bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLP2 agonists reduce the requirement of Parenteral Support in patients with Short Bowel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Meta- Analysis
Authors: Ahmad Farooq , Khalid Abdur Rehman , Zafar Rameen , Rehman Simra , Mansoor Hussain , Qazi Shurjeel Uddin
Published: May 2024

1.1 Background and Aims
Glucagon like peptide-2 (GLP-2) agonists have shown potential as an effective treatment option for parenteral nutrition (PN) in patients with short-bowel syndrome (SBS). However, a literature gap is present regarding its efficacy in reducing rates of PN volume and calories along with changed in biomarkers.
1.2 Methods
A systematic database search of MEDLINE, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library was performed from their inception till March 2024. The outcomes assessed were: changes in weekly PN volume, and daily PN calories, rate of weaning, wet fecal weight excretion, and a greater than 20% reduction in PN following the use of GLP-2 agonists. Outcomes were analyzed using a random effects model and presented as weighted mean differenced (WMD) along with their 95% CI.
1.3 Results
A total of 41 studies were included. Analysis of the pooled data displayed a statistically significant decrease in the weekly PN volume requirements by almost 5 liters per week with the use of GLP-2 agonists. Similarly, a significant decrease in the daily PN calorie requirement of approximately 360 kcal/day was also observed. The combined single-arm meta-analysis also revealed a one-third chance of PS weaning. Furthermore, the meta-analysis revealed a 72% chance of greater than 20% PN volume reduction with GLP-2 agonists, which was statistically significant.
1.4 Conclusions
This meta-analysis successfully demonstrated the potential efficacy of GLP-2 agonists in improving intestinal health and reducing PN requirements in patients with SBS. Our results provide pooled data pertaining to the reduction in PN volume and increased PN weaning rates along with significant improvements in overall nutritional outcomes.
Factors affecting the outcome of non-invasive ventilation in acute respiratory failure with acidosis and mortality in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan
Authors: Karamat Asifa , Akram Shazia , Batool Huma , Ambreen Atiqa , Mustafa Tehmina
Published: May 2024

Background
To identify the predictors of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) outcome at early (one-hour) and later (24-hours) time points in acute respiratory failure because of any respiratory illness to infer the factors determining later success despite early failure, and timely shifting to mechanical ventilation.
Methods
The study was carried out at an intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan. Adult patients of type II respiratory failure of any cause requiring NIV were enrolled in study. Arterial blood gases were measured at one-hour and 24-hours. Binary regression analysis was applied to find out the factors affecting outcome at one and 24-hours, and factors associated with mortality.
Results
Among 226 patients; 139 were males, 71%, 25%, and 4% had obstructive, restrictive disease, and infective etiology respectively. Overall mortality was 17%, highest (50%) mortality among the infective group than the obstructive (16%) and restrictive disease (11%) groups. An initial PO2 of > 65mmHg, FiO2 > 41% and white cell count > 11/mm3 were associated with higher mortality. NIV failure at one-hour was associated with an initial pH < 7.25,initial bicarbonate < 33 mg/dl, initial PO2 > 65mmHg, and one-hour pCO2 > 75mmHg. Predictors of NIV failure at 24-hours were an initial PO2 > 65mmHg, one-hour pH < 7.3, one-hour PCO2 > 75mmHg, 24-hour PCO2 > 60mm Hg, and inspiratory positive airway pressure < 20 cm of H2O.
Conclusion
High PO2 and FiO2 were associated with both mortality and NIV outcome. Initial pH, HCO3, PCO2 and IPAP predicted timings and failure of NIV.
Tracing groundwater nitrate sources in an intensive agricultural region: Integration of self-organizing map (SOM) and end-member mixing model tool (EMMTE)
Authors: Gao Hongbin , Wang Gang , Fan Yanru , Wu Junfeng , Yao Mengyang , Zhu Xinfeng , Guo Xiang , Long Bei , Zhao Jie
Published: May 2024

The traceability of groundwater nitrate pollution is crucial for controlling and managing polluted groundwater. This study integrates hydrochemistry, nitrate isotope (δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3-), self-organizing map (SOM), and EMMTE models to identify the sources and quantify the contributions of nitrate pollution to groundwater in an intensive agricultural region. The results indicate that the NO3--N concentration in 74% of the groundwater samples exceeded the WHO standard of 10 mg/L. According to the results of EMMTE modeling, soil nitrogen (68.4%) was the main source of nitrate in Cluster-1, followed by manure and sewage (16.5%), chemical fertilizer (11.9%) and atmospheric deposition (3.3%). In Cluster-2, soil nitrogen (60.1%) was the main source of nitrate, with a significant increase in the contribution of manure and sewage (35.5%). The considerable contributions of soil nitrogen may be attributed to the high nitrogen fertilizer usage that accumulated in the soil in this traditional agricultural area. Moreover, it is apparent that most Cluster-2 sampling sites with high contributions of manure and sewage are located around residential land. Therefore, the arbitrary discharge and leaching of domestic sewage may be responsible for these results. This results provide useful assistance for the continuous management and pollution control of groundwater in this area.
Genome mining to elucidate antimicrobial and plant growth promoting potentials in Lactic acid bacteria
Authors: Vargas Christian David , Botero Lina Marcela , Rodriguez Edwin , Dávila Lorena , Racedo Camilo , Barrera Claudia Camila , Bernal Adriana Jimena , Jiménez Hugo Rodolfo , Zuluaga Paola , Almario Carolina González
Published: May 2024

