bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An investigation of the YidC-mediated membrane insertion of Pf3 coat protein using molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Polasa Adithya , Hettige Jeevapani , Immadisetty Kalyan , Moradi Mahmoud
Published: August 2022

YidC is a membrane protein that facilitates the insertion of newly synthesized proteins into lipid membranes. Through YidC, proteins are inserted into the lipid bilayer via the SecYEG-dependent complex. Additionally, YidC functions as a chaperone in protein folding processes. Several studies have provided evidence of its independent insertion mechanism. However, the mechanistic details of the YidC SecY-independent protein insertion mechanism remain elusive at the molecular level. This study elucidates the insertion mechanism of YidC at an atomic level through a combination of equilibrium and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Different docking models of YidC-Pf3 in the lipid bilayer were built in this study to better understand the insertion mechanism. To conduct a complete investigation of the conformational difference between the two docking models developed, we used classical molecular dynamics simulations supplemented with a non-equilibrium technique. Our findings indicate that the YidC transmembrane (TM) groove is essential for this high-affinity interaction and that the hydrophilic nature of the YidC groove plays an important role in protein transport across the cytoplasmic membrane bilayer to the periplasmic side. At different stages of the insertion process, conformational changes in YidC’s TM domain and membrane core have a mechanistic effect on the Pf3 coat protein. Furthermore, during the insertion phase, the hydration and dehydration of the YidC’s hydrophilic groove are critical. These results demonstrate that Pf3 coat protein interactions with the membrane and YidC vary in different conformational states during the insertion process. Finally, this extensive study directly confirms that YidC functions as an independent insertase.
Lipid/water interface of galactolipid bilayers in different lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases
Authors: Hryc Jakub , Szczelina Robert , Markiewicz Michal , Pasenkiewicz-Gierula Marta
Published: August 2022

In this study, carried out using computational methods, the organisation of the lipid/water interface of bilayers composed of galactolipids with both α-linolenoyl acyl chains is analysed and compared in three different lyotropic liquid-crystalline phases. These systems include the monogalactosyldiglyceride (MGDG) and digalactosyldiglyceride (DGDG) bilayers in the lamellar phase, the MGDG double bilayer during stalk phase formation and the inverse hexagonal MGDG phase. For each system, lipid-water and direct and water-mediated lipid-lipid interactions between the lipids of one bilayer leaflet and those of two apposing leaflets at the onset of new phase (stalk) formation, are identified. A network of interactions between DGDG molecules and its topological properties are derived and compared to those for the MGDG bilayer.
Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics along the optic nerve
Authors: Sheng Jinqiao , Li Qi , Liu Tingting , Wang Xiaofei
Published: August 2022

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an important role in delivering nutrients and eliminating the metabolic wastes of the central nervous system. An interrupted CSF flow could cause disorders of the brain and eyes such as Alzheimer's disease and glaucoma. This review provides an overview of the anatomy and flow pathways of the CSF system with an emphasis on the optic nerve. Imaging technologies used for visualizing the CSF dynamics and the anatomic structures associated with CSF circulation have been highlighted. Recent advances in the use of computational models to predict CSF flow patterns have been introduced. Open questions and potential mechanisms underlying CSF circulation at the optic nerves have also been discussed.
Cellular basis of learning and memory in the carotid body
Authors: Gold Olivia M. S. , Bardsley Emma N. , Ponnampalam Anna P. , Pauza Audrys G. , Paton Julian F. R.
Published: August 2022

The carotid body is the primary peripheral chemoreceptor in the body, and critical for respiration and cardiovascular adjustments during hypoxia. Yet considerable evidence now implicates the carotid body as a multimodal sensor, mediating the chemoreflexes of a wide range of physiological responses, including pH, temperature, and acidosis as well as hormonal, glucose and immune regulation. How does the carotid body detect and initiate appropriate physiological responses for these diverse stimuli? The answer to this may lie in the structure of the carotid body itself. We suggest that at an organ-level the carotid body is comparable to a miniature brain with compartmentalized discrete regions of clustered glomus cells defined by their neurotransmitter expression and receptor profiles, and with connectivity to defined reflex arcs that play a key role in initiating distinct physiological responses, similar in many ways to a switchboard that connects specific inputs to selective outputs. Similarly, within the central nervous system, specific physiological outcomes are co-ordinated, through signaling via distinct neuronal connectivity. As with the brain, we propose that highly organized cellular connectivity is critical for mediating co-ordinated outputs from the carotid body to a given stimulus. Moreover, it appears that the rudimentary components for synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory are conserved in the carotid body including the presence of glutamate and GABAergic systems, where evidence pinpoints that pathophysiology of common diseases of the carotid body may be linked to deviations in these processes. Several decades of research have contributed to our understanding of the central nervous system in health and disease, and we discuss that understanding the key processes involved in neuronal dysfunction and synaptic activity may be translated to the carotid body, offering new insights and avenues for therapeutic innovation.
Long-term tea consumption reduces the risk of frailty in older Chinese people: Result from a 6-year longitudinal study
Authors: Gao Tianjing , Han Siyue , Mo Guangju , Sun Qing , Zhang Min , Liu Huaqing
Published: August 2022

Background

Vast accumulative evidence suggests that the consumption of tea and its components have various potential health benefits. This study used a longitudinal study to examine the causality between tea consumption and frailty in older Chinese people.

