bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain organoid-on-chip system to study the effects of breast cancer derived exosomes on the neurodevelopment of brain
Authors: Cui Kangli , Chen Wenwen , Cao Rongkai , Xie Yingying , Wang Peng , Wu Yunsong , Wang Yaqing , Qin Jianhua
Published: March 2022

Early human brain development can be affected by multiple prenatal factors that involve chemical exposures in utero, maternal health characteristics such as psychiatric disorders, and cancer. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide arising pregnancy. However, it is not clear whether the breast cancer might influence the brain development of fetus. Exosomes secreted by breast cancer cells play a critical role in mediating intercellular communication and interplay between different organs. In this work, we engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs)-derived brain organoids in an array of micropillar chip and probed the influences of breast cancer cell (MCF-7) derived-exosomes on the early neurodevelopment of brain. The formed brain organoids can recapitulate essential features of embryonic human brain at early stages, in terms of neurogenesis, forebrain regionalization, and cortical organization. Treatment with breast cancer cell derived-exosomes, brain organoids exhibited enhanced expression of stemness-related marker OCT4 and forebrain marker PAX6. RNA-seq analysis reflected several activated signaling pathways associated with breast cancer, medulloblastoma and neurogenesis in brain organoids induced by tumor-derived exosomes. These results suggested that breast cancer cell-derived exosomes might lead to the impaired neurodevelopment in the brain organoids and the carcinogenesis of brain organoids. It potentially implies the fetus of pregnant women with breast cancer has the risk of impaired neurodevelopmental disorder after birth.
Caccioppoli-type inequalities for Dirac operators
Authors: Kashkynbayev Ardak , Oralsyn Gulaiym
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we establish the Caccioppoli estimates for the nonlinear differential equation $$ - \overline{D}\bigl( \vert Dv \vert ^{p-2}Dv\bigr) = \lambda \vert v \vert ^{p-2}v, \quad 1< p< \infty ,$$
−

D
‾

(
|
D
v

|

p
−
2

D
v
)

=
λ
|
v

|

p
−
2

v
,

1
<
p
<
∞
,
where D is the Dirac operator. Moreover, we obtain general weighted versions of the Caccioppoli-type inequalities for the Dirac operators.
Kohn–Vogelius formulation for plasma geometry identification problem
Authors: Abdelwahed Mohamed , Chorfi Nejmeddine
Published: March 2022

We study the problem of plasma geometry control problem in a tokamak. The domain location and shape are determined using an approach based on the Kohn–Vogelius formulation and topological asymptotic method. We present a one-shot numerical procedure based on the developed asymptotic formula and use it on different test configurations.
Factors associated with retention on medications for opioid use disorder among a cohort of adults seeking treatment in the community
Authors: Biondi Breanne E. , Vander Wyk Brent , Schlossberg Esther F. , Shaw Albert , Springer Sandra A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Medication treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) (MOUD; buprenorphine and methadone) reduces opioid use and overdose. Discontinuation of MOUD can quickly lead to relapse, overdose and death. Few persons who initiate MOUD are retained on treatment, thus it is critical to identify factors associated with retention.

Methods

Evaluated data was from an ongoing prospective cohort study of adults aged 18 or older with DSM-5 moderate to severe OUD seeking MOUD in the community and followed for 6 months. Participants were considered retained on MOUD through 6 months if they reported taking MOUD at every study interview without discontinuation. A high dose of MOUD was defined as a methadone dose > 85 mg or buprenorphine dose ≥ 16 mg. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to assess factors associated with 6-month MOUD retention.

Results

A total of 118 participants (73% male, 58% white, 36% with HIV) were included. Buprenorphine was initiated by 58% and 42% started methadone. MOUD retention was 49% and 58% among buprenorphine and methadone, respectively, at 6-months. In adjusted models, a high MOUD dose (OR = 4.71, 95% CI 2.05–10.84) and higher pain interference (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.15–2.19) was associated with MOUD retention.

Conclusions

Adequate dosing of MOUD leads to improved retention on MOUD. Further, persons with high pain interference at baseline had higher odds of retention on MOUD. Both methadone and buprenorphine have analgesic effects, thus those with high pain interference could have dual benefits of MOUD for treating OUD and pain. Interventions should be tailored to improve adequate MOUD dosing to improve retention on MOUD.
Profit efficiency in family-owned crop farms in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa: a translog profit function approach
Authors: Mujuru Nyarai M. , Obi Ajuruchukwu , Mishi Syden , Mdoda Lelethu
Published: March 2022

Background

Farm productivity on smallholder family-owned crop farms remains low despite several interventions to transform agriculture especially in developing countries. Farmers in rural areas face serious constraints that impede their productive capacities for the principal dietary staple, notably maize. Smallholder farmers have access to unprofitable markets that in turn make their enterprises less profitable. Efforts to commercialise smallholder maize production have not yielded desired results. This study, therefore, estimates profit efficiency and its determinants in the smallholder cropping systems in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Methodology

A random sample of 158 smallholder maize farmers was selected. A normalised translog profit function was then fitted by means of a one-step estimation of technical efficiency and its determinants using the STATA software.

Results

The results indicate that cost of fertiliser and area under cultivation for maize were the positive drivers of profitability. Complementarities among resources were very important determinants of profit.

Conclusion

The study concludes that family-owned farms have a positive effect on crop production. Farm profits rise with cultivated area in maize farms. Therefore, the study recommends that policy favouring smallholder commercialisation would improve farm profits.
HIV incidence and risk factors among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men in two cities of China: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Shan Duo , Ning Zhen , Yu Maohe , Zheng Huang , Yang Jie , Gong Hui , Li Jian , Liu Hui , Liu Lu , Wang Vania , Ran Xiong , Han Mengjie , Zhang Dapeng
Published: March 2022

Background

HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains a major public health concern in China. Despite a growing body of research on transgender women worldwide, little is known about Chinese transgender women within MSM. We sought to estimate HIV incidence and distinguish risk factors of HIV acquisition among them from that among cisgener (non-transgender) MSM (cis-MSM).

Methods

We conducted an open cohort study among Chinese MSM, including those who were identified as transgender in Shanghai and Tianjin. Participants were initially recruited by local community-based organizations from January to June, 2016, and were followed up approximately every 6 months until June 2018. At each visit, a structured questionnaire was used to gather information on demographics, sexual risk behaviors, and HIV status. HIV incidence was calculated as the number of seroconversions divided by total number of person-years of follow-up among HIV-negatives at baseline. Risk factors of HIV acquisition were assessed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models with time-dependent variables.

Results

A total of 1056 participants contributed 1260.53 person-years (PYs) of follow-up, 33 HIV seroconversions occurred during the follow-up period, yielding an estimated HIV incidence of 2.62 (95% CI 1.80–3.68) per 100 PYs. HIV incidence among transgender women was 4.42 per 100 PYs, which was significantly higher than that of 1.35 per 100 PYs among cis-MSM, demonstrating a threefold higher odds of HIV infection than cis-MSM. For transgender women, those lived locally ≤ 2 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.76, 95% CI 1.13–2.76) and unprotected anal sex last time (aHR = 4.22, 95% CI 1.82–9.79) were more likely to acquire HIV. For cis-MSM, factors associated with HIV acquisition were frequency of anal sex ≥ 3 times in past one month (aHR = 4.19, 95% CI 1.06–16.47) and unprotected anal sex last time (aHR = 5.33, 95% CI 1.52–18.73).

Conclusions

Compared to cis-MSM, transgender women were at higher risk of HIV acquisition, highlighting an urgent need of tailored prevention. Future HIV program should consider to include them to ensure that this population in China are not left behind.

Graphical abstract
Seeking support for an eating disorder: a qualitative analysis of the university student experience—accessibility of support for students
Authors: Byrom Nicola C. , Batchelor Rachel , Warner Harriet , Stevenson Annie
Published: March 2022

Background

While there is increased concern around mental health problems in universities, the experience of students with eating disorders (EDs) has received less attention. This is problematic as the detrimental consequences of a lack of adequate support are profound.

Methods

A qualitative study was adopted to investigate students’ perspectives of the availability, accessibility and suitability of support services. One hundred university students with experience of EDs completed an online survey. A further 18 students completed semi-structured interviews. Descriptive data are reported alongside analysis of qualitative data.

Results

Three overarching themes were identified; awareness of support, confidence in asking for help and early experiences with services. Most students were aware of support through their GP and university counselling services. Few identified ED-specific sources of support. Barriers to help-seeking included self-stigma and gaps in service availability. Early experiences with services were often negative, problems included; difficulty accessing services, a lack of ED specific support and continuity of care between home and university.

Conclusions

There is substantive progress to be made in ensuring that students with EDs receive the support they need to thrive at university. While it is important that good treatments exist, the pathway to accessing these treatments equally important. As universities increasingly recognise the need for action around student mental health attention must also be directed towards EDs and the provision of specific services.
Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and NF-κB inhibitory activity of aerial parts of Cestrum diurnum
Authors: Khatun Amina , Rahman Mahmudur , Nesa Mst. Luthfun , Looi Chung Yeng , Wong Won Fen , Hazni Hazrina , bin Mahdzir Mohamad Azrul , Uddin Shaikh Jamal , Awang Khalijah , Shilpi Jamil A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Cestrum diurnumL. (Solanaceae), locally known as buno-Hasnahena, is widely used in different traditional medicinal practices to treat pain, burn, swelling and related disorders. Adequate evidence is not available to support its medicinal properties for further use and drug development. Present study was designed to evaluate its traditional use in pain and inflammation with further characterisation of its chemical constituents through liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopic (LC-MS) analysis.

Methods

Antinociceptive and analgesic potential of methanol extract of the aerial parts ofC. diurnumwas carried out using carrageenan induced paw oedema and formalin induced paw licking test in mice at the oral doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg body weight. Inhibition of the inflammatory mediator nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was evaluated by tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) induced NF-κB activation assay in macrophage cells at the concentration of 100 μg/ml. LC-MS analysis of the extract was performed to characterise the active component responsible for bioactivities.

Results

The extract significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) carrageenan induced paw oedema at both doses tested and the effect persisted throughout the entire experimental period of 3 h with the highest activity (50% inhibition) observed at 3rd h. Further, the extract significantly inhibited (p < 0.05) formalin induced paw licking both in the early and late phase at the aforementioned dose levels. The extract also downregulated the expression of NF-κB p65 protein in the TNF-α induced NF-κB activation assay. LC-MS analysis of the extract indicated the presence of some important secondary metabolites including nicotine, nornicotine, ursolic acid, vitamin D3and its derivatives.

Conclusions

The results of this study supported the folkloric uses of the plant in pain and inflammations. The insights and observations suggest the action might involve downregulation of NF-κB p65 protein expression and/or inhibition of autacoids (histamine, serotonin, prostaglandin).
Testing landmark-specific effects on route navigation in an ecologically valid setting: a simulated driving study
Authors: Jabbari Yasaman , Kenney Darren M. , von Mohrenschildt Martin , Shedden Judith M.
Published: March 2022

We used a driving simulator to investigate landmark-based route navigation in young adults. Previous research has examined how proximal and distal landmarks influence route navigation, however, these effects have not been extensively tested in ecologically-relevant settings. We used a virtual town in which participants learned various routes while simultaneously driving. We first examined the effect of four different landmark conditions on navigation performance, such that each driver experienced one of four versions of the town with either proximal landmarks only, distal landmarks only, both proximal and distal landmarks, or no landmarks. Drivers were given real-time navigation directions along a route to a target destination, and were then tested on their ability to navigate to the same destination without directions. We found that the presence of proximal landmarks significantly improved route navigation. We then examined the effect of prior exposure to proximal vs. distal landmarks by testing the same drivers in the same environment they previously encountered, but with the landmarks removed. In this case, we found that prior exposure to distal landmarks significantly improved route navigation. The present results are in line with existing research on route navigation and landmarks, suggesting that these findings can be extended to ecologically-relevant settings.
Implementing patient-reported outcomes in routine clinical care for diverse and underrepresented patients in the United States
Authors: Hyland Colby J. , Guo Ruby , Dhawan Ravi , Kaur Manraj N. , Bain Paul A. , Edelen Maria O. , Pusic Andrea L.
Published: March 2022

Background

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are used increasingly in routine clinical care and inform policies, reimbursements, and quality improvement. Less is known regarding PRO implementation in routine clinical care for diverse and underrepresented patient populations.

Objective

This review aims to identify studies of PRO implementation in diverse and underrepresented patient populations, elucidate representation of clinical specialties, assess implementation outcomes, and synthesize patient needs, concerns, and preferences.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched September 2021 for studies aiming to study PRO implementation in diverse and underrepresented patient populations within the United States. Studies were screened and data extracted by three independent reviewers. Implementation outcomes were assessed according to Proctor et al. taxonomy. A descriptive analysis of data was conducted.

Results

The search yielded 8,687 records, and 28 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority were observational cohort studies (n = 21, 75%) and conducted in primary care (n = 10, 36%). Most studies included majority female (n = 19, 68%) and non-White populations (n = 15, 54%), while fewer reported socioeconomic (n = 11, 39%) or insurance status (n = 9, 32.1%). Most studies assessed implementation outcomes of feasibility (n = 27, 96%) and acceptability (n = 19, 68%); costs (n = 3, 11%), penetration (n = 1, 4%), and sustainability (n = 1, 4%) were infrequently assessed.

Conclusion

PRO implementation in routine clinical care for diverse and underrepresented patient populations is generally feasible and acceptable. Research is lacking in key clinical specialties. Further work is needed to understand how health disparities drive PRO implementation outcomes.
Survival analysis of African catfish and Nile tilapia briefly exposed to complex pesticide mixtures
Authors: Kanu Kingsley C. , Otitoloju Adebayo A. , Amaeze Nnamdi H.
Published: March 2022

Background

Pulse exposures are the consequences of the intermittent release of pollutants in the environment. Brief exposure of aquatic organisms to high concentrations of pesticides simultaneously occurs, particularly in small watercourses during high flows. The effects of pulse exposure often include effects occurring during and after the exposure. Despite this, routine toxicity tests procedures often ignore brief exposure scenarios and the role of time in toxicity. We conducted a pulse toxicity test by briefly exposing African catfish and Nile tilapia fingerlings to pesticide mixtures of atrazine, mancozeb, chlorpyrifos, and lambda-cyhalothrin. The study aimed to estimate pesticide mixture interaction in pulse-exposed fish and elucidate the influence of species differences on the response of fish to the pesticide mixture.

