bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GeoSPARQL 1.1: Motivations, Details and Applications of the Decadal Update to the Most Important Geospatial LOD Standard
Authors: Car Nicholas J. , Homburg Timo
Published: February 2022

In 2012, the Open Geospatial Consortium published GeoSPARQL defining “an RDF/OWL ontology for [spatial] information”, “SPARQL extension functions” for performing spatial operations on RDF data and “RIF rules” defining entailments to be drawn from graph pattern matching. In the 8+ years since its publication, GeoSPARQL has become the most important spatial Semantic Web standard, as judged by references to it in other Semantic Web standards and its wide use for Semantic Web data. An update to GeoSPARQL was proposed in 2019 to deliver a version 1.1 with a charter to: handle outstanding change requests and source new ones from the user community and to “better present” the standard, that is to better link all the standard’s parts and better document and exemplify elements. Expected updates included new geometry representations, alignments to other ontologies, handling of new spatial referencing systems, and new artifact presentation. This paper describes motivating change requests and actual resultant updates in the candidate version 1.1 of the standard alongside reference implementations and usage examples. We also describe the theory behind particular updates, initial implementations of many parts of the standard, and our expectations for GeoSPARQL 1.1’s use.
Tour-Route-Recommendation Algorithm Based on the Improved AGNES Spatial Clustering and Space-Time Deduction Model
Authors: Zhou Xiao , Tian Jiangpeng , Su Mingzhan
Published: February 2022

This study designed a tour-route-planning and recommendation algorithm that was based on an improved AGNES spatial clustering and space-time deduction model. First, the improved AGNES tourist attraction spatial clustering algorithm was created. Based on the features and spatial attributes, city tourist attraction clusters were formed, in which the tourist attractions with a high degree of correlation among attributes were gathered into the same cluster. It formed the precondition for searching tourist attractions that would match tourist interests. Using tourist attraction clusters, this study also developed a tourist attraction reachability model that was based on tourist-interest data and geospatial relationships to confirm each tourist attraction’s degree of correlation to tourist interests. A dynamic space-time deduction algorithm that was based on travel time and cost allowances was designed in which the transportation mode, time, and costs were set as the key factors. To verify the proposed algorithm, two control algorithms were chosen and tested against the proposed algorithm. Our results showed that the proposed algorithm had better results for tour-route planning under different transportation modes as compared to the controls. The proposed algorithm not only considered time and cost allowances, but it also considered the shortest traveling distance between tourist attractions. Therefore, the tourist attractions and tour routes that were suggested not only met tourist interests, but they also conformed to the constraint conditions and lowered the overall total costs.
Lateralization of Courtship Traits Impacts Pentatomid Male Mating Success—Evidence from Field Observations
Authors: Romano Donato , Benelli Giovanni , Stefanini Cesare
Published: February 2022

Lateralization has been documented in many insect species, but limited information on courtship and mating lateralization in wild conditions is available. We conducted field investigation on the courtship and mating behavior of the neem bug, Halys dentatus, a polyphagous insect mainly infesting Azadirachta indica, with particular attention to lateralization of mating displays. We investigated the presence of population-level behavioral asymmetries during H. dentatus sexual interactions and their influence on male mating success. Two lateralized traits were found: left or right-biased male approaches to the female and left or right-biased male turning displays. Males approaching females from their left side were mainly right-biased in the 180° turning display, and males that approached females from their right side were mainly left-biased. Right-biased males by turning 180° to carry out end-to-end genital contact, performed a lower number of copulation attempts, thus starting copula earlier than left-biased males. Mating success was higher when males approached the left side of females during sexual interactions. A higher number of successful mating interactions was observed in right-biased males when turning 180°. Our results add useful knowledge on the reproductive behavior of H. dentatus in the field, with potential applications for identifying useful benchmarks to monitor the quality of individuals mass-reared for pest control purposes over time.
Field Evaluation of Selected Plant Volatiles and Conspecific Pheromones as Attractants for Agriotes obscurus and A. lineatus (Coleoptera: Elateridae)
Authors: van Herk Wim , Vernon Bob , Bourassa-Tait Gabrielle , Tóth Miklós , Kovacs Ervin
Published: February 2022

Sex pheromones are commonly used in traps to monitor populations and movements of male click beetles, but to date few attractants have been identified for females. Notable exceptions are plant-derived kairomones for female Agriotes brevis and A. ustulatus, allowing the monitoring of both males and females of these species with lures containing both pheromones and plant volatiles. The attractiveness of these plant volatiles for two congeners, A. obscurus and A. lineatus, which are agricultural pests in Europe and North America, was evaluated in the current study. Both the four-component MINIM plant-derived lure for A. brevis, and the blend of (E)-anethol and (E)-cinnamaldehyde for A. ustulatus, were not attractive to A. obscurus and A. lineatus, and instead appeared to reduce captures—both when compared to blank controls, and when blended with and compared to the sex pheromones of these species. This was most pronounced in A. obscurus, where (E)-anethol and (E)-cinnamaldehyde reduced male captures by 43 and 37%, respectively. Combining the pheromones of A. obscurus and A. lineatus reduced captures of these species by 77 and 19%, respectively, compared to these pheromones singly. This suggests that attractants for female click beetles can be highly species-specific, and that the blending of pheromones of congeneric species with each other, or with plant volatiles, can reduce captures. Further research into developing such attractants for economic species is urgently needed.
Desynchronization Strain Patterns and Contractility in Left Bundle Branch Block through Computer Model Simulation
Authors: Owashi Kimi , Taconné Marion , Courtial Nicolas , Simon Antoine , Garreau Mireille , Hernandez Alfredo , Donal Erwan , Le Rolle Virginie , Galli Elena
Published: February 2022

Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is associated with specific septal-to-lateral wall activation patterns which are strongly influenced by the intrinsic left ventricular (LV) contractility and myocardial scar localization. The objective of this study was to propose a computational-model-based interpretation of the different patterns of LV contraction observed in the case of LBBB and preserved contractility or myocardial scarring. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography was used to obtain LV volumes and deformation patterns in three patients with LBBB: (1) a patient with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, (2) a patient with antero-septal myocardial scar, and (3) a patient with lateral myocardial scar. Scar was confirmed by the distribution of late gadolinium enhancement with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). Model parameters were evaluated manually to reproduce patient-derived data such as strain curves obtained from echocardiographic apical views. The model was able to reproduce the specific strain patterns observed in patients. A typical septal flash with pre-ejection shortening, rebound stretch, and delayed lateral wall activation was observed in the case of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. In the case of lateral scar, the contractility of the lateral wall was significantly impaired and septal flash was absent. In the case of septal scar, septal flash and rebound stretch were also present as previously described in the literature. Interestingly, the model was also able to simulate the specific contractile properties of the myocardium, providing an excellent localization of LV scar in ischemic patients. The model was able to simulate the electromechanical delay and specific contractility patterns observed in patients with LBBB of ischemic and non-ischemic etiology. With further improvement and validation, this technique might be a useful tool for the diagnosis and treatment planning of heart failure patients needing CRT.
Non-HLA Antibodies in Hand Transplant Recipients Are Connected to Multiple Acute Rejection Episodes and Endothelial Activation
Authors: Sikorska Dorota , Kamińska Dorota , Catar Rusan , Banasik Mirosław , Heidecke Harald , Schulze-Forster Kai , Korybalska Katarzyna , Rutkowski Rafał , Łuczak Joanna , Jabłecki Jerzy , Oko Andrzej , Daroszewski Przemysław , Kusztal Mariusz , Samborski Włodzimierz
Published: February 2022

The role of anti-HLA antibodies in transplant rejection is well-known but the injury associated with non-HLA antibodies is now widely discussed. The aim of our study was to investigate a role of non-HLA antibodies in hand allografts rejection. The study was performed on six patients after hand transplantation. The control group consisted of: 12 kidney transplant recipients and 12 healthy volunteers. The following non-HLA antibodies were tested: antibody against angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R-Ab), antibody against endothelin-1 type-A-receptor (ETAR-Ab), antibody against protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1-Ab) and anti-VEGF-A antibody (VEGF-A-Ab). Chosen proinflammatory cytokines (Il-1, IL-6, IFNγ) were used to evaluate the post-transplant humoral response. Laboratory markers of endothelial activation (VEGF, sICAM, vWF) were used to assess potential vasculopathy. The patient with the highest number of acute rejections had both positive non-HLA antibodies: AT1R-Ab and ETAR-Ab. The same patient had the highest VEGF-A-Ab and very high PAR1-Ab. All patients after hand transplantation had high levels of laboratory markers of endothelial activation. The existence of non-HLA antibodies together with multiple acute rejections observed in patient after hand transplantation should stimulate to look for potential role of non-HLA antibodies in humoral injury in vascular composite allotransplantation.
The Use of Intravenous Zoledronate May Reduce Retear Rate after Rotator Cuff Repair in Older Female Patients with Osteoporosis: A First In-Human Prospective Study
Authors: Lee Jae-Hoo , Yoon Jae-Young , Lee Yong-Beom
Published: February 2022

