bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life following surgical repair of acute type A aortic dissection: a systematic review
Authors: Eranki Aditya , Wilson-Smith Ashley , Williams Michael L. , Saxena Akshat , Mejia Ross
Published: May 2022

Background

The outcomes of surgery for acute Stanford Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) extend beyond mortality and morbidity. The aim of this systematic review was to summarise the literature surrounding health related quality of life (HR-QOL) following ATAAD, compare the outcomes to the standardised population, and to assess the impact of advanced age on HRQOL outcomes following surgery.

Methods

A systematic review of studies after January 2000 was performed to identify HR-QOL in patients following surgery for ATAAD. Electronic searches of three databases were performed and clinical studies extracted by two independent reviewers. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Quality appraisal was conducted utilizing predefined criteria on pilot forms. HR-QOL results were synthesized through a narrative review of included studies.

Results

There was significant attrition in HR-QOL of patients following surgery for ATAAD. Outcomes fared worse when compared to an age adjusted normative population. Of note, elderly patients were physically vulnerable, whereas younger populations may be more mentally vulnerable to postoperative sequalae. The included studies were quite heterogeneous in their study designs, methods, HR-QOL measures reported and follow up time-frames which limited direct comparison between studies.

Conclusion

HR-QOL outcomes are adversely affected when compared to preoperative status and physical health demonstrates significant attrition over time. HR-QOL outcomes are worse off when compared to an age matched general population. In terms of age, advancing age is associated with worse physical component scores but emotional health may fare better than younger patients.
A mixed method study on the impact of living with spinal muscular atrophy in Malaysia from patients’ and caregivers’ perspectives
Authors: Ch’ng Gaik Siew , Koh Karina , Ahmad-Annuar Azlina , Taib Fahisham , Koh Cha Ling , Lim Edmund Soon Chin
Published: May 2022

Background

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare, recessively inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness. There is a low degree of awareness about SMA amongst the public and healthcare providers, which may impact the perception of the disease and its proper management. To understand how this lack of awareness may have affected diagnosis, care and support for SMA patients and their caregivers, this study aims to investigate the impact of SMA on the lives and daily activities of SMA patients and their caregivers in Malaysia.

Methods

Nationwide recruitment was carried out via invitations coordinated by a local SMA advocacy organization. A mixed method cross-sectional study consisting of a self-administered questionnaire followed by in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) was conducted. The interview sessions were audio-taped, and verbatim transcripts analyzed thematically.

Results

Participants reported feeling stressed, anxious and depressed. There were issues with delayed diagnosis, lack of information from healthcare professionals about the disease progression, and limited access to supportive services like physiotherapy. Participants expressed their concerns living with self-doubt and turmoil with having to modify their lifestyles, relationships with family and friends, and challenges with educational and career opportunities. Various themes of their hopes for the future touched on having access to treatment, clinical trials, holistic care for symptom management, as well as improving infrastructure for disability access.

Conclusion

This study, to the best of our knowledge represents the first comprehensive study on SMA in South East Asia, highlights a plethora of issues and challenges experienced by persons with spinal muscular atrophy (PWSMA) and their caregivers in Malaysia, from the point of SMA diagnosis and throughout the management of care, in addition to the deep psychosocial impact of living with SMA. The significant findings of this study may contribute to a better understanding among stakeholders to make improvements in clinical practice, the education system, the work environment as well as holistic care support and society at large.
Concordance between two intrapersonal psychological resilience scales: how should we be measuring resilience?
Authors: Cardozo Andrés C. , Suárez Daniel E. , Bejarano Lorena A. , Trujillo Elena M. , Bernal Oscar A. , Ordóñez Anna E.
Published: May 2022

Background

While resilience has generated a lot of interest in mental health, operationalizing the construct of resilience remains an important challenge. This study aims to evaluate the concordance of two resilience scales that evaluate intrapersonal aspects of resilience in adolescents.

Methods

Cross-sectional evaluation of internal consistency, concordance, and correlation of the Individual Protective Factors Index Questionnaire (IPFI) and the Adolescent Resilience Scale (ARS) in sixth grade students of three low-income public schools in Colombia.

Results

325 adolescents (41.5% female) participated in the study (72.5% response rate). Mean age was 12.1 years (standard deviation [SD]: 1.04). Of a possible score from 1–4, the mean adjusted IPFI score was 3.3 (SD: 0.3; Cronbach’s alpha: 0.87). Of a possible score from 21–105, the total ARS score was 76.4 (SD 13.0; Cronbach’s alpha: 0.82); both distributions were non-normal and left-skewed. The Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient was 0.34 and the Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.52 (p-value < 0.0001 for both). Notably, 10 adolescents (3.1% of the sample) had a score in the lowest quartile in one of the two instruments, and a score in the highest quartile in the other instrument.

