bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is SARS-CoV-2 viral load a predictor of mortality in COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome patients?
Authors: Dogan Lerzan , Allahverdiyeva Aytaj , Önel Mustafa , Meşe Sevim , Saka Ersin Esra , Anaklı İlkay , Sarıkaya Zeynep Tuğçe , Zengin Rehile , Gucyetmez Bulent , Yurtturan Uyar Neval , Özcan Perihan Ergin , Kocagöz Ayse Sesin , Uysal Hayriye Kırkoyun , Akinci İbrahim Ozkan , Ağaçfidan Ali
Published: November 2022

Objective

Viral load varies during infection and is higher during the initial stages of disease. Given the importance of the intensive care unit (ICU) in the late stages of COVID-19 infection, analyzing cycle threshold values to detect viral load upon ICU admission can be a clinically valuable tool for identifying patients with the highest mortality risk.

Methods

This was a retrospectively designed study. Patients older than 18 years who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 PCR and had a PaO2/FiO2 ratio <200 were included in the study. The patient population was divided into two groups: survivors and non-survivors.

Results

Two hundred patients were included in the study. In non-survivors, age, relevant ICU admission scores, and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher whereas PaO2/FiO2 ratios and cycle threshold levels were significantly lower than in survivors.

Conclusion

Viral load at ICU admission has significant prognostic value. In combination with age, comorbidities, and severity scores, viral load may assist clinicians in identifying individuals who need more intensive monitoring. Increased awareness may improve outcomes by allowing the more effective monitoring and treatment of patients. More prospective studies are needed to determine how a high viral load worsens disease and how to avoid irreversible results.
Did Lot Get His Just Desserts? Trauma, Revenge, and Re-enactment in Genesis 19.30-38
Authors: Cobb Kirsi
Published: November 2022

In Genesis 19.30-38, Lot’s daughters commit incest with their father to save his seed. Earlier in Genesis 19.6-8, Lot offered his daughters to be raped by the men of Sodom to save the honour of his male guests. Reading these stories together, in the latter, we observe an inverted world where victims become perpetrators and vice versa. If read through trauma theory, the inversion could imply that the daughters’ rape of Lot was motivated by revenge; however, traumatic re-enactment, where the daughters repeat their earlier trauma but also invert it, could also suit the textual evidence. Verses 30–38 could be read as an attempt to master previous trauma through repetition, where the recurring descriptions of design and act of rape are central to the interpretation of the narrative. This reading does not lessen the horror of the passage but rather adds to our understanding of trauma in Genesis 19.30–38.
Communicating Inclusion: How Men and Women Perceive Interpersonal Versus Organizational Gender Equality Messages
Authors: Moser Charlotte E. , Branscombe Nyla R.
Published: November 2022

Interpersonal allyship may serve as a justice cue to signal that an environment is fair to women without increasing men's expectations of anti-male bias. We investigated how exposure to justice cues communicated at the interpersonal and organizational level impact men's and women's perceptions of procedural justice and fairness at an organization. Men and women were asked to imagine working at one of three randomly assigned male-dominated workplaces. Women who imagined working with a White man who was a gender-equality ally (Study 1, N = 352, and Study 2, N = 488) perceived the organization as more procedurally just, identified more strongly with the organization, and were less likely to view their gender as a disadvantage compared to women who imagined a workplace with an organizational diversity statement (Study 2 only) or a control workplace with no justice cues. Men did not view the ally nor the diversity statement negatively in either study. Integrative data analysis revealed medium to large effects (Cohen's d range .74–1.30) across dependent measures included in both studies. Our results suggest that interpersonal allyship from men is a practical way to promote women's expectations of fair treatment without increasing the threat of anti-male bias among men. Additional online study materials, as well as online slides for instructors who want to use this article for teaching are available on PWQ's website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843221140300 .
Thromboelastography Parameters do not Discriminate for Thrombotic Events in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19
Authors: Kartiko Susan , Koizumi Naoru , Yamane David , Sarani Babak , Siddique Abu B. , Levine Andrea R. , Jackson Amanda M. , Wieruszewski Patrick M. , Smischney Nathan J. , Khanna Ashish K. , Chow Jonathan H. ,   for the CRUSH COVID Investigators
Published: November 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a prothrombotic state; leading to multiple sequelae. We sought to detect whether thromboelastography (TEG) parameters would be able to detect thromboembolic events in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multicenter case–control study of the Collaborative Research to Understand the Sequelae of Harm in COVID (CRUSH COVID) registry of 8 tertiary care level hospitals in the United States (US). This registry contains adult patients with COVID-19 hospitalized between March 2020 and September 2020.

Results

A total of 277 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were analyzed to determine whether conventional coagulation TEG parameters were associated with venous thromboembolic (VTE) and thrombotic events during hospitalization. A clotting index (CI) >3 was present in 45.8% of the population, consistent with a hypercoagulable state. Eighty-three percent of the patients had clot lysis at 30 min (LY30)  =  0, consistent with fibrinolysis shutdown, with a median of 0.1%. We did not find TEG parameters (LY30 area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve [AUC]  =  0.55, 95% CI: 0.44-0.65, P value  =  .32; alpha angle [α] AUC  =  0.58, 95% CI: 0.47-0.69, P value  =  .17; K time AUC  =  0.58, 95% CI: 0.46-0.69, P value  =  .67; maximum amplitude (MA) AUC  =  0.54, 95% CI: 0.44-0.64, P value  =  .47; reaction time [R time] AUC  =  0.53, 95% CI: 0.42-0.65, P value  =  .70) to be a good discriminator for VTE. We also did not find TEG parameters (LY30 AUC  =  0.51, 95% CI: 0.42-0.60, P value  =  .84; R time AUC  =  0.57, 95%CI: 0.48-0.67, P value .07; α AUC  =  0.59, 95%CI: 0.51-0.68, P value  =  .02; K time AUC  =  0.62, 95% CI: 0.53-0.70, P value  =  .07; MA AUC  =  0.65, 95% CI: 0.57-0.74, P value < .01) to be a good discriminator for thrombotic events.

Conclusions

In this retrospective multicenter cohort study, TEG in COVID-19 hospitalized patients may indicate a hypercoagulable state, however, its use in detecting VTE or thrombotic events is limited in this population.
The Political and Social Contexts of Research Evidence Use in Partnerships
Authors: Finnigan Kara S.
Published: November 2022

This article discusses what we know about the underlying social and political conditions shaping research evidence use in education and how this applies to Research-Practice Partnerships (RPPs). It discusses types of use, political dynamics and processes, brokers and intermediaries, and racial dynamics and lenses. It also recommends strategies for RPPs in light of these political and social contexts to improve the quality of use and reduce the misuse of research evidence, ending with implications for future research.
Effects of shot-peening parameters, path, and sequence on residual stress of TC17 alloy
Authors: Zhang Jiyin , Yao Changfeng , Tan Liang , Cui Minchao , Sun Yunqi , Ma Fangwei , Min Xianglu , Zhang Jing
Published: November 2022

Aeroengine parts are manufactured mostly from high-strength titanium alloys to meet aeroengine requirements, and shot peening is used to improve the fatigue life of such parts. Shot peening introduces compressive residual stress within the impact layer, and different shot-peening conditions produce different residual-stress fields. In this paper, the residual stress induced by shot peening is investigated. Different shot-peening parameters (air pressure, flow rate, nozzle speed, distance), paths, and sequences are planned for block and thin-plate specimens, and their effects on the consequent residual stress are investigated. The air pressure, flow rate, and nozzle speed have large effects on the residual stress, as do the shot-peening sequence and path, thereby providing technical support for the subsequent work of optimizing the residual stress after shot peening.
An update on the development of techniques for the determination and modelling of the impact behaviour of adhesives and bonded structures used in the automotive sector
Authors: Nunes Paulo David Pereira , Marques Eduardo André de Sousa , Akhavan-Safar Alireza , Borges Catarina da Silva Pereira , Carbas Ricardo João Camilo , da Silva Lucas Filipe Martins
Published: November 2022

The automotive sector is one of the key users of adhesive bonding, adopting this technology for the manufacture of high performance multi material structures, seeking to reduce vehicle weight and increase overall stiffness. In these industrial applications, the design of bonded structures is supported by numerical models, which require the determination of the mechanical properties of the adhesives and the adherends, taking into account factors such as temperature and strain rate dependence. However, while the design of bonded joints under quasi-static loadings is currently well understood, the design of impact resistant structures is much more complex, since it requires the establishment of accurate models for the strain rate dependent behaviour of the materials used in vehicle construction. This document provides an updated outlook on the research work being performed by the authors in this specific field. Most of the work is devoted to the analysis of the effects of strain rate on the behaviour of adhesives and adhesive joints. This includes high strain rate characterisation of the mechanical behaviour of modern crash resistant adhesives, using both standardised and custom testing procedures. Special experimental equipment has also been developed for impact testing procedures, including high strain rates and mixed mode conditions and full-size specimens.
Heat dissipation optimization of ventilated brake disc recirculation zone based on NSGA-II algorithm
Authors: Li Jie , Tao Long , Chen Ying , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: November 2022

The Brakes contact surface temperature rises sharply when vehicle braking by friction, so vehicles are generally equipped with ventilated brake discs for cooling. However, the recirculation zone in the ventilated brake disc passage severely blocks fluid flow. In order to improve the convective and heat dissipation performance of the ventilated brake disc, this paper aims to introduce an optimized slotted vane geometry to improve the heat dissipation performance of ventilated brake discs. Therefore, three structural parameters of slot width, slot inclination and number of vanes were selected as optimization variables, and the optimization objective was to maximize the mass flow rate and convection heat transfer coefficient. And then, combined with the RSM and NSGA-II for optimization. The results showed that the optimized slotted vanes effectively suppressed the recirculation zone in the flow passage and made the airflow distribution more uniform. The optimal characteristic parameters after optimization are N = 36,θ = 56.38°, H = 12.7 mm. The CFD calculation results are consistent with the experimental results, and the Nu error obtained is about 2.6%. Within the given speed range, compared with experimental data of the straight vane brake disc, the total heat dissipation rate of the optimized brake disc is increased by 9%, the heat dissipation rate in the channel was increased by 5.6%, and the pumping capacity is increased by 12%.
Curve negotiation performance of a newly-designed medium and low speed maglev vehicle
Authors: Zhang Min , Yuan Cheng , Ma Weihua , Luo Shihui
Published: November 2022

A newly-designed maglev vehicle, namely maglev vehicle with mid-mounted suspension (MVMS), with air-springs mounted at the middle of the levitation module, has removed the forced guidance device (FGD). However, there is a paucity of research in the curve negotiation performance of the vehicle without FGD. In order to evaluate the curve negotiation performance of MVMS, comparisons were carried out between two maglev vehicles, namely MVMS and the maglev vehicle with end-mounted suspension (MVES). The guidance modes and mechanisms of the two kinds of vehicles were introduced and their curve negotiation performances were analyzed and compared. First, the guidance mechanism of one levitation module on the curved rail was explicated. Second, the walking mechanisms of the two maglev vehicles were introduced, and the guidance mechanism of each vehicle was illustrated. Third, two dynamic models considering rail irregularities, curved rail, and levitation control were built. Finally, the dynamic performances of the two maglev vehicles on the curved rail with 100 m radius, 6° cross-slope angle, and 0.12°/m gradient of the transition curve and on the straight rail were analyzed. Results show that MVES fails to pass the given curved rail, while MVMS can pass it at the speed of 40 km/h. Moreover, on the curved rail, the electromagnet offset, current, and levitation force in MVES are all larger than those in MVMS. For instance, when the speed is 40 km/h, the maximum vertical and lateral electromagnet offsets of the former are about four and 1.6 times those of the latter, respectively, and the maximum current of the former is about 2 times that of the latter. On the straight rail, the mid-mounted suspension can effectively improve the ride stability of the cabin at each speed. Thus, MVMS has better guiding performance than MVES on curved rail and straight rail.
Investigating the survival of herpes simplex virus on toothbrushes and surrogate phallic devices
Authors: Suissa Chad A , Upadhyay Rista , Dabney Michael D , Mack Ricardo J , Masica Danielle , Margulies Barry J
Published: November 2022

Background

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is a member of the alphaherpesvirus (alphaherpesvirinae) subfamily, allowing it to affect a wide range of hosts. Herpes simplex virus-1 affects 3.7 billion people, or 67% of the population, under the age of 50. With a vast number of people infected by the virus, everyday objects are often contaminated with this agent. In this study we determined how long HSV-1 can remain viable on contaminated fomites.

Methods

Fomites were selected for their use near potentially contaminated orifices and variable frequency of sanitization. Toothbrushes and surrogate phallic devices (SPDs) were cut, sterilized, and contaminated. After contaminating the fomites, we collected samples over a 24 h period, then used plaque assays to determine viral titers at prescribed time points.

Results

The quantity of replication-competent virus present appears to decrease significantly 2 h post-contamination, then steadily declines over time, nearing zero at 24 h.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that different surfaces influence HSV-1 survival. Proper cleaning must be performed for these types of fomites, especially if shared in an environment where someone with active genital or oral herpes lesions uses one of these fomites shortly after someone else.
Establishing a Clinical Protocol for Velopharyngeal MRI and Interpreting Imaging Findings
Authors: Perry Jamie L. , Snodgrass Taylor D. , Gilbert Imani R. , Sutton Bradley P. , Baylis Adriane L. , Weidler Erica M. , Tse Raymond W. , Ishman Stacey L. , Sitzman Thomas J.
Published: November 2022

Traditional imaging modalities used to assess velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) do not allow for direct visualization of underlying velopharyngeal (VP) structures and musculature which could impact surgical planning. This limitation can be overcome via structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the only current imaging tool that provides direct visualization of salient VP structures. MRI has been used extensively in research; however, it has had limited clinical use. Factors that restrict clinical use of VP MRI include limited access to optimized VP MRI protocols and uncertainty regarding how to interpret VP MRI findings. The purpose of this paper is to outline a framework for establishing a novel VP MRI scan protocol and to detail the process of interpreting scans of the velopharynx at rest and during speech tasks. Additionally, this paper includes common scan parameters needed to allow for visualization of velopharynx and techniques for the elicitation of speech during scans.
Where is the When of Creativity?: Specifying the Temporal Dimension of the Four Cs of Creativity
Authors: Kaufman James C. , Beghetto Ronald A.
Published: November 2022

Creativity researchers typically focus on the who, what, why, where, and how of creativity. A noticeable omission is when. The when is not completely ignored in the field; it surfaces in developmental and evolutionary perspectives, the study of eminent creators, and other avenues of scholarship. In this paper, we assert that for the concept of when to be fully addressed researchers need to more actively consider the past, present, and future and how they interact. More specifically, we propose an expanded way of thinking about the when of creativity by introducing a temporal dimension to the definition of creativity. Our definition offers a broader lens for researchers to consider the temporal dimensions of originality, meaningfulness, and impact of creativity. After introducing our definition and describing its unique features, we discuss how researchers can use our definition to trace creative phenomena across a full temporal trajectory and thereby provide more nuanced and dynamic representation of how the features of creativity change across time and contexts. Finally, we apply this temporal definition to the Four Cs Model of Creativity to illustrate how considering the when can help resolve lingering questions about this perspective.
Purpose, Partnership, and Possibilities: The Implementation of the Dog Aging Project Biobank
Authors: Mouttham Lara , Castelhano Marta G , Akey Joshua M , Benton Brooke , Borenstein Elhanan , Castelhano Marta G , Coleman Amanda E , Creevy Kate E , Crowder Kyle , Dunbar Matthew D , Ernst Holley R , Fajt Virginia R , Fitzpatrick Annette L , Garrison Susan J , Herndon Reba S , Jaramilla Debra , Jeffery Unity , Jonlin Erica C , Kaeberlein Matt , Karlsson Elinor K , Kerr Kathleen F , Levine Jonathan M , Ma Jing , McClelland Robyn L , Prescott Jena O , Promislow Daniel EL , Ruple Audrey , Schwartz Stephen M , Shrager Sandi , Snyder-Mackler Noah , Tinkle Amanda K , Tolbert M Katherine , Urfer Silvan R , Wilfond Benjamin S
Published: November 2022

Background:

Biobanks have been supporting longitudinal prospective and retrospective studies by providing standardized services for the acquisition, transport, processing, storage, and distribution of high-quality biological material and associated data. Here, we describe how the Dog Aging Project (DAP), a large-scale longitudinal study of the domestic dog ( Canis familiaris) with translational applications for humans, developed a biobank of canine biospecimens and associated data.

Design and methods:

This was accomplished by working with the Cornell Veterinary Biobank, the first biobank in the world to receive accreditation to ISO 20387:2018—General Requirements for Biobanking. The biobank research team was involved in the early collection stages of the DAP, contributing to the development of appropriate workflows and processing fit-for-purpose biospecimens. In support of a dynamic strategy for real-time adjustment of processes, a pilot phase was implemented to develop, test, and optimize the biospecimen workflows, followed by an early phase of collection, processing, and banking of specimens from DAP participants.

Results:

During the pilot and early phases of collection, the DAP Biobank stored 164 aliquots of whole blood, 273 aliquots of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, 130 aliquots of plasma, and 70 aliquots of serum, and extracted high molecular weight genomic DNA suitable for whole-genome sequencing from 109 whole blood specimens. These specimens, along with their associated preanalytical data, have been made available for distribution to researchers.

Conclusion:

We discuss the challenges and opportunities encountered during the implementation of the DAP Biobank, along with novel strategies for promoting biobanking sustainability such as partnering with a DAP quality assurance manager and a DAP marketing and communication specialist and developing a pilot grant structure to fund small innovative research projects.
Hans Kelsen and sociology
Authors: Adair-Toteff Christopher
Published: November 2022

This review focuses on one major work of Hans Kelsen which was first published in 1922 and is now included in the most recent volume of Hans Kelsen Werke. While Kelsen’s reputation is as a legal philosopher, this 1922 work shows that he had an excellent understanding of sociology, especially regarding Georg Simmel and Max Weber.
Improving Professional Spiritual Care to Persons With Limited English Proficiency: The Cross-Language Chaplaincy Introduction Guidebook
Authors: Walker-Cornetta Emilee , White Kelsey B. , Berning Joel Nightingale , Yip Natalie , Baldwin Matthew R.
Published: November 2022

Hospitalized individuals in the United States with limited English proficiency (LEP) may experience complications when receiving hospital care. Grounded in the ethical principles of chaplaincy and motivated by the desire to address inequitable health service provision, we developed the Cross-Language Chaplaincy Introduction Guidebook. The Guidebook introduces chaplaincy in 20 different languages with the goal of improving chaplain accessibility. We report on the rigorous development of the Guidebook and how to integrate the resource clinically.
Association of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor use and the risk of asthma development among type 2 diabetes patients
Authors: Li Peng-Fei , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Liu Jhih-Syuan , Lu Chieh-Hua , Su Sheng-Chiang , Kuo Feng-Chih , Ho Li-Ju , Chen Kuan-Chan , Su Yu-Te , Chu Nain-Feng , Lee Chien-Hsing , Hsieh Chang-Hsun , Hung Yi-Jen , Lin Fu-Huang , Chien Wu-Chien , Liang Yao-Jen
Published: November 2022

Background:

Numerous studies have shown that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) may regulate immunological pathways implicated in asthma. The association between DPP-4i use and risk of asthma development is limited, however.

Aim:

We aimed to evaluate if DPP-4i treatment in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a lower risk and severity of asthma.

Methods:

We performed a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Longitudinal National Health Insurance Research database between 2008 and 2015. After one-to-four propensity score matching from 1,914,201 patients with defined criteria, we enrolled 3001 patients who were on DPP-4i (DPP-4i group) for a diagnosis of T2DM but without a diagnosis of asthma for further analysis. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to estimate and compare the risk of developing and severity of asthma, including no acute exacerbations event (No-AE), acute exacerbations (AEs), status asthmaticus (Status), and required endotracheal intubation (ET-tube intubated), between the two groups.

Results:

The participants had a mean age of 66.05 ± 17.23 years and the mean follow-up time was 4.96 ± 4.39 years. The risk of asthma development was significantly lower in the DPP-4i group than in the non-DPP-4i group [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.29–0.83; p < 0.001], with a class effect. This trend was observed for severity of asthma as No-AE (HR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.24–0.70; p < 0.001), AE (HR = 0.57; 95% CI = 0.26–0.73; p < 0.001), and Status (HR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.35–0.99; p = 0.047), but not in ET-tube intubated cases (HR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.43–1.22; p = 0.258).

Conclusion:

The use of DPP-4i decreased the risk and severity of asthma with a class effect among No-AE, AE, status of asthma events, but not in ET-tube intubated events. Our report suggests that DPP-4i may play a role in attenuating the impact of asthma on incidence in the future and on more severe forms of disease exacerbation in T2DM patients.
The moderating role of interpersonal problems on baseline emotional intensity and emotional reactivity in individuals with borderline personality disorder and healthy controls
Authors: Di Bartolomeo Alyssa A. , Varma Sonya , Fulham Lindsay , Fitzpatrick Skye
Published: November 2022

Emotion dysregulation, including higher baseline emotional intensity and emotional reactivity (i.e., increased magnitude of change in emotional responding) is theoretically central to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). However, little research has examined which specific emotions individuals with BPD experience emotion dysregulation in. Interpersonal problems also theoretically drive emotion dysregulation in BPD. However, whether interpersonal problems elicit emotion dysregulation for some specific emotions but not others is unclear. This study aimed to assess whether interpersonal problems moderate the relationship between (1) baseline emotional intensity and (2) emotional reactivity in BPD across six specific emotions (i.e., sadness, disgust, fear, shame, guilt, and anger). Borderline Personality Disorder ( n = 30) and healthy control (HC; n = 30) groups reported their interpersonal problems at baseline and their emotions before and after listening to a laboratory stressor. For the BPD (but not HC) group, higher interpersonal problems were associated with greater baseline sadness, disgust, fear, shame, and guilt. Across groups, higher interpersonal problems were associated with greater sadness, fear, guilt, and anger, but not disgust, reactivity. Higher interpersonal problems were associated with higher shame reactivity specifically for those with BPD. Targeting interpersonal problems may reduce heightened baseline emotional intensity and emotional reactivity for those with BPD, particularly for shame reactivity in BPD.
Increased amisulpride serum concentration in a patient treated with concomitant pregabalin and trazodone: a case report
Authors: Potměšil Petr , Kostýlková Lenka , Kopeček Miloslav
Published: November 2022

We report on the case of a 46-year-old woman with generalized anxiety disorder, paranoid personality disorder, and mild reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). She was treated with pregabalin, trazodone, hydroxyzine, and clonazepam before hospital admission. Pharmacotherapy for the patient was changed during her first week in the hospital. Dosing of hydroxyzine and clonazepam was gradually decreased, and then these two drugs were withdrawn. Treatment with amisulpride was started on the fourth day after admission, and amisulpride serum levels were then measured three times as a part of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). The serum concentration of amisulpride detected during concurrent use of trazodone and pregabalin was approximately twice the therapeutic range for amisulpride. When the dose of pregabalin was reduced by half, the serum concentration of amisulpride decreased to therapeutic serum levels. We hypothesize that an interaction between amisulpride and pregabalin was responsible for the increased amisulpride concentration since both drugs are almost exclusively excreted from the body by the renal route. Pregabalin–amisulpride interaction might also be influenced by concomitant therapy with trazodone or a mild reduction in GFR. However, we only have clinical evidence for an interaction between amisulpride and pregabalin because after we halved the dose of pregabalin, the amisulpride concentration decreased, and the C/D ratio normalized. This could be helpful information for psychiatrists in order to avoid drug–drug interactions between amisulpride and pregabalin. We recommend TDM of amisulpride in patients treated concomitantly with other drugs eliminated mainly by the kidneys.
Varied Musical Experiences and Openness of University Students in Turkey and the United States
Authors: Bulut Mustafa Hilmi , Fung Chi-Keung Victor , Lehmberg Lisa J. , Kindap Tepe Yeliz , Hernly Patrick , Özgül Yusuf , Mehdiyev Esmira , Kaptan Zekeriya
Published: November 2022

The personality trait of openness has been shown to contribute to a person’s ability to function effectively. Additionally, scholars have suggested that openness to experience and foreign language experience were related to music preference. Extending from earlier scholarship, this study examined the relationship between openness to experience and the various types of musical and language experiences reported by undergraduate music majors in Turkey and the United States. Participants ( N = 380) were surveyed using the Openness to Experience domain of the NEO-PI-R and an author-designed survey with questions about participants’ musical backgrounds and interests, foreign language abilities, age, and sex. Results showed that U.S. students rated significantly higher in four of the five dimensions of the Openness domain than their Turkish counterparts (Wilks’λ = .57; F(5, 374) = 55.37, p < .001). Factor analysis results showed that (a) experiences in foreign languages, (b) listening to Turkish traditional, pop, and folk music, and (c) listening to American (pop and folk) and Western classical music cumulatively explained 68.49% of the variance in openness. Correlation analyses suggested that listening to Western classical, American folk, and American pop music was associated with higher openness scores, and listening to Turkish traditional, folk, and pop music was associated with lower openness scores. Additionally, the number of foreign languages participants studied correlated with four of the dimensions. Results suggest that both groups could benefit from increased, broader, and deeper exposure to different musical genres from diverse cultures.
Mechanical Evaluation of Salvage Fixation Techniques for a Lateralized Fibular Tunnel in Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction of the Knee
Authors: Amirhekmat Arya , Brown Wendy E. , Athanasiou Kyriacos A. , Wang Dean
Published: November 2022

Background:

Posterolateral corner (PLC) reconstruction of the knee involves precise drilling of a single tunnel from anterolateral to posteromedial in the fibular head (FH) to ensure adequate graft fixation. Misplacement of the tunnel in a too lateral or too superior trajectory can lead to cortical breach and inadequate graft fixation.

Purpose:

To (1) determine the mechanical consequence of a lateralized FH tunnel in PLC reconstruction and (2) compare the mechanical strength of 3 salvage fixation techniques for a lateralized FH tunnel.

Study Design:

Controlled laboratory study.

Methods:

Sawbones models of a uniform density were utilized. FH tunnels (7-mm diameter) were drilled from anterolateral to posteromedial in positive controls (lateral cortex thickness, 7.6 ± 0.7 mm) to represent an improperly placed FH tunnel at risk of lateral cortical breach. For negative controls and salvage experimental groups, FH tunnels were drilled from anterolateral to posterolateral (lateral cortex thickness, 2.7 ± 0.9 mm). Three salvage fixation techniques were compared: suture anchor fixation, tunnel redrilling, and nitinol staple fixation. Samples (n = 5 per group) underwent uniaxial tension testing, and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and mode of failure were recorded. Data were analyzed using the 1-sample t test and nonparametric 1-sample Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results:

The negative control group had a 4-fold lower mean UTS relative to the positive control group (1.49 ± 0.17 vs 6.25 ± 1.98 MPa; P < .01) and exhibited failure through the lateral cortex and tunnel. Nitinol staple fixation improved the mean UTS by >16 times compared with the negative control group (24.06 ± 6.49 vs 1.49 ± 0.17 MPa; P < .01). Suture anchors and tunnel redrilling exhibited similar UTS and mode of failure to those of negative controls.

Conclusion:

Reinforcement of a thinned lateral FH cortex with a single nitinol staple improved graft fixation strength in a sawbones model.

Clinical Relevance:

A lateralized FH tunnel can be a common intraoperative pitfall during PLC reconstruction. Salvage of a thinned lateral FH cortex with a single nitinol staple may reduce the risk of cortical breach and graft failure.
Clinical evidence of interventions assessed in Friedreich ataxia: a systematic review
Authors: Jain Paridhi , Badgujar Lohit , Spoorendonk Jelle , Buesch Katharina
Published: November 2022

Objectives:

The rare inherited autosomal recessive disease Friedreich ataxia (FA) causes progressive neurodegenerative changes and disability in patients. A systematic literature review (SLR) was carried out to understand and summarize the published efficacy and safety of therapeutic interventions in this disease.

Methods:

Database searches were carried out in MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane by two independent reviewers. In addition, trial registries and conference proceedings were hand-searched.

Results:

Thirty-two publications were deemed eligible according to PICOS criteria. Twenty-four publications detail randomized controlled trials. The most frequently identified therapeutic intervention was idebenone ( n = 11), followed by recombinant erythropoietin ( n = 6), omaveloxolone ( n = 3), and amantadine hydrochloride ( n = 2). Other therapeutic interventions were investigated in one publication: A0001, CoQ10, creatine, deferiprone, interferon-γ-1b, the L-carnitine levorotatory form of 5-hydroxytryptophan, luvadaxistat, resveratrol, RT001, and vatiquinone (EPI-743). These studies included patients from 8 to 73 years old, and disease duration varied from 4.7 to 19 years. Disease severity as per the mean GAA1 and GAA2 allele repeat length ranged from 350 to 930 and 620 to 987 nucleotides, respectively. Most frequently reported efficacy outcomes were the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS, n = 10), the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (modified FARS and FARS-neuro, n = 12), the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA, n = 7), and the Activities of Daily Living scale (ADL, n = 8). Each of these assesses the severity of disability in FA patients. In many studies, patients with FA deteriorated according to these severity scales regardless of treatment, or inconclusive results were found. Generally, these therapeutic interventions were well-tolerated and safe. Serious adverse events were atrial fibrillation ( n = 1), craniocerebral injury ( n = 1), and ventricular tachycardia ( n = 1).

Conclusion:

Identified literature showed a considerable unmet need for therapeutic interventions that halt or slow the deteriorating nature of FA. Novel efficacious drugs should be investigated that aim to improve symptoms or slow disease progression.
Parasitic lung diseases
Authors: Al-Tawfiq Jaffar A. , Kim Hojoong , Memish Ziad A.
Published: November 2022

Parasitic lung diseases are caused by a number of parasites as a result of transient passage in the lung or as a result of an immunologic reaction. The clinical presentation may be in the form of focal or cystic lesions, pleural effusion or diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. With increasing globalisation, it is important to consider parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of lung diseases. This is particularly important since early identification and prompt therapy result in full cure of these conditions. In this review, we summarise the most common parasitic lung diseases.
Research Progress of Refractory High Entropy Alloys: A Review
Authors: Xie Xiaochang , Li Neng , Liu Wei , Huang Shuai , He Xiaoyong , Yu Qiuying , Xiong Huaping , Wang Enhui , Hou Xinmei
Published: November 2022

Owing to superior comprehensive performance than conventional superalloys at high temperature, refractory high entropy alloy (RHEA) is becoming a promising candidate for the next generation high-temperature material. Herein, contemporary aspects of corresponding development of RHEAs are reviewed to discuss various factors affecting the organization structure and service performance. It mainly covers alloying system and strengthening mechanism, the preparation method, plastic deformation and the related mechanism, as well as microstructure control by heat treatment. Firstly, the alloy systems and strengthening mechanism are introduced. This is followed by different preparation methods and the comparison of strengths and shortcomings based on different RHEAs. Then, hot deformation behavior and plastic deformation under different loadings are analyzed. Based on this, the influence of heat treatment on microstructures prior to and after the deformation is further summarized. Finally, some important research areas to be carried out in future are pointed out. This review will give a deep understanding of the effects of different factors on the service performance and provide scientific guide in designing RHEAs with improved performance.
Transcriptomic profiling implicates PAF1 in both active and repressive immune regulatory networks
Authors: Kenaston Matthew W. , Pham Oanh H. , Petit Marine J. , Shah Priya S.
Published: November 2022

Background

Sitting at the interface of gene expression and host-pathogen interaction, polymerase associated factor 1 complex (PAF1C) is a rising player in the innate immune response. The complex localizes to the nucleus and associates with chromatin to modulate RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) elongation of gene transcripts. Performing this function at both proximal and distal regulatory elements, PAF1C interacts with many host factors across such sites, along with several microbial proteins during infection. Therefore, translating the ubiquity of PAF1C into specific impacts on immune gene expression remains especially relevant.

Results

Advancing past work, we treat PAF1 knockout cells with a slate of immune stimuli to identify key trends in PAF1-dependent gene expression with broad analytical depth. From our transcriptomic data, we confirm PAF1 is an activator of traditional immune response pathways as well as other cellular pathways correlated with pathogen defense. With this model, we employ computational approaches to refine how PAF1 may contribute to both gene activation and suppression. Specifically focusing on transcriptional motifs and regulons, we predict gene regulatory elements strongly associated with PAF1, including those implicated in an immune response. Overall, our results suggest PAF1 is involved in innate immunity at several distinct axes of regulation.

Conclusions

By identifying PAF1-dependent gene expression across several pathogenic contexts, we confirm PAF1C to be a key mediator of innate immunity. Combining these transcriptomic profiles with potential regulatory networks corroborates the previously identified functions of PAF1C. With this, we foster new avenues for its study as a regulator of innate immunity, and our results will serve as a basis for targeted study of PAF1C in future validation studies.
A manually curated annotation characterises genomic features of P. falciparum lncRNAs
Authors: Hoshizaki Johanna , Adjalley Sophie H. , Thathy Vandana , Judge Kim , Berriman Matthew , Reid Adam J. , Lee Marcus C. S.
Published: November 2022

Background

Important regulation occurs at the level of transcription in Plasmodium falciparum and growing evidence suggests that these apicomplexan parasites have complex regulatory networks. Recent studies implicate long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as transcriptional regulators in P. falciparum. However, due to limited research and the lack of necessary experimental tools, our understanding of their role in the malaria-causing parasite remains largely unelucidated. In this work, we address one of these limitations, the lack of an updated and improved lncRNA annotation in P. falciparum.

Results

We generated long-read RNA sequencing data and integrated information extracted and curated from multiple sources to manually annotate lncRNAs. We identified 1119 novel lncRNAs and validated and refined 1250 existing annotations. Utilising the collated datasets, we generated evidence-based ranking scores for each annotation and characterised the distinct genomic contexts and features of P. falciparum lncRNAs. Certain features indicated subsets with potential biological significance such as 25 lncRNAs containing multiple introns, 335 lncRNAs lacking mutations in piggyBac mutagenic studies and lncRNAs associated with specific biologic processes including two new types of lncRNAs found proximal to var genes.

Conclusions

The insights and the annotation presented in this study will serve as valuable tools for researchers seeking to understand the role of lncRNAs in parasite biology through both bioinformatics and experimental approaches.
SRGS: sparse partial least squares-based recursive gene selection for gene regulatory network inference
Authors: Guan Jinting , Wang Yang , Wang Yongjie , Zhuang Yan , Ji Guoli
Published: November 2022

Background

The identification of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) facilitates the understanding of the underlying molecular mechanism of various biological processes and complex diseases. With the availability of single-cell RNA sequencing data, it is essential to infer GRNs from single-cell expression. Although some GRN methods originally developed for bulk expression data can be applicable to single-cell data and several single-cell specific GRN algorithms were developed, recent benchmarking studies have emphasized the need of developing more accurate and robust GRN modeling methods that are compatible for single-cell expression data.

Results

We present SRGS, SPLS (sparse partial least squares)-based recursive gene selection, to infer GRNs from bulk or single-cell expression data. SRGS recursively selects and scores the genes which may have regulations on the considered target gene based on SPLS. When dealing with gene expression data with dropouts, we randomly scramble samples, set some values in the expression matrix to zeroes, and generate multiple copies of data through multiple iterations to make SRGS more robust. We test SRGS on different kinds of expression data, including simulated bulk data, simulated single-cell data without and with dropouts, and experimental single-cell data, and also compared with the existing GRN methods, including the ones originally developed for bulk data, the ones developed specifically for single-cell data, and even the ones recommended by recent benchmarking studies.

Conclusions

It has been shown that SRGS is competitive with the existing GRN methods and effective in the gene regulatory network inference from bulk or single-cell gene expression data. SRGS is available at:https://github.com/JGuan-lab/SRGS.
Classification prediction of pancreatic cystic neoplasms based on radiomics deep learning models
Authors: Liang Wenjie , Tian Wuwei , Wang Yifan , Wang Pan , Wang Yubizhuo , Zhang Hongbin , Ruan Shijian , Shao Jiayuan , Zhang Xiuming , Huang Danjiang , Ding Yong , Bai Xueli
Published: November 2022

Background

Preoperative prediction of pancreatic cystic neoplasm (PCN) differentiation has significant value for the implementation of personalized diagnosis and treatment plans. This study aimed to build radiomics deep learning (DL) models using computed tomography (CT) data for the preoperative differential diagnosis of common cystic tumors of the pancreas.

Methods

Clinical and CT data of 193 patients with PCN were collected for this study. Among these patients, 99 were pathologically diagnosed with pancreatic serous cystadenoma (SCA), 55 were diagnosed with mucinous cystadenoma (MCA) and 39 were diagnosed with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). The regions of interest (ROIs) were obtained based on manual image segmentation of CT slices. The radiomics and radiomics-DL models were constructed using support vector machines (SVMs). Moreover, based on the fusion of clinical and radiological features, the best combined feature set was obtained according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC) analysis. Then the fused model was constructed using logistic regression.

Results

For the SCA differential diagnosis, the fused model performed the best and obtained an average area under the curve (AUC) of 0.916. It had a best feature set including position, polycystic features (≥6), cystic wall calcification, pancreatic duct dilatation and radiomics-DL score. For the MCA and IPMN differential diagnosis, the fused model with AUC of 0.973 had a best feature set including age, communication with the pancreatic duct and radiomics score.

Conclusions

The radiomics, radiomics-DL and fused models based on CT images have a favorable differential diagnostic performance for SCA, MCA and IPMN. These findings may be beneficial for the exploration of individualized management strategies.
Patient reported outcomes based on EQ-5D-5L questionnaires in head and neck cancer patients: a real-world study
Authors: Sprave Tanja , Gkika Eleni , Verma Vivek , Grosu Anca-Ligia , Stoian Raluca
Published: November 2022

Objective

Health economic comparisons of various therapies are often based on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using EQ-5D questionnaires within the framework of clinical trials. This real-world study prospectively evaluates the patient reported outcomes (PROs)-based HRQOL of head-and-neck (H&N) cancer patients undergoing modern radiotherapy (RT) to reflect PRO trajectories.

Methods

All H&N cancer patients treated in our clinic between July 2019 and December 2020 who completed the self-reported validated EQ-5D-5L questionnaire (health state index (HI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS)) at baseline, end of radiotherapy, and at each respective follow up (FU) were included. Descriptive analysis of clinical and sociodemographic data, the frequency and level of each dimension was conducted. To assess the significance of therapy-induced HRQOL changes within and between the group, a distribution-based approach was used.

Results

Altogether, 366 participants completed a total of 565 questionnaires. For the whole cohort, HI at baseline was 0.804 (±0.208), 0.830 (±0.162) at RT completion, 0.812 (±0.205) at the first follow-up, and 0.769 (±0.224) at the second follow-up. The respective VAS values were 62.06 (±23,94), 66.73 (±82.20), 63.30 (±22.74), and 65.48 (±23.39). Females showed significantly lower HI values compared to males, but only at baseline (p = 0.034). Significantly lower HI values were also seen in patients with definitive RT as compared to adjuvant RT at baseline (p = 0.023), the second follow-up (p = 0.047), and the third follow-up (p = 0.010). As compared to outpatients, inpatients had significantly lower HI values at RT completion (p = 0.017), the second follow-up (p = 0.007), and the third follow-up (p = 0.031). Subgroup analyses by age (< 65 vs. ≥65) and smoking status (smokers vs. non-smokers) showed no difference at any time point.

Conclusion

PROs demonstrated detectability of time- and intra−/inter-group therapy-induced HRQOL changes. A further detailed exploration of EQ-5D-5L responsiveness for H&N cancer patients is required.