bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accelerated atherosclerosis in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review
Authors: Raj Rhea , Thomas Sneha , Gorantla Vasavi
Published: April 2022

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a highly prevalent, chronic inflammatory condition of the synovial joints that affects approximately 1% of the global population. The pathogenesis of RA is predominantly inflammatory in nature, thereby accelerating the co-occurrence of other immunoinflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis. Apart from traditional cardiovascular risk factors, RA patients possess a multitude of other factors that predispose them to early atherosclerotic disease. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the prevalence of premature atherosclerosis in RA patients and elucidate the role that proinflammatory cytokines, neutrophil extracellular traps, RA-related autoantibodies, and endothelial dysfunction play in the pathophysiology of RA-mediated atherosclerosis. We also discussed novel biomarkers that can be used to predict early atherosclerosis in RA.

Methods: This review followed the PRISMA guidelines to select and analyze relevant articles. A literature search for articles was performed on February 25, 2022, through three research databases including PubMed, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect. The query used to identify relevant publications was “Rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis” and the search duration was set from 2011-2022. Relevant articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Results: Our initial search generated 21,235 articles. We narrowed our search according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After assessing eligibility based on the full content of the articles, 73 articles were ultimately chosen for this review.

Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of accelerated atherosclerosis among RA patients. We found evidence to explain the role of proinflammatory cytokines, neutrophil extracellular traps, RA-related autoantibodies, and endothelial dysfunction in the pathophysiology RA-mediated atherosclerosis. Therapies targeting either the inflammatory load or traditional CV risk-factors seem to improve vascular outcomes in RA patients. Novel markers of atherosclerosis in RA may be useful in predicting premature atherosclerosis and serve as new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Comorbidities and laboratory parameters associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection severity in patients from the southeast of Mexico: a cross-sectional study
Authors: De la Cruz-Cano Eduardo , Jiménez–González Cristina del C , Díaz-Gandarilla José A , López–Victorio Carlos J , Escobar-Ramírez Adelma , Uribe-López Sheila A , Huerta-García Elizabeth , Ayala-Sumuano Jorge-Tonatiuh , Morales-García Vicente , Gútierrez-López Liliana , González-Garrido José A
Published: April 2022

Background. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiological agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Among the risk factors associated with the severity of this disease is the presence of several metabolic disorders. For this reason, the aim of this research was to identify the comorbidities and laboratory parameters among COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), comparing the patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) with those who did not require IMV, in order to determine the clinical characteristics associated with the COVID-19 severity.

Methods. We carried out a cross-sectional study among 152 patients who were admitted to the ICU from April 1st to July 31st, 2021, in whom the comorbidities and laboratory parameters associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection severity were identified. The data of these patients was grouped into two main groups: “patients who required IMV” and “patients who did not require IMV”. The nonparametric Mann–Whitney U test for continuous data and the χ2 test for categorical data were used to compare the variables between both groups.

Results. Of the 152 COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the ICU, 66 required IMV and 86 did not require IMV. Regarding the comorbidities found in these patients, a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and obesity was observed among patients who required IMV vs. those who did not require IMV (p<0.05). Concerning laboratory parameters, only glucose, Interleukin 6 (IL-6), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher among patients who required IMV than in those who did not require IMV (p<0.05).

Conclusion. This study performed in a Mexican population indicates that comorbidities such as: T2DM, hypertension and obesity, as well as elevated levels of glucose, IL-6, LDH and CRP are associated with the COVID-19 severity.
Poor power quality is a major barrier to providing optimal care in special neonatal care units (SNCU) in Central India
Authors: Messersmith Lisa J , Ladha Alyana , Kolhe Cherryl , Patel Archana , Summers James S , Rao Sowmya R , Das Prabir , Mohammady Marym , Conant Emily , Ramanathan Nithya , Hibberd Patricia L
Published: April 2022

Background: Approximately 25% of all neonatal deaths worldwide occur in India. The Indian Government has established Special Neonatal Care Units (SNCUs) in district and sub-district level hospitals to reduce neonatal mortality, but mortality rates have stagnated. Reasons include lack of personnel and training and sub-optimal quality of care. The role of medical equipment is critical for the care of babies, but its role in improving neonatal outcomes has not been well studied. 

Methods: In a qualitative study, we conducted seven focus group discussions with SNCU nurses and pediatric residents and thirty-five key informant interviews and with pediatricians, residents, nurses, annual equipment maintenance contractors, equipment manufacturers, and Ministry of Health personnel in Maharashtra between December 2019 and November 2020. The goal of the study was to understand challenges to SNCU care. In this paper, we focus on current gaps and future needs for SNCU equipment, quality of the power supply, and use of SNCU equipment.

Results: Respondents described a range of issues but highlighted poor power quality as an important cause of equipment malfunction. Other concerns were lack of timely repair that resulted in needed equipment being unavailable for neonatal care. Participants recommended procuring uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to protect equipment, improving quality/durability of equipment to withstand constant use, ensuring regular proactive maintenance for SNCU equipment, and conducting local power audits to discern and address the causes of power fluctuations.

Conclusions: Poor power quality and its negative impact on equipment function are major unaddressed concerns of those responsible for the care and safety of babies in SNCUs in Central India. Further research on the power supply and protection of neonatal equipment is needed to determine a cost-effective way to improve access to supportive care in SNCUs and desired improvements in neonatal mortality rates.
The prevalence of comorbidities in epilepsy: a systematic review
Authors: Doherty Alison J , Harrison Joanna , Christian Danielle L , Boland Paul , Harris Cath , Hill James E , Stephani Anne-Marie , Reed Janet , Duffield Stephen , Marson Tony G , Clegg Andrew J
Published: April 2022

Comorbidities are associated with adverse patient outcomes. The authors conducted a systematic review according to a pre-determined protocol, established PRISMA guidelines and reporting standards to estimate the prevalence of common comorbidities in people with epilepsy, and to explore whether the burden is greater in more deprived populations. In total, 107 studies were included and reviewed. The results indicate that the most common comorbidities in people with epilepsy are anxiety (19.2%) and major depressive disorder (17.4%). Among adults with epilepsy, common comorbidities include hypertension (18.2%), stroke (14.5%), heart disease (11%), diabetes (10.2%) and arthritis (9.2%). There was no evidence that the income status of a country was a moderating factor for the prevalence of anxiety and depression in people with epilepsy. However, prevalence rates for hypertension and stroke were lower for lower-income countries where epilepsy is a more common symptom of brain infection or injury. The analyses were affected by the heterogeneity of the included studies and should therefore be interpreted cautiously.
Testing 3D printed orthopedic implants
Authors: Orye Davy
Published: April 2022

Davy Orye, team lead of Additive Minds at EOS GmbH, discusses a recent project to test fatigue properties on a 3D printed orthopedic part.
Post-harvest of coffee: factors that influence the final quality of the beverage
Authors: Silva Camilla Sena da , Coelho Ana Paula de Freitas , Lisboa Cristiane Fernandes , Vieira Gerival , Teles Maria Carolina de Abreu
Published: April 2022

Brazil is the world’s largest producer and exporter of coffee and the second largest consumer market. Brazil offer differentiated and high quality products to maintain its leading position in coffee production and export. However, Brazilian coffee has suffered some limitations in its commercialization in the international market, due to qualitative aspects. The development of taste and aroma is highly complex, since hundreds of chemical reactions take place at the same time, such as the breakdown of proteins, polysaccharides, trigonelline and chlorogenic acid, mainly in the roasting process. Then, it is necessary that, in addition to pre-harvest management, there are post-harvest practices that meet consumer demands regarding the final quality of the beverage. Studies on physical and chemical changes in the composition of coffee beans must continue to be performed in a comprehensive manner, since factors such as damage to coffee beans, drying methods, processing, storage time, type of packaging and chemical components are directly related to sensorial properties and thus define the quality of the beverage at this point of view. Thus, the objective of this review was to relate the physicochemical, biochemical and physiological characteristics of coffee beans after harvest with the quality of the product after roasting.
Preseptal cellulitis and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis complication in a patient with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Patrick Sylves , Satar Huwaina Abdul , Wan Hitam Wan Hazabbah
Published: April 2022

This was a rare case of preseptal cellulitis with an unexpected complication by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. A 73-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus presented with a week history of swelling and redness on the left upper eyelid and right forehead, associated with poor oral intake, lethargy, and fever. She was generally lethargic with poor verbal response. She had cellulitis of the left upper eyelid and right forehead with the left upper eyelid necrosis. Computed tomography venography of the brain revealed thrombosis of the right transverse sinus, right sigmoid sinus, and right internal jugular vein. She later developed left upper eyelid and right forehead abscesses. Incision, drainage, and wound debridement were performed. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and anticoagulant. After 1 week of treatment, the preseptal and forehead cellulitis had resolved. However, she passed away due to aspiration pneumonia with respiratory failure on day-13 of hospitalization.
Doing family while poor: agentic hopelessness as lived knowledge
Authors: Kaplan Dana , Levy Gal , Buzhish-Sasson Helly , Biton Avigail , Kohan-Benlulu Riki
Published: April 2022

What does ‘doing family while poor’ teach us about agency, resilience and care under COVID-19? Set against a dual backdrop of increasing economic hardships and expanding inequalities, and in light of a shifting perspective in poverty and family studies, we employ David Morgan’s family practices approach to study the lived realities of family life through the perspective of everyday relationships. Our research, led by a team comprised of academics and activists who themselves endure poverty, is set to allow people experiencing poverty to document their everyday lives. In their journals we identify a form of social awareness to the politics of poverty, which consist of negative emotions emanating from one’s daily struggles against the harsh reality of inequality, yet do not lead to paralysis and inaction. We dub this state agentic hopelessness.
Ultra-broadband high-efficiency circular polarization conversion and terahertz wavefront manipulation based on an all-metallic reflective metasurface
Authors: Wang Muchen , Cheng Yongzhi , Wu Ling
Published: April 2022

In this paper, an all-metal metasurface (MS), which can achieve
high-efficient reflective circular-polarization conversion and
multifunctional terahertz (THz) wavefront manipulation in an
ultra-broadband frequency range, is proposed and investigated
theoretically. The proposed all-metal MS consists of the periodic
array of a gold vertical-split-ring (VSR) structure adhered on gold
substrate. Numerical simulation results indicate that the proposed MS
structure can convert the incident circular-polarization (CP) wave
into its orthogonal component after reflection with a conversion
coefficient over 95% from 0.8 to 1.65 THz (relative bandwidth of
68.3%). The full

2

π

phase shift of the proposed MS in
this frequency range can be obtained by changing the rotation angle of
the VSR structure along the wave propagation direction. As proof of
concept for the multifunctional wavefront manipulation, anomalous
reflection, reflective planar focusing, and vortex beam generation are
numerically demonstrated based on the Pancharatnam–Berry (PB) phase
principle. Our work can provide an effective method of enhancing the
performance of reflective-type all-metal MS and show endless potential
in wavefront manipulation and communication applications in THz and
even optical region.
Design and optimization of mid-infrared hot electron detector based on Al/GaAs fishnet nanostructure for CO2 sensing
Authors: Zhou Sihong , Guo Yanming , Zhang Cheng , Pan Qinghui , Zhou Qian , Shuai Yong
Published: April 2022

Hot electron detectors (HEDs) based on plasmon resonance can circumvent a semiconductor’s bandgap limitation and have high sensitivity, suitable for infrared gas detectors. Unfortunately, there are few literature reports on research in the mid-infrared (MIR) region. Herein, we design and optimize a HED based on Al/GaAs fishnet nanostructure for MIR

C
O

2

sensing, and its optical–electrical properties are numerically studied. Surface plasmons not only achieve strong absorptance at

C
O

2

emission wavelength but also greatly improve the photoelectric responsivity over a plane structure detector (

∼

42

t
i
m
e
s

). By changing the thickness of the GaAs layer, the detection wavelength can also be actively adjusted, achieving a larger range of multi-gas detection. The effect of external voltage is also considered. This work highlights a potential engineering application value and offers a path toward more compact and efficient MIR gas detectors.
One metal-ion-regulated AgTNPs etching sensor array for visual discrimination of multiple organic acids
Authors: He Miao , Li Jiawei , Zhao Dong , Ma Yi , Zhang Jing , Qiao Cailin , Li Zhihua , Huo Danqun , Hou Changjun
Published: April 2022

The detection and discrimination of organic acids (OAs) is of great importance in the early diagnosis of specific diseases. In this study, we established an effective visual sensor array for the identification of OA. This is the first time, to our best knowledge, that metal ions were used to regulate the etching of silver triangular nanoprisms (AgTNPs) in an OA discrimination sensor array. The sensor array was based on the oxidation etching of AgTNPs by three metal ions (

M
n

2
+

,

P
b

2
+

, and

C
r

3
+

) and accelerated etching of AgTNPs by OA. The introduction of metal ions alone led to a slight wavelength shift of the AgTNPs colloid solution, signifying the incomplete etching of the AgTNPs. Nevertheless, when metal ions and OA were introduced simultaneously to the solution, a significant blueshift of the localized surface plasmon resonance peak was detected, and a color change of the AgTNPs was observed, which were the consequences of morphological transitions of the AgTNPs. The addition of different OA accelerated AgTNPs etching in varying degrees, generating diverse colorimetric response patterns (i.e., RGB variations) as “fingerprints” associated with each specific organic acid. Pattern recognition algorithms and neural network simulation were employed to further data analysis, indicating the outstanding discrimination capability of the provided array for eight OA at the 33 µM level. Moreover, excellent results of selective experiments as well as real samples tests demonstrate that our proposed method possesses great potential for practical applications.
Multipartite quantum steering of symmetric and asymmetric structures based on four-wave mixing processes
Authors: Zhai Shuqin , Kong Liting , Liu Kui
Published: April 2022

In a quantum communication network, multipartite Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) steering has become an important resource and has attracted much attention because of its important role in quantum secret sharing and quantum secure communication. In this paper, we investigate the multipartite EPR steering characteristics of symmetric and asymmetric structures based on four-wave mixing (FWM) processes. Multipartite quantum steering, among the four output light fields produced by two structures, is theoretically analyzed. We find that both symmetric and asymmetric structures can verify Gaussian steered monogamous relationships, but the asymmetric structure produces stronger steering and has more flexibility to manipulate monogamous relationships. The results presented here may find potential applications in secure quantum information manipulation processes.
Ultralow loss hollow-core negative curvature fibers with nested elliptical antiresonance tubes
Authors: Zhang JiaLi , Cao Jie , Yang BoYi , Liu XueSheng , Cheng Yang , Bao Chun , Xie ShangRan , Dong LiQuan , Hao Qun
Published: April 2022

Hollow-core negative curvature fibers can confine light within air core and have small nonlinearity and dispersion and high damage threshold, thereby attracting a great deal of interest in the field of hollow core fibers. However, reducing the loss of hollow-core negative curvature fibers is a serious problem. On this basis, three new types of fibers with different nested tube structures are proposed in the near-infrared spectral regions and compared in detail with a previously proposed hollow-core negative curvature fiber. We used finite-element method for numerical simulation studies of their transmission loss, bending loss, and single-mode performance, and then the transmission performance of various structural fibers is compared. We found that the nested elliptical antiresonant fiber 1 has better transmission performance than that of the three other types of fibers in the spectral range of 0.72–1.6 µm. Results show that the confinement loss of the LP01 mode is as low as 6.45×10−6 dB/km at λ = 1.06 µm. To the best of our knowledge, the record low level of confinement loss of hollow-core antiresonant fibers with nested tube structures was created. In addition, the nested elliptical antiresonant fiber 1 has better bending resistance, and its bending loss was below 2.99×10−2 dB/km at 5 cm bending radius.
Spectrally tunable liquid resonator based on electrowetting
Authors: Lim Wei Yang , Zohrabi Mo , Zhu Jiangang , Soco Tomer Ur , Carmon Tal , Gopinath Juliet T. , Bright Victor M.
Published: April 2022

We present a tunable on-chip liquid resonator in conjunction with a tapered fiber coupling scheme. The resonator consists of a glycerol droplet submerged within an immiscible liquid bath, which mitigates the effects of environmental fluctuations. The platform is fabricated using standard semiconductor techniques, which enable the future integration of photonic components for an on-chip liquid resonator device. The liquid resonator maintains its high Q-factor on chip (105) due to surface tension forming an atomically smooth liquid-liquid interface. Higher Q-factor resonance modes experienced linewidth broadening due to the random excitation of thermal capillary vibrations. Spectral tuning is demonstrated using the electrowetting effect, increasing the surface’s wettability and an expansion in the droplet diameter. A maximum spectral tuning of 1.44 nm ± 5 pm is observed by applying 35 V. The tuning range is twice the free spectral range (FSR) of 0.679 nm measured at a pumping wavelength range of 770-775 nm. A 2D axisymmetric finite-element simulation shows resonance modes in good agreement with experimentally measured spectra and with predicted tuning speeds of 20 nm/s.
One-dimensional air temperature measurements by air resonance enhanced multiphoton Ionization thermometry (ART)
Authors: McCord Walker , Clark Aleksander , Zhang Zhili
Published: April 2022

In this work, a detailed calibration study is performed to establish non-intrusive one-dimensional (1D) rovibrational temperature measurements in unseeded air, based on air resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization thermometry (ART). ART is generated by REMPI (resonance enhanced multi-photon ionization) of molecular oxygen and subsequent avalanche ionization of molecular nitrogen in a single laser pulse. ART signal, the fluorescence from the first negative band of molecular nitrogen, is directly proportional to the 2-photon transition of molecular oxygen C3Π (v = 2) ← X3Σ (v’=0), which is used to determine temperature. Experimentally, hyperfine structures of the O2 rotational branches with high temperature sensitivity are selectively excited through a frequency-doubled dye laser. Electron-avalanche ionization of N2 results in the fluorescence emissions from the first negative bands of N2+ near 390, 425, and 430nm, which are captured as a 1D line by a gated intensified camera. Post processing of the N2+ fluorescence yields a 1D thermometry line that is representative of the air temperature. It is demonstrated that the technique provides ART fluorescence of ∼5cm in length in the unseeded air, presenting an attractive thermometry solution for high-speed wind tunnels and other ground test facilities.
Mid- and long-wave infrared point spectrometer (MLPS): a miniature space-borne science instrument
Authors: Chen Xiangwen , Kenyon Matthew E. , Johnson William R. , Blacksberg Jordana , Wilson Daniel W. , Raymond Carol A. , Ehlmann Bethany L.
Published: April 2022

The mid- and long-wave infrared point spectrometer (MLPS) is an infrared point spectrometer that utilizes unique technologies to meet the spectral coverage, spectral sampling, and field-of-view (FOV) requirements of many future space-borne missions in a small volume with modest power consumption. MLPS simultaneously acquires high resolution mid-wave infrared (∼2–4 µm) and long-wave infrared (∼5.5–11 µm) measurements from a single, integrated instrument. The broadband response of MLPS can measure spectroscopically resolved reflected and thermally emitted radiation from a wide range of targets and return compositional, mineralogic, and thermophysical science from a single data set. We have built a prototype MLPS and performed end-to-end testing under vacuum showing that the measured spectral response and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for both the mid-wave infrared (MIR) and long-wave infrared (LIR) channels of MLPS agree with established instrument models.
Investigation of the influence of a spatial beam profile on laser damage growth dynamics in multilayer dielectric mirrors in the near infrared sub-picosecond regime
Authors: Diop Saaxewer , Ollé Alexandre , Roquin Nadja , Chorel Marine , Lavastre Éric , Gallais Laurent , Bonod Nicolas , Lamaignère Laurent
Published: April 2022

Laser-induced damage growth has often been studied with Gaussian beams in the sub-picosecond regime. However, beams generated by high-power laser facilities do not feature Gaussian profiles, a property that raises questions concerning the reliability of off-line laser-induced damage measurements. Here, we compare laser-induced damage growth dynamics as a function of beam profiles. Experiments on multilayer dielectric mirrors at 1053 nm have been carried out with squared top-hat and Gaussian beams. The results demonstrate that the laser-induced damage growth threshold does not depend on the incident beam profile. A higher damage growth rate, however, has been measured with the top-hat beam. In addition, three different regimes in the growth dynamics were identified above a given fluence. A numerical model has been developed to simulate a complete damage growth sequence for different beam profiles. The numerical results are in good agreement with the observations, three growth regimes were also revealed. These results demonstrate that a linear description of growth cannot be used for the whole growth domain.
Customizable trajectory of trapped particle in quadruple-beam optical trap
Authors: Feng Haining , Jin Shilong , Chen Xinlin , Xiong Wei , Yang Kaiyong , Xiao Guangzong , Luo Hui
Published: April 2022

We have presented and demonstrated a customizable trajectory of a trapped particle in the Quadruple-beam optical trap. The orbital motion of the trapped microsphere was realized by modulating the trapping power. The motion trajectories could be designed by adjusting the modulation frequency, amplitude, and phase. By using this method, we have realized the triangle, bowknot, ellipse, straight line, and hooklike trajectories. The motion frequencies and circumferences were also modulated. The customizable trajectory in the optical trap may result in more possibilities for directional movement, microfluidic mixing, driven machines, and even painting freely.
Mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias elicited by coexistence of multiple electrophysiological remodeling in ischemia: A simulation study
Authors: Liang Cuiping , Li Qince , Wang Kuanquan , Du Yimei , Wang Wei , Zhang Henggui
Published: April 2022

Myocardial ischemia, injury and infarction (MI) are the three stages of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In the past two decades, a great number of studies focused on myocardial ischemia and MI individually, and showed that the occurrence of reentrant arrhythmias is often associated with myocardial ischemia or MI. However, arrhythmogenic mechanisms in the tissue with various degrees of remodeling in the ischemic heart have not been fully understood. In this study, biophysical detailed single-cell models of ischemia 1a, 1b, and MI were developed to mimic the electrophysiological remodeling at different stages of ACS. 2D tissue models with different distributions of ischemia and MI areas were constructed to investigate the mechanisms of the initiation of reentrant waves during the progression of ischemia. Simulation results in 2D tissues showed that the vulnerable windows (VWs) in simultaneous presence of multiple ischemic conditions were associated with the dynamics of wave propagation in the tissues with each single pathological condition. In the tissue with multiple pathological conditions, reentrant waves were mainly induced by two different mechanisms: one is the heterogeneity along the excitation wavefront, especially the abrupt variation in conduction velocity (CV) across the border of ischemia 1b and MI, and the other is the decreased safe factor (SF) for conduction at the edge of the tissue in MI region which is attributed to the increased excitation threshold of MI region. Finally, the reentrant wave was observed in a 3D model with a scar reconstructed from MRI images of a MI patient. These comprehensive findings provide novel insights for understanding the arrhythmic risk during the progression of myocardial ischemia and highlight the importance of the multiple pathological stages in designing medical therapies for arrhythmias in ischemia.
Is authorship by women in Brazilian academic surgery increasing? A five-year retrospective analysis
Authors: Graner Mariana , Buda Alexandra M. , Moura Carolina B. , Campos Letícia , Faria Isabella , Truche Paul , Botelho Fabio , Pompermaier Laura , Gil Alves Guilloux Aline , Bowder Alexis N. , Ferreira Julia
Published: April 2022

Women remain underrepresented in 80% of Brazilian surgical specialties, however, women representation within the Brazilian academic surgical literature remains unknown. This study aims to evaluate the gender distribution of first and last authors in Brazilian surgical journals. All publications between 2015 and 2019 from the five Brazilian surgical journals with the highest impact factor were reviewed. The first and last authors’ names were extracted from each article and a predictive algorithm was used to classify the gender of each author. Authors were further classified by surgical field and geographic region to investigate patterns of female authorship among journals, specialties, and region over the study period. Multivariable logistic regression was then used to identify factors independently associated with female authorship. 1844 articles were analyzed; 23% (426/1844) articles had female first authors, and 20% (348/1748) had female last authors. Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira was observed to have the highest rates for both first and last female authors (37%, 138/371; 26%, 95/370)) and Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (9%, 48/542; 10%, 54/522) had the lowest rates. Papers with a woman senior author were twice as likely to have a woman first author (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.51–2.58, p≤0.01). Women’s representation in medicine is increasing in Brazil, yet women remain underrepresented as the first and last authors in the Brazilian surgical literature. Our results highlight the importance of senior women mentorship in academic surgery and demonstrate that promoting female surgeon senior authorship through academic and financial support will positively impact the number of female first authors.
Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Thai adults during the first three epidemic waves
Authors: Lerdsamran Hatairat , Mungaomklang Anek , Iamsirithaworn Sopon , Prasertsopon Jarunee , Wiriyarat Witthawat , Saritsiri Suthee , Anusorntanawat Ratikorn , Siriyakorn Nirada , Intalapaporn Poj , Sirikhetkon Somrak , Sangsiriwut Kantima , Dangsakul Worawat , Sawadpongpan Suteema , Thinpan Nattakan , Kitidee Kuntida , Okada Pilailuk , Techasuwanna Ranida , Mongkalangoon Noparat , Prasert Kriengkrai , Puthavathana Pilaipan
Published: April 2022

This study determined the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in 4964 individuals, comprising 300 coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) prepandemic serum samples, 142 COVID-19 patients, 2113 individuals at risk due to their occupations, 1856 individuals at risk due to sharing workplaces or communities with COVID-19 patients, and 553 Thai citizens returning after spending extended periods of time in countries with a high disease prevalence. We recruited participants between May 2020 and May 2021, which spanned the first two epidemic waves and part of the third wave of the COVID-19 outbreaks in Thailand. Their sera were tested in a microneutralization and a chemiluminescence immunoassay for IgG against the N protein. Furthermore, we performed an immunofluorescence assay to resolve discordant results between the two assays. None of the prepandemic sera contained anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, while antibodies developed in 88% (15 of 17) of the COVID-19 patients at 8–14 days and in 94–100% of the patients between 15 and 60 days after disease onset. Neutralizing antibodies persisted for at least 8 months, longer than IgG antibodies. Of the 2113 individuals at risk due to their occupation, none of the health providers, airport officers, or public transport drivers were seropositive, while antibodies were present in 0.44% of entertainment workers. Among the 1856 individuals at risk due to sharing workplaces or communities with COVID-19 patients, seropositivity was present in 1.9, 1.5, and 7.5% of the Bangkok residents during the three epidemic waves, respectively, and in 1.3% of the Chiang Mai people during the first epidemic wave. The antibody prevalence varied between 6.5 and 47.0% in 553 Thai people returning from high-risk countries. This serosurveillance study found a low infection rate of SARS-CoV-2 in Thailand before the emergence of the Delta variant in late May 2021. The findings support the Ministry of Public Health’s data, which are based on numbers of patients and contact tracing.
Derivation of clinical prediction rules for identifying patients with non-acute low back pain who respond best to a lumbar stabilization exercise program at post-treatment and six-month follow-up
Authors: Larivière Christian , Rabhi Khalil , Preuss Richard , Coutu Marie-France , Roy Nicolas , Henry Sharon M.
Published: April 2022

Low back pain (LBP) remains one of the most common and incapacitating health conditions worldwide. Clinical guidelines recommend exercise programs after the acute phase, but clinical effects are modest when assessed at a population level. Research needs to determine who is likely to benefit from specific exercise interventions, based on clinical presentation. This study aimed to derive clinical prediction rules (CPRs) for treatment success, using a lumbar stabilization exercise program (LSEP), at the end of treatment and at six-month follow-up. The eight-week LSEP, including clinical sessions and home exercises, was completed by 110 participants with non-acute LBP, with 100 retained at the six-month follow-up. Physical (lumbar segmental instability, motor control impairments, posture and range of motion, trunk muscle endurance and physical performance tests) and psychological (related to fear-avoidance and home-exercise adherence) measures were collected at a baseline clinical exam. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to predict clinical success, as defined by ≥50% decrease in the Oswestry Disability Index. CPRs were derived for success at program completion (T8) and six-month follow-up (T34), negotiating between predictive ability and clinical usability. The chosen CPRs contained four (T8) and three (T34) clinical tests, all theoretically related to spinal instability, making these CPRs specific to the treatment provided (LSEP). The chosen CPRs provided a positive likelihood ratio of 17.9 (T8) and 8.2 (T34), when two or more tests were positive. When applying these CPRs, the probability of treatment success rose from 49% to 96% at T8 and from 53% to 92% at T34. These results support the further development of these CPRs by proceeding to the validation stage.
Anti-inflammatory effects of progesterone through NF-κB and MAPK pathway in lipopolysaccharide- or Escherichia coli-stimulated bovine endometrial stromal cells
Authors: Cui Luying , Shao Xinyu , Sun Wenye , Zheng Fangling , Dong Junsheng , Li Jun , Wang Heng , Li Jianji
Published: April 2022

Postpartum uterine infection in dairy cows is commonly caused by pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Progesterone elicits immunosuppressive function within bovine endometrium, and has been suggested to be related to postpartum uterine infection. Endometrial stroma is exposed to bacteria due to the disruption of epithelium during parturition, but the effect and mechanism of progesterone on innate immune response of stromal cells has not been reported. This study evaluated the impact of progesterone on inflammatory response of primary endometrial stromal cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide or heat-killed E. coli. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that progesterone repressed mRNA induction of IL1B, IL6, TNF, CXCL8, NOS2, and PTGS2 in stromal cells in response to lipopolysaccharide or E. coli challenge. Consistently, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining results showed that progesterone suppressed lipopolysaccharide- or E. coli-induced MAPK and NF-κB activations characterized with decreased phosphorylations of ERK1/2, JNK, P38, IκBα, and P65, and inhibition of P65 nuclear translocation. In unstimulated stromal cells, progesterone alone did not affect the mRNA transcription for IL6, TNF, CXCL8, NOS2, and PTGS2, and the signaling cascade of MAPK and NF-κB, but decreased IL1B mRNA expression. These results revealed that the anti-inflammatory effect of progesterone in lipopolysaccharide- or E. coli-challenged endometrial stromal cells was probably mediated through MAPK and NF-κB pathways.
Trehalose increases tomato drought tolerance, induces defenses, and increases resistance to bacterial wilt disease
Authors: MacIntyre April M. , Meline Valerian , Gorman Zachary , Augustine Steven P. , Dye Carolyn J. , Hamilton Corri D. , Iyer-Pascuzzi Anjali S. , Kolomiets Michael V. , McCulloh Katherine A. , Allen Caitilyn
Published: April 2022

Ralstonia solanacearum causes bacterial wilt disease, leading to severe crop losses. Xylem sap from R. solanacearum-infected tomato is enriched in the disaccharide trehalose. Water-stressed plants also accumulate trehalose, which increases drought tolerance via abscisic acid (ABA) signaling. Because R. solanacearum-infected plants suffer reduced water flow, we hypothesized that bacterial wilt physiologically mimics drought stress, which trehalose could mitigate. We found that R. solanacearum-infected plants differentially expressed drought-associated genes, including those involved in ABA and trehalose metabolism, and had more ABA in xylem sap. Consistent with this, treating tomato roots with ABA reduced both stomatal conductance and stem colonization by R. solanacearum. Treating roots with trehalose increased xylem sap ABA and reduced plant water use by lowering stomatal conductance and temporarily improving water use efficiency. Trehalose treatment also upregulated expression of salicylic acid (SA)-dependent tomato defense genes; increased xylem sap levels of SA and other antimicrobial compounds; and increased bacterial wilt resistance of SA-insensitive NahG tomato plants. Additionally, trehalose treatment increased xylem concentrations of jasmonic acid and related oxylipins. Finally, trehalose-treated plants were substantially more resistant to bacterial wilt disease. Together, these data show that exogenous trehalose reduced both water stress and bacterial wilt disease and triggered systemic disease resistance, possibly through a Damage Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) response pathway. This suite of responses revealed unexpected linkages between plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress and suggested that R. solanacearum-infected plants increase trehalose to improve water use efficiency and increase wilt disease resistance. The pathogen may degrade trehalose to counter these efforts. Together, these results suggest that treating tomatoes with exogenous trehalose could be a practical strategy for bacterial wilt management.
Development of a high-throughput method to screen novel antiviral materials
Authors: Nakakido Makoto , Tanaka Naoki , Shimojo Ayako , Miyamae Nobuhiro , Tsumoto Kouhei
Published: April 2022

Respiratory infectious diseases pose a serious threat worldwide, and novel antiviral materials are highly demanded. Photocatalytic nanoparticles have been developed to inhibit indirect transmission of pathogens by acting as surface coating materials. During development of such antiviral materials, researchers use bacteriophages as model viruses due to their safety and experimental efficiency. Screening methods are used to identify potential antiviral materials, and better screening technologies will accelerate the discovery of antiviral treatments. In this study, we constructed a novel platform to evaluate antiviral activity of surface coating materials using the M13 bacteriophage and phagemid system derived from phage display technology. The evaluation results generated by this system for the two tested antiviral materials were comparable to those for the materials tested on the Qβ bacteriophage and influenza virus using traditional screening methods. The experimental system developed in this study provides rapid and effective screening and can be applied to the development of novel antiviral materials.
Machine learning for passive mental health symptom prediction: Generalization across different longitudinal mobile sensing studies
Authors: Adler Daniel A. , Wang Fei , Mohr David C. , Choudhury Tanzeem
Published: April 2022

Mobile sensing data processed using machine learning models can passively and remotely assess mental health symptoms from the context of patients’ lives. Prior work has trained models using data from single longitudinal studies, collected from demographically homogeneous populations, over short time periods, using a single data collection platform or mobile application. The generalizability of model performance across studies has not been assessed. This study presents a first analysis to understand if models trained using combined longitudinal study data to predict mental health symptoms generalize across current publicly available data. We combined data from the CrossCheck (individuals living with schizophrenia) and StudentLife (university students) studies. In addition to assessing generalizability, we explored if personalizing models to align mobile sensing data, and oversampling less-represented severe symptoms, improved model performance. Leave-one-subject-out cross-validation (LOSO-CV) results were reported. Two symptoms (sleep quality and stress) had similar question-response structures across studies and were used as outcomes to explore cross-dataset prediction. Models trained with combined data were more likely to be predictive (significant improvement over predicting training data mean) than models trained with single-study data. Expected model performance improved if the distance between training and validation feature distributions decreased using combined versus single-study data. Personalization aligned each LOSO-CV participant with training data, but only improved predicting CrossCheck stress. Oversampling significantly improved severe symptom classification sensitivity and positive predictive value, but decreased model specificity. Taken together, these results show that machine learning models trained on combined longitudinal study data may generalize across heterogeneous datasets. We encourage researchers to disseminate collected de-identified mobile sensing and mental health symptom data, and further standardize data types collected across studies to enable better assessment of model generalizability.
Geophysical field zoning for nitrogen fertilization in durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.)
Authors: Denora Michele , Amato Mariana , Brunetti Gennaro , De Mastro Francesco , Perniola Michele
Published: April 2022

The current social context requires an increase in food production, improvement of its quality characteristics and greater environmental sustainability in the management of agricultural systems. Technological innovation plays a great role in making agriculture more efficient and sustainable. One of the main aims of precision farming (PF) is optimizing yield and its quality, while minimizing environmental impacts and improving the efficient use of resources. Variable rate techniques (VRT) are amongst the main management options for PF, and they require spatial information. This work incorporates maps of soil properties from low induction electromagnetic measurements into nitrogen (N) balance calculations for a field application of VRT nitrogen fertilization of (Triticum durum Desf., var. Tirex). The trial was conducted in 2018–19 at Genzano di Lucania (PZ, Italy) geologically located on the clayey hillsides of the Bradanica pit and the Sant’Arcangelo basin. Three soil homogeneous areas were detected through low induction electromagnetic measurements and used as uniform management zones. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer to be applied by VRT was calculated on the base of estimated crop nitrogen uptake and soil characteristics of each homogeneous area. Crop response to VRT was compared to uniform nitrogen application (UA) on the whole field. The application of VRT resulted in a reduction of 25% nitrogen fertilizer with the same level of yield respect to UA. Grain protein content, as well as gluten content and N content, were significantly higher in VRT than in UA. As a consequence of lower nitrogen input and higher levels of N removal, VRT reached a higher nitrogen use efficