bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography: An effective option for endo-biliary radiofrequency ablation before stent insertion in unresectable biliary cancer?
Authors: Karagiannakis Dimitrios S
Published: September 2024

Biliary cancer is a highly aggressive disease that is typically diagnosed at advanced stages when surgical removal is no longer an option. In these cases, palliative care and mechanical widening of the blocked biliary system are preferred. The insertion of a stent is often necessary to prevent the recurrence of blockages caused by cancer progression. Prior to stent placement, endo-biliary radiofrequency ablation (EB-RFA) appears to result in longer-lasting stent effectiveness without increasing the risk of severe complications. However, its impact on overall survival is not yet clear. Additionally, while endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the most common method for performing EB-RFA, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage seems to be a safe and potentially more efficient alternative, particularly for long, angulated, or significantly narrowed bile ducts.
Sonodynamic effect based on vancomycin-loaded microbubbles or meropenem-loaded microbubbles enhances elimination of different biofilms and bactericidal efficacy
Authors: Yao Liqin , Chu Chenghan , Li Yicheng , Cao Li , Yang Jianhua , Mu Wenbo
Published: September 2024

Aims

This study investigated vancomycin-microbubbles (Vm-MBs) and meropenem (Mp)-MBs with ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) to disrupt biofilms and improve bactericidal efficiency, providing a new and promising strategy for the treatment of device-related infections (DRIs).

Methods

A film hydration method was used to prepare Vm-MBs and Mp-MBs and examine their characterization. Biofilms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli were treated with different groups. Biofilm biomass differences were determined by staining. Thickness and bacterial viability were observed with confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Colony counts were determined by plate-counting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observed bacterial morphology.

Results

The Vm-MBs and Mp-MBs met the experimental requirements. The biofilm biomass in the Vm, Vm-MBs, UTMD, and Vm-MBs + UTMD groups was significantly lower than in the control group. MRSA and E. coli biofilms were most notably damaged in the Vm-MBs + UTMD group and Mp-MBs + UTMD group, respectively, with mean 21.55% (SD 0.08) and 19.73% (SD 1.25) remaining in the biofilm biomass. Vm-MBs + UTMD significantly reduced biofilm thickness and bacterial viability (p = 0.005 and p < 0.0001, respectively).

Mp-MBs + UTMD could significantly decrease biofilm thickness and bacterial viability (allp < 0.001). Plate-counting method showed that the numbers of MRSA and E. coli bacterial colonies were significantly lower in the Vm-MBs + UTMD group and the Mp, Mp-MBs, UTMD, Mp-MBs + UTMD groups compared to the control group (p = 0.031). SEM showed that the morphology and structure of MRSA and E. coli were significantly damaged in the Vm-MBs + UTMD and Mp-MBs + UTMD groups.

Conclusion

Vm-MBs or Mp-MBs combined with UTMD can effectively disrupt biofilms and protectively release antibiotics under ultrasound mediation, significantly reducing bacterial viability and improving the bactericidal effect of antibiotics.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(9):441–451.
Patient-reported outcomes following surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis performed in adolescence versus adulthood
Authors: Lloyd A , Harding I , Cole A , Gardner A
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The Scoliosis Research Society 22r (SRS-22r) questionnaire is a proven tool in assessing healthcare-related quality of life (HRQoL) in idiopathic scoliosis and is the adopted patient-reported outcome measure for the deformity pathway recorded into the British Spinal Registry (BSR). Surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is performed frequently in teenagers; however, patients also present with curves in the surgical range into adulthood. This work aimed to assess HRQoL differences between patients following surgery for AIS performed in adolescence and adulthood using SRS-22r data collected from the BSR.

Methods

An anonymised BSR search of pre- and postoperative SRS-22r scores for patients with diagnoses of AIS and adult idiopathic scoliosis was conducted. Data from all subdomains were compared preoperatively and at the two-year postoperative timepoint.

Results

Preoperative SRS-22r scores were analysed for 1,912 patients with AIS and 65 with adult idiopathic scoliosis. Patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis had significantly lower preoperative SRS-22r scores in all subdomains (p<0.05). By two years postoperatively, both groups of patients had improved SRS-22r scores significantly compared with baseline in all subdomains (p<0.001). A cross-group analysis revealed patients with AIS had significantly better function scores years postoperatively than their adult counterparts (p=0.005).

Conclusions

This work confirms there are benefits following surgery for AIS in improving HRQoL, but has also provided HRQoL data in adult patients, who again show similar improvements following surgery from baseline. This is of value when counselling patients regarding anticipated benefits of surgery performed in childhood and adulthood.
Subwavelength structure (SWS) of alumina treated by aluminum dihydrogen phosphate
Authors: Zhang Zuyi
Published: September 2024