The pangenome of Pediococcus sp. was constructed with five bacterial strains isolated from oat silage produced by smallholder farmers from a region in the highlands of the Colombian Andes. The goal of this work was to use genome mining to elucidate some potential mechanisms of action associated with plant growth promotion and biocontrol in lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Multiple genes were uncovered, including those associated with antibiosis and antimicrobial compound production, genes that induce plant defense and phytohormone activation. Additionally, genome sequencing suggested mechanisms for LAB to protect against abiotic and biotic stress. Furthermore, genes that may improve phosphorus availability and those that might stimulate root growth were present. We then tested some of these findings in vitro. For instance, the biocontrol activity of these strains was evaluated against the fungal pathogens Fusarium oxsyporum f. sp. cubense (Foc R1 and Foc TR4) and the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs). All tested strains showed the ability to significantly inhibit pathogen growth in vitro. The capability of LAB to grow at high concentrations of fusaric acid was demonstrated, suggesting that LAB might have detoxification mechanisms to compete with other microorganisms. Also, the ability of LAB to solubilize phosphate and produce IAA was demonstrated. These two properties might be involved in the plant-growth promotion. Here we show that genomic sequencing can be an efficient tool to identify putative biocontrol or plant-growth promoting related sequences for genome mining.
Comparative effectiveness of the medication versus non-medication approach for closing symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus in Extreme low birth weight infant; Based on national wide cohort study
Authors: Choi Hyowon , Lee Eun Jung , Shin Taewoo , Lee Hunju , Ahn Yeon-Soon , Yoo Yeong Myong
Published: May 2024

Background: There are no standard treatment for symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus(sPDA), especially very common in extremely low birth weights infant (ELBWI). Medication for PDA closure in ELBWI is a common clinical practice, yet its effectiveness in real-world settings is contested.
Methods: Emulating trial by cohort study using data from the Korea Neonate Network, eligibility criteria were ELBWI diagnosis with sPDA after post-natal age 7days. Exclusion criteria were contraindication for medication. Treatment failure and oxygen needs at post-natal age 28 days were the primary outcome. Mortalities and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) were the secondary outcomes. Binary and multinomial logistic regression with inverse probability treatment and capped weights were used to estimate odds ratio (ORs), adjusted for confounding variables. Survival analysis with Kaplan Meier plots and log rank tests was performed.
Results: A total 272 and 314 patients were included in the non-medication and medication groups. Our findings indicate no significant advantage of medication in terms of PDA closure (p=0.256) or survival rates (p=0.197). Notably, the medication group showed an increased risk of mild BPD (OR 3.311, 95% CI 1.684–6.509).
Conclusions: The study underscores the ineffectiveness of medication for symptomatic PDA closure in ELBWI within real-world clinical settings. Given the lack of benefit and potential for harm, reevaluation of current treatment protocols in neonatal care is recommended to prioritize safer and more effective management strategies.
Advancements in Feature Fusion, Enhancement Techniques, and Loss Function Optimization for Infrared and Visible Light Fusion Using the YOLOv8 Framework
Authors: Xu Wenyuan , Li Shuai , Ji Yongcheng , Li Xiang , Cui Chuang
Published: May 2024

To mitigate the parameter increase from integrating infrared data and enhance detection accuracy, this work introduces an advanced fusion framework for visible and infrared thermal imaging. It presents the refined C2fv1k9 module and the MA4CBCA feature enhancement module, leveraging a hybrid attention mechanism. Additionally, the CorAF2n1 feature fusion module, utilizing an attention mechanism, and enhancements to the CIOU loss function's penalty term are proposed. This culminates in conducting experiments and demonstrations using the model yolov8n_f4s2c_m4ca2n1_cdiou5_cdiou5. Relative to the previously examined yolov8n_f4_scaff2_adf model, this model's accuracy improved to 0.924 from 0.885, recall rate to 0.916 from 0.876, and mAP@50–95 significantly increased to 0.728 from 0.711. These enhancements not only underscore the model's superiority in accuracy and reliability but also demonstrate its capacity for delivering exceptional detection performance with minimal computational resources.
Comparative linkage of novel anti-tumor Pd(II) complex with two bio- macromulecules: fluorescence, UV-Vis, DFT, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies
Authors: Tabatabai Ashraf Sadat Dorafshan , Dehghanian Effat
Published: May 2024