Methods

This study employed the longitudinal data from 2008 to 2014 of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), which were systematically collected through face-to-face interviews. Two thousand six hundred and thirty participants completed six-follow-up surveys in 2014 and were analyzed in this study. The frailty index recommended by Searle and co-authors, including 44 health deficits, was used. A Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) was applied to determine the risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) for frailty, and further subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate whether the risk differed stratified by age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Additionally, the interaction between tea consumption with sex and frailty was tested.

Results

Of the 2,630 participants, 15.3% were consistent daily tea drinkers, and 22.6% reported frailty at the 6-year follow-up. Compared to non-tea drinkers, consistent daily tea drinkers reported a significantly lower ratio of having frailty [risk ratio (RR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.36–0.71], adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, socioeconomic status, and chronic illnesses. In further subgroup analyses, consistent daily tea consumption significantly reduced the risk of frailty for males (RR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.32–0.81) but not females (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.36–1.04); informal education (RR = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.23–0.67) but not formal education (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.39–1.02); financial dependence (RR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24–0.65) but not financial independence (RR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.39–1.12). Tea consumption was associated with a lower risk of frailty in both the young (RR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.20–0.64) and the oldest (aged ≥ 80) (RR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.40–0.98). Additionally, females showed a lower tea-mediated risk of frailty in occasional tea consumers (RR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.29–0.89) and inconsistent tea drinkers (RR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.37–0.93).

Conclusions

Habitual tea consumption can reduce the risk of frailty in older Chinese, and the benefit varied by age, sex, education, and financial support.
Saturated fatty acid biomarkers and risk of cardiometabolic diseases: A meta-analysis of prospective studies
Authors: Li Zhaoqing , Lei Haoyuan , Jiang Hong , Fan Yahui , Shi Jia , Li Chao , Chen Fangyao , Mi Baibing , Ma Mao , Lin Jing , Ma Le
Published: August 2022

Background and aims

Evidence regarding associations of circulating saturated fatty acids (SFAs) with chronic diseases is mixed. The objective of this study was to determine the associations between total or individual SFA biomarkers and the risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

Methods

Four electronic databases were searched from inception to March 2022. Three investigators independently assessed for inclusion and extracted data. Random-effects or fixed-effects models was used to estimate the pooled relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association of total or individual SFA biomarkers, including even-chain SFAs (e.g., 14:0, myristic acid; 16:0, palmitic acid; 18:0, stearic acid), odd-chain SFAs (e.g., 15:0, pentadecanoic acid; 17:0, margaric acid) and very-long-chain SFAs (VLCSFAs; e.g., 20:0, arachidic acid; 22:0, behenic acid; 24:0, lignoceric acid), with risk of incident type 2 diabetes (T2D), cardiovascular disease [CVD; coronary heart disease (CHD) inclusive of stroke], CHD and stroke.

Results

A total of 49 prospective studies reported in 45 articles were included. Higher concentration of circulating total SFAs was associated with an increasing risk of cardiometabolic diseases, the risk increased significantly by 50% for CVD (95%CI:1.31–1.71), 63% for CHD (95%CI:1.38–1.94), 38% for stroke (95%CI:1.05–1.82), respectively. Similarly, levels of even-chain SFAs were positively associated with higher risk of chronic diseases, with RRs ranging from 1.15 to 1.43. In contrast, the risk of cardiometabolic diseases was reduced with increasing odd-chain SFA levels, with RRs ranging from 0.62 to 0.91. A higher level of VLCSFAs corresponded to 19% reduction in CVD. Further dose-response analysis indicated that each 50% increment in percentage of total SFAs in circulating was associated with an 8% higher risk of T2D (RR: 1.08, 95%CI: 1.02–1.14) and trends toward higher risk of CVD (RR: 1.15, 95%CI: 0.98–1.34). Inverse linear relationships were observed between 17:0 biomarker and T2D or CVD risk.

Conclusion

Our findings support the current recommendations of reducing intake of saturated fat as part of healthy dietary patterns. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings on these SFAs in relation to cardiometabolic outcomes and to elucidate underlying mechanisms.

