bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Factors Influencing the Starting Salary of College Graduates Based on Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Ping , Liao Wensheng , Zhao Zhongping , Miu Feng
Published: July 2022

It is an important deployment of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to fully promote the employment of college graduates with higher quality, and salary is an important indicator of quality measurement. This paper takes the cross-sectional data of the employment of graduates from a financial and economic university in 2020 as the sample; whether the actual starting salary is a high salary as the dependent variable; and human capital, social capital, labor market as the explanatory variables and uses R to establish a logistic regression model to analyze the determinants of the high salary of graduates. Five machine learning methods, SVM, naive Bayes, CART, random forest, and XGBoost, are used to predict whether graduates can get a high starting salary, compare the advantages and disadvantages of various methods horizontally, optimize the parameters at the same time, and further enhance the performance of the model. Based on the employment data of graduate students in a university of finance and economics in 2020, this paper makes an empirical study. The study shows that academic qualifications, professional disciplines, employment regions, employment industries, the nature of employment units, gender, and whether they have served as student cadres have a significant impact on whether graduates can get “high salaries.” The main factors affecting the starting salary of graduates are the accumulation of human capital and social capital, but the segmentation of labor market is also the main reason affecting the starting salary of graduates. The prediction results of several models show that the integrated models have better performance than single models, and the XGBoost model is the best, which can help predict whether graduates get high salary.
Effects of Carvedilol on Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, and Blood Lipids in Elderly Patients with Refractory Hypertension
Authors: Zhang Wen , Deng Guiming , Hu Jia , Yan Ran , Hu Junliu , Fan Jianmin
Published: July 2022

Refractory hypertension seriously affects the life safety of patients. To investigate the effect of carvedilol combined with conventional antihypertensive therapy on blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications in elderly patients with refractory hypertension, a total of 80 elderly patients with refractory hypertension who were admitted from June 2019 to September 2021 were selected as the retrospective research objects and divided into the observation group and the control group according to the random number table method, 40 cases in each group, and the control group received conventional antihypertensive therapy. On this basis, the observation group was treated with carvedilol, and the effects of blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular complications were analyzed in the two groups. After treatment, the systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, adrenal medulla (AM), and endothelin (ET) of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group, but the heart rate and NO of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group. After treatment, the fasting blood glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol (CHO), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, but the ISI and HDL-C of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group. After treatment, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, UAER, BUN, and SCr in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group. The TC of the observation group was lower than that of the control group. Combination therapy has a remarkably stable, sustained, and safe antihypertensive effect on patients with refractory hypertension.
Prospective RFID Sensors for the IoT Healthcare System
Authors: Xiang Ju , Zhao Aobo , Tian Gui Yun , Woo Wailok , Liu Lingxiu , Li Hang
Published: July 2022

The outbreak of COVID-19 has attracted people’s attention to our healthcare system, stimulating the advancement of next-generation health monitoring technologies. IoT attracts extensive attention in this advancement for its advantage in ubiquitous communication and sensing. RFID plays a key role in IoT to tackle the challenges in passive communication and identification and is now emerging as a sensing technology which has the ability to reduce the cost and complexity of data collection. It is advantageous to introduce RFID sensor technologies in health-related sensing and monitoring, as there are many sensors used in health monitoring systems with the potential to be integrated with RFID for smart sensing and monitoring. But due to the unique characteristics of the human body, there are challenges in developing effective RFID sensors for human health monitoring in terms of communication and sensing. For example, in a typical IoT health monitoring application, the main challenges are as follows: (1) energy issues, the efficiency of RF front-end energy harvesting and power conversion is measured; (2) communication issues, the basic technology of RFID sensors shows great heterogeneity in terms of antennas, integrated circuit functions, sensing elements, and data protocols; and (3) performance stability and sensitivity issues, the RFID sensors are mainly attached to the object to be measured to carry out identification and parameter sensing. However, in practical applications, these can also be affected by certain environmental factors. This paper presents the recent advancement in RFID sensor technologies and the challenges for the IoT healthcare system. The current sensors used in health monitoring are also reviewed with regard to integrating possibility with RFID and IoT. The future research direction is pointed out for the emergence of the next-generation healthcare and monitoring system.
Establishment and Analysis of a Prognostic Model of Autophagy‐Related lncRNAs in ESCA
Authors: Chen Feifei , Zhang Jian , Bai Wenxia
Published: July 2022

Esophageal cancer (ESCA) is a malignant tumor of the upper gastrointestinal tract, with a high mortality rate and poor prognosis. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a role in the malignant progression of tumors by regulating autophagy. This study is aimed at establishing a prognostic model of autophagy‐related lncRNAs in ESCA and provide a theoretical basis to determine potential therapeutic targets for ESCA. The transcriptome expression profiles were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We identified autophagy‐related mRNAs and lncRNAs in ESCA using differential expression analysis and the Human Autophagy Database (HADb). Four differentially expressed autophagy‐related lncRNAs with a prognostic value were identified using Cox regression and survival analyses. Furthermore, the combination of the selected lncRNAs was able to predict the prognosis of patients with ESCA more accurately than any of the four lncRNAs individually. Finally, we constructed a coexpression network of autophagy‐related mRNAs and lncRNAs. This study showed that autophagy‐related lncRNAs play an important role in the occurrence and development of ESCA and could become a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Spinal Surgery
Authors: Bao Xianguo , Lu Haitao , Gao Zengxin , Wu Zhanpo , Chen Youmin , Chen Yingjun , Cheng Qinghua
Published: July 2022