A novel mononuclear palladium complex, [Pd(dach)(SSA)], where dach and SSA are diaminocyclohexane and sulfosalicylic acid ligands, respectively, has been synthesized and identified utilizing analytical and spectral methods. DFT calculations, namely geometry optimization, MEP, HOMO-LUMO and NBO analysis, have been conducted at B3LYP level by aug-ccpVTZ-PP and 6-311G(d,p) basis sets. By employing MTT assay, the cytotoxicity activity of the aforesaid compound was examined on K562 cell line, which revealed a proper activity compared to cisplatin. To ascertain the lipophilicity of the newly made compound, the partition coefficient measurement was accomplished, which follows the order of cisplatin < Pd(II) complex. Next, investigation of binding properties of the studied compound with DNA of calf thymus and BSA were done by spectroscopic (CD, fluorescence emission and electronic adsorption) and non-spectroscopic (viscosity measurements, DNA gel electrophoresis, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation) methods. Data obtained from UV-Vis studies indicate non–intercalative mutual action. Fluorescence quenching mechanism of the two biomolecules by metal complex is static and the calculated thermodynamic parameters suggests the hydrogen bonding to the DNA and BSA. Further, docking simulation indicated that the studied compound fits into the groove of DNA and the BSA site I. The stability of metal compound-DNA/-BSA in the presence of H2O solvent and over the time were validated via molecular dynamics simulation.
Crash response and occupant injury analysis in vertical drop test of a typical large transport aircraft fuselage section
Authors: Feng zhenyu , Mou Haolei
Published: May 2024

To analyze the crash characteristics of a typical large aircraft fuselage section and occupant injury, a three-frame typical fuselage section was designed and fabricated, which including two sets of triple seats and four 50th-percentile FAA Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs). The vertical drop test of fuselage section was conducted at 6.02m/s, the crash response and occupant injury were analyzed, and the crashworthiness evaluation and analysis of fuselage section were further conducted. The results show that the sub-cabin floor structures suffer the serious deformation and damage, which is the unrolling failure mode (three plastic hinges failure mode), and one opening plastic hinge is generated in the sub-cargo middle support columns area, and two opening plastic hinges are generated in the connection areas between the both sides cabin floor support columns and fuselage frames. The cabin area is remained basically intact, and the survivable volume is maintained. The connections between the seats and cabin floor guide rails are maintained in good condition, and the occupant seat belts are kept in place. The maximum value of head injury criterion and lumbar spine compression load are 31.47 and 3997.2 N, respectively, which are much lower than the threshold of Airworthiness Standard. The ATDs lean towards the aisle, and the occupant egress paths are maintained. The aircraft crashworthiness is evaluated by considering the survivable volume, retention strength, occupant injury and emergency evacuation, and the Integrated Crashworthiness Index (ICI) is used to evaluate the aircraft crashworthiness by the scoring method, which indicating a low occupant injury risk. The flattening failure mode (multiple plastic hinges failure mode) of fuselage section can be realized by controlling the failure load, failure position and failure sequence of fuselage section, and more crash energy can be absorbed by producing multiple plastic hinges of fuselage section, which can effectively improve the crashworthiness of fuselage section.
Commonalities and variations in emotion representation across modalities and brain regions
Authors: Kiyokawa Hiroaki , Hayashi Ryusuke
Published: May 2024

Humans express emotions through various communication modalities such as facial expressions and natural language. However, there are still many uncertainties regarding the relationships between multiple emotions expressed through different modalities and their correlations with neural activities in diverse brain regions. First, we calculated the representations of various emotions as multi-dimensional vectors of data from three different modalities (visual, language, and visio-linguistic modalities) and used Representational Similarity Analysis to compare similarities between modalities. Second, we examined the similarity between the emotion representation of each modality and representations derived from brain activities across 360 regions. Third, we investigated the linear transferability of emotion representation from vision to other modalities. Our results revealed: 1) the representational structures of emotions expressed in different modalities share commonalities with modality-specific variations; 2) the emotion representations in different solo modalities showed relatively higher similarity with representations in different partial brain regions, while multi-modal emotion representation was most similar to representations across the entire brain region; and 3) emotion representations can be linearly mapped onto each other. These findings suggest that emotional experiences are represented differently in each brain region with varying degrees of similarity across different modalities, and that they may be cross-modally conveyable through different modalities.
Renal Cell Carcinoma in a Transplanted Kidney: a retrospective evaluation
Authors: Trushkin Ruslan N. , Isaev Teymur K. , Medvedev Pavel E. , Shcheglov Nikolai E. , Variasin Valerii V. , Lysenko Mariana A. , Dmitriev Ilya V. , Balkarov Aslan G. , Kesaeva Laura A.
Published: May 2024

Introduction
Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment modality for patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease. The long-term mortality of kidney recipients is 48–82% lower than that of patients on the waiting list. However, the risk of developing malignancies in these patients is twice as high as in the healthy population. Specifically, the incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in transplant recipients is 10–30 times higher than in non-transplanted patients. The reason for the increased risk is poorly understood, but is most likely related to continuous immunosuppressive therapy. The problem of kidney graft neoplasia has not been adequately addressed in the medical literature.
Objective
To determine the incidence of renal cell carcinoma in transplanted kidneys, enhance the efficacy of its treatment, and study the etiology of RCC development.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective analysis of RCC incidence in kidney grafts was conducted in 3,270 patients who underwent kidney transplantation between 2013 and 2023. We evaluated the effectiveness of surgical interventions for these complications. Patients with histologically confirmed RCC of the transplanted kidney underwent genetic study to determine the etiology of the neoplasm.
Results
The incidence of RCC in transplanted kidneys was found to be 0.95% (n = 31), 28 patients underwent laparoscopic resection of the renal transplant tumor, 2 patients were treated with radiofrequency ablation of the tumor. Transplantectomy was performed in 1 patient.
Conclusion
Laparoscopic resection is an effective and safe method for the treatment of RCC in kidney transplants. Transplanted kidney cancer originates from the donor tissue. The clear cell variant of transplanted kidney cancer is a genetically determined disease.
Effect of Geometrical and Operational Parameters on Performance Dynamics of Modified Rotary Blades: A DEM-Based Investigation
Authors: Nalawade Rohit Dilip , Singh Krishna Pratap , Roul A. K. , Agrawal K. N. , Sonawane Shital , Mahore Aman , Patel Abhishek , Kumar Mohit , Shelake Pramod , salem Ali , Elbeltagi Ahmed
Published: May 2024

The geometric features and operational parameters of rotary blades on rotary tillers significantly impact their performance characteristics. The sweepback angle is a geometric feature of the 'L'-shaped rotary blade that has remained unexplored in previous studies. This study aimed to analyze the effect of geometrical and operational parameters on the performance dynamics of the 'L'-shaped rotary blade. The investigation was conducted using the discrete element method (DEM) and further validated through experiments conducted in a soil bin. The simulation experiment was conducted by dividing the particle bed into horizontal particle zones. The effect of the geometrical (sweepback angle) and operational parameters (forward speed, rotational speed and depth) on the power requirement, disturbance intensity and mixing index was studied. The novel method was adopted to determine the mixing capability of rotary blades in terms of sub-domain mixing index (SMI) and overall mixing index (OMI). The results revealed that the power requirements for a sweepback angle of 18° were 26.39% and 16.50% lower than those for sweepback angles of 6° and 12°, respectively. The sweepback angle tends to have the least effect on the overall mixing index compared to operational parameters. The average particle velocity decreased by 22.19 and 29.60% with sweepback angles of 12 and 18°, respectively, compared to the sweepback angle of 6°. The relative error during the experiment varied between 1.29 and 13.51%. It was concluded that the sweepback angle was found to be a feasible option for reducing the power requirement with the minimum impact on the overall performance.
Deciphering Teixobactin Resistance Mechanisms in Enterococcus faecalis Through Integrated RNA-seq and Hub Genes Identification
Authors: J Deepika , Shetty Aishwarya C , DhanushKumar T , Vasudevan Karthick
Published: May 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a severe and pressing global health crisis, necessitating urgent innovative approaches to combat drug-resistant bacteria. This study investigates the genetic underpinnings of resistance in Enterococcus faecalis., a Gram-positive bacterium, in response to the novel antibiotic Teixobactin. Leveraging whole transcriptome RNA-seq analysis and sophisticated bioinformatics tools, we have identified ten central hub genes: guaA, guaB, lepA, der, secA, ftsH, obg, nusG, dnaA, and ffh. These genes display significant upregulation and robust interactions within the bacterial genome. Our comprehensive analysis uncovers the involvement of these genes in diverse critical cellular functions associated with antibiotic resistance. These functions encompass purine metabolism, protein export, stress response, transcriptional regulation, and ribosomal activities. These findings provide crucial insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms underpinning Enterococcus faecalis resistance to Teixobactin. Furthermore, potential targets were identified for the development of advanced antibiotics, aligning with the ongoing global efforts against Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), these identified hub genes offer promising avenues for novel drug discovery, bolstering the ongoing crusade against drug-resistant bacterial infections.
In vivo optimization of the experimental conditions for the non-invasive optical assessment of breast density.
Authors: Serra Nicola , Cubeddu Rinaldo , Maffeis Giulia , Damagatla Vamshi , Pifferi Antonio , Taroni Paola
Published: May 2024

In this study, time domain diffuse optical spectroscopy is performed in the range 600–1100 nm on 11 healthy volunteers with a portable system for the quantitative characterization of breast tissue in terms of optical properties and optically-derived blood parameters, tissue constituent concentrations, and scattering parameters. A measurement protocol involving different geometries (reflectance and transmittance), subject’s positions (sitting and lying down), probing locations (outer, lower, and inner breast quadrants), and source-detector distances (2 and 3 cm) allowed us to investigate the effect of tissue heterogeneity and different measurement configurations on the results with the aim of identifying the best experimental conditions for the estimate of breast density (i.e., amount of fibro-glandular tissue in the breast) as a strong independent risk factor for breast cancer. The higher source-detector distance, which probes deeper tissue, retrieves optical outcomes in agreement with higher average density tissue. Similarly, results on the outer quadrants indicate higher density than internal quadrants. These findings are coherent with breast anatomy since the concentration of dense fibro-glandular stroma is higher in deep tissue and towards the external portion of the breast, where the mammary gland is located. The dataset generated with this laboratory campaign is used to device an optimal measurement protocol for a future clinical trial, where optical results will be correlated with conventional mammographic density, allowing us to identify a subset of wavelengths and measurement configurations for an effective estimate of breast density. The final objective is the design of a simplified, compact and cost-effective optical device for a non-invasive, routine assessment of density-associated breast cancer risk.
Knapsack-Based Approach for Optimizing Resource Management in Edge Computing
Authors: Babaei Behrad , Morshedlou Hossein
Published: May 2024

