bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case series of ten plus one deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) patients in Iran
Authors: Asna Ashari Kosar , Aslani Nahid , Parvaneh Nima , Assari Raheleh , Heidari Morteza , Fathi Mohammadreza , Tahghighi Sharabian Fatemeh , Ronagh Alireza , Shahrooei Mohammad , Moafi Alireza , Rezaei Nima , Ziaee Vahid
Published: June 2023

Background

Deficiency of adenosine deaminase 2 (DADA2) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations in the ADA2 gene. DADA2 has a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Apart from systemic manifestations, we can categorize most of the signs and symptoms of DADA2 into the three groups of vasculitis, hematologic abnormalities, and immunologic dysregulations. The most dominant vasculitis features are skin manifestations, mostly in the form of livedo racemosa/reticularis, and early onset ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes. Hypogammaglobulinemia that is found in many cases of DADA2 brings immunodeficiencies into the differential diagnosis. Cytopenia, pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), and bone marrow failure (BMF) are the hematologic abnormalities commonly found in DADA.

Case presentation

We introduce eleven patients with DADA2 diagnosis, including two brothers and sisters, one set of twin sisters, and one father and his daughter and son. Ten patients (91%) had consanguineous parents. All the patients manifested livedo racemose/reticularis. Ten patients (91%) reported febrile episodes, and seven (64%) had experienced strokes. Only one patient had hypertension. Two of the patients (11%) presented decreased immunoglobulin levels. One of the patients presented with PRCA. Except for the PRCA patient with G321E mutation, all of our patients delivered G47R mutation, the most common mutation in DADA2 patients. Except for one patient who unfortunately passed away before the diagnosis was made and proper treatment was initiated, the other patients’ symptoms are currently controlled; two of the patients presented with mild symptoms and are now being treated with colchicine, and the eight others responded well to anti-TNFs. The PRCA patient still suffers from hematologic abnormalities and is a candidate for a bone marrow transplant.

Conclusions

Considering the manifestations and the differential diagnoses, DADA2 is not merely a rheumatologic disease, and introducing this disease to hematologists, neurologists, and immunologists is mandatory to initiate prompt and proper treatment. The efficacy of anti-TNFs in resolving the symptoms of DADA2 patients have been proven, but not for those with hematologic manifestations. Similarly, they were effective in controlling the symptoms of our cohort of patients, except for the one patient with cytopenia.
Development and clinical validation of deep learning for auto-diagnosis of supraspinatus tears
Authors: Guo Deming , Liu Xiaoning , Wang Dawei , Tang Xiongfeng , Qin Yanguo
Published: June 2023

Background

Accurately diagnosing supraspinatus tears based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is challenging and time-combusting due to the experience level variability of the musculoskeletal radiologists and orthopedic surgeons. We developed a deep learning-based model for automatically diagnosing supraspinatus tears (STs) using shoulder MRI and validated its feasibility in clinical practice.

Materials and methods

A total of 701 shoulder MRI data (2804 images) were retrospectively collected for model training and internal test. An additional 69 shoulder MRIs (276 images) were collected from patients who underwent shoulder arthroplasty and constituted the surgery test set for clinical validation. Two advanced convolutional neural networks (CNN) based on Xception were trained and optimized to detect STs. The diagnostic performance of the CNN was evaluated according to its sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, and F1 score. Subgroup analyses were performed to verify its robustness, and we also compared the CNN’s performance with that of 4 radiologists and 4 orthopedic surgeons on the surgery and internal test sets.

Results

Optimal diagnostic performance was achieved on the 2D model, from which F1-scores of 0.824 and 0.75, and areas under the ROC curves of 0.921 (95% confidence interval, 0.841–1.000) and 0.882 (0.817–0.947) were observed on the surgery and internal test sets. For the subgroup analysis, the 2D CNN model demonstrated a sensitivity of 0.33–1.000 and 0.625–1.000 for different degrees of tears on the surgery and internal test sets, and there was no significant performance difference between 1.5 and 3.0 T data. Compared with eight clinicians, the 2D CNN model exhibited better diagnostic performance than the junior clinicians and was equivalent to senior clinicians.

Conclusions

The proposed 2D CNN model realized the adequate and efficient automatic diagnoses of STs, which achieved a comparable performance of junior musculoskeletal radiologists and orthopedic surgeons. It might be conducive to assisting poor-experienced radiologists, especially in community scenarios lacking consulting experts.
Combination of CEACAM5, EpCAM and CK19 gene expressions in mediastinal lymph node micrometastasis is a prognostic factor for non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Süer Hande , Erus Suat , Cesur Ekin E. , Yavuz Ömer , Ağcaoğlu Orhan , Bulutay Pınar , Önder Tamer T. , Tanju Serhan , Dilege Şükrü
Published: June 2023

Background

Lung cancer is known as the most common and highly metastatic form of cancer worldwide. Tumour node metastasis (TNM) staging is the gold standard classification system for the decision-making process for appropriate treatment. Particularly N status has the most important prognostic value in the absence of distant metastasis. Traditional diagnostic methods are capable of detecting metastasis; however, they may fail to detect micrometastasis, which plays a role in disease recurrence and patients' long-term survival. Occult micrometastasis can change the tumour's TNM staging and, consequently, the patient's treatment regimen.

Methods

The median number of three lymph node tissues were collected from 30 patients who underwent surgery for non-small cell lung cancer. Lymph node tissues were collected from different lymph node stations according to the location of the patient's tumour. CK19, EpCAM and CEACAM5 gene expressions were analysed in tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect micrometastasis in distant lymph nodes.

Results

Triple positivity was seen in 26 out of 30 patients which 19 patients were upstaged from N0 to N2. While survival was not significantly affected between upstaged and non-upstaged patients, patients upstaged with multiple-station N2 had a significantly higher recurrence and lower survival compared to single-station N2.

Conclusion

A combination of CK19, EpCAM and CEACAM5 gene expressions in lymph nodes can be used to identify micrometastasis which postoperatively may be used as a tool to predict patients’ recurrence and survival.
The lncRNA HOTAIR: a pleiotropic regulator of epithelial cell plasticity
Authors: Amicone Laura , Marchetti Alessandra , Cicchini Carla
Published: June 2023

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a trans-differentiation process that endows epithelial cells with mesenchymal properties, including motility and invasion capacity; therefore, its aberrant reactivation in cancerous cells represents a critical step to gain a metastatic phenotype. The EMT is a dynamic program of cell plasticity; many partial EMT states can be, indeed, encountered and the full inverse mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) appears fundamental to colonize distant secondary sites. The EMT/MET dynamics is granted by a fine modulation of gene expression in response to intrinsic and extrinsic signals. In this complex scenario, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) emerged as critical players. This review specifically focuses on the lncRNA HOTAIR, as a master regulator of epithelial cell plasticity and EMT in tumors. Molecular mechanisms controlling its expression in differentiated as well as trans-differentiated epithelial cells are highlighted here. Moreover, current knowledge about HOTAIR pleiotropic functions in regulation of both gene expression and protein activities are described. Furthermore, the relevance of the specific HOTAIR targeting and the current challenges of exploiting this lncRNA for therapeutic approaches to counteract the EMT are discussed.
Genetic testing for hereditary breast cancer in Poland: 1998–2022
Authors: Gronwald Jacek , Cybulski Cezary , Huzarski Tomasz , Jakubowska Anna , Debniak Tadeusz , Lener Marcin , Narod Steven A , Lubinski Jan
Published: June 2023

BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations contribute to both breast cancer and ovarian cancer worldwide. In Poland approximately 4% of patients with breast cancers and 10% of patients with ovarian cancer carry a mutation in BRCA1. The majority of mutations consist of three founder mutations. A rapid inexpensive test for these three mutations can be used to screen all Polish adults at a reasonable cost. In the region of Pomerania of North-western Poland nearly half a million tests have been performed, in large part through engaging family doctors and providing ready access to testing through the Pomeranian Medical University. The following commentary provides a history of genetic testing for cancer in Pomerania and the current approach to facilitating access to genetic testing at the Cancer Family Clinic for all adults living in the region.
The oxygen reactivity index indicates disturbed local perfusion regulation after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: an observational cohort study
Authors: Kastenholz Nick , Megjhani Murad , Conzen-Dilger Catharina , Albanna Walid , Veldeman Michael , Nametz Daniel , Kwon Soon Bin , Schulze-Steinen Henna , Ridwan Hani , Clusmann Hans , Schubert Gerrit Alexander , Park Soojin , Weiss Miriam
Published: June 2023

Background

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) can be impaired in patients with delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). The Pressure Reactivity Index (PRx, correlation of blood pressure and intracranial pressure) and Oxygen Reactivity Index (ORx, correlation of cerebral perfusion pressure and brain tissue oxygenation, PbtO2) are both believed to estimate CA. We hypothesized that CA could be poorer in hypoperfused territories during DCI and that ORx and PRx may not be equally effective in detecting such local variances.

Methods

ORx and PRx were compared daily in 76 patients with aSAH with or without DCI until the time of DCI diagnosis. The ICP/PbtO2-probes of DCI patients were retrospectively stratified by being in or outside areas of hypoperfusion via CT perfusion image, resulting in three groups: DCI + /probe + (DCI patients, probe located inside the hypoperfused area), DCI + /probe−  (probe outside the hypoperfused area), DCI−  (no DCI).

Results

PRx and ORx were not correlated (r = − 0.01, p = 0.56). Mean ORx but not PRx was highest when the probe was located in a hypoperfused area (ORx DCI + /probe + 0.28 ± 0.13 vs. DCI + /probe−  0.18 ± 0.15, p < 0.05; PRx DCI + /probe + 0.12 ± 0.17 vs. DCI + /probe−  0.06 ± 0.20, p = 0.35). PRx detected poorer autoregulation during the early phase with relatively higher ICP (days 1–3 after hemorrhage) but did not differentiate the three groups on the following days when ICP was lower on average. ORx was higher in the DCI + /probe + group than in the other two groups from day 3 onward. ORx and PRx did not differ between patients with DCI, whose probe was located elsewhere, and patients without DCI (ORx DCI + /probe−  0.18 ± 0.15 vs. DCI−  0.20 ± 0.14; p = 0.50; PRx DCI + /probe−  0.06 ± 0.20 vs. DCI−  0.08 ± 0.17, p = 0.35).

Conclusions

PRx and ORx are not interchangeable measures of autoregulation, as they likely measure different homeostatic mechanisms. PRx represents the classical cerebrovascular reactivity and might be better suited to detect disturbed autoregulation during phases with moderately elevated ICP. Autoregulation may be poorer in territories affected by DCI. These local perfusion disturbances leading up to DCI may be more readily detected by ORx than PRx. Further research should investigate their robustness to detect DCI and to serve as a basis for autoregulation-targeted treatment after aSAH.
Microglial exosomes alleviate intermittent hypoxia-induced cognitive deficits by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Zhang Yaodan , Miao Yuyang , Xiong Xiangyang , Tan Jin , Han Zhaoli , Chen Fanglian , Lei Ping , Zhang Qiang
Published: June 2023

Intermittent hypoxia is the best predictor of developing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease progression in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has been poorly studied as a regulator of neuroinflammation in cognitive impairment caused by intermittent hypoxia. As critical inflammatory cells, exosomes secreted by microglia have been found to affect the spread of pathologic proteins and neuropathology in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effects of microglial exosomes on neuroinflammation and cognitive outcomes after intermittent hypoxia remain unclear. In this study, the role of miRNAs in microglial exosomes in improving cognitive deficits in mice exposed to intermittent hypoxia was investigated. We demonstrated that miR-146a-5p fluctuated over time in microglial exosomes of mice exposed to intermittent hypoxia for different periods of time, which could regulate neuronal NLRP3 inflammasome and neuroinflammation. In primary neurons, we found that miR-146a-5p regulated mitochondrial reactive oxygen species by targeting HIF1α, thus affecting the NLRP3 inflammasome and secretion of inflammatory factors. Similarly, further studies showed that inhibition of NLRP3 by administering overexpressed miR-146a-5p in microglial exosomes and MCC950 has improved neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction in mice after intermittent hypoxia. In conclusion, NLRP3 inflammasome may be a regulatory target for ameliorating cognitive impairment caused by intermittent hypoxia, and microglial exosomal miR-146a-5p may be a promising therapeutic strategy.
Inability of Dirofilaria immitis infective larvae from mosquitoes fed on blood from microfilaremic dogs during low-dose and short-treatment regimens of doxycycline and ivermectin to complete normal development in heartworm naïve dogs
Authors: McCall John Wilson , DiCosty Utami , Mansour Abdelmoneim , Fricks Crystal , McCall Scott , Dzimianski Michael Timothy , Carson Ben
Published: June 2023

Background

This study was conducted to determine whether heartworm infective larvae (L3) collected from mosquitoes fed on dogs during low-dose, short-treatment-regimen doxycycline and ivermectin could develop normally in dogs.

Methods

Twelve Beagles in a separate study were infected with 10 pairs of adult male and female Dirofilaria immitis by IV transplantation and randomly allocated to three groups of four dogs. Starting on Day 0, Group 1 received doxycycline orally at 10 mg/kg sid for 30 days plus ivermectin (min., 6 mcg/kg) on Days 0 and 30; Group 2 received doxycycline orally at 10 mg/kg sid until individual dogs became microfilaria negative (72–98 doses) and ivermectin every other week for six to seven doses. These dogs served as microfilaremic blood donors for the current mosquito studies.

Aedes aegypti were allowed to feed on group-pooled blood samples from treated Groups 1-M and 2-M and untreated control Group 3-M on Days 22 (Study M-A) and 42 (Study M-C) and from Groups 1-M and 2-M on Day 29 (Study M-B) after treatment was started. From the Day 22 mosquito feeding, two dogs in Groups 1-M and 2-M and one dog in Group 3-M were given 50 L3 by SC inoculation. From the Day 29 feeding, two dogs in Groups 1-M and 2-M were given 50 L3. From the Day 42 feeding, two dogs in Group 1-M received 30 L3, while two dogs in Group 2-M and one dog in Group 3-M received 40 L3. All 14 dogs were necropsied for recovery and enumeration of adult heartworms 163–183 days PI.

Results

None of the 12 dogs that received L3 from mosquitoes fed on blood from treated dogs 22, 29 or 42 days after treatment started had any adult heartworms at necropsy, while the two control dogs had a total of 26 and 43 heartworms, respectively.

Conclusions

Treatment of microfilaremic dogs with doxycycline plus an ML, which later renders the L3 incapable of normal development in the animal host, widens the scope of the multimodal approach to heartworm prevention in reducing the spread of heartworm disease.