Systematic review registration

[https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022329182], identifier [CRD42022329182].
Targeting TRAF3IP2 inhibits angiogenesis in glioblastoma
Authors: Izadpanah Amin , Daneshimehr Fatemeh , Willingham Kurtis , Barabadi Zahra , Braun Stephen E. , Dumont Aaron , Mostany Ricardo , Chandrasekar Bysani , Alt Eckhard U. , Izadpanah Reza
Published: August 2022

Increased vascularization, also known as neoangiogenesis, plays a major role in many cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), by contributing to their aggressive growth and metastasis. Although anti-angiogenic therapies provide some clinical improvement, they fail to significantly improve the overall survival of GBM patients. Since various pro-angiogenic mediators drive GBM, we hypothesized that identifying targetable genes that broadly inhibit multiple pro-angiogenic mediators will significantly promote favorable outcomes. Here, we identified TRAF3IP2 (TRAF3-interacting protein 2) as a critical regulator of angiogenesis in GBM. We demonstrated that knockdown of TRAF3IP2 in an intracranial model of GBM significantly reduces vascularization. Targeting TRAF3IP2 significantly downregulated VEGF, IL6, ANGPT2, IL8, FZGF2, PGF, IL1β, EGF, PDGFRB, and VEGFR2 expression in residual tumors. Our data also indicate that exogenous addition of VEGF partially restores angiogenesis by TRAF3IP2-silenced cells, suggesting that TRAF3IP2 promotes angiogenesis through VEGF- and non-VEGF-dependent mechanisms. These results indicate the anti-angiogenic and anti-tumorigenic potential of targeting TRAF3IP2 in GBM, a deadly cancer with limited treatment options.
Bevacizumab combined with re-irradiation in recurrent glioblastoma
Authors: She Lei , Su Lin , Liu Chao
Published: August 2022

Background

Glioblastoma is characterized by rich vasculature and abnormal vascular structure and function. Currently, there is no standard treatment for recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM). Bevacizumab (BEV) has established role of inhibiting neovascularization, alleviating hypoxia in the tumor area and activating the immune microenvironment. BEV may exert synergistic effects with re-irradiation (re-RT) to improve the tumor microenvironment for rGBM.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of a combination of BEV and re-RT for rGBM treatment.

Methods

In this retrospective study, a total of 26 rGBM patients with surgical pathologically confirmed glioblastoma and at least one event of recurrence were enrolled. All patients were treated with re-RT in combination with BEV. BEV was administered until progression or serious adverse events.

Results

Median follow-up was 21.9 months for all patients, whereas median progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.5–9.5 months). In addition, the 6-month and 1-year PFS rates were 65.4% and 28.2%, respectively. The median overall survival (OS), 6-month OS rate, and 1-year OS rate were 13.6 months (95% CI: 10.2–17.0 months), 92.3%, and 67.5%, respectively. The patient showed good tolerance during the treatment with no grade > 3 grade side event and radiation necrosis occurrence rate of 0%. Combined treatment of gross total resection (GTR) before re-RT and concurrent temozolomide during re-RT was an independent prognostic factor that affected both OS and PFS in the whole cohort (OS: 0.067, 95% CI: 0.009–0.521, p = 0.010; PFS: 0.238, 95% CI: 0.076–0.744, p = 0.038).

Conclusion

In this study, re-RT combined with concurrent and maintenance BEV treatment was safe, tolerable, and effective in rGBM patients. Moreover, GTR before re-RT and selective concurrent temozolomide could further improve patient PFS and OS.
Pharmacological inhibition of SMYD2 protects against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in mice
Authors: Cui Binbin , Hou Xiying , Liu Mengjun , Li Qing , Yu Chao , Zhang Shenglei , Wang Yi , Wang Jun , Zhuang Shougang , Liu Feng
Published: August 2022

The histone methyltransferase SET and MYND domain protein 2 (SMYD2) has been implicated in tumorigenesis through methylating histone H3 at lysine36 (H3K36) and some non-histone substrates. Currently, the role of SMYD2 in acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of AZ505, a highly selective inhibitor of SMYD2, on the development of AKI and the mechanisms involved in a murine model of cisplatin-induced AKI. SMYD2 and trimethylated histone H3K36 (H3K36Me3) were highly expressed in the kidney following cisplatin treatment; administration of AZ505 remarkedly inhibited their expression, along with improving kidney function and ameliorating kidney damage. AZ505 also attenuated kidney tubular cell injury and apoptosis as evidenced by diminished the expression of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and kidney injury molecule (Kim-1), reduced the number of TUNEL positive cells, decreased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and the BAX/BCL-2 ratio in injured kidneys. Moreover, AZ505 inhibited cisplatin-induced phosphorylation of p53, a key driver of kidney cell apoptosis and reduced expression of p21, a cell cycle inhibitor. Meanwhile, AZ505 promoted expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, two markers of cell proliferation. Furthermore, AZ505 was effective in suppressing the phosphorylation of STAT3 and NF-κB, two transcriptional factors associated with kidney inflammation, attenuating the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and reducing infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages to the injured kidney. Finally, in cultured HK-2 cells, silencing of SMYD2 by specific siRNA inhibited cisplatin-induced apoptosis of kidney tubular epithelial cells. Collectively, these results suggests that SMYD2 is a key determinant of cisplatin nephrotoxicity and targeting SMYD2 protects against cisplatin-induced AKI by inhibiting apoptosis and inflammation and promoting cell proliferation.
Liprobe, a vital dye for lipid aggregates detection in imaging and high-content screens
Authors: Vieira Sandra I. , Nunes da Silva Raquel , Alves Mariana , Dias Roberto A. , Meireles Sousa Ana M. , Camões Fatima , Maia André , Almeida Mónica , Rocha João , Silva Artur M. , Guieu Samuel
Published: August 2022