In the era of rapid internet expansion, Edge Computing has emerged as a critical field in computer science, addressing challenges posed by increasing internet data, bandwidth limitations, and the distance between cloud servers and users. The impact of Edge Computing can be observed in various domains such as IoT networks, 5G cellular networks, healthcare systems, and more. A key focus is the optimal resource management problem within Edge Computing. This problem involves efficiently allocating computational resources from edge and cloud servers to respond to user requests, aiming to minimize reliance on distant cloud servers and bring calculations nearer to the edge for task offloading. This article proposes a knapsack-based approach to optimize resource management in hybrid edge and cloud networks. The Multiple Knapsack Problem (MKP) is employed to model the resource allocation issue, defining servers as knapsacks and tasks as items. The proposed algorithm is defined in two parts: an exact solution for scenarios with a moderate number of servers and tasks, and a greedy solution for situations where the scale is too large for precise calculations within a reasonable time. Application of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated using the ECHOES simulator, designed for testing optimization methods in environments that combine both cloud and edge components. This work focuses on a new approach for offloading tasks to computational resources at edge or cloud.
Diagnostic and therapeutic analysis of three cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the esophagus
Authors: Pang Feng , Zhou Chun lai , Zhou Lei
Published: May 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological features, imaging manifestations, and treatment strategies for esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma.
Results: All three cases involved male patients with ages ranging from 68 to 74 years, with an average age of 71.0 years. The duration of the disease varied from 20 to 60 days, with an average of 36.7 days. Tumors in all three cases were located in the middle and lower esophagus. CT scans revealed irregular mass shadows and thickened esophageal walls, which exhibited significant enhancement upon enhanced scanning. Barium meal examinations of the upper digestive tract showed two cases of intraluminal type, characterized by localized filling defects in the esophageal lumen with smooth edges and no obvious expansion above the lesion, while one case exhibited a thickening type with a rough and rigid wall, mucosal destruction, interruption, and narrowed lumen. Two cases underwent surgical treatment, with OVER-LAP anastomosis of the esophageal and gastric aortic arch under thoracoscopy. One case received docetaxel chemotherapy. After a 1.5-year follow-up, no tumor recurrence or metastasis was observed.Pathological findings revealed one case of squamous cell carcinoma with an adjacent rough area also exhibiting squamous cell carcinoma in situ, while the other case was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for epithelial cancer components (CK, EMA, Desmin) and sarcomatoid components (Vimentin, EMA, SMA).
Conclusion: Esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor demonstrating bidirectional differentiation of cancer and sarcoma components. Although its early prognosis appears to be more favorable compared to typical esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, long-term prognosis remains uncertain. Surgical intervention constitutes the primary treatment modality, while radiotherapy and chemotherapy may contribute to prolonging patient survival.
A common factor underlying confirmation bias in hypothesis testing tasks
Authors: Berthet Vincent , Teovanović Predrag , de Gardelle Vincent
Published: May 2024

When they are asked to test a given hypothesis, individuals tend to be biased towards confirming evidence. This phenomenon has been documented on different cognitive components: information search, weighing of evidence, and memory recall. However, the interpretation of these observations has been debated, and it remains unclear whether they truly reflect a confirmation bias (as opposed to e.g., a bias towards positive information). In the present study we aimed at evaluating whether these biases might be subtended by a common factor. We adapted three classic experimental paradigms on hypothesis testing (Wason selection task, 2-4-6 task, and interviewee task) and examined the relation between these biases using an individual differences approach. Participants (N = 200) completed a total of nine behavioral tasks, in which each component of confirmation bias was measured in each of the three experimental paradigms. Correlations and factor analyses within a multitrait–multimethod framework indicated greater convergence of bias scores within each component across paradigms, than within experimental paradigms. This suggests that a common factor underlies the different measurements of confirmation bias across experimental paradigms, at least to some extent. In these paradigms, thus, biases towards confirming evidence may truly reflect a confirmation bias.
A causal association study between chronic kidney disease and oral health
Authors: Zhang Guilian , Xu Duojiao , Yu Guoxia
Published: May 2024

Background
Observational studies have shown that chronic kidney disease can lead to changes in oral health, but the conclusions remain controversial. Thus, we conducted a Mendelian randomization study from the perspective of genetic analysis to assess the causal association between chronic kidney disease and oral health conditions, including dental caries, pulp diseases, periapical tissues, and diseases of the gum and periodontal tissues.
Methods
We performed inverse variance weighted random effects Mendelian randomization analyses and several sensitivity Mendelian randomization analyses using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies of European people.
Results
We found a positive causal relationship between chronic kidney disease and dental caries, and the effect odds ratio of chronic kidney disease on dental caries was 1.368 (95% CI, 1.124-1.664; P = 0.002). There was no direct causal relationship between chronic kidney disease and diseases of the pulp and periapical tissues and diseases of the gum and periodontal tissues, with the effect odds ratio of 1.176 (95% CI, 0.973-1.420; P = 0.094) and 1.201 (95% CI, 0.977-1.477; P = 0.08).
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that chronic kidney disease could affect oral health, but only with a direct causal link to dental caries.
Development of a shear creep damage model of jointed rock masses considering the influence of freeze-thaw and chemical corrosion
Authors: Zhang Fengrui , Jiang Annan , Jiang Haopeng , Guo Xinping , Zheng Fu
Published: May 2024