Results

Despite the similarity in fingerlings weight, African catfish had a significantly higher survival probability than Nile tilapia after exposure to atrazine-mancozeb mixture. However, the survival probability of African catfish and Nile tilapia fingerlings were similar after exposure to atrazine-chlorpyrifos, atrazine-lambda cyhalothrin, mancozeb-chlorpyrifos, mancozeb-lambda cyhalothrin, chlorpyrifos-lambda cyhalothrin, and quaternary mixture (p > 0.05). The survival probability of exposed fingerlings was significantly lower for continuous than pulse exposure to the mixtures (p < 0.01). Nevertheless, the survival probability of 60 min of pulse exposure to 13.49 mg/L mancozeb-lambda cyhalothrin was similar to continuous exposure for 96 h. Atrazine-mancozeb, atrazine-chlorpyrifos, atrazine-lambda cyhalothrin, mancozeb-chlorpyrifos, mancozeb-lambda cyhalothrin, and the quaternary pesticide mixture were antagonists in African catfish but not in Nile tilapia. At the same time, chlorpyrifos-lambda-cyhalothrin was antagonistic in Nile tilapia but not African catfish.

Conclusions

Pesticide mixture interaction was antagonist but specie-dependent. Innate intrinsic and extrinsic deterministic factors and, to a limited extent, stochastic processes may have influenced the survival probability of African catfish, and Nile tilapia pulsed exposed to complex pesticide mixtures. Pulse toxicity assessment using survival analysis is relevant in ecotoxicology as it enables the study of factors that can influence pulse toxicity.
Correlations of frontal resting-state EEG markers with MMSE scores in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Torabinikjeh Majid , Asayesh Vahid , Dehghani Mahdi , Kouchakzadeh Aliakbar , Marhamati Hanie , Gharibzadeh Shahriar
Published: March 2022

Background

A previous study suggests that resting-state EEG biomarkers measured at prefrontal region (Fp1, and Fp2) are moderately correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores of elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, our objective was to investigate whether resting-state EEG biomarkers recorded from frontal region are correlated with each MMSE sub-scores. 20 elderly patients diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease entered to the study. After completion of MMSE, subjects underwent EEG for 5 min with closed eyes condition. We measured median frequency, theta/alpha power ratio, and relative powers. To examine the relationship between these features and MMSE sub-scores first, Pearson correlation coefficients were computed for each feature and MMSE sub-scores. Then,pvalues were computed for each correlation. Finally, a Bonferroni correction was done.

Results

Nine correlations have been found for markers recorded from F3, F7, and Fz. Alpha and beta relative powers were the markers which shows correlations. We found that MMSE overall, attention, and calculation scores are significantly correlated with beta relative powers recorded from F3, and Fz, and alpha relative power from F7. Orientation to time scores were correlated with F3, and Fz beta relative powers. The only correlation found for orientation to place was beta relative power of F3.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that there are correlations between frontal EEG markers and MMSE sub-scores of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. The results show that alpha and beta relative powers are markers correlated with MMSE scores. It seems that if we want to develop predicting models for Alzheimer’s disease, using data recorded from other frontal electrodes, especially what we have introduced should be considered.
Preoperative fasting: knowledge, attitude, and practice of postgraduate trainees at a tertiary care hospital—an observational study
Authors: Gupta Nipun , Patnaik Subhasish , Lakkegowda Lahareesh B. , Jaiswal Alok , Dwivedi Deepak
Published: March 2022

Background

Limiting the preoperative fasting period positively impact surgical patient outcome. In tertiary care hospitals, preoperative fasting instructions are mostly implemented by postgraduates. This study was conducted to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of postgraduate trainees of surgical specialties and anesthesiology regarding preoperative fasting. This observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in May 2020. Consenting 166 postgraduate trainees of anesthesiology and surgical specialties was asked to respond to a questionnaire consisting of nine questions. The primary outcome was the knowledge status of postgraduate trainees regarding preoperative fasting guidelines and secondary outcomes being their attitude and practice of the same. Categorical data were presented as numbers and percentages.

Results

Out of 166 respondents, 149 (89.8%) and 94 (56.6%) respondents could not correctly describe the practice guidelines published by the American Society of Anaesthesiology pertaining to preoperative fasting in adult and pediatric patients respectively. Of the total respondents, 146 (87.9%) and 108 (65.1%) gave incorrect preoperative fasting instructions to adult and pediatric patients, respectively. The source of information regarding fasting guidelines was seniors amongst 89 (53.6%) respondents. Fifty-one (30.7%) respondents were unaware of the benefits of limiting preoperative fasting.

Conclusions

There is an imminent need for change in the knowledge, attitude, and practices of residents with regards to preoperative fasting practices. A holistic approach with formal teaching and development of SOP can achieve the change of practice of “NPO after midnight.”
Assessment of wetland potential and bibliometric review: a critical analysis of the Ramsar sites of India
Authors: Biswas Roy Malabika , Nag Swetasree , Halder Sudipa , Kumar Roy Pankaj
Published: March 2022

Background

This study focussed on effective bibliometric analysis of research on Ramsar sites in India within the last 30 years using VOS viewer software. The study focused on the estimation of the current areal extent and meteorological impact on wetland together with bibliometric analysis. The online data source of Web of Science has been used to extract all the relevant documents on Indian Ramsar sites published within a period of 1989 to 2020.