Conclusions

There was low concordance between the scales, with notable lack of overlap in who was identified as having “low” levels of resilience. To better elucidate and operationalize the construct of resilience, studies using resilience scales should consider greater focus in understanding what aspects of the construct are being measured and how they relate to meaningful variables (well-being, risk of illness, etc.).
Natural variation in Drosophila shows weak pleiotropic effects
Authors: Christodoulaki Eirini , Nolte Viola , Lai Wei-Yun , Schlötterer Christian
Published: May 2022

Background

Pleiotropy describes the phenomenon in which a gene affects multiple phenotypes. The extent of pleiotropy is still disputed, mainly because of issues of inadequate power of analyses. A further challenge is that empirical tests of pleiotropy are restricted to a small subset of all possible phenotypes. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new measurement of pleiotropy that integrates across many phenotypes and multiple generations to improve power.

Results

We infer pleiotropy from the fitness cost imposed by frequency changes of pleiotropic loci. MixingDrosophila simulanspopulations, which adapted independently to the same new environment using different sets of genes, we show that the adaptive frequency changes have been accompanied by measurable fitness costs.

Conclusions

Unlike previous studies characterizing the molecular basis of pleiotropy, we show that many loci, each of weak effect, contribute to genome-wide pleiotropy. We propose that the costs of pleiotropy are reduced by the modular architecture of gene expression, which facilitates adaptive gene expression changes with low impact on other functions.
Regulatory analysis of single cell multiome gene expression and chromatin accessibility data with scREG
Authors: Duren Zhana , Chang Fengge , Naqing Fnu , Xin Jingxue , Liu Qiao , Wong Wing Hung
Published: May 2022

Technological development has enabled the profiling of gene expression and chromatin accessibility from the same cell. We develop scREG, a dimension reduction methodology, based on the concept of cis-regulatory potential, for single cell multiome data. This concept is further used for the construction of subpopulation-specific cis-regulatory networks. The capability of inferring useful regulatory network is demonstrated by the two-fold increment on network inference accuracy compared to the Pearson correlation-based method and the 27-fold enrichment of GWAS variants for inflammatory bowel disease in the cis-regulatory elements. The R package scREG provides comprehensive functions for single cell multiome data analysis.
A cluster-randomized trial of a complex intervention to encourage deprescribing antidepressants in nursing home residents with dementia: a study protocol
Authors: Hølmkjær Pernille , Holm Anne , Overbeck Gritt , Rozing Maarten Pieter
Published: May 2022

Background

The effectiveness of psychotropic medication on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is limited, while associated with a higher risk of adverse events. Non-pharmacological treatment of BPSD is advocated as treatment of first choice. However, many general practitioners (GPs) find it difficult to initiate deprescribing, and when attempting to discontinue psychotropic medication in nursing home residents, they face many barriers. Therefore, we hypothesize that an intervention aimed at improving communication with and involvement of nursing home staff, relatives, and patients by GPs can optimize the pharmacological treatment of BPSD. The aim is to reduce the use of antidepressants in nursing home residents with dementia without increasing morbidity or mortality.

Objective

The primary outcome is reduction of antidepressant. Secondary outcomes include difference in use of other psychotropic medication, mortality, morbidity, and severity of BPSD.

Method

The study is a cluster-randomized controlled trial based in general practices in Denmark. We aim to include 22 practices, each of which will recruit up to 15 patients with dementia living in nursing homes. The intervention period is 3 months, and the total study period is 1 year. Randomization is 1:1 to intervention and control group by computer algorithm. Both groups receive education on BPSD and its evidence-based treatment. The intervention includes three tailored components; (1) teaching material and training to be used by the GP to educate nursing home staff on BPSD, (2) a pre-visit reflection tool to encourage nursing home staff to evaluate symptoms and reflect on relatives involvement in the discontinuation process; and (3) a dialog tool to facilitate shared decision making on optimization of BPSD treatment during the visits at the nursing home. The control group includes enhanced care as usual. The primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at the end of the study period. A process evaluation will be conducted to assess the implementability.

Discussion

We anticipate that the intervention will optimize the treatment of BPSD with antidepressants for nursing homes residents and enhance compliance with reduction of medication. The process evaluation should provide insights into the barriers and facilitators to changing the current practice of deprescribing.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04985305. Registered on 30 July 2021.
Study protocol to test the efficacy of self-administration of dexmedetomidine sedative therapy on anxiety, delirium, and ventilator days in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients: an open-label randomized clinical trial
Authors: Chlan Linda L. , Weinert Craig R. , Tracy Mary Fran , Skaar Debra J. , Gajic Ognjen , Ask Jessica , Mandrekar Jay
Published: May 2022

Background

Administration of sedative and opioid medications to patients receiving mechanical ventilatory support in the intensive care unit is a common clinical practice.