The freeze-thaw and chemical corrosion has a significant influence on the shear creep characteristics of jointed rock masses. To conduct a more realistic numerical simulation analysis of jointed rock mass engineering in cold regions, this study employed three-dimensional scanning and sculpting techniques to prepare joint surfaces with consistent morphologies in granite samples. Subsequently, shear creep tests were conducted on the jointed rock masses under freeze-thaw and chemical corrosion. Based on test results, the freeze-thaw and chemical corrosion damage variables were defined, a continuous yield joint model was introduced, and a shear creep damage model of jointed rock masses was established. The FISH language was used on the 3DEC platform to implement the secondary development of the model, and the rationality of the model was verified through degradation analysis and test data. Finally, the developed model was used to numerically calculate the creep characteristics of tunnel in cold regions, the research results show that: with freeze-thaw and chemical corrosion increases, the creep deformation and plastic zone of the tunnel gradually increase, and the maximum creep value consistently occurs near the tunnel vault. It is necessary to pay close attention to the deformation and stress of the tunnel vault, and take timely repair measures such as grouting reinforcement to prevent cracking of the local lining support structure. The research results provide an effective computational method for the stability analysis of rock mass engineering in cold regions.
Prevention of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage – Expert Consensus and Summary of Existing Evidence
Authors: Miller Margaux , Thappa Priya , Bahagat Hemant , Veldman Michael , Rahmani Redi
Published: May 2024

The 2023 International Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Conference identified a need to provide an up-to-date review on prevention methods for delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and highlight areas for future research. A PubMed search was conducted for key factors contributing to development of delayed cerebral ischemia: anesthetics, antithrombotics, CSF diversion, and hemodynamic and endovascular management. Over 100 published articles were analyzed. It was found that there is still a need for prospective studies analyzing the best methods for anesthetics and antithrombotics, though inhaled anesthetics and antiplatelets were found to have some advantages. Lumbar drains should increasingly be considered the first line of CSF diversion when applicable. Finally, maintenance euvolemia before and during vasospasm is recommended as there is no evidence supporting prophylactic spasmolysis or angioplasty. There is accumulating observational evidence, however, that intra-arterial spasmolysis with refractory DCI might be beneficial in patients not responding to induced hypertension.
Realtime RONS Monitoring of Cold Plasma-activated Aqueous Media Based on Time-resolved Phosphorescence Spectroscopy
Authors: Taheri Donya , Hajisharifi Kamal , Heydari Esmaeil , MirzaHosseini Fatemeh Karbalaei , Mehdian Hassan , Robert Eric
Published: May 2024

Besides many efforts on the detection and quantification of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONSs) in the aqueous media activated by the cold atmospheric plasma, to get a better insight into the dominant mechanism and reactive species in medical applications, a challenge still remains in monitoring the real-time evaluation of them. To this end, in the present work, relying on the photonic technology based on the time-resolved phosphorescence spectroscopy, real-time tracking of RONSs concentration in treated aqueous media has been achieved by following the dissolved oxygen (DO) production/consumption. Using a photonic-based dissolved oxygen sensor, the dependence of real-time RONS concentration evaluation of plasma activated medium on plasma nozzle distance, non-thermal plasma jet exposure time, various culture media, and presence of cells has been investigated. Analyzing the results, the activation parameters including the time of reaching maximum RONS concentration after treatment and defined activation parameter \(\epsilon\) of the treated media for each case have been measured and compared together. Moreover, employing the scavengers related to two involved ROSs, the dominant chemical reactions as well as ROS contributed in the DMEM medium have been determined. As a promising result, the obtained correlation between the real-time DO level and viability and toxicity of the cancer cells, MCF-7 breast cancer cells, could enable us to exploit the present photonic setup as an alternative technique for the biological assessment.
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) in Brazil in the past 55 years (1967-2022): Evolutionary rates and patterns
Authors: Rodrigues I. L.F. , Cruz A. C.M. , Souza A. E. , Knackfuss F. B. , Costa C. H.C. , Lago B. V. , Silveira R. L. , Castro T. X.
Published: May 2024