Objective. The safety and effectiveness of topical tranexamic acid in spinal surgery has not yet been reached, and further research is needed to confirm it. This study is aimed at detecting the effectiveness and safety on the tranexamic acid in spinal surgery. Methods. The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and other databases were searched. The search time was from 2016 to 2019. All randomized controlled trials comparing the topical tranexamic acid group and the control group were collected. The experimental group used topical application. Tranexamic acid was used to treat bleeding after spinal surgery. The control group was no tranexamic acid or isotonic saline. The total bleeding, blood transfusion rate, and the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis were compared between the two groups. Rev Man 5.2.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Results. A total of 8 randomized controlled trials were included, including 884 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the total bleeding volume of the tranexamic acid group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant weighted mean difference (

WMD

=
–
360.27
 
mL

, 95% confidence interval (CI) (–412.68, –307.87) mL,

P
<
0.00001

). The blood transfusion rate in the tranexamic acid group was lower than that in the control group (odds ratio

OR

=
0.22

, 95% CI (0.14, 0.33),

P
<
0.00001

). There was no significant difference in the incidence of deep vein thrombosis between the two groups:

OR
=
1.48

, 95% CI (0.41, 5.34),

P
=
0.55

. Conclusion. Tranexamic acid can significantly reduce perioperative total blood loss, intraoperative blood loss, and blood transfusion rate during spinal surgery but has no significant effect on blood transfusion and thrombosis.
Peritumor Edema Serves as an Independent Predictive Factor of Recurrence Patterns and Recurrence-Free Survival for High-Grade Glioma
Authors: Chen Jie , Qiu Hui , Chen Rui , Huang Jiani , Chen Liang , Wan Juncheng , Chen Qi , Zhang Longzhen
Published: July 2022

Objective. This study is aimed at analyzing the factors affecting the recurrence patterns and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of high-grade gliomas (HGG). Methods. Eligible patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were selected. Subsequently, the effects of some clinical data including age, gender, WHO pathological grades, tumor site, tumor size, clinical treatments, and peritumoral edema (PTE) area and molecular markers (Ki-67, MGMT, IDH-1, and p53) on HGG patients’ recurrence patterns and RFS were analyzed. Results. A total number of 77 patients were enrolled into this study. After analyzing all the cases, it was determined that tumor size and tumor site had a significant influence on the recurrent patterns of HGG, and PTE was an independent predict factor of recurrence patterns. Specifically, when the PTE was mild (<1 cm), the recurrence pattern tended to be local; in contrast, HGG was more likely to progress to marginal recurrence and distant recurrence. Furthermore, age and PTE were significantly associated with RFS; the median RFS of the population with

PTE
<
1
 
cm

(23.60 months) was obviously longer than the population with

PTE
≥
1
 
cm

(5.00 months). Conclusions. PTE is an independent predictor of recurrence patterns and RFS for HGG. Therefore, preoperative identification of PTE in HGG patients is crucially important, which is helpful to accurately estimate the recurrence pattern and RFS.
[Retracted] Classification and Detection of Mesothelioma Cancer Using Feature Selection‐Enabled Machine Learning Technique
Authors: Shobana M. , Balasraswathi V. R. , Radhika R. , Oleiwi Ahmed Kareem , Chaudhury Sushovan , Ladkat Ajay S. , Naved Mohd , Rahmani Abdul Wahab
Published: July 2022

Cancer of the mesothelium, sometimes referred to as malignant mesothelioma (MM), is an extremely uncommon form of the illness that almost always results in death. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy are all potential treatments for multiple myeloma; however, the majority of patients are identified with the disease at an advanced stage, at which time it is resistant to these therapies. After obtaining a diagnosis of advanced multiple myeloma, the average length of time that a person lives is one year after hearing this news. There is a substantial link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma (MM). Using an approach that enables feature selection and machine learning, this article proposes a classification and detection method for mesothelioma cancer. The CFS correlation‐based feature selection approach is first used in the feature selection process. It acts as a filter, selecting just the traits that are relevant to the categorization. The accuracy of the categorization model is improved as a direct consequence of this. After that, classification is carried out with the help of naive Bayes, fuzzy SVM, and the ID3 algorithm. Various metrics have been utilized during the process of measuring the effectiveness of machine learning strategies. It has been discovered that the choice of features has a substantial influence on the accuracy of the categorization.
AXL and Error-Prone DNA Replication Confer Drug Resistance and Offer Strategies to Treat EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer
Authors: Noronha Ashish , Belugali Nataraj Nishanth , Lee Joo Sang , Zhitomirsky Benny , Oren Yaara , Oster Sara , Lindzen Moshit , Mukherjee Saptaparna , Will Rainer , Ghosh Soma , Simoni-Nieves Arturo , Verma Aakanksha , Chatterjee Rishita , Borgoni Simone , Robinson Welles , Sinha Sanju , Brandis Alexander , Kerr D. Lucas , Wu Wei , Sekar Arunachalam , Giri Suvendu , Chung Youngmin , Drago-Garcia Diana , Danysh Brian P. , Lauriola Mattia , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Ardizzoni Andrea , Oren Moshe , Blakely Collin M. , Ezike Jideofor , Wiemann Stefan , Parida Laxmi , Bivona Trever G. , Aqeilan Rami I. , Brugge Joan S. , Regev Aviv , Getz Gad , Ruppin Eytan , Yarden Yosef
Published: July 2022