Pathological lipid accumulation is a hallmark of several metabolic disorders, and detection of lipid aggregates is an essential step for initial diagnosis and drug screening purposes. However, low-cost, simple, and reliable detection fluorescent probes are not widely available. Here, six push-pull-push dyes were studied, and proved to be highly sensitive to the polarity of the medium, presenting potential to distinguish structures with different hydrophobic indexes. Importantly, in the presence of lipid aggregates their staining specificity highly increased and the fluorescence wavelength blue shifted. One of the compounds, named Liprobe, was physiologically inert in cells, as witnessed by mass-spectrometry and metabolic assays. Liprobe was not toxic to living zebrafish embryos, and differentially stained the muscle and bone tissues. In triglyceride solutions, a high correlation was observed between Liprobe’s 558 and 592 nm emissions and the 0–2.5 mg dl−1 triglyceride range. Confocal and cell-based high content screens revealed that this fluorophore was able to selectively detect lipid droplets and ceramide loads in normal and Farber’s disease human fibroblasts, respectively. Our results demonstrate that Liprobe is a suitable fluorescing probe for vital staining of lipid aggregates, compatible with a rapid and cheap high content screening assays for preliminary diagnosis of Farber’s disease and, potentially, of other lipidosis.
Normal oil body formation in Marchantia polymorpha requires functional coat protein complex I proteins
Authors: Kanazawa Takehiko , Nishihama Ryuichi , Ueda Takashi
Published: August 2022

Eukaryotic cells possess endomembrane organelles equipped with specific sets of proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides that are fundamental for realizing each organelle’s specific function and shape. A tightly regulated membrane trafficking system mediates the transportation and localization of these substances. Generally, the secretory/exocytic pathway is responsible for transporting cargo to the plasma membrane and/or the extracellular space. However, in the case of oil body cells in the liverwortMarchantia polymorpha,the oil body, a liverwort-unique organelle, is thought to be formed by secretory vesicle fusion through redirection of the secretory pathway inside the cell. Although their formation mechanism remains largely unclear, oil bodies exhibit a complex and bumpy surface structure. In this study, we isolated a mutant with spherical oil bodies through visual screening of mutants with abnormally shaped oil bodies. This mutant harbored a mutation in a coat protein complex I (COPI) subunit MpSEC28, and a similar effect on oil body morphology was also detected in knockdown mutants of other COPI subunits. Fluorescently tagged MpSEC28 was localized to the periphery of the Golgi apparatus together with other subunits, suggesting that it is involved in retrograde transport from and/or in the Golgi apparatus as a component of the COPI coat. The Mpsec28mutants also exhibited weakened stiffness of the thalli, suggesting impaired cell–cell adhesion and cell wall integrity. These findings suggest that the mechanism of cell wall biosynthesis is also involved in shaping the oil body inM. polymorpha, supporting the redirection of the secretory pathway inward the cell during oil body formation.
Estimating three- and four-parameter MIRT models with importance-weighted sampling enhanced variational auto-encoder
Authors: Liu Tianci , Wang Chun , Xu Gongjun
Published: August 2022

Multidimensional Item Response Theory (MIRT) is widely used in educational and psychological assessment and evaluation. With the increasing size of modern assessment data, many existing estimation methods become computationally demanding and hence they are not scalable to big data, especially for the multidimensional three-parameter and four-parameter logistic models (i.e., M3PL and M4PL). To address this issue, we propose an importance-weighted sampling enhanced Variational Autoencoder (VAE) approach for the estimation of M3PL and M4PL. The key idea is to adopt a variational inference procedure in machine learning literature to approximate the intractable marginal likelihood, and further use importance-weighted samples to boost the trained VAE with a better log-likelihood approximation. Simulation studies are conducted to demonstrate the computational efficiency and scalability of the new algorithm in comparison to the popular alternative algorithms, i.e., Monte Carlo EM and Metropolis-Hastings Robbins-Monro methods. The good performance of the proposed method is also illustrated by a NAEP multistage testing data set.
How to make more people adopt healthy behaviors? Assessing health literacy, health promoting lifestyle and their association of community residents in Shenzhen, China
Authors: Zhang Lei , Liao Jia , Pan Xueyan , Liang Dongmei , Zeng Jinmei , Sun Mingwei , Luo Xiaowen , Ma Xingyu , Yin Mingjuan , Ni Jingdong
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Health literacy (HL) has been concerned a key factor for determining the use of health information and promoting health. The study aimed to explore the relationship between different health literacy types and health promoting lifestyle (HPL) in different health literacy population.

Methods

The survey analyzed a sample of 16,921 community residents in Shenzhen. The Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire and health-promoting lifestyle profile II (HPLP- II) were used to assess health literacy and health promoting lifestyle.

Results

Participants were divided into different populations based on the correlation between HL and HPL. The low-HL and medium-HL populations were judged to lack health literacy, and demographic characteristics were significantly different between different HPL levels in low-HL and medium-HL populations. There were 6 types of HL, and health information literacy (β = 0.08, P < 0.001) and chronic disease literacy (β = 0.08, P < 0.001) positively predicted HPL in the low-HL population. In the medium-HL population, the results of reward and punishment analysis showed that health information was a basic factor, chronic disease was performance factor, medical care was a motivating factor for HPL; there were 6 dimensions of HPL, and health responsibility (HR), stress management (SM) and physical activity (PA) were not significantly different in medium-HL population. The results of regression analysis showed that HR and PA had a great impact on HPL (HR: β = 0.193, PA: β =0.179, β for other dimensions was 0.186, 0.176, 0.171, 0.164), but the HR and PA standardized scores were lowest in the HPL dimensions (HR: 69.42, PA: 68.5, lower than other dimensions), so it may be HR and PA that cause HPL unchanged between groups in the medium-HL population.

Conclusions

Different HL levels have different relationships with HPL, and different HL types have different effects on HPL. Shenzhen community residents need to improve their HL, and they have great potentials for further progress to improve the population health. Public health policy makers need to consider formulating different policies for people with different HL levels.
Evaluation of clinical knowledge and perceptions about the development of thyroid cancer—An observational study of healthcare undergraduates in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Syed Wajid , Samarkandi Osama A. , Alsadoun Ahmed , Harbi Mohammad K. Al , Al-Rawi Mahmood Basil A.
Published: August 2022

Background and objective

In the healthcare context, healthcare personnel are available to help patients according to their requirements. However, having sufficient knowledge of many elements of diseases before graduation may have a good impact on clinical practices later in one's career. As a result, the purpose of this study was to assess the clinical knowledge and perceptions of healthcare students in Saudi Arabia about thyroid cancer (TC).

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in King Saud University from August 2021 to November 2021, using a validated self-reporting online survey. The data collection was carried out among senior healthcare students, including pharmacy, nursing, and medical students of both genders, who were Arabic speakers. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 for Windows (SPSS).

Results

There were 141 healthcare students who responded, with 46.8% (n = 66) being pharmacy students, 28.4% (n = 40) being nursing students, and 24.8% (n = 35) being medical students. Male participants made up the majority of them (52.5%). Lump or swelling in the neck was described as the most common early indicator of TC by 54.6% (n = 77), followed by difficulty in swallowing by 34.04% (n = 48), and pain in the neck by 24.8% (n = 35). Female participants accounted for 44.7% (n = 63) of those with thyroid dysfunction, according to the study. About 55.3% of the participants (n = 78), reported that they had sufficient knowledge about TC. The knowledge score differed significantly by gender; female participants (60.3%) (n = 47) were more knowledgeable than male participants (30.7%) (n = 31) (p = 0.049).

Conclusion

This study depicts that half of the healthcare students thatwere knowledgeable about TC had positive perceptions about the causes of diseases. Furthermore, we also recommend arranging awareness programs for the students by the university officials to overcome the knowledge gap.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy as first-line treatment for advanced squamous NSCLC in China
Authors: Shao Taihang , Ren Yinan , Zhao Mingye , Tang Wenxi
Published: August 2022

Objective

Results of CameL-sq has revealed the clinical benefits to patients with advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (sq-NSCLC). This study aims to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy to treat sq-NSCLC from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system.

Methods

We used a partitioned survival model with a lifetime horizon to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of camrelizumab plus chemotherapy vs. chemotherapy in treating sq-NSCLC. Baseline characteristics of patients and key clinical data were extracted from CameL-sq. Costs and utilities were collected from the open-access database and published literature. Costs, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), life-years gained, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were chosen as economic outcome indicators. We also performed a sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and scenario analysis to verify the stability of the basic analysis results and explore the results under different scenarios.

Results

Combination therapy added 0.47 QALYS and 0.91 life-years with an incremental cost of $6,347.81 compared with chemotherapy, which had an ICER of $13,572 per QALY. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that camrelizumab plus chemotherapy had a 37.8% probability of cost-effectiveness at a willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP) of 1 time GDP per capital. When WTP was set as 3 times GDP per capital, combination therapy had significant cost-effectiveness. Deterministic sensitivity analysis showed that cost of the best supportive care was the factor with the greatest influence. The subgroup analysis found that combination therapy was associated with cost-effectiveness in several subgroups, namely, patients with disease stage IIIB/IIIC and with PD-L1 tumor proportion score ≤ 1%. Scenario analysis showed that ICER was positively correlated with the price of camrelizumab.

Conclusion

In this economic evaluation, camrelizumab plus chemotherapy was unlikely to be cost-effective compared with chemotherapy in the first line therapy of sq-NSCLC from a perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. Reducing the price of camrelizumab and tailoring treatments based on individual patient factors might improve the cost-effectiveness. Our findings may provide evidence for clinicians in making optimal decisions in general clinical practice.
Prevalence of needle-stick injury among nursing students: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xu Xu , Yin Yu , Wang Hao , Wang Fengxia
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Needle-stick injuries (NSI) are a serious threat to the health of healthcare workers, nurses, and nursing students, as they can expose them to infectious diseases. Different prevalence rates have been reported for this type of injury in different studies worldwide. Therefore, this study aimedto estimate the pooled prevalence of NSI among nursing students.

Methods

This study was conducted by searching for articles in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar without time limitation using the following keywords: needle-stick, needle stick, sharp injury, and nursing student. The data were analyzed using the meta-analysis method and random-effects model. The quality of the articles was evaluated with Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). The heterogeneity of the studies was examined using the I2 index, and the collected data were analyzed using the STATA Software Version 16.

Results

Initially, 1,134 articles were retrieved, of which 32 qualified articles were included in the analysis. Nursing students reported 35% of NSI (95% CI: 28–43%) and 63% (95% CI: 51–74%) did not report their needle-stick injuries. The highest prevalence was related to studies conducted in Asia (39.7%; 95% CI: 31.7–47.7%). There was no significant correlation among NSI prevalence and age of samples, and article year of publication.

Conclusion

A third of nursing students reported experiencing NSI. Consequently, occupational hazard prevention training and student support measures need to be considered.
Impact of alcohol-induced intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in a rodent model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Frausto Dulce M. , Engen Phillip A. , Naqib Ankur , Jackson Aeja , Tran Laura , Green Stefan J. , Shaikh Maliha , Forsyth Christopher B. , Keshavarzian Ali , Voigt Robin M.
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder. While genetics are important in the development of AD, environment and lifestyle are also important factors influencing AD. One such lifestyle factor is alcohol consumption. Unhealthy and excessive chronic alcohol consumption is associated with a greater risk of all types of dementia, especially AD. Alcohol consumption has numerous effects on the body, including alterations to the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis) and intestinal barrier dysfunction (leakiness and intestinal hyperpermeability), with evidence indicating that inflammation resulting from dysbiosis and barrier dysfunction can promote neuroinflammation impacting brain structure and function.

Objective: This study sought to determine the impact of alcohol-induced dysbiosis and barrier dysfunction on AD-like behavior and brain pathology using a transgenic rodent model of AD (3xTg-AD).

Methods: Alcohol (20%) was administered to 3xTg-AD mice in the drinking water for 20 weeks. Intestinal (stool) microbiota, intestinal barrier permeability, systemic inflammation (IL-6), behavior, and AD pathology (phosphorylated tau and β-amyloid), and microglia were examined.

Results: Alcohol consumption changed the intestinal microbiota community (dysbiosis) and increased intestinal barrier permeability in both control and 3xTg-AD mice (oral/urine sugar test and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP)). However, alcohol consumption did not influence serum IL-6, behavior, or β-amyloid, phosphorylated tau, or microglia in 3xTg-AD mice. Important differences in genotype and sex were noted.

Conclusion: Alcohol-induced microbiota dysbiosis and intestinal barrier dysfunction did not exacerbate behavior or AD-like brain pathology in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of AD which could, in part, be the result of a lack of systemic inflammation.
Asian hate speech detection on Twitter during COVID-19
Authors: Toliyat Amir , Levitan Sarah Ita , Peng Zheng , Etemadpour Ronak
Published: August 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, and after being utterly contagious in Asian countries, it rapidly spread to other countries. This disease caused governments worldwide to declare a public health crisis with severe measures taken to reduce the speed of the spread of the disease. This pandemic affected the lives of millions of people. Many citizens that lost their loved ones and jobs experienced a wide range of emotions, such as disbelief, shock, concerns about health, fear about food supplies, anxiety, and panic. All of the aforementioned phenomena led to the spread of racism and hate against Asians in western countries, especially in the United States. An analysis of official preliminary police data by the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University shows that Anti-Asian hate crime in 16 of America's largest cities increased by 149% in 2020. In this study, we first chose a baseline of Americans' hate crimes against Asians on Twitter. Then we present an approach to balance the biased dataset and consequently improve the performance of tweet classification. We also have downloaded 10 million tweets through the Twitter API V-2. In this study, we have used a small portion of that, and we will use the entire dataset in the future study. In this article, three thousand tweets from our collected corpus are annotated by four annotators, including three Asian and one Asian-American. Using this data, we built predictive models of hate speech using various machine learning and deep learning methods. Our machine learning methods include Random Forest, K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, and Naive Bayes. Our Deep Learning models include Basic Long-Term Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional LSTM, Bidirectional LSTM with Drop out, Convolution, and Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT). We also adjusted our dataset by filtering tweets that were ambiguous to the annotators based on low Fleiss Kappa agreement between annotators. Our final result showed that Logistic Regression achieved the best statistical machine learning performance with an F1 score of 0.72, while BERT achieved the best performance of the deep learning models, with an F1-Score of 0.85.
A lumped parameter model to evaluate the relevance of excess air as a tracer of exchanged flows between transmissive and capacitive compartments of karst systems
Authors: Sivelle Vianney , Pérotin Laïna , Ladouche Bernard , de Montety Véronique , Bailly-Comte Vincent , Champollion Cédric , Jourde Hervé
Published: August 2022

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relevance of using excess air (EA) for the characterization of drain/matrix exchange in karst systems using a rainfall discharge model coupled with the simulation of EA measured at the outlet of the studied system. The conceptual model assumes a linear relationship between the formation of EA and the increase of hydrostatic pressure in the capacitive part of the aquifer. The simulated EA at the spring consists of the mixing of water circulating in the different compartments of the aquifer, with their own EA signature. The analysis is performed taking as an example the Durzon karst system (Larzac, France). The modeling is applied using daily rainfall discharge time series and 18 EA measurements at the main outlet of the karst system within 3 hydrological cycles. The main modeling results show that EA variations measured at the karst spring can be explained by recharge processes and exchange between conduit and matrix. EA measurements at the spring thus contain valuable information about the flow dynamics within the aquifer. Furthermore, results show that the use of EA measurements, despite their sparse temporal resolution, allows for reducing uncertainties in the estimation of some parameters of the reservoir model used for the simulation of karst spring discharge.
High flow nasal cannula for patients undergoing bronchoscopy and gastrointestinal endoscopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tao Yuan , Sun Mingyang , Miao Mengrong , Han Yaqian , Yang Yitian , Cong Xuhui , Zhang Jiaqiang
Published: August 2022

Background

High flow nasal cannula is gaining increasingly used in patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. We undertook this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) could effectively minimize the risk of hypoxemia as compared with conventional oxygen therapy (COT).

Methods

We performed a comprehensive search of Pubmed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, and Web of Science. Studies involving the application of HFNC during endoscopic procedures were identified.

Results

We included 15 randomized controlled trials (7 bronchoscopy, 8 gastrointestinal endoscopy). Patients receiving HFNC during endoscopic procedures had a significantly lower risk of hypoxemia (defined as SpO2 < 90%) versus COT group (risk ratio = 0.32; 95%CI (0.22–0.47), 13 studies, 4,093 patients, moderate-quality evidence, I2 = 48.82%, P < 0.001). The lowest SpO2 was significantly higher in HFNC group (mean difference = 4.41; 95%CI (2.95–5.86), 9 studies, 1,449 patients, moderate-quality evidence, I2 = 81.17%, P < 0.001) than those receiving COT. No significant difference was detected between groups in end-procedure partial pressure of CO2 (standard mean difference  =  −0.18; 95%CI (−0.52–0.15), 5 studies, 238 patients, moderate-quality evidence, I2 = 42.25%, P = 0.29). Patients receiving HFNC were associated a lower need for airway intervention (risk ratio = 0.45; 95%CI (0.24–0.84), 8 studies, 2,872 patients, moderate-quality evidence, I2 = 85.97%, P = 0.01) and less procedure interruption (risk ratio = 0.36; 95%CI (0.26–0.51), 6 studies, 1,562 patients, moderate-quality evidence, I2 = 0.00%, P < 0.001). The overall intubation rate after endoscopy was 0.20% in both group, with no difference detected (risk ratio = 1.00; 95%CI (0.30–3.35), 7 studies, 2,943 patients, low-quality evidence, I2 = 0.00%, P = 1.00).

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis found moderate to low evidence that the application of HFNC was associated with improved oxygenation, decreased need for airway intervention, and reduced procedure interruption in patients undergoing endoscopic procedures. Future larger sample and high-quality studies are warranted to confirm our result and further investigate the effectiveness of HFNC in patients at risk.

Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42022298032.
Fast Conflict Detection for Multi-Dimensional Packet Filters
Authors: Lee Chun-Liang , Lin Guan-Yu , Chen Yaw-Chung
Published: August 2022

To support advanced network services, Internet routers must perform packet classification based on a set of rules called packet filters. If two or more filters overlap, a filter conflict will occur and lead to ambiguity in packet classification. Further, it may affect network security or even the correctness of packet routing. Hence, it is necessary to detect conflicts to avoid the above problems. In recent years, many conflict detection algorithms have been proposed, but most of them detect conflicts for only prefix fields (i.e., source/destination IP address fields) of filters. For greater practicality, conflict detection must include non-prefix fields such as source/destination IP port fields and the protocol field. In this study, we propose an efficient conflict detection algorithm for five-dimensional filters, which include both prefix and non-prefix fields. In the proposed algorithm, a tiny lookup table is created for quickly filtering out a large portion of non-conflicting filter pairs, thereby reducing the overall conflict detection time. Experimental results show that our algorithm reduces the detection time by 10% to 28% compared with other conflict detection algorithms for 20 K filter databases. More importantly, our algorithm can be used to extend any existing conflict detection algorithms for two-dimensional filters to support fast conflict detection for five-dimensional filters.
Temari Balls, Spheres, SphereHarmonic: From Japanese Folkcraft to Music
Authors: Mannone Maria , Yoshino Takashi
Published: August 2022

Temari balls are traditional Japanese toys and artworks. The variety of their geometries and tessellations can be investigated formally and computationally with the means of combinatorics. As a further step, we also propose a musical application of the core idea of Temari balls. In fact, inspired by the classical idea of music of spheres and by the CubeHarmonic, a musical application of the Rubik’s cube, we present the concept of a new musical instrument, the SphereHarmonic. The mathematical (and musical) description of Temari balls lies in the wide background of interactions between art and combinatorics. Concerning the methods, we present the tools of permutations and tessellations we adopted here, and the core idea for the SphereHarmonic. As the results, we first describe a classification of structures according to the theory of groups. Then, we summarize the main passages implemented in our code, to make the SphereHarmonic play on a laptop. Our study explores an aspect of the deep connections between the mutually inspiring scientific and artistic thinking.
Switching Model Predictive Control for Thin McKibben Muscle Servo Actuator
Authors: Mhd Yusoff Mohd Akmal , Mohd Faudzi Ahmad Athif , Hassan Basri Mohd Shukry , Rahmat Mohd Fuaad , Shapiai Mohd Ibrahim , Mohamaddan Shahrol
Published: August 2022

Dynamic characteristics and control of thin McKibben muscle (TMM) have not yet been fully investigated, especially on the translational antagonistic pair system. Therefore, the objective of this study is to propose a Switching Model Predictive Control (SMPC) based on a Piecewise Affine (PWA) system model to control a translational antagonistic-pair TMM servo actuator. A novel configuration enables the servo actuator to achieve a position control of 40 mm within a small footprint. The result shows that the feedback system gives minimal steady-state errors when tracking staircase and setpoint references ranging from 0 to 3.5 cm. The controller also produces better transient and steady-state responses than our previously developed Gain-scheduled Proportional–Integral–Derivative (GSPID) controller. The evidence from this study suggests that a predictive control for a TMM servo actuator is feasible.
Rocket Lab Mission to Venus
Authors: French Richard , Mandy Christophe , Hunter Richard , Mosleh Ehson , Sinclair Doug , Beck Peter , Seager Sara , Petkowski Janusz J. , Carr Christopher E. , Grinspoon David H. , Baumgardner Darrel ,   on behalf of the Rocket Lab Venus Team
Published: August 2022

Regular, low-cost Decadal-class science missions to planetary destinations will be enabled by high-ΔV small spacecraft, such as the high-energy Photon, and small launch vehicles, such as Electron, to support expanding opportunities for scientists and to increase the rate of science return. The Rocket Lab mission to Venus is a small direct entry probe planned for baseline launch in May 2023 with accommodation for a single ~1 kg instrument. A backup launch window is available in January 2025. The probe mission will spend about 5 min in the Venus cloud layers at 48–60 km altitude above the surface and collect in situ measurements. We have chosen a low-mass, low-cost autofluorescing nephelometer to search for organic molecules in the cloud particles and constrain the particle composition.
Early Onset Yellow Rust Detection Guided by Remote Sensing Indices
Authors: Thirugnana Sambandham Venkatesh , Shankar Priyamvada , Mukhopadhaya Sayan
Published: August 2022

Early warning systems help combat crop diseases and enable sustainable plant protection by optimizing the use of resources. The application of remote sensing to detect plant diseases like wheat stripe rust, commonly known as yellow rust, is based on the presumption that the presence of a disease has a direct link with the photosynthesis capability and physical structure of a plant at both canopy and tissue level. This causes changes to the solar radiation absorption capability and thus alters the reflectance spectrum. In comparison to existing methods and technologies, remote sensing offers access to near real-time information at both the field and the regional scale to build robust disease models. This study shows the capability of multispectral images along with weather, in situ and phenology data to detect the onset of yellow rust disease. Crop details and disease observation data from field trials across the globe spanning four years (2015–2018) are combined with weather data to model disease severity over time as a value between 0 and 1 with 0 being no disease and 1 being the highest infestation level. Various tree-based ensemble algorithms like CatBoost, Random Forest and XGBoost were experimented with. The XGBoost model performs best with a mean absolute error of 0.1568 and a root mean square error of 0.2081 between the measured disease severity and the predicted disease severity. Being a fast-spreading disease and having caused epidemics in the past, it is important to detect yellow rust disease early so farmers can be warned in advance and favorable management practices can be implemented. Vegetation indices like NDVI, NDRE and NDWI from remote-sensing images were used as auxiliary features along with disease severity predictions over time derived by combining weather, in situ and phenology data. A rule-based approach is presented that uses a combination of both model output and changes in vegetation indices to predict an early disease progression window. Analysis on test trials shows that in 80% of the cases, the predicted progression window was ahead of the first disease observation on the field, offering an opportunity to take timely action that could save yield.