bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Literature Review of the Determinants of a Good National Civil-Military Partnership for Rapid Management and Response of Health Emergencies: Lessons for Africa
Authors: Tene Larissa , Godjedo Primous , Amadou Bailo , Mbasha Jerry-Jonas , Oyugi Boniface , Baldé Thierno
Published: November 2022

Background/Introduction:

Civil-military collaboration in response to an epidemic or health crisis could strengthen countries’ capacities to provide adequate medical care and limit casualties. Many countries have received the support of military medical services during an emergency,1 guided by their multi-disciplinary human resources, with a strong background in rapid deployment, logistics and trauma management, and the civilian teams with a good capacity in epidemic management.1,2

Objectives:

This study analyzes the determinants of a good civil-military partnership for rapid management of health emergencies on the African continent.

Method/Description:

We conducted a systematic review of literature from published (PUBMED, Hinari, and Google Scholar) and grey databases guided by the PRISMA guideline.

Results/Outcomes:

A good collaboration requires a formal agreement with a defined institutional anchor structure between the two institutions.1,3 The coordination should remain flexible with the co-leadership of each institution.1,3,4 The roles of all participating teams should be defined at the onset,1-5 and plans instituted based on the type of emergency to enhance cooperation. Both civilian and military teams need to know and understand the approved management protocols. Military health services are better experienced in trauma management, while civilians are more equipped to manage epidemics.1,4 Besides, there is a need for periodic evaluation of patient outcomes, resource management, challenges, and lessons learned after the response.

Conclusion:

Civil-military teams jointly responding to emergencies can be challenging but should be built around four defined pillars: collaboration, coordination, capacity building, and evaluation to capitalize on the teams’ strengths.
Enhancing Disaster Response of Emergency Medical Teams through “TEAMS 3.0”-- Does the Multidisciplinary Training Make a Difference?
Authors: Kaim Arielle , Bodas Moran , Peleg Kobi ,   Consortium TEAMS 3.0, Ragazzoni Luca
Published: November 2022

Background/Introduction:

In the aftermath of disasters, Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) are dispatched to help local rescue efforts. Although EMTs are recognized to be a critical component of the global health workforce, concerns have emerged over their functioning and effectiveness.1 For example, lack of cooperation and coordination between different EMTs has been a longstanding issue, resulting in fragmented disaster management.2 To enhance the provision of EMT’s field teamwork, the Training for Emergency Medical Teams and European Medical Corps (TEAMS) project was established,3 and later further updated with novel scenarios and exercises (ie, adapting EMT operations to a sudden disaster; becoming a modular team; reflecting on ethical dilemmas) in the complementary “TEAMS 3.0” project where a more comprehensive training package was developed.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and quality of the TEAMS 3.0 training package in four training programs in Portugal, Germany, Norway, and Turkey.

Method/Description:

Participants completed a set of questionnaires designed to assess self-efficacy, teamwork, and quality of training.

Results/Outcomes:

The results from the Portugal and German training suggest an improvement for both teams’ self-efficacy and teamwork. The quality of training is regarded as high and deemed as an appropriate tool package for addressing the objectives of the project and the perceived needs of EMT disaster deployment.

Conclusion:

Thus far, the TEAMS 3.0 project has demonstrated to be effective in promoting EMT teamwork capacities. The Norwegian and Turkish training results are expected to be available by the time of the WHO EMT Global Meeting 2022.

Tables and Figures (optional)

Table 1.

Comparison of Means Before and After the TEAMS 3.0 Training, per Country, for the Team Self-Efficacy Scale, Teamwork Scale, and Quality of Training Scale
Konzeption einer App mit der Technik des „Entschleunigten Atmens“ zur Selbstregulation für Jugendliche während der Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Rauch Margarete , Bundscherer-Meierhofer Katharina , Loew Thomas H. , Leinberger und Beate
Published: November 2022

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Belastungen und Stress nahmen bei den Jugendlichen während der COVID-19-Pandemie zu. Das Entschleunigte Atmen (EA) wirkt kurz- wie langfristig stressreduzierend und stabilisierend. Mithilfe einer App, die diese Technik vermittelt, haben Schüler_innen auch während des pandemiebedingten Distanz-Lernens die Möglichkeit, an einem schulbasierten Training teilzunehmen. Fragestellung: Wie hoch ist die Erreichbarkeit und wie werden inhaltliche und nicht-inhaltliche Aspekte der App bewertet? Methode: Eine mehrmodulige App, die das EA erklärt, zum Anwenden und Üben dieser Technik anleitet, wurde konzipiert und entwickelt. Während eines Pilotprojekts in der zweiten Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie wurde das vierwöchige Training von 6. bis 8. Klässler_innen erprobt. Das gesamte Training bewerteten 31 Schüler_innen, das EA sieben. Ergebnisse: Erste Ergebnisse deuten auf eine zufriedenstellende nicht-inhaltliche und eine gute inhaltliche Akzeptanz hin. Die Erreichbarkeit hingegen war gering. Alle Ergebnisse werden deskriptiv vorgestellt. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Die App-Revision soll Präsenzmodule beinhalten, die motivationalen Anreize erhöhen und an einer größeren Stichprobe durchgeführt werden.
Salinity Induces Allometric Accumulation of Sulfur in Plants and Decouples Plant Nitrogen‐Sulfur Correlation in Alpine and Arid Wetlands
Authors: Zuo Zhenjun , Zhao Haocun , Yang Lei , Lv Tian , Li Xiangyan , Ma Fei , Wang Zhong , Yu Dan
Published: November 2022

