTERWAR LVIV 

The author of the article analyses the censuses of 1921 and 1931 as a source for studying the business community of Lviv in the interwar period. He shows that census materials allow to establish the number of industrial entrepreneurs, the structure of their employment and ethno-confessional affiliation. In addition, these materials help to trace the quantitative changes of this social stratum, which occurred during the researched period. More advanced methodological principles of the 1931 census help to shed light on the stratification of Lviv entrepreneurs engaged in industry, depending on the size of the enterprises they owned, and to compare the relationships between different groups of entrepreneurs in the city’s largest ethno-confessional communities.
„Lwów był dla mnie Mekką”. Wspomnienia Ułasa Samczuka
Authors: Baran Zoja
Published: October 2022

„LVIV WAS A MECCA FOR ME”: MEMORIES OF ULAS SAMCHUK 

The article is devoted to the recollections of the Ukrainian writer, public figure Ulas Samchuk (1905-1987) concerning Lviv, reflected in his memoirs (On a White Horse, 1965 and On a Crow’s Horse, 1975), which he wrote in exile. Lviv of the 1920s appears as the centre of Ukrainian social and political life, with the most expedient, according to the writer, means of evolutionary and organic development. Lviv during the Nazi occupation of the 1940s, despite outright repression by the authorities, remained an important literary and publishing centre. Ulas Samchuk considered the imperial-Russian awareness, Stalinist and Nazi totalitarian systems to be the main enemies and threats to Ukraine. It was Lviv that the writer perceived as the centre of formation of a democratic Ukraine according to the Western model, which should be extended to the rest of Ukrainian territory.
Wojenne losy Aleksandra Prusiewicza i jego „Dziennik z wydarzeń II wojny światowej 1939-1941”
Authors: Biedrzycka Agnieszka
Published: October 2022

THE WARTIME FATE OF ALEKSANDER PRUSIEWICZ AND HIS “DIARY FROM THE EVENTS OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR 1939-1941” 

The article presents the last years of the life of Aleksander Prusiewicz (1878-1941), an ethnographer, sightseer, collector, curator of the Volyn Museum in Lutsk, organiser and manager of the Lviv Ethnographic Museum. From 1 September 1939, he kept a diary, describing, among many other things, the siege of Lviv, the first days of Soviet occupation as well as the worsening living conditions in the city. He devoted most of his attention to the arrest of the former Prime Minister of Poland, professor of archeology, Leon Kozłowski, which he provoked on 26 September 1939. In the next months, Prusiewicz limited keeping his diary to laconic notes. In the spring of 1940, he made efforts to obtain PhD at the Ivan Franko State University of Lviv, which ended in failure. He returned to systematic diary-keeping after the outbreak of the German-Soviet war, bringing his notes until 13 August 1941. Three weeks later, on 6 September 1941, he committed suicide. He was buried in the Łyczakowski cemetery.
The Effect of Short-Term Rentals on Residential Investment
Authors: Bekkerman Ron , Cohen Maxime C. , Kung Edward , Maiden John , Proserpio Davide
Published: October 2022

We provide new evidence that short-term rental platforms like Airbnb incentivize residential real estate investment.
Mosaico da burocracia pública brasileira: novos olhares sobre burocratas e interesses no Brasil
Authors: Albrecht Nayara
Published: October 2022

O livro reúne contribuições de pesquisadores(as) e especialistas de diferentes instituições e regiões, cujos trabalhos se concentram no eixo “politização da burocracia”. Os capítulos trazem resultados inéditos de pesquisas que investigam órgãos públicos fundamentais – como o Banco Central e o Ministério da Cultura – bem como trabalhos que versam sobre outros atores que coexistem em ambientes decisórios, tais como os representantes de grupos de interesse. Este robusto mosaico de trabalhos tão diversos sobre a burocracia pública brasileira converge para uma variável considerada intrínseca para a compreensão e a discussão da temática: a face política da burocracia.