bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Why Healthy Pine Seedlings Die After They Leave the Nursery
Authors: South David B. , Starkey Tom E , Lyons Al
Published: February 2023

Artificial regeneration is successful when high performing seedlings are transported with care to the planting site, stored for a short period in an environment without desiccation or fungal growth, and are planted in a deep hole so roots are in contact with moist soil. One of the requirements for success is the ability to avoid common planting mistakes. Due, in part, to use of container stock plus an increase in rainfall, average 1st year survival of pine seedlings (89%) in the southern United States is about 15% greater now than 45 years ago. However, when survival is less than 50% six months after planting, some landowners seek reimbursement for their loss. Some assume poor seedling quality was the cause without realizing that anaerobic soils or sudden freeze events or shallow planting holes or pruning roots, a lack of rain, or underground insects can kill pines. With a focus on pines planted in the southern United States, we list non-nursery factors that have killed seedlings in North America, Africa and Europe.
Application of Nucleic Acid-Based Strategies to Detect Infectious Pathogens in Orthopaedic Implant-Related Infection
Authors: McClure Emily Ann , Werth Paul , Ross Benjamin , Gitajn Ida Leah
Published: February 2023

➤ Implant-associated infection in orthopaedic surgery remains an enormous and largely unsolved clinical problem with a high rate of persistent or recurrent infection. This may be due, at least in part, to the potential for underdiagnosis by traditional microbial culture or the potential for culture to incompletely identify the microbial species present.

➤ Nucleic acid-based diagnostic techniques, focused on using the diagnostic information contained in DNA or RNA to identify microbial species, have been developing rapidly and have garnered escalating interest for both clinical and research applications.

➤ Commonly applied techniques include end-point polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR, Sanger sequencing, and next-generation sequencing. Understanding the specific strengths and weaknesses of each technique is critical to understanding their utility, applying the correct assessment strategy, and critically understanding and interpreting research.

➤ The best practices for interpreting nucleic acid-based diagnostic techniques include considering positive and negative controls, reads per sample, detection thresholds (for differentiating contaminants from positive results), and the primer set or targeted regions.
No Increased Risk of Nonunion with Bisphosphonate Use in a Medicare Claims Cohort Following Operatively Treated Long-Bone Fractures
Authors: Thorne Tyler J. , Steffenson Lillia , O’Neill Dillon C. , Marchand Lucas S. , Martin Brook I. , Haller Justin M.
Published: February 2023

Background:

The diagnosis of a fragility fracture represents an important intervention event for the initiation of medical osteoporosis treatments. However, it is unclear if osteoporosis medications increase the risk of nonunion if administered in the setting of acute fracture. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether bisphosphonates or selective estrogen receptor modulators/hormone replacement therapy (SERM/HRT) are associated with nonunion following fracture in a Medicare population.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of Medicare claims from 2016 to 2019 was performed to identify patients ≥65 years of age who had a surgically treated long-bone fracture as identified with Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes and International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes. Successive claims were linked for each beneficiary through 1 year following the fracture to determine fracture union status. Multivariable logistic regression models were specified to identify the association between medications and fracture union status while controlling for age, sex, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and fracture type.

Results:

Of the 111,343 included fractures, 10,452 (9.4%) were associated with a diagnosis of nonunion within 1 year. The nonunion group was younger (79.8 ± 8.3 versus 80.6 ± 8.4 years; p < 0.001), more likely to be White (92.4% versus 90.9%; p < 0.001), and more likely to have a CCI of ≥2 (50.9% versus 49.4%; p < 0.001). Bisphosphonate use was more common in the nonunion group (12.2% versus 11.4%; p = 0.017). When controlling for race, age, sex, and CCI, neither bisphosphonates (OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.99 to 1.12]; p = 0.101) nor SERM/HRT (OR, 1.13 [0.93 to 1.36]; p = 0.218) were associated with nonunion. Bisphosphonate use within 90 days post-fracture was not significantly associated with nonunion (OR, 0.94 [95% CI, 0.86 to 1.03]; p = 0.175), and the timing of medication administration did not influence fracture union status.

Conclusions:

The rate of nonunion after operatively treated long-bone fractures was 9.4%. In this cohort, use of a bisphosphonate or SERM/HRT was not associated with fracture union status at 1 year. Orthopaedic surgeons should not withhold or delay initiating medical therapies for osteoporosis in the setting of acute fracture out of concern for nonunion.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
ANALISIS FACTORIAL CONFIRMATORIO (SEM) Y SEMICOMFIRMATORIO (ESEM) DE UNA VERSIÓN BREVE DEL BIG FIVE INVENTORY EN DROGODEPENDIENTES PERUANOS
Authors: Caycho Caja Aaron
Published: February 2023