Salinization alters the elemental balance of wetlands and induces variations in plant survival strategies. Sulfur (S) plays vital roles in serving regulatory and catalytic functions in stress resistance of plants. Yet, how plant S and its relationships with nitrogen (N) vary across natural environmental gradients are not well documented. We collected 1,366 plant samples and 230 water and sediment samples from 230 wetlands in Tibetan Plateau and adjacent arid regions of western China, to analyze the effects of environmental variables on plant S accumulation and N‐S correlations. We found that plant S correlated with N in unimodal patterns. Salinity, rather than temperature or nutrient supply, promoted disproportionate accumulation of S but limited N uptake, inducing decoupling of N‐S correlation in plants. Toward high salinity, the faster increasing rates of total S than that of glutathione, the most abundant organic‐S compound in plant resistance, provided potential evidences explaining the decoupled plant N‐S correlation. A salinity of 3.9‰ was calculated to be a threshold at which substantial changes in plant N‐S correlation occurred. We designed a conceptual model to illustrate the mechanisms driving variations of N‐S correlation in plants and environments along salinity gradient. Furthermore, high salinity filtered out the salt‐sensitive species and reassembled the communities. In conclusion, increased salinity affected wetland plants by inducing S accumulation in plants and selecting salt‐tolerant species with high S concentrations at community level, providing evidences for plant adaptive mechanisms to salinity in arid regions.
High‐Resolution Coral Records of Cadmium in Surface Seawater: Biogeochemical Cycling and a Novel Proxy for Winter Monsoon
Authors: Sun Yinan , Jiang Wei , Yu Kefu , Xu Shendong , Feng Chunmei , Xie Sirong , Wei Chaoshuai
Published: November 2022

Cadmium (Cd) geochemical cycle plays a significant role in the composition and function of the marine ecosystem. Skeletal cadmium‐to‐calcium (Cd/Ca) ratios in hermatypic corals have been applied to reconstruct the historical changes of oceanic and climatic processes, yet there was no systematic evaluation of this tracer's natural variability in high resolution over time. Here, we reported a coral skeletal Cd/Ca record in monthly resolution from 1999 to 2008 CE and reconstructed the history of Cd contents in surface seawater in the northern South China Sea. A significant seasonal variation (higher in the winter but lower in the summer) of Cd contents in surface seawater can be identified. We found that the seasonal variations in coral skeletal Cd/Ca ratios exhibited significant trends coupled with the surface wind speeds, indicating that strong winds had likely driven the vertical seawater mixing process and then induced the process of sediment remobilization on the shelf, which significantly increased Cd contents in surface seawater. The reduction in Cd contents in surface seawater due to biological processes might be masked by the impacts of surface winds. Importantly, we also observed that coral skeletal Cd/Ca records in the winter showed significant correlations with the winter monsoon index, highlighting the possibility as a new proxy of winter monsoon in the non‐upwelling shelf environments.
Auroral Field‐Aligned Current Signatures in Jupiter's Magnetosphere: Juno Magnetic Field Observations and Physical Modeling
Authors: Kamran A. , Bunce E. J. , Cowley S. W. H. , James M. K. , Nichols J. D. , Provan G. , Cao H. , Hue V. , Greathouse T. K. , Gladstone G. R.
Published: November 2022

We analyze magnetic data obtained during northern high‐altitude traversals of Jovian middle magnetosphere (MM) field lines during the first 10 inbound data‐taking passes of the Juno spacecraft for azimuthal field perturbations associated with magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling currents. Full traversals across the MM region occur on all 10 passes at radial distances ∼7 to 16 RJ (T1 traversals), followed in four cases by reversed traversals (T2) at ∼4 to 7 RJ. Signatures of upward field‐aligned currents were observed in all cases, closely collocated with the statistical main auroral oval when mapped along field lines to the ionosphere. Two T1 sheets carry currents ∼10 MA per radian of azimuth in ionospheric colatitudinal layers ∼1.2°, closely comparable with the ∼8.5 MA rad−1 theoretical model value of Cowley et al. (2008, https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-4051-2008). The other T1 sheets typically carry half this current ∼5.1 MA rad−1 in layers half the width ∼0.56°, thus with comparable current densities ∼425 nA m−2. The T2 currents are smaller ∼3.4 MA rad−1 with current densities ∼120 nA m−2, a difference that may relate to locations on opposite sides of the main oval as reflected in near‐contemporaneous ultraviolet observations, though ionospheric field strengths are not greatly different. Comparison with northern near‐periapsis currents observed inside ∼2 RJ on the same passes by Kotsiaros et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-019-0819-7) yields a cross‐correlation coefficient ∼0.7 with our T1 currents, though Kotsiaros et al.’s mean current value of ∼3.8 MA rad−1 is somewhat less than our overall mean T1 value ∼6.2 MA rad−1. The differences may have spatial, temporal, or methodological origins.
Hydrogen Concentrations and He Isotopes in Olivine From Ultramafic Lamprophyres Provide New Constraints on a Wet Tarim Plume and Earth's Deep Water Cycle
Authors: Wang Changhong , Zhang Zhaochong , Giuliani Andrea , Demouchy Sylvie , Thoraval Catherine , Krmíček Lukáš , Bo Hongze , Zhang Wanfeng , Xia Xiaoping
Published: November 2022