Main body

The main objective is to analyze the trend of research on the Indian Ramsar site both qualitatively and quantitatively. The peak of research growth has been lifted after the twentieth century as most of the Indian water bodies have been designated or put into the land from this period. A geographical location-based mapping was prepared based on the number of publications during the study period to observe the growing research interest in wetland studies in India. The highest publications have been documented on East Calcutta Wetland located in West Bengal followed by Loktak Lake in Manipur, Deepor Beel in Assam and others. The most frequently used keywords were “Ramsar site”, “India”, “wetland”, “wetlands”, “remote sensing” etc. India published most of the documents on wetland studies in the Indian context. England, Australia, Canada also had various international collaborative works with Indian researchers.

Conclusions

The research output shows an upward research trend on Indian Ramsar sites both quantitative and qualitatively. Such kind of research can provide a panoramic view towards the worldwide research trend and help to generate further effective approaches for the betterment of our environment.
Water bodies are potential hub for spatio-allotment of cell-free nucleic acid and pandemic: a pentadecadal (1969–2021) critical review on particulate cell-free DNA reservoirs in water nexus
Authors: Igere Bright Esegbuyota , Onohuean Hope , Nwodo Uchechukwu U.
Published: March 2022

Background

In recent times, there had been report of diverse particulate nucleic acid-related infections and diseases which have been associated with endemic, sporadic, and pandemic reports spreading within water nexus. Some of such disease cases were seldom reported in earlier years of technological advancement and research based knowledge-scape. Although the usefulness of water, wastewater treatment systems, water regulatory organizations and water re-use policy in compliant regions remains sacrosanct, it has been implicated in diverse gene distribution.

Main body

A cosmopolitan bibliometric and critical assessment of cell-free DNA reservoir in water bodies was determined. This is done by analysing retrieved pentadecadal scientific publications in Scopus and Pubmed centre database, determining the twelve-monthly publication rates of related articles, and a content-review assessment of cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) in water environment. Our results revealed thirty-eight metric documents with sources as journals and books that conform to the inclusion criteria. The average reports/publication rate per year shows 16.7, while several single and collaborating authors are included with a collaboration index of 4.31. A zero average citation per document and citation per year indicate poor research interest and awareness.

Short conclusion

It is important to note that a redirected interest to studies on cfNAs in water environments would encourage advancement of water treatment strategies to include specific approaches on the removal of cfNAs, membrane vesicles or DNA reservoirs, plasmids or extra-chromosomal DNA and other exogenous nucleic acids from water bodies. It may also lead to a generational development/improvement of water treatment strategies for the removals of cfNAs and its members from water bodies.
Development and comparison of membrane separation schemes for byproduct recovery from Egyptian rice straw black liquor
Authors: Abulnour Abdelghani M. G. , El Sayed Marwa M. , Tewfik Shadia R. , Hani Heba A. , Sorour Mohamed H. , Shalaan Hayam
Published: March 2022

Background

Recovery of valuable ingredients from black liquor could lead to an environmentally and economically sound bioethanol production technology. In this work, two schemes comprising hybrid membrane systems incorporating ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) are developed for the recovery of lignin, silica rich and cellulose/hemicellulose hydrolysates byproducts from alkaline pretreated rice straw.

Methods

The first scheme (I) comprises UF, NF and thermal vapor compression (TVC), while, the second scheme (II) includes UF, 2 stages of NF and 2 TVC units. Further treatments are suggested to produce solid byproducts with an economic value. Furthermore, material balance of the two schemes based on 1000 m3/d of black liquor and the main design features and comparative direct cost indicators of the main adopted units were deduced using WT Cost II© software.

Results

Results revealed that about (80–90%) yield of recovered byproducts from both schemes with equivalent amounts of 9.5, 5.5 and 18.5 ton/d of lignin, silica rich and cellulose/hemicellulose hydrolysates dry products, respectively. Moreover, reusable water recovery approaches 26% and 70% for schemes (I) and (II), respectively.

Conclusions

Further, the wastewater generated from scheme (II) is 2.9 times folds scheme (I) which improves the environmental impact of the former. Preliminary cost indicators revealed that both schemes have almost the same total direct capital cost.
Preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis using deep learning-based features
Authors: Cattell Renee , Ying Jia , Lei Lan , Ding Jie , Chen Shenglan , Serrano Sosa Mario , Huang Chuan
Published: March 2022