The subwavelength structure (SWS) surface of γ-AlOOH transformed from sol-gel derived amorphous alumina on a Ge prism and quartz and subsequently followed by the treatment of aqueous aluminum dihydrogen phosphate (AlP) was investigated by optical spectroscopy in the visible region and attenuated total reflection (ATR) infrared spectroscopy, respectively. To facilitate the mechanism of anti-reflection in the SWS based on a graded region in the refractive index, the layer of amorphous alumina was widened by using a two-layer coating and by employing the precursor’s solution with prolonged aging for 6 months. As for the treatment of aqueous phosphate, the enrichment of D2O was applied in combination with infrared spectroscopy. The anti-reflection of the SWS coating on quartz became superior by increasing the thickness of amorphous alumina up to 400 nm, which was reproduced in the simulations with an increase in width of the graded region having the principal gradient of the refractive index. By ATR infrared spectroscopy, aqueous aluminum dihydrogen phosphate was inferred to penetrate into the amorphous layer of alumina left at the interface with the substrate and reacted with it, increasing the refractive index of the amorphous layer. By the enrichment of D2O, it was revealed that there were few pores accessible by the vapor of D2O in the SWS coating treated by AlP. The reaction of the amorphous layer with aluminum dihydrogen phosphate is inferred to prevent corrosion from moisture in the optical glasses beneath in practical camera lenses.
Design terahertz polarizers and vector polarized vortex terahertz wave generators based on the effective dielectric constant of metal gratings
Authors: Cai Mengqiang , Wu Zhixu , Yan Weichao , Lei Jiangtao , Xia Yong , Tang Rongxin
Published: September 2024

Polarization and phase devices for terahertz waves have important applications in terahertz detection, imaging, communication, etc. Spatially variable metal gratings can be used for broad-spectrum, miniaturized, and low-cost terahertz polarization and phase modulation devices. Based on the effective dielectric constant and the theory of light propagation in multilayer media, we obtain the relationship between the transmittance and extinction ratio and the parameters such as the duty cycle of the metal grating, the frequency of the incident terahertz wave, the angle of incidence, the thickness of the metal grating, the refractive index of the substrate, and the thickness of the substrate. We propose a method of designing a spatially variable metal grating located on a transparent substrate. The designed spatially variable metal grating is also used to modulate the terahertz spatial polarization and phase to generate terahertz optical fields whose polarization and phase change simultaneously in space, such as azimuthally vector vortex terahertz optical fields, radially vector vortex terahertz optical fields, and so on. This will have important applications in terahertz time-domain spectroscopic detection, terahertz time-domain spectroscopic imaging, terahertz time-domain near-field microscopic imaging, terahertz communication, and so on.
Hitless two-dimensional focal plane switch array based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer-embedded micro-ring resonators
Authors: Zhao Zichao , Yu Zeyu , Liang Qishen , Zhang Zhaoyang , Chen Bei , Dai Tingge , Wang Yuehai , Zheng Fang , Yang Jianyi
Published: September 2024

Empowered by compact micro-ring (MRR) arrays, wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM)-based focal plane switch array (FPSA) chip is a promising solution for light detection and ranging (LiDAR) due to its parallelism and high-level integration. However, an MRR channel with a shifting central wavelength may interrupt another channel by dropping an optical signal with an unexpected wavelength, which causes discontinuous beam scanning. To overcome this bottleneck, we propose and fabricate a hitless two-dimensional (2-D) FPSA chip based on a 2 × 8 Mach-Zehnder interferometer-embedded micro-ring resonator (MZER) array. The FPSA chip realizes a beam divergence of 0.18° × 0.05°, a field of view (FoV) of 9.07° × 6.42° with single-ended emission, and a FoV of 10.75° × 6.42° with dual-ended field-of-view splicing technology. Besides, we demonstrate the hitless function of our FPSA chip by performing continuous wavelength sweeping and further applying it to a free-space optical communication link. The experimental results validate the feasibility of our proposed hitless FPSA chip, which efficiently prevents signal interruptions during beam steering.
Realizing a kilowatt-level fiber amplifier with a 42 μm core diameter fiber for improved multi-mode performance towards single mode operation output through adaptive spatial mode control utilizing a 3×1 photonic lantern
Authors: Ze Yuxuan , Liu Pengfei , Zhang Hanwei , Hu Yanyang , Ding Lianchuang , Yan Baozhu , Zhang Jiangbin , Zhou Qiong , Liu Wenguang
Published: September 2024

The photonic lantern, a coherent beam combiner capable of controlling the phase, amplitude, and polarization of input light, has been utilized to enhance the brightness of fiber lasers by managing the output beam’s mode. In this work, a 3×1 photonic lantern-based adaptive spatial mode control system is employed to realize kilowatt-level operation in a 42 μm core fiber laser amplifier. Both simulation and experimental outcomes affirm the ability of this approach to manage modes within large-mode-area fiber laser systems through the use of 3 input arms. The experiment not only streamlines the overall system design but also has the potential to reduce production costs and complexities. Additionally, the spectrum width has been optimized to 10 GHz, striking a balance between the SBS threshold and the coherence of the photonic lantern’s input arms. By implementing this system, we have successfully achieved a stable, improved multi-mode performance towards single mode operation output of 1.08 kW, with a beam quality factor M2 of 2.20. This research furthers our understanding of how photonic lanterns can stabilize and enhance beam quality in high-power fiber lasers, paving the way for potential improvements in their performance and applications.
SPIDERweb: a neural network approach to spectral phase interferometry
Authors: Gianani Ilaria , Walmsley Ian A. , Barbieri Marco
Published: September 2024