Water enters Earth's mantle via subduction of hydrated oceanic slab and largely returns to the ocean‐atmosphere system through arc volcanism. However, the extent to which H2O is transferred into the deep mantle is poorly constrained. Here, we address this question by combining mineral chemistry and bulk‐rock geochemistry data for aillikites related to the deep mantle plume which generated the Permian Tarim large igneous province (NW China). The water contents of olivine phenocrysts are 75–168 ppm H2O and positively correlated with Ti contents. These results, combined with infrared hydroxyl peaks at 3,572 and 3,525 cm−1, suggest that H is mainly present in the form of Ti‐clinohumite‐like point defects. Hydrogen concentration profiles across olivine reveal that H loss during decompression was limited to the outermost rims, and yield dehydration durations of 15–417 min. Based on the water contents of the highest‐Fo olivine cores, the water contents of the primitive aillikite melts and their mantle source are estimated as 1.6–4.7 wt% and 150–1,200 ppm H2O, respectively. 3He/4He ratios (5.31–5.84 Ra) of olivine phenocrysts are slightly lower than MORBs and suggest involvement of recycled slab containing U (and hence radiogenic 4He) in the plume source. This interpretation is consistent with Pb isotope compositions of the aillikites which are intermediate between PREMA (Prevalent Mantle) and EM (Enriched Mantle) compositions. These lines of evidence combined with the depleted Sr‐Nd isotopes and moderately radiogenic Os isotopes of the aillikites suggest that water in these rocks derived from a plume source marginally contaminated by deeply subducted hydrated material.
Human SERPINA3 induces neocortical folding and improves cognitive ability in mice
Authors: Zhao Jinyue , Feng Chao , Wang Wenwen , Su Libo , Jiao Jianwei
Published: November 2022

Neocortex expansion and folding are related to human intelligence and cognition, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying cortical folding remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the human gene SERPINA3 is linked to gyrification. Specifically, the overexpression of SERPINA3 induced neocortical folding, increased the abundance of neurons, and improved cognitive abilities. Further, SERPINA3 promoted proliferation of the outer radial glia (oRG, also referred to as the basal radial glia) and increased the number of upper-layer neurons. The downstream target Glo1 was determined to be involved in SERPINA3-induced gyrification. Moreover, SERPINA3 increased the proliferation of oRG by binding to the Glo1 promoter. Assessment of behavior performance showed enhanced cognitive abilities in SERPINA3 knock-in mice. Our findings will enrich the understanding of neocortical expansion and gyrification and provide insights into possible treatments for intellectual disability and lissencephaly syndrome.
Mapping the effects of pregnancy on resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture
Authors: Hoekzema Elseline , van Steenbergen Henk , Straathof Milou , Beekmans Arlette , Freund Inga Marie , Pouwels Petra J. W. , Crone Eveline A.
Published: November 2022

While animal studies have demonstrated a unique reproduction-related neuroplasticity, little is known on the effects of pregnancy on the human brain. Here we investigated whether pregnancy is associated with changes to resting state brain activity, white matter microstructure, neural metabolite concentrations and grey matter architecture using a comprehensive pre-conception cohort study. We show that pregnancy leads to selective and robust changes in neural architecture and neural network organization, which are most pronounced in the Default Mode Network. These neural changes correlated with pregnancy hormones, primarily third-trimester estradiol, while no associations were found with other factors such as osmotic effects, stress and sleep. Furthermore, the changes related to measures of maternal-fetal bonding, nesting behavior and the physiological responsiveness to infant cues, and predicted measures of mother-infant bonding and bonding impairments. These findings suggest there are selective pregnancy-related modifications in brain structure and function that may facilitate peripartum maternal processes of key relevance to the mother-infant dyad.
Prematurely terminated intron-retaining mRNAs invade axons in SFPQ null-driven neurodegeneration and are a hallmark of ALS
Authors: Taylor Richard , Hamid Fursham , Fielding Triona , Gordon Patricia M. , Maloney Megan , Makeyev Eugene V. , Houart Corinne
Published: November 2022

Loss of SFPQ is a hallmark of motor degeneration in ALS and prevents maturation of motor neurons when occurring during embryogenesis. Here, we show that in zebrafish, developing motor neurons lacking SFPQ exhibit axon extension, branching and synaptogenesis defects, prior to degeneration. Subcellular transcriptomics reveals that loss of SFPQ in neurons produces a complex set of aberrant intron-retaining (IR) transcripts coding for neuron-specific proteins that accumulate in neurites. Some of these local IR mRNAs are prematurely terminated within the retained intron (PreT-IR). PreT-IR mRNAs undergo intronic polyadenylation, nuclear export, and localise to neurites in vitro and in vivo. We find these IR and PreT-IR mRNAs enriched in RNAseq datasets of tissue from patients with familial and sporadic ALS. This shared signature, between SFPQ-depleted neurons and ALS, functionally implicates SFPQ with the disease and suggests that neurite-centred perturbation of alternatively spliced isoforms drives the neurodegenerative process.
Ancient oral microbiomes support gradual Neolithic dietary shifts towards agriculture
Authors: Quagliariello Andrea , Modi Alessandra , Innocenti Gabriel , Zaro Valentina , Conati Barbaro Cecilia , Ronchitelli Annamaria , Boschin Francesco , Cavazzuti Claudio , Dellù Elena , Radina Francesca , Sperduti Alessandra , Bondioli Luca , Ricci Stefano , Lognoli Miriam , Belcastro Maria Giovanna , Mariotti Valentina , Caramelli David , Mariotti Lippi Marta , Cristiani Emanuela , Martino Maria Elena , Muntoni Italo Maria , Lari Martina
Published: November 2022

The human microbiome has recently become a valuable source of information about host life and health. To date little is known about how it may have evolved during key phases along our history, such as the Neolithic transition towards agriculture. Here, we shed light on the evolution experienced by the oral microbiome during this transition, comparing Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers with Neolithic and Copper Age farmers that populated a same restricted area in Italy. We integrate the analysis of 76 dental calculus oral microbiomes with the dietary information derived from the identification of embedded plant remains. We detect a stronger deviation from the hunter-gatherer microbiome composition in the last part of the Neolithic, while to a lesser extent in the early phases of the transition. Our findings demonstrate that the introduction of agriculture affected host microbiome, supporting the hypothesis of a gradual transition within the investigated populations.
Cholesterol-induced LRP3 downregulation promotes cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis by targeting Syndecan-4
Authors: Cao Chenxi , Shi Yuanyuan , Zhang Xin , Li Qi , Zhang Jiahao , Zhao Fengyuan , Meng Qingyang , Dai Wenli , Liu Zhenlong , Yan Wenqiang , Duan Xiaoning , Zhang Jiying , Fu Xin , Cheng Jin , Hu Xiaoqing , Ao Yingfang
Published: November 2022

Emerging evidence suggests that osteoarthritis is associated with high cholesterol levels in some osteoarthritis patients. However, the specific mechanism under this metabolic osteoarthritis phenotype remains unclear. We find that cholesterol metabolism-related gene, LRP3 (low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 3) is significantly reduced in high-cholesterol diet mouse’s cartilage. By using Lrp3−/− mice in vivo and LRP3 lentiviral-transduced chondrocytes in vitro, we identify that LRP3 positively regulate chondrocyte extracellular matrix metabolism, and its deficiency aggravate the degeneration of cartilage. Regardless of diet, LRP3 overexpression in cartilage attenuate anterior cruciate ligament transection induced osteoarthritis progression in rats and Lrp3 knockout-induced osteoarthritis progression in mice. LRP3 knockdown upregulate syndecan-4 by activating the Ras signaling pathway. We identify syndecan-4 as a downstream molecular target of LRP3 in osteoarthritis pathogenesis. These findings suggest that cholesterol-LRP3- syndecan-4 axis plays critical roles in osteoarthritis development, and LRP3 gene therapy may provide a therapeutic regimen for osteoarthritis treatment.
SMAD6-deficiency in human genetic disorders
Authors: Luyckx Ilse , Verstraeten Aline , Goumans Marie-José , Loeys Bart
Published: November 2022

SMAD6encodes an intracellular inhibitor of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway. Until now, SMAD6-deficiency has been associated with three distinctive human congenital conditions, i.e., congenital heart diseases, including left ventricular obstruction and conotruncal defects, craniosynostosis and radioulnar synostosis. Intriguingly, a similar spectrum of heterozygous loss-of-function variants has been reported to cause these clinically distinct disorders without a genotype–phenotype correlation. Even identical nucleotide changes have been described in patients with either a cardiovascular phenotype, craniosynostosis or radioulnar synostosis. These findings suggest that the primary pathogenic variant alone cannot explain the resultant patient phenotype. In this review, we summarise clinical and (patho)genetic (dis)similarities between these threeSMAD6-related conditions, compare publishedMadh6mouse models, in which the importance and impact of the genetic background with respect to the observed phenotype is highlighted, and elaborate on the cellular key mechanisms orchestrated by SMAD6 in the development of these three discrete inherited disorders. In addition, we discuss future research needed to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying these diseases in order to improve their molecular diagnosis, advance therapeutic strategies and facilitate counselling of patients and their families.
Biocompatible and breathable healthcare electronics with sensing performances and photothermal antibacterial effect for motion-detecting
Authors: Wang Xinyi , Tao Yan , Pan Shaoshan , Fang Xue , Lou Congcong , Xu Yunqi , Wu Jianpeng , Sang Min , Lu Liang , Gong Xinglong , Luo Tianzhi , Xuan Shouhu
Published: November 2022

With the booming development of smart wearable devices, flexible multifunctional composites with high sensitivity and well health therapy have evoked great interest for next-generation healthcare electronics. However, the weak biocompatibility, low breathability, and narrow sensing range greatly hinder the development of healthcare sensors. Herein, a porous, flexible and conductive MXene/Polydimethylsiloxane/Polydopamine/Polyurethane Sponge (MXene/PDMS/PDA/PU) nanocomposite is developed as a promising motion-detecting device with good flexibility, breathability, sensing performance, photothermal therapy and antibacterial activity. Benefiting from the porous structure and biocompatible surface, this multifunctional sensor is further fabricated into a diagnostic and therapeutic system for monitoring human body motion and performing hot therapy/antibacterial treatment in the application of sports injury site. Moreover, both the wireless smart insole and cushion are constructed to gait monitoring and sit position detecting. This multifunctional hybrid sponge not only demonstrates great potential for motion monitoring sensors but also exhibits wide potential in wearable medical assistive and therapeutic systems.
White blood cell detection, classification and analysis using phase imaging with computational specificity (PICS)
Authors: Fanous Michae J. , He Shenghua , Sengupta Sourya , Tangella Krishnarao , Sobh Nahil , Anastasio Mark A. , Popescu Gabriel
Published: November 2022

Treatment of blood smears with Wright’s stain is one of the most helpful tools in detecting white blood cell abnormalities. However, to diagnose leukocyte disorders, a clinical pathologist must perform a tedious, manual process of locating and identifying individual cells. Furthermore, the staining procedure requires considerable preparation time and clinical infrastructure, which is incompatible with point-of-care diagnosis. Thus, rapid and automated evaluations of unlabeled blood smears are highly desirable. In this study, we used color spatial light interference microcopy (cSLIM), a highly sensitive quantitative phase imaging (QPI) technique, coupled with deep learning tools, to localize, classify and segment white blood cells (WBCs) in blood smears. The concept of combining QPI label-free data with AI for the purpose of extracting cellular specificity has recently been introduced in the context of fluorescence imaging as phase imaging with computational specificity (PICS). We employed AI models to first translate SLIM images into brightfield micrographs, then ran parallel tasks of locating and labelling cells using EfficientNet, which is an object detection model. Next, WBC binary masks were created using U-net, a convolutional neural network that performs precise segmentation. After training on digitally stained brightfield images of blood smears with WBCs, we achieved a mean average precision of 75% for localizing and classifying neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, and an average pixel-wise majority-voting F1 score of 80% for determining the cell class from semantic segmentation maps. Therefore, PICS renders and analyzes synthetically stained blood smears rapidly, at a reduced cost of sample preparation, providing quantitative clinical information.
Adaptations of endolithic communities to abrupt environmental changes in a hyper-arid desert
Authors: Perez-Fernandez Cesar A. , Wilburn Paul , Davila Alfonso , DiRuggiero Jocelyne
Published: November 2022

The adaptation mechanisms of microbial communities to natural perturbations remain unexplored, particularly in extreme environments. The extremophilic communities of halite (NaCl) nodules from the hyper-arid core of the Atacama Desert are self-sustained and represent a unique opportunity to study functional adaptations and community dynamics with changing environmental conditions. We transplanted halite nodules to different sites in the desert and investigated how their taxonomic, cellular, and biochemical changes correlated with water availability, using environmental data modeling and metagenomic analyses. Salt-in strategists, mainly represented by haloarchaea, significantly increased in relative abundance at sites characterized by extreme dryness, multiple wet/dry cycles, and colder conditions. The functional analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) revealed site-specific enrichments in archaeal MAGs encoding for the uptake of various compatible solutes and for glycerol utilization. These findings suggest that opportunistic salt-in strategists took over the halite communities at the driest sites. They most likely benefited from compounds newly released in the environment by the death of microorganisms least adapted to the new conditions. The observed changes were consistent with the need to maximize cellular bioenergetics when confronted with lower water availability and higher salinity, providing valuable information on microbial community adaptations and resilience to climate change.
Cutaneous adverse events in patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors and their association with survival: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Fangmin , Zhu Junjing , Yu Rui , Shao Tianyu , Chen Shuyi , Zhang Gaochenxi , Shu Qijin
Published: November 2022

Immune-related cutaneous adverse events (irCAEs) in patients treated with programmed cell death-1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) checkpoint inhibitors may be associated with better clinical outcomes. However, the extent to which these results can be extrapolated to all tumour types remains unclear. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis of patients with cancer receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy, to determine the cumulative incidence of irCAEs and their association with survival. We systematically searched six databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, CNKI, CSPD, and CQVIP database) for all cohort studies reporting the relationship between irCAEs and patient survival from the time of database construction to 1 November, 2020. The primary outcomes were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), with complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD) as secondary outcomes. Patients with irCAEs exhibited higher ORR, and were more likely to report CR and PR and less likely to develop PD than those who did not experience irCAEs. Moreover, the occurrence of irCAEs was significantly associated with both favourable PFS and OS. Therefore, patients with irCAEs have better survival benefit and a significantly lower risk of tumour progression or death. Hence, the occurrence of irCAEs may be a useful marker for predicting the clinical efficacy of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy.
Variant brain-derived neurotrophic factor val66met polymorphism engages memory-associated systems to augment olfaction
Authors: Chao Yun-Ting , Hong Tzu-Yi , Yang Ching-Ju , Hsieh Jen-Chuen
Published: November 2022

The neurogenetic basis of variability in human olfactory function remains elusive. This study examined olfactory performance and resting-state functional neuroimaging results from healthy volunteers within the context of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) val66met polymorphism with the aim of unraveling the genotype-associated intrinsic reorganization of the olfactory network. We found that the presence of the Met allele is associated with better olfactory identification and additional engagement of semantic memory system within the olfactory network, in an allele dosage-dependent manner. This suggests that the Met allele may promote adaptive neural reorganization to augment olfactory capacity.
An integrated model of UTAUT2 to understand consumers' 5G technology acceptance using SEM-ANN approach
Authors: Mustafa Sohaib , Zhang Wen , Anwar Shahzad , Jamil Khalid , Rana Sehrish
Published: November 2022

It has been a decade since the first extensive study on the internet's adoption and use was conducted. Circumstances have changed in the last decade internet has become an essential need for every human being. Socio-psychological, economic, and personal factors play a significant role in shaping human behaviour. But their role in shaping consumer behaviour toward 5G is still unexplored. In order to determine the impact of socio-psychological elements on 5G technology adoption intention, the study integrated curiosity, perceived value, functional value, and environmental awareness into UTAUT2 and analyzed how they interact. Instead of relying on linear models, this study employed a dual-stage SEM-ANN approach because customers' decision-making process to adopt new technology is complex. Valid responses from 840 respondents were collected, investigated, and ranked using the deep learning ANN approach. All predictors were found statistically significant except social influence. ANN sensitivity analysis revealed that newly integrated predictors (environmental awareness, curiosity) are surprisingly the most important predictors, followed by facilitating conditions and perceived satisfaction. SEM-ANN hybrid two-step deep learning approach explained 83.6% variance higher than the baseline model (UTAUT2). The study improved UTAUT2 by adding new variables and expanding its canvas to predict user technology adoption. This will show how consumers react to 5G services and help telecoms grow into new markets.
Synthesis, characterization, and the influence of energy of irradiation on optical properties of ZnO nanostructures
Authors: Abdelghani Ghazouan Mahmood , Ahmed Ali Ben , Al-Zubaidi Aseel Basim
Published: November 2022

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by the sol–gel method for optoelectronics, photonic, and medical applications. The as-synthesized NPs are irradiated with lasers with wavelengths of 1064 nm and 532 nm in an attempt to improve the particles' structural and functional properties. The NPs are characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques, atomic force microscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. The structural analysis shows that the particles have a polycrystalline hexagonal structure of the space group (P63mc). The average crystallite size of nanoparticles varies in the range of 13–15 nm after and before irradiation by a laser beam. The morphological characterization revealed the formation of agglomerates of NPs in the range of 42–46 nm A shift is observed in the absorption spectra after irradiation with a laser beam. This shift is due to the effect of irradiation on the sample’s electronic structure. This effect is confirmed by a decrease in the bandgap energy. The optical parameters are also deduced and discussed. The irradiation of ZnO nanoparticles by laser beams of wavelength 1064 nm and 532 nm decreases the size of the crystallites which increases their antibacterial activity. The biological activity of the NPS and in improving the efficacy of antibiotics are tested and analyzed. Results emphasized the positive role of ZnO-NPs in the above-mentioned application.
Spectroscopic contribution to glyphosate toxicity profile and the remedial effects of Momordica charantia
Authors: Yalçin Emine , Çavuşoğlu Kültiğin
Published: November 2022

In this study, the glyphosate toxicity and the toxicity-reducing role of bitter melon extract (Bmex) (Momordica charantiaL.) were investigated inAllium cepaL. test material. The toxicity of glyphosate and protective role of Bmex were investigated with the help of physiological (germination, root elongation and weight gain), cytogenetic (mitotic index-MI, micronucleus-MN and chromosomal abnormalities-CAs), biochemical (malondialdehyde-MDA, superoxide dismutase-SOD and catalase-CAT) and anatomical (root meristem cell damage) parameters. The genotoxicity mechanism of glyphosate was elucidated by spectral analysis.A. cepabulbs were divided into six groups as one control and five applications. Tap water was applied to the bulbs in the control group for 72 h. Glyphosate (500 mg/L) and two different doses of Bmex (350 and 700 mg/L) were applied to the bulbs in the treatment group for 72 h. At the end of the period, the germinated bulbs were prepared for experimental analyses, measurements and observations by applying routine preparation procedures. As a result, glyphosate administration caused a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in all selected physiological parameter values, and significant (p < 0.05) increases in the number of cytogenetic parameters (except MI), the levels of biochemical parameters and the severity of anatomical damage. Glyphosate promoted CAs such as fragment, sticky chromosome, bridge and unequal distribution of chromatin in root tip meristem cells. By spectral analysis, it was determined that glyphosate interacts directly with DNA and causes genotoxicity. It also caused anatomical damages such as epidermis cell damage, cortex cell damage, flattened cell nucleus, binuclear cell and irregular vascular tissue in root tip meristem cells. Co-administration of glyphosate with Bmex at two different doses (350 and 700 mg/L) reduced the toxicity of glyphosate and led to significant (p < 0.05) improvements in the values of all parameters examined. It was determined that this improvement was even more pronounced at 700 mg/L dose of Bmex. As a result, it was determined that glyphosate herbicide caused multi-dimensional toxicity inA. cepatest material, and Bmex reduced the effects of this toxicity due to its antioxidant properties. Therefore, glyphosate dose ranges need to be reconsidered, especially considering non-target organisms in agricultural applications. In addition, antioxidant products such as Bmex should be included in the daily diet in order to reduce the toxic effects of environmental agents such as pesticides.
Surface characterization of an ultra-soft contact lens material using an atomic force microscopy nanoindentation method
Authors: Sharma Vinay , Shi Xinfeng , Yao George , Pharr George M. , Wu James Yuliang
Published: November 2022

As new ultra-soft materials are being developed for medical devices and biomedical applications, the comprehensive characterization of their physical and mechanical properties is both critical and challenging. To characterize the very low surface modulus of the novel biomimetic lehfilcon A silicone hydrogel contact lens coated with a layer of a branched polymer brush structure, an improved atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation method has been applied. This technique allows for precise contact-point determination without the effects of viscous squeeze-out upon approaching the branched polymer. Additionally, it allows individual brush elements to be mechanically characterized in the absence of poroelastic effects. This was accomplished by selecting an AFM probe with a design (tip size, geometry, and spring constant) that was especially suited to measuring the properties of soft materials and biological samples. The enhanced sensitivity and accuracy of this method allows for the precise measurement of the very soft lehfilcon A material, which has an extremely low elastic modulus in the surface region (as low as 2 kPa) and extremely high elasticity (nearly 100%) in an aqueous environment. The surface-characterization results not only reveal the ultra-soft nature of the lehfilcon A lens surface but also demonstrate that the elastic modulus exhibits a 30 kPa/200 nm gradient with depth due to the disparity between the modulus of the branched polymer brushes and the SiHy substrate. This surface-characterization methodology may be applied to other ultra-soft materials and medical devices.
Chronic low back pain and its impact on physical function, mental health, and health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study in Singapore
Authors: Ge Lixia , Pereira Michelle Jessica , Yap Chun Wei , Heng Bee Hoon
Published: November 2022

Chronic low back pain, defined as low back pain lasting more than 3 months, is a globally prevalent health problem with significantly high medical and economic burden on individuals and the society. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic low back pain and examine its association with health outcomes including physical function, mental health, and quality of life among adult population in Singapore. Cross-sectional secondary data analysis was performed using baseline data of the 1941 adults (mean age: 52.6 years, range: 21–97 years) from a representative population health survey conducted in the Central region of Singapore. Those with self-reported chronic low back pain in past six months were identified. The Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and EQ-5D-5L were used to measure physical function and limitation, mental health, and health-related quality of life, respectively. Generalized Linear Regressions were used to examine the association of chronic low back pain with physical function, limitation, depressive symptoms, and health-related quality of life. There were 8.1% (n = 180) participants reporting having chronic low back pain in past six months, among whom 80.5% sought treatments at either primary care, specialist outpatient, or Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics. Individuals with chronic low back pain reported poorer physical function, more limitations in performing major life tasks and social activities, more depressive symptoms, and lower health-related quality of life (all p < 0.01), even after adjusting for socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, and number of morbidities. The prevalence of chronic low back pain was 8.1% among the study population. Chronic low back pain was associated with poorer physical function, more limitations and depressive symptoms, and lower health-related quality of life. The findings highlight the significant impact of chronic low back pain on physical function and limitation, mental health, and health-related quality of life in a general population. Increased awareness on prevention, early and proper management of low back pain, and rehabilitation policies are required to better tackle the burden of low back pain at the population level.
Brain sex-dependent alterations after prolonged high fat diet exposure in mice
Authors: Murtaj Valentina , Penati Silvia , Belloli Sara , Foti Maria , Coliva Angela , Papagna Angela , Gotti Cecilia , Toninelli Elisa , Chiaffarelli Remy , Mantero Stefano , Pucci Susanna , Matteoli Michela , Malosio Maria Luisa , Moresco Rosa Maria
Published: November 2022

We examined effects of exposing female and male mice for 33 weeks to 45% or 60% high fat diet (HFD). Males fed with either diet were more vulnerable than females, displaying higher and faster increase in body weight and more elevated cholesterol and liver enzymes levels. Higher glucose metabolism was revealed by PET in the olfactory bulbs of both sexes. However, males also displayed altered anterior cortex and cerebellum metabolism, accompanied by a more prominent brain inflammation relative to females. Although both sexes displayed reduced transcripts of neuronal and synaptic genes in anterior cortex, only males had decreased protein levels of AMPA and NMDA receptors. Oppositely, to anterior cortex, cerebellum of HFD-exposed mice displayed hypometabolism and transcriptional up-regulation of neuronal and synaptic genes. These results indicate that male brain is more susceptible to metabolic changes induced by HFD and that the anterior cortex versus cerebellum display inverse susceptibility to HFD.
Single-domain stripe order in a high-temperature superconductor
Authors: Simutis Gediminas , Küspert Julia , Wang Qisi , Choi Jaewon , Bucher Damian , Boehm Martin , Bourdarot Frédéric , Bertelsen Mads , Wang Chennan N , Kurosawa Tohru , Momono Naoki , Oda Migaku , Månsson Martin , Sassa Yasmine , Janoschek Marc , Christensen Niels B. , Chang Johan , Mazzone Daniel G.
Published: November 2022

The coupling of spin, charge and lattice degrees of freedom results in the emergence of novel states of matter across many classes of strongly correlated electron materials. A model example is unconventional superconductivity, which is widely believed to arise from the coupling of electrons via spin excitations. In cuprate high-temperature superconductors, the interplay of charge and spin degrees of freedom is also reflected in a zoo of charge and spin-density wave orders that are intertwined with superconductivity. A key question is whether the different types of density waves merely coexist or are indeed directly coupled. Here we profit from a neutron scattering technique with superior beam-focusing that allows us to probe the subtle spin-density wave order in the prototypical high-temperature superconductor La$${}_{1.88}$$

1.88

Sr$${}_{0.12}$$

0.12

CuO$${}_{4}$$

4

under applied uniaxial pressure to demonstrate that the two density waves respond to the external tuning parameter in the same manner. Our result shows that suitable models for high-temperature superconductivity must equally account for charge and spin degrees of freedom via uniaxial charge-spin stripe fluctuations.
Self-replicating hierarchical modular robotic swarms
Authors: Abdel-Rahman Amira , Cameron Christopher , Jenett Benjamin , Smith Miana , Gershenfeld Neil
Published: November 2022

Modular robotic systems built of reconfigurable components offer an efficient and versatile alternative to traditional monolithic robots. However, as modular systems scale up, construction efficiency is compromised due to an increase in travel time and path planning complexity. Here we introduce a discrete modular material-robot system that is capable of serial, recursive (making more robots), and hierarchical (making larger robots) assembly. This is accomplished by discretizing the construction into a feedstock of simple primitive building blocks which can be re-configured to create a wide range of functionality. The discretization significantly simplifies the swarm’s navigation, error correction, and coordination. The component composition is supported by an algorithm to compile the building blocks into swarms and plan the optimal construction path. Our approach challenges the convention that larger constructions need larger machines to build them, and could be applied in areas that today either require substantial capital investments for fixed infrastructure or are altogether unfeasible.
Inner filter effect-based red-shift and fluorescence dual-sensor platforms with sulfur quantum dots for detection and bioimaging of alkaline phosphatase
Authors: Ning Keke , Fu Yao , Wu Jianghong , Sun Yujie , Liu Ke , Ye Kang , Liu Jiaxin , Wu Yuan , Liang Jiangong
Published: November 2022

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) detection via sulfur quantum dots (SQDs) is explored. Dual ALP sensors rely on red-shift emission wavelength and fluorescence quenching. These dual-sensor platforms can detect real serum samples and monitor ALP in cells.
Current understanding of metal-dependent amyloid-β aggregation and toxicity
Authors: Yi Yelim , Lim Mi Hee
Published: November 2022

This review describes the effects of metal ions on the aggregation and toxicity profiles of Aβ.
Heterogenous Cu@ZrO2 nanofibers enable efficient electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia under ambient conditions
Authors: Xia Jiaojiao , Du Hongting , Dong Shuyue , Luo Yongsong , Liu Qian , Chen Jun Song , Guo Haoran , Li Tingshuai
Published: November 2022

Heterogenous Cu@ZrO2 nanofibers as an efficient and durable electrocatalyst with boosted catalytic activity for ambient nitrate reduction to ammonia achieves a large NH3 yield of 15.4 mg h−1 mg−1cat. and a high faradaic efficiency of 67.6%.
Synthesis and reactivity of a μ-1,2-dinitrogen dinickel(ii) complex with a C–H activated silaamidinate pincer ligand
Authors: Hu Chaopeng , Ding Yazhou , Bai Yunping , Guo Lulu , Cui Chunming
Published: November 2022

The first stable dinuclear Ni(ii) dinitrogen complex 2 has been prepared via the intramolecular C–H activation of one isopropyl group in the ligand. The coordinated N2 could be replaced by CO and isocyanide, indicating the weakly activated N2.
Synergistic valence tautomerism and fluorescence emission in a two-dimensional coordination polymer
Authors: Liu Wen-Ting , Hu Jie-Sheng , Yu Meng , Xue Jin-Peng , Liu Zhi-Kun , Wang Jia-Ping , Tao Jun
Published: November 2022

A tetradentate ligand, 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-(pyridine-4-yl)phenyl)ethene, is adopted to construct a two-dimensional coordination polymer that incorporates synergistic valence tautomerism and luminescence.
Validation of a post-radiolabeling bioconjugation strategy for radioactive rare earth complexes with minimal structural footprint
Authors: Lengacher Raphael , Cosby Alexia G. , Śmiłowicz Dariusz , Boros Eszter
Published: November 2022

The nine-coordinate aza-macrocycle DO3Apic-NO2 and its kinetically inert complexes [M(DO3A-pic-NO2)]− (M = La, Tb, Eu, Lu, Y) can be readily bioconjugated to surface accessible thioles on peptides and proteins with a minimal structural footprint.
Probing the local structure and dynamics of nucleotides using vibrationally enhanced alkynyl stretching
Authors: Dong Tiantian , Yu Pengyun , Zhao Juan , Wang Jianping
Published: November 2022

Vibrationally enhanced alkynyl stretching can be used to probe the local structure and dynamics of nucleotides, as revealed by linear and nonlinear IR studies.
Inspecting molecular aggregate quadratic vibronic coupling effects using squeezed coherent states
Authors: Jakučionis Mantas , Žukas Agnius , Abramavičius Darius
Published: November 2022

We present a systematic comparison of three quantum mechanical approaches describing excitation dynamics in molecular complexes using the TDVP with increasing sophistication trial wavefunctions to characterize the validity of the sqD2 ansatz.
Unveiling the high reactivity of experimental pseudodiradical azomethine ylides within molecular electron density theory
Authors: Ríos-Gutiérrez Mar , Domingo Luis R. , Jasiński Radomir
Published: November 2022

The variable reactivity of the first known experimental pseudodiradical azomethine ylide is characterized within the molecular electron density theory.