Graphical Abstract
An analytical approach to error detection and correction for onboard nanosatellites
Authors: Islam Md. Motaharul , Hasan Mahmudul , Bhuiyan Zaheed Ahmed
Published: June 2023

Nanosatellites are persistently progressing and creating global communication and data transmission. It builds up a colossal request for more progressed and dependable frameworks to transmit faster and more reliable information. A syntactic machine learning approach has been distinguished as a good plot for anticipating single-bit and multiple-bit errors that influence onboard nanosatellites. In this paper, we have proposed an analytical approach to error detection and correction for onboard nanosatellites. We have planned the framework separately with three distinct parts: encoding, error checking, and decoding. It has created an amid information exchange from satellite to the ground station. It has analyzed six camera pictures simultaneously with the assistance of field programmable gate array and EDAC strategies. We have presented the progressed turbo mechanics EDAC for unprecedented transfer speeds of satellite communication and execution & examination with the AWGN and Rayleigh channels to extend the proficiency. EDAC strategies codes have been implemented in MATLAB. This method is straightforward and accomplishes unwavering quality and exactness compared to comparable strategies.
A survey of Kubernetes scheduling algorithms
Authors: Senjab Khaldoun , Abbas Sohail , Ahmed Naveed , Khan Atta ur Rehman
Published: June 2023

As cloud services expand, the need to improve the performance of data center infrastructure becomes more important. High-performance computing, advanced networking solutions, and resource optimization strategies can help data centers maintain the speed and efficiency necessary to provide high-quality cloud services. Running containerized applications is one such optimization strategy, offering benefits such as improved portability, enhanced security, better resource utilization, faster deployment and scaling, and improved integration and interoperability. These benefits can help organizations improve their application deployment and management, enabling them to respond more quickly and effectively to dynamic business needs. Kubernetes is a container orchestration system designed to automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications. One of its key features is the ability to schedule the deployment and execution of containers across a cluster of nodes using a scheduling algorithm. This algorithm determines the best placement of containers on the available nodes in the cluster. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of various scheduling algorithms in the context of Kubernetes. We characterize and group them into four sub-categories: generic scheduling, multi-objective optimization-based scheduling, AI-focused scheduling, and autoscaling enabled scheduling, and identify gaps and issues that require further research.
Preoperative assessment and optimisation prior to planned aortic aneurysm repair: a UK survey examining current practice and attitudes of vascular surgeons and vascular anaesthetists
Authors: Scarfield Phoebe , Ryan Jack , Sallam Morad , Saratzis Athanasios , Pichel Adam C. , Dhesi Jugdeep K. , Partridge Judith S. L.
Published: June 2023

Background

The majority of those diagnosed with aortic aneurysm in the UK are older, multi-morbid patients. Decision-making as to who may benefit from intervention (open or endovascular aneurysm repair) is highly variable across the NHS (as is the mode of intervention), in part because there are no detailed guidelines or consensus on preoperative assessment. Thus, there is likely to be significant variation in the pre-operative assessment and optimisation of these patients.

Methods

A survey was designed to understand current practice and attitudes of vascular surgeons and vascular anaesthetists in the UK regarding preoperative assessment and optimisation of patients undergoing elective aortic aneurysm repair. The survey was reviewed and validated by an expert panel, then distributed electronically to all vascular surgical and vascular anaesthetic leads in the UK.

Results

Overall, the response rate was 68%. The responses were varied between surgeons and anaesthetists, with differences reported in the preoperative assessment and optimisation of patients, the approach to shared decision-making, and the perioperative pathway.

Conclusions

Despite initiatives such as Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, variation still exists between centres with some differences in opinion observed between surgeons and anaesthetists. These differences may be leading to duplication of work in the perioperative pathway, inconsistencies in how risk is assessed and communicated with consequent variation in patient care. Addressing these issues requires awareness and implementation of existing guidelines, transdisciplinary working, efficient data-driven pathways, and structured aortic aneurysm multi-disciplinary team to promote meaningful shared decision-making.
Genetic gain and inbreeding from simulation of different genomic mating schemes for pig improvement
Authors: Zhao Fuping , Zhang Pengfei , Wang Xiaoqing , Akdemir Deniz , Garrick Dorian , He Jun , Wang Lixian
Published: June 2023

Background

Genomic selection involves choosing as parents those elite individuals with the higher genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) to accelerate the speed of genetic improvement in domestic animals. But after multi-generation selection, the rate of inbreeding and the occurrence of homozygous harmful alleles might increase, which would reduce performance and genetic diversity. To mitigate the above problems, we can utilize genomic mating (GM) based upon optimal mate allocation to construct the best genotypic combinations in the next generation. In this study, we used stochastic simulation to investigate the impact of various factors on the efficiencies of GM to optimize pairing combinations after genomic selection of candidates in a pig population. These factors included: the algorithm used to derive inbreeding coefficients; the trait heritability (0.1, 0.3 or 0.5); the kind of GM scheme (focused average GEBV or inbreeding); the approach for computing the genomic relationship matrix (by SNP or runs of homozygosity (ROH)). The outcomes were compared to three traditional mating schemes (random, positive assortative or negative assortative matings). In addition, the performance of the GM approach was tested on real datasets obtained from a Large White pig breeding population.

Results

Genomic mating outperforms other approaches in limiting the inbreeding accumulation for the same expected genetic gain. The use of ROH-based genealogical relatedness in GM achieved faster genetic gains than using relatedness based on individual SNPs. The GROH-based GM schemes with the maximum genetic gain resulted in 0.9%–2.6% higher rates of genetic gain ΔG, and 13%–83.3% lower ΔF than positive assortative mating regardless of heritability. The rates of inbreeding were always the fastest with positive assortative mating. Results from a purebred Large White pig population, confirmed that GM with ROH-based GRM was more efficient than traditional mating schemes.

Conclusion

Compared with traditional mating schemes, genomic mating can not only achieve sustainable genetic progress but also effectively control the rates of inbreeding accumulation in the population. Our findings demonstrated that breeders should consider using genomic mating for genetic improvement of pigs.
Mutational signatures of synchronous and metachronous brain metastases from lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Chen Jianing , Yang Hainan , Zhao Chao , Lin Tao , Liu Da , Hong Weiping , Shan Changguo , Zhou Cheng , Bao Ling , Zhou Caicun , Cai Linbo , Su Chunxia , Zhou Zhaoming , Wen Lei
Published: June 2023

Brain metastasis (BM) is an important cause of mortality for cancer patients. Many patients were diagnosed with brain metastases at their first visit who have not received any treatment while a subset of patients did not have distant metastases at the first visit and brain metastases were detected during the course of systemic therapies. The difference in their genomic characterization is unclear. 96 lung adenocarcinoma patients were enrolled in our study. 53 patients (55%) had synchronous metastatic brain tumors. 43 (45%) patients had metachronous brain metastases. We performed 168 panel-targeted gene sequencing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples from patients to identify genomic features of synchronous brain metastases (SBM) and metachronous brain metastases (MBM). In conclusion, CSF liquid biopsies have a priority in detecting gene alteration. A comprehensive comparison of molecular profiling between SBM and MBM revealed the most frequently altered genes in both groups were EGFR and TP53, but with different exon point mutations. RTK-RAS and TP53 pathways were the most affected pathways.
Intracranial mesenchymal tumor with (novel) COX14::PTEN rearrangement
Authors: d’Amati Antonio , Gianno Francesca , Scuccimarri Luciana , Lastilla Michele , Messina Raffaella , Signorelli Francesco , Zimatore Domenico Sergio , Barresi Sabina , Miele Evelina , Alaggio Rita , Rossi Sabrina , Maiorano Eugenio , Ingravallo Giuseppe , Giangaspero Felice , Antonelli Manila
Published: June 2023

Mesenchymal tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) include numerous entities, with different pathological features and biological behavior. Mesenchymal non-meningothelial tumors are rare and comprise neoplasms that are exclusive to the CNS or show peculiar features when occurring in the CNS compared with other sites. Within this group there are three new entities, classified on the basis of specific molecular alterations and included in the 5th edition of the WHO Classification of CNS Tumors: primary intracranial sarcoma; DICER1-mutant; CIC-rearranged sarcoma; intracranial mesenchymal tumor, FET::CREB fusion-positive. These tumors often show variable morphology, making diagnosis very challenging, although the implementation of molecular techniques has led to better characterization and more precise identification of these entities. However, many molecular alterations have yet to be discovered and some recently reported CNS tumors are currently missing an appropriate classification. Herein, we report the case of a 43-year-old man who presented with an intracranial mesenchymal tumor. Histopathological examination showed a wide spectrum of peculiar morphological features and a non-specific immunohistochemical profile. Whole transcriptome sequencing revealed the presence of a novel genetic rearrangement involving COX14 and PTEN genes, which has never been reported before in any other neoplasm. The tumor did not cluster in any defined methylation class of the brain tumor classifier, but resulted in a calibrated score of 0.89 for the methylation class “Sarcoma, MPNST-like”, when analyzed by the sarcoma classifier. Our study is the first to report about this tumor with unique pathological and molecular features, characterized by a novel rearrangement between COX14 and PTEN genes. Other studies are necessary in order to define it as a new entity or as a novel rearrangement involving recently described and incompletely characterized CNS mesenchymal tumors.
Gutta percha, natural rubber and balata-chemical characterization of polyisoprenes in the context of cultural heritage
Authors: Szczepanowska Hanna M. , Akhmedov Novruz G.
Published: June 2023

Gutta percha, natural rubber, and balata are latexes produced by tropical trees that since the mid-nineteenth century have been extensively used commercially and in the creation of artworks and daily use objects. All three latexes are stereoisomers of polyisoprene that differ in their molecular structure. In gutta percha and balata, the molecular functional group is in the trans- position; in natural rubber, it is in the cis- position. This difference in their molecular structure affects the physical properties of these materials and their aging, turning natural rubber tacky and gutta percha brittle. Commercially focused analysis of natural polyisoprenes has typically used chemically modified materials. The present study characterizes natural, chemically unadulterated latex harvested from trees, aiming to differentiate the cis- and trans-forms. The analysed materials comprised fresh latexes harvested in Malaysia and Indonesia, naturally aged botanical samples, some over 100 years old, and minimally processed 10-year-old commercial stock; a total of 50 samples were examined, out of which 23 are discussed in detail. The harvesting practices of latexes were recorded during fieldwork in Southeast Asia in 2015–2019, in Cipetir (Tjipetir), on Lingga Island in Indonesia, and in Malay rubber plantations. The harvesting methods are the first indicators as to the type of latex harvested based on the pattern of incisions and time of coagulation upon exposure to air. The interviews of tappers, especially of gutta percha and balata, serve as a record of a disappearing craft. Therefore, this fieldwork report contributing to a general knowledge of working methods with natural latexes is of particular value considering the scarcity of published records. The laboratory analytical study of trans- and cis- forms relied on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which is the most accurate method to unambiguously determine the stereo chemistry of each polyisoprene. The characteristic spectroscopic features of cis- and trans-positions were clearly shown in all samples, in fresh latex, in over 100-year-old material, and in early twentieth century artifacts. This result indicated that the aging of the polyisoprenes does not prevent the identification of their stereochemistry. This analytical work is the first thorough examination of gutta percha, natural rubber and balata in the context of cultural heritage to guide preservation strategies for objects made of these materials.
Evaluation of probiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus acidilactici HW01 and Leuconostoc citreum HW02 from malted barley
Authors: Ahn Hyunwoo , Lee Geonhak , Lee Woorin , Kim Mingyu , Lee Kwang-Geun
Published: June 2023

