bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regression fitting megavoltage depth dose curves to determine material relative electron density in radiotherapy.
Authors: Karl Anthony Simon , Steel Jared G , Warr George B
Published: January 2023

The relative electron density (RED) parameter is ubiquitous throughout radiotherapy for clinical dosimetry and treatment planning purposes as it provides a more accurate description of the relevant radiological properties over mass density alone [1]. RED is theoretically derived and in practice determined indirectly from calibrated CT Hounsfield Units (HU) [1]. While CT images provide useful 3D information, the spectral differences between CT and clinical LINAC beams may impact the validity of the CT-ED calibration, especially in the context of novel tissue-mimicking materials where deviations from biologically typical atomic number to atomic weight ratios < Z/A > occur and/or high-Z materials are present [2]. A theoretical basis for determining material properties directly in a clinical beam spectrum via an electron-density equivalent pathlength (eEPL) method has been previously established [2]. An experimental implementation of this approach is introduced whereby material-specific measured percentage depth dose curves (PDDs) are regressed to a PDD measured in a reference material (water), providing an inference of < Z/A>, which when combined with the physical density provides a determination of RED. This method was validated over a range of tissue-mimicking materials and compared against the standard CT output, as well as compositional information obtained from the manufacturer's specifications. The measured PDD regression method showed consistent results against both manufacturer-provided values and CT-derived within 0.9 and 1.15 RED. Outside of this soft-tissue range a trend was observed whereby the < Z/A > determined becomes unrealistic indicating the method is no longer reporting RED alone and the assumptions around the eEPL model are constrained. Within a range of validity, the regression method provides a practical and robust characterisation for unknown materials in the clinical setting and may be used to improve on the CT output where high Z material components are suspected.
Characteristics of microbiome-derived metabolomics according to the progression of alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Ganesan Raja , Gupta Haripriya , Jeong Jin-Ju , Sharma Satya Priya , Won Sung-Min , Oh Ki-Kwang , Yoon Sang Jun , Han Sang Hak , Yang Young Joo , Baik Gwang Ho , Bang Chang Seok , Kim Dong Joon , Suk Ki Tae
Published: January 2023

Background: Due to the global increase in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) rates, interest in gut-derived bacterial products is growing in targeted therapies. Identifying microbiome-derived metabolite signatures is challenging due to the complex patterns that have long-term effects on the development of ALD. We evaluated a feature of the gut-microbiota-derived metabolite signatures in patients with ALD.
Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out between April 2017 and March 2022. Stool samples (healthy control [HC, n = 62], alcoholic fatty liver [AFL, n = 25], alcoholic hepatitis [AH, n = 80], and alcoholic cirrhosis [AC, n = 80]) were collected for the microbiota analysis by 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolite profiles by using GC-MS and LC-MS methods.
Results: Proteobacteria relative abundance increased in ALD, while Bacteroides decreased (p = 0.001). Fusobacteria levels were found to be higher in AH (p = 0.0001). A total of 103 metabolites were quantified and screened. 3-Indole propionic acid levels are significantly lower in AH and AC (p = 0.001). Surprisingly, AC increases indole-3-lactic acid (p = 0.04). AC had significantly lower levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids (BAs). The levels of stercobilin, hexadecanedioic acid, and 3-methyladipic acid were significantly decreased in ALD. The pathways of linoleic acid metabolism, indole compounds, histidine metabolism, fatty acid degradation, and glutamate metabolism were closely related to ALD metabolism.
Conclusions: Short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and indole metabolites were depleted according to the ALD progression. Microbial dysbiosis is associated with a shift in metabolite changes in ALD.
Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT04339725.
DDX3X deficiency attenuates pyroptosis induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation in N2a cells
Authors: Liu Yong , Gui Yanlin , Tang Hao , Yu Jianping , Yuan Zhengzhou , Liu Lei , Ma Xuntai , Li Changqing
Published: January 2023

Background: NOD‑like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome‑mediated pyroptosis is strongly related to cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. DDX3X, an ATPase/RNA helicase of the DEAD-box family, promotes NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, whether DDX3X deficiency attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis induced by cerebral I/R injury is still uncertain.
Methods: In vitro model of cerebral I/R injury, mouse neuro2a (N2a) cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) were treated with the knockdown of DDX3X. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay were conducted for measuring cell viability and membrane permeability. Double immunofluorescence was performed to determine the pyroptotic cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe morphological changes of pyroptosis. Pyroptosis-associated proteins were analyzed by Western blotting.
Results: The OGD/R treatment reduced cell viability, increased pyroptotic cells and released LDH compared to the control group. TEM showed membrane pore formation of pyroptosis. Immunofluorescence showed that GSDMD was translocated from cytoplasm to membrane after OGD/R treatment. Western blotting showed that the expression of DDX3X, and pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, cleaved-Caspase1, and GSDMD-N) were increased after OGD/R treatment. Nevertheless, DDX3X knockdown markedly improved cell viability and reduced LDH release, expression of pyroptosis-related proteins, and N2a cells pyroptosis. Interestingly, DDX3X knockdown significantly inhibited membrane pore formation and GSDMD translocation from cytoplasm to membrane.
Conclusions: This research demonstrates for the first time that DDX3X knockdown attenuates OGD/R‑induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, which implies that DDX3X may become a potential therapeutic target for cerebral I/R injury.
Phosphorus Recovery from Aqueous Solutions using Bioclastic Granules (Lithothamnium calcareum)
Authors: Veneu Diego Macedo , Silva Gabriel Gonçalves Amaral , Nascentes Alexandre Lioi , Mauad Cristiane Ribeiro , Yokoyama Lídia , Monte Marisa Bezerra de Mello , de Campos David Villas Boas
Published: January 2023

Against of the growing world demand for food and the possibility of recovering some nutrients, this work focused on the evaluation of the use of Bioclastic Granules (BG) from the algae Lithothamnium calcareum as sorbent material for the removal/recovery of phosphorus from aqueous solutions. The main variables that affect the sorption process, such as pH, initial concentration of phosphate and GB, as well as the contact time were evaluated. The effect of pH was very significant, obtaining the best results of PO4 removal at pH 5. In the coarser granulometric fractions (+106 -150 and +210 -300 µm) the best removals were observed (around 75%). Regarding the initial PO4 concentration in the solutions, the highest removal (in the range of 74 to 78%) was observed in the lowest concentrations (5 to 70 mg L-1) and the best uptake (10 to 14 mg g-1) at higher concentrations (200 to 420 mg L-1). The PO4 sorption data fitted the Freundlich model well, with kF of 1.35 L mg-1 and n of 2.43. Using the Langmuir model, a qmax of 14.35 mg g-1 was obtained. Regarding the sorption data over time, a better fit to the pseudo-first order kinetic model was observed, obtaining a calculated qeq of 6.56 mg g-1 and a k1 of 0.0073 min-1. The incorporation of PO4 ions in the GB structure was confirmed through the characterization results before and after the sorption experiments using X-ray fluorescence (FRX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques.
Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth: a nested case-control study
Authors: Tahsin Tashnia , Khanam Rasheda , Chowdhury Nabidul Haque , Hasan ASM Tarik , Hosen Md. Biplob , Rahman Sayedur , Roy Anjan Kumar , Ahmed Salahuddin , Raqib Rubhana , Baqui Abdullah H
Published: January 2023

Background: Each year, an estimated 15 million babies are born preterm. Micronutrient deficiencies, including vitamin D deficiency, are common in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and these conditions are often associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Bangladesh experiences a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. The country also has a high preterm birth (PTB) rate. Using data from a population-based pregnancy cohort, we estimated the burden of vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and its effect on PTB.
Methods: Pregnant women (N=3,000) were enrolled after ultrasound confirmation of gestational age at 8-19 weeks of gestation. Trained health workers prospectively collected detailed phenotypic and epidemiological data at scheduled home visits. Trained phlebotomists collected maternal blood samples at enrollment and at 24 -28 weeks of gestation. Aliquots of serum were stored at -800 C. We conducted a nested case-control study, with all PTB (n=262) and a random sample of term births (n=668). We used the following data: vitamin D concentrations of 24-28 weeks maternal blood samples, ultrasound-determined gestational age, data on pregnancy outcomes, and other PTB risk factors data. PTB was defined as the birth of a baby <37 weeks of gestation. Women were categorized as vitamin D deficient (lowest quartile of 25(OH)D; <=30.18 nmol/L) or not deficient (upper-three quartiles of 25(OH)D; >30.18 nmol/L). We used logistic regression to determine the effect of vitamin D deficiency on PTB, adjusting for potential confounders.
Results: The median and interquartile range of serum 25(OH)D was 38.0 nmol/L; 30.18 to 48.52 (nmol/L). After adjusting for co-variates, serum 25(OH)D deficiency was significantly associated with PTB [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06 – 2.04]. The risk of PTB was also higher in primiparous women (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.12 – 2.12), passive smokers (aOR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.06 – 2.26), and those who didn’t receive iron supplementation during pregnancy (aOR, 95% CI: 0.59, 0.41- 0.83).
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common in Bangladeshi pregnant women, and these women experience an increased risk of PTB. Improving maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy may significantly reduce the risk of PTB.
Alone Against Bleeding. Active or Mechanical Hemostatic in Severe Hemorrhage?
Authors: Valle Francisco José Sánchez Del , De Nicolás Luis , Fernández Guillermo , Fernández Pedro , Gomez Esther
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: There are many surgical maneuvers (Packing, Pringle maneuver, etc.), hemostatics with many forms of application (Flowable, Powder, Patch, etc.), coagulation activity (active, mechanical, etc.), or chemical structure (fibrin, thrombin, Modified Absorbable Polymers (MAP)) to manage hepatic bleeding in trauma surgery. In addition, both can always work together at the same time; however, could a single medicine be effective as a unique hemostatic surgical technique? Which could be better?
Methods: Twenty swine were prospectively randomized to receive either active or passive hemostatics (Floseal TM or Perclot TM). We used a novel severe liver injury model that caused exsanguinating hemorrhage. The main outcome measure was total blood loss volume.
Results: The total volume of blood loss, from injury to minute 120, was significantly lower in the Flowable group (407.5 cc; IqR:195.0 cc to 805.0 cc) than in the novel modified absorbable polymer group (1,107.5 cc; IqR:822.5 cc to 1,544.5 cc) (Hodges-Lehmann median difference: -645.0 cc; 95% CI: -1,144.0 cc to -280.0 cc; p=0.0087). With the exception of 6 min measurements (p=0.1136), the volume of blood lost was significantly lower in the flowable group than in the MAP group from injury to minutes 3, 9, 12, and 120. The mean arterial pressure gradually recovered in the flowable group up to 24 h, whereas in the MAP group, the mean arterial pressure was always below the baseline values. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis indicated similar rates of death between study groups (Logrank test p=0.3395)
Conclusions: Both the flowable and the MAP hemostatic agents were able to effectively control surgical bleeding in this severe liver injury model, although the flowable gelatin-thrombin agent provided quick and better bleeding control
Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and the Related Risk Factors in Chongqing, Southwest China
Authors: Yan Jianhua , Li Fei , Yang Yang , Li HaiDong , Wang Xin , Shan Youlan , Kong Lingxi , Shan Xuefeng
Published: January 2023

