bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between socioeconomic status and cognitive ability among Chinese older adults: the moderating role of social support
Authors: Shi Leiyu , Tao Lei , Chen Nanqian , Liang Hailun
Published: April 2023

Background

Understanding the causes and pathways of cognitive decline among older populations is of great importance in China. This study aims to examine whether the discrepancy in socioeconomic status (SES) makes a difference to the cognitive ability among Chinese older adults, and to disentangle the moderating role of different types of social support in the process in which SES influences cognition.

Methods

We utilized a nationally representative sample from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. A cumulative SES score was constructed to measure the combined effect of different socioeconomic statuses on the cognitive ability of the elderly. We further examined the moderating role of two types of social support, including emotional support, and financial support. Hierarchical regression analysis was applied to test the direct effect of SES on cognitive ability, and to investigate the moderating role of social support on the association of the SES with the dependent variables.

Results

The results showed that the higher SES of older adults was significantly associated with better cognitive ability (β = 0.52, p < 0.001) after controlling for age, sex, marital status, living region, Hukou, health insurance, lifestyle factors, and physical health status. Emotional support and financial support were moderated the relationship between SES score and cognitive ability.

Conclusion

Our results reveal the importance of considering social support in buffering the effects of SES and the associated cognitive ability for aging populations. It highlights the importance of narrowing the socioeconomic gap among the elderly. Policymakers should consider promoting social support to improve the cognitive ability among older adults.
In-Vivo fluorescent nanosensor implants based on hydrogel-encapsulation: investigating the inflammation and the foreign-body response
Authors: Lee Michael A. , Jin Xiaojia , Muthupalani Sureshkumar , Bakh Naveed A. , Gong Xun , Strano Michael S.
Published: April 2023

Nanotechnology-enabled sensors or nanosensors are emerging as promising new tools for various in-vivo life science applications such as biosensing, components of delivery systems, and probes for spatial bioimaging. However, as with a wide range of synthetic biomaterials, tissue responses have been observed depending on cell types and various nanocomponent properties. The tissue response is critical for determining the acute and long term health of the organism and the functional lifetime of the material in-vivo. While nanomaterial properties can contribute significantly to the tissue response, it may be possible to circumvent adverse reactions by formulation of the encapsulation vehicle. In this study, five formulations of poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel-encapsulated fluorescent nanosensors were implanted into SKH-1E mice, and the inflammatory responses were tracked in order to determine the favorable design rules for hydrogel encapsulation and minimization of such responses. Hydrogels with higher crosslinking density were found to allow faster resolution of acute inflammation. Five different immunocompromised mice lines were utilized for comparison across different inflammatory cell populations and responses. Degradation products of the gels were also characterized. Finally, the importance of the tissue response in determining functional lifetime was demonstrated by measuring the time-dependent nanosensor deactivation following implantation into animal models.
Healthcare reform and productivity of Hospital: a DEA-based analysis from South West of Iran
Authors: Vahedi Sajad , Zahiri Mansour , Pirani Narges , Torabipour Amin
Published: April 2023

Background

Different healthcare reforms could affect the productivity of hospitals. The aim of this study was to track hospital productivity before and after the recent Iranian healthcare reform in Khuzestan province, South West of Iran.

Methods

Hospital productivity was evaluated through data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist productivity index (MPI) from 2011 to 2015 for 17 Iranian public hospitals before and after the health sector transformation plan. We assumed an output-oriented model with variable returns to scale (VRS) to estimate the productivity and efficiency of each hospital. The DEAP V.2.1 software was used for data analysis.

Results

After the transformation plan, the averages of technical efficiency, managerial efficiency and scale efficiency in the studied hospitals had negative changes, but technology efficiency had positive changes.44.4% of general hospitals, 25% of multi-specialized hospitals, and 100% of specialized hospitals had positive productivity changes after implementing the health sector evolution plan. The Malmquist productivity index (MPI) had low positive changes from 2013 to 2016 (MPI = 0.13 out of 1) but the mean productivity score had no change after the health sector evolution plan.

Conclusions

The total productivity before and after the health sector evolution plan had no change in Khuzestan province. This and the increase in the utilization of impatient services seemed to be a sign of good performance. But apart from technology efficiency, other efficiency indices had negative changes. It is suggested that in health reforms in Iran, more attention should be paid to the allocation of resources in the hospital.
A state-of-the-art review on the MicroRNAs roles in hematopoietic stem cell aging and longevity
Authors: Ortiz Geovanny Genaro Reivan , Mohammadi Yasaman , Nazari Ahmad , Ataeinaeini Mehrnaz , Kazemi Parisa , Yasamineh Saman , Al-Naqeeb Bashar Zuhair Talib , Zaidan Haider Kamil , Gholizadeh Omid
Published: April 2023

Aging is a biological process determined through time-related cellular and functional impairments, leading to a decreased standard of living for the organism. Recently, there has been an unprecedented advance in the aging investigation, especially the detection that the rate of senescence is at least somewhat regulated via evolutionarily preserved genetic pathways and biological processes. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain blood generation over the whole lifetime of an organism. The senescence process influences many of the natural features of HSC, leading to a decline in their capabilities, independently of their microenvironment. New studies show that HSCs are sensitive to age-dependent stress and gradually lose their self-renewal and regeneration potential with senescence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally inhibit translation or stimulate target mRNA cleavage of target transcripts via the sequence-particular connection. MiRNAs control various biological pathways and processes, such as senescence. Several miRNAs are differentially expressed in senescence, producing concern about their use as moderators of the senescence process. MiRNAs play an important role in the control of HSCs and can also modulate processes associated with tissue senescence in specific cell types. In this review, we display the contribution of age-dependent alterations, including DNA damage, epigenetic landscape, metabolism, and extrinsic factors, which affect HSCs function during aging. In addition, we investigate the particular miRNAs regulating HSCs senescence and age-associated diseases.

Graphical Abstract
ATAD3A-related pontocerebellar hypoplasia: new patients and insights into phenotypic variability
Authors: Skopkova Martina , Stufkova Hana , Rambani Vibhuti , Stranecky Viktor , Brennerova Katarina , Kolnikova Miriam , Pietrzykova Michaela , Karhanek Miloslav , Noskova Lenka , Tesarova Marketa , Hansikova Hana , Gasperikova Daniela
Published: April 2023

Background

Pathogenic variants in the ATAD3A gene lead to a heterogenous clinical picture and severity ranging from recessive neonatal-lethal pontocerebellar hypoplasia through milder dominant Harel-Yoon syndrome up to, again, neonatal-lethal but dominant cardiomyopathy. The genetic diagnostics of ATAD3A-related disorders is also challenging due to three paralogous genes in the ATAD3 locus, making it a difficult target for both sequencing and CNV analyses.

Results

Here we report four individuals from two families with compound heterozygous p.Leu77Val and exon 3–4 deletion in the ATAD3A gene. One of these patients was characterized as having combined OXPHOS deficiency based on decreased complex IV activities, decreased complex IV, I, and V holoenzyme content, as well as decreased levels of COX2 and ATP5A subunits and decreased rate of mitochondrial proteosynthesis. All four reported patients shared a strikingly similar clinical picture to a previously reported patient with the p.Leu77Val variant in combination with a null allele. They presented with a less severe course of the disease and a longer lifespan than in the case of biallelic loss-of-function variants. This consistency of the phenotype in otherwise clinically heterogenous disorder led us to the hypothesis that the severity of the phenotype could depend on the severity of variant impact. To follow this rationale, we reviewed the published cases and sorted the recessive variants according to their impact predicted by their type and the severity of the disease in the patients.

Conclusion

The clinical picture and severity of ATAD3A-related disorders are homogenous in patients sharing the same combinations of variants. This knowledge enables deduction of variant impact severity based on known cases and allows more accurate prognosis estimation, as well as a better understanding of the ATAD3A function.
Development of anti-aflatoxin B1 nanobodies from a novel mutagenesis-derived synthetic library for traditional Chinese medicine and foods safety testing
Authors: Lee Yu-Ching , Lai Gar-Hwa , Lin Tsai-Yu , Tseng Tien-Sheng , Tsai Tsung-Hsun , Chen Wang-Chuan , Lee Cheng-Chung , Tsai Keng-Chang
Published: April 2023

Background

The main commercially available methods for detecting small molecules of mycotoxins in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and functional foods are enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and mass spectrometry. Regarding the development of diagnostic antibody reagents, effective methods for the rapid preparation of specific monoclonal antibodies are inadequate.

Methods

In this study, a novel synthetic phage-displayed nanobody Golden Glove (SynaGG) library with a glove-like cavity configuration was established using phage display technology in synthetic biology. We applied this unique SynaGG library on the small molecule aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which has strong hepatotoxicity, to isolate specific nanobodies with high affinity for AFB1.

Result

These nanobodies exhibit no cross-reactivity with the hapten methotrexate, which is recognized by the original antibody template. By binding to AFB1, two nanobodies can neutralize AFB1-induced hepatocyte growth inhibition. Using molecular docking, we found that the unique non-hypervariable complementarity-determining region 4 (CDR4) loop region of the nanobody was involved in the interaction with AFB1. Specifically, the CDR4’s positively charged amino acid arginine directed the binding interaction between the nanobody and AFB1. We then rationally optimized the interaction between AFB1 and the nanobody by mutating serine at position 2 into valine. The binding affinity of the nanobody to AFB1 was effectively improved, and this result supported the use of molecular structure simulation for antibody optimization.

Conclusion

In summary, this study revealed that the novel SynaGG library, which was constructed through computer-aided design, can be used to isolate nanobodies that specifically bind to small molecules. The results of this study could facilitate the development of nanobody materials to detect small molecules for the rapid screening of TCM materials and foods in the future.
Toosendanin targeting eEF2 impedes Topoisomerase I & II protein translation to suppress esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth
Authors: Jia Xuechao , Wang Penglei , Huang Chuntian , Zhao Dengyun , wu Qiong , Lu Bingbing , Nie Wenna , Huang Limeng , Tian Xueli , li Pan , Laster Kyle Vaughn , Jiang Yanan , Li Xiang , Li Honglin , Dong Zigang , Liu Kangdong
Published: April 2023

Background

Although molecular targets such as HER2, TP53 and PIK3CA have been widely studied in esophageal cancer, few of them were successfully applied for clinical treatment. Therefore, it is urgent to discover novel actionable targets and inhibitors. Eukaryotic translational elongation factor 2 (eEF2) is reported to be highly expressed in various cancers. However, its contribution to the maintenance and progression of cancer has not been fully clarified.

Methods

In the present study, we utilized tissue array to evaluate eEF2 protein expression and clinical significance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Next, we performed knockdown, overexpression, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP) sequence, and nascent protein synthesis assays to explore the molecular function of eEF2. Furthermore, we utilized compound screening, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) assay, cell proliferation and Patient derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model assays to discover an eEF2 inhibitor and assess its effects on ESCC growth.

Results

We found that eEF2 were highly expressed in ESCC and negatively associated with the prognosis of ESCC patients. Knocking down of eEF2 suppressed the cell proliferation and colony formation of ESCC. eEF2 bond with the mRNA of Topoisomerase II (TOP1) and Topoisomerase II (TOP2) and enhanced the protein biosynthesis of TOP1 and TOP2. We also identified Toosendanin was a novel inhibitor of eEF2 and Toosendanin inhibited the growth of ESCC in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Our findings show that Toosendanin treatment suppresses ESCC growth through targeting eEF2 and regulating downstream TOP1 and TOP2 biosynthesis. eEF2 could be supplied as a potential therapeutic target in the further clinical studies.
Transformation of alignment files improves performance of variant callers for long-read RNA sequencing data
Authors: de Souza Vladimir B. C. , Jordan Ben T. , Tseng Elizabeth , Nelson Elizabeth A. , Hirschi Karen K. , Sheynkman Gloria , Robinson Mark D.
Published: April 2023

Long-read RNA sequencing (lrRNA-seq) produces detailed information about full-length transcripts, including novel and sample-specific isoforms. Furthermore, there is an opportunity to call variants directly from lrRNA-seq data. However, most state-of-the-art variant callers have been developed for genomic DNA. Here, there are two objectives: first, we perform a mini-benchmark on GATK, DeepVariant, Clair3, and NanoCaller primarily on PacBio Iso-Seq, data, but also on Nanopore and Illumina RNA-seq data; second, we propose a pipeline to process spliced-alignment files, making them suitable for variant calling with DNA-based callers. With such manipulations, high calling performance can be achieved using DeepVariant on Iso-seq data.
Combining different CRISPR nucleases for simultaneous knock-in and base editing prevents translocations in multiplex-edited CAR T cells
Authors: Glaser Viktor , Flugel Christian , Kath Jonas , Du Weijie , Drosdek Vanessa , Franke Clemens , Stein Maik , Pruß Axel , Schmueck-Henneresse Michael , Volk Hans-Dieter , Reinke Petra , Wagner Dimitrios L.
Published: April 2023

Background

Multiple genetic modifications may be required to develop potent off-the-shelf chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies. Conventional CRISPR-Cas nucleases install sequence-specific DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), enabling gene knock-out or targeted transgene knock-in. However, simultaneous DSBs provoke a high rate of genomic rearrangements which may impede the safety of the edited cells.

Results

Here, we combine a non-viral CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease-assisted knock-in and Cas9-derived base editing technology for DSB free knock-outs within a single intervention. We demonstrate efficient insertion of a CAR into the T cell receptor alpha constant (TRAC) gene, along with two knock-outs that silence major histocompatibility complexes (MHC) class I and II expression. This approach reduces translocations to 1.4% of edited cells. Small insertions and deletions at the base editing target sites indicate guide RNA exchange between the editors. This is overcome by using CRISPR enzymes of distinct evolutionary origins. Combining Cas12a Ultra for CAR knock-in and a Cas9-derived base editor enables the efficient generation of triple-edited CAR T cells with a translocation frequency comparable to unedited T cells. Resulting TCR- and MHC-negative CAR T cells resist allogeneic T cell targeting in vitro.

Conclusions

We outline a solution for non-viral CAR gene transfer and efficient gene silencing using different CRISPR enzymes for knock-in and base editing to prevent translocations. This single-step procedure may enable safer multiplex-edited cell products and demonstrates a path towards off-the-shelf CAR therapeutics.
A myeloid leukemia factor homolog is involved in tolerance to stresses and stress-induced protein metabolism in Giardia lamblia
Authors: Wu Jui-Hsuan , Lee Jen-Chi , Ho Chun-Che , Chiu Pei-Wei , Sun Chin-Hung
Published: April 2023

Background

The eukaryotic membrane vesicles contain specific sets of proteins that determine vesicle function and shuttle with specific destination. Giardia lamblia contains unknown cytosolic vesicles that are related to the identification of a homolog of human myeloid leukemia factor (MLF) named MLF vesicles (MLFVs). Previous studies suggest that MLF also colocalized with two autophagy machineries, FYVE and ATG8-like protein, and that MLFVs are stress-induced compartments for substrates of the proteasome or autophagy in response to rapamycin, MG132, and chloroquine treatment. A mutant protein of cyclin-dependent kinase 2, CDK2m3, was used to understand whether the aberrant proteins are targeted to degradative compratments. Interestingly, MLF was upregulated by CDK2m3 and they both colocalized within the same vesicles. Autophagy is a self-digestion process that is activated to remove damaged proteins for preventing cell death in response to various stresses. Because of the absence of some autophagy machineries, the mechanism of autophagy is unclear in G. lamblia.

Results

In this study, we tested the six autophagosome and stress inducers in mammalian cells, including MG132, rapamycin, chloroquine, nocodazole, DTT, and G418, and found that their treatment increased reactive oxygen species production and vesicle number and level of MLF, FYVE, and ATG8-like protein in G. lamblia. Five stress inducers also increased the CDK2m3 protein levels and vesicles. Using stress inducers and knockdown system for MLF, we identified that stress induction of CDK2m3 was positively regulated by MLF. An autophagosome-reducing agent, 3-methyl adenine, can reduce MLF and CDK2m3 vesicles and proteins. In addition, knockdown of MLF with CRISPR/Cas9 system reduced cell survival upon treatment with stress inducers. Our newly developed complementation system for CRISPR/Cas9 indicated that complementation of MLF restored cell survival in response to stress inducers. Furthermore, human MLF2, like Giardia MLF, can increase cyst wall protein expression and cyst formation in G. lamblia, and it can colocalize with MLFVs and interact with MLF.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that MLF family proteins are functionally conserved in evolution. Our results also suggest an important role of MLF in survival in stress conditions and that MLFVs share similar stress-induced characteristics with autophagy compartments.
Cumulative exposure to metabolic syndrome in a national population-based cohort of young adults and sex-specific risk for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Lee Min-Kyung , Lee Jae-Hyuk , Sohn Seo Young , Ahn Jiyeon , Hong Oak-Kee , Kim Mee-Kyoung , Baek Ki-Hyun , Song Ki-Ho , Han Kyungdo , Kwon Hyuk-Sang
Published: April 2023

Background

Metabolic syndrome is associated with type 2 diabetes and its prevalence is increasing worldwide in young adults. We aimed to determine whether cumulative exposure to metabolic syndrome is associated with type 2 diabetes risk in young adults.

Methods

Data of 1,376,540 participants aged 20–39 years without a history of type 2 diabetes and who underwent four annual health check-ups were collected. In this large-scale prospective cohort study, we evaluated the incidence rates and hazard ratios (HRs) of diabetes according to cumulative frequencies of metabolic syndrome over 4 years of consecutive annual health check-ups (burden score 0–4). Subgroup analyses were performed by sex and age.

Results

During 5.18 years of follow-up, 18,155 young adults developed type 2 diabetes. The incidence of type 2 diabetes increased with burden score (P < 0.0001). The multivariable-adjusted HRs for type 2 diabetes were 4.757, 10.511, 18.288, and 31.749 in participants with a burden score of 1 to 4, respectively, compared to those with 0. In subgroup analyses, the risk of incident diabetes was greater in women than men and in the 20–29 years age group than the 30–39 years age group. The HRs were 47.473 in women and 27.852 in men with four burden scores.

Conclusion

The risk of type 2 diabetes significantly increased with an increase in the cumulative burden of metabolic syndrome in young adults. Additionally, the association between cumulative burden and diabetes risk was stronger in women and the 20s age group.
CT analysis of thoracolumbar body composition for estimating whole-body composition
Authors: Hong Jung Hee , Hong Hyunsook , Choi Ye Ra , Kim Dong Hyun , Kim Jin Young , Yoon Jeong-Hwa , Yoon Soon Ho
Published: April 2023

Background

To evaluate the correlation between single- and multi-slice cross-sectional thoracolumbar and whole-body compositions.

Methods

We retrospectively included patients who underwent whole-body PET–CT scans from January 2016 to December 2019 at multiple institutions. A priori-developed, deep learning-based commercially available 3D U-Net segmentation provided whole-body 3D reference volumes and 2D areas of muscle, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat at the upper, middle, and lower endplate of the individual T1–L5 vertebrae. In the derivation set, we analyzed the Pearson correlation coefficients of single-slice and multi-slice averaged 2D areas (waist and T12–L1) with the reference values. We then built prediction models using the top three correlated levels and tested the models in the validation set.

Results

The derivation and validation datasets included 203 (mean age 58.2 years; 101 men) and 239 patients (mean age 57.8 years; 80 men). The coefficients were distributed bimodally, with the first peak at T4 (coefficient, 0.78) and the second peak at L2-3 (coefficient 0.90). The top three correlations in the abdominal scan range were found for multi-slice waist averaging (0.92) and single-slice L3 and L2 (0.90, each), while those in the chest scan range were multi-slice T12–L1 averaging (0.89), single-slice L1 (0.89), and T12 (0.86). The model performance at the top three levels for estimating whole-body composition was similar in the derivation and validation datasets.

Conclusions

Single-slice L2–3 (abdominal CT range) and L1 (chest CT range) analysis best correlated with whole-body composition around 0.90 (coefficient). Multi-slice waist averaging provided a slightly higher correlation of 0.92.
Giant Morgagni hernia with transthoracic herniation of the left liver lobe and transverse colon: a case report
Authors: Albasheer Osama , Hakami Nasser , Ahmed Anas A.
Published: April 2023

Background

A Morgagni hernia is a rare diaphragmatic hernia that is usually asymptomatic but can present with gastrointestinal and chest symptoms and is reported in many cases with strangulation. Here we report a rare case of a Morgagni hernia with transthoracic herniation of the left lobe of the liver and transverse colon that presented with abdominal pain.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old Saudi female presented with abdominal pain, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Chest radiography revealed an air-containing viscus and a wide mediastinum. Computed tomography confirmed the presence of a right-sided Morgagni hernia. Reduction of the defect contents and repair of the hernia together with cholecystectomy were successfully performed using the laparoscopic approach. The patient recovered smoothly with complete resolution of preoperative symptoms.

Conclusion

A Morgagni hernia is a rare diaphragmatic defect with an increased risk of incarceration. In addition to the omentum, transverse colon, and small bowel, the defect may involve the left lobe of the liver. Surgical repair is recommended in all cases of Morgagni hernia, to avoid the risk of incarceration.
Characteristics of the nasal mucosa of commercial pigs during normal development
Authors: Li Yuchen , Yang Chengjie , Jiang Yuqi , Wang Xiuyu , Yuan Chen , Qi Jiaxin , Yang Qian
Published: April 2023

The nasal mucosa is constantly exposed to inhaled pathogens and is the first defence against respiratory infections. Here, we investigated the structural and compositional characteristics of the nasal mucosa of commercial pigs at various growth stages. The epithelial thickness, number of capillaries, and secretion function of the nasal mucosa dramatically increased with age; however, underlying lymphoid follicles in the respiratory region were rarely observed across the growth stages. The nasal mucosa was explored at the epithelial, immunological, and biological (commensal microbiota) barriers. In the epithelial barrier, the proliferative capacity of the nasal epithelia and the expression of tight junction proteins were high after birth; however, they decreased significantly during the suckling stage and increased again during the weaning stage. In the immunological barrier, most pattern recognition receptors were expressed at very low levels in neonatal piglets, and the innate immune cell distribution was lower. During the suckling stage, increased expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 was observed; however, TLR3 expression decreased. TLR expression and innate immune cell quantity significantly increased from the weaning to the finishing stage. In the biological barrier, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes comprised the dominant phyla in neonatal piglets. A dramatic decrease in nasal microbial diversity was observed during the suckling stage, accompanied by an increase in potentially pathogenic bacteria. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were identified as the core phyla of the nasal microbiota; among these, the three dominant genera, Actinobacter, Moraxella, and Bergerella, may be opportunistic pathogens in the respiratory tract. These characteristics comprise an essential reference for respiratory infection prevention at large-scale pig farms.
Model integrating CT-based radiomics and genomics for survival prediction in esophageal cancer patients receiving definitive chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Cui Jinfeng , Li Li , Liu Ning , Hou Wenhong , Dong Yinjun , Yang Fengchang , Zhu Shouhui , Li Jun , Yuan Shuanghu
Published: April 2023

Background

Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is a standard treatment option for locally advanced stage inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Evaluating clinical outcome prior to dCRT remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the predictive power of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics combined with genomics for the treatment efficacy of dCRT in ESCC patients.

Methods

This retrospective study included 118 ESCC patients who received dCRT. These patients were randomly divided into training (n = 82) and validation (n = 36) groups. Radiomic features were derived from the region of the primary tumor on CT images. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was conducted to select optimal radiomic features, and Rad-score was calculated to predict progression-free survival (PFS) in training group. Genomic DNA was extracted from formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded pre-treatment biopsy tissue. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were undertaken to identify predictors of survival for model development. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and C-index were used to evaluate the predictive performance and discriminatory ability of the prediction models, respectively.

Results

The Rad-score was constructed from six radiomic features to predict PFS. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the Rad-score and homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway alterations were independent prognostic factors correlating with PFS. The C-index for the integrated model combining radiomics and genomics was better than that of the radiomics or genomics models in the training group (0.616 vs. 0.587 or 0.557) and the validation group (0.649 vs. 0.625 or 0.586).

Conclusion

The Rad-score and HRR pathway alterations could predict PFS after dCRT for patients with ESCC, with the combined radiomics and genomics model demonstrating the best predictive efficacy.
Development of textile pattern design by M. C. Escher’s tessellation technique using chaekgeori icons
Authors: An Mi Hwa , Jang Ae Ran
Published: April 2023

The purpose of this study is to raise awareness of the uniqueness and excellence of Korea’s traditional culture among members of the MZ generation (Millennials and generation Z) and explore the possibility of utilizing archetypes of traditional culture in the contemporary context. To that end, this study develops and proposes unique contemporary textile pattern designs applying M. C. Escher’s tessellation technique to the formative characteristics and symbolic meaning of Chaekgeori icons. To develop the designs, this study reviews the previous literature and theoretically considers the concept of Chaekgeori, its formative characteristics, and Escher’s tessellation. After extracting iconsrelated to the themes, stylized iconographic motives were applied to geometric shapes to create repeating units. Then, Escher’s tessellation was applied to these repeats to develop twelve contemporarily reimagined textile patterns. To verify the usability of the developed textile pattern designs in products targeting the MZ generation, in-depth interviews were conducted with the MZ generation living in Jeju. The developed textile patterns were mapped onto the selected items to prove the applicability of the developed textile patterns to the items preferred by the MZ generation. The contribution of this study lies in the fact that it develops unique and contemporary textile pattern designs based on the formative characteristics and symbolic meaning of Chaekgeori icons and maps the designs of fashion items preferred by the MZ generation, thereby raising awareness of the value and excellence of Chaekgeori as a part of Korea’s traditional culture and shedding light on the possibility of using traditional cultural archetypes in contemporary contexts.
2D nanochannels and huge specific surface area offer unique ways for water remediation and adsorption: assessing the strengths of hexagonal boron nitride in separation technology
Authors: Avasarala Sankeerthana , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: April 2023