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effect of intravenous (IV) zoledronate administration on rotator cuff healing, retear rate, and clinical outcomes in osteoporotic patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) compared with patients with normal bone densities. In this prospective nonrandomized comparative study with propensity score matching, 30 patients who were postoperatively administered IV zoledronate (5 mg) were enrolled as the study group. The control group was matched using 1-to-2 propensity score matching. Radiologic and functional outcomes were evaluated 6 months after surgery. The functional scores in both groups exhibited significant improvement 6 months after surgery. Compared with Group 1 (osteoporosis with IV zoledronate injection) Group 2 (normal bone density) showed significant improvement in their University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder score and Constant Shoulder Score (CSS) at 6 months postoperatively. The range of motion improved in both groups at 6 months after surgery. The retear rates according to Sugaya’s classification (IV and V) were 13.3% (4 of 30 patients) and 25% (15 of 60 patients) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively, which established a non-inferiority of Group 1 to the control group. The retear pattern according to Rhee’s classification in Group 1 was type I in all cases, whereas eight cases of type I and seven cases of type II patterns were observed in Group 2, which was statistically insignificant between the groups. In conclusion, anti-osteoporotic drug use is beneficial for patients with osteoporosis to reduce the failure rate after an ARCR of length > 2 cm, especially in older female patients. Moreover, thorough scrutiny is required to detect osteoporosis in patients with rotator cuff tears, especially in female patients.
Should Ultrasound-Guided High Frequency Focused Ultrasound Be Considered as an Alternative Non-Surgical Treatment of Uterine Fibroids in Non-Asiatic Countries? An Opinion Paper
Authors: Torres-de la Roche Luz Angela , Rafiq Sarah , Devassy Rajesh , Verhoeven Hugo Christian , Becker Sven , De Wilde Rudy Leon
Published: February 2022

Minimally invasive interventions for myomata treatment have gained acceptance due to the possibility of preserving fertility with reduced trauma induced by laparotomy as way of entrance. There are insufficient data regarding outcomes of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in non-Asiatic women. Therefore, we revised the available evidence to present an expert opinion that could support physicians, patients and policy-makers for considering this approach in other populations. We revisited systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials and cohort studies from January 2018 to August 2021 using PubMed and Google scholar, regarding short and long term outcomes after ablation with focused ultrasound waves. In total, 33 studies, including 114,810 adult patients showed that outcomes of this approach depend on several parameters directly related with resistance to thermal ablation, especially fibroid size and vascularization. Two studies report satisfactory outcomes in Afro-American women. In accordance to the technique used, fibroid volume reduction showed to be higher in fibroids <300 cm3 after ultrasound guided HIFU than after MRI guided. Compared to myomectomy and uterine artery embolization, HIFU seems to have shorter hospital stay, higher pregnancy rates and similar adverse events rates, with skin burn being the most reported. Symptoms and quality of life improvement is similar to myomectomy but lower than embolization, however reintervention rate is higher after HIFU. Lacks evidence about long-term sarcoma risk after ablation. Available evidence shows that HIFU can be considered as a uterine sparing treatment for women of different ethnicities suffering of uterine myomatosis, especially for those wishing to preserve their fertility.
Evaluation of Risk Prediction Models to Identify Cancer Therapeutics Related Cardiac Dysfunction in Women with HER2+ Breast Cancer
Authors: Suntheralingam Sivisan , Fan Chun-Po Steve , Calvillo-Argüelles Oscar , Abdel-Qadir Husam , Amir Eitan , Thavendiranathan Paaladinesh
Published: February 2022

Cancer-therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) is an important concern in women receiving trastuzumab therapy for HER2+ breast cancer. However, the ability to assess CTRCD risk remains limited. In this retrospective cohort study, we apply three published risk prediction models (Ezaz et al., NSABP-31 cardiac risk scores (CRS), and HFA-ICOS trastuzumab proforma) to 629 women (mean age 52.4 ± 10.9 years) with Stage I-III HER2+ breast cancer treated with trastuzumab ± anthracyclines to assess their performance to identify CTRCD during or immediately post treatment. Using these models, patients were classified into CTRCD risk categories according to the pre-treatment characteristics. With NSABP-31 CRS and HFA-ICOS proformas, patients in the highest risk category had a 1.7-to-2.4-fold higher relative risk of CTRCD than the low-risk category (p = 0.010 and 0.005, respectively). However, with all three risk models, those in the low-risk category had a high absolute risk of CTRCD (15.5–25.5%). The discrimination of the models for CTRCD (AUC 0.51–0.60) and their calibration was limited. NSAP-31 CRS and HFA-ICOS proformas can identify relative differences in CTRCD risk between patients, but when considering absolute risk, they are only able to identify the highest risk patients. There remains an ongoing need for accurate CTRCD risk prediction models in women with HER2+ breast cancer.
The Role of Topical Povidone-Iodine in the Management of Infectious Keratitis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Pedrotti Emilio , Bonacci Erika , Kilian Raphael , Pagnacco Camilla , Fasolo Adriano , Anastasi Marco , Manzini Gessica , Bosello Francesca , Marchini Giorgio
Published: February 2022