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a common viral agent frequently described in herds, with a marked genetic variability impacted by factors such as vaccination and commercial trade. In this study, a retrospective analysis of PCV2 was performed based on molecular characterization, Bayesian inference, and the haplotype network in tissue samples obtained from Brazilian herds from 1967 to 2018. A nested PCR targeting a 225-base pair (bp) fragment of the PCV2 capsid gene was performed followed by a bi-directional sequencing. A total of 39/178 (21.9%) samples tested positive for PCV2. Genotype 2d was the major genotype described, and this genotype was detected before the introduction of the PCV2 vaccination. The mean substitution rate was 1.54 × 10− 3 substitutions per site per year (s/s/y). The haplotype diversity of PCV2 was 0.98, which shows a high mutational rate compatible with the topology found in the haplotype network. In conclusion, most of the Brazilian samples were genotyped as PCV2d, even those obtained before the introduction of the PCV2 vaccine in Brazilian herds. The PCV2 sequence from 1967 represented the oldest description in America, and the second oldest description in the world; phylogenetic analysis and haplotype network indicated the high diversity of PCV2 as well as its high evolution rate. Our results may increase knowledge about the genetic diversity, evolution, and dispersal patterns of PCV2 in Brazil.
A Comprehensive Study on Capillary Surface Modifications for Electrophoretic Separations of Liposomes
Authors: Šimonová Alice , Píplová Renata , Balouch Martin , Štěpánek František , Křížek Tomáš
Published: May 2024

Electroosmotic flow significantly impacts the resolution of separations in capillary electrophoresis and its modification is often necessary. Coating of the inner capillary surface either dynamically or permanently offers a way to alter the electroosmotic flow, potentially reducing the adsorption of analytes, in our case liposomes, to the capillary wall. At first, we measured fluorescently labeled liposomes in an uncoated capillary by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection. We used a special procedure of the electrophoretic experiment allowing us to observe the development of peak shape at the early stages of migration. We proved that the liposomes were adsorbed to the capillary wall, which led to a very quick and severe dispersion of their peak during their electromigration. For this reason, we used a commercially coated capillary with polyvinyl alcohol, where at the same separation conditions, we observed the peak of the liposome with a stable shape during the migration. However, this capillary is costly, thus four simple dynamic coating methods were tested for four polymers, namely Pluronic F-127, polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30, polyethylene glycol, and polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Among them, we chose a method where we flushed the capillary with a 10% solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone K30 before the first measurement. In addition, in-house made permanent coating with linear polyacrylamide was investigated, which has led to effective suppression of the electroosmotic flow and stable liposome peak, not dispersed during its migration. Liposome separation using this coating fully confirmed that the studied liposomes are negatively charged and migrate in the anodic direction.
Helminths of free-ranging dogs and cats in an urban natural reserve in Mexico City and their potential risk as zoonotic agents
Authors: Camacho-Giles Valeria , Hortelano-Moncada Yolanda , Torres-Carrera Gerardo , Gil-Alarcón Guillermo , Oceguera-Figueroa Alejandro , García-Prieto Luis , Osorio-Sarabia David , Cervantes Fernando A. , Arenas Pablo
Published: May 2024

In the Reserva Ecológica del Pedregal San Ángel, located south of Mexico City, Mexico, dogs and cats coexist in freedom with 148 species of birds, 33 of mammals, 23 of reptiles and seven of amphibians, that represent a remnant of the original fauna of the Mexican Plateau. The negative impact that dogs and cats have on local fauna is unobjectionable, however, the fact that these introduced vertebrates may function as potential transmitters of infectious diseases for native fauna and humans, is much less understood. Information about parasitic infections in native and introduced animals in this area is scarce. In order to ameliorate this lack of information, the objective of this study is to characterize the helminth fauna of the free-ranging dogs and cats of the ecological reserve. Between 2018 and 2023, 36 Felis silvestris catus and 7 Canis lupus familiaris were studied from the helminthological perspective. Endoparasites were obtained of the digestive tract and were specifically determined using morphological and molecular evidence. Hosts were parasitized by eight species of helminths: in cats the cestodes Hydatigera taeniaeformis, Mesocestoides sp., Taenia rileyi and the nematode Toxocara cati were recorded, while in dogs, the cestode Taenia pisiformis and the nematodes Ancylostoma caninum, and Uncinaria stenocephala were found. The only species shared was the cestode Dipylidium caninum. These free-ranging animals act as definitive hosts of 5 species known to have zoonotic potential; their presence in the area may generate a public and animal health problem if programs of fauna control are not continued.
Novel ARMC5 mutations in primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia: a family report
Authors: Wang Yi-kai , Shuang Wei-bing
Published: May 2024

Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) is a rare cause of overt Cushing's syndrome (CS), which usually manifests as bilateral macronodular adrenal nodules and varying levels of cortisol secretion. Previous studies have shown that ARMC5 gene belongs to tumor suppressor gene, and its germline variants play a huge role in the occurrence of PBMAH, which may be inherited to family members and lead to more severe clinical symptoms. ARMC5 variants may be associated with meningiomas, which is also illustrated by our report. In addition, our discovery of a new mutation site in a family can also provide new targets and new directions for the study of PBMAH patients with ARMC5 mutations, and can also deepen clinicians' understanding of this disease.
FTL: Transfer Learning Nonlinear Plasma Dynamic Transitions in Low Dimensional Embeddings via Deep Neural Networks
Authors: Bai Zhe , Wei Xishuo , Tang William , Oliker Leonid , Lin Zhihong , Williams Samuel
Published: May 2024