This review highlights the advantages of incorporating hexagonal Boron Nitride (BN) into the current membrane-based architectures for water remediation over other well-explored 2D nanomaterials such as graphene, graphene oxide, molybdenum sulphide, MXenes. BN has an interlayer spacing of 3.3A0 which is similar to that of graphene, but smaller than that of the other 2D nanomaterials. BN is bioinert, and stable under harsh chemical and thermal conditions. When combined with thin film composite and mixed matrix membrane architectures, BN can help achieve high permeance, dye rejection, and desalination. Laminar membranes assembled by BN nanosheets do not swell uncontrollably in aqueous environments unlike graphene oxide. BN nanomaterials have a large specific surface area which implies more adsorption sites, and are inherently hydrophobic in nature, which means the adsorbent in its powder form can be easily separated from contaminated water. BN adsorbents can be regenerated by treating with chemicals or heating to high temperatures to remove the adsorbate, without damaging the BN, due to its thermal and chemical inertness. BN nanomaterials have the potential to circumvent the current shortcomings of membranes and adsorbents, while greatly enhancing the performance of membranes and adsorbents for water remediation.

Graphical Abstract
North-facing aspects, shade objects, and microtopographic depressions promote the survival and growth of tree seedlings planted after wildfire
Authors: Marshall Laura A. E. , Fornwalt Paula J. , Stevens-Rumann Camille S. , Rodman Kyle C. , Rhoades Charles C. , Zimlinghaus Kevin , Chapman Teresa B. , Schloegel Catherine A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Planting tree seedlings may help promote forest recovery after extensive high-severity wildfire. We evaluated the influence of growing environment characteristics on the performance of seedlings planted in the 2016 Cold Springs Fire, Colorado, USA. In 2021, four growing seasons after planting, we measured survival, height, and 2021 height growth for 300 ponderosa pine, limber pine, and Douglas-fir seedlings permanently marked along “stake rows.” For each seedling, we also recorded one site-level growing environment characteristic, aspect, and two microsite-level characteristics, the presence of coarse wood or other shade object and the presence of water-capturing microtopographic depressions. To examine a potential mechanism through which these growing environment characteristics could influence seedling responses, we also measured summer soil moisture at each ponderosa pine seedling. We used generalized linear mixed models to examine the influence of aspect, shade object presence, and depression presence on seedling survival, height, and height growth, and on soil moisture.

Results

The growing environment had a clear influence on tree seedlings. We found greater seedling survival on more northerly aspects, in shade, and in depressions. Across all species, seedlings on north aspects had 37% greater survival than those on south aspects (76% vs. 39%, respectively). Seedlings planted in shaded microsites had 20% greater survival, and seedlings planted in depression microsites had 14% greater survival relative to microsites without shading or depressions, respectively. Seedling height was greater on more northerly aspects and in shade. Likewise, seedling height growth was generally greater on north aspects and in shade, although the influence of aspect and shade depended on species. Soil moisture was greater in depressions.

Conclusions

The findings of this opportunistic study demonstrate how positioning seedlings to take advantage of cooler, wetter growing environments can increase their performance in what are often climatically stressful post-fire landscapes. Overall, planting seedlings on north-facing aspects, in shaded microsites, and in depression microsites, practices commonly employed by land managers, were effective at promoting survival and growth, thereby facilitating planting success. These practices will likely become ever more relevant as the pace and scale of post-fire planting increases and as planting conditions become more stressful due to ongoing climate change.
Nonlinear distance measures under the framework of Pythagorean fuzzy sets with applications in problems of pattern recognition, medical diagnosis, and COVID-19 medicine selection
Authors: Dutta Palash , Borah Gourangajit , Gohain Brindaban , Chutia Rituparna
Published: April 2023

Background

The concept of Pythagorean fuzzy sets (PFSs) is an utmost valuable mathematical framework, which handles the ambiguity generally arising in decision-making problems. Three parameters, namely membership degree, non-membership degree, and indeterminate (hesitancy) degree, characterize a PFS, where the sum of the square of each of the parameters equals one. PFSs have the unique ability to handle indeterminate or inconsistent information at ease, and which demonstrates its wider scope of applicability over intuitionistic fuzzy sets.

Results

In the present article, we opt to define two nonlinear distances, namely generalized chordal distance and non-Archimedean chordal distance for PFSs. Most of the established measures possess linearity, and we cannot incorporate them to approximate the nonlinear nature of information as it might lead to counter-intuitive results. Moreover, the concept of non-Archimedean normed space theory plays a significant role in numerous research domains. The proficiency of our proposed measures to overcome the impediments of the existing measures is demonstrated utilizing twelve different sets of fuzzy numbers, supported by a diligent comparative analysis. Numerical examples of pattern recognition and medical diagnosis have been considered where we depict the validity and applicability of our newly constructed distances. In addition, we also demonstrate a problem of suitable medicine selection for COVID-19 so that the transmission rate of the prevailing viral pandemic could be minimized and more lives could be saved.

Conclusions

Although the issues concerning the COVID-19 pandemic are very much challenging, yet it is the current need of the hour to save the human race. Furthermore, the justifiable structure of our proposed distances and also their feasible nature suggest that their applications are not only limited to some specific research domains, but decision-makers from other spheres as well shall hugely benefit from them and possibly come up with some further extensions of the ideas.
The role of affective temperaments in bipolar disorder: The solid role of the cyclothymic, the contentious role of the hyperthymic, and the neglected role of the irritable temperaments
Authors: Karam Elie G. , Saab Dahlia , Jabbour Salam , Karam Georges E. , Hantouche Elie , Angst Jules
Published: April 2023

Background

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of individual affective temperaments as clinical predictors of bipolarity in the clinical setting.

Methods

The affective temperaments of 1723 consecutive adult outpatients presenting for various symptoms to a university-based mental health clinical setting were assessed. Patients were administered the Hypomania Checklist-32 and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego – Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A) and were diagnosed by psychiatrists according to the DSM-5 criteria. TEMPS-A scores were studied as both continuous and normalized categorical z-scores from a previously established nationwide study on the general population of Lebanon. Simple and multiple binary logistic regressions were done on patients who have any of the DSM-5 defined bipolar types, as a combined group or separately, versus patients without any bipolar diagnosis.

Results

At the multivariable level and taking into account all temperaments, the irritable temperament is a consistent predictor of bipolar I and bipolar II disorders. Cyclothymic temperament also played a strong role in bipolarity but more decisively so in bipolar II and substance-induced bipolarity. The hyperthymic temperament had no role in bipolar I or bipolar II disorder.
Cardio-cerebrovascular Outcomes in MODY, Type 1 Diabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wu Hui-Xuan , Chu Tian-Yao , Iqbal Junaid , Jiang Hong-Li , Li Long , Wu Yan-Xuan , Zhou Hou-De
Published: April 2023

Context

Cardio-cerebrovascular events are severe complications of diabetes.

Objective

We aim to compare the incident risk of cardio-cerebrovascular events in maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY), type 1 diabetes, and type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and MODY were diagnosed by whole exome sequencing. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of the first major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), including acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, unstable angina pectoris, and cardio-cerebrovascular-related mortality. Cox proportional hazards models were applied and adjusted to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the incident risk of MACE in type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, MODY, and MODY subgroups compared with people without diabetes (control group).

Results

Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and MODY accounted for 2.7%, 68.1%, and 11.4% of 26 198 participants with diabetes from UK Biobank. During a median follow-up of 13 years, 1028 MACEs occurred in the control group, contrasting with 70 events in patients with type 1 diabetes (HR 2.15, 95% CI 1.69-2.74, P < .05), 5020 events in patients with type 2 diabetes (HR 7.02, 95% CI 6.56-7.51, P < .05), and 717 events in MODY (HR 5.79, 95% CI 5.26-6.37, P < .05). The hazard of MACE in HNF1B-MODY was highest among MODY subgroups (HR 11.00, 95% CI 5.47-22.00, P = 1.5 × 10–11).

Conclusion

MODY diagnosed by genetic analysis represents higher prevalence than the clinical diagnosis in UK Biobank. The risk of incident cardio-cerebrovascular events in MODY ranks between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Future Interrupted: The Subjunctive Nationalism of M. N. Roy
Authors: Brennan Timothy
Published: April 2023

Despite today’s routine denunciations of Eurocentrism and the rise of critical schools that consider imperialism to be the exclusive outgrowth of “European epistemologies,” Europe has always been a much more internally mixed entity than is usually supposed as a result of foreign occupations, unassimilated indigenous peoples, contested borders, and a massive cultural and intellectual influx from its present and former colonies. Especially interwar Europe saw this unevenness come to the fore with the residency in Europe of intellectuals and activists from the global South who joined Europeans of like mind in the wake of the Russian Revolution to forge a new international order. The Bengali revolutionary M. N. Roy was one of the most exceptional figures of this type, a promoter equally of science and humanism who dedicated the latter part of his life, in fact, to promoting a “radical and integral humanism” fashioned in part on the work of European thinkers of earlier centuries. In doing so, he was establishing the unevenness of Europe, and making a case for Europe as a joint creation. He was pointing out that these ostensibly European ideas derived from an Enlightenment infused with the more worldly and cosmopolitan philosophies of medieval Arabic, Persian, and Jewish thought.
Does human foot anthropometry relate to plantar flexor fascicle mechanics and metabolic energy cost across various walking speeds?
Authors: Papachatzis Nikolaos , Ray Samuel F. , Takahashi Kota Z.
Published: April 2023

Foot structures define the leverage in which the ankle muscles push off against the ground during locomotion. While prior studies have indicated that inter-individual variation in anthropometry (e.g. heel and hallux lengths) can directly affect force production of ankle plantar flexor muscles, its effect on the metabolic energy cost of locomotion has been inconclusive. Here, we tested the hypotheses that shorter heels and longer halluces are associated with slower plantar flexor (soleus) shortening velocity and greater ankle plantar flexion moment, indicating enhanced force potential as a result of the force–velocity relationship. We also hypothesized that such anthropometry profiles would reduce the metabolic energy cost of walking at faster walking speeds. Healthy young adults (N=15) walked at three speeds (1.25, 1.75 and 2.00 m s−1), and we collected in vivo muscle mechanics (via ultrasound), activation (via electromyography) and whole-body metabolic energy cost of transport (via indirect calorimetry). Contrary to our hypotheses, shorter heels and longer halluces were not associated with slower soleus shortening velocity or greater plantar flexion moment. Additionally, longer heels were associated with reduced metabolic cost of transport, but only at the fastest speed (2.00 m s−1, R2=0.305, P=0.033). We also found that individuals with longer heels required less increase in plantar flexor (soleus and gastrocnemius) muscle activation to walk at faster speeds, potentially explaining the reduced metabolic cost.
Mos Historicus: An Introduction
Authors: Chatziathanasiou Manos , Konstantinidou Maria , Spanidou Athena
Published: April 2023

Introduction to the issue.
Απομόνωση και η «επιδημία» της μελαγχολίας στην πρώιμη νεότερη Ευρώπη:
Authors: Γ. Λεοντσίνη Μαρία-Κωνσταντίνα (Μαριτίνα)
Published: April 2023

Στο άρθρο αυτό εξετάζεται το ζήτημα της μελαγχολίας ως «επιδημία», ενώ παράλληλα αναδεικνύεται η δύναμη του διαλόγου και της φιλικής επικοινωνίας ανδρών και γυναικών ως το «αντίδοτο» στις αρνητικές επιπτώσεις του συναισθήματος αυτού. Ως μελέτη περίπτωσης λαμβάνεται το έργο του 16ου αιώνα με τίτλο Κόσμιος Διάλογος (La Civile Conversazione) του Stefano Guazzo, που αναφέρεται στην ανάγκη των ανθρώπων για επικοινωνία. Στις αρχές της δεύτερης δεκαετίας του 17ου αιώνα ο άγγλος συγγραφέας Robert Burton εξέδωσε το έργο Η Ανατομία της Μελαγχολίας (The Anatomy of Melancholy), όπου χαρακτήρισε τη μελαγχολία ως μια μάστιγα, ως μια επιδημία. Στο διάλογο του Guazzo δεν αναφέρεται ρητά πως η μελαγχολία αποτελούσε μια επιδημία της εποχής, όπως σε μεταγενέστερα έργα, όπως π.χ. σε αυτό του Burton. Όμως αναγνωρίζεται πως οι ασθένειες του νου, όπως η μελαγχολία, αποτελούσαν τελικά μια «μεταδοτική ασθένεια», όπως ακριβώς οι ασθένειες του σώματος. Μεταδίδονταν από άνθρωπο σε άνθρωπο έτσι ακριβώς, όπως και «οι κακίες του μυαλού». Το ζήτημα της μελαγχολίας εκλαμβάνεται ως μια πολιτισμική θεώρηση της πραγματικότητας του κόσμου του 16ου αιώνα, που επηρέασε βαθιά και τον 17ο αιώνα, ενώ παράλληλα αναδεικνύεται πως η συντροφιά και η συζήτηση ανδρών και γυναικών θεωρούνταν στα μέσα του 16ου αιώνα ως μια εναλλακτική προσέγγιση για τη θεραπεία της. Στο άρθρο αυτό επικεντρώνομαι στο έργο και στη θεώρηση του Guazzo για τη μελαγχολία και στις ευεργετικές ιδιότητες του διαλόγου, ιδιαίτερα με τις γυναίκες. Στη μελέτη δεν έχω περιοριστεί μόνο στον ιταλικό χώρο αλλά εκτείνεται αυτή γενικότερα στον ευρωπαϊκό όπου έργα σχετικά με την κατάλληλη συμπεριφορά των ανθρώπων και τους τρόπους οργάνωσης της αυλικής ζωής έλαβαν μεγάλη διάδοση.
Auswertung der Grabfunde des 12. bis 19. Jahrhunderts aus dem Basler Münster
Authors: Ochsner Christine
Published: April 2023

unter Mitarbeit von Anja Bayer und Regula Schorta sowie Hans-Rudolf Courvoisier und Bruno Kaufmann
Im Basler Münster wurden im 19. und 20. Jh. anlässlich verschiedener Grabungen über 400 Bestattungen aus der Zeit zwischen dem 9. und dem 19. Jh. gefunden. Insgesamt sind für die Zeit vor der Reformation (1529) über 260 Bestattete namentlich bekannt. Mindestens die Hälfte gehörte dem geistlichen Stand an.
Obschon die Gesamtauswertung der archäologischen Untersuchungen nach wie vor aussteht und im Verlauf der Jahrhunderte zahlreiche Bestattungen durch Baumassnahmen zerstört worden sind, lässt sich der zeitliche Ablauf und die Topografie der Bestattungen im Innern des Münsters in groben Zügen rekonstruieren.
mittelalterlichen Lederfunde aus den Gräbern im Basler Münster
Authors: Volken Serge , Volken Marquita
Published: April 2023

Im Beitrag von Serge und Marquita Volken werden die Lederfunde (Schuh- Gürtel- und Buchtaschenfragmenten) im Detail vorgestellt, die anlässlich verschiedener Ausgrabungen im Basler Münster zutage gebracht wurden.
Unter den Schuhen sind namentlich die Pontifikalschuhe aufgrund der reichen Verzierungen und des besonderen Schnitts hervorzuheben. Es handelt sich um ein seltenes Schuhmodell des 12. Jh., das ausschliesslich in klerikalem Kontext belegbar ist.
Eine andere Besonderheit unter den Lederfunden bilden zwei Buchbeutel denen erhebliche Bedeutung zukommt, weil solche bisher kaum erfasst oder untersucht wurden.