The aim of this prospective explorative study was to evaluate the safety and the effectiveness of topical polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) administered during the time-to-results period for pathogen identification and susceptibility testing in patients with infectious keratitis (IK). A corneal swab (CS) for antimicrobial evaluation was performed at enrollment (T0) and topical 0.66%-PVP-I was administered until the laboratory results were available (T1). Ulcer and infiltrate areas and infiltrate depths were compared between T0 and T1 (i.e., time-to-result period). Patients were then shifted to a specific antimicrobial therapy and followed up until resolution of their infiltrates (Tlast-TL). Twenty-five eyes were enrolled, and none showed clinical worsening leading to protocol withdrawal. At T1, ulcer and infiltrate areas showed significant improvement in Gram-positive IK (n = 13–52%; p = 0.027 and p = 0.019, respectively), remained stable in fungal IK (n = 5–20%; both p = 0.98) and increased in those with Gram-negative bacteria (n = 4–16%; p = 0.58 and p = 0.27). Eyes with negative cultures (n = 3–12%) showed complete resolution at T1 and did not initiate any additional antimicrobial therapy. The administration of 0.66% PVP-I during the time-to-result period seems to be a safe strategy in patients with IK while often sparing broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. In addition, it showed to be effective in eyes with a Gram-positive bacterial infection.
Evaluating the Precision of Automatic Segmentation of Teeth, Gingiva and Facial Landmarks for 2D Digital Smile Design Using Real-Time Instance Segmentation Network
Authors: Lee Seulgi , Kim Jong-Eun
Published: February 2022

Digital smile design (DSD) technology, which takes pictures of patients’ faces together with anterior dentition and uses them for prosthesis design, has been recently introduced. However, the limitation of DSD is that it evaluates a patient with only one photograph taken in a still state, and the patient’s profile cannot be observed from various viewpoints. Therefore, this study aims to segment the patient’s anterior teeth, gingiva and facial landmarks using YOLACT++. We trained YOLACT++ on the annotated data of the teeth, lips and gingiva from the Flickr-Faces-HQ (FFHQ) data. We evaluated that the model trained by 2D candid facial images for the detection and segmentation of smile characteristics. The results show the possibility of an automated smile characteristic identification system for the automatic and accurate quantitative assessment of a patient’s smile.
Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes in Nephrology: Focus on Hemodialysis
Authors: Pérez-Morales Rosa , Buades-Fuster Juan Manuel , Esteve-Simó Vicent , Macía-Heras Manuel , Mora-Fernández Carmen , Navarro-González Juan F.
Published: February 2022

The success of hemodialysis (HD) treatments has been evaluated using objective measures of analytical parameters, or machine-measured parameters, despite having available validated instruments that assess patient perspective. There is an emerging interest regarding the use and relevance of patient-related outcomes (PROs). Electronic PROs (ePROs) involve the use of electronic technology, provide rapid access to this information, and are becoming more widely used in clinical trials and studies to evaluate efficacy and safety. Despite the scarce literature, this review suggests that ePROs are useful in providing a more customized and multidimensional approach to patient management and in making better clinical decisions in relevant aspects such as vascular access, duration and frequency of dialysis sessions, treatment of anemia, mental health, fatigue, and quality of life. The purpose of this review is to raise interest in the systematic use of ePROs in HD and to promote the development of studies in this field, which can respond to the gaps in knowledge and contribute to the implementation of the use of ePROs through new technologies, helping to improve the quality of health care.
Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in a Tertiary Referral Center: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Authors: Maryńczak Kasper , Włodarczyk Jakub , Sabatowska Zofia , Dziki Adam , Dziki Łukasz , Włodarczyk Marcin
Published: February 2022

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a risk factor in developing colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CA-CRC). CA-CRC causes the death of about 15% IBD patients and the risk is 1.5–2.4 fold higher among IBD sufferers than in the general population. The dysplasia CA-CRC develops in a different mechanism in comparison to sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed at evaluating the surgical treatment and its outcomes as well as 5-year survival rates in the CA-CRC and sporadic CRC patients. Materials and methods: This single-center, retrospective, propensity score-matched case-control study was conducted with 2204 patients operated on due to primary CRC, who were hospitalized from 2003 to 2019. The CA-CRC group consisted of 49 patients with CRC in the course of IBD. The sporadic CRC group was selected with the propensity score matching technique and comprised 98 patients with sporadic CRC who did not have clinical or histopathological features characteristic for IBD. Results: CA-CRC is characterized by a more aggressive clinical course. Surgical treatment of CA-CRC involves more palliative operations and is related with a higher risk of perioperative and postoperative complications. Further studies of CA-CRC risk factor stratification and the development of molecular markers hold promise in reducing CRC in IBD patients in the future were warranted.
Additional Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis on the Posterior Side for Treatment of Primary Lower Extremity Lymphedema
Authors: Hayashi Akitatsu , Visconti Giuseppe , Yang Chia-Shen (Johnson) , Hayashi Nobuko , Yoshimatsu Hidehiko
Published: February 2022