Background

Bacteriocins are peptides with antibacterial properties that are released by lactic acid bacteria and affect genetically closely related bacteria. Settled bacteriocin-producing probiotics in the GI tract may contribute to bacteriocin formation, which can lead to pathogen inhibition and immune system regulation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the probiotic capabilities of bacteriocin-producing LAB isolated from malted barley, Pediococcus acidilactici HW01, and Leuconostoc citreum HW02.

Results

Both strains could survive in harsh GI conditions such as low pH, bile salt, pepsin, and lysozyme. Furthermore, exhibited non-haemolytic activity and tetracycline and erythromycin susceptibilities. In vitro adhesion of HW01 and HW02 strains to HT-29 cells was 76.28 and 75.99%, respectively. Auto-aggregation ability of HW01 and HW02 was about 14%, but their ability to aggregate with pathogens (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes) ranged from 32.0% to 43.5%. Regarding the anti-inflammatory effect, heat-killed bacteriocin-producing strains suppressed the mRNA expression levels of cytokines and chemokines in RAW 264.7 macrophages induced by LPS (P < 0.005).

Conclusions

Bacteriocin-producing P. acidilactici HW01 and Leu. citreum HW02 may be good probiotic candidates.

Graphical Abstract
The visualized knowledge map and hot topic analysis of glomalin-related soil proteins in the carbon field based on Citespace
Authors: Deng Ci , Zou Ying-Ning , Hashem Abeer , Kuča Kamil , Abd-Allah Elsayed Fathi , Wu Qiang-Sheng
Published: June 2023

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the soil have many positive effects on growth, nutrient acquisition, and stress tolerance of host plants, as well as soil fertility, soil structure, and soil ecology. Glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) are a mixture of humic substances and heat-stable glycoproteins, primarily of AMF origin. GRSP are as an important component of soil organic carbon (C) pools, which can stabilize and sequestrate C, thus reducing soil C emissions for slowing down global warming. Based on the CiteSpace software and the core collection of Web of Science as the database, this study made a visual analysis of GRSP’s literature in the C field published from 1999 to 2022, including the number of publications, countries, institutions, co-cited literature, keywords, top cited papers, etc. The study regarding the GRSP in the C field could be divided into the initial stage (1999–2009), the steady stage (2010–2018), and the explosive stage (2019–2022). The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the organization with the most publications, and the United States, China, and India are the three leading nations in the C field of GRSP. However, there was little collaboration among the participating countries and the study’s institutions. The focus of the research has shifted from the composition and content of GRSP in C to the question of whether C in GRSP affects soil properties. Future research was also prospected.

Graphical Abstract
Monte Carlo simulation of the system performance of a long axial field-of-view PET based on monolithic LYSO detectors
Authors: Abi-Akl Maya , Dadgar Meysam , Toufique Yassine , Bouhali Othmane , Vandenberghe Stefaan
Published: June 2023

Background

In light of the milestones achieved in PET design so far, further sensitivity improvements aim to optimise factors such as the dose, throughput, and detection of small lesions. While several longer axial field-of-view (aFOV) PET systems based on pixelated detectors have been installed, continuous monolithic scintillation detectors recently gained increased attention due to their depth of interaction capability and superior intrinsic resolution. As a result, the aim of this work is to present and evaluate the performance of two long aFOV, monolithic LYSO-based PET scanner designs.

Methods

Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) v9.1 was used to perform the simulations. Scanner designs A and B have an aFOV of 36.2 cm (7 rings) and 72.6 cm (14 rings), respectively, with 40 detector modules per ring each and a bore diameter of 70 cm. Each module is a 50 × 50 × 16 mm3 monolithic LYSO crystal. Sensitivity, noise equivalent count rate (NECR), scatter fraction, spatial resolution, and image quality tests were performed based on NEMA NU-2018 standards.

Results

The sensitivity of design A was calculated to be 29.2 kcps/MBq at the centre and 27 kcps/MBq at 10 cm radial offset; similarly, the sensitivity of design B was found to be 106.8 kcps/MBq and 98.3 kcps/MBq at 10 cm radial offset. NECR peaks were reached at activity concentrations beyond the range of activities used for clinical studies. In terms of spatial resolution, the values for the point sources were below 2 mm for the radial, tangential, and axial full width half maximum. The contrast recovery coefficient ranged from 53% for design B and 4:1 contrast ratio to 90% for design A and 8:1 ratio, with a reasonably low background variability.

Conclusions

Longer aFOV PET designs using monolithic LYSO have superior spatial resolution compared to current pixelated total-body PET (TB-PET) scanners. These systems combine high sensitivity with improved contrast recovery.
Sex-based differences in the distribution of Aujeszky’s disease-seropositive Japanese wild boar
Authors: Yamaguchi Emi , Takagi Michihiro , Osaki Makoto , Hayama Yoko , Yamamoto Takehisa
Published: June 2023

Background

Aujeszky’s disease virus (ADV) primarily infects domestic pigs and wild boars, causing the abortion and death of young piglets due to central nervous system disorders. In Japan, the national eradication program for ADV in domestic pigs has been successful in most prefectures; however, concern has been raised regarding ADV-infected wild boars as a source of transmission to domestic pigs.

Results

We assessed the nationwide seroprevalence of ADV among wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Japan. Moreover, we determined the sex-based differences in the spatial clustering of seropositive animals. Serum samples were obtained from a total of 1383 wild boars acquired by hunting in 41 prefectures in three fiscal years (April–March in 2014, 2015, and 2017). Seropositivity tests for ADV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the latex agglutination and neutralization tests showed 29 boars seropositive for ADV (29/1383, 2.1% [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.4–3.0%]), with 28 of these boars originating from three prefectures in the Kii Peninsula (28/121, 23.1% [95% CI: 16.0–31.7%]). The degree of spatial clustering of these ADV-seropositive adult boars in the Kii Peninsula was evaluated using the K-function and data from sera samples of 46 (14 seropositive) male and 54 (12 seropositive) female boars. The degree of clustering among females was significantly higher in seropositive animals than in tested animals; however, such a difference was not observed for seropositive males.

Conclusions

The spatial dynamics of ADV among adult wild boars may be characterized based on sex, and is likely due to sex-based differences in behavioral patterns including dispersal among wild boars.
Single-ended protection method for hybrid HVDC transmission line based on transient voltage characteristic frequency band
Authors: Shu Hongchun , Wang Shixin , Lei Shunguang
Published: June 2023

Hybrid high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission has the characteristic of long transmission distance, complex corridor environment, and rapid fault evolution of direct current (DC) lines. As high fault current can easily cause irreversible damage to power devices, rapid and reliable line protection and isolation are necessary to improve the security and reliability of hybrid HVDC transmission system. To address such requirement, this paper proposes a single-ended protection method based on transient voltage frequency band characteristics. First, the frequency characteristics of the smoothing reactor, DC filter, and DC line are analyzed, and the characteristic frequency band is defined. A fault criterion is then constructed based on the voltage characteristic frequency band energy, and faulty pole selection is performed according to the fault voltage characteristic frequency band energy ratio. The proposed protection method is verified by simulation, and the results show that it can rapidly and reliably identify internal and external faults, accurately select faulty poles without data communication synchronization, and has good fault-resistance and anti-interference performance.
Extra-long treatment of MDR-TB osteomyelitis of humerus due to neurotoxicity from the 2nd-line drugs: a case report
Authors: Naser Naser , Abdulla Habib , Kadhem Husain
Published: June 2023

Infection with tuberculosis (TB) still considered a leading infectious cause of death, osteomyelitis TB rare entity, and being extraspinal MDR-TB make it very rare case; most of experience in treating osteomyelitis TB was derived from pulmonary TB experience, and we present a case of humerus MDR-TB that was treated for 5 years, with several interruption due to side effect and other causes.
Economic impact of reducing treatment gaps in depression
Authors: McCrone Paul , Young Allan H. , Zahn Roland , Eberhard Jonas , Wasserman Danuta , Brambilla Paolo , Balazs Judit , Caldas-de-Almeida Jose , Ulrichsen Andrea , Carli Vladmir , Antunes Ana , Schiena Giandomenico , Quoidbach Vinciane , Boyer Patrice , Strawbridge Rebecca
Published: June 2023

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent across Europe. While evidence-based treatments exist, many people with MDD have their condition undetected and/or untreated. This study aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of reducing treatment gaps using a modeling approach.

Methods

A decision-tree model covering a 27-month time horizon was used. This followed a care pathway where MDD could be detected or not, and where different forms of treatment could be provided. Expected costs pertaining to Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, and the UK were calculated and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated. The incremental costs per QALY of reducing detection and treatment gaps were estimated.

Results

The expected costs with a detection gap of 69% and treatment gap of 50% were €1236 in Germany, €476 in Hungary, €1413 in Italy, €938 in Portugal, €2093 in Sweden, and €1496 in the UK. The incremental costs per QALY of reducing the detection gap to 50% ranged from €2429 in Hungary to €10,686 in Sweden. The figures for reducing the treatment gap to 25% ranged from €3146 in Hungary to €13,843 in Sweden.