Diversas publicaciones brindan respaldo a la evaluación de la personalidad desde cinco grandes dimensiones analizadas a través de instrumentos psicométricos como el BFI; no obstante, no existen muchos estudios validados en pacientes drogodependientes, a pesar de la necesidad de contar con estudios de este tipo. Objetivo. Se analizó y comparó la estructura y consistencia interna del BFI y una forma breve sin ítem inversos (BFI 28) mediante el uso del enfoque SEM y ESEM. Método. Se examinaron las propiedades del BFI para posteriormente, retirar los ítems inversos y evaluar la calidad del BFI 28 entre los dos enfoques. Resultados. El ESEM del BFI señaló problemas en su estructura latente (ICF < 0.80) y baja consistencia interna en Extraversión. No obstante, el BFI 28 mejoró cualitativamente y evidenció favorable bondad de ajuste e ICF > 0.80 tanto en el enfoque SEM y ESEM, solo que el ESEM mostró coeficientes omega < .70 en Responsabilidad y Extraversión. Conclusiones. la presencia de los ítems inversos afecta la estructura y consistencia del BFI. Asimismo, el BFI y el BFI 28 se ven influenciados por las características clínicas, educativas o socioeconómicas de la muestra cuando no son similares a las usualmente estudiadas.
Actitudes hacia el uso del condón y uso del condón en adultos mayores residentes de Monterrey Nuevo León, México
Authors: Gómez-Melasio Dafne Astrid , Onofre-Rodríguez Dora Julia , Trujillo-Hernández Pedro Enrique , Rodríguez-Vázquez Nancy , Hernández-Torres José Luis , Lara-Reyes Braulio Josué
Published: February 2023

Introducción: El uso del condón es efectivo para prevenir Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual. Se han identificado cifras bajas de uso en adultos mayores. Lo cual puede ser atribuible a diversas actitudes negativas.

Objetivo: Conocer las actitudes hacia el uso del condón, la relación que existe entre estas y las características sociodemográficas, y entre el uso del condón en el último encuentro sexual en adultos mayores.

Métodos: Estudio correlacional conformado por 110 adultos mayores residentes de Monterrey, Nuevo León. Se empleo un muestreo virtual.

Resultados: Se encontraron actitudes negativas de los efectos sobre la experiencia sexual, promiscuidad e inhibición en una cuarta parte de los participantes. Y actitudes positivas en las actitudes globales, el impacto interpersonal y la relación segura en la mayoría de los participantes. Se encontró asociación entre estado civil y efectos sobre la experiencia sexual (p = 0,012). No se encontró asociación entre el uso del condón en el último encuentro sexual y las actitudes.

Conclusión: Se encontraron más actitudes positivas que negativas, situación que no es congruente con la baja frecuencia de uso del condón en el último encuentro sexual, reflejando la importancia de futuras investigaciones que permitan explorar otros factores involucrados para el desarrollo de la conducta.
Macroeconomic Factors and the Prospects of Economic Prosperity in a Developing Economy: Evidence from Dynamic ARDL Simulations and KRLS Techniques
Authors: Aladejare Samson Adeniyi
Published: February 2023

This study simulated the counterfactual shock effects of inflation and exchange rates on economic prosperity (measured by GDP per capita) when considering deficit financing, foreign investment, and financial development for Nigeria from 1970 to 2020. Empirical inferences were derived by applying the novel dynamic ARDL and the Kernel regularised least squares models. Applying both techniques enabled the response of economic prosperity to future counterfactual shocks to the inflation and exchange rate variables. It was observed that inflationary shocks might have long-term beneficial effects on economic prosperity; however, shocks to the exchange rate will erode these benefits. Findings also showed that inflation rate and deficit financing adversely impacted short and long-term economic wealth. Contemporaneously, the exchange rate and financial development only benefited economic prosperity in the long term, while foreign investment was ineffectual. The study also proposed several policy measures.
Anisotropic resistance with a 90o twist in a ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal, Co2MnGa
Authors: Quirk Nicholas , Cheng Guangming , Manna Kaustuv , Felser Claudia , Yao Nan , Ong N. Phuan
Published: February 2023

Co2MnGa is a ferromagnetic semimetal with Weyl nodal lines identified by ARPES. We studied electrical transport in thin Co2MnGa lamellae (10 x 10 x 0.4-5 μm) cut from single-crystals using a focused ion beam. These crystals exhibit an unexpected and highly unusual planar resistance anisotropy (10X) with principal axes that rotate by 90o between the upper and lower faces. Using symmetry arguments and simulations, we find that the observed resistance anisotropy resembles that of an isotropic conductor with anisotropic surface states that are impeded from hybridization with bulk states. The origin of these states awaits further experiments that can correlate the surface bands with the observed 90o-twist geometry.
Photodegradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol on Ag3PO4 crystals treated at different temperatures
Authors: Noleto Luis F. G. , Vieira Vitória E. M. , Lopes Francisco H. P. , Ribeiro Lara K. , Dantas Taisa C. M. , Gusmão Gustavo O. M. , Luz Geraldo E
Published: February 2023

The incorrect disposal of medicines can trigger an imbalance in the ecosystem of rivers and lakes, as well as human and animal health. Therefore, the heterogeneous photocatalysis technique is a promising technology to minimize or even eliminate these pollutants from aquatic systems. Silver phosphate crystals (Ag3PO4) have excellent photocatalytic and bactericidal properties. For the synthesis of crystals of silver phosphate, the method of preparation used was precipitation at room temperature, followed by heat treatment at 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ºC for six h. The X-ray Diffraction data show structures with excellent crystallinity, remaining even after temperature variation. Scanning electron microscopy images exhibited a variation in the morphology of the materials with increasing temperature. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy revealed the materials optical band energy values ranging from 2.33 to 2.41 eV. On the other hand, the Raman and Infrared spectra showed a reduction in the bands referring to the phosphate groups. The Ag3PO4 crystals heat treated at 200 and 500 ºC showed the better performance for the photodegradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) with highest kinetic constant (7.42x10− 3 min− 1) and TOF (3.11x10− 4 min − 1) values for photocatalyst test carried out on crystals heat treated at 200 ºC.
Hypnosis to reduce fear of falling in hospitalized older adults: a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Authors: Cuvelier Clémence , Hars Mélany , Zamorani-Bianchi Maria Pia , Herrmann Francois R. , Wieczorkiewicz Catherine Ducharne , Zekry Dina , Gold Gabriel , Trombetti Andrea
Published: February 2023

Background: Fear of falling is associated with numerous negative health outcomes in older adults and can limit the rehabilitation process. Hypnosis is now recognized as an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, especially anxiety and pain, which can be integrated safely with conventional medicine. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a hypnosis intervention in hospitalized older adults to reduce fear of falling.
Methods: In this pilot feasibility randomized controlled trial, thirty-two older patients, hospitalized in geriatric rehabilitation wards, were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to either an intervention group (hypnosis, 2 sessions, one per week, plus usual rehabilitation program) or a control group (usual rehabilitation program only). Clinical assessors and statistician were blinded to group allocation. Primary outcomes were recruitment rate, retention rate and adherence to the intervention. Exploratory outcomes, analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle, included impact of hypnosis on fear of falling (assessed by a new scale perform-FES), functional status, in-hospital falls, and length of hospital stay.
Results: Of the 57 patients screened, 32 were randomized: 15 in the intervention group and 17 in the control group. Recruitment rate was 1.3 patients per week. The recruitment of the population sample was achieved in 5.5 months. The retention rate did not differ significantly between groups and a good adherence to the hypnosis intervention was achieved (77% of patients received the full intervention). No adverse event related to the hypnosis intervention was observed. Regarding exploratory clinical outcomes, no differences were found between groups on any outcome.
Conclusion: Hypnosis is feasible and well accepted in a geriatric hospitalized population undergoing rehabilitation. Further pilot work should be conducted, with an increased number of hypnosis sessions, before conducting a full-scale trial to conclude whether or not hypnosis is effective to reduce fear of falling.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04726774. Registered 27 january 2021, retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT04726774
Funding: Geneva University Hospitals, Research and Development Project (9-2018-I)
Technical and Economical Assessment of the Treatment of Vinasse from Pisco Production Using the Advanced Oxidation Process
Authors: Poblete Rodrigo , Bakit José
Published: February 2023

The removal of organic matter from Pisco production wastewater was evaluated using coagulation/flocculation, filtration as a pre-treatment and solar photo-Fenton, with the use of two types of photoreactors: compound parabolic collectors (CPC) and flat plate (FP), with and without utilising the ozonation process. The overall removal efficiency for COD was 63% and 15% using FP and CPC, respectively. Also, for the overall removal efficiency of polyphenols, a percentage of 73% and 43% were obtained using FP and CPC, respectively. When ozone was used in the solar photoreactors, the resulting trends were similar. COD and polyphenol removal, using an FP photoreactor in the solar photo-Fenton/O3 process, resulted in values of 98.8% and 86.2% after the process. COD and polyphenol removal, using solar photo-Fenton/O3 process in a CPC, resulted in values of 49.5% and 72.4%, respectively. The economic indicators of annual worth and economic treatment capacity established that FP reactors represent lower costs than CPCs. These results were corroborated by the economic analyses of the evolution of costs versus COD removed as well as by the cash flow diagrams projected for 5, 10 and 15 years.
Circulating tumor cells in ovarian cancer patients as a cellular marker for early detection of ovarian cancer in asymptomatic patients
Authors: Sheleby Mohammed Hussein , Sanoh Noura E. , Gad Mohammed Salama , Alhalaby Alaaeldein Fathallah , Salem Mohamed Labib
Published: February 2023

Purpose
Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death among gynecologic cancers worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify and enumerate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in OC patients and correlate their numbers with the clinical outcomes.
Methods
we enrolled patients diagnosed with suspected OC based on history, ultrasound criteria, and tumor markers. Complete clinical examination, abdominal and pelvic ultrasonography, serum CA125, and risk of malignancy index (RMI) were recorded. The percentage of CTCs was analyzed using flow cytometry based on the following phenotypes CD105+, CD24+, CD117+, and Epcam+.
Results
CTCs were found in 100% of patients with primary OC and no CTCs were found in secondary or borderline OC. The mean of CTC numbers in all patients was 0.12 ± 0.11 cells/µl. The highest number of CTCs was observed among the malignant patients; A highly statistically significant (p-value < 0.001) positive correlation (r = 0.55) was found between CTCs and FIGO, between CTCs and RMI (r = 0.53; p-value < 0.001), and CTCs and CA-125 (r = 0.42; p-value < 0.001). The CTCs count allowed to distinguish between early and late FIGO stage at a cutoff level of > 0.82 cells/µl, with 66.7% sensitivity, 90.9% specificity, 88% PPV and 73.2% NPV (AUC = 0.65 & p-value = 0.076).
Conclusion
CTCs can be used as a cellular marker for the early detection of OC.
Increased expression and immune cell infiltration of E2F1/2 collerate with better prognosis in thyroid cancer
Authors: chen han
Published: February 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the expression of E2Fs gene family in thyroid cancer(THCA) patients, and systematically analyze the relationship between E2Fs gene and immune cell infiltration and prognosis of THCA patients. Methods: We utilized the UALCAN, cBioPortal, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, Human Protein Atlas, GEPIA, Metascape, Linkedomics and TIMER online databases to explore the transcription level, protein level, genetic alteration and the biological functions of E2Fs, and its relationship with the prognosis and infiltration of immune cell in thyroid cancer patients.
Results: ① The expressions of E2F1/7 were significantly increased in the tumor group, while the expressions of E2F4/5 were greatly decreased. ②The mutation rate of E2Fs was 32.93% in patients with THCA, and the mutation of E2Fs was significantly associated with shorter disease-specific survival (P=0.0187) and progression-free survival (P=0.0147). ③Higher expression in transcription and protein levels of E2F1 (HR=0.15, 95%CI: 0.05-0.47, P=0.00015) and E2F2 (HR=37, 95%CI: 0.14-1.00, P= 0.041) were significantly associated with longer overall survival of THCA patients. ④The expression level of E2F1 was positively correlated with infiltration of B cells (Cor = 0.156, p =5.69e-4) and CD8+ T cells (Cor = 0.096, p = 3.35e-2). The expression level of E2F2 was positively correlated with infiltration of B cells (Cor = 0.433, p =2.01e-2), CD8+ T cells (Cor = 0.296, p =2.55e-11), CD4+ T cells (Cor = 0.213, p =1.97e-6), Macrophages (Cor = 0.277, p =4.94e-10), neutrophils (Cor = 0.362, p =1.35e-16) and dendritic cells (Cor = 0.479, p =3.98e-29).
Conclusions: E2F1/2 were potential the prognostic markers of THCA patients. Their functions may be related to cell cycle and DNA replication signaling pathways, and promoting multiple immune cell infiltration.
Multidimensional Intelligences Model as a predictor for coming out acceptance and growth among LGB non-migrant Hispanics: A pilot study
Authors: Esteban Caleb , Ramos-Pibernus Alixida , González-Rivera Juan A. , Mattei-Torres Edna , Hernández-López Eddiel
Published: February 2023

The coming out process has biopsychosocial components that occur whenever a lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) person shares their sexual orientation with another person. It is a complex and difficult process, but it has been described as an essential component for identity formation and integration. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess a Multidimensional Intelligences Model (MIM) (Body, Emotional, Social, and Ecological Intelligences) as predictor of the coming out acceptance (COA) and growth (COG).The objectives of this study were to 1) examine if MIM can predict COA and COG among LGB individuals; and 2) determine differences in the MIM between the four stratified groups (lesbian women, bisexual women, gay men, bisexual men). This pilot study had a quantitative method with an exploratory cross-sectional design. A total of 67 LGB participants completed an online survey. The results shows that the MIM could not predict the COA. However, the MIM could predict the COG and explained 20.6% of the variance. We believe this can be explained because in the COA people do not have control of how other people can feel and react. However, in the COG the person could have full self-control of their own growth.
PCR-Based Detection of the Honeybee Tracheal Mite (Acarapis woodi) in Türkiye
Authors: AKPINAR Rahşan KOÇ , SEVİM Ali , Sevim Elif , KAYA Selma , TÜRLEK Şakir Önder , AYDIN Coşkun , KARAOĞLU Şengül Alpay , ÇELİK Sema Nur , BOZDEVECİ Arif , GÜVEN Gökhan , KÜÇÜKOĞLU Bilal , Yaldız Murat , AYDIN İsmail
Published: February 2023

Acarapis woodi (Rennie, 1921) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) is one of the mites that settles in the respiratory system of honeybees (Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)) and distributed throughout the world. It causes significant economic losses on honey production. In Türkiye, studies on the existence of A. woodi are very limited and so far, no studies on the molecular diagnosis and phylogenetic of it have been reported in Türkiye. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of A. woodi in Türkiye, especially in areas where beekeeping is intense. Diagnosis of A. woodi was performed using both microscopic and molecular methods using specific PCR primers. Adult honeybee samples were collected from 1.193 hives in 40 provinces of Türkiye between 2018 and 2019. Based on identification studies, the presence of A. woodi was detected in a total of 3 hives (0.5%) in 2018 and 4 hives (0.7%) in 2019. This is the first report for determination of A. woodi in Türkiye.
Biowaste derived sustainable carbon aerogels/polyvinylidene fluoride composites for effective removal of organic pollutants/oils
Authors: Zhu Lin , Zheng Wenjing , Xie Hongbo , Zhang Kan
Published: February 2023

The sustainable low cost carbon aerogels (CA) derived from biowaste have wide application prospects in the environment and energy field. Due to the inherent fragility, the practical application of CA in removal of pollutants is limited. To address this issue, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) was introduced into CA which was derived from pomelo peels. The CA/PVDF composites were prepared with solvent exchange by soaking CA in PVDF solutions with different concentrations. The influence of PVDF solution concentration on the internal morphology and hydrophobicity of the CA/PVDF composites were investigated. Static adsorption experiments showed that CA/PVDF composites had good adsorption ability for many common organic solvents and oils, and the adsorption ability decreased with the increase of the concentration of PVDF. The adsorption-desorption-regeneration cycle experiments showed that CA/PVDF composites had good reuse and regeneration. In addition, the adsorption properties of CA/PVDF composites as an adsorbent on phenol in aqueous solution were appraised. The results indicated that the kinetic data of the adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the experimental equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 13.09 mg/g.
Long-term treatment by mepolizumab reduces the relapse rate in patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Authors: Masumoto Nami , Oshikata Chiyako , Nakadegawa Ryo , Motobayashi Yuto , Osada Reeko , Manabe Saki , Kaneko Takeshi , Tsurikisawa Naomi
Published: February 2023

Background: The mainstay of treatment for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is systemic corticosteroid therapy; some patients also receive intravenous immunoglobulins, other immunosuppressive agents, and biologics. Mepolizumab, an anti-interleukin-5 monoclonal antibody, in EGPA patients induces remission and decreases the daily dose of corticosteroids; however, the prognosis of long-term mepolizumab treatment for EGPA and its clinical efficacy are unknown.
Methods: Seventy-one EGPA patients were treated at Hiratsuka City Hospital, Japan, between April 2018 and March 2022. We administered mepolizumab for mean 2.8±1.7 years to 43 patients in whom remission could not be induced by conventional treatment. After excluding 18 patients who received mepolizumab for less than 3 years, we classified 15 patients in the “super-responder group” (the daily dose of corticosteroids or another immunosuppressant could be decreased, or the interval between IVIG treatments could be prolonged) and 10 patients in the “responder group” (neither of these changes could be achieved). Eosinophil numbers, serum IgG levels, daily doses of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants, the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), and relapse frequency before and after mepolizumab initiation were determined.
Results: Eosinophil numbers at diagnosis or the lowest serum IgG level before mepolizumab treatment were higher in the super-responder group than in the responder group (p < 0.05). In the super-responder group, the prednisolone dose at last visit after mepolizumab initiation was lower than before treatment (p < 0.01) and in the responder group (p < 0.01). In both groups, the number of peripheral blood eosinophils and BVAS decreased after starting mepolizumab compared to before treatment (P < 0.01). BVAS before mepolizumab (p < 0.05) and at the last visit (p < 0.01) in the super-responder group were lower than in the responder group. Relapse rates every year after the start of mepolizumab were lower in the super-responder group than in the responder group (p <0.01). Relapse rates decreased during the 3 years following initiation of mepolizumab treatment (p <0.05) and at the last visit (p <0.01) compared with those at the start of mepolizumab treatment.
Conclusions: Treatment with mepolizumab in the super-responder group durably reduced the relapse rate.
Dynamical control enables the formation of demixed biomolecular condensates
Authors: Pappu Rohit , Lin Andrew , Ruff Kiersten , Jalihal Ameya , Dar Furqan , King Matthew , Lalmansingh Jared , Posey Ammon , Seim Ian , Gladfelter Amy
Published: February 2023

Macromolecular phase separation underlies the regulated formation and dissolution of biomolecular condensates. What is unclear is how condensates of distinct and shared macromolecular compositions form and coexist within cellular milieus. Here, we use theory and computation to establish thermodynamic criteria that must be satisfied to achieve compositionally distinct condensates. We applied these criteria to an archetypal ribonucleoprotein condensate and discovered that demixing into distinct protein-RNA condensates cannot be the result of purely thermodynamic considerations. Instead, demixed, compositionally distinct condensates arise due to asynchronies in timescales that emerge from differences in long-lived protein-RNA and RNA-RNA crosslinks. This type of dynamical control is also found to be active in live cells whereby asynchronous production of molecules is required for realizing demixed protein-RNA condensates. We find that interactions that exert dynamical control provide a versatile and generalizable way to influence the compositions of coexisting condensates in live cells.
Untargeted metabolomics analysis of differences in metabolite levels in congenital heart disease of varying severity
Authors: Li Yahong , Sun Yun , Yang Peiying , Wang Xin , Zhang Xiaojuan , Hu Ping , Jiang Tao , Xu Zhengfeng
Published: February 2023

Background
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is characterized by various phenotypes, however, differences in metabolic profiles associated with CHD of various severity have not been elucidated. In this study, differences in metabolite concentrations among mild, moderate, and severe forms of CHD were explored, providing novel clues for our understanding of the mechanism of CHD.
Methods
Maternal amniotic fluid samples from fetuses with mild (n = 15), moderate (n = 7), and severe (n = 29) CHD lesions were analyzed by GC-TOF/MS. PCA, PLS-DA, and differential metabolite analysis among these three groups were conducted.
Results
PCA and PLS-DA models showed that metabolic profiles were comparable among CHD of different severity. Significant differences between mild and moderate CHD lesions were observed in the levels of gluconolactone, ornithine, threonine, sorbose, pentadecanoic acid, and the uric acid/xanthine ratio. Of these six differential metabolites, gluconolactone (r = 0.469, P = 0.028), sorbose (r = 0.577, P = 0.005) and the uric acid/xanthine ratio (r = 0.438, P = 0.041) were positively correlated with moderate CHD lesions, while ornithine (r=-0.531, P = 0.011), threonine (r=-0.546, P = 0.009), and pentadecanoic acid (r=-0.454, P = 0.034) were negatively associated. We found 9 differential metabolites between mild and severe CHD lesions, among which the alpha-ketoisovaleric acid/valine ratio (r=-0.383, P = 0.010), gluconolactone (r = 0.391, P = 0.009), and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (r = 0.342, P = 0.023) were correlated with severe CHD lesions. Only sorbose showed significant differences between moderate and severe CHD lesions, and was negatively associated with severe CHD lesions (r=-0.341, P = 0.042).
Conclusions
Compared with mild CHD, specific differences were observed in metabolites or metabolite ratios in moderate and severe CHD lesions of CHD, several of which were significantly correlated with CHD severity. These results can help to understand the metabolic status of the affected fetus and provide new possibilities for exploring the pathological mechanism of CHD.
Factors Impacting On The Decision Of Graduate Entry Medical School Students To Pursue A Career In Obstetrics And Gynecology in Ireland
Authors: Spain Eimear , Tumelty Mary , Hannigan Ailish , Cinnamond Kaitlyn , Cheema Ayesha , Cotter Amanda
Published: February 2023

Background: Challenges in recruiting appropriately trained obstetricians and gynaecologists have been identified across the world. Given well documented staff shortages within obstetrics and gynaecology in Ireland, it is increasingly important to understand the factors which influence medical students to choose or reject a career in the speciality. The aim of this study was to ascertain the perceptions of final year graduate entry medical students of obstetrics and gynaecology, including the factors which may influence a student’s decision to pursue in a career in the speciality.
Methods: Paper-based surveys of graduate entry medical students (n = 146) were conducted at the beginning and end of a six week rotation in obstetrics and gynaecology in Ireland. Responses to the surveys pre- and post-rotation were matched and changes in career choices, merits and demerits over time were analysed. All analysis was conducted using SPSS for Windows version 25.
Results: The responses of 72 students to both questionnaires could be matched (response rate of 49.3%). No male students expressed an interest in obstetrics, gynaecology or both as a first choice of career in the pre rotation survey. Obstetrics as a first choice of career increased from 6.9% pre rotation to 19.4% post rotation (p=0.04) and this increase was seen in male and female students. Gynaecology as a first choice increased slightly from 1.4% to 4.2% (p=0.50) and the dual speciality increased from 6.9% to 13.9% (p=0.23).
Students identified many merits of obstetrics pre-rotation with more than 60% identifying it as exciting, interesting fulfilling and challenging. However, incompatibility with family life was cited as a demerit by 72% of respondents and 68.1% identified fear of litigation as a demerit. Participants were less positive overall about the merits of a career in gynaecology with less than 40% viewing it as exciting, fulfilling, and varied.
Conclusions:While respondents were positive about the merits of a career in obstetrics and gynecology, concerns remain about work-life balance, career opportunities, and the high-risk nature of the specialty. These concerns should be addressed by the profession and policy makers if they wish to attract sufficient numbers to address anticipated need in the coming years. Gender differences in speciality choice were also evident. If males are to be recruited into obstetrics and gynaecology, consideration should be given to the positive impact of internship.
Existence of Solutions for Two-point Integral Boundary Value Problems with Impulses
Authors: Georgiev Svetlin G. , Tikare Sanket
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we investigate the existence of at least one solution and at least two nonnegative
solutions of impulsive di↵erential equations with the two-point integral boundary
conditions. We employ the recent fixed point theorems for the sum of two operators on
Banach spaces. The applicability of the results is illustrated through an example.
Both humoral and cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 are essential to prevent infection: a prospective study in a working vaccinated population from southern France
Authors: Graça Daisy , BRGLEZ Vesna , ALLOUCHE Jonathan , Ruetsch-Chelli Caroline , ZORZI Kévin , FERNANDEZ Céline , Teisseyre Maxime , CREMONI Marion , Pradier Christian , BENZAKEN Sylvia , Seitz-Polski Barbara
Published: February 2023

COVID-19 vaccines have significantly decreased the number severe cases of the disease but the virus circulation remains important and questions about the need of new vaccination campaigns remain unanswered. The individual’s protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection is most commonly measured by the level and the neutralizing capacity of antibodies produced against SARS-CoV-2. T cell response is a major contributor in viral infection and several studies have shown that cellular T cell response is crucial in fighting off SARS-CoV-2 infection. Actually, no threshold of protective immune response against SARS-CoV2 infection has been identified. To better understand SARS-CoV-2-mediated immunity we assessed both B cell (measuring anti-Spike IgG titer and neutralization capacity) and T cell (measuring IFNγ release assay after specific SARS-CoV2 stimulation) responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination with or without virus encounter in a cohort of 367 working volunteers. Vaccinated individuals who had previously been infected had a stronger and more lasting immunity in comparison to vaccinated individuals naïve to infection whose immunity started to decline three months after vaccination. IFNγ release ≥ 0.285 IU/mL and anti-Spike IgG antibodies ≥ 244 BAU/mL were associated with a sufficient immune response following vaccination preventing future infections. Individuals with comorbidities had a lower chance of reaching the protective thresholds of T cell and B cell responses as identified in multivariate analysis. A combine B cell and T cell analysis of immune responses to determine protective thresholds after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination will allow us to identify individuals in need of a booster vaccine dose, particularly in comorbid subjects.
Case Report:Spontaneous breathing and anesthetic management of patients with tracheomediastinal fistula during carotid stent removal
Authors: Li Jiahui , Wang Zhenyu , Liu Xiaolei , Liu Xiaoyan , Tang Jing , Li Zhiyi
Published: February 2023