Deep learning algorithms provide a new paradigm to study high-dimensional dynamical behaviors, such as those in fusion plasma systems. Development of novel model reduction methods, coupled with detection of abnormal modes with plasma physics, opens a unique opportunity for building efficient models to identify plasma instabilities for real-time control. Our Fusion Transfer Learning (FTL) model demonstrates success in reconstructing nonlinear kink mode structures by learning from a limited amount of nonlinear simulation data. The knowledge transfer process leverages a pre-trained neural encoder-decoder network, initially trained on linear simulations, to effectively capture nonlinear dynamics. The low-dimensional embeddings extract the coherent structures of interest, while preserving the inherent dynamics of the complex system. Experimental results highlight FTL’s capacity to capture transitional behaviors and dynamical features in plasma dynamics -- a task often challenging for conventional methods. The model developed in this study is generalizable and can be extended broadly through transfer learning to address various magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) modes.
Study on the chloride binding capacity of sulfoaluminate cement concrete containing different mineral admixtures
Authors: Wei Yuhang , Cao Zhonglu , Hou Jinfang , Li Bin , Jia Guanyuan , Chen Pang , Liu Ping
Published: May 2024

In this study, the chloride ion binding ability of sulfoaluminate cement concrete (SAC) containing different mineral admixtures was investigated. The effects of chloride concentration, curing age, and the type and amount of mineral admixture on the chloride binding rate of SAC were analyzed. It was found that the content of water-soluble chloride ions in SAC decreased with the increase of curing age, while the chloride binding ratio increased accordingly, indicating that its resistance to internal chloride permeation increased. The addition of fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) can significantly improve the chloride binding capacity of SAC, and the chloride binding rate increases to 46.6% with 20% of FA and 38.7% with 40% of GGBS. The effects of mineral dopants on the microstructure and phase composition of SAC were further investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The results showed that the addition of FA and GGBS promoted the formation of C-S-H (calcium silicate hydrate) gels and improved the resistance of SAC to chloride ion penetration. On the other hand, the excessive addition of silica fume (SF) led to a decrease in the chloride binding capacity, whereas a moderate amount of limestone powder (LP) improved the chloride binding capacity.
A novel 3D method for live imaging of mitochondria at super resolution during animal development
Authors: Segos Ioannis , Eeckhoven Jens Van , Greig Alan , Redd Michael , Thrasivoulou Christopher , Conradt Barbara
Published: May 2024

Super-Resolution (SR) 3D rendering allows superior quantitative analysis of intracellular structures but has largely been limited to fixed or ex-vivo samples. Here we developed a method to perform SR live imaging of mitochondria during post-embryonic development of C. elegans larvae. Our workflow includes the drug-free mechanical immobilization of animals using polystyrene nanobeads, which has previously not been used for in vivo SR imaging. Based on the alignment of moving objects and global threshold-based image segmentation, our method enables an efficient 3D reconstruction of individual mitochondria. We demonstrate for the first time that the frequency distribution of fluorescence intensities is not affected by photobleaching, and that global thresholding alone enables the quantitative comparison of mitochondria along timeseries. Our composite approach significantly improves the study of biological structures and processes in SR during C. elegans post-embryonic development. Furthermore, the discovery that image segmentation does not require any prior correction against photobleaching, a fundamental problem in fluorescence microscopy, will impact experimental strategies aimed at quantitatively studying the dynamics of organelles and other intracellular compartments in any biological system.
Addressing the Burden and Detection Gap of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Schoolchildren and Adolescents in China: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Wu Bo , Yu Ya , Wu Chengguo , Shi Yaling , Liu Ying , Yin Jin , Su Qian , Zhang Zhengyu , Huang Xueyong , Wang Mei , Pang Yan , Zhong Jiyuan , Fan Jun
Published: May 2024

Background
The latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) burden is still unclear in schoolchildren and adolescents in China. Previous study and daily surveillance data indicate a LTBI detection gap. The research objective was to evaluate the LTBI burden and detection gap among schoolchildren and adolescents in China.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 69667 schoolchildren and adolescents in Chongqing, China between September 2022 and December 2023 implemented by Chongqing Municipal Institute of Tuberculosis using tuberculin skin test (TST) and creation tuberculin skin test (C-TST). To evaluate the LTBI detection gap, the pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) screening data implemented by Chongqing Municipal Institute of Tuberculosis have been compared with the data in 2021 implemented by community-level medical and health care institutions.
Results
the LTBI prevalence rate using TST and C-TST implemented by Chongqing Municipal Institute of Tuberculosis was 12.7% (95%CI, 12.5%-13%) and 6.4% (95%CI, 6%-6.8%) respectively. The LTBI prevalence rate by Chongqing Municipal Institute of Tuberculosis was 9.6% higher than that by community-level medical and health care institutions (χ2 = 2931.9, P < 0.001).
Conclusions
The LTBI detection gap existed among schoolchildren and adolescents in Chongqing, and it also may exist in other similar countries and regions. National screening strategy needs improvement. Regular training and quality assurance could improve the performance of TST and C-TST and close the detection gap of LTBI.