bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Research on regional soil moisture dynamics based on hyperspectral remote sensing technology
Authors: Guo Zhiqian , Li Xin , Ren Yushui , Qian Shujun , Shao Yirui
Published: June 2023

In order to realize the dynamic analysis of regional soil moisture content in the upper reaches of Xiashan Reservoir in Weihe River Basin, Weifang City, Shandong Province, a regional soil moisture dynamic analysis model based on hyperspectral remote sensing technology is proposed. The process of predicting and deducing the soil water content through the spectral information of remote sensing images, surface parameters and other data can reflect the soil spectral information. The band sensitive to the change of soil moisture in remote sensing image is directly extracted, which is used as the independent variable input in the soil water logging inversion model, and the process of soil moisture prediction is conducted with the measured soil moisture value as the dependent variable input. The SI-1, SI-2 and other water spectral indexes that can reflect the water information are constructed, and the water spectral index used for soil water content retrieval is constructed through various relationships between bands. Compared with the spectral reflectance alone, the use of water spectral index greatly improves the retrieval accuracy. The particle filter algorithm is used to assimilate the observed data and simulated data to obtain the assimilated soil moisture. Error evaluation indicators are used to evaluate the accuracy of the obtained assimilation results and further use different particle numbers and observation errors to conduct multiple data assimilation experiments to explore the sensitivity of particle numbers and observation errors to the assimilation results. The root mean square error (RMSE), relative error (RE) and mean absolute error (MAE) are used to test and verify the effect of data assimilation. The test shows that the dynamic analysis of the regional soil moisture content in the upper reaches of Xiashan Reservoir in the Fangwei River basin by using this method the distribution map obtained by dividing the vegetation coverage are more consistent with the actual situation in terms of the proportion of different soil water salinization degrees, the regional distribution of water, etc. The idea of using hyperspectral remote sensing to retrieve soil moisture is effective.
Limit Laws of Maximal Birkhoff Sums for Circle Rotations via Quantum Modular Forms
Authors: Borda Bence
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we show how quantum modular forms naturally arise in the ergodic theory of circle rotations. Working with the classical Birkhoff sum $S_{N}(\alpha )=\sum _{n=1}^{N} (\{ n \alpha \}-1/2)$, we prove that the maximum and the minimum as well as certain exponential moments of $S_{N}(r)$ as functions of $r \in \mathbb{Q}$ satisfy a direct analogue of Zagier’s continuity conjecture, originally stated for a quantum invariant of the figure-eight knot. As a corollary, we find the limit distribution of $\max _{0 \le N<M} S_{N}(\alpha )$ and $\min _{0 \le N<M} S_{N}(\alpha )$ with a random $\alpha \in [0,1]$.
Low medication adherence and its associated factors among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending Amana Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Doya Irene F , Yahaya James J , Ngaiza Advera I , Bintabara Deogratius
Published: June 2023

Background

Low medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality globally. We investigated the prevalence of low medication adherence and its associated factors among patients with T2DM.

Methods

We used the Bengali version of the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) in measuring medication adherence among patients with T2DM who were attending the diabetes clinic at Amana Regional Referral Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from December 2021 to May 2022. Binary logistic regression analysis under multivariate analysis was used to determine the predictors of low medication adherence after controlling for confounders. A two-tailed p-value <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The prevalence of low medication adherence was 36.7% (91/248) of the subjects included in the study. Lack of formal education (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 5.3 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.717 to 16.312], p=0.004), having comorbidities (AOR 2.1 [95% CI 1.134 to 3.949], p=0.019) and drinking alcohol (AOR 3.5 [95% CI 1.603 to 7.650], p=0.031) were the independent predictors of low medication adherence.

Conclusion

More than one-third of the patients with T2DM in this study had low medication adherence. Our study also showed that a lack of formal education, having comorbidities and drinking alcohol were significantly associated with low medication adherence.
New methods of structural break detection and an ensemble approach to analyse exchange rate volatility of Indian rupee during coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Mareeswaran M , Sen Shubhajit , Deb Soudeep
Published: June 2023

In this work, we develop a methodology to detect structural breaks in multivariate time series data using the t-distributed stochastic neighbour embedding (t-SNE) technique and non-parametric spectral density estimates. By applying the proposed algorithm to the exchange rates of Indian rupee against four primary currencies, we establish that the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has indeed caused a structural break in the volatility dynamics. Next, to study the effect of the pandemic on the Indian currency market, we provide a compact and efficient way of combining three models, each with a specific objective, to explain and forecast the exchange rate volatility. We find that a forward-looking regime change makes a drop in persistence, while an exogenous shock like COVID-19 makes the market highly persistent. Our analysis shows that although all exchange rates are found to be exposed to common structural breaks, the degrees of impact vary across the four series. Finally, we develop an ensemble approach to combine predictions from multiple models in the context of volatility forecasting. Using model confidence set procedure, we show that the proposed approach improves the accuracy from benchmark models. Relevant economic explanations to our findings are provided as well.
Effect of high-pressure processing on the inactivation of foodborne pathogens in egg salad
Authors: Kim Min-Ju , Park Sang-Hyun
Published: June 2023

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of high-pressure processing (HPP) on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella serotype Typhimurium, and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in egg salad and to evaluate the number of sub-lethally injured cells based on treatment conditions. HPP at 500 MPa for 30 s was sufficient for the complete inactivation of L. monocytogenes and Salm. Typhimurium directly plated on selective agar or plated after resuscitation, while 2 min treatment was required for E. coli O157:H7. HPP at 600 MPa for 30 s completely inactivated L. monocytogenes and Salm. Typhimurium, while 1 min treatment was needed for E. coli O157:H7. HPP at 400‒500 MPa injured a large number of pathogenic bacteria. No significant changes (P  > 0.05) in pH and color of egg salad were observed between HPP-treated and non-treated samples during 28 days of storage at refrigerated temperature. Our findings could be useful in predicting the HPP-mediated inactivation patterns of foodborne pathogens in egg salad for practical applications.
How limiting is optical follow-up for fast radio burst applications? Forecasts for radio and optical surveys
Authors: Jahns-Schindler Joscha N , Spitler Laura G , Walker Charles R H , Baugh Carlton M
Published: June 2023

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are the first cosmological radio sources that vary on millisecond time-scales, which makes them a unique probe of the Universe. Many proposed applications of FRBs require associated redshifts. These can only be obtained by localizing FRBs to their host galaxies and subsequently measuring their redshifts. Upcoming FRB surveys will provide arcsecond localization for many FRBs, not all of which can be followed up with dedicated optical observations. We aim to estimate the fraction of FRB hosts that will be catalogued with redshifts by existing and future optical surveys. We use the population synthesis code frbpoppy to simulate several FRB surveys, and the semi-analytical galaxy formation code galform to simulate their host galaxies. We obtain redshift distributions for the simulated FRBs and the fraction with host galaxies in a survey. Depending on whether FRBs follow the cosmic star formation rate or stellar mass, 20–40 per cent of CHIME FRB hosts will be observed in an SDSS-like survey, all at z < 0.5. The deeper DELVE survey will detect 63–85 per cent of ASKAP FRBs found in its coherent search mode. CHIME FRBs will reach z ∼ 3, SKA1-Mid FRBs z ∼ 5, but ground based follow-up is limited to z ≲ 1.5. We discuss the consequences for several FRB applications. If ∼1/2 of ASKAP FRBs have measured redshifts, 1000 detected FRBs can be used to constrain Ωbh70 to within ∼10 per cent at 95 per cent credibility. We provide strategies for optimized follow-up, when building on data from existing surveys. Data and codes are made available.
Breaking properties of multicomponent neutron star crust
Authors: Kozhberov A A
Published: June 2023

We study breaking properties of a solid neutron star crust. We consider the case in which the crust at any fixed density consists of two types of ions, forming a strongly ordered Coulomb crystal. It is shown that the breaking stress of such matter noticeably depends on ionic composition, and it is typically larger than that for a one-component crystal. The difference may reach a factor of several.
MultiCAM: a multivariable framework for connecting the mass accretion history of haloes with their properties
Authors: Mendoza Ismael , Mansfield Philip , Wang Kuan , Avestruz Camille
Published: June 2023

Models that connect galaxy and halo properties often summarize a halo’s mass accretion history (MAH) with a single value and use this value as the basis for predictions. However, a single-value summary fails to capture the complexity of MAHs and information can be lost in the process. We present MultiCAM, a generalization of traditional abundance matching frameworks, which can simultaneously connect the full MAH of a halo with multiple halo and/or galaxy properties. As a first case study, we apply MultiCAM to the problem of connecting dark matter halo properties to their MAHs in the context of a dark matter-only simulation. While some halo properties, such as concentration, are more strongly correlated to the early-time mass growth of a halo, others, like the virial ratio, have stronger correlations with late-time mass growth. This highlights the necessity of considering the impact of the entire MAH on halo properties. For most of the halo properties we consider, we find that MultiCAM models that use the full MAH achieve higher accuracy than conditional abundance matching models that use a single epoch. We also demonstrate an extension of MultiCAM that captures the covariance between predicted halo properties. This extension provides a baseline model for applications where the covariance between predicted properties is important.
Distance of PSR B0458+46 indicated by FAST H i absorption observations
Authors: Jing W C , Han J L , Hong Tao , Wang Chen , Gao X Y , Hou L G , Zhou D J , Xu J , Yang Z L
Published: June 2023

The pulsar B0458+46 was previously believed to have a distance of about 1.3 kpc and to be associated with a nearby supernova remnant, SNR HB9 (G160.9+2.6). We observe the neutral hydrogen (H i) absorption spectrum of PSR B0458+46 by using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST), and detect two absorption lines at radial velocities of VLSR = −7.7 and −28.1 km s−1. Based on the Galactic rotation curve with a modification factor correcting for the systematic stream in the Galactic anticentre region, we derive the kinematic distance of the farther absorption cloud, which is found to be located $2.7^{+0.9}_{-0.8}$ kpc away, just beyond the Perseus Arm. We also obtain a direct distance estimation of the farther absorption cloud as being $2.3_{-0.7}^{+1.1}$ kpc, based on a comparison of the velocity with the H i emission in the Perseus and Outer Arms that was well-defined by recently measured parallax tracers. As a result, we conclude that PSR B0458+46 should be located beyond the Perseus Arm, with a lower limit for the distance at 2.7 kpc, and therefore not associated with SNR HB9. The doubled distance indicates a deficiency of thermal electrons in the immediate outer Galaxy, with a much less density than current models predict. Additionally, we detect a new high-velocity H i cloud in the direction of this pulsar.
Using planet migration and dust drift to weigh protoplanetary discs
Authors: Wu Yinhao , Baruteau Clément , Nayakshin Sergei
Published: June 2023