Reliably characterized pulses are the starting point of any application of ultrafast techniques. Unfortunately, experimental constraints do not always allow for optimizing the characterization conditions. This dictates the need for refined analysis methods. Here we show that neural networks can provide a viable characterization when applied to data from interferometry for direct electric-field reconstruction (SPIDER). We have adopted a cascade of convolutional networks, addressing the multiparameter structure of the interferogram with a reasonable computing power. In particular, the necessity of precalibration is reduced, thus pointing toward the introduction of neural networks in more generic arrangements.
All-fiber GHz few-cycle pulse generation at 2 µm
Authors: Liang Zhaoheng , Pan Minjie , Lin Wei , Zhang Nan , Wen Junpeng , Chen Xuewen , Ling Lin , Li Zihan , Wei Xiaoming , Yang Zhongmin
Published: September 2024

We demonstrate an all-fiber GHz mode-locked laser system with few-cycle duration operating at 2 µm. Based on a dispersion-managed mode-locked oscillator, a multi-stage fiber amplifier, and a nonlinear pulse compressor, the laser system can deliver watt-level few-cycle pulses at a fundamental repetition rate of 1.041 GHz. This 2-µm pulsed laser offers outstanding performance metrics, including a pulse duration of 33 fs (corresponding to ∼5 optical cycles) and an average power of 4.17 W. Moreover, the all-fiber laser system exhibits excellent power stability, and the integrated relative intensity noise (RIN) is only 0.052% (10 Hz–1 MHz). It is anticipated that this new, to the best of our knowledge, laser source is promising for frontier applications, including coherent supercontinuum generation, nonlinear frequency conversion, and laser–material interaction.
High accuracy patient-specific 3D coronary reconstruction from angiography and intravascular optical coherence tomography
Authors: Sun Cuiru , Wang Songchen , Tao Kuiyuan , Zhang Xiaochuan , Chen Jinlong
Published: September 2024

The integration of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT) offers a comprehensive 3D arterial model, which is invaluable for the analysis of vascular anatomy and biomechanics. However, the process of image fusion is often hindered by the challenge of accurately orienting IVOCT images. This paper introduces a novel, to our knowledge, dual-path 3D reconstruction method that leverages the guidewire and the vessel’s centerline to establish cross sectional direction vectors within the IVOCT images and spatial direction vectors along the guidewire’s trajectory. This approach minimizes the accumulation of reconstruction errors by ensuring the precise orientation of each vascular cross section. The efficacy of the proposed method is validated through vascular phantom experiments and the reconstruction of patient-specific 3D coronary models.
Cascaded nanocavity-shaped metasurfaces for realizing an intensive radiation absorption in the mid-to-long infrared region based on electromagnetic wavefield resonance response and accumulation
Authors: Duan Shenghua , Hu JiaQi , Liu Taige , Wang Zhe , Shi Jiashuo , Zhang Xinyu
Published: September 2024

A type of cascaded metal-insulator-metal nanocavity-shaped (CMNM) metasurface has been developed for realizing an intensive radiation absorption in the mid-to-long infrared (IR) region. The radiation absorption characteristics are analyzed according to the impedance matching mechanism. By evaluating the electromagnetic wavefield properties at several wavelength points selected, the spatial resonance morphology of the electric field and magnetic field components excited mainly by the resonance of the free electrons over the surfaces of the metasurface are simulated effectively. The stimulating and redistributing behaviors of the conductive electric-currents, including the surface equivalent eddy-currents surrounding a couple of dielectric films configurated in the cascaded nanocavities, and the net charges distributed over three Ti films, which will induce a resonant accumulation enhancement of the wavefields in the metasurfaces corresponding to the incident IR radiation, are exhibited. An average absorption level of more than 85% in the 3–14µm wavelength region is already achieved. Due to the IR responding and manipulating approaches proposed by us, the CMNM samples also exhibit an insensitivity of the beam incident angle for some typical applications in uncooled infrared imaging and thermal radiation detection.
Reconstruction of the opto-mechanical properties of the intervertebral disc with photoacoustic imaging
Authors: Capart Antoine , Allais Roman , Wojak Julien , Boiron Olivier , Da Silva Anabela
Published: September 2024

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is an essential component of the spine, serving as a shock absorber that enables flexibility and movement. Due to aging, the IVD undergoes degeneration, characterised by dehydration, which can lead to conditions like degenerative disc disease (e.g. herniated discs, spinal stenosis), resulting in pain, stiffness, and nerve damage. This degeneration primarily stems from changes in its intrinsic composition, in terms of water and collagen content, the main chromophores. Quantitative photoacoustic imaging is explored as a method for assessing the state of the disc. A numerical study was conducted using a digitised pig’s disc and opto-mechanical properties extracted from the litterature, with measurement configurations compatible with experimental setups. A non-linear model-based reconstruction approach was implemented, utilising the adjoint variables method to express gradients, and Monte Carlo simulations to solve the Radiative Transfer Equation involved in the forward and adjoint problems. Various scenarios were studied and a method that does not rely on the prior knowledge of the Grüneisen coefficient was proposed. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using photoacoustic measurements to assess the IVD’s composition, achieving significantly improved quantification compared to conventional methods.
Optical properties of uniaxial trigonal crystals of 3m point group symmetry under an applied electric field along x principal axis
Authors: Nayyer Jamshid
Published: September 2024

