bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two years of COVID-19 pandemic: Framework of health interventions in a Brazilian city
Authors: Faiões Vanessa dos Santos , Póvoa Helvécio Cardoso Corrêa , Thurler Bruna Alves , Chianca Gabriela Ceccon , Assaf Andréa Videira , Iorio Natalia Lopes Pontes Póvoa
Published: October 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on public health have urgently demanded effective health policies to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Thus, public administrators have implemented non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions to mitigate the pandemic's impacts and strengthen health services. The aim of this ecological study is to describe the scenario of COVID-19 pandemic in a Brazilian city, during 2 years. This ecological study was carried out in Nova Friburgo, a Brazilian city, for 105 weeks (two years), from March 29, 2020 (week 1) to April 02, 2022 (week 105). Data on COVID-19 cases and COVID-19 deaths, occupation of COVID-19 exclusive beds in hospitals, community mobility, vaccination, government regulation on the opening of city establishments and city risk assessment were collected from public datasets. Four waves of COVID-19 cases and deaths were observed during this period. The first case occurred in week 1 and first death in week 3 of this study. The highest peaks of cases and deaths were observed during the third wave with 1,131 cases (week 54) and 47 deaths (week 55) and where the highest occupation of COVID-19 exclusive beds in local hospitals occurred. Interventions from more restrictive to more flexible, were implemented throughout this study, including lockdown and gradual return in economic and social strata levels. Vaccination began on week 43 and at the end of this study 89.91% of the total population was vaccinated with at least one dose, being 83.22% fully vaccinated. A deep description of several interventions used to avoid COVID-19 spread in a Brazilian city during 2 years of this pandemic can help promote better decision-making in the future while it exposes the challenges of conducting public health policies in a pandemic scenario.
Clinical significance of novel biomarkers to predict the natural course of hepatitis B infection
Authors: Wu Weikang , Yuan Xiaojie , Zhang Weilu , Zhou Haowei , Kong Xiangyu , He Zhen , Fu Ting , Zhang Wenhua , Jia Wenling , Liang Chunhui , Tang Haitao , Wang Fengmei , Ye Yancheng , Shao Zhongjun , Ji Zhaohua
Published: October 2022

Background and aim

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) can be divided into immune tolerance (IT), immune clearance (IC), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative inactive/quiescent carrier (ENQ), and HBeAg-negative hepatitis (ENH) phases. The conventional biomarkers used to distinguish these phases have limitations. We examined the clinical significance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNA and hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) as novel biomarkers.

Methods

One hundred eighty-nine patients without treatment currently were categorized by CHB phase (IT = 46, IC = 45, ENQ = 49, ENH = 49). The associations of HBV RNA and HBcrAg with HBV DNA and alanine transaminase (ALT) were analyzed. The decision tree model was used to distinguish the four phases in the natural course of CHB.

Results

The concentrations of HBV RNA and HBcrAg were highest in the IT and IC phases (P < 0.01). Serum HBV RNA was similar to HBcrAg in treatment-naïve patients. HBV RNA and HBcrAg correlated with HBV DNA in the HBeAg+ and HBeAg− status (HBV RNA: e+ r = 0.51, e− r = 0.62; HBcrAg: e+ r = 0.51, e− r = 0.71), but their association with HBV DNA differed among phases. The accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of HBcrAg with ALT in distinguishing the CHB phases were 95.65%, 95.83%, and 95.55%, respectively.

Conclusion

Serum HBV RNA and HBcrAg may be useful to monitor CHB progression.
Can ResilienceNHope, an evidence-based text and email messaging innovative suite of programs help to close the psychological treatment and mental health literacy gaps in college students?
Authors: Agyapong Belinda , Shalaby Reham , Wei Yifeng , Agyapong Vincent I. O.
Published: October 2022

There is a high prevalence of stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders in college students globally. Financial stressors, course workload, peer pressure, and other personal, family, and societal stressors contribute to the high incidence of mental disorders among college students. Despite the high prevalence of mental disorders in college students, barriers such as lack of mental health literacy, stigma of mental health, inadequate numbers of mental health counselors and clinical psychologists supporting students in colleges in both low- and high-income countries, and financial and geographical barriers often hinder college students from accessing the needed mental supports. There is increasing evidence on the effectiveness and feasibility of mobile technology in health promotion and closing psychological treatment gaps. College students are well adapted to the use of mobile technology, particularly text and email messaging daily, which presents a unique opportunity for an innovative way to offer support for their mental health. In this article, we provide a perspective on the ResilienceNHope program, an evidence-based text and email messaging innovation, to close the psychological treatment gap and improve the mental health literacy of college students.
Organizational wellbeing: A model of a new Apulian COVID-19 designated hospital
Authors: Vimercati Luigi , Cannone Enza Sabrina Silvana , Sponselli Stefania , Caputi Antonio , Migliore Giovanni , Daleno Antonio , Minicucci Anna Maria , Milone Gabriella , Spagnolo Lorenzo , Pipoli Antonella , De Maria Luigi
Published: October 2022

Background

Work environment characteristics have an important impact on organizational wellbeing in health care facilities. In the Apulia Region, a new COVID-19 hospital was planned, designated and built in a few weeks for the treatment of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. To our knowledge, this hospital, together with “Fiera Hospital” in Milan, are two of the few buildings worldwide that have been converted into new health care facilities with intensive care center units to treat COVID-19 patients, and this is the first study assessing organizational wellbeing in a newly designated COVID-19 hospital.

Aims

To detect and assess the strong points, criticality, and perceptions of wellbeing/discomfort of health care workers engaged in the management of the current health emergency.

Method

The study was conducted on 188 health care workers, with the “Multidimensional Organizational Health Questionnaire.”

Results

We found an overall positive level of organizational wellbeing. The more positive dimensions were “Collaboration between colleagues,” “Organizational efficiency” and “Room Comfort.” Conflict situations in the workplace were poorly perceived. A very low rate of absenteeism from work was also observed.

Conclusions

Our results show the effectiveness of the organizational model adopted in the management of the COVID-19 hospital, especially in view of the work and emotional overload of the personnel called to face the epidemiological emergency on the frontline, which did not adversely affect the psychophysical conditions of the workers. The success of this model is related to the coexistence of all levels of care required during any type of health emergency in a single structure, paying particular attention to the architectural, functional, and procedural aspects of health care and to the so-called “humanization” of care.
The effectiveness of patient-centered care vs. usual care in type 2 diabetes self-management: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Asmat Kainat , Dhamani Khairunnisa , Gul Raisa , Froelicher Erika Sivarajan
Published: October 2022

Background

Patient-centered care in diabetes self-management might be a significant factor in improving health outcomes of adults with type 2 diabetes, yet the supporting evidence is inadequate. This review aimed at assessing the effectiveness of patient-centered self-management care interventions on glycemic control (HbA1c) and self-care behaviors compared with usual care.

Methods

CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and the HEC Digital Library were searched for studies in English language that assessed patient-centered self-management educational and/or behavioral interventions in adults aged 18 years or older with type 2 diabetes from 2005 to 2020. Interventional studies with at least 3 months of follow-up and reporting on self-care outcomes such as glycemic control (HbA1c) and self-care behaviors including diet control, physical activity, foot care, and medication adherence were included.

Results

Of 168 identified records, 24 were found eligible comprising 20 RCTs and four QESs with total 4,083 participants. The meta-analysis involved 19 RCTs that provided enough information for a pooled estimate of HbA1c. Compared with the control group, patient-centered self-management interventions significantly lowered HbA1c, −0.56 (95% CI −0.79, −0.32). Stratified analysis for HbA1c with respect to various aspects of intervention showed larger effects in interventions employing both educational and behavioral components, −0.66 (95% CI −0.97, −0.34); spanned over shorter (<03 months) duration, −0.85 (95% CI −1.28, −0.43); administered by nurses, −0.80 (95% CI −1.44, −0.16); and delivered in community settings −0.70 (95% CI −1.14, −0.26).

Conclusion

This systematic review provided evidence supporting the effectiveness of patient-centered self-management care interventions in improving glycemic control and self-care behaviors in adults with type 2 diabetes and identified key features of intervention contributing toward success.
A multiarticulate pediatric prosthetic hand for clinical and research applications
Authors: Battraw Marcus A. , Young Peyton R. , Joiner Wilsaan M. , Schofield Jonathon S.
Published: October 2022

Although beginning to emerge, multiarticulate upper limb prostheses for children remain sparse despite the continued advancement of mechatronic technologies that have benefited adults with upper limb amputations. Upper limb prosthesis research is primarily focused on adults, even though rates of pediatric prosthetic abandonment far surpass those seen in adults. The implicit goal of a prosthesis is to provide effective functionality while promoting healthy social interaction. Yet most current pediatric devices offer a single degree of freedom open/close grasping function, a stark departure from the multiple grasp configurations provided in advanced adult devices. Although comparable child-sized devices are on the clinical horizon, understanding how to effectively translate these technologies to the pediatric population is vital. This includes exploring grasping movements that may provide the most functional benefits and techniques to control the newly available dexterity. Currently, no dexterous pediatric research platforms exist that offer open access to hardware and programming to facilitate the investigation and provision of multi-grasp function. Our objective was to deliver a child-sized multi-grasp prosthesis that may serve as a robust research platform. In anticipation of an open-source release, we performed a comprehensive set of benchtop and functional tests with common household objects to quantify the performance of our device. This work discusses and evaluates our pediatric-sized multiarticulate prosthetic hand that provides 6 degrees of actuation, weighs 177 g and was designed specifically for ease of implementation in a research or clinical-research setting. Through the benchtop and validated functional tests, the pediatric hand produced grasping forces ranging from 0.424–7.216 N and was found to be comparable to the functional capabilities of similar adult devices. As mechatronic technologies advance and multiarticulate prostheses continue to evolve, translating many of these emerging technologies may help provide children with more useful and functional prosthesis options. Effective translation will inevitably require a solid scientific foundation to inform how best to prescribe advanced prosthetic devices and control systems for children. This work begins addressing these current gaps by providing a much-needed research platform with supporting data to facilitate its use in laboratory and clinical research settings.
Architectural modelling for robotics: RoboArch and the CorteX example
Authors: Barnett Will , Cavalcanti Ana , Miyazawa Alvaro
Published: October 2022