ALMA has spatially resolved over 200 annular structures in protoplanetary discs, many of which are suggestive of the presence of planets. Constraining the mass of these putative planets is quite degenerate for it depends on the disc physical properties, and for simplicity a steady-state is often assumed whereby the planet position is kept fixed and there is a constant source of dust at the outer edge of the disc. Here, we argue against this approach by demonstrating how the planet and dust dynamics can lift degeneracies of such steady-state models. We take main disc parameters from the well-known protoplanetary disc HD 163296 with a suspected planet at R ≈ 86 au as an example. By running gas and dust hydrodynamical simulations post-processed with dust radiative transfer calculations, we first find steady-state disc and planet parameters that reproduce ALMA continuum observations fairly well. For the same disc mass, but now allowing the planet to migrate in the simulation, we find that the planet undergoes runaway migration and reaches the inner disc in ∼0.2 Myr. Further, decreasing the disc mass slows down planet migration, but it then also increases the dust’s radial drift, thereby depleting the disc dust faster. We find that the opposing constraints of planet migration and dust drift require the disc mass to be at most $0.025~{\rm {\rm M}_{\odot }}$, must less massive than previously estimated, and for the dust to be porous rather than compact. We propose that similar analysis should be extended to other sources with suspected planetary companions.
Screening of predicted synergistic multi-target therapies in glioblastoma identifies new treatment strategies
Authors: Houweling Megan , Giczewska Anna , Abdul Kulsoom , Nieuwenhuis Ninke , Küçükosmanoglu Asli , Pastuszak Krzysztof , Buijsman Rogier C , Wesseling Pieter , Wedekind Laurine , Noske David , Supernat Anna , Bailey David , Watts Colin , Wurdinger Thomas , Westerman Bart A
Published: June 2023

Background

IDH-wildtype glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant primary brain tumor with a median survival of 15 months after standard of care, which highlights the need for improved therapy. Personalized combination therapy has shown to be successful in many other tumor types and could be beneficial for GBM patients.

Methods

We performed the largest drug combination screen to date in GBM, using a high-throughput effort where we selected 90 drug combinations for their activity onto 25 patient-derived GBM cultures. 43 drug combinations were selected for interaction analysis based on their monotherapy efficacy and were tested in a short-term (3 days) as well as long-term (18 days) assay. Synergy was assessed using dose-equivalence and multiplicative survival metrics.

Results

We observed a consistent synergistic interaction for 15 out of 43 drug combinations on patient-derived GBM cultures. From these combinations, 11 out of 15 drug combinations showed a longitudinal synergistic effect on GBM cultures. The highest synergies were observed in the drug combinations Lapatinib with Thapsigargin and Lapatinib with Obatoclax Mesylate, both targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and affecting the apoptosis pathway. To further elaborate on the apoptosis cascade, we investigated other, more clinically relevant, apoptosis inducers and observed a strong synergistic effect while combining Venetoclax (BCL targeting) and AZD5991 (MCL1 targeting).

Conclusions

Overall, we have identified via a high-throughput drug screening several new treatment strategies for GBM. Moreover, an exceptionally strong synergistic interaction was discovered between kinase targeting and apoptosis induction which is suitable for further clinical evaluation as multi-targeted combination therapy.
A Phase I Trial of Bevacizumab and Temsirolimus in Combination With Valproic Acid in Advanced Solid Tumors
Authors: Nelson Blessie Elizabeth , Tsimberidou Apostolia M , Fu Xueyao , Fu Siqing , Subbiah Vivek , Sood Anil K , Rodon Jordi , Karp Daniel D , Blumenschein George , Kopetz Scott , Pant Shubham , Piha-Paul Sarina A
Published: June 2023

Background

Preclinical models suggest synergy between anti-angiogenesis therapy, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and histone deacetylase inhibitors to promote anticancer activity.

Methods

This phase I study enrolled 47 patients between April 2012 and 2018 and determined safety, maximum tolerated dose (MTD), and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) when combining bevacizumab, temsirolimus, and valproic acid in patients with advanced cancer.

Results

Median age of enrolled patients was 56 years. Patients were heavily pretreated with a median of 4 lines of prior therapy. Forty-five patients (95.7%) experienced one or more treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Grade 3 TRAEs were lymphopenia (14.9%), thrombocytopenia (8.5%), and mucositis (6.4%). Grade 4 TRAEs included lymphopenia (2.1%) and CNS cerebrovascular ischemia (2.1%). Six patients developed DLTs across 10 dose levels with grade 3 infection, rash, mucositis, bowel perforation, elevated lipase, and grade 4 cerebrovascular ischemia. The MTD was dose level 9 (bevacizumab 5 mg/kg days 1 and 15 intravenously (IV) plus temsirolimus 25 mg days 1, 8, 15, and 22 IV and valproic acid 5 mg/kg on days 1-7 and 15-21 per orally (PO)). Objective response rate (ORR) was 7.9% with confirmed partial response (PRs) in 3 patients (one each in parotid gland, ovarian, and vaginal cancers). Stable disease (SD) ≥+6 months was seen in 5 patients (13.1%). Clinical benefit state (CBR: PR + SD ≥+6 months) was 21%.

Conclusion

Combination therapy with bevacizumab, temsirolimus, and valproic acid was feasible, but there were numerous toxicities, which will require careful management for future clinical development (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01552434).
Prolonged Survival of NUT Midline Carcinoma and Current Approaches to Treatment
Authors: Kaplan Henry G , Subramaniam Somasundaram , Vallières Eric , Barnett Todd
Published: June 2023

NUT midline carcinoma is a rare malignancy most commonly seen in adolescents and young adults. The disease presents most often in the lung or head and neck area but can be seen occasionally elsewhere. The diagnosis can be difficult and requires a high degree of suspicion with demonstration of the classic fusion rearrangement mutation of the NUTM1 gene with one of a variety of partners by immunohistochemistry, fluorescent in situ hybridization, or genomic analysis. Survival is usually only a number of months with few long-term survivors. Here we report one of the longest-known survivors of this disease treated with surgery and radiation without additional therapy. Systemic treatment approaches including the use of chemotherapy and BET and histone deacetylase inhibitors have yielded modest results. Further studies of these, as well as p300 and CDK9 inhibitors and combinations of BET inhibitors with chemotherapy or CDK 4/6 inhibitors, are being evaluated. Recent reports suggest there may be a role for immune checkpoint inhibitors, even in the absence of high tumor mutation burden or PD-L1 positivity. RNA sequencing of this patient’s tumor demonstrated overexpression of multiple potentially targetable genes. Given the altered transcription that results from the causative mutation multi-omic evaluation of these tumors may uncover druggable targets for treatment.
Short duration of parenteral antibiotics in infants with urinary tract infections
Authors: Menon Nikita , Mutinta Deasy Anne , Woo Kellan , Tarabishi Jalal , Chan Eugene Yu-hin , Kang Kristopher , Carwana Matthew , Nama Nassr
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Current guidelines by the Canadian Paediatric Society on treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) exclude infants ≤ 60 days old. There is considerable practice variability in this age group, especially around the optimal duration of parenteral antibiotics. The study aimed to assess local practice patterns, and the safety of a short course (≤3 days) of parenteral antibiotics in young infants.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, 95 infants (≤60 days) with confirmed UTIs were identified at British Columbia Children’s Hospital. Patients receiving short (≤3 days) and long (>3 days) duration of parenteral antibiotics were compared. Outcomes of interest included urinary tract infection recurrence within 30 days, hospital length of stay (LOS), representation, and readmission.

Results

Twenty infants (21%) received a short course of parenteral antibiotics. These infants were older (median 47 days versus 28 days) and non-bacteremic. Urinary tract infection recurrence was identified in 8 patients (8%), of which 7 were treated with a long duration (P = 1.0). Patients treated with a short duration had a significantly shorter LOS, with a mean difference of 4.21 days [95% CI: 3.37 to 5.05] (P < 0.001). All five (5%) bacteremic patients were treated exclusively with parenteral antibiotics.

Conclusions

In a Canadian setting, a short course of parenteral antibiotics is safe in young, non-bacteremic infants with UTIs. Despite substantial evidence, local practice patterns suggest a tendency towards prescription of long courses, providing an opportunity for quality improvement.
Scarlet macaw (Ara macao) breeding at the Mimbres archaeological site of Old Town (early AD 1100s) in Southwestern New Mexico
Authors: Conrad Cyler , Wurth Kimberly , Tenner Travis , Naes Benjamin , LeBlanc Steven A , Creel Darrell , Williams Katharine , Beacham E Bradley
Published: June 2023

Examination of avian eggshell at the Old Town archaeological site in Southwestern New Mexico, United States of America, indicates that scarlet macaw (Ara macao) breeding occurred during the Classic Mimbres period (early AD 1100s). Current archaeological and archaeogenomic evidence from throughout the American Southwest/Mexican Northwest (SW/NW) suggests that Indigenous people bred scarlet macaws at an unknown location(s) between AD 900 and 1200 and likely again at the northwestern Mexico site of Paquimé post-AD 1275. However, there is a lack of direct evidence for breeding, or the location(s) of scarlet macaw breeding itself, within this area. This research, for the first time, provides evidence of scarlet macaw breeding using scanning electron microscopy of eggshells from Old Town.
Positive parenting moderates associations between childhood stress and corticolimbic structure
Authors: Kahhalé Isabella , Barry Kelly R , Hanson Jamie L
Published: June 2023

Childhood stress has a deleterious impact on youth behavior and brain development. Resilience factors such as positive parenting (e.g. expressions of warmth and support) may buffer youth against the negative impacts of stress. We sought to determine whether positive parenting buffers against the negative impact of childhood stress on youth behavior and brain structure and to investigate differences between youth-reported parenting and caregiver-reported parenting. Cross-sectional behavioral and neuroimaging data were analyzed from 482 youth (39% female and 61% male, ages 10–17) who participated in an ongoing research initiative, the Healthy Brain Network (HBN). Regression models found that youth-reported positive parenting buffered against the association between childhood stress and youth behavioral problems (β = −0.10, P = 0.04) such that increased childhood stress was associated with increased youth behavior problems only for youth who did not experience high levels of positive parenting. We also found that youth-reported positive parenting buffered against the association between childhood stress and decreased hippocampal volumes (β = 0.07, P = 0.02) such that youth who experienced high levels of childhood stress and who reported increased levels of positive parenting did not exhibit smaller hippocampal volumes. Our work identifies positive parenting as a resilience factor buffering youth against the deleterious impact of stressful childhood experiences on problem behaviors and brain development. These findings underscore the importance of centering youth perspectives of stress and parenting practices to better understand neurobiology, mechanisms of resilience, and psychological well-being.
A subcellular biochemical model for T6SS dynamics reveals winning competitive strategies
Authors: Lin Yuexia Luna , Smith Stephanie N , Kanso Eva , Septer Alecia N , Rycroft Chris H
Published: June 2023

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a broadly distributed interbacterial weapon that can be used to eliminate competing bacterial populations. Although unarmed target populations are typically used to study T6SS function in vitro, bacteria most likely encounter other T6SS-armed competitors in nature. However, the connection between subcellular details of the T6SS and the outcomes of such mutually lethal battles is not well understood. Here, we incorporate biological data derived from natural competitors of Vibrio fischeri light organ symbionts to build a biochemical model for T6SS at the single-cell level, which we then integrate into an agent-based model (ABM). Using the ABM, we isolate and experiment with strain-specific physiological differences between competitors in ways not possible with biological samples to identify winning strategies for T6SS-armed populations. Through in vitro experiments, we discover that strain-specific differences exist in T6SS activation speed. ABM simulations corroborate that faster activation is dominant in determining survival during competition. Once competitors are fully activated, the energy required for T6SS creates a tipping point where increased weapon building and firing becomes too costly to be advantageous. Through ABM simulations, we identify the threshold where this transition occurs in the T6SS parameter space. We also find that competitive outcomes depend on the geometry of the battlefield: unarmed target cells survive at the edges of a range expansion where unlimited territory can be claimed. Alternatively, competitions within a confined space, much like the light organ crypts where natural V. fischeri compete, result in the rapid elimination of the unarmed population.
Disagreement Does Not Always Mean Division: Evidence from Five Decades of American Public Opinion
Authors: Perrett Stuart
Published: June 2023

Are those things on which Americans most disagree the same things that divide liberals and conservatives or Democrats and Republicans? How has this changed over time? To answer these questions, I use 350 subjective items from five decades of the General Social Survey. Estimating disagreement with ordinal dispersion and using a novel measure of sorting by party and ideological identification, I find an increasing positive association between the two phenomena. In the 1970s, the likelihood that opinion on contentious items divided partisans was low. Since then, this probability has increased. Disagreement has been more consistently associated with higher levels of ideological sorting, though this relationship has also strengthened since the 1980s. I then ask which items and substantive domains have propelled the politicization of disagreement. I decompose the estimated coefficients between disagreement and sorting by item to quantify their contribution in each decade. I find that opinions from two domains play a large role throughout the period: public spending, and sexuality and abortion. Nevertheless, there is a great deal of heterogeneity within domains and over time. Though disagreement between Americans has increasingly sorted, a relatively small number of items drive this relationship in any one decade. Even among voters, a good proportion of disagreement remains unrelated to ideological or partisan divisions.
Increased CD8+ tissue resident memory T cells, regulatory T cells and activated natural killer cells in systemic sclerosis lungs
Authors: Padilla Cristina M , Valenzi Eleanor , Tabib Tracy , Nazari Banafsheh , Sembrat John , Rojas Mauricio , Fuschiotti Patrizia , Lafyatis Robert
Published: June 2023

Objective

Multiple observations indicate a role for lymphocytes in driving autoimmunity in SSc. While T and NK cells have been studied in SSc whole blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, their role remains unclear, partly because no studies have analysed these cell types in SSc-interstitial lung disease (ILD) lung tissue. This research aimed to identify and analyse the lymphoid subpopulations in SSc-ILD lung explants.

Methods

Lymphoid populations from 13 SSc-ILD and 6 healthy control (HC) lung explants were analysed using Seurat following single-cell RNA sequencing. Lymphoid clusters were identified by their differential gene expression. Absolute cell numbers and cell proportions in each cluster were compared between cohorts. Additional analyses were performed using pathway analysis, pseudotime and cell ligand-receptor interactions.

Results

Activated CD16+ NK cells, CD8+ tissue resident memory T cells and Treg cells were proportionately higher in SSc-ILD compared with HC lungs. Activated CD16+ NK cells in SSc-ILD showed upregulated granzyme B, IFN-γ and CD226. Amphiregulin, highly upregulated by NK cells, was predicted to interact with epidermal growth factor receptor on several bronchial epithelial cell populations. Shifts in CD8+ T cell populations indicated a transition from resting to effector to tissue resident phenotypes in SSc-ILD.

Conclusions

SSc-ILD lungs show activated lymphoid populations. Activated cytotoxic NK cells suggest they may kill alveolar epithelial cells, while their expression of amphiregulin suggests they may also induce bronchial epithelial cell hyperplasia. CD8+ T cells in SSc-ILD appear to transition from resting to the tissue resident memory phenotype.
A k-mer-Based Approach for Phylogenetic Classification of Taxa in Environmental Genomic Data
Authors: Van Etten Julia , Stephens Timothy G , Bhattacharya Debashish
Published: June 2023

In the age of genome sequencing, whole-genome data is readily and frequently generated, leading to a wealth of new information that can be used to advance various fields of research. New approaches, such as alignment-free phylogenetic methods that utilize k-mer-based distance scoring, are becoming increasingly popular given their ability to rapidly generate phylogenetic information from whole-genome data. However, these methods have not yet been tested using environmental data, which often tends to be highly fragmented and incomplete. Here, we compare the results of one alignment-free approach (which utilizes the D2 statistic) to traditional multi-gene maximum likelihood trees in 3 algal groups that have high-quality genome data available. In addition, we simulate lower-quality, fragmented genome data using these algae to test method robustness to genome quality and completeness. Finally, we apply the alignment-free approach to environmental metagenome assembled genome data of unclassified Saccharibacteria and Trebouxiophyte algae, and single-cell amplified data from uncultured marine stramenopiles to demonstrate its utility with real datasets. We find that in all instances, the alignment-free method produces phylogenies that are comparable, and often more informative, than those created using the traditional multi-gene approach. The k-mer-based method performs well even when there are significant missing data that include marker genes traditionally used for tree reconstruction. Our results demonstrate the value of alignment-free approaches for classifying novel, often cryptic or rare, species, that may not be culturable or are difficult to access using single-cell methods, but fill important gaps in the tree of life.
Decreased GPX3 mRNA level in peripheral blood mononuclear cells is associated with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Han Li-Yan , Sun Wei-Juan , Zhao Ze-Hua , Gao Shuai , Wang Kai
Published: June 2023

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies with increasing mortality. In this study, we aim to determine the alteration and diagnostic value of GXP3 expression for HBV-related HCC.

Methods

We recruited 243 subjects, including 132 HBV-related HCC patients, 78 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 33 healthy controls (HCs). The mRNA level of GPX3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. The GPX3 plasma level was detected by ELISA.

Results

The GPX3 mRNA level was significantly decreased in HBV-related HCC patients compared with in CHB patients and HCs (p<0.05). The plasma GPX3 level was significantly lower in patients with HBV-related HCC than in CHB patients and HCs (p<0.05). In the HCC subgroup, the GPX3 mRNA level was significantly lower in patients with positive HBeAg, ascites, advanced stage and poor differentiation compared with in the other groups (p<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed to estimate the diagnostic value of the GPX3 mRNA level for HBV-related HCC. The GPX3 mRNA level showed a significantly better diagnostic ability compared with alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (area under the curve 0.769 vs 0.658, p<0.001).

Conclusions

A decreased GPX3 mRNA level might be a potential non-invasive biomarker for HBV-related HCC. It showed better diagnostic ability than AFP.
A review of traffic behaviour and intelligent driving at roundabouts based on a microscopic perspective
Authors: Jiang Haobin , Shen Qingyuan , Li Aoxue , Yin Chenhui
Published: June 2023

The contradiction between increasing traffic and the relatively poor roundabout infrastructure is getting stronger. The control and optimization of the macroscopic traffic flow needs to be improved to resolve congestion and safety problems at roundabouts and the connected road network. In order to better understand the gaps and trends in this field, we have systematically reviewed the main research and developments in traffic phenomena, driving behaviour, autonomous vehicles (AVs), intelligent connected vehicles and real vehicle trajectory data sets at roundabouts. The study is based on 388 papers about roundabouts, selected through a comprehensive literature search. The review demonstrates that based on a microscopic perspective, sensing, prediction, decision-making, planning and control aspects of AVs and intelligent connected vehicles can be designed and optimized to fundamentally and significantly improve traffic capacity and driving safety at roundabouts. However, the generation mechanism of traffic conflicts among traffic participants at roundabouts is complex, which is a tremendous challenge for the systematic design of AVs. Therefore, based on naturalistic driving data and machine learning theory, it is an important research direction to build driver models by learning and imitating human driver decision-making and driving behaviours.
Widespread Resistance to Tebuconazole and Cross-Resistance to Other DMI Fungicides in Stagonosporopsis citrulli Isolated from Watermelon in South Carolina
Authors: Keinath Anthony P. , Rennberger Gabriel , Wechter Patrick
Published: June 2023

Tebuconazole, a demethylation-inhibitor (DMI) fungicide, is widely used on watermelon and muskmelon because it is inexpensive and has been effective against Stagonosporopsis citrulli, the primary causal agent of gummy stem blight in the southeastern United States. Most isolates (94% of 251) collected from watermelon in South Carolina in 2019 and 2021 were moderately resistant to tebuconazole at 3.0 mg/liter in vitro. Ninety isolates were identified as S. citrulli, and no isolates of S. caricae were found in this study. On watermelon and muskmelon seedlings treated with the field rate of tebuconazole, sensitive, moderately resistant, and highly resistant isolates were controlled 99, 74, and 45%, respectively. In vitro, tebuconazole-sensitive isolates were moderately resistant to tetraconazole and flutriafol but sensitive to difenoconazole and prothioconazole, while highly resistant isolates were highly resistant to tetraconazole and flutriafol and moderately resistant to difenoconazole and prothioconazole. On watermelon seedlings treated with field rates of five DMI fungicides in the greenhouse, severity of gummy stem blight did not differ significantly from the nontreated control when seedlings were inoculated with a highly resistant isolate, while severity was lower with all DMIs on seedlings inoculated with a sensitive isolate, although severity was greater with tetraconazole than with the other four DMIs. In the field, tetraconazole rotated with mancozeb did not reduce severity of gummy stem blight caused by a tebuconazole-sensitive isolate when compared to the nontreated control, while the other four DMIs did. With a highly resistant isolate, all DMIs rotated with mancozeb reduced severity of gummy stem blight compared to the nontreated control, but severity with tetraconazole and tebuconazole was greater than with mancozeb alone, and severity with flutriafol, difenoconazole, prothioconazole, and difenoconazole plus cyprodinil did not differ from mancozeb applied alone. Results from in vitro, greenhouse, and field experiments with the five DMI fungicides were highly correlated with each other. Thus, determining relative colony diameters with a discriminatory dose of 3 mg/liter of tebuconazole is an effective way to identify isolates of S. citrulli highly resistant to tebuconazole.
LRRC8A anion channels modulate vascular reactivity via association with myosin phosphatase rho interacting protein
Authors: Choi Hyehun , Miller Michael R. , Nguyen Hong‐Ngan , Rohrbough Jeffrey C. , Koch Stephen R. , Boatwright Naoko , Yarboro Michael T. , Sah Rajan , McDonald W. Hayes , Reese J. Jeffrey , Stark Ryan J. , Lamb Fred S.
Published: June 2023

Leucine‐rich repeat containing 8A (LRRC8A) volume regulated anion channels (VRACs) are activated by inflammatory and pro‐contractile stimuli including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), angiotensin II and stretch. LRRC8A associates with NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) and supports extracellular superoxide production. We tested the hypothesis that VRACs modulate TNFα signaling and vasomotor function in mice lacking LRRC8A exclusively in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs, Sm22α‐Cre, Knockout). Knockout (KO) mesenteric vessels contracted normally but relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) was enhanced compared to wild type (WT). Forty‐eight hours of ex vivo exposure to TNFα (10 ng/mL) enhanced contraction to norepinephrine (NE) and markedly impaired dilation to ACh and SNP in WT but not KO vessels. VRAC blockade (carbenoxolone, CBX, 100 μM, 20 min) enhanced dilation of control rings and restored impaired dilation following TNFα exposure. Myogenic tone was absent in KO rings. LRRC8A immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectroscopy identified 33 proteins that interacted with LRRC8A. Among them, the myosin phosphatase rho‐interacting protein (MPRIP) links RhoA, MYPT1 and actin. LRRC8A‐MPRIP co‐localization was confirmed by confocal imaging of tagged proteins, Proximity Ligation Assays, and IP/western blots. siLRRC8A or CBX treatment decreased RhoA activity in VSMCs, and MYPT1 phosphorylation was reduced in KO mesenteries suggesting that reduced ROCK activity contributes to enhanced relaxation. MPRIP was a target of redox modification, becoming oxidized (sulfenylated) after TNFα exposure. Interaction of LRRC8A with MPRIP may allow redox regulation of the cytoskeleton by linking Nox1 activation to impaired vasodilation. This identifies VRACs as potential targets for treatment or prevention of vascular disease.
Does time to surgery for distal radius fractures impact clinical and radiographic outcomes? A systematic literature review
Authors: Julian Kaitlyn R. , Truong Nicole M. , Leversedge Chelsea , Kwong Jeffrey W. , Rosinski Alexander , Kamal Robin N. , Shapiro Lauren M.
Published: June 2023

Distal radius fractures are one of the most common upper extremity fractures across all age groups. Although the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS) Clinical Practice Guidelines have defined recommendations for the treatment of distal radius fractures, the optimal time to surgery was not included. There remains relatively little guidance or consensus regarding the optimal timing of surgical intervention for distal radius fractures and the impact of time to surgery on outcomes. As such, the purpose of this investigation is to systematically review clinical and radiographic outcomes associated with time to surgical management of distal radius fractures.
Identifying Latent Topics and Trends in Premature Infant–Related Nursing Studies Using a Latent Dirichlet Allocation Method
Authors: Lee Myeong Seon , Lee Seonah
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to identify topics and within-topic core keywords in premature infant–related nursing studies published in Korean and international academic journals using topic modeling and to compare and analyze the trends in Korean and international studies. Journal databases were searched to extract nursing studies involving premature infants from 1998 to 2020. Journal databases included MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and EMBASE for international studies and DBpia, the National Digital Science Library, the Korea Citation Index, and the Research Information Sharing Service for Korean studies. Abstracts from the selected 182 Korean and 2502 international studies were analyzed using NetMiner4.4.3e. In results, four similar topics (Korean vs international) were “pain intervention” versus “pain management”; “breast feeding practice” versus “breast feeding”; “kangaroo mother care”; and “parental stress” versus “stress & depression.” Two topics that appeared only in the international studies were “infection management” and “oral feeding & respiratory care.” Overall, the international studies dealt with diverse topics directly associated with premature. Korean studies mainly dealt with topics related to mothers of premature infants, whereas studies related to premature infants were insufficient. Nursing research in Korea needs to be expanded to research topics addressing premature infants.
A glimpse at locally advanced melanomas in the settings of poverty: pathologists viewpoint
Authors: Assefa Wubshet , Muluye Serkadis , Assefa Andualem , Alemu Yacob
Published: June 2023