Pockels activity in uniaxial trigonal crystals with 3m point group symmetry is investigated under an electric field applied along x principal axis. As the result, the uniaxial crystal deforms into a biaxial one exhibiting three distinct refractive indices. One principal axis is shown to lie almost along the optical axis. The remaining two principal axes are rotated by about 45 degrees along perpendicular directions to the optical axis. Under application of the electric field, an x polarized plane-wave light, is shown to rotate as it propagates along the optical axis. The length for 90 degrees rotation is determined. Practical applications are mentioned.
Device-Agnostic Single-Emitter Super-Resolution using Deep Learning
Authors: Vašinka Dominik , Juráň Filip , Běhal Jaromír , Ježek Miroslav
Published: September 2024

We demonstrate a device-agnostic deep learning approach for super-resolution single-emitter microscopy. The presented method is calibration-free and directly predicts super-resolved images independently of the optical system.
Finding the rhythm: Humans exploit nonlinear intrinsic dynamics of compliant systems in periodic interaction tasks
Authors: Schmidt Annika , Forano Marion , Sachtler Arne , Calzolari Davide , Weber Bernhard M. , Franklin David W. , Albu-Schäffer Alin
Published: September 2024

Activities like ball bouncing and trampoline jumping showcase the human ability to intuitively tune to system dynamics and excite motions that the system prefers intrinsically. This human sensitivity to resonance has been experimentally supported for interactions with simple linear systems but remains a challenge to validate in more complex scenarios where nonlinear dynamics cannot be predicted analytically. However, it has been found that many nonlinear systems exhibit periodic orbits similar to the eigenmodes of linear systems. These nonlinear normal modes (NNM) are computable with a recently developed numerical mode tool. Using this tool, the present resarch compared the motions that humans excite in nonlinear systems with the predicted NNM of the energy-conservative systems. In a user study consisting of three experiment parts, participants commanded differently configured virtual double pendula with joint compliance through a haptic joystick. The task was to alternately hit two targets, which were either aligned with the NNM (Experiments 1 and 2) or purposefully arranged offset (Experiment 3). In all tested experiment variations, participants intuitively applied a control strategy that excited the resonance and stabilized an orbit close to the ideal NNM of the conservative systems. Even for increased task accuracy (Experiment 2) and targets located away from the NNM (Experiment 3), participants could successfully accomplish the task, likely by adjusting their arm stiffness to alter the system dynamics to better align the resonant motions to the task. Consequently, our experiments extend the existing research on human resonance sensitivity with data-based evidence to nonlinear systems. Our findings emphasize the human capabilities to apply control strategies to excite and exploit resonant motions in dynamic object interactions, including possibly shaping the dynamics through changes in muscle stiffness.
Bayesian clustering with uncertain data
Authors: Nicholls Kath , Kirk Paul D. W. , Wallace Chris
Published: September 2024

Clustering is widely used in bioinformatics and many other fields, with applications from exploratory analysis to prediction. Many types of data have associated uncertainty or measurement error, but this is rarely used to inform the clustering. We present Dirichlet Process Mixtures with Uncertainty (DPMUnc), an extension of a Bayesian nonparametric clustering algorithm which makes use of the uncertainty associated with data points. We show that DPMUnc out-performs existing methods on simulated data. We cluster immune-mediated diseases (IMD) using GWAS summary statistics, which have uncertainty linked with the sample size of the study. DPMUnc separates autoimmune from autoinflammatory diseases and isolates other subgroups such as adult-onset arthritis. We additionally consider how DPMUnc can be used to cluster gene expression datasets that have been summarised using gene signatures. We first introduce a novel procedure for generating a summary of a gene signature on a dataset different to the one where it was discovered, which incorporates a measure of the variability in expression across signature genes within each individual. We summarise three public gene expression datasets containing patients with a range of IMD, using three relevant gene signatures. We find association between disease and the clusters returned by DPMUnc, with clustering structure replicated across the datasets. The significance of this work is two-fold. Firstly, we demonstrate that when data has associated uncertainty, this uncertainty should be used to inform clustering and we present a method which does this, DPMUnc. Secondly, we present a procedure for using gene signatures in datasets other than where they were originally defined. We show the value of this procedure by summarising gene expression data from patients with immune-mediated diseases using relevant gene signatures, and clustering these patients using DPMUnc.
Applying Super-Resolution and Tomography Concepts to Identify Receptive Field Subunits in the Retina
Authors: Krüppel Steffen , Khani Mohammad H. , Schreyer Helene M. , Sridhar Shashwat , Ramakrishna Varsha , Zapp Sören J. , Mietsch Matthias , Karamanlis Dimokratis , Gollisch Tim
Published: September 2024

Spatially nonlinear stimulus integration by retinal ganglion cells lies at the heart of various computations performed by the retina. It arises from the nonlinear transmission of signals that ganglion cells receive from bipolar cells, which thereby constitute functional subunits within a ganglion cell’s receptive field. Inferring these subunits from recorded ganglion cell activity promises a new avenue for studying the functional architecture of the retina. This calls for efficient methods, which leave sufficient experimental time to leverage the acquired knowledge for further investigating identified subunits. Here, we combine concepts from super-resolution microscopy and computed tomography and introduce super-resolved tomographic reconstruction (STR) as a technique to efficiently stimulate and locate receptive field subunits. Simulations demonstrate that this approach can reliably identify subunits across a wide range of model variations, and application in recordings of primate parasol ganglion cells validates the experimental feasibility. STR can potentially reveal comprehensive subunit layouts within only a few tens of minutes of recording time, making it ideal for online analysis and closed-loop investigations of receptive field substructure in retina recordings.
Gender differences in severity and parental estimation of adolescent’s pandemic-related stress in the United States
Authors: Simkus Andrew , Holtz Kristen , Fleming Morgan , Twombly Eric , Wanty Nicole
Published: September 2024