Methods

A two-site randomized open-label clinical trial will test the efficacy of self-management of sedative therapy with dexmedetomidine compared to usual care on anxiety, delirium, and duration of ventilatory support after randomization. Secondary objectives are to compare self-management of sedative therapy to usual care on level of alertness, total aggregate sedative and opioid medication exposure, and ventilator-free days up to day 28 after study enrolment. Exploratory objectives of the study are to compare self-management of sedative therapy to usual care on 3- and 6-month post-discharge physical and functional status, psychological well-being (depression, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder), health-related quality of life, and recollections of ICU care. ICU patients (n = 190) who are alert enough to follow commands to self-manage sedative therapy are randomly assigned to self-management of sedative therapy or usual care. Patients remain in the ICU sedative medication study phase for up to 7 days as long as mechanically ventilated.

Discussion

The care of critically ill mechanically ventilated patients can change significantly over the course of a 5-year clinical trial. Changes in sedation and pain interventions, oxygenation approaches, and standards related to extubation have substantially impacted consistency in the number of eligible patients over time. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in mandated extended pauses in trial enrolment as well as alterations in recruitment methods out of concern for study personnel safety and availability of protective equipment. Patient triaging among healthcare institutions due to COVID-19 cases also has resulted in inconsistent access to the eligible study population. This has made it even more imperative for the study team to be flexible and innovative to identify and enrol all eligible participants. Patient-controlled sedation is a novel approach to the management of patient symptoms that may be able to alleviate mechanical ventilation-induced distress without serious side effects. Findings from this study will provide insight into the efficacy of this approach on short- and long-term outcomes in a subset of mechanically ventilated patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov
NCT02819141. Registered on June 29, 2016.
Genetic prescreening of a candidate for laser refractive surgery identifies risk for inadequate tissue response: a case report
Authors: Cusumano Andrea , Roshanravan Hila , Chao-Shern Connie , Sebastiani Jacopo , Levialdi Ghiron Jung Hee , DeDionisio Larry , Moore Tara
Published: May 2022

Background

Inadequate response to corneal laser refractive surgery, e.g., ectatic corneal diseases, may not be identified by conventional examinations, hence creating therapeutic uncertainty. Herein we demonstrate the application of genetic prescreening to augment preassessment for corneal laser refractive surgery and highlight the ability to prevent the possibility of enrolling a subject at risk for developing ectatic corneal diseases.

Case presentation

Preoperative tests were performed alongside deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing of 75 genes specific to the structure and health of the eye of a 44-year-old Caucasian male candidate for corneal laser refractive surgery. The patient had no medical, family, or psychosocial history, nor symptoms that could lead to suspect any corneal abnormalities, and conventional preoperative tests confirmed that no corneal abnormalities were present. The sequencing results uncovered rare DNA variants within the ADGRV1, PTK2, ZNF469, and KRT15 genes. These variants were considered potential risk factors for inadequate response in the patient post corneal laser refractive surgery. Subsequent reevaluation with three different last-generation corneal tomographers identified in the left eye a “warning” for a deformity of the posterior profile of the cornea.

Conclusions

Genetic prescreening identifies potential risk of inadequate response to corneal laser refractive surgery where current technologies in use may lead to a hazardous predictive diagnostic uncertainty.
Large-scale engineering of hiPSC-derived nephron sheets and cryopreservation of their progenitors
Authors: Wiersma Loes E. , Avramut M. Cristina , Lievers Ellen , Rabelink Ton J. , van den Berg Cathelijne W.
Published: May 2022

Background

The generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) has opened a world of opportunities for stem cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine. Currently, several human kidney organoid protocols are available that generate organoids containing kidney structures. However, these kidney organoids are relatively small ranging up to 0.13 cm2 and therefore contain a small number of nephrons compared to an adult kidney, thus defying the exploration of future use for therapy.

Method

We have developed a scalable, easily accessible, and reproducible protocol to increase the size of the organoid up to a nephron sheet of 2.5 cm2 up to a maximum of 12.6 cm2 containing a magnitude of nephrons.

Results

Confocal microscopy showed that the subunits of the nephrons remain evenly distributed throughout the entire sheet and that these tissue sheets can attain ~ 30,000–40,000 glomerular structures. Upon transplantation in immunodeficient mice, such nephron sheets became vascularized and matured. They also show reuptake of injected low-molecular mass dextran molecules in the tubular structures, indicative of glomerular filtration. Furthermore, we developed a protocol for the cryopreservation of intermediate mesoderm cells during the differentiation and demonstrate that these cells can be successfully thawed and recovered to create such tissue sheets.