Anticancer therapies have been limited by the emergence of mutations and other adaptations. In bacteria, antibiotics activate the SOS response, which mobilizes error-prone factors that allow for continuous replication at the cost of mutagenesis. We investigated whether the treatment of lung cancer with EGFR inhibitors (EGFRi) similarly engages hypermutators. In cycling drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells and in EGFRi-treated patients presenting residual disease, we observed upregulation of GAS6, whereas ablation of GAS6's receptor, AXL, eradicated resistance. Reciprocally, AXL overexpression enhanced DTP survival and accelerated the emergence of T790M, an EGFR mutation typical to resistant cells. Mechanistically, AXL induces low-fidelity DNA polymerases and activates their organizer, RAD18, by promoting neddylation. Metabolomics uncovered another hypermutator, AXL-driven activation of MYC, and increased purine synthesis that is unbalanced by pyrimidines. Aligning anti-AXL combination treatments with the transition from DTPs to resistant cells cured patient-derived xenografts. Hence, similar to bacteria, tumors tolerate therapy by engaging pharmacologically targetable endogenous mutators.

Significance:

EGFR-mutant lung cancers treated with kinase inhibitors often evolve resistance due to secondary mutations. We report that in similarity to the bacterial SOS response stimulated by antibiotics, endogenous mutators are activated in drug-treated cells, and this heralds tolerance. Blocking the process prevented resistance in xenograft models, which offers new treatment strategies.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 2483
Immuno-PET Monitoring of Lymphocytes Using the CD8-Specific Antibody REGN5054
Authors: Tavaré Richard , Danton Makenzie , Giurleo Jason T. , Makonnen Sosina , Hickey Carlos , Arnold Tomas C. , Kelly Marcus P. , Fredriksson Fanny , Bruestle Karina , Hermann Aynur , Ullman Erica , Edelmann Kurt H. , Potocky Terra , Dudgeon Drew , Bhatt Nikunj B. , Doubrovin Mikhail , Barry Thomas , Kyratsous Christos A. , Gurer Cagan , Tu Naxin , Gartner Hans , Murphy Andrew , Macdonald Lynn E. , Popke Jon , Mintz Akiva , Griesemer Adam , Olson William C. , Thurston Gavin , Ma Dangshe , Kirshner Jessica R.
Published: July 2022

Assessment of immune-cell subsets within the tumor immune microenvironment is a powerful approach to better understand cancer immunotherapy responses. However, the use of biopsies to assess the tumor immune microenvironment poses challenges, including the potential for sampling error, restricted sampling over time, and inaccessibility of some tissues/organs, as well as the fact that single biopsy analyses do not reflect discordance across multiple intrapatient tumor lesions. Immuno-positron emission tomography (PET) presents a promising translational imaging approach to address the limitations and assess changes in the tumor microenvironment. We have developed 89Zr-DFO-REGN5054, a fully human CD8A-specific antibody conjugate, to assess CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) pre- and posttherapy. We used multiple assays, including in vitro T-cell activation, proliferation, and cytokine production, and in vivo viral clearance and CD8 receptor occupancy, to demonstrate that REGN5054 has minimal impact on T-cell activity. Preclinical immuno-PET studies demonstrated that 89Zr-DFO-REGN5054 specifically detected CD8+ T cells in lymphoid tissues of CD8-genetically humanized immunocompetent mice (VelociT mice) and discerned therapy-induced changes in CD8+ TILs in two models of response to a CD20xCD3 T-cell activating bispecific antibody (REGN1979, odronextamab). Toxicology studies in cynomolgus monkeys showed no overt toxicity, and immuno-PET imaging in cynomolgus monkeys demonstrated dose-dependent clearance and specific targeting to lymphoid tissues. This work supports the clinical investigation of 89Zr-DFO-REGN5054 to monitor T-cell responses in patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy.
Immune Potential Untapped: Leveraging the Lymphatic System for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Lund Amanda W.
Published: July 2022

Over the past decade, our understanding of the role of the lymphatic vasculature in tumor progression has evolved from it being a passive participant, as a first step along Halsted's path of sequential metastasis, to a potentially active regulator of antitumor immune surveillance. These new data, however, seemingly support paradoxical predictions for cancer immunotherapy; on one hand that enhanced lymphatic involvement augments antitumor immune surveillance and on the other, drives immune evasion and metastasis. The potential to leverage lymphatic biology for the benefit of clinical immunotherapy, therefore, requires a mechanistic understanding of how the lymphatic vasculature interacts with functional immune responses during disease progression and in the context of relevant immunotherapy regimes. In this review, I dissect the promise and challenge of engaging the lymphatic system for therapy and suggest important avenues for future investigation and potential application.

See related article, p. 1041
Heterozygous Variants in a Patient with Karyomegalic Interstitial Nephritis
Authors: Wang Haiping , Li Kan , Xiao Rui , Xu Liang , Zhen Junhui , Wang Rong , Sun Jing
Published: July 2022

Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis (KIN) is a rare kidney disease marked by large tubular nuclei, interstitial inflammation, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. The current study presented the case of a 39-year-old man with deteriorating kidney function and a serum creatinine level of 2.08 mg/dL. The renal biopsy revealed that the main pathological features of renal tubular epithelial cells were obvious enlargement, irregular shape, and hyperchromatic nuclei. The genetic analysis of the patient revealed two heterozygous variants in the FAN1 gene, c.2485c>T, and c.2928dupT, located in exons 10 and 13, respectively. A diagnosis of KIN was rendered. The two variations of the proband are identified in separate alleles from the father and mother, respectively, according to his family’s sequencing. This phenotype is consistent with an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance. The patient was treated with the Chinese patent medicine Niaoduqing Particles. After 38 months of follow-up, renal function was barely changed with a serum creatinine of 1.73 mg/dL.
An Electronic Health Record Tool Increases Genetic Counseling Referral of Individuals at Hereditary Cancer Risk: An Intervention Study
Authors: Wurtmann Elisabeth J. , Baldinger Shari , Olet Susan , Daley Ashley , Swenson Karen K.
Published: July 2022

Introduction: There is widespread under-identification of individuals at hereditary cancer risk despite national guidelines calling for screening. We evaluated the utilization of a tool embedded in the electronic health record (EHR) to assist primary care providers in screening patients for cancer genetic counseling referral. Methods: We designed BestPractice Advisories linked to a Genetic Cancer Screening Tool (GCST) in EpicCare Ambulatory. The GCST identifies individuals for evaluation for BRCA1/2, Lynch syndrome, and other risk mutations due to personal and family history. We tested the tool in a 7-week intervention in adult wellness visits at two clinics, one urban and one rural. Results: Out of 687 eligible patients, the screening survey was completed for 469 (67%), and of these, 150 (32%) screened positive for a personal and/or family history meeting genetic counseling referral criteria. Of individuals screening positive, a referral order was placed for 20 (13%). GCST screen-positive rate varied by patient gender but not race or age. Referral rate varied by provider and clinic but was not significantly affected by patient demographics. In the previous year over an equivalent date range, 0.1% of wellness visits (1 of 1,086) led to a referral, and this rate increased to 2.1% (22 of 1,062) during the intervention. The proportion of providers referring patients also increased, from 3.8% (1 of 26) to 42.3% (11 of 26). Discussion/Conclusion: Genetic counseling referral of individuals at hereditary cancer risk was increased by use of an EHR-integrated tool. These findings add evidence for the benefit of clinical decision support for cancer genetic risk screening in primary care.
Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose (Surgicel®) on Cytology/Histology
Authors: Kurian Elizabeth M. , Abu-Hijleh Muhanned , Lowrey Tricia Rood , De Las Casas Luis Eduardo
Published: July 2022

Introduction: In patients with a history of malignancy, follow-up surveillance of lymph nodes (LNs) is required to evaluate for potential malignancy or infection. In some cases, the lymphadenopathy may be secondary to an intraprocedural hemostatic agent and/or related granulomatous reaction. Case Presentation: We present the case of an 80-year-old female with a remote past medical history of breast cancer status post-lumpectomy and chemoradiation. Twenty years later, a 2.4 cm pulmonary right middle lobe nodule was noted on imaging studies. She underwent bronchoscopy, cervical mediastinoscopy, and right middle lobe wedge resection. The final pathologic diagnosis was a pulmonary carcinoid tumor, and the excised mediastinal LN was negative for malignancy. A 10-month surveillance positron emission tomography scan showed new mildly avid mediastinal and right hilar LNs. The following endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration showed unremarkable lymphoid elements in the enlarged 4R LN, while the station 7 LN demonstrated ample dense hyaline-like foreign material. Subsequent review of the cell block/biopsy and communication with the thoracic surgeon revealed that Surgicel® (or oxidized regenerated cellulose) was placed during surgery at the station 7 site. Discussion/Conclusion: Assessment of the findings and based on the similar histologic appearance reported in previous cases associated with Surgicel® [Ann Thorac Med. 2017;12(1):55–6, Cancer Cytopathol. 2019;127(12):765–70, and Arch Bronconeumol. 2020;56(7):459–71], the station 7 acellular, amorphous, and hyaline-like exogenous material found in our case was interpreted as hemostatic agent compatible with Surgicel® (or oxidized regenerated cellulose). This case highlights the importance of cytologic/histologic recognition of hemostatic agents, specifically oxidized cellulose mesh.
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Relapsed Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia after Cord Blood Transplantation and Blinatumomab Treatment: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Edahiro Taro , Fukushima Noriyasu , Otani Tatsuya , Nakamori Masahiro , Nakamichi Kazuo , Chishaki Ren , Fujino Keita , Mino Tatsuji , Yoshida Tetsumi , Sugihara Sayaka , Nishizawa Masatoshi , Ichinohe Tatsuo
Published: July 2022

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare neurological disease caused by the reactivation of latent John Cunningham polyomavirus. Hematological disorders associated with immunomodulatory monoclonal antibodies and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are risk factors for PML. Blinatumomab is a novel antileukemic immunomodulatory agent and more effective for relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) than conventional chemotherapy. But, blinatumomab suppresses humoral immunity due to long-lasting B-cell depletion during and after the treatment. The development of PML involves cellular immunity and impairment of humoral immunity. Although few cases of blinatumomab-related PML have been reported, the use of blinatumomab after allogeneic HSCT may increase the risk of developing PML. The current case report presents a patient of Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL wherein PML developed after cord blood stem cell transplantation and administrating blinatumomab.
A Randomized Trial of the Effect of a GnRH Analogue Injection on Ghrelin Levels in Girls
Authors: Rodanaki Maria , Rask Eva , Lodefalk Maria
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Ghrelin concentrations decline during puberty by an unclear mechanism. Acylated ghrelin (AG) is unstable in sampling tubes, but no standardized sampling protocol exists. We hypothesized that ghrelin levels decrease as a consequence of increased gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) signalling and that the addition of a protease inhibitor to sampling tubes preserves the AG levels. Methods: In this randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study, 13 girls with suspected central precocious puberty were included. They performed an adjusted GnRH stimulation test twice and were given Relefact LHRH® (100 μg/m2) or saline in a randomized order. Blood was sampled repeatedly for 150 min for the analysis of hormone concentrations. Oestradiol levels were only measured at baseline. The protease inhibitor 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride hydrochloride (AEBSF) was added to the sampling tubes. Specific ELISA kits were used for the analysis of AG and desacylated ghrelin (DAG) levels. Results: Neither AG nor DAG levels changed after GnRH analogue injection in comparison to saline. The addition of AEBSF preserved AG levels (650.1 ± 257.1 vs. 247.6 ± 123.4 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and decreased DAG levels (51.9 [12.5–115.7] vs. 143.5 [71.4–285.7] pg/mL, p < 0.001). Both AG and DAG levels were inversely associated with insulin levels (r = −0.73, p = 0.005, and r = −0.78, p = 0.002, respectively). AG levels were inversely associated with oestradiol levels (rho = −0.57, p = 0.041). Conclusion: Ghrelin levels do not decrease following a pharmacological dose of a GnRH analogue in the short term in girls. Addition of a protease inhibitor to the sampling tubes decreases AG degradation, resulting in preserved AG and decreased DAG levels.
Endothelial Loss of ETS1 Impairs Coronary Vascular Development and Leads to Ventricular Non-Compaction
Authors: Wang Lu , Lin Lizhu , Qi Hui , Chen Ju , Grossfeld Paul
Published: July 2022

Rationale:

Jacobsen syndrome is a rare chromosomal disorder caused by deletions in the long arm of human chromosome 11, resulting in multiple developmental defects including congenital heart defects. Combined studies in humans and genetically engineered mice implicate that loss of ETS1 (E26 transformation specific 1) is the cause of congenital heart defects in Jacobsen syndrome, but the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms are unknown.

Objective:

To determine the role of ETS1 in heart development, specifically its roles in coronary endothelium and endocardium and the mechanisms by which loss of ETS1 causes coronary vascular defects and ventricular noncompaction.

Methods and Results:

ETS1 global and endothelial-specific knockout mice were used. Phenotypic assessments, RNA sequencing, and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis were performed together with expression analysis, immunofluorescence and RNAscope in situ hybridization to uncover phenotypic and transcriptomic changes in response to loss of ETS1. Loss of ETS1 in endothelial cells causes ventricular noncompaction, reproducing the phenotype arising from global deletion of ETS1. Endothelial-specific deletion of ETS1 decreased the levels of Alk1 (activin receptor-like kinase 1), Cldn5 (claudin 5), Sox18 (SRY-box transcription factor 18), Robo4 (roundabout guidance receptor 4), Esm1 (endothelial cell specific molecule 1) and Kdr (kinase insert domain receptor), 6 important angiogenesis-relevant genes in endothelial cells, causing a coronary vasculature developmental defect in association with decreased compact zone cardiomyocyte proliferation. Downregulation of ALK1 expression in endocardium due to the loss of ETS1, along with the upregulation of TGF (transforming growth factor)-β1 and TGF-β3, occurred with increased TGFBR2/TGFBR1/SMAD2 signaling and increased extracellular matrix expression in the trabecular layer, in association with increased trabecular cardiomyocyte proliferation.

Conclusions:

These results demonstrate the importance of endothelial and endocardial ETS1 in cardiac development. Delineation of the gene regulatory network involving ETS1 in heart development will enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying ventricular and coronary vascular developmental defects and will lead to improved approaches for the treatment of patients with congenital heart disease.
Scalability of Large Neural Network Simulations via Activity Tracking With Time Asynchrony and Procedural Connectivity
Authors: Mascart Cyrille , Scarella Gilles , Reynaud-Bouret Patricia , Muzy Alexandre
Published: July 2022

We present a new algorithm to efficiently simulate random models of large neural networks satisfying the property of time asynchrony. The model parameters (average firing rate, number of neurons, synaptic connection probability, and postsynaptic duration) are of the order of magnitude of a small mammalian brain or of human brain areas. Through the use of activity tracking and procedural connectivity (dynamical regeneration of synapses), computational and memory complexities of this algorithm are proved to be theoretically linear with the number of neurons. These results are experimentally validated by sequential simulations of millions of neurons and billions of synapses running in a few minutes using a single thread of an equivalent desktop computer.
Merit Is Not Meritorious Everywhere: Fairness in First and Third Party Tasks among Kogi Children
Authors: Angarita Rafael G. , Viciana Hugo
Published: July 2022

Experimental research has studied the emergence of fairness criteria such as merit and equality at increasingly younger ages. How much does the recognition and practice of these principles depend on the influence of central aspects of Western educated and industrialized societies? In an attempt to answer these questions, this article provides evidence regarding the choices of children in the Kogi indigenous community of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a traditional society living in the mountains of Northern Colombia that practices swidden agriculture, cattle-raising, and enjoys a special cultural status granted by the Colombian Constitution. Two groups of 6–7 and 10–11 year olds (N = 104) were tested on a modified dictator game and several scenarios from a resource distribution task including different fairness criteria. Our results point to the lack of focality of the idea of merit among Kogi children at these ages when deciding on third-party allocation tasks, even when the design prevented equal distribution.
Reconceptualizing the Global Transformation of Islam in the Colonial Period: Early Islamic Reform in British-Ruled India and Egypt
Authors: Nakissa Aria
Published: July 2022

Between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, European empires extended their rule over most of the Muslim world. The present article argues that these empires promoted three interrelated political discourses; namely, a discourse on utilitarianism, a discourse on civilizational progress, and a discourse on liberal imperialism. The empires also encouraged Islamic reform movements, which entailed cooperation between Muslim thinkers, European officials, liberal intellectuals, and Orientalists. Reform movements legitimated the three aforementioned discourses in terms of premodern Islamic religious concepts (e.g. ʿaql, maṣlaḥa, maqāṣid al-šarīʿa, iǧtihād, taqlīd). These concepts were reinterpreted and tacitly linked to imperial policies concerning race, technology, industrial capitalism, and authoritarian violence. The article examines this process by considering the British Empire, and its relationship to Islamic reform projects in India and Egypt. The article discusses nineteenth century British political discourses as developed in the writings of Jeremy Bentham, James Mill, John Stuart Mill, and Herbert Spencer. The article then discusses Islamic reform in India, focusing on the Muslim thinkers Sayyid Aḥmad Ḫān and Amīr ʿAlī, as well as their relationships with British figures like William Muir and John Strachey. Next the article discusses Islamic reform in Egypt, focusing on the Muslim thinkers Muḥammad ʿAbduh and Rašīd Riḍā as well as their relationships with British figures like Lord Cromer and Wilfrid Scawen Blunt.
The Living Sense of Scripture
Authors: Jones Douglas FitzHenry
Published: July 2022

Everard appears frequently in studies of English antinomianism. His sermons, printed posthumously in 1653, reveal a startling array of influences, from Maimonides to Nicholas of Cusa, and a propensity for extravagant glosses on scripture. Notably, Everard saw the gospel as an allegory for the spiritual regeneration of the reader. The literal or ‘living’ sense of scripture played out in the annihilation and resurrection of the individual conscience-as-script. Starting with those few divines who chose to celebrate rather than disparage him, this article considers Everard’s work as a particularly colorful, but not altogether unrepresentative, sample in the thorny history of sixteenth and seventeenth century Protestant hermeneutics. Specially, Everard’s work constitutes a unique merger of an older spiritual tradition with Protestant discourse on the literal sense which not only addressed long-standing issues in Puritan thought but had a real claim to the mainstream in Cromwell’s England.
Neoponera Emery, 1901 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) revisited: 1. The N. laevigata species-group
Authors: Troya Adrian , Lattke John
Published: July 2022

The Neotropical Neoponera laevigata species-group is revised. This group can be separated from others in the genus by means of a new key to Neoponera species–groups. We propose two new species, N. gojira sp. nov., and N. mashpi sp. nov., the latter being usually confused with its putative sister species, N. laevigata (Smith). This small, termite-feeding species-group now contains five taxa. We provide comprehensive redescriptions for the known castes of the three previously known species, together with images and notes about intraspecific morphological variation, biology, and distribution of the taxa here treated. We reveal the external morphological features of the genitalia of the known males. This is the first contribution en route to a better understanding of the systematics of this charismatic ponerine genus.
What Does the Future Hold for the Public Display of Cetaceans?
Authors: Clegg Isabella L.K.
Published: July 2022