Research has consistently shown that female adolescents have experienced worse pandemic-related stress compared to males. A parent’s ability to accurately track their child’s stress levels likely increases the likelihood a problem is acknowledged and addressed as it arises. Therefore, we assessed how parents’ estimation of their adolescent children’s self-reported pandemic-related stress related to the child’s gender. We performed cross-sectional secondary analysis using the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health study datasets from Wave 5 (2018–2019) and Wave 5.5 (July 2020-December 2020) among respondents aged 12–17. We conducted four logistic regression models to explore the relationship between child gender and parental underestimation of their child’s pandemic-related stress. We controlled for sociodemographic factors and personal characteristics associated with pandemic-related stress including, whether the adolescent had been diagnosed with COVID-19, the extent social distancing measures were practiced, school performance, previous year anxiety, depression, and overall mental health ratings, sleep trouble, TV screen time, and past year substance use. Even when controlling for these factors, female child gender was significantly and positively associated with parental underestimation of their child’s pandemic-related stress (Underestimated stress: OR = 1.25 95% CI = [1.07–1.46]). Informing parents that female adolescents were significantly more likely to have their levels of pandemic-related stress underestimated at home may encourage parents to take extra effort when checking in on their daughters’ mental health needs, which in turn may lead to more female adolescents receiving the familial and professional support they require.
Trauma clinicians’ views of physical exercise as part of PTSD and complex PTSD treatment: A qualitative study
Authors: Biernacka Natasza , Talwar Shivangi , Billings Jo
Published: September 2024

Physical exercise has the potential to be a helpful, adjunctive intervention for supporting people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD). However, little is known about the views of clinicians on including physical exercise in treatment. We aimed to explore trauma clinicians’ perspectives on the role of physical exercise in PTSD and CPTSD treatment and to understand key barriers and facilitators in recommending physical exercise as an adjunctive treatment. Twelve specialist trauma clinicians from across the UK were interviewed to explore their views on the role of physical exercise and the key barriers and facilitators in recommending it as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD and CPTSD. We used a qualitative explorative methodology with semi-structured interviews and analysed transcripts using reflexive thematic analysis. Trauma clinicians viewed physical exercise as a potentially beneficial supportive intervention for PTSD and CPTSD, and perceived several ways in which physical exercise could be included in the treatment process, with an individualised approach to care underpinning inclusion. However, there were also notable barriers to including exercise at environmental, client and clinician/service levels, including; limited access to exercise resources, client-related factors such as agoraphobia and physical health problems, clinician-related factors such as lack of confidence and training, and service-level factors such as gaps in service provision. The findings highlight the importance of considering individualised approaches to physical exercise interventions in trauma treatment. Addressing identified barriers, such as improving access to resources and providing training for clinicians, is crucial for successful integration of physical exercise into PTSD and CPTSD treatment protocols. This study underscores the need for further research to inform future policies and provide guidance for trauma clinicians on how to effectively incorporate physical exercise as an adjunctive treatment.
Analysis of Cholera Risk in India: Insights from 2017–18 Serosurvey Data Integrated with Epidemiologic data and Societal Determinants from 2015–2019
Authors: Kanungo Suman , Nandy Ranjan Kumar , Talukdar Rounik , Murhekar Manoj , Azman Andrew S. , Hegde Sonia T. , Chatterjee Pranab , Chakraborty Debjit , Das Madhuchhanda , Kamaraj P , Kumar Muthusamy Santhosh ,   Dengue Serosurvey Group, Dutta Shanta
Published: September 2024

Background

Indian subcontinent being an important region in the fight to eliminate cholera needs better cholera surveillance. Current methods miss most infections, skewing disease burden estimates. Triangulating serosurvey data, clinical cases, and risk factors could reveal India’s true cholera risk.

Methods

We synthesized data from a nationally representative serosurvey, outbreak reports and risk factors like water, sanitation and the Multidimensional Poverty Index, to create a composite vulnerability index for assessing state-wise cholera risk in India. We tested 7,882 stored sera samples collected during 2017–18 from individuals aged 9–45 years, for vibriocidal antibodies to Vibrio cholerae O1 using a cut-off titre ≥320 defining as elevated titre. We also extracted data from the 2015–19 Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and published cholera reports.

Results

Overall, 11.7% (CI: 10.4–13.3%) of the sampled population had an elevated titre of cholera vibriocidal antibodies (≥320). The Southern region experienced the highest incidence (16.8%, CI: 12.1–22.8), followed by the West (13.2%, CI: 10.0–17.3) and North (10.7%, CI: 9.3–12.3). Proportion of samples with an elevated vibriocidal titre (≥320) was significantly higher among individuals aged 18–45 years (13.0% CI: 11.2–15.1) compared to children 9–17 years (8.6%, CI 7.3–10.0, p<0.05); we found no differences between sex or urbanicity. Between 2015–2019, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) reported 29,400 cases of cholera across the country. Using the composite vulnerability index, we found Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal were the most vulnerable states in India in terms of risk of cholera.