Conclusion

The scalability of the procedures, and the ability to cryopreserve the cells during differentiation are important steps forward in the translation of these differentiation protocols to future clinical applications such as transplantable auxiliary kidney tissue.
Transformer-based ensemble method for multiple predominant instruments recognition in polyphonic music
Authors: Reghunath Lekshmi Chandrika , Rajan Rajeev
Published: May 2022

Multiple predominant instrument recognition in polyphonic music is addressed using decision level fusion of three transformer-based architectures on an ensemble of visual representations. The ensemble consists of Mel-spectrogram, modgdgram, and tempogram. Predominant instrument recognition refers to the problem where the prominent instrument is identified from a mixture of instruments being played together. We experimented with two transformer architectures like Vision transformer (Vi-T) and Shifted window transformer (Swin-T) for the proposed task. The performance of the proposed system is compared with that of the state-of-the-art Han’s model, convolutional neural networks (CNN), and deep neural networks (DNN). Transformer networks learn the distinctive local characteristics from the visual representations and classify the instrument to the group where it belongs. The proposed system is systematically evaluated using the IRMAS dataset with eleven classes. A wave generative adversarial network (WaveGAN) architecture is also employed to generate audio files for data augmentation. We train our networks from fixed-length music excerpts with a single-labeled predominant instrument and estimate an arbitrary number of predominant instruments from the variable-length test audio file without any sliding window analysis and aggregation strategy as in existing algorithms. The ensemble voting scheme using Swin-T reports a micro and macro F1 score of 0.66 and 0.62, respectively. These metrics are 3.12% and 12.72% relatively higher than those obtained by the state-of-the-art Han’s model. The architectural choice of transformers with ensemble voting on Mel-spectro-/modgd-/tempogram has merit in recognizing the predominant instruments in polyphonic music.
Variable pilot assisted channel estimation in MIMO-OFDM system with STBC and different modulation modes
Authors: Wu Qun , Zhou Xiao , Wang Chengyou , Cao Hai
Published: May 2022

High speed and low latency have become the development trend of mobile communication network. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) technology has become the key technology of mobile communication network due to its efficient transmission method. Space time block coding (STBC) introduces time and space correlation in the signals sent by different antennas, so that diversity gains and coding gains are obtained for the multiple input multiple output-OFDM (MIMO-OFDM) receiver without sacrificing bandwidth. STBC is a signal coding technology that combines higher transmission rates and it is a combination of space and time transmission signals. STBC uses the spatial diversity of multiple transmitters and multiple receivers in space to improve the capacity and information rate of the OFDM system. It proceeds parallel multiplex transmission in the transmission channel, which effectively improves spectrum utilization. For obtaining diversity gains and spectrum efficiency, this paper introduces a variable pilot assisted channel estimation method with different modulation modes. In this paper, the new type pilot sequences with different modulation orders are proposed for improving spectrum efficiency. The proposed variable pilot assisted channel estimation method in MIMO-OFDM systems is adopted with different low and high order modulations. Simulation results show that the proposed variable pilot assisted channel estimation method has 1–2 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains for bit error rate (BER) performance of MIMO-OFDM systems.
Sex differences in HIV testing among elders in Sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Gebremeskel Akalewold T. , Omonaiye Olumuyiwa , Yaya Sanni
Published: May 2022

Background

Elders (age 50+) HIV demographic (age and sex) data are essential to better understand their HIV service utilization and develop appropriate evidence-based responses and policies. Despite a significant prevalence rate of HIV and growing numbers of this population group, data are still scarce, and studies have neglected them in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this protocol is to outline the methodological process of a systematic review that will gather qualitative and quantitative data to critically examine sex differences in HIV testing among elders (age 50+) in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

This protocol adheres to the PRISMA-P reporting guidelines. We will conduct a systematic database search to retrieve all observational and qualitative studies. Electronic search strategies will be developed for MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Global Health, and CINAHL for studies reporting HIV data. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and abstract data. The search strategy will consist of free-text and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms. Search terms for elders (50+) will include the following: “elders”, “older adults”, “aged”, “geriatric” and “seniors”. The primary outcome of interest is sex differences in the uptake of HIV counselling and testing (HCT). The study methodological quality (or bias) will be appraised using appropriate tools. Screening, data extraction, and assessments of risk of bias will be performed independently by two reviewers. Narrative synthesis will be conducted with studies that are compatible based on population and outcome. As it will be a systematic review, without human participants’ involvement, there will be no requirement for ethical approval.

Discussion

The systematic review will present key evidence on sex differences in HIV testing among elders in Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings will be used to inform program developers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to enhance sex disaggregated HIV data to improve access to HIV counselling and testing service for elders in Sub-Saharan Africa. The final manuscript will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and scientific conferences.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO: CRD42020172737.
Thailand’s mid-century greenhouse gas emission pathways to achieve the 2 degrees Celsius target
Authors: Chaichaloempreecha Achiraya , Chunark Puttipong , Hanaoka Tatsuya , Limmeechokchai Bundit
Published: May 2022

Background

The Paris Agreement aims at minimizing threats of climate change by keeping global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial level and to pursue efforts to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) are developed to investigate GHG emission pathways. RCP2.6 focuses on limiting the global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees Celsius. This paper assesses the impacts of carbon price and CCS on energy and GHG emissions in Thailand. The no carbon price (T0) and the carbon price pathways are compared. In addition, the net-zero emissions and year are discussed.

Results

The decarbonized energy system with low-carbon power generation and increased electricity usage in the final energy consumption is the main pillar of GHG mitigation. Imposing carbon prices; increasing solar, wind, and biomass electricity generation; energy efficiency improvements in power generation; and energy savings in the industry and the building sectors, will be the key options for clean power generation in the carbon prices (CT) scenarios. Renewable electricity, coal and natural gas, coupled with CCS and bio-energy with CCS (BECCS) will be utilized significantly to curb GHG emissions. The increase of renewable energy and the electrification of end-use plays a key role in reducing GHG emissions. Fuel switching from diesel to biodiesel, energy efficiency improvement and electric pick-ups and trucks will help reducing GHG emissions in the transport sector.

Conclusions

There are three major policy implications to meet Thailand’s 2 degrees Celsius target. First, carbon prices will be the mechanism to accelerate the transformation in the energy sector. Wind and solar electricity will be key pillars of clean electricity in 2050. Policy-makers should update the renewable electricity plans to meet Thailand’s 2 degrees Celsius target in 2050. Second, coal- and gas-fired plants, and BECCS will become important options in reducing CO2 emissions. The policy-makers should investigate the application of CCS in the power sector and the storage location. Third, a major transformation in the transport sector is critically needed. Liquid biofuel and electrification in pick-ups, sedans, and trucks will help reduce GHG emissions.
Toward Safer Opioid Prescribing in HIV care (TOWER): a mixed-methods, cluster-randomized trial
Authors: Cedillo Gabriela , George Mary Catherine , Deshpande Richa , Benn Emma K. T. , Navis Allison , Nmashie Alexandra , Siddiqui Alina , Mueller Bridget R. , Chikamoto Yosuke , Weiss Linda , Scherer Maya , Kamler Alexandra , Aberg Judith A. , Vickrey Barbara G. , Bryan Angela , Horn Brady , Starkweather Angela , Fisher Jeffrey , Robinson-Papp Jessica
Published: May 2022

Background

The 2016 U.S. Centers for Disease Control Opioid Prescribing Guideline (CDC Guideline) is currently being revised amid concern that it may be harmful to people with chronic pain on long-term opioid therapy (CP-LTOT). However, a methodology to faithfully implement the CDC guideline, measure prescriber adherence, and systematically test its effect on patient and public health outcomes is lacking. We developed and tested a CDC Guideline implementation strategy (termed TOWER), focusing on an outpatient HIV-focused primary care setting.

Methods

TOWER was developed in a stakeholder-engaged, multi-step iterative process within an Information, Motivation and Behavioral Skills (IMB) framework of behavior change. TOWER consists of: 1) a patient-facing opioid management app (OM-App); 2) a progress note template (OM-Note) to guide the office visit; and 3) a primary care provider (PCP) training. TOWER was evaluated in a 9-month, randomized-controlled trial of HIV-PCPs (N = 11) and their patients with HIV and CP-LTOT (N = 40). The primary outcome was CDC Guideline adherence based on electronic health record (EHR) documentation and measured by the validated Safer Opioid Prescribing Evaluation Tool (SOPET). Qualitative data including one-on-one PCP interviews were collected. We also piloted patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) reflective of domains identified as important by stakeholders (pain intensity and function; mood; substance use; medication use and adherence; relationship with provider; stigma and discrimination).

Results

PCPs randomized to TOWER were 48% more CDC Guideline adherent (p < 0.0001) with significant improvements in use of: non-pharmacologic treatments, functional treatment goals, opioid agreements, prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), opioid benefit/harm assessment, and naloxone prescribing. Qualitative data demonstrated high levels of confidence in conducting these care processes among intervention providers, and that OM-Note supported these efforts while experience with OM-App was mixed. There were no intervention-associated safety concerns (defined as worsening of any of the PROMs).

Conclusions

CDC-guideline adherence can be promoted and measured, and is not associated with worsening of outcomes for people with HIV receiving LTOT for CP. Future work would be needed to document scalability of these results and to determine whether CDC-guideline adherence results in a positive effect on public health.

Trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03669939. Registration date: 9/13/2018
Experimental Study on the Property and Mechanism of the Bonding Between Rubberized Concrete and Normal Concrete
Authors: Feng Ling-Yun , Chen Ai-Jiu , Liu Han-Dong
Published: May 2022

Scholars have studied the impact of rubber particles (RPs) on the performance of the concrete and the research topics have covered all the mechanical properties and durability of normal concrete (NC). Recently, scholars have turned their research interest to the structural properties of concrete. However, there are few experimental studies on the bonding properties of RC to NC. The RPs have both positive and negative impacts on the bond performance. On one hand, RPs can reduce the shrinkage of concrete, resulting in reduced shear stress and tensile stress near the bonding boundary. On the other hand, RPs cause a reduction in the overall strength of concrete, resulting in the poor mechanical performance of the interface transition layer between the two concrete. The test results of this study show that the bonding splitting tensile strength between freshly mixed RC to aged NC first increases and then decreases with the rise of the RPs content in the RC, and the bonding splitting tensile strength reaches the peak when the RPs content is 10%. The bonding splitting tensile strength between the NC and the RC mixed with 3–5 mm RP is higher than that between the NC and the RC mixed with 1–3 mm RPs. When mixed with modified RPs, the bonding splitting tensile strength between the RC and the NC is improved. Applying an interfacial agent (a cement slurry or an epoxy) on the old concrete bonding surface can significantly improve the bonding splitting tensile strength. The results of non-repeated two-way ANOVA show that the content of the RPs and the type of the interfacial agent have significant effects on the bond splitting tensile strength, while the size and modification of the RPs have no significant effects on the bond splitting tensile strength.
Myelodysplastic syndromes are multiclonal diseases derived from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Luo Bingqing , Dong Fang , Qin Tiejun , Zhang Qingyun , Bai Haitao , Wang Jinhong , Jia Yujiao , Ma Shihui , Jiang Erlie , Cheng Tao , Xiao Zhijian , Ema Hideo
Published: May 2022

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are generally considered as a group of clonal diseases derived from hematopoietic stem cells, but a number of studies have suggested that they are derived from myeloid progenitor cells. We aimed to identify the cell of origin in MDS by single-cell analyses. Targeted single-cell RNA sequencing, covering six frequently mutated genes (U2AF1, SF3B1, TET2, ASXL1, TP53, and DNMT3A) in MDS, was developed and performed on individual cells isolated from the CD34+ and six lineage populations in the bone marrow of healthy donors (HDs) and patients with MDS. The detected mutations were used as clonal markers to define clones. By dissecting the distribution of clones in six lineages, the clonal origin was determined. We identified three mutations both in HDs and patients with MDS, termed clonal hematopoiesis (CH) mutations. We also identified fifteen mutations only detected in patients with MDS, termed MDS mutations. Clonal analysis showed that CH clones marked by CH mutations and MDS clones marked by MDS mutations were derived from hematopoietic stem cells as well as various hematopoietic progenitor cells. Most patients with MDS showed the chimeric state with CH clones and MDS clones. Clone size analysis suggested that CH mutations may not contribute to clonal expansion of MDS. In conclusion, MDS comprise multiple clones derived from hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
Could China’s journey of malaria elimination extend to Africa?
Authors: Wang Duoquan , Lv Shan , Ding Wei , Lu Shenning , Zhang Hongwei , Kassegne Kokouvi , Xia Shang , Duan Lei , Ma Xuejiao , Huang Lulu , Gosling Roly , Levens Joshua , Abdulla Salim , Mudenda Mutinta , Okpeku Moses , Matengu Kenneth Kamwi , Serge Diagbouga Potiandi , Xiao Ning , Zhou Xiao-Nong
Published: May 2022

World Health Organization (WHO) certified China malaria-free on June 30, 2021, which brightens the goal of global malaria elimination efforts. China contributed its unique innovations to the global community: Artemisinin, discovered by Tu Youyou, has saved millions of lives globally; the “1-3-7” norm developed in 2012, has been adapted in the local contexts of countries in the Southeast Asia and Africa. How to the targets of Global Technical Strategy for Malaria (GTS) 2016−2030. By looking into the malaria control phase, towards elimination phase from 1960 to 2011 in sub-Saharan Africa and China, we found that the gap in malaria burden will widen unless the interventions in Africa are enhanced. It is imperative to identify the key China–Africa cooperation areas on malaria control and elimination, so that synergized efforts could be pooled together to help African countries achieve the elimination goal. The practices from China malaria control and elimination efforts could be leveraged to fast-track malaria elimination efforts in Africa, which makes it possible that the China’s journey of malaria elimination extends to Africa.

Graphical Abstract
Machine learned daily life history classification using low frequency tracking data and automated modelling pipelines: application to North American waterfowl
Authors: Overton Cory , Casazza Michael , Bretz Joseph , McDuie Fiona , Matchett Elliott , Mackell Desmond , Lorenz Austen , Mott Andrea , Herzog Mark , Ackerman Josh
Published: May 2022

Background

Identifying animal behaviors, life history states, and movement patterns is a prerequisite for many animal behavior analyses and effective management of wildlife and habitats. Most approaches classify short-term movement patterns with high frequency location or accelerometry data. However, patterns reflecting life history across longer time scales can have greater relevance to species biology or management needs, especially when available in near real-time. Given limitations in collecting and using such data to accurately classify complex behaviors in the long-term, we used hourly GPS data from 5 waterfowl species to produce daily activity classifications with machine-learned models using “automated modelling pipelines”.

Methods

Automated pipelines are computer-generated code that complete many tasks including feature engineering, multi-framework model development, training, validation, and hyperparameter tuning to produce daily classifications from eight activity patterns reflecting waterfowl life history or movement states. We developed several input features for modeling grouped into three broad categories, hereafter “feature sets”: GPS locations, habitat information, and movement history. Each feature set used different data sources or data collected across different time intervals to develop the “features” (independent variables) used in models.

Results

Automated modelling pipelines rapidly developed easily reproducible data preprocessing and analysis steps, identification and optimization of the best performing model and provided outputs for interpreting feature importance. Unequal expression of life history states caused unbalanced classes, so we evaluated feature set importance using a weighted F1-score to balance model recall and precision among individual classes. Although the best model using the least restrictive feature set (only 24 hourly relocations in a day) produced effective classifications (weighted F1 = 0.887), models using all feature sets performed substantially better (weighted F1 = 0.95), particularly for rarer but demographically more impactful life history states (i.e., nesting).

Conclusions

Automated pipelines generated models producing highly accurate classifications of complex daily activity patterns using relatively low frequency GPS and incorporating more classes than previous GPS studies. Near real-time classification is possible which is ideal for time-sensitive needs such as identifying reproduction. Including habitat and longer sequences of spatial information produced more accurate classifications but incurred slight delays in processing.
Complete remission of an early-stage laryngeal cancer under combined pembrolizumab and chemotherapy treatment of a synchronous lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Linxweiler Maximilian , Kühn Jan Philipp , Neubert Christian , Khreish Fadi , Balensiefer Benedikt , Wagner Mathias , Schick Bernhard
Published: May 2022

Background

Anti-PD1-Checkpoint inhibition (CI) is an established treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer. A potential benefit from CI in early-stage disease that is usually treated by radiation or surgery has not been investigated so far and is currently not addressed in clinical trials.

Case presentation

A 58-year-old man was diagnosed with a cT2 supraglottic laryngeal cancer and a synchronous metastasized adenocarcinoma of the lung. As the patient refused any treatment of his laryngeal cancer, he received combined immune-chemotherapy according to the KEYNOTE-189 protocol. After 4 cycles of pembrolizumab/carboplatin/pemetrexed, the patient showed a complete remission of his laryngeal cancer with a clear shrinkage of the mediastinal and hilar lung cancer metastases. After 21 cycles of maintenance therapy, the lung adenocarcinoma shows a stable disease status with no signs of any residual or recurrent laryngeal cancer.

Conclusions

Anti-PD1-CI may be a treatment option also for early-stage HNSCC with excellent functional outcome when established therapies are not available.

Graphical abstract
Geoenvironmental investigation of Sahure’s pyramid, Abusir archeological site, Giza, Egypt
Authors: Fahmy Abdelrhman , Molina-Piernas Eduardo , Domínguez-Bella Salvador , Martínez-López Javier , Helmi Fatma
Published: May 2022

Abusir is the name of an elaborate burial area in Egypt, dotted with 19 pyramids and other temples, stretching on the western side of the Nile from the south of the Giza Plateau to the northern rim of Saqqara. It seems to have been created as the resting site for the Pharaohs dated from 2494 to 2345 BC. The name Abusir, originally spoken as Busiri, means “Temple of Osiris”. Over time, the name has become so popular because more than 60 villages now carry this name, but only one is the archaeological site. This paper focused on one of its most important pyramids from the Abusir archaeological area, Sahure's pyramid, since it is one of Egypt’s little-known but heavily damaged treasures. Field and laboratory studies have been carried out to investigate and understand the durability problems and construction materials of this pyramid, leading to results that confirmed the impact of the geoenvironmental conditions on the pyramid's architectural, structural, and engineering stability. Moreover, the results showed that mineralogical content in the construction materials was an intrinsic problem due to the presence of swellable (expansive) clays, which are considered responsible for pyramid decay and damage. In addition to external factors such as the effect of temperature variations, rain, pollutants, wind, and earthquakes and their interactions with intrinsic building material defects. Finally, this paper revealed a new discovery for basaltic mortar as the first trial for green concrete manufacturing in the Egyptian Old Kingdom, Fifth Dynasty.
Golden bifid might improve diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome via microbiota modulation
Authors: Luo Mei , Liu Qin , Xiao Lin , Xiong Li-Shou
Published: May 2022

Objective

Gut microbiota might play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and probiotics supplement may be an effective treatment option. This study aims to explore the therapeutic effects of Golden bifid on the diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D).

Methods

Twenty-one consecutive IBS-D patients were recruited based on Rome IV criteria. All patients took 2000 mg Golden bifid triple daily for 4 weeks. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, psychological symptoms, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and fecal microbiota characteristics were evaluated in IBS-D patients before and after treatment.

Results

After 4-week treatment of Golden bifid, the GI symptoms such as abdominal pain (2.90 ± 1.04 vs. 1.90 ± 1.26, P = 0.002), abdominal distension (2.00 ± 1.34 vs. 1.29 ± 1.31, P = 0.007), diarrhea (3.24 ± 1.37 vs. 1.81 ± 1.21, P = 0.001), defecatory urgency (3.48 ± 1.03 vs. 2.33 ± 1.35, P = 0.000) and incomplete evacuation (2.71 ± 1.15 vs. 1.76 ± 1.26, P = 0.003) were significantly alleviated in IBS-D patients. The Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) decreased significantly (46.19 ± 11.36 vs. 43.33 ± 9.65, P = 0.041), and SIBO could be eradicated in 25% (4/16) of IBS-D patients with SIBO. Meanwhile, the abundance of Unclassified Lachnospiraceae and Dorea in genus level and Unclassified Lachnospiraceae, Bacterium Dorea, Bacterium Butyricicoccus and Dorea formicigenerans ATCC 27755 in species level were increased in fecal microbiota (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Golden bifid could improve most of GI symptoms and depressive symptoms in IBS-D patients and eradicate a small proportion of SIBO in those IBS-D patients with SIBO. What's more, Golden bifid could also modulate the fecal microbiota in IBS-D patients, which implied that the Golden bifid might improve IBS-D via microbiota modulation.
Protective effects of methanolic extract of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees leaves against arsenic-induced damage in rats
Authors: Owoade Abiodun Olusoji , Alausa Abdullahi Opeyemi , Adetutu Adewale , Owoade Akinade William
Published: May 2022

Background

Medicinal plants are natural sources of antioxidants effective in the treatment of oxidative stress-mediated diseases. This study aims to evaluate the hepato-renal protective efficacy of Andrographis paniculata leaves methanolic extract in arsenic-induced oxidative stress. Animals were divided into four groups of six animals per group. The rats in groups 1 and 2 received normal saline, while rats in groups 3 and 4 received 200 mg/kg body weight of A. paniculata or ascorbic acid per day, respectively, for 7 days orally. The rats in groups 2, 3, and 4 received a single dose of arsenic at 10 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally on day 7, and 24 h later, rats in all the groups were killed and the blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected for biochemical/histological studies.

Results

Administration of arsenic to rats induced a significant increase in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides in the plasma, while it decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) activities in the liver and kidney. It also significantly reduced the levels of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), platelet (PLT), and lymphocytes (LYM) in the blood. However, the levels of AST, ALT, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, and triglycerides in the plasma of groups of rats that received A. paniculata extract before administration of arsenic were decreased, while their SOD, GSH, and CAT levels were elevated in the liver and kidney. The values of their WBC, RBC, PLT, and LYM were also significantly increased when compared to the arsenic group rats. Histological observations showed varying degrees of liver damage in the arsenic group rats, while the histoarchitecture of the liver of rats that received A. paniculata extract were significantly improved.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that A. paniculata extract ameliorates arsenic-induced hepato-renal toxicity and could be exploited in the management of toxicity effects associated with the arsenic.
Using common-reflection-surface stack for enhanced near-surface seismic reflection imaging: Examples from consolidated and unconsolidated environments
Authors: Bakhtiari Rad Parsa , Hickey Craig J.
Published: May 2022

The small geophone spacing and spread lengths commonly used to investigate ultrashallow layers in conjunction with the limited bandwidth of surface impact sources do not allow for clear separation of different seismic arrivals. The interference of events and the high noise levels due to near-source offsets make shallow seismic data processing a challenging task. The wavefront attributes of seismic waves commonly used in conventional seismic processing are suggested to improve near-surface seismic reflection imaging. These wavefront attributes are often used as the stacking parameters in multidimensional time imaging methods such as common-reflection surface (CRS). It is shown in this paper that the CRS method can improve near-surface seismic data processing by enhancing: (1) unstacked gathers via a CRS-based local stacking scheme, (2) semblance picking for velocity model building, and (3) zero-offset stacked data via the CRS global stacking. The CRS-based local stacking can mitigate the loss of data associated with optimum-windowing-based muting of coherent noise. The CRS local stacking infills the muted zones via its robust data interpolation and regularization features and enhances the image quality. Furthermore, the CRS-based enhanced data allow for improved near-surface velocity model building by producing higher coherence and more focused semblance peaks. The CRS global stacking is shown to further smooth and provide more continuity of events in the zero-offset data. Applications to a synthetic and two field data sets collected from high- and low-velocity environments indicate the efficiency and feasibility of the proposed approach.