The efficacy of lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) for the treatment of primary lymphedema has been reported. Previous research suggested the efficacy of LVA on the anterior side of the lower limb, but no research has yet underlined the effectiveness of LVA on the posterior side. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of LVA on the posterior side of the lower leg for treatment of primary lymphedema, i.e., whether further improvement of primary lower extremity lymphedema could be expected by performing LVA on the posterior side of the lower limb in addition to the LVA on the anterior side, which is usually performed. Forty-five patients with primary lower extremity lymphedema who underwent LVA twice between March 2018 and September 2020 were retrospectively investigated. Patients were classified into two groups: those who underwent LVA on the posterior side in the second operation (PoLVA group) and those who underwent LVA on the medial and anterior sides again in the second operation (MeLVA group). All patients underwent LVA on the medial and anterior sides in the first operation, but no sufficient improvement was observed. The following factors in the second operation were compared between the two groups: skin incision length, the number of anastomoses, the diameters of the lymphatic vessels, the time required for the dissection of the lymphatic vessels and veins and the reduction in volume. LVA resulted in 227 anastomoses (106 anastomoses in the PoLVA group and 121 anastomoses in the MeLVA group) in 26 patients with primary lymphedema of the lower extremities in two surgeries. The reduction in lower extremity lymphedema index was significantly greater in the PoLVA group than that in the MeLVA group (10.5 ± 4.5 vs. 5.5 ± 3.6; p = 0.008), and the number of anastomoses in the PoLVA group was significantly lower than that in the MeLVA group (3.5 ± 0.6 vs. 4.6 ± 1.0; p = 0.038). LVA on the posterior side subsequent to LVA on the medial and anterior sides resulted in the further improvement of primary lower extremity lymphedema with fewer numbers of anastomoses.
Evolution and New Horizons of Endoscopy in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Authors: Parigi Tommaso Lorenzo , Mastrorocco Elisabetta , Da Rio Leonardo , Allocca Mariangela , D’Amico Ferdinando , Zilli Alessandra , Fiorino Gionata , Danese Silvio , Furfaro Federica
Published: February 2022

Endoscopy is the mainstay of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) evaluation and the pillar of colorectal cancer surveillance. Endoscopic equipment, both hardware and software, are advancing at an incredible pace. Virtual chromoendoscopy is now widely available, allowing the detection of subtle inflammatory changes, thus reducing the gap between endoscopic and histologic assessment. The progress in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) has been remarkable, and numerous applications are now in an advanced stage of development. Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) systems are likely to reshape most of the evaluations that are now prerogative of human endoscopists. Furthermore, sophisticated tools such as endocytoscopy and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) are enhancing our assessment of inflammation and dysplasia. Finally, pCLE combined with molecular labeling could pave the way to a new paradigm of personalized medicine. This review aims to summarize the main changes that occurred in the field of IBD endoscopy and to explore the most promising novelties.
Energy Harvesting Using a Stacked PZT Transducer for Self-Sustainable Remote Multi-Sensing and Data Logging System
Authors: Dipon Wasim , Gamboa Bryan , Guo Ruyan , Bhalla Amar
Published: February 2022

The work discussed is developing a self-sustainable low-power remote multi-sensing and data logging system for traffic sensing. The system is powered by the energy harvested using a stacked PZT (Lead zirconate titanate) transducer from the mechanical vibration from the vehicles passing over roads. The system is capable of multi-sensing functionality, logging the sensor data, and wirelessly transferring sensory data to an end-user device. Various power management techniques and engineering applications were made to achieve low power operation of the system while maintaining the full functionality and the accuracy of the sensor data. The energy harvester used is a custom-designed and fabricated stacked piezoelectric transducer optimized for maximum energy harvesting from the mechanical vibration from roadway traffic. A custom-built AC to DC converter is used to convert the harvested energy into useable electrical power. The system was tested under various experimental setups yielding satisfactory data accuracy while operating at low power. The system also successfully transferred sensor data remotely. All these features make the system self-sustainable and suitable for remote sensing applications without a conventional power source.
Extracellular to Intracellular Body Water and Cognitive Function among Healthy Older and Younger Adults
Authors: Lee Jinhyun , Shields Richard K.
Published: February 2022

Compromised cognitive function is associated with increased mortality and increased healthcare costs. Physical characteristics including height, weight, body mass index, sex, and fat mass are often associated with cognitive function. Extracellular to intracellular body water ratio offers an additional anthropometric measurement that has received recent attention because of its association with systemic inflammation, hypertension, and blood–brain barrier permeability. The purposes of this study were to determine whether extracellular to intracellular body water ratios are different between younger and older people and whether they are associated with cognitive function, including executive function and attention, working memory, and information processing speed. A total of 118 healthy people (39 older; 79 younger) participated in this study. We discovered that extracellular to intracellular body water ratio increased with age, was predictive of an older person’s ability to inhibit information and stay attentive to a desired task (Flanker test; R2 = 0.24; p < 0.001), and had strong sensitivity (83%) and specificity (91%) to detect a lower executive function score. These findings support that extracellular to intracellular body water ratio offers predictive capabilities of cognitive function, even in a healthy group of elderly people.
Evaluation of the TruSight Tumor 170 Assay and Its Value in Clinical Diagnostics
Authors: Heydt Carina , Pappesch Roberto , Stecker Katrin , März Martin , Merkelbach-Bruse Sabine
Published: February 2022