Conclusion

The present study showed that cholera infection is present in all five regions across India. The states with high cholera vulnerability could be prioritized for targeted prevention interventions.
Paracoccidioides lutzii Infects Galleria mellonella Employing Formamidase as a Virulence Factor
Authors: Pereira Elisa Dias , Moreira Thalison Rodrigues , Cruz-Leite Vanessa Rafaela Milhomem , Tomazett Mariana Vieira , Souza Silva Lana O’Hara , Graziani Daniel , Martins Juliana Assis , Amaral André Corrêa , Weber Simone Schneider , Parente-Rocha Juliana Alves , Soares Célia Maria de Almeida , Borges Clayton Luiz
Published: September 2024

The formamidase (FMD) enzyme plays an important role in fungal thriving by releasing a secondary nitrogen source as a product of its activity. In Paracoccidioides species, previous studies have demonstrated the upregulation of this enzyme in a wide range of starvation and infective-like conditions. However, Paracoccidioides lutzii formamidase has not yet been defined as a virulence factor. Here, by employing in vivo infections using an fmd-silenced strain in Galleria mellonella larvae model, we demonstrate the influence of formamidase in P. lutzii’s immune stimulation and pathogenicity. The formamidase silencing resulted in improper arrangement of the nodules, poor melanogenesis and decreased fungal burden. Thus, we suggest that formamidase may be a piece composing the process of molecular recognition by Galleria immune cells. Furthermore, formamidase silencing doubled the observed survival rate of the larvae, demonstrating its importance in fungal virulence in vivo. Therefore, our findings indicate that formamidase contributes to Galleria’s immune incitement and establishes the role of this enzyme as a P. lutzii virulence factor.
Nesfatin-1 regulates the phenotype transition of cavernous smooth muscle cells by activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to improve diabetic erectile dysfunction
Authors: Chen Keming , Huang Bincheng , Feng Jiajing , Hu Zhengxing , Fan Shuzhe , Ren Shuai , Tian Haifu , Abdulkarem M. M. Al-qaisi Mohammed , Wang Xuehao , Tuo Yunshang , Liang Xiaoxia , Xie Haibo , He Rui , Li Guangyong
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study aims to explore the impact of Nesfatin-1 on type 2 diabetic erectile dysfunction (T2DMED) and its underlying mechanism in regulating the phenotypic switching of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs).

Methods

Twenty-four 4-week-old male C57 wild-type mice were randomly assigned to the control group, model group, and Nesfatin-1 treatment group. Monitoring included body weight, blood glucose levels, and penile cavernous pressure (ICP). Histochemistry and Western blot analyses were conducted to assess the expressions of α-SMA, OPN, and factors related to the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. CCSMCs were categorized into the control group, high glucose and high oleic acid group (GO group), Nesfatin-1 treatment group (GO+N group), sildenafil positive control group (GO+S group), and PI3K inhibitor group (GO+N+E group). Changes in phenotypic markers, cell morphology, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were observed in each group.

Results

(1) Nesfatin-1 significantly ameliorated the body size, body weight, blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance in T2DMED mice. (2) Following Nesfatin-1 treatment, the ICP/MSBP ratio and the peak of the ICP curve demonstrated a significant increase. (3) Nesfatin-1 significantly enhanced smooth muscle and reduced collagen fibers in the corpus cavernosum. (4) Nesfatin-1 notably increased α-SMA expression and decreased OPN expression in CCSMCs. (5) Nesfatin-1 elevated PI3K, p-AKT/AKT, and p-mTOR/mTOR levels in penile cavernous tissue.

Conclusions

Nesfatin-1 not only effectively improves body weight and blood glucose levels in diabetic mice but also enhances erectile function and regulates the phenotypic switching of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The potential mechanism involves Nesfatin-1 activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to induce the conversion of CCSMCs to a contractile phenotype.
Plasma membrane damage limits cytoplasmic delivery by conventional cell penetrating peptides
Authors: Polderdijk Stéphanie G. I. , Limzerwala Jazeel F. , Spiess Christoph
Published: September 2024

Intracellular delivery of large molecule cargo via cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) is an inefficient process and despite intense efforts in past decades, improvements in efficiency have been marginal. Utilizing a standardized and comparative analysis of the delivery efficiency of previously described cationic, anionic, and amphiphilic CPPs, we demonstrate that the delivery ceiling is accompanied by irreparable plasma membrane damage that is part of the uptake mechanism. As a consequence, intracellular delivery correlates with cell toxicity and is more efficient for smaller peptides than for large molecule cargo. The delivery of pharmaceutically relevant cargo quantities with acceptable toxicity thus seems hard to achieve with the CPPs tested in our study. Our results suggest that any engineered intracellular delivery system based on conventional cationic or amphiphilic CPPs, or the design principles underlying them, needs to accept low delivery yields due to toxicity limiting efficient cytoplasmic uptake. Novel peptide designs based on detailed study of uptake mechanisms are required to overcome these limitations.
HIV-1 residual risk and pre-treatment drug resistance among blood donors: A sentinel surveillance from Gabon
Authors: Mangala Christian , Takou Désiré , Maulot-Bangola Denis , Beloumou Grace , Rebienot Pellegrin Olivier , Sosso Samuel Martin , Ambe Chenwi Collins , Ngoufack Jagni Semengue Ezechiel , Vigan Codjo Franck , Boussougou Olga , Nka Alex Durand , Tommo Michel , Fainguem Nadine , Kamgaing Rachel , Ama Moor Vicky , Kamga Gonsu Hortense , Penlap Veronique , Nkoa Thérèse , Colizzi Vittorio , Perno Carlo-Federico , Fokam Joseph , Ndjolo Alexis
Published: September 2024