Backgound.
Prevalence of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in China is increasing recently, and the prevalence rate and the related risk factors of it are significantly different among regions in China. Epidemiological characteristics of NAFLD in Chongqing, a southwest city of China has not been fully revealed up to now. We conducted the present study to investigate the prevalence of NAFLD and its risk factors among the population in Chongqing.
Methods.
A total of 74,870 healthy adults(38,952 men and 35,918 women, mean age: 38.69 ± 14.38 years) from a grade 3 hospital in Chongqing, China were included in the present study. All of the participants underwent anthropometric measurements, liver ultrasonography and serum examinations. Student-T test, chi-square test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.
Results.
The prevalence rate of NAFLD was 13.1% (9,752/74,870) with an increasing trend with age (P for trend < 0.001). Prevalence of NAFLD for men was estimated to be 3.0 times higher than women(19.1% for men and 6.3% for women,χ2 = 2726.65, P < 0.001). Gender, age, hypertension, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and alanine transarninase (ALT) were independently correlated with the risk of NAFLD in the overall population. Among these factors, age, hypertension, FBG, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and ALT were significantly associated with NAFLD both in male and female population. HDL-C was an independent risk factor of NAFLD for men,but not for women. Age(> 50 years) is the strongest associated factor both for male(OR 3.46) and female(OR 15.08).
Conclusions.
The prevalence of NAFLD among healthy adults in Chongqing,China was relatively high. Our results suggest that individuals in this region with higher BMI, higher FBG, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and elevated ALT should pay high attention to NAFLD.
Hyaluronan-enriched transfer medium (HETM) can improve the implantation rate in morphologically poor euploid blastocyst transfer
Authors: NAKAGAWA KOJI , Horikawa Takashi , Orita Yuji , Yamashiro Emi , Watanabe Hideaki , Shirai Asako , Ogata Souichi , Kataoka Hisayo , Kuroda Keiji , Takamizawa Satoru , Sugiyama Rikikazu
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Hyaluronan-enriched transfer medium (HETM) could improve the clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) for patients with repeated implantation failures (RIF). In contrast, there have been seldom reports addressing the potentially beneficial effects of HETM for morphologically poor blastocysts (MPBLs). Our study aimed to evaluate whether the use of HETM would improve the CPR for the patients who were transferred with euploid MPBLs. Methods: Patients who underwent single euploid blastocyst transfer between July 2020 and June 2022 were enrolled. We included only those blastocysts confirmed as euploid by PGT-A, and those blastocysts were transferred after thawing. The natural ovulatory cycle or hormone replacement cycle (HRC) protocol were used for endometrial preparation for thawed blastocyst transfer (thawed-BT). A total of 1,168 thawed-BT cycles were performed in the study period, including 954 cycles of morphologically good blastocysts (≥ 4BB in Gardner’s classification), and 85 cycles of MPBLs, of which 47 were transferred using HETM in thawed-BT (the HETM group), and the remaining 38 were transferred with the medium without hyaluronan (the control group). We compared the CPR between these two groups. Results: The characteristics of patients were similar between the HETM and control groups. The CPR in the HETM group was significantly higher than the control group (47.4% and 21.5%, respectively, p = 0.019). The multiple logistic regression analysis found that the use of HETM was a predictive factor of positive pregnancy outcomes (OR = 5.08, 95% CI = 1.62-16.0, p = 0.019). Conclusion: Our data suggests that HETM used in the euploid blastocyst transfer can improve the clinical pregnancy rates of morphologically poor blastocysts.
The Prevalence of Unintended Pregnancy and Its Association with Unmet Need of Contraception among Reproductive Age Women: An Analysis of the 2016 Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS)
Authors: Asrat Daniel , Olubukola Adesina , Copas Andrew
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Unintended pregnancy and unmet contraceptive needs continue to be a public health concern, contributing to maternal morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Several studies have been done to assess the determinant of unintended pregnancies in the last decade. However, representative research exploring the association between unplanned pregnancy and unmet contraceptive needs among Ugandan women of reproductive age is inadequate. This study aims to measure unmet contraception needs and its relationship with unintended pregnancy and other factors in relation unwanted pregnancy in Uganda from national representative sample.