Background: Parallel sequencing technologies have become integrated into clinical practice. This study evaluated the TruSight Tumor 170 assay for the simultaneous detection of somatic gene mutations (SNPs and indels), gene fusions and CNVs, and its implementation into routine diagnostics. Methods: Forty-four formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples analyzed previously with validated methods were evaluated with the TruSight Tumor 170 assay (Illumina). For data analysis the TruSight Tumor 170 app, the BaseSpace Variant Interpreter (Illumina), and the Molecular Health Guide Software (Molecular Health) were used. Results: All somatic gene mutations were identified when covered by the assay. Two high-level MET amplifications were detected by CNV analysis. Focal MET amplifications with a copy number below 10 were not reliably detected at the DNA-level. Twenty-one of 31 fusions and splice variants were confirmed with the assay on the RNA-level. The remaining eight aberrations were incorrect by previous methods. In two cases, no splicing was observed. Conclusions: The TruSight Tumor 170 gives reliable results even if low DNA and RNA concentrations are applied in comparison to other methods and can be used in a routine workflow to detect somatic gene mutations, gene fusions, and splice variants. However, we were not able to detect most focal gene amplifications/deletions.
Settlement of Bivalve Spat on Artificial Collectors (Net Bags) in Two Commercial Mussel Parks in the North-Western Adriatic Sea
Authors: Marčeta Tihana , Marin Maria Gabriella , Codognotto Valentina Francesca , Bressan Monica
Published: February 2022

Among aquaculture activities, shellfish culture is considered more sustainable and beneficial in terms of food security. Currently, only a few bivalve species are reared and there is a need to explore the possibility to introduce new candidates for shellfish farming. Due to the lack of information on bivalve recruitment in the North-Western Adriatic Sea, in this study, the possibility to collect natural spat of commercial species was investigated. Artificial collectors (net bags) were deployed in two sites, Pellestrina and Caleri (North-Western Adriatic Sea), within two commercial mussel parks, during the spring–summer and summer–autumn periods. At both sites, collectors were placed at a distance of 1 m from each other, from 5 to 14 m depth. The influence of season, site and depth on bivalve recruitment was inspected and the presence of invasive species was also evaluated. In all, 28 bivalve taxa were found, and a higher settlement rate was observed in summer–autumn compared to the spring–summer period. Mytilus galloprovincialis, Flexopecten glaber, Mimachlays varia and Aequipecten opercularis were the most abundant species in spring–summer. In the summer–autumn period, in both sites analysed, a very high quantity of Anadara transversa and F. glaber were found. Indeed, these species were dominant at Pellestrina and Caleri, respectively. Another non-indigenous species, Arcuatula senhousia, was also detected. Relevant amounts of Pectinidae spat, F. glaber in particular, were collected and the optimal depth range for the scallop spat collection was found to be between 8 and 14 m. Our results highlight the relevant potential of Pectinidae spat collection along the North-Western Adriatic coasts, even though the presence of invasive species needs to be monitored.
Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1 Induced Expression of Pathogenesis-Related Protein Genes against Gummy Stem Blight of Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) in Field Evaluation
Authors: Intana Warin , Wonglom Prisana , Suwannarach Nakarin , Sunpapao Anurag
Published: February 2022

Gummy stem blight caused by Stagonosporopsis cucurbitacearum is the most destructive disease of muskmelon cultivation. This study aimed to induce disease resistance against gummy stem blight in muskmelon by Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1. This study was arranged into two crops. Spore suspension at a concentration of 1 × 106 spores/mL of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 was applied to muskmelon to investigate gene expression. The expression of PR genes including chitinase (chi) and β-1,3-glucanase (glu) were determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and enzyme activity was assayed by the DNS method. The effects of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 on growth, yield, and postharvest quality of muskmelon fruit were measured. A spore suspension at a concentration of 1 × 106 spore/mL of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 and S. cucurbitacearum was applied to muskmelons to determine the reduction in disease severity. The results showed that the expression of chi and glu genes in T. asperelloides PSU-P1-treated muskmelon plants was 7–10-fold higher than that of the control. The enzyme activities of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase were 0.15–0.284 and 0.343–0.681 U/mL, respectively, which were higher than those of the control (pathogen alone). Scanning electron microscopy revealed crude metabolites extracted from T. asperelloides PSU-P1-treated muskmelon plants caused wilting and lysis of S. cucurbitacearum hyphae, confirming the activity of cell-wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs). Application of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 increased fruit weight and fruit width; sweetness and fruit texture were not significantly different among treated muskmelons. Application of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 reduced the disease severity scale of gummy stem blight to 1.10 in both crops, which was significantly lower than that of the control (2.90 and 3.40, respectively). These results revealed that application of T. asperelloides PSU-P1 reduced disease severity against gummy stem blight by overexpressed PR genes and elevated enzyme activity in muskmelon plants.
Association of COVID-19-Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis with Cytomegalovirus Replication: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Calderón-Parra Jorge , Moreno-Torres Victor , Mills-Sanchez Patricia , Tejado-Bravo Sandra , Romero-Sánchez Isabel , Balandin-Moreno Bárbara , Calvo-Salvador Marina , Portero-Azorín Francisca , García-Masedo Sarela , Muñez-Rubio Elena , Ramos-Martinez Antonio , Fernández-Cruz Ana
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a well-known factor associated with invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised hosts. However, its association with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has not been described. We aimed to examine the possible link between CMV replication and CAPA occurrence. Methods: A single-center, retrospective case–control study was conducted. A case was defined as a patient diagnosed with CAPA according to 2020 ECMM/ISHAM consensus criteria. Two controls were selected for each case among critically ill COVID-19 patients. Results: In total, 24 CAPA cases were included, comprising 14 possible CAPA and 10 probable CAPA. Additionally, 48 matched controls were selected. CMV replication was detected more frequently in CAPA than in controls (75.0% vs. 35.4%, p = 0.002). Probable CMV end-organ disease was more prevalent in CAPA (20.8% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.037). After adjusting for possible confounding factors, CMV replication persisted strongly associated with CAPA (OR 8.28 95% CI 1.90–36.13, p = 0.005). Among 11 CAPA cases with CMV PCR available prior to CAPA, in 9 (81.8%) cases, CMV replication was observed prior to CAPA diagnosis. Conclusions: Among critically ill COVID-19 patients, CMV replication was associated with CAPA and could potentially be considered a harbinger of CAPA. Further studies are needed to confirm this association.
Genomic Analysis of Stropharia rugosoannulata Reveals Its Nutritional Strategy and Application Potential in Bioremediation
Authors: Yang Ying , Meng Guoliang , Ni Shujun , Zhang Haifeng , Dong Caihong
Published: February 2022