The need for robotic systems to be verified grows as robots are increasingly used in complex applications with safety implications. Model-driven engineering and domain-specific languages (DSLs) have proven useful in the development of complex systems. RoboChart is a DSL for modelling robot software controllers using state machines and a simple component model. It is distinctive in that it has a formal semantics and support for automated verification. Our work enriches RoboChart with support for modelling architectures and architectural patterns used in the robotics domain. Support is in the shape of an additional DSL, RoboArch, whose primitive concepts encapsulate the notion of a layered architecture and architectural patterns for use in the design of the layers that are only informally described in the literature. A RoboArch model can be used to generate automatically a sketch of a RoboChart model, and the rules for automatic generation define a semantics for RoboArch. Additional patterns can be formalised by extending RoboArch. In this paper, we present RoboArch, and give a perspective of how it can be used in conjunction with CorteX, a software framework developed for the nuclear industry.
Management of dental caries lesions in patients with disabilities: Update of a systematic review
Authors: Molina Gustavo , Zar Mariana , Dougall Alison , McGrath Colman
Published: October 2022

The aim of this systematic review was to update an existing review on the management of dental caries lesions in patients with disabilities so as to provide an up-to-date summary of the evidence. Randomized clinical trials and cohort studies related to preventive and restorative programmes for dental caries among people requiring special care, published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and German languages from February 1st 2011 to April 1st 2022, were retrieved from three databases (“updated review”). From the 1,105 titles identified using the search topic “Caries AND Disability”, 17 papers informed in the analyses: 6 referring to caries preventive strategies and 11 related to restorative care strategies. Most of these studies targeted children and adults with intellectual/physical disability, although preventive and therapeutic strategies were also reported for frail older adults and onchohematological patients. Fluorides in tablets, gels or varnishes forms and the use of xylitol as a sugar substitute were reported as effective approach to prevent the onset of caries in high-risk groups. Minimally intervention treatment options such as the Hall technique, the ART approach and the use of SDF for arresting caries, were deemed suitable and effective strategies for treating existing lesions in-office. In conclusion, in the past decade (2011–2022) an increased number of articles reported strategies to prevent and manage caries among people requiring special care. Although an array of preventive and therapeutic strategies for dental caries exists, more and better-quality clinical evidence is needed to offer guidance to inform policy and practice for special care dentistry.
Evaluation of the impacts of micro-business operations on the quality of urban environment: A case study of Iwo, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Ogunbode Timothy O. , Oyelude Opeyemi , Oyebamiji Victor O.
Published: October 2022

Sustainable environmental quality is a prerequisite to a sustainable human livelihood. This work evaluated the impacts of micro-business enterprises (MBEs) on the quality of the urban environment, with Iwo, Nigeria, as a case study. A survey of the identified micro-businesses across the city brought about four categorizations which were based on the kinds of waste being generated. Fifty-nine business units were randomly selected from each category, thus, making a total of 236 for the survey to generate the required data. The data were subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that 75.01 of the respondents have spent between 11 and 15 years in their respective enterprises while the volume of waste being generated by 76.69% of the MBEs fell in the “moderately high” category and 71.19% did not associate any illness to the waste generated by the MBEs. The results of Factor Analysis showed that nine factors explained 82.914% of how MBEs have impacted the quality of the urban environment. The results further showed that bad odors from the waste generated by the MBEs topped the variables with the highest predictive power (19.032%) while the waste characteristics offer the least explanation (3.279%). However, the 60.96 percent bulk of the 100% explanation was made by the top three variables namely bad odors from the waste generated by the MBEs, the government's monitoring role, and the hindrances posed by the wastes. The work, therefore, concludes that the MBEs could be more beneficial to human livelihood and the physical environment rather than being detrimental if both the entrepreneurs (the citizens) and the government adhere to their respective responsibilities. Relevant authorities in Nigeria should initiate policies that are capable of stimulating the growth of entrepreneurial activities with effective regulation to curtail urban degradation for improved livelihood. It is suggested that further studies on the compliance of MBE operators to the established governing rules be carried out.
Ground bias: A driver for skepticisms about space exploration
Authors: Milligan Tony
Published: October 2022

This paper introduces and develops the concept of “ground bias.” The bias in question involves a background underestimation of the importance of space for an understanding of terrestrial processes. Underestimation then operates as a driver for various kinds of skepticism about space exploration. Ground bias is also more widespread than skepticism about space exploration and does not, on its own, entail it. There may need to be some further factor (such as populist political critique, fears about technology, or a generalized pessimism about the future of humanity) before space skepticism is embraced. Nonetheless, an appeal to ground bias can help to explain the stubborn persistence of skepticism about space exploration in the face of successive failed predictions about the negative impact of space programs upon humanity. The arc of the paper moves from an overview of space skepticisms to a clarification of the ground bias concept. The formal argument of the paper (that this bias helps to explain the persistence of skepticism about space exploration) is largely a foil to help set up the ground bias concept. The final section considers the standing of ground bias by comparison with other sorts of human bias, up to and including forms of irrational prejudice. Ground bias is significantly different from these, and closer to human biases about time (e.g., thinking of the future as more important than the past, and near events as more important than distant ones). However, it is also a good deal newer than bias about time, and less rooted in our human makeup.
Association between body image perception with demographic characteristics of physically active individuals during COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlMarzooqi Mezna A.
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the relationship between body image perception and demographic factors among physically active (men and women) during the COVID-19 lockdown in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed among physically active individuals in Saudi Arabia between June and July 2020. Eligible participants completed a 19-item self-administered questionnaire that covered three areas: demographic questions, reasons for physical activity, and role or perceptions of body image during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine.

Results

A total of 323 physically active individuals participated in this study. The majority of the participants were female (N=217, 72.7%), were married (66.6%), and living in the Middle region of Saudi Arabia (N= 268, 83%). The analysis shows that majority of the participants were dissatisfied with their current body shape. The analysis also showed a significant association between participants' educational attainment and BMI and body dissatisfaction (p= 0.001). The strongest predictor was BMI level, recording an odds ratio (OR) of 5.99 (CI: 2.15 – 10.54, p=0.001) in obese and an OR of 4.55 (CI: 1.31 – 9.35, p=0.001) in overweight, indicating that compared with normal weight, obese and overweight participants were more likely to be dissatisfied by five and four times, respectively.

Conclusion

This study indicates that physically active individuals are greatly influenced by the confinement period. Programs that promote physical activity in their house or during lockdown may help to encourage, lessen their anxiety, and maintain their health. This may also decrease the anxiety of individuals, particularly those active ones.
Changes in dual-task cognitive performance elicited by physical exertion vary with motor task
Authors: Hogg Jennifer A. , Riehm Christopher D. , Wilkerson Gary B. , Tudini Frank , Peyer Karissa L. , Acocello Shellie N. , Carlson Lynette M. , Le Tan , Sessions Ross , Diekfuss Jed A. , Myer Gregory D.
Published: October 2022

Background

Integrated movement and cognitive load paradigms are used to expose impairments associated with concussion and musculoskeletal injury. There is currently little information on the discriminatory nature of dual-task complexity and the relative influence of physical exertion on cognitive outcomes.

Purpose

Assess cognitive performance while under motor conditions of increasing complexity before and after a standardized exercise protocol.

Methods

34 participants were recruited (17 male and 17 female; 24 ± 1.4 yrs). A modified Eriksen flanker test was used to assess cognitive performance under four conditions (seated, single-leg stance, walking, and lateral stepping) before and after a 20-min moderate-to vigorous intensity treadmill protocol. The flanker test consisted of 20 sets of 5-arrow configurations, appearing in random order. To complete the response to cognitive stimulus, participants held a smartphone horizontally and were instructed to respond as quickly and as accurately as possible by tilting the device in the direction corresponding to the orientation of the middle arrow. The metrics used for analysis included average reaction time (ms), inverse efficiency index (average reaction time penalized for incorrect responses), and conflict effect (the average time cost of responding to an incongruent repetition vs. a congruent repetition). Mixed effects (condition by time) RMANOVAs were conducted to examine the effects of motor task complexity and physical exertion on cognitive performance.

Results

There was a condition by time interaction for inverse efficiency index (p < 0.001), in which participants displayed higher cognitive efficiency for the pre-activity lateral stepping condition compared to the other three conditions (Cohen's d = 1.3–1.6). For reaction time and conflict effect, there were main effects for condition (p = 0.004 and 0.006, respectively), in which performance during lateral stepping was improved in relation to the seated condition (reaction time Cohen's d = 0.68; conflict effect Cohen's d = 0.64).

Conclusion

Participants tended to display better dual-task cognitive performance under more stimulating or complex motor tasks before physical exertion, likely associated with the inverted-U arousal-performance relationship. When using dual-task assessments, clinicians should be mindful of the accompanying motor task and baseline exertion levels and their potential to disrupt or optimize cognitive performance.
Anesthetic management of patients undergoing mediastinal mass operation
Authors: Tan Jie-chao , Lin Pei-shuang , He Li-xian , Lin Yong , Yao Yun-tai ,   the Evidence in Cardiovascular Anesthesia(EICA) Group
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To summarize the anesthetic management of patients undergoing mediastinal mass operation.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched to identify all case reports of patients undergoing mediastinal mass operation. Information such as clinical characteristics, perioperative management and patients’ outcomes were abstracted and analyzed.