Lymph node involvement increases the risk of breast cancer recurrence. An accurate non-invasive assessment of nodal involvement is valuable in cancer staging, surgical risk, and cost savings. Radiomics has been proposed to pre-operatively predict sentinel lymph node (SLN) status; however, radiomic models are known to be sensitive to acquisition parameters. The purpose of this study was to develop a prediction model for preoperative prediction of SLN metastasis using deep learning-based (DLB) features and compare its predictive performance to state-of-the-art radiomics. Specifically, this study aimed to compare the generalizability of radiomics vs DLB features in an independent test set with dissimilar resolution. Dynamic contrast-enhancement images from 198 patients (67 positive SLNs) were used in this study. Of these subjects, 163 had an in-plane resolution of 0.7 × 0.7 mm2, which were randomly divided into a training set (approximately 67%) and a validation set (approximately 33%). The remaining 35 subjects with a different in-plane resolution (0.78 × 0.78 mm2) were treated as independent testing set for generalizability. Two methods were employed: (1) conventional radiomics (CR), and (2) DLB features which replaced hand-curated features with pre-trained VGG-16 features. The threshold determined using the training set was applied to the independent validation and testing dataset. Same feature reduction, feature selection, model creation procedures were used for both approaches. In the validation set (same resolution as training), the DLB model outperformed the CR model (accuracy 83% vs 80%). Furthermore, in the independent testing set of the dissimilar resolution, the DLB model performed markedly better than the CR model (accuracy 77% vs 71%). The predictive performance of the DLB model outperformed the CR model for this task. More interestingly, these improvements were seen particularly in the independent testing set of dissimilar resolution. This could indicate that DLB features can ultimately result in a more generalizable model.
Simple headache revealed a rare lymphoma: Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia with unique markers: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Awad Ahmed K. , Elbadawy Merihan A. , Boury Maty , Rivera Amanda , Motawea Karam , Shah Jaffer , Parnia Shanli , Varney Joseph
Published: March 2022

Background

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare lymphoma with an incidence rate of 3 per million people per year, with approximately 1000 to 1500 new cases diagnosed each year in the USA. It is primarily seen in Caucasian males with a median age of 70 years old. Patients are most often asymptomatic, but WM can manifest itself with constitutional symptoms such as lethargy, bleeding, organomegaly, and neurological or fundoscopic abnormalities. WM is characterized by immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal gammopathy, lymphocytic infiltration of bone marrow, and normocytic anemia due to bone marrow replacement.

Case presentation

Our patient is a Hispanic 67-year-old female that presents with one month of intermittent band-like bilateral headache accompanied by dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, and blurred vision. A thorough diagnostic workup was performed, including serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) with serum immunofixation (SIFE) showing an M spike and IgM kappa. Bone marrow biopsy was significant for lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with nodular B cells (CD19+, CD20+, CD22+). Computerized Tomography (CT) imaging showed splenomegaly in the patient. Treatment was provided for hyperviscosity syndrome with plasmapheresis twice. The patient reported improvement of her symptoms and was then scheduled for chemotherapy. Throughout 7 months, our patient received multiple cycles of bortezomib, dexamethasone, and rituximab. While her symptoms improved her psychiatric status got progressively worse.

Conclusion

It is important not to neglect symptoms such as a headache, which may seem small, but could serve as a clue in the diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia.
Using Implementation Mapping to develop and test an implementation strategy for active learning to promote physical activity in children: a feasibility study using a hybrid type 2 design
Authors: Walker Timothy J. , Kohl Harold W. , Bartholomew John B. , Green Charles , Fernández Maria E.
Published: March 2022

Background

Incorporating physical movement in the teaching of academic content (active learning) is a promising approach to improve children’s health and academic performance. Despite documented benefits, implementation of active learning remains challenging for schools. The aims of this study are to develop an implementation strategy to support the delivery of active learning in elementary schools and examine the impact of the developed implementation strategy on the implementation and effectiveness of active learning.

Methods

Aim 1 will use Implementation Mapping, which is a multi-step approach that guides the use of theory, stakeholder input, and existing literature to develop a scientifically based implementation strategy for active learning in elementary schools. Aim 2 will feature a feasibility study to examine the impact of the implementation strategy on both implementation and effectiveness outcomes, consistent with a Hybrid Type 2 design. Acceptability and implementation fidelity will be the primary implementation outcomes, and student physical activity levels will be the primary effectiveness outcome. We will recruit two elementary schools within our partner district, and one will be randomly assigned to receive usual support while the other will receive the newly developed implementation strategy. Participants from each school will complete baseline, 6-, and 12-month assessments. Bayesian statistical approaches will quantitatively examine preliminary effectiveness outcomes. We will also use an embedded mixed methods approach to triangulate findings.

Discussion

This study’s innovative overarching conceptual framework (centered on Implementation Mapping) will inform the development and testing of the implementation strategy. This study also uses methodological approaches optimal for feasibility studies, including mixed methods and Bayesian statistics. As a result, we will be able to gain a thorough understanding about the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of the implementation strategy, which will inform subsequent research and practice for implementing active learning in schools.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05048433, registered on September 8, 2021.
Intelligent system based comparative analysis study of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and antigenic proteins in different types of vaccines
Authors: Touati Rabeb , Elngar Ahmed A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Coronaviruses, members of the Coronavirinae subfamily in the Coronaviridae family, are enveloped and positive-stranded RNA viruses that infect animals and humans, causing intestinal and respiratory infections. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease appeared, for the first time (December 2019), in China and has spread quickly worldwide causing a large number of deaths. Considering the global threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared, in March 2020, COVID-19 as a pandemic. Many studies suggest the great effect of the existing vaccines to protect against symptomatic cases of death by the COVID-19 virus. This paper, proposes to compare the main antigenic proteins sequences of the existing vaccines with Spike (S) protein of the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Our choice of S protein is justified by the major role that plays it in the receptor recognition and membrane fusion process based on an intelligent system. Herein, we focus on finding a correlation between S protein and compulsory vaccines in the countries that have a less death number by COVID-19 virus. In this work, we have used a combination of coding methods, signal processing, and bioinformatic techniques with the goal to localize the similar patterns between the S gene of the SARS-Cov-2 genome and 14 investigated vaccines.

Results

A total of 8 similar sequences which have a size more than 6 amino acids were identified. Further, these comparisons propose that these segments can be implicated in the immune response against COVID-19, which may explain the wide variation by country in the severity of this viral threat.

Conclusions

Our in silico study suggests a possible protective effect of Poliovirus, HIB, Hepatitis B, PCV10, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccines against COVID-19.
Least-squares reverse time migration with a multiplicative Cauchy constraint
Authors: Yao Gang , Wu Bo , da Silva Nuno V. , Debens Henry A. , Wu Di , Cao Jingjie
Published: March 2022

One of reverse time migration’s main limitations is that an unscaled adjoint operator is prone to produce images with low resolution, inaccurate amplitudes, and even artifacts. Least-squares reverse time migration (LSRTM) has been introduced to mitigate this inadequacy via the use of an approximation to an inverse operator. LSRTM suffers from its own limitations, most importantly from poor condition, which often manifests itself as image artifacts. One approach to ameliorate this issue is to constrain the optimization problem by introducing a penalty term to the cost function. Penalizing estimated parameters for sparsity is one such constraint that has been shown to be effective. A drawback of this technique is that it introduces a trade-off between data fitting and image sparsity. Furthermore, if using the Cauchy constraint, an additional trade-off is introduced due to the requirement to estimate a hyperparameter. We introduce an alternative approach that mitigates these trade-offs by combining a multiplicative cost function with an effective means for determining the Cauchy hyperparameter. We also introduce a new formulation of the multiplicative cost function that avoids over-penalization by the constraint via the introduction of a relaxation term. Finally, we seek to improve the computational efficiency by introducing a new approach for computing the step length. As such, our method introduces three novel aspects to constrained LSRTM: (1) a relaxed multiplicative cost function, (2) semiautomatic estimation of the Cauchy hyperparameter, and (3) efficient computation of the step length. We discuss the theory and implementation, followed by application to three synthetic data sets and a real ultrasonic data set. Given the presence of large salt bodies, elasticity, and noise, along with the directivity of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, these data sets provide a challenging test of the approach outlined. Results demonstrate that our method is robust in handling the challenges imposed by these scenarios.
Bayesian rock-physics inversion with Kumaraswamy prior models
Authors: Grana Dario
Published: March 2022

The prediction of rock and fluid volumetric fractions from elastic attributes often is referred to as petrophysical or rock-physics inversion because it requires rock-physics models to map petrophysical properties into geophysical variables, such as velocities and density. Bayesian approaches are suitable for rock-physics inverse problems because the solution, expressed in the form of a probability distribution, can represent the uncertainty of the model predictions due to the errors in the measured data. Bayesian inverse methods often rely on Gaussian prior distributions for their analytical tractability. However, Gaussian distributions are theoretically not applicable to rock and fluid volumetric fractions because, by definition, they are nonzero on the entire set of real numbers, whereas rock and fluid volumetric fractions are bounded between zero and one. The proposed rock physics inversion is based on a Bayesian approach that assumes Kumaraswamy probability density functions for the prior distribution to model double-bounded nonsymmetric continuous random variables between zero and one. The results of the Bayesian inverse problem are the pointwise probability distributions of the rock and fluid volumetric fractions conditioned on the seismic attributes. In the first application, the method is validated using synthetic well-log data for the soft sand and stiff rock-physics models with comparisons with several prior models. In the second application, the method is applied to a 2D real data set to obtain the posterior distribution, the maximum a posteriori, and the confidence intervals of porosity, mineral volumes, and fluid saturations. The most likely model of rock and fluid properties estimated from the posterior distribution assuming a Kumaraswamy prior model finds higher accuracies compared to the corresponding results obtained with a Gaussian prior model.
Improved kinetic Monte Carlo models for computational and analytical investigations of the magnetic properties of finite-size atomic chains
Authors: Kolesnikov S. V. , Kolesnikova I. N.
Published: March 2022