Stropharia rugosoannulata is not only a popular edible mushroom, but also has excellent potential in bioremediation. In this study, we present a high-quality genome of a monokaryotic strain of the S. rugosoannulata commercial cultivar in China. The assembly yielded an N50 length of 2.96 Mb and a total size of approximately 48.33 Mb, encoding 11,750 proteins. The number of heme peroxidase-encoding genes in the genome of S. rugosoannulata was twice the average of all of the tested Agaricales. The genes encoding lignin and xenobiotic degradation enzymes accounted for more than half of the genes encoding plant cell wall degradation enzymes. The expansion of genes encoding lignin and xenobiotic degradation enzymes, and cytochrome P450 involved in the xenobiotic metabolism, were responsible for its strong bioremediation and lignin degradation abilities. S. rugosoannulata was classified as a litter-decomposing (LD) fungus, based on the analysis of the cell wall degrading enzymes. Substrate selection for fruiting body cultivation should consider both the nutritional strategy of LD and a strong lignin degradation ability. Consistent with safe usage as an edible mushroom, the S. rugosoannulata genome does not contain genes for known psilocybin biosynthesis. Genome analysis will be helpful for understanding its nutritional strategy to guide fruiting body cultivation and for providing insight into its application in bioremediation.
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Training on Oral Healthcare for Disabled Elderly Persons: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chang Ai-Hua , Lin Pei-Chen , Lin Pei-Chao , Lin Yi-Ching , Kabasawa Yuji , Lin Cheng-Yu , Huang Hsiao-Ling
Published: February 2022

(1) Background: Virtual reality (VR) technology is a widely used training tool in medical education. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of VR training of oral hygiene students on providing oral healthcare to disabled elderly persons. (2) Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted. In 2021, oral hygiene students were randomly assigned to a VR experimental group (EG; n = 11) and a control group (CG; n = 12). The EG received two-hour, thrice-repeated VR-based training interventions at 2-week, 4-week, and 6-week follow-ups. The CG received no VR-based interventions. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire before and immediately after each intervention. We performed generalized estimating equations to compare the responses. (3) Results: The EG exhibited a more significant improvement in oral care-related knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and intention at the 6-week follow-up than the CG. The students’ intention to assist the elderly in using interdental brushes (β = 0.91), with soft tissue cleaning (β = 0.53), and with oral desensitization (β = 0.53), and to have regular dental visits (β = 0.61) improved significantly at the 6-week follow-up. (4) Conclusions: VR training positively affected students’ knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and intentions on providing oral healthcare to disabled elderly persons.
Elevated Risk of Fluoropyrimidine-Associated Toxicity in European Patients with DPYD Genetic Polymorphism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kim Woorim , Cho Young-Ah , Kim Dong-Chul , Lee Kyung-Eun
Published: February 2022