Results

Seventy-seven case reports with 85 patients aging from 34 days to 81 years were included. Mediastinal masses were located in anterior (n = 48), superior (n = 15), middle (n = 9) and posterior (n = 9) mediastinum, respectively. Clinical manifestations included dyspnea (n = 45), cough (n = 29), chest or radiating pain (n = 12), swelling (n = 8), fever (n = 7) and chest distress (n = 4). Most patients (n = 75) had signs of compression or invasion of vital structures. General anesthesia (n = 76) was the most commonly used method of anesthesia. Muscle relaxants were administered in 35 patients during anesthesia induction and spontaneous respiration was maintained in 37 patients. Mediastinal mass syndrome (MMS) occurred in 39 cases. Extracorporeal circulation was utilized in 20 patients intraoperatively. Three patients experienced cardiac arrest after ventilation failure and two patients died intraoperatively and one postoperatively.

Conclusions

Peri-operative management of patients undergoing mediastinal mass operation could be challenging. Pre-operative multi-disciplinary discussion, well-planned anesthetic management and pre-determined protocols for emergency situations are all vital to patient safety.
A new mechanochemical model for apical constriction: Coupling calcium signalling and viscoelasticity
Authors: Kaouri Katerina , Christodoulou Neophytos , Chakraborty Abhishek , Méndez Paul E. , Skourides Paris , Ruiz-Baier Ricardo
Published: October 2022

Embryonic epithelial cells exhibit strong coupling of mechanical responses to chemical signals and most notably to calcium. Recent experiments have shown that the disruption of calcium signals during neurulation strongly correlates with the appearance of neural tube defects. We, thus, develop a multi-dimensional mechanochemical model and use it to reproduce important experimental findings that describe anterior neural plate morphogenetic behaviour during neural tube closure. The governing equations consist of an advection-diffusion-reaction system for calcium concentration which is coupled to a force balance equation for the tissue. The tissue is modelled as a linear viscoelastic material that includes a calcium-dependent contraction stress. We implement a random distribution of calcium sparks that is compatible with experimental findings. A finite element method is employed to generate numerical solutions of the model for an appropriately chosen range of parameter values. We analyse the behaviour of the model as three parameters vary: the level of IP3 concentration, the strength of the stretch-sensitive activation and the maximum magnitude of the calcium-dependent contraction stress. Importantly, the simulations reproduce important experimental features, such as the spatio-temporal correlation between calcium transients and tissue deformation, the monotonic reduction of the apical surface area and the constant constriction rate, as time progresses. The model could also be employed to gain insights into other biological processes where the coupling of calcium signalling and mechanics is important, such as carcinogenesis and wound healing.
Spotty liver disease adversely affect the gut microbiota of layers hen
Authors: Van Thi Thu Hao , Lee Nen That Lisa F. M. , Perera Rachelle , Anwar Arif , Wilson Timothy B. , Scott Peter C. , Stanley Dragana , Moore Robert J.
Published: October 2022

Spotty Liver Disease (SLD) is a serious infectious disease which occurs mainly in laying chickens in free range production systems. SLD outbreaks can increase mortality and decrease egg production of chickens, adversely impact welfare and cause economic hardship for poultry producers. The bacterium Campylobacter hepaticus is the primary cause of the disease. This study aimed to identify the effects of C. hepaticus on chicken gut microbiota and gut structure. Three C. hepaticus strains (HV10T, NSW44L and QLD19L), isolated from different states of Australia, were used in the study. Chickens at 26-weeks post-hatch were orally dosed with one of the C. hepaticus strains (challenged groups) or Brucella broth (unchallenged or control group). Six days after the challenge, birds were necropsied to assess liver damage, and caecal content and tissue samples were collected for histology, microbiology, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the composition of the bacterial microbiota. Strain C. hepaticus NSW44L produced significantly more disease compared to the other C. hepaticus strains and this coincided with more adverse changes observed in the caecal microbiota of the birds challenged with this strain compared to the control group. Microbial diversity determined by Shannon and Simpson alpha diversity indices was lower in the NSW44L challenged groups compared to the control group (p = 0.009 and 0.0233 respectively, at genus level). Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) producing bacteria Faecalibacterium, Bifidobacterium and Megamonas were significantly reduced in the challenged groups compared to the unchallenged control group. Although SLD-induction affected the gut microbiota of chickens, their small intestine morphology was not noticeably affected as there were no significant differences in the villus height or ratio of villus height and crypt depth. As gut health plays a pivotal role in the overall health and productivity of chickens, approaches to improve the gut health of the birds during SLD outbreaks such as through diet and keeping the causes of stress to a minimum, may represent significant ways to alleviate the impact of SLD.
Topic Modelling and Sentiment Analysis of Tweets Related to Freedom Convoy 2022 in Canada
Authors: Huang Shih-Hsio , Tsao Shu-Feng , Chen Helen , Bin Noon Gaya , Li Lianghua , Yang Yang , Butt Zahid Ahmad
Published: October 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate public discourses and sentiments regarding the Freedom Convoy in Canada on Twitter.

Methods: English tweets were retrieved from Twitter API from 15 January to 14 February 2022 when the Freedom Convoy occurred. Unsupervised topic modelling and sentiment analysis were applied to identify topics and sentiments for each topic.

Results: Five topics resulted from the topic modelling, including convoy support, political arguments toward the current prime minister, lifting vaccine mandates, police activities, and convoy fundraising. Overall, sentiments for each topic began with more positive or negative sentiments but approached to neutral over time.

Conclusion: The results show that sentiments towards the Freedom Convoy generally tended to be positive. Five topics were identified from the data collected, and these topics highly correlated with the events of the convoy. Our study also demonstrated that a mixed approach of unsupervised machine learning techniques and manual validation could generate timely evidence.
Deep Learning Classification of Colorectal Lesions Based on Whole Slide Images
Authors: Soldatov Sergey A. , Pashkov Danil M. , Guda Sergey A. , Karnaukhov Nikolay S. , Guda Alexander A. , Soldatov Alexander V.
Published: October 2022

Microscopic tissue analysis is the key diagnostic method needed for disease identification and choosing the best treatment regimen. According to the Global Cancer Observatory, approximately two million people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, and an accurate diagnosis requires a significant amount of time and a highly qualified pathologist to decrease the high mortality rate. Recent development of artificial intelligence technologies and scanning microscopy introduced digital pathology into the field of cancer diagnosis by means of the whole-slide image (WSI). In this work, we applied deep learning methods to diagnose six types of colon mucosal lesions using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). As a result, an algorithm for the automatic segmentation of WSIs of colon biopsies was developed, implementing pre-trained, deep convolutional neural networks of the ResNet and EfficientNet architectures. We compared the classical method and one-cycle policy for CNN training and applied both multi-class and multi-label approaches to solve the classification problem. The multi-label approach was superior because some WSI patches may belong to several classes at once or to none of them. Using the standard one-vs-rest approach, we trained multiple binary classifiers. They achieved the receiver operator curve AUC in the range of 0.80–0.96. Other metrics were also calculated, such as accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and F1-score. Obtained CNNs can support human pathologists in the diagnostic process and can be extended to other cancers after adding a sufficient amount of labeled data.
Key Parameters of a Design for a Novel Reflux Subsonic Low-Density Dust Wind Tunnel
Authors: Wu Hao , Liu Meng , Mi Youzhi , Wang Jun , Guo Menglei
Published: October 2022

The dust storm on the surface of Mars is a severe threat to Mars exploration missions. Taking adequate measures to avoid the impact of the harsh wind-blown dust environment is indispensable. Ground simulation of the Martian high-speed windblown dust environment is helpful for analysis of the environmental effects and evaluations of the suitability of the components and materials. In this paper, a novel reflux subsonic low-density dust wind tunnel is presented to simulate the high-speed windblown dust environment of the Martian atmosphere with a velocity of more than 100 m/s. The sand and dust are fed into the wind tunnel through the ejector assembly together with the compressed gas, resulting in high uniformity of particles in the test section. The construction design of the Mars wind tunnel is introduced. The key parameters, which are the nozzle parameters and the contraction curve, are discussed in detail. The convergent nozzle is most suitable for the ejector assembly. Moreover, the bicubic curve is selected as the contraction curve. The gas-particle two-phase computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations demonstrate the rationality of the wind tunnel design.
Sperm Transcriptome Analysis Accurately Reveals Male Fertility Potential in Livestock
Authors: Indriastuti Rhesti , Pardede Berlin Pandapotan , Gunawan Asep , Ulum Mokhamad Fakhrul , Arifiantini Raden Iis , Purwantara Bambang
Published: October 2022

Nowadays, selection of superior male candidates in livestock as a source of frozen semen based on sperm quality at the cellular level is not considered accurate enough for predicting the potential of male fertility. Sperm transcriptome analysis approaches, such as messenger RNA levels, have been shown to correlate with fertility rates. Using this technology in livestock growth has become the principal method, which can be widely applied to predict male fertility potential in the livestock industry through the analysis of the sperm transcriptome. It provides the gene expression to validate the function of sperm in spermatogenesis, fertilization, and embryo development, as the parameters of male fertility. This review proposes a transcriptomic analysis approach as a high-throughput method to predict the fertility potential of livestock more accurately in the future.
Hydrogen Peroxide Promotes the Production of Radiation-Derived EVs Containing Mitochondrial Proteins
Authors: Miller Caitlin E. , Xu Fangfang , Zhao Yanming , Luo Wei , Zhong Weixiong , Meyer Kristy , Jayswal Rani , Weiss Heidi L. , St. Clair William H. , St. Clair Daret K. , Chaiswing Luksana
Published: October 2022

In spite of extensive successes, cancer recurrence after radiation treatment (RT) remains one of the significant challenges in the cure of localized prostate cancer (PCa). This study focuses on elucidating a novel adaptive response to RT that could contribute to cancer recurrence. Here, we used PC3 cell line, an adenocarcinoma from a bone metastasis and radio-resistant clone 695 cell line, which survived after total radiation dose of 66 Gy (2 Gy × 33) and subsequently regrew in nude mice after exposure to fractionated radiation at 10 Gy (2 Gy × 5). Clone 695 cells not only showed an increase in surviving fraction post-radiation but also an increase in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production when compared to PC3 cells. At the single cell level, confocal microscope images coupled with IMARIS rendering software demonstrate an increase in mitochondrial mass and membrane potential in clone 695 cells. Utilizing the Seahorse XF96 instrument to investigate mitochondrial respiration, clone 695 cells demonstrated a higher basal Oxygen Consumption Rate (OCR), ATP-linked OCR, and proton leak compared to PC3 cells. The elevation of mitochondrial function in clone 695 cells is accompanied by an increase in mitochondrial H2O2 production. These data suggest that H2O2 could reprogram PCa’s mitochondrial homeostasis, which allows the cancer to survive and regrow after RT. Upon exposure to RT, in addition to ROS production, we found that RT induces the release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from PC3 cells (p < 0.05). Importantly, adding H2O2 to PC3 cells promotes EVs production in a dose-dependent manner and pre-treatment with polyethylene glycol-Catalase mitigates H2O2-mediated EV production. Both RT-derived EVs and H2O2-derived EVs carried higher levels of mitochondrial antioxidant proteins including, Peroxiredoxin 3, Glutathione Peroxidase 4 as well as mitochondrial-associated oxidative phosphorylation proteins. Significantly, adding isolated functional mitochondria 24 h prior to RT shows a significant increase in surviving fractions of PC3 cells (p < 0.05). Together, our findings reveal that H2O2 promotes the production of EVs carrying mitochondrial proteins and that functional mitochondria enhance cancer survival after RT.
Predictability of the Wintertime Western Pacific Pattern in the APEC Climate Center Multi-Model Ensemble
Authors: Kim Eung-Sup , Kryjov Vladimir N. , Ahn Joong-Bae
Published: October 2022

The predictability of the wintertime Western Pacific (WP) pattern is evaluated based on seasonal predictions from five models participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Climate Center (APCC) multi-model ensemble (MME) for the winters from 1982/1983 to 2021/2022. The temporal correlation coefficient (TCC) between the observed and MME-predicted WP indices was 0.61 (0.37–0.54 for individual models) for the entire series. However, when only three Super El Niño (SEN) years (Niño3.4 ≥ 2.0) out of the 40-year series were excluded, the TCC dropped down to 0.54 (0.27–0.42). During the SEN years, the WP was strongly affected by the SEN-excited anomalies via the PNA. In observations from non-SEN years, the WP pattern was strongly related to the dipole pattern in Northwestern Pacific SST (TCC = 0.8), for the description of which we suggested a Northwestern Pacific (NWP) index, and it was significantly weakly related to the ENSO and IOD, whereas in the model simulations, the main role was played by the ENSO (TCC = 0.6). The NWP index was well predictable in MME (TCC = 0.73) and individual models (0.56–0.71). We showed that the prediction of the WP index polarity is reliable when both predicted WP and NWP anomalies are significant and indicate the same WP sign that has implications for the seasonal forecasting.
An Analysis of Transcriptomic Burden Identifies Biological Progression Roadmaps for Hematological Malignancies and Solid Tumors
Authors: Ravi Dashnamoorthy , Beheshti Afshin , Burgess Kristine , Kritharis Athena , Chen Ying , Evens Andrew M. , Parekkadan Biju
Published: October 2022

Biological paths of tumor progression are difficult to predict without time-series data. Using median shift and abacus transformation in the analysis of RNA sequencing data sets, natural patient stratifications were found based on their transcriptomic burden (TcB). Using gene-behavior analysis, TcB groups were evaluated further to discover biological courses of tumor progression. We found that solid tumors and hematological malignancies (n = 4179) share conserved biological patterns, and biological network complexity decreases at increasing TcB levels. An analysis of gene expression datasets including pediatric leukemia patients revealed TcB patterns with biological directionality and survival implications. A prospective interventional study with PI3K targeted therapy in canine lymphomas proved that directional biological responses are dynamic. To conclude, TcB-enriched biological mechanisms detected the existence of biological trajectories within tumors. Using this prognostic informative novel informatics method, which can be applied to tumor transcriptomes and progressive diseases inspires the design of progression-specific therapeutic approaches.
The Ipsilateral Interhemispheric Transprecuneal Approach to the Atrium: Technical Considerations and Clinical Outcome on a Series of 7 Patients
Authors: Pescatori Lorenzo , Tropeano Maria Pia , Torregrossa Fabio , Grasso Giovanni , Ciappetta Pasqualino
Published: October 2022

Surgical removal of tumors of the atrium is challenging due to their deep location, vascularization, and to their complex three-dimensional relationships with the highly functional white matter fibers of the region. To assess the feasibility and the effectiveness of the ipsilateral interhemispheric transprecuneus approach (IITA) for tumors involving the atrium and the posterior third of the temporal horn, a retrospective chart review of all patients who had undergone a surgical treatment for intraventricular tumors between January 2008 and January 2017 was performed, and the step-by-step approach is described. Ten patients affected by lesions of the atrium of the lateral ventricle underwent surgical treatment, seven of which were approached through the IITA. The mean age was 42.8 years (range 6–63 years). The symptoms presented included severe, drug-resistant headache (90%), lateral homonymous hemianopsia (50%), seizures (30%), and speech disturbances (30%). Histological examinations revealed seven patients with meningioma (70%), one with a metastasis (10%), one with a choroid plexus papilloma (10%) and one with a cavernoma (10%). In all cases, a gross total removal was obtained. All patients had a significant improvement in their headache. Two patients experienced a worsening of the pre-operative visual disturbances, while two patients had a significant improvement. No patients without pre-operative visual disturbances described a post-operative worsening of visual symptoms. The IITA represents a feasible approach for tumors of the atrium. The three-quarter prone position facilitates the enlargement of the interhemispheric fissure by increasing the working angle and facilitating the exposure of the lateral wall of the atrium.
How Chanting Relates to Cognitive Function, Altered States and Quality of Life
Authors: Perry Gemma , Polito Vince , Sankaran Narayan , Thompson William Forde
Published: October 2022

Chanting is practiced in many religious and secular traditions and involves rhythmic vocalization or mental repetition of a sound or phrase. This study examined how chanting relates to cognitive function, altered states, and quality of life across a wide range of traditions. A global survey was used to assess experiences during chanting including flow states, mystical experiences, mindfulness, and mind wandering. Further, attributes of chanting were assessed to determine their association with altered states and cognitive benefits, and whether psychological correlates of chanting are associated with quality of life. Responses were analyzed from 456 English speaking participants who regularly chant across 32 countries and various chanting traditions. Results revealed that different aspects of chanting were associated with distinctive experiential outcomes. Stronger intentionality (devotion, intention, sound) and higher chanting engagement (experience, practice duration, regularity) were associated with altered states and cognitive benefits. Participants whose main practice was call and response chanting reported higher scores of mystical experiences. Participants whose main practice was repetitive prayer reported lower mind wandering. Lastly, intentionality and engagement were associated with quality of life indirectly through altered states and cognitive benefits. This research sheds new light on the phenomenology and psychological consequences of chanting across a range of practices and traditions.
Quantifying Liver Heterogeneity via R2*-MRI with Super-Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles (SPION) to Characterize Liver Function and Tumor
Authors: Lee Danny , Sohn Jason , Kirichenko Alexander
Published: October 2022

The use of super-paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as an MRI contrast agent (SPION-CA) can safely label hepatic macrophages and be localized within hepatic parenchyma for T2*- and R2*-MRI of the liver. To date, no study has utilized the R2*-MRI with SPIONs for quantifying liver heterogeneity to characterize functional liver parenchyma (FLP) and hepatic tumors. This study investigates whether SPIONs enhance liver heterogeneity for an auto-contouring tool to identify the voxel-wise functional liver parenchyma volume (FLPV). This was the first study to directly evaluate the impact of SPIONs on the FLPV in R2*-MRI for 12 liver cancer patients. By using SPIONs, liver heterogeneity was improved across pre- and post-SPION MRI sessions. On average, 60% of the liver [range 40–78%] was identified as the FLPV in our auto-contouring tool with a pre-determined threshold of the mean R2* of the tumor and liver. This method performed well in 10 out of 12 liver cancer patients; the remaining 2 needed a longer echo time. These results demonstrate that our contouring tool with SPIONs can facilitate the heterogeneous R2* of the liver to automatically characterize FLP. This is a desirable technique for achieving more accurate FLPV contouring during liver radiation treatment planning.
Rosai–Dorfman Disease between Proliferation and Neoplasia
Authors: Elbaz Younes Ismail , Sokol Lubomir , Zhang Ling
Published: October 2022

Rosai–Dorfman disease (RDD) is a rare myeloproliferative disorder of histiocytes with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations and peculiar morphologic features (accumulation of histiocytes with emperipolesis). Typically, the patient with RDD shows bilateral painless, massive cervical lymphadenopathy associated with B symptoms. Approximately 43% of patients presented with extranodal involvement. According to the 2016 revised histiocytosis classification, RDD belongs to the R group, including familial and sporadic form (classical nodal, extranodal, unclassified, or RDD associated with neoplasia or immune disease). Sporadic RDD is often self-limited. Most RDD needs only local therapies. Nevertheless, a small subpopulation of patients may be refractory to conventional therapy and die of the disease. Recent studies consider RDD a clonal neoplastic process, as approximately 1/3 of these patients harbor gene mutations involving the MAPK/ERK pathway, e.g., NRAS, KRAS, MAP2K1, and, rarely, the BRAF mutation. In addition to typical histiocytic markers (S100/fascin/CD68/CD163, etc.), recent studies show that the histiocytes in RDD also express BCL-1 and OCT2, which might be important in pathogenesis. Additionally, the heterozygous germline mutation involving the FAS gene TNFRSF6 is identified in some RDD patients with an autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome type Ia. SLC29A3 germline mutation is associated with familial or Faisalabad histiocytosis and H syndrome.