In order to continue its business sustainably, any industry that uses animals must largely align their ethical position with that of the general public: ‘the mainstream social ethic’. Although zoos are transitioning from entertainment venues to conservation actors, many cetacean (whale and dolphin) facilities present the animals in unnatural-looking enclosures and entertainment-driven contexts. But what is the ‘mainstream social ethic’ regarding cetacean facilities, and what might it mean for the industry’s future? The evidence is first reviewed on cetacean welfare and the purported purposes for displaying cetaceans in the past and present. The mainstream social ethic is then defined, suggesting we may be at a crossroads for this industry. Welfare has improved in the last decades but could be further enhanced through providing more choice and control in cetaceans’ environments, particularly in enrichment, training and social groupings. Sanctuary settings provide a potential environment with more choice and control, but are still in the very initial stages of development. Fundamental, structural changes to the mission, presentation of the cetaceans and business model seem to be needed to realign the public display of cetaceans with the mainstream social ethic of the times.
Impact of Meteorological Factors on the Mesoscale Morphology of Cloud Streets during a Cold-Air Outbreak over the Western North Atlantic
Authors: Chen Jingyi , Wang Hailong , Li Xiangyu , Painemal David , Sorooshian Armin , Thornhill Kenneth Lee , Robinson Claire , Shingler Taylor
Published: July 2022

Postfrontal clouds (PFC) are ubiquitous in the marine boundary layer, and their morphology is essential to estimating the radiation budget in weather and climate models. Here we examine the roles of sea surface temperature (SST) and meteorological factors in controlling the mesoscale morphology and evolution of shallow clouds associated with a cold-air outbreak that occurred on 1 March 2020 during phase I of the Aerosol Cloud Meteorology Interactions over the Western Atlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE). Our results show that the simulated PFC structure and ambient conditions by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model are generally consistent with observations from GOES-16 and dropsonde measurements. We also examine the thermodynamical and dynamical influences in the cloud mesoscale morphology using WRF sensitivity experiments driven by two meteorological forcing datasets with different domain-mean SST and spatial gradients, which lead to dissimilar values of hydrometeor water path and cloud core fraction. The SST from ERA5 leads to weaker stability and higher inversion height than the SST from FNL does. In addition, the use of large-scale meteorological forcings from ERA5 yields a distinctive time evolution of wind direction shear in the inner domain, which favors the formation and persistence of longer cloud rolls. Both factors contribute to a change in the time evolution of domain-mean water path and cloud core fraction of cloud streets. Our study takes advantage of the simulation driven by the differences between two large-scale forcing datasets to illustrate the importance of SST and wind direction shear in the cloud street morphology in a realistic scenario.
Response of Meridional Wind to Greenhouse Gas Forcing, Arctic Sea-Ice Loss, and Arctic Amplification
Authors: Chen Xiaodan , Dai Aiguo
Published: July 2022

Under increasing greenhouse gases, the Arctic warms about twice as fast as elsewhere, known as Arctic amplification (AA). AA weakens meridional temperature gradients and is hypothesized to weaken zonal wind and cause wavier circulation with stronger meridional wind (υ) over northern mid-to-high latitudes. Here model simulations are analyzed to examine the υ response to increased CO2 and AA alone. Total υ changes are found to be dominated by the effect of increased CO2 without AA, with a zonal wavenumber-4 (wavenumber-3) change pattern over the northern (southern) extratropics that generally enhances current υ and results partly from changes in zonal temperature gradients. The extratropical υ change patterns are quasi-barotropic and are more pronounced during boreal winter. The CO2 forcing also causes baroclinic υ changes over the tropics tied to convection changes. The impact of AA on υ is mainly over the northern extratropics and is opposite to the effect of increased CO2 but with smaller magnitude. An eastward shift (∼5° longitude) and an amplitude increase (∼1 m s−1) in the climatology of the northerlies over Europe caused mainly by CO2 forcing contribute to the drying in southern Europe, while both AA and CO2 forcing enhance the climatology of the northerlies over East Asia. Over the northern mid-to-high latitudes, Arctic sea ice loss and AA enhance the land–ocean thermal contrast in winter, while increased CO2 alone weakens it, resulting in opposite changes in zonal temperature gradients and thus υ. Different warming rates over land and ocean also contribute to the intermodel spread in υ response patterns among climate models.

Significance Statement

Meridional wind (υ) greatly contributes to thermal and moisture advection due to large meridional gradients in these fields. It is hypothesized that the enhanced Arctic warming under anthropogenic global warming could weaken meridional temperature gradients, decelerate westerly jets, and cause wavier circulation with stronger υ over northern extratropics. Using novel climate model simulations, we found that the effect of increased CO2 without AA determines the total υ changes. AA generally weakens the climatological υ, contrary to the direct effect of increased CO2. The υ changes are small relative to its climatology but may have large impacts on regional climate over central Europe, East Asia, and interior North America. More research is needed to examine the mechanisms causing regional υ changes.
Trends in Billing and Medicare Reimbursement for In-Office Cerumen Removal by Otolaryngologists and Other Providers
Authors: Patel Rahul A. , Torabi Sina J. , Kasle David A. , Kayastha Darpan , Peter Manes R.
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

To analyze trends in billing patterns, Medicare reimbursement, and practice-setting for otolaryngologists (ORLs) and other provider types performing in-office cerumen removal.