Purpose: To report the anesthetic management in a patient with a tracheomediastinal fistula who underwent a successful internal carotid stent removal and cervical esophageal fistula debridement.
Clinical Features: A 58-yr-old man with a tracheomediastinal fistula was subjected to carotid stent removal and cervical esophageal debridement under general anesthesia. Blood tests showed mild anemia and hypoproteinemia, four coagulation items and normal electrocardiogram. Tracheoscopy revealed a tracheomediastinal fistula. The patient had a history of cerebral infarction after left middle cerebral artery stenting. To meet surgical requirements and allow the effective management of his airway, we used propofol and sufentanil for intravenous anesthesia, cervical plexus block and spontaneous breathing under intubation.
Conclusions: For this particular case, propofol and sufentanil intravenous anesthesia, coupled. With cervical plexus block and spontaneous breathing, met the surgical requirements and allowed the effective management of patient airway.
The impact of foreign direct investment on China's industrial carbon emissions based on the Threshold Model
Authors: Wang Chenggang , Liu Tiansen , Zhu Yue , Wang He , Zhao Shunyao , Liu Nan
Published: February 2023

In recent years, countries around the world are significantly increasing their awareness of environmental protection. With a continuous expansion of economic scale, many emerging markets are also sustainably enhancing their standards for industrial carbon emissions in foreign direct investment (FDI). Therefore, the impact of FDI on the host country's industrial carbon emissions has always been a hot topic of researches by scholars. This paper selects panel data of 30 medium and large cities in China from 2006 to 2019, combined with dynamic panel GMM estimation and panel threshold model, and empirically analyzes the impact factors of FDI on the host country’s industrial carbon emissions from the perspective of dual environmental management systems. This paper draws the following conclusions: When taking the formal and informal environmental management system factors as threshold variables into the empirical research process, only the FDI in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai shows a certain inhibitory effect on Chinese industrial carbon emissions. The FDI in other cities increases the scale of industrial carbon emissions. At the same time, in the formal environmental management system, FDI has no significant impact on Chinese industrial carbon emissions. It indicates that the formal environmental management system of each city is not effective in policy formulation or implementation, and it is not able to play the role of innovative compensation and forced emission reduction of the environmental management system. With the exception of Beijing and Shanghai, informal environmental management systems in other cities help curb the scale of industrial carbon emissions brought about by FDI.
Blood Biomarkers as Potential Malnutrition Screening Alternatives Among Adult Cancer Patients on Treatment in Oncology Unit of Jimma Tertiary Hospital: A Cross- Sectional Analysis
Authors: Enkobahry Aklesya , Sime Taiku , Dilnesa Sefie , Kene Kumsa , Matheos Tigist , Zawdie Belay
Published: February 2023

Background: Cancer is becoming the most common global public health concern. Early malnutrition detection and treatment in patients with cancer is an important aspect of cancer management. Although Subjective global assessment (SGA) is a gold standard nutritional assessment tool, it is not routinely utilized due to it is tedious and needs patient literacy. Thus, early detection of malnutrition necessitates alternative parameters comparable with SGA. Therefore this study aims to evaluate serum albumin, Total Protein (TP), and Hemoglobin (Hgb) and their correlation with malnutrition in patients with cancer at Jimma Medical Center (JMC).
Methods: Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from October 15 to December 15, 2021 G.C at JMC among a total of 176 adult patients with cancer selected via a systematic sampling technique. Nutritional status and behavioural data were collected using the SGA tool and a structured questionnaire. Five ml of venous blood was collected and the level of serum albumin, TP and Hgb were measured using Cobas®6000 chemistry analyzer and hematology analyzer UniCel DxH 800. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), and logistic regression analysis were implemented for analysis.
Result: From the total of 176 study participants, 69.3% were females and the mean age was 50.1±13.7 years. Based on SGA, 61.4% of the patients were malnourished. There was a significant decrease in the mean level of serum albumin, TP and Hgb in malnourished as compared to well-nourished patients. Serum albumin(r=-0.491), TP(r=-0.270), and Hgb (r=-0.451) had a significant correlation with SGA tool. Stage IV cancer AOR=4.98 (1.23-20.07), Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer AOR=3.39(1.29-8.88) and malnutrition AOR=3.9(1.81-8.4) were significantly associated with hypoalbuminemia. Similarly, age of >64 years AOR = 6.44(1.55-26.67), GI cancer AOR= 2.92(1.01-6.29) and malnutrition AOR= 3.14(1.43-6.94) were significantly associated with hypoproteinemia; and stage-IV cancer AOR=3.94(1.11-13.35) and malnutrition AOR=3.8(1.82 -8.2) were significantly associated with low Hgb level.
Conclusion and recommendation: Altered level of serum albumin, TP and Hgb was correlated with the SGA tool of malnutrition. Therefore, it is suggested to be used as an alternative or additional screening tool for prompt detection of malnutrition in adult patients with cancer
Impact of short and long amosite fibers on human macrophages, fibrosis and autoimmunity in mouse models
Authors: Lescoat Alain , Leinardi Riccardo , Pouxvielh Kevin , Yacoub Yousof , Lelong Marie , Pochet Amandine , Dumontet Erwan , Bellamri Nessrine , Tallec Erwan Le , Pavan Cristina , Turci Francesco , Paris Christophe , Huaux François , Lecureur valerie
Published: February 2023

Although epidemiological studies have suggested an association between asbestos exposure and systemic autoimmunity, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Short asbestos fibers are often considered less harmful than long fibers but such a statement is still a matter of debates. This study aimed to compare the effects of short (SFA) and long (LFA) amosite fiber exposure on lung damage, autoimmunity and macrophage phenotype. Four months after lung exposure to 0.1 mg of fibers, BAL levels of lactate dehydrogenase, free DNA, CCL2, TIMP-1 and immunoglobulins A of LFA-exposed C57Bl/6 mice were increased when compared to fluids from control- and SFA-exposed mice. Effects in LFA-exposed mice were associated with lung fibrosis and autoimmunity including anti-double-strand DNA antibody production. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) exposed to SFA or LFA at 20 µg/cm2 have a pro-inflammatory phenotype characterized by a significant increase of TNFα and IL-6 secretion. A decrease of efferocytosis capacities was also noted after SFA and LFA, whereas macrophage abilities to phagocyte fluorescent beads were unchanged when compared to control MDMs. SFA exposure induced IL-6 secretion and reduced the percentage of MDMs expressing MHCII and CD86 markers involved in antigen and T-lymphocyte stimulation. By contrast, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, evaluated through quantification of caspase-1 activity and IL-1β secretion is rather associated to LFA than SFA exposure. Our results demonstrated that only long-term exposure to LFA has induced significant lung damages and autoimmune effects supporting a worsened health effects of LFA in comparison to SFA.
JMJD5 inhibits lung cancer progression by regulating glucose metabolism through the p53/TIGAR pathway
Authors: Liu Guiling , Qi Hongyan , Shen Jing
Published: February 2023

Metabolic reprogramming is considered one of the main driving forces for tumor progression, providing energy and substrates of biosynthesis to support rapid neoplastic proliferation. Particularly, the tumor suppressor protein p53 was shown to revert the Warburg effect and play complex roles in regulating glucose metabolism. Jumonji C domain-containing protein 5 (JMJD5) has previously been reported as a negative regulator of p53. However, the role of JMJD5 in p53-mediated metabolic reprogramming remains elusive. Here, we discovered that knockdown of JMJD5 significantly enhances TIGAR expression in p53 wild-type non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, which could further suppress glycolysis and promote the pentose phosphate pathway. Besides, JMJD5 knockdown promotes the NSCLC cell proliferation in vitro and xenograft tumor growth in vivo, while silencing TIGAR can abolish this effect. Low expression levels of JMJD5 are correlated with increased levels of TIGAR and better prognosis of lung cancer patients. Taken together, our findings suggest that JMJD5 is a key regulator of tumor glucose metabolism by targeting the p53/TIGAR metabolic pathway.
Coincidence measurements of two quantum-correlated photon pairs widely separated in the frequency domain
Authors: Hojo Masayuki , Tani Shuntaro , Kobayashi Yohei , Tanaka Koichiro
Published: February 2023

Quantum correlation is a key concept characterizing the properties of quantum light sources and is important for developing quantum applications with superior performance. In particular, it enables photon pairs that are widely separated in the frequency domain, one in the visible region, the other in the infrared region, to be used for quantum infrared sensing without direct detection of infrared photons. Here, simultaneous multiwavelength and broadband phase matching in a nonlinear crystal could provide versatile photon-pairs source for broadband infrared quantum sensing. This paper describes direct generation and detection of two quantum-correlated photon pairs produced via simultaneous phase-matched processes in periodic crystals. These simultaneous photon pairs provide a correlated state with two frequency modes in a single pass. To confirm the correlation, we constructed an infrared-photon counting system with two repetition-synchronized fiber lasers. We performed coincidence measurements between two pairs, 980 nm and 3810 nm, and 1013 nm and 3390 nm, which yielded coincidence-to-accidental ratios of 6.2 and 6.5, respectively. We believe that our novel correlated light source with two separate pairs in the visible and infrared region complements a wide-range of multi-dimensional quantum infrared processing applications.
Yttrium-induced phase-transition technology for forming perfect ohmic contact in two-dimensional MoS2 transistors
Authors: Jiang Jianfeng , Xu Lin , Du Luojun , Li Lu , Zhang Guangyu , Qiu Chenguang , Peng Lian-Mao
Published: February 2023

The van der Waals (vdW) strategy is promising for overcoming the Fermi pinning challenge in two-dimensional (2D) transistors. However, the lack of advanced-node lithography-compatible methods hinders wafer-scale integrated manufacturing of vdW contacts. We report a yttrium-doping-induced phase-transition technology for converting semiconducting trigonal prismatic (2H) into heavily doped metallic octahedral (1T) MoS2 to achieve suitable vdW band alignment and ideal ohmic contacts. This Y-doped 1T-MoS2 is a vdW metallic buffer, and it improves carrier transfer efficiency from the metal electrode to 2H MoS2. We developed a solid-state-source three-step doping method (plasma-deposition-annealing) and achieved Å-thickness surface doping with yttrium atoms replacing sulfur atoms in the top surface of MoS2, thus forming self-aligned Y-doped 1T-MoS2 vdW ohmic contacts lithographically patterned in the source and drain regions. We fabricated 10-nm MoS2 FETs with Y-doped 1T-MoS2 vdW contacts in 2-inch wafers exhibiting nearly ideal ohmic contact with an ignorable Schottky barrier, achieved the smallest contact-resistance Rc in all 2D TMD FETs (less than 117-ohm micrometers) and a total-resistance (235-ohm micrometers) more than three times smaller than those of the best-reported 2D n-type FETs (greater than 800-ohm micrometers), showing high performance with an excellent on-current density of 1.22 milliamperes per micrometer at a small drain voltage of 0.7 V, a high ballistic ratio of 80%, and a record transconductance of 3.2 millisiemens per micrometer.