Background

Surveillance of HIV-1 pre-treatment drug resistance (PDR) is essential for ensuring the success of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART). Beside population-based surveys, sentinel surveillance of PDR and circulating HIV-1 clades in specific populations such as blood donors could efficiently inform decision-making on ART program. We therefore sought to ascertain HIV-1 residual infection, the threshold of PDR and viral diversity among recently-diagnosed blood donors in Gabon.

Methods

A sentinel surveillance was conducted among 381 consenting blood donors at the National Blood Transfusion Center (NBTC) in Gabon from August 3,2020 to August, 31, 2021. In order to determine the residual risk of HIV transmission, viral load and HIV-1 Sanger-sequencing were performed at the Chantal BIYA International Reference Center (CIRCB)-Cameroon on HIV samples previously tested seronegative with ELISA in Gabon. Phylogeny was performed using MEGA X, PDR threshold>10% was considered high and data were analysed using p≤0.05 for statistical significance.

Results

Five HIV-negative blood donors had a detectable viral load indicating a high residual risk of HIV transmission. Among the samples successfully sequenced, four participants had major drug resistance mutations (DRMs), giving a threshold of PDR of 25% (4/16). By drug class, major DRMs targeting NNRTI (K103N, E138G), NRTIs (L210W) and PI/r (M46L). The most representative viral clades were CRF02_AG and subtype A1. The genetic diversity of HIV-1 had no significant effect on the residual risk in blood transfusion (CRF02_AG, P = 0.3 and Recombinants, P = 0.5).

Conclusion

This sentinel surveillance indicates a high residual risk of HIV-1 transfusion in Gabon, thereby underscoring the need for optimal screening strategy for blood safety. Moreover, HIV-1 transmission goes with high-risk of PDR, suggesting suboptimal efficacy of ART. Nonetheless, the genetic diversity has limited (if any effect) on the residual risk of infection and PDR in blood donors.
Salivary immune responses after COVID-19 vaccination
Authors: Nguyen Kenny , Relja Boris , Epperson Monica , Park So Hee , Thornburg Natalie J. , Costantini Veronica P. , Vinjé Jan
Published: September 2024

mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have played a critical role in reducing severe outcomes of COVID-19. Humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 after vaccination have been extensively studied in blood; however, limited information is available on the presence and duration of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies in saliva and other mucosal fluids. Saliva offers a non-invasive sampling method that may also provide a better understanding of mucosal immunity at sites where the virus enters the body. Our objective was to evaluate the salivary immune response after vaccination with the COVID-19 Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine. Two hundred three staff members of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were enrolled prior to receiving their first dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine. Participants were asked to self-collect 6 saliva specimens at days 0 (prior to first dose), 14, 28 (prior to second dose), 42, and 56 using a SalivaBio saliva collection device. Saliva specimens were tested for anti-spike protein SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA and IgG enzyme immunoassays. Overall, SARS-CoV-2-specific salivary IgA titers peaked 2 weeks after each vaccine dose, followed by a sharp decrease during the following weeks. In contrast to IgA titers, IgG antibody titers increased substantially 2 weeks after the first vaccine dose, peaked 2 weeks after the second dose and persisted at an elevated level until at least 8 weeks after the first vaccine dose. Additionally, no significant differences in IgA/IgG titers were observed based on age, sex, or race/ethnicity. All participants mounted salivary IgA and IgG immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 after receiving the mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine. Because of the limited follow-up time for this study, more data are needed to assess the antibody levels beyond 2 months after the first dose. Our results confirm the potential utility of saliva in assessing immune responses elicited by immunization and possibly by infection.
Low dose TamOxifen and LifestylE changes for bReast cANcer prevention (TOLERANT study): Study protocol of a randomized phase II biomarker trial in women at increased risk for breast cancer
Authors: Guerrieri-Gonzaga Aliana , Serrano Davide , Gnagnarella Patrizia , Johansson Harriet , Zovato Stefania , Nardi Mariateresa , Pensabene Matilde , Buccolo Simona , DeCensi Andrea , Briata Irene Maria , Pistelli Luigi , Sansone Clementina , Mannucci Sara , Aristarco Valentina , Macis Debora , Lazzeroni Matteo , Aurilio Gaetano , Accornero Chiara Arianna , Gandini Sara , Bonanni Bernardo
Published: September 2024

Background

Breast Cancer (BC) prevention strategies range from lifestyle changes such as increasing physical activity and reducing body weight to preventive drugs like tamoxifen, known to reduce BC incidence in high-risk women. Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) is related to BC risk due to its ability to bind circulating estradiol at high affinity and to regulate estradiol action. A study protocol is presented based on the assessment of the effect of different interventions such as tamoxifen at 10 mg every other day (LDT), intermittent caloric restriction (ICR) two days per week, lifestyle intervention (LI, step counter use) and their combination on the modulation of SHBG and several other biomarkers associated to BC.