Cutaneous melanoma is the most aggressive cancer of the skin arising from pigment-producing cells, known as melanocytes. It is notorious for spreading early to distant locations. Survival of patients with melanoma largely depends on the thickness of the lesion at the primary site thus spotting it early is crucial. Early diagnosis of melanoma, with an improved quality of life and treatment outcomes, is being achieved in some developed nations through screening and health education. On the contrary, as practicing pathologists in a resource-scarce country, we frequently encounter patients with locally advanced melanoma manifesting as ulceration, bleeding, fungation, and bone erosion. Several factors, including low socioeconomic status, medical mistrust, inaccessibility of health facilities, and absent screening and surveillance services can be attributed to the delayed diagnosis. Therefore to alleviate the burden and complications caused by the late presentation of cutaneous melanoma, an urgent massive community mobilization, information campaigning, and the provision of accessible basic primary health care are urgently needed.
Prevalence of Prohibited Questions during Plastic Surgery Residency Interviews
Authors: Rogers Ashley E. , Mantilla-Rivas Esperanza , Duarte-Bateman Daniela , Manrique Monica , McGrath Jennifer L. , Sohel Rana Md , Oh Albert K. , David Lisa R. , Janis Jeffrey E. , Rogers Gary F.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Despite rules set forth by the National Resident Matching Program and American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), prohibited questions during the residency interview process are well documented. This study describes the prevalence of these encounters by surveying residency applicants to integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery (PRS) programs for the 2022 match cycle.

Methods:

An anonymous 16-question REDCap survey was distributed to 2022 cycle applicants of a single PRS program. The applicants were queried about demographic information, interview experience, and questions deemed illegal by the AAMC/NRMP guidelines.

Results:

One hundred survey responses were attained for a 33.1% response rate. The majority of respondents were aged 26-30 (76%), women (53%), and white (53%); 33% received 15+ interviews for the application cycle. Seventy-eight percent of respondents reported being asked a prohibited question during at least one interview, with the most common "illegal" question categories being number/ranking of interviews (42%), marital status (33%), career balance (25%), and race/ethnicity (22%). Only 25.6% of applicants considered the subject matter inappropriate, whereas 42.3% were unsure. Although no applicant took action to report the potentially illegal scenarios, 30% said that their experiences influenced their rank list.

Conclusions:

Our survey study revealed that prohibited interview questions in PRS residency interviews are common. Permissible lines of questioning and discussion between programs and applicants during residency interviews have been defined by AAMC. Institutions should provide guidance and training to all participants. Applicants should be made aware of and empowered to utilize available anonymous reporting tools.
How Postoperative Infection Affects Reoperations after Implant-based Breast Reconstruction: A National Claims Analysis of Abandonment of Reconstruction
Authors: Francis Shannon D. , Thawanyarat Kometh , Johnstone Thomas M. , Yesantharao Pooja S. , Kim Trudy S. , Rowley Mallory A. , Sheckter Clifford C. , Nazerali Rahim S.
Published: June 2023

Background:

Infection after implant-based breast reconstruction adversely affects surgical outcomes and increases healthcare utilization. This study aimed to quantify how postimplant breast reconstruction infections impact unplanned reoperations, hospital length of stay, and discontinuation of initially desired breast reconstruction.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Optum’s de-identifed Clinformatics Data Mart Database to analyze women undergoing implant breast reconstruction from 2003 to 2019. Unplanned reoperations were identified via Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. Outcomes were analyzed via multivariate linear regression with Poisson distribution to determine statistical significance at P < 0.00625 (Bonferroni correction).

Results:

In our national claims-based dataset, post-IBR infection rate was 8.53%. Subsequently, 31.2% patients had an implant removed, 6.9% had an implant replaced, 3.6% underwent autologous salvage, and 20.7% discontinued further reconstruction. Patients with a postoperative infection were significantly associated with increased incidence rate of total reoperations (IRR, 3.11; 95% CI, 2.92–3.31; P < 0.001) and total hospital length of stay (IRR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.48–1.63; P < 0.001). Postoperative infections were associated with significantly increased odds of abandoning reconstruction (OR, 2.92; 95% CI, 0.081–0.11; P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Unplanned reoperations impact patients and healthcare systems. This national, claims-level study shows that post-IBR infection was associated with a 3.11× and 1.55× increase in the incidence rate of unplanned reoperations and length of stay. Post-IBR infection was associated with 2.92× increased odds of abandoning further reconstruction after implant removal.