Methods

Data of this study were obtained from Uganda demographic health survey (UDHS) 2016. The survey was cross-sectional in design and sample was collected in the second half of 2016. The study included 18,506 women between the ages of 15 and 49 who had at least one history of pregnancy priority to the survey. After controlling for other variables, the planning status of the most recent pregnancy was the primary outcome variable, and the unmet need for contraception was the main independent factor. The data was analysed using descriptive analysis, cross-tabulation, chi-square testing, and logistic regression. Version 17 of STATA was used for data analysis. At p < 0.05 was considered a statistical significance association.

Results

More than two-fifths of women reported an unintended pregnancy (44.5%), and around 21.09% had an unmet need for contraception. In the adjusted model, the odds ratio of unintended pregnancy among women with unmet contraceptive need was 3.97 times (95% CI = 3.61–4.37) higher than for among women who reported met need contraceptive. Age of women, place of residence, household wealth status, contraceptive usage decision, educational attainment participant, husband occupation and husband educational level were factors statistically significant association with unintended pregnancy.

Conclusion

According to this study, the rate of unintended pregnancy and unmet contraceptive need were both higher than the estimated global average. It is still at alarming levels, requiring various policy attention. This shows that initiatives addressing unmet needs contraceptive could be reduce unintended pregnancy. More extensive qualitative research on the key sociocultural and behavioural factors for unwanted pregnancy might be required to develop context-specific solutions.
Construction and Validation of Prognostic Models in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis-associated Acute Kidney Injury: machine learning approaches compare with traditional logistic regression.
Authors: Fan Zhiyan , Jiang Jiamei , Chen Fanghui , Xiao Chen , Chen Youlei , Xia Quan , Wang Juan , Fang Mengjuan , Wu Zesheng
Published: January 2023

Background
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication in critically ill patients with sepsis and often represents a poor prognosis. However, the application of machine learning methods in this filed is lacking. We aim to construct and validate clinical prognosis prediction models for patients with sepsis associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) with machine learning methods.
Method
Data of training cohort patients were collected from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database version 1.4 (MIMIC III v1.4) to build models, and data of patients were extracted from Hangzhou First People's Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine for model external validation. Predictors for mortality were initially identify by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and then random forest (RF), Gradient Boosted Decision Trees (GBDT), Neural network models: Multi-layer Perceptron(MLP), Support vector machines(SVMs) and traditional Logistic regression(LR) were used to establish prediction models for 7 days, 14 days, and 28 days after ICU admission, respectively. The prediction performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, decision curve analysis (DCA) and f1-score.
Result
A total of 1982 critically ill patients with S-AKI were included for analysis, of which 1882 patients for model development, 100 patients for external validation. The overall 7-day mortality was about 23.6%. A total 20 variables were selected for model establishment. The models of LR, RF, GBDT, MLP, SVM were established and obtained areas under the ROC curves (AUC) of 0.74, 0.86, 0.88, 0.83, 0.75 in 7 days group, 0.62, 0.70, 0.72, 0.67, 0.61 in 14 days group, 0.6, 0.61, 0.57, 0.56, 0.6 in group 28 days in training cohort. According to the results of AUC, f1-score, and DCA in the training cohort for the 7-day, 14-day, 28-day for the five models, the model of RF and GBDT exhibits excellent performance. The RF and GBDT models also have Excellent discrimination in validation cohort.
Conclusion
By utilizing the machine learning approaches we construct more significant prediction models. Clinically, the RF and GBDT models might be useful in helping clinicians craft precise treatment and management plans for patients with S-AKI.
Modeling Linear and Nonlinear Relationship between Temperature and Development Rate of Amblyseuis swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: Moradi Farshad , Rahimi Akram , Sadeghi Amin , Fathipour Yaghoub , Maroufpoor Mostafa
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the utilization of biocontrol agents to administer agriculture pests has received more attention, which has conduce to an growth in companies generating biocontrol agents, including predators and parasitoids. Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot as a part of predatory communities in greenhouses is currently used worldwide as a biocontrol agent against small insects and various mites, especially to suppress the population of the two-spotted spider mite (TSSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch. To improve mass rearing of A. swirskii and optimize its application in integrated pest management programs, its development rate was determined at seven constant temperatures ranging from 15 to 32 (±1)°C, 50±10% RH and a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h under laboratory conditions. To determine the lower temperature threshold (T0) and thermal constant (K) of different stages of the predator, two linear models (ordinary and Ikemoto) were used. In addition, 26 nonlinear models were fitted to evaluate the development rate at different temperatures. The lower temperature threshold (T0) and thermal constant (K) of total immature stages were estimated by the ordinary (3.72°C and 133.22 DD) and Ikemoto (10.64°C and 86.51DD) linear models. Based on the Akaike information criterion (AIC), the best model for description of the temperature-dependent development rate of the egg, larval, protonymphal and dutonymphal stages was the Ratkowsky model and for the whole pre-adult stage, it was the Logan-6 model. Our results provided a detailed evaluation of the thermal requirements of A. swirskii, which can be important in improving the role of this mite in biological control programs.
The midazolam and fentanyl versus additional use of propofol in difficult-to-sedate cases during bronchoscopy by transcutaneous gas monitoring: a case control study
Authors: Yazawa Nana , Nakamura Yusuke , Takemasa Akihiro , Uchida Nobuhiko , Kushima Yoshitomo , Masawa Meitetsu , Okutomi Hiroaki , Soda Sayo , Ikeda Naoya , Arai Ryo , Chibana Kazuyuki , Niho Seiji , Shimizu Yasuo
Published: January 2023

Background: bronchoscopy is a relatively invasive procedure, and standard anesthesia is often inadequate. The recently introduced transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcpCO2) monitoring has become a convenient surrogate method for continuous monitoring of the partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2). The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of additional use of propofol during bronchoscopy by transcutaneous blood gas monitoring.
Methods: patients in whom transcutaneous gas monitoring was performed during bronchoscopy were included in this study. The study subjects were divided into two groups: 1) the midazolam + fentanyl group (MF group), and 2) the group in which midazolam was switched to propofol because of inadequate sedation with midazolam + fentanyl (MFP group). We conducted a retrospective analysis of the transcutaneous gas measurement data obtained during bronchoscopy.
Results: data of a total of 61 patients (MF group, n=41; MFP group, n=20) were analyzed. The duration over which the tcpCO2 remained over 50 mm Hg was longer in the MFP group (MF 0.0 min vs. MFP 7.8 min, p=0.042). The percentage of patients in whom the tcpCO2 rose to over 50 mm Hg was also higher in the MFP group (MF group, 14.6% vs. MFP group, 65.0%). None of the patients required discontinuation of the bronchoscopic procedure due to inadequate sedation. Conclusions: while the addition of propofol improved the tolerability of the procedure in difficult-to-sedate patients, it was also associated with a higher risk of ventilatory failure and hypoxemia. Thus, in order to ensure safety, additional propofol should be used with caution under continuous pCO2 monitoring, such as by transcutaneous measurement.
Trial registration: this study was conducted with the approval of the Clinical Research Management Division of Dokkyo Medical University (Approval No.: R-15-5J) under the supervision of a well-trained bronchoscopist. The contents of the study were disclosed in an opt-out format.
Microcrystalline cellulose grafted hyperbranched polyester with roll comb structure for synergistic toughening and strengthening of PHBV/ bio-based polyester elastomer composites
Authors: Han Xiaolong , Han Yi , Jin Yujuan , Wang Zhao , Tian Huafeng , Huang Jiawei , Guo Maolin , Men Shuang , Lei Haibo , Kumar Rakesh
Published: January 2023

The brittle feature of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) is the major challenge that strongly restricts its application at present. Successfully synthesized bio-based engineering polyester elastomers (BEPE) were combined with PHBV to create entirely bio-composites with the intention of toughening PHBV. Herein, the 2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-propionic acid (DMPA) was grafted onto microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and then further transformed into hyperbranched polyester structure via polycondensation. The modified MCC, named MCHBP, had plenty of terminal hydroxyl groups, which get dispersed between PHBV and BEPE. Besides, a large number of terminal hydroxyl groups of MCHBP can interact with the carbonyl groups of PHBV or BEPE in a wide range of hydrogen bonds, and subsequently increase the adhesion and stress transfer between the PHBV and BEPE. The tensile toughness and the elongation at break of the PHBV/BEPE composites with 0.5phr MCHBP were improved by 559.7% and 221.8% in comparison to those of PHBV/BEPE composites. Results also showed that MCHBP can play a heterogeneous nucleation effect on the crystallization of PHBV. Therefore, this research can address the current issue of biopolymers' weak mechanical qualities and may have uses in food packaging.
Critical illness at the Emergency Department of a Tanzanian National Hospital in a three- year period 2019-2021
Authors: Mboya Erick A. , Ndumwa Harrieth P. , Amani Davis E. , Nkondora Paulina N. , Mlele Victoria , Biyengo Happines , Mashoka Ramadhan , Haniffa Rashan , Beane Abi , Mfinanga Juma , Sunguya Bruno F. , Sawe Hendry R. , Baker Tim
Published: January 2023

Background

Critically ill patients have life-threatening conditions requiring immediate vital organ function intervention. But, critical illness in the emergency department (ED) has not been comprehensively described in resource-limited settings. Understanding the characteristics and dynamics of critical illness can help hospitals prepare for and ensure the continuum of care for critically ill patients. This study aimed to describe the pattern and outcomes of critically ill patients at the ED of the National Hospital in Tanzania from 2019 to 2021.

Methodology

This hospital-records-based cohort study analyzed records of all critically ill patients who attended the ED of Muhimbili National Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. Data extracted from the ED electronic database included clinical and demographic information, diagnoses, and outcome status at the ED. Critical illness in this study was defined as either a severe derangement of one or more vital signs measured at triage or the provision of critical care intervention. Data were analyzed using Stata 17 to examine critical illnesses' burden, characteristics, first-listed diagnosis, and outcomes at the ED.

Results

Among the 158,445 patients who visited the ED in the study period, 16,893 (10.7%) were critically ill. The burden of critical illness was 6,346 (10.3%) in 2019, 5,148 (10.9%) in 2020, and 5,400 (11.0%) in 2021. Respiratory (18.8%), cardiovascular (12.6%), infectious diseases (10.2%), and trauma (10.2%) were the leading causes of critical illness. Most (81.6%) of the critically ill patients presenting at the ED were admitted, of which 11% were admitted to the ICUs and 89% to general wards. Of the critically ill, 4.8% died in the ED.

Conclusion

More than one in ten patients attending the Tanzanian National Hospital emergency department was critically ill. The number of critically ill patients did not increase during the pandemic. The majority were admitted to general hospital wards, and about one in twenty died at the ED. This study highlights the burden of critical illness faced by hospitals and the need to ensure the availability and quality of emergency and critical care throughout hospitals.
Plasma Proteome of Long-covid Patients Indicates Hypoxia-mediated Vasculo-proliferative Disease With Impact on Brain and Heart Function
Authors: Iosef DVM Cristiana , Knauer Michael J. , Nicholson Michael , Nynatten Logan R. Van , Cepinskas DVM Gediminas , Draghici Sorin , Han Victor K. M. , Fraser
Published: January 2023

Aims
Long-COVID occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and results in diverse, prolonged symptoms. The present study aims to determine the underlying mechanisms, and to inform prognosis and treatment.
Methods
Plasma proteome from Long-COVID outpatients was analyzed in comparison to acutely ill COVID-19 (mild and severe) inpatients and healthy control subjects. The expression of approximately 3000 protein biomarkers was determined with proximity extension assays and then deconvoluted with multiple bioinformatics tools into both cell types and signaling mechanisms, as well as organ specificity.
Results
Compared to age- and sex-matched acutely ill COVID-19 inpatients and healthy control subjects, Long-COVID outpatients showed natural killer cells with a resting phenotype, as opposed to active, and neutrophils that formed extracellular traps. This resetting of cell phenotypes was reflected in vascular events mediated by both angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1) and vascular-endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA). Levels of ANGPT1 and VEGFA were validated by serological methods in different patient cohorts. Silent signaling of transforming growth factor-β1 with elevated EP300 favored not only vascular inflammation, but also tumor necrosis factor-α driven pathways. In addition, a vascular proliferative state associated with hypoxia inducible factor 1 pathway was predicted that progressed from COVID-19 to Long-COVID. The vasculo-proliferative process identified in Long-COVID was associated with significant changes in the organ-specific proteome reflective of neurological and cardiometabolic dysfunction.
Conclusions
Taken together, our study uncovered a vasculo-proliferative process in Long-COVID initiated by prior hypoxia, and identified potential organ-specific prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Evidence of behavior consistent with self-interest and altruism in an artificially intelligent agent
Authors: Johnson Tim , Obradovich Nick
Published: January 2023

Members of various species engage in altruism--i.e. accepting personal costs to benefit others. Here we present an incentivized experiment to test for altruistic behavior among AI agents consisting of large language models developed by the private company OpenAI. Using real incentives for AI agents that take the form of tokens used to purchase their services, we first examine whether AI agents maximize their payoffs in a non-social decision task in which they select their payoff from a given range. We then place AI agents in a series of dictator games in which they can share resources with a recipient—either another AI agent, the human experimenter, or an anonymous charity, depending on the experimental condition. Here we find that only the most-sophisticated AI agent in the study maximizes its payoffs more often than not in the non-social decision task (it does so in 92% of all trials), and this AI agent also exhibits the most-generous altruistic behavior in the dictator game, resembling humans’ rates of sharing with other humans in the game. The agent’s altruistic behaviors, moreover, vary by recipient: the AI agent shared substantially less of the endowment with the human experimenter or an anonymous charity than with other AI agents. Our findings provide evidence of behavior consistent with self-interest and altruism in an AI agent. Moreover our study also offers a novel method for tracking the development of such behaviors in future AI agents.
Modulation of cellular transcriptome and proteome composition by azidohomoalanine – implications on click chemistry based secretome analysis
Authors: Kirschner Friederike , Arnold-Schild Danielle , Leps Christian , Łącki Mateusz Krzysztof , Klein Matthias , Ludt Annekathrin , Marini Federico , Kücük Can , Stein Lara , Distler Ute , Sielaff Malte , Michna Thomas , Riegel Kristina , Rajalingam Krishnaraj , Bopp Tobias , Tenzer Stefan , Schild Hansjörg
Published: January 2023

The analysis of the secretome provides important information on proteins defining intercellular communication and the recruitment and behavior of cells in specific tissues. Especially in the context of tumors, secretome data can support decisions for diagnosis and therapy. The mass spectrometry-based analysis of cell-conditioned media is widely used for the unbiased characterization of cancer secretomesin vitro. Metabolic labeling using azide-containing amino acid analogs in combination with click chemistry facilitates this type of analysis in the presence of serum, preventing serum starvation-induced effects. The modified amino acid analogs, however, are less efficiently incorporated into newly synthesized proteins and may perturb protein folding. Combining transcriptome and proteome analysis, we elucidate in detail the effects of metabolic labeling with the methionine analog azidohomoalanine (AHA) on gene and protein expression. Our data reveal that changes in transcript and protein expression levels of 15% – 39% of the proteins detected in the secretome were induced by AHA labeling. Performing Gene Ontology (GO) analyses, our results reveal that metabolic labeling using AHA leads to induction of cellular stress and apoptosis-related pathways and provide first insights on how this affects the composition of the secretome on a global scale.
3L, three-Lactobacilli on recovering of microbiome and immune-damage by cyclophosphamide chemotherapy —A pilot experiment in rats—
Authors: Yue Shousong , Zhang Zhenzhong , Bian Fei , Zhang Yan , Chen Gao , Zhu Youfeng , Li Jun , Picimbon Jean-François
Published: January 2023

Purpose We examined the impact of using a probiotic containing three differentLactobacilli(3L) on the gut microbiome of rats following cyclophosphamide (CTX) treatment. CTX corresponded to chemotherapy which is used for human cancer treatment and known to have adversive effects on the immune system. Methods We conducted our experiment with ten rats in five different experimental groups which included control, CTX treated, and then low, medium, and high probiotic treatment with CTX treatment. Of these ten rats in each group, we sequenced the stool of three of them using both ITS and 16S sequencing. We then went on to examine the taxonomic composition of these samples to determine whether probiotic treatment helped the rat’s microbiome return to similar structure as the control rats. Results We used Illumina MiSeq sequencing to generate sequencing data from microbial genomic DNA libraries, which is useful for testing the effects of 3L on bacteria and fungi. Microbiome analysis, phylogenetic and classification reports, and community data have all backed up the experiments and findings that 3L had a significant positive impact on the microbiome. Furthermore, the effect on specific metabolic pathways aids in deriving the study’s conclusion (use of 3L in chemotherapy) to the mode of action, mechanistically by correcting microbiota composition and enhancing specific gut metabolic functions. Conclusions Through experimental results using anin vivomodel, we suggested the role of novel natural probiotics 3L, 3 Lactobacilli in the establishment of a strong and sustainable beneficial healthy gut flora, after CTX chemotherapy. We suggested some new adjuvants to chemotherapy as drugs + lactobacillustreament using the rat CTX model (immunosuppression caused by cyclophosphamide). Furthermore, in numerous studies that reported the use of probiotics involvingLactobacillusin post-chemo or post-surgical procedures, we proposed a new probiotic formulation (L. acidophilus + L. casei + L. plantarum) to be further studied and explored in the prevention of health condition loss by alteration of the general immune system.
Predictors of mortality in nursing home residents: a 2-year prospective longitudinal study.
Authors: Escribà-Salvans Anna , Jerez-Roig Javier , Farrés-Godayol Pau , de Souza Dyego Leandro Bezerra , Skelton Dawn A , Minobes-Molina Eduard
Published: January 2023

Background
The age, multimorbidity, immunodeficiency and frailty of older people living in nursing homes make them vulnerable to COVID-19 and to mortality in general. For this reason, our objective is to verify the incidence of general and COVID-19 mortality and to analyse its predictive factors in older people living in nursing homes over a 2-year period.
Methods
A two-year prospective longitudinal multicenter study was carried out in 5 nursing homes in Central Catalonia (Spain) between 2020 and 2022. Date and causes of deaths were recorded. In addition, sociodemographic and health data were collected. For the effect of mortality, survival curves were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis using Cox regression.
Results
The total sample of 125 subjects had a mean age of 85.10 years (standard deviation = 7.3). A total of 59 (47.2%) deaths were recorded at 24 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.6–55.9) and 25 (20.0%) were due to COVID-19 most in first 3 months. In the multivariate analysis, functional impairment (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.40, 95% CI: 1.33–4.32, p = 0.003) was a significant risk factor for mortality independently of age (HR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.69-2.00, p = 0.549) and risk of sarcopenia (HR: 1.40, 95% CI, 0.63–3.12, p = 0.403).
Conclusions
Nearly half of this sample of nursing home residents died within the 2-year period, and 20% were attributed to COVID-19. Functional impairment was a risk factor for overall mortality and COVID-19 mortality, independent of age and risk of sarcopenia.
Stability prediction of the toppling rock slope on the Heihe reservoir bank using Discontinuous Deformation Analysis
Authors: Haider Mumtaz , Yuan Sifan , Li Tonglu , Liu ●	Yinpeng , Lawrence David Darnor , Khan ●	Raja Khurram Mahmood
Published: January 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Serological response following COVID-19 vaccines in patients living with HIV: a dose-response meta- analysis
Authors: Zhou Qian , Zeng Furong , Meng Yu , Liu Yihuang , Liu Hong , Deng Guangtong
Published: January 2023

Conclusions: We concluded that vaccine doses were associated with consistently improved the rate and risk ratio of seroconversion in patients living with HIV, highlighting the significance of booster vaccination for patients living with HIV.
Objective: To quantify the pooled rate and risk ratio of seroconversion following the uncomplete, complete, or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines in patients living with HIV.
Method: Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane library were searched for eligible studies published from inception to 13th, September 2022. The pooled rate and risk ratio of seroconversion were assessed using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine method and Mantel-Haenszel approach, respectively. Random-effects model was preferentially used as the primary approach to pool results across studies. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022359603).
Results: In this meta-analysis, we comprehensively analyzed 50 studies with a total of 7160 patients living with HIV. We demonstrated that only 75.0% (56.4% to 89.9%) patients living with HIV achieved a seroconversion after uncomplete vaccination, which improved to 89.3% (84.2% to 93.5%) after complete vaccination, and 98.4% (94.8% to 100%) after booster vaccination. The seroconversion rates were significantly lower compared to controls at all the stages, while the risk ratios for uncomplete, complete, and booster vaccination were 0.87 (0.77 to 0.99), 0.95 (0.92 to 0.98), and 0.97 (0.94 to 0.99), respectively. Notably, meta-regression and subgroup analyses suggested that year of publication, study location and vaccine type could cause the difference of the pooled rate or risk ratio of seroconversion for patients living with HIV after complete vaccination. Sensitivity analysis did not much change the results.
Conclusions: We concluded that vaccine doses were associated with consistently improved the rate and risk ratio of seroconversion in patients living with HIV, highlighting the significance of booster vaccination for patients living with HIV.
Investigating artificial neural networks versus regression models in predicting Myocardial Infarction (MI) mortality based on climatic elements in Sanandaj city, Iran
Authors: Salahi Bromand , Hosseini Seyed Asaad , Mohammadpour Kaweh
Published: January 2023

In the present study, to analyze the relationship between mortality due to Myocardial Infarction (MI) with climatic parameters and its prediction, the ability of artificial neural network models, and linear and nonlinear regression in Sanandaj was evaluated. The study population in this study is the total number of monthly deaths due to myocardial infarction (MI) in Sanandaj city and also the data related to the climatic variables of Sanandaj synoptic station during the statistical period 2014–2018. Variables such as mean monthly temperature, mean minimum, and maximum monthly temperature, average monthly minimum and maximum station air pressure (QFE), total hours of sunshine, and several days with minimum temperature, equal to or below zero and the output of the models is the total number of monthly deaths due to MI in Sanandaj city. The results showed that there is a nonlinear relationship between the total number of monthly deaths due to MI and climatic parameters in Sanandaj, Which can be measured and predicted only by an artificial neural network (ANNs) model, and multiple linear and nonlinear regression models do not have the necessary efficiency in this field.
In Search Of The “Social” In Psychosocial Stress: An EEG Source Imaging Study
Authors: Vanhollebeke Gert , Kappen Mitchel , De Raedt Rudi , Baeken Chris , Mierlo Pieter van , Vanderhasselt Marie-Anne
Published: January 2023

The usage of EEG to uncover the influence of psychosocial stressors (PSSs) on neural activity has gained significant attention throughout recent years, but the results are often troubled by confounding stressor types. To investigate the effect of PSSs alone on neural activity, we employed a paradigm where participants are exposed to negative peer comparison as PSS, while other possible stressors are kept constant, and compared this with a condition where participants received neutral feedback. We analyzed commonly used sensor level EEG indices (frontal theta, alpha, and beta power) and further investigated whether source level power and functional connectivity measures, which have to our knowledge not yet been used, are more sensitive to PSSs than sensor level-derived EEG measures. Our results show that on sensor level, no significant frontal power changes are present (allp’s > 0.16), indicating that frontal power measures are not sensitive enough to be affected by only PSSs. On source level, we find increased alpha power in the left- and right precuneus and right posterior cingulate cortex (allp’s < 0.03) and increased functional connectivity between the left- and right precuneus (p < 0.001), indicating that acute, trial based PSSs lead to decreased precuneus/PCC activity, and possibly indicates a temporary disruption in the self-referential neural processes of an individual.
Machine learning and metagenomics enhance surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in chicken production in China
Authors: Baker Michelle , Zhang Xibin , Guerra Alexandre Maciel , Dong Yinping , Wang Wei , Hu Yujie , Renney David , Hu Yue , Liu Longhai , Li Hui , Tong Zhiqin , Zhang Meimei , Geng Yingzhi , Zhao Li , Hao Zhihui , Senin Nicola , Chen Junshi , Peng Zixin , Li Fengqin , Dottorini Tania
Published: January 2023

The use of antimicrobials in livestock production is associated with the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). China is the largest consumer of antimicrobials and improving AMR surveillance methods may help inform intervention. Here, we report the surveillance of ten large-scale chicken farms and four connected abattoirs from three Chinese provinces, over 2.5 years. By using a bespoke data-mining approach based on machine learning, we analysed microbiomes and resistomes from birds, carcasses and environments. We found that a core subset of the chicken gut resistome and microbiome, featuring clinically relevant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes correlates with AMR profiles of Escherichia coli colonizing the gut. This core is itself influenced by environmental temperature and humidity, contains clinically relevant mobile ARGs shared by chickens and environments, and correlates with antimicrobial usage. Our findings indicate a viable route to optimize AMR surveillance in livestock production.