Methods:

This retrospective study included data on Medicare-billing providers from the Medicare Part B: Provider Utilization and Payment Datafiles (2012-2018). Number of providers performing in-office cerumen removal, total sums and medians for Medicare reimbursements and services, and services per patient were gathered along with geographic distributions.

Results:

There have been near linear declines in number of general physicians and other provider types performing cerumen extractions with 42.6% and 40.7% declines, respectively, and near linear growth in number of ORLs and advanced practice providers (APPs) with 9.7% and 51.1% growth, respectively. At the median, general physicians, APPs, and other provider types have been billing for a similar and constant number of cerumen extractions per provider, while ORLs have seen a 10.6% increase. Total Medicare reimbursement to general physicians and other provider types has fallen 45.0% and 32.5%, respectively, and to ORLs and APPs has grown 16.9% and 103.4%, respectively. Compared to non-ORLs, ORLs tend to bill for cerumen extraction out of an urban setting rather than a rural setting (P < .001).

Conclusions:

General physicians and other provider types are increasingly referring cerumen disimpaction patients to ORL physicians and allowing APPs to perform these procedures, indicating a change in landscape of medical practice among these providers. General physicians may be filling a need in the rural setting, where there are fewer ORLs practicing.
Participatory Methods to Develop Health Education for PW-SCI: Perspectives on Occupational Justice
Authors: Abu Mostafa Moussa K. , Plastow Nicola A. , Savin-Baden Maggi
Published: July 2022

Background. Many people with spinal cord injury (PW-SCI) in the Gaza Strip in Palestine are discharged from inpatient rehabilitation with limitations in their ability to meet basic needs, and reach their full potential. There is limited evidence of how clinicians can promote occupational justice for PW-SCI. Purpose. To describe participants’ perspectives revealed during a participatory action research (PAR) process used to develop an education manual for PW-SCI in Gaza, using Participatory Occupational Justice as a lens. Methods. Following ethical approval, a four-step PAR design was utilized by eight researchers to co-construct the Spinal Cord Injury Activities of Daily Living—education Manual with 54 participants from SCI rehabilitation settings in Gaza. Qualitative data from eight focus groups were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Findings. Two main themes were evident in the participants’ viewpoints: Enabling occupational justice and Removing barriers to occupational justice. Implications. Occupational justice is a central value that needs to be considered when developing occupational therapy educational interventions for this client group. PW-SCI health education may facilitate occupational justice in practical and culturally relevant ways when participatory methods are used to develop educational resources.
Simultaneous Late, Late-Onset Group B Streptococcal Meningitis in Identical Twins
Authors: Sherman Gilad , Lamb Gabriella S. , Platt Craig D. , Wessels Michael R. , Chochua Sopio , Nakamura Mari M.
Published: July 2022

To our knowledge, late, late-onset group B streptococcal (GBS) meningitis in identical twins has yet to be reported. We describe a case of 14-week-old twins who developed fever hours apart and presented simultaneously to the emergency department 2 days later with seizures. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures from both infants were positive for GBS. Their clinical courses were highly similar, with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrating ventriculitis and subdural empyema, complicated by clinical and subclinical seizures requiring quadruple antiepileptic treatment. The CSF was sterile for both on follow-up lumbar puncture 48 hours after the initial positive CSF culture. Both showed marked improvement on antimicrobial and antiepileptic therapy, with fever resolving after 5 days of therapy, control of seizures, and slowly improving MRI findings. Twin A received a 6-week course of penicillin, whereas twin B received 6 weeks plus an additional 10 days due to persistent left cochlear enhancement consistent with labyrinthitis. Evaluation for an underlying primary immunodeficiency was negative. Genomic analysis revealed that the patients’ CSF GBS isolates were essentially identical and of capsular polysaccharide serotype Ia.
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Learning Disabilities Modify Recovery and Sport Behavior Following Sport-Related Concussion
Authors: Pullen Jesse C. , Wolfson Daniel I. , Totten Douglas J. , Jeckell Aaron S. , Bonfield Christopher M. , Zuckerman Scott L. , Yengo-Kahn Aaron M.
Published: July 2022

Limited evidence exists concerning how a diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and/or learning disabilities (ADHD/LD) modifies recovery and behavior following sport-related concussion (SRC). To understand how ADHD/LD modifies the post-SRC experience, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of concussed young athletes through phone interviews with patients and guardians. Outcomes included time until symptom resolution (SR) and return-to-learn (RTL), plus subjective changes in post-SRC activity and sports behavior. Multivariate Cox and logistic regression was performed, adjusting for biopsychosocial characteristics. The ADHD/LD diagnosis was independently associated with worse outcomes, including lower likelihood to achieve SR (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.41-0.94]; P = .02) and RTL (HR = 0.55, 95% CI = [0.36-0.83]; P < .01) at any time following injury, and increased odds of changing sport behavior after concussion (odds ratio [OR] = 3.26, 95% CI = [1.26-8.42], P = .02), often to a safer style of play (62.5% vs 39.6%; P = .02) or retiring from the sport (37.5% vs 18.5%; P = .02). These results provide further evidence of the unique needs for athletes with ADHD/LD following SRC.