Methods

A randomized phase II biomarker study will be conducted in 4 Italian centers. Unaffected women aged between 18 and 70 years, carriers of a germline pathogenetic variant (BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, or other moderate penetrance genes), or with a >5% BC risk at 10 years (according to the Tyrer-Cuzick or the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium Risk models) or with a previous diagnosis of intraepithelial neoplasia will be eligible. A total of 200 participants will be randomized to one of the four arms: LDT; LDT + ICR; LI; LI + ICR. Interventions will span six months, with baseline and follow-up clinic visits and interim phone calls.

Discussion

The aim of the study is to verify whether LDT increases circulating SHBG more than LI with or without ICR after 6 months. Secondary objectives include assessing HOMA-index, inflammatory markers, adiponectin/leptin ratio, quality of life (QoL), safety, toxicity, mammographic density, and changes in microbiome composition across groups. The study’s innovation lies in its inclusion of diverse BC risk categories and combination of pharmaceutical and behavioral interventions, potentially enhancing intervention efficacy while balancing tamoxifen’s side effects on QoL, especially menopausal symptoms.

Trial registration

EuCT number:2023-503994-39-00; Clinical trials.gov NCT06033092.
Efficiency of Artificial Intelligence Methods for Hearing Loss Type Classification: an Evaluation
Authors: Kassjański Michał , Kulawiak Marcin , Przewoźny Tomasz , Tretiakow Dmitry , Kuryłowicz Jagoda , Molisz Andrzej , Koźmiński Krzysztof , Kwaśniewska Aleksandra , Mierzwińska-Dolny Paulina , Grono Miłosz
Published: September 2024

The evaluation of hearing loss is primarily conducted by pure tone audiometry testing, which is often regarded as golden standard for assessing auditory function. If the presence of hearing loss is determined, it is possible to differentiate between three types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and mixed. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of a variety of AI classification models, performed on 4007 pure tone audiometry samples that have been labeled by professional audiologists in order to develop an automatic classifier of hearing loss type. The tested models include Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines, Stochastic Gradient Descent, Decision Trees, Random Forest, Feedforward Neural Network (FNN), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU). The presented work also investigates the influence of training dataset augmentation with the use of a Conditional Generative Adversarial Network on the performance of machine learning algorithms and examines the impact of various standardization procedures on the effectiveness of deep learning architectures. Overall, the highest classification performance, was achieved by LSTM with an out-of-training accuracy of 97.56%.
Identification and Modeling of the Dynamical Object with the use of HIL Technique
Authors: Sajewski Łukasz , Karwowski Przemyslaw
Published: September 2024

This article presents a comparison of a classical approach to identification of unstable object and an approach based on artificial neural networks. Model verification is carried out based on the Quanser Qube-Servo object with the using of myRIO Real-Time controller as target. It is shown that model identification using neural networks gives a more accurate representation of the object. In addition, the Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) technique is discussed and used, for implement of the control algorithm.
Sobre los sentidos de la expresión “objetos exteriores” en Sexto Empírico
Authors: Vicent Francisco
Published: September 2024

El presente artículo busca dilucidar los diversos sentidos en que Sexto Empírico emplea la fórmula “objetos exteriores” (en griego, ta ektos hypokeimena) y otras variantes similares a lo largo de su obra. A partir del análisis de los argumentos esbozados por el escéptico, será posible identificar, cuando menos, cuatro sentidos particulares diferentes para la expresión en cuestión. Además, consideraremos los antecedentes de esta categoría en la filosofía griega precedente y los problemas que plantea en el marco del proyecto pirrónico de suspensión del juicio o epochē, para cuya resolución presentaremos, por último, una interpretación del sentido general del término en la obra sextiana.
Agri-Photovoltaik: Die Nachhaltigkeit in den Vordergrund stellen
Authors: Hilker Janna , Müller Anke
Published: September 2024

Die Agri-Photovoltaik (PV) verbindet Landwirtschaft und Stromproduktion. Damit die landwirtschaftliche Nutzung nicht stetig der Stromproduktion untergeordnet wird, herrscht Nachbesserungsbedarf. Zwei Praxisbeispiele­ zeigen, wie die Umsetzung nachhaltig gelingt.
CO2-Entnahme, erneuerbare Energie und Bodenverbesserung zusammen denken
Authors: Kallina Antonia , Lenk Clara , Zozmann Elmar
Published: September 2024

Mit Pflanzenkohle kann langfristig CO2 aus der Atmosphäre entnommen werden. Durch die landwirtschaftliche Anwendung können viele Zusatzvorteile entstehen, etwa ein klimaangepasster­ Boden. Außerdem kann erneuerbare Energie­ ausgekoppelt werden. Trotzdem steht das Multitalent Pflanzenkohle noch vor einigen ­Hürden. Die Ergebnisse, die hier vorgestellt werden, basieren auf den Arbeiten im Forschungsprojekt „Landgewinn – Energiesystemanalyse von Dekarbonisierungsstrategien der Landwirtschaft“.