Conclusions

Reducing detection and treatment gaps, and maintaining current patterns of care, is likely to increase healthcare costs in the short term. However, outcomes are improved, and reducing these gaps to 50 and 25%, respectively, appears to be a cost-effective use of resources.
The State, Local Sociocultural Landscape, and Global Neoliberal Ideology in Vietnam
Authors: Luong Hy V.
Published: June 2023

In the context of accelerating globalization as well as a shifting theoretical landscape in the social sciences and the humanities, this article examines the recent greater attention to the state and global forces, including the global neoliberal ideology, in Asian studies. Empirically, the article examines the resilient roles of family members and relatives in childcare and elderly care in Vietnam and many other parts of East and Southeast Asia, as well as the related trend of relatively low public social expenditures in most East and Southeast Asian societies. The long-standing ideology of familialism, which underlies the pattern of care for the young and elderly in Vietnam and many Asian societies, shapes state policies and exerts an impact on global capitalist operations in Vietnam, notwithstanding the acceleration of globalization, the global neoliberal ideology, and the strong power of the Vietnamese communist party-state. This article suggests that the relation between the local sociocultural landscape, state policies, and global forces involves a dialogic process.
Dynein-2–driven intraciliary retrograde trafficking indirectly requires multiple interactions of IFT54 in the IFT-B complex with the dynein-2 complex
Authors: Hiyamizu Shunya , Qiu Hantian , Tsurumi Yuta , Hamada Yuki , Katoh Yohei , Nakayama Kazuhisa
Published: June 2023

Within cilia, the dynein-2 complex needs to be transported as an anterograde cargo to achieve its role as a motor to drive retrograde trafficking of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) machinery containing IFT-A and IFT-B complexes. We previously showed that interactions of WDR60 and the DYNC2H1–DYNC2LI1 dimer of dynein-2 with multiple IFT-B subunits, including IFT54, are required for the trafficking of dynein-2 as an IFT cargo. However, specific deletion of the IFT54-binding site from WDR60 demonstrated only a minor effect on dynein-2 trafficking and function. We here show that the C-terminal coiled-coil region of IFT54, which participates in its interaction with the DYNC2H1–DYNC2LI1 dimer of dynein-2 and with IFT20 of the IFT-B complex, is essential for IFT-B function, and suggest that the IFT54 middle linker region between the N-terminal WDR60-binding region and the C-terminal coiled-coil is required for ciliary retrograde trafficking, probably by mediating the effective binding of IFT-B to the dynein-2 complex, and thereby ensuring dynein-2 loading onto the anterograde IFT trains. The results presented here agree with the notion predicted from the previous structural models that the dynein-2 loading onto the anterograde IFT train relies on intricate, multivalent interactions between the dynein-2 and IFT-B complexes.
Non-canonical imprinting in the spotlight
Authors: Albert Julien Richard , Greenberg Maxim V. C.
Published: June 2023

Classical genomic imprints are regulated by parent-specific DNA methylation levels inherited from the gametes in mammals. Imprints control gene expression in a parent-of-origin manner and are essential for development. A distinct class of so-called ‘non-canonical’ imprints was recently discovered; these are seemingly regulated by histone methylation and govern parent-specific expression of developmentally important genes, most notably in the placenta. This new class of imprinted genes expands the repertoire of asymmetric parental contributions in mammalian embryogenesis, and raises new questions about the functionality of imprinted gene regulation in mammalian development. In this Spotlight, we summarize the latest findings regarding non-canonical imprinting, mainly from the mouse model, and discuss what we know about the conservation of this phenomenon and how it impacts mammalian development.
Metabolic consequences of sex reversal in two lizard species: a test of the like-genotype and like-phenotype hypotheses
Authors: Wild Kristoffer H. , Roe John H. , Schwanz Lisa , Rodgers Essie , Dissanayake Duminda S. B. , Georges Arthur , Sarre Stephen D. , Noble Daniel W. A.
Published: June 2023

Vertebrate sex is typically determined genetically, but in many ectotherms sex can be determined by genes (genetic sex determination, GSD), temperature (temperature-dependent sex determination, TSD), or interactions between genes and temperature during development. TSD may involve GSD systems with either male or female heterogamety (XX/XY or ZZ/ZW) where temperature overrides chromosomal sex determination to cause a mismatch between genetic sex and phenotypic sex (sex reversal). In these temperature-sensitive lineages, phylogenetic investigations point to recurrent evolutionary shifts between genotypic and temperature-dependent sex determination. These evolutionary transitions in sex determination can occur rapidly if selection favours the reversed sex over the concordant phenotypic sex. To investigate the consequences of sex reversal on offspring phenotypes, we measured two energy-driven traits (metabolism and growth) and 6 month survival in two species of reptile with different patterns of temperature-induced sex reversal. Male sex reversal occurs in Bassiana duperreyi when chromosomal females (female XX) develop male phenotypes (maleSR XX), while female sex reversal occurs in Pogona vitticeps when chromosomal males (male ZZ) develop female phenotypes (femaleSR ZZ). We show metabolism in maleSR XX was like that of male XY; that is, reflective of phenotypic sex and lower than genotypic sex. In contrast, for Pogona vitticeps, femaleSR ZZ metabolism was intermediate between male ZZ and female ZW metabolic rate. For both species, our data indicate that differences in metabolism become more apparent as individuals become larger. Our findings provide some evidence for an energetic advantage from sex reversal in both species but do not exclude energetic processes as a constraint on the distribution of sex reversal in nature.