Background: Fluoropyrimidine is widely used owing to its clinical efficacy, however, patients with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency can experience fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity. The dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD) gene encodes DPD, and studies suggest that DPYD polymorphisms can result in DPD deficiency. Since there is not a complete consistency of how much the risk of complication is elevated, we aimed to conduct a systematic literature review and a meta-analysis to provide the risk of fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity in patients with DPYD rs1801160 polymorphism. Methods: We searched for qualifying studies published before October 2021 from PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the strength of the association between rs1801160 polymorphism and toxicities. A sensitivity analysis using the leave-one-out method was performed on the overall toxicity. Results: The pooled OR for overall toxicity in the patients with A allele was elevated 1.73 times higher than those with the GG genotype (95% CI 1.44–2.07). Sensitivity analysis yielded similar results, showing the robustness of the result. Subjects with variants showed a 2.37-fold increased hematological toxicity (95% CI 1.48–3.81); especially a 1.87-fold increased neutropenia compared to patients with wildtype (95% CI 1.49–2.34). Patients with A allele revealed 1.22 times higher gastrointestinal toxicity compared to those with GG genotype (95% CI 0.93–1.61), and among gastrointestinal toxicity, the risk of diarrhea was elevated 1.43 times higher in those with variants than patients with wildtype (95% CI 1.12–1.83). Conclusions: rs1801160 polymorphism is associated with elevated fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity. Therefore, rs1801160 can be a potential candidate for DPD deficiency screening prior to fluoropyrimidine-based regimen.
Clinical Efficacy of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Advanced Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (pT3-T4): Real-World Data from the Taiwan Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Collaboration Group
Authors: Lin Chung-Yu , Weng Han-Yu , Tai Ta-Yao , Wu Hsi-Chin , Chen Wen-Chi , Chen Chung-Hsin , Huang Chao-Yuan , Lo Chi-Wen , Yu Chih-Chin , Tsai Chung-You , Wu Wei-Che , Jiang Yuan-Hong , Lee Yu-Khun , Hsueh Thomas Y. , Chiu Allen W. , Chiang Bing-Juin , Huang Hsu-Che , Chen I-Hsuan Alan , Chen Yung-Tai , Lin Wei-Yu , Wu Chia-Chang , Tsai Yao-Chou , Lee Hsiang-Ying , Li Wei-Ming
Published: February 2022

The clinical efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is unclear. We aimed to assess the therapeutic outcomes of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced UTUC (pT3-T4) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). We retrospectively reviewed the data of 2108 patients from the Taiwan UTUC Collaboration Group between 1988 and 2018. Comprehensive clinical features, pathological characteristics, and survival outcomes were recorded. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Of the 533 patients with advanced UTUC included, 161 (30.2%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. In the multivariate analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was significantly associated with a reduced risk of overall death (hazard ratio (HR), 0.599; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.419–0.857; p = 0.005), cancer-specific mortality (HR, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.391–0.914; p = 0.018), and cancer recurrence (HR, 0.456; 95% CI, 0.310–0.673; p < 0.001). The Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy had significantly better five-year OS (64% vs. 50%, p = 0.002), CSS (70% vs. 62%, p = 0.043), and DFS (60% vs. 48%, p = 0.002) rates compared to those who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. In conclusion, adjuvant chemotherapy after RNU had significant therapeutic benefits on OS, CSS, and DFS in advanced UTUC.
Online Environment as a Tool to Push Forward the Research: An Example for Landscape Disservices
Authors: Pătru-Stupariu Ileana , Ionescu Andreea , Tudor Radu , Pleșoianu Alin-Ionuț , Clius Mioara
Published: February 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have had to find different resources in order to continue their research and the use of online information can represent a temporary solution. Our research is mainly focusing on a landscape which offers services and disservices. Recently, numerous studies that rely on landscape disservices have appeared. We associate wildlife-human-interactions (WHI) and human-wildlife-interactions (HWI) as part of landscape disservices. More precisely, in the first category (WHI) we have included the interaction of the wild animals with human and in the second category (HWI) we have created a database with animals attacked or/and killed by human. In order to sustain this analysis, we have selected data from local newspapers and Facebook groups, which supports our hypothesis that online resources could provide valuable data. The study area is represented by the Southern and Eastern Carpathians. The most affected mammals for this type of interactions (HWI) are bears, followed by wild boars and red deer, while WHI has intensified in the last five years. Based on the analysed data we can conclude that the animals who generate the most disservices to humans are bears and wild boars. The solutions we have identified, which also include online sources, for both HWI and WHI are relocation, rescue, capturing of the animals in reservations or, as a last resort, euthanasia. In order to reduce these types of interactions it is important to promote ecological education, development and promoting of certain attitudes and behaviour that have a visible impact upon HWI and WHI.
Classifying the Nunivak Island Coastline Using the Random Forest Integration of the Sentinel-2 and ICESat-2 Data
Authors: Liu Changda , Li Jie , Tang Qiuhua , Qi Jiawei , Zhou Xinghua
Published: February 2022

Shore zone information is essential for coastal habitat assessment, environmental hazard monitoring, and resource conservation. However, traditional coastal zone classification mainly relies on in situ measurements and expert knowledge interpretation, which are costly and inefficient. This study classifies a shore zone area using satellite remote sensing data only and investigates the effect of the statistical indicators from Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) information with the Sentinel-2 data-derived spectral variables on the prediction results. Google Earth Engine was used to synthesize long time-series Sentinel-2 images, and different features were calculated for this synthetic image. Then, statistical indicators reflecting the characteristics of the shore zone profile were extracted from ICESat-2. Finally, a random forest algorithm was used to develop characteristics and shore zone classification. Comparing the results with the data measured shows that the proposed method can effectively classify the shore zone; it has an accuracy of 83.61% and a kappa coefficient of 0.81.