Two improved kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) models for investigations of the magnetic properties of finite-size atomic chains are presented. These models take into account the possible noncollinearity of magnetic moments. The spontaneous remagnetization of ferromagnetic Co chains on the Pt(997) surface and antiferromagnetic Fe chains on the

surface is investigated in the framework of our models. The results are compared with the results of the simple kMC model. It is also shown that a single domain-wall approximation can be successfully used to estimate the reversal time of the magnetization. Therefore, the improved kMC models can be used for analytical calculations as well as for computer simulations.
sIL-2R: A Novel Diagnostic Biomarker for Primary Adrenal Lymphoma
Authors: Yu Kai , Xie Wei , Zhao Lianling , Wang Hanxiao , Ren Yan , Zheng Chang , Chen Xixiao , Su Zhenli , Tang Yeyi , Zhou Fangli , Tian Haoming , Zhu Yuchun , Chen Tao
Published: March 2022

Context

Primary adrenal lymphoma (PAL) is difficult to distinguish from other adrenal masses. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) is a diagnostic biomarker for nodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma, whose association with PAL is unknown.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic utility of serum sIL-2R for Patients with PAL.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Settings and Participants

A total of 118 patients with adrenal masses who were willing to be tested for levels of serum sIL-2R from a tertiary hospital between 2019 and 2021 were included.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Serum sIL-2R and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.

Results

Patients with PAL had significantly higher sIL-2R levels than those of patients with other adrenal masses with indetermined and benign computed tomography (CT) features (both Ps < 0.001). The LDH levels of patients with PAL were also significantly higher than those of patients with other adrenal masses with indeterminate and benign CT features (both Ps < 0.001). Good discrimination of patients with PAL from other patients (PAL vs other adrenal masses with indeterminate CT features/non-PAL) was achieved with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.984 (95% CI, 0.95-1)/0.992 (95% CI, 0.975-1.000) using the serum levels of sIL-2R and further improved (AUC = 0.998, 95% CI, 0.994-1.000; AUC = 0.999, 95% CI, 0.996-1.000) after adjusting by LDH category.

Conclusions

For the first time, we have identified that serum sIL-2R and LDH category-adjusted sIL-2R levels have good diagnostic performances for PAL.
A Review of Robert Sugden’sCommunity of Advantage
Authors: Harless Patrick , Pancs Romans
Published: March 2022

In his book, The Community of Advantage: A Behavioural Economist’s Defence of the Market, Robert Sugden says that people should be left alone to do what they want. We interpret his reasons for saying so and try to unify them. The unification uses simple economic models. When we fail to unify, we explain why. Open problems emerge. If Sugden’s passion for his subject won’t motivate the reader to pursue these problems, what will? (JEL C71, C72, D60, D71, D72, I31)
Epidemics, Inequality, and Poverty in Preindustrial and Early Industrial Times
Authors: Alfani Guido
Published: March 2022

Recent research has explored the distributive consequences of major historical epidemics, and the current crisis triggered by COVID-19 prompts us to look at the past for insights about how pandemics can affect inequalities in income, wealth, and health. The fourteenth-century Black Death, which is usually believed to have led to a significant reduction in economic inequality, has attracted the greatest attention. However, the picture becomes much more complex if other epidemics are considered. This article covers the worst epidemics of preindustrial times, from the Plague of Justinian of 540–41 to the last great European plagues of the seventeenth century, as well as the cholera waves of the nineteenth. It shows how the distributive outcomes of lethal epidemics do not only depend upon mortality rates, but are mediated by a range of factors, chief among them the institutional framework in place at the onset of each crisis. It then explores how past epidemics affected poverty, arguing that highly lethal epidemics could reduce its prevalence through two deeply different mechanisms: redistribution toward the poor or extermination of the poor. It concludes by recalling the historical connection between the progressive weakening and spacing in time of lethal epidemics and improvements in life expectancy, and by discussing how epidemics affected inequality in health and living standards. (JEL D31, I12, I14, I30, N30, J11, J31)
An adaptive calibration technique for thermistor with varying temperature coefficient and reference resistance
Authors: Venkata Santhosh Krishnan , Roy Binoy Krishna , Nair Nanditha
Published: March 2022

Background: A thermistor is a nonlinear sensor requiring a precise calibration technique to achieve accurate temperature measurements. This paper attempts to design a calibration technique employing artificial neural network (ANN) algorithms. The present work fulfills the following objectives: (i) to cover 100% input range in the linearity range measurement; (ii) to make the measurement technique adaptive to variations in reference resistance and thermistor temperature coefficient using a calibration technique.

Methods: An ANN-based calibration circuit is cascaded to the data conversion circuit. Optimized ANN is trained with linear data independent of reference resistance and temperature coefficient effects on thermistor output. ANN optimization is performed by comparing various schemes, algorithms, and numbers of hidden layers to achieve a minimum mean square error and a regression close to 1.

Results: The proposed technique provides a linear relationship for the system over the entire input range and avoids the requirement of repeated calibrations each time the thermistor is replaced. Practical data are used to validate the proposed measurement technique.

Conclusions: The objectives and proposed technique have been demonstrated by results with a root mean square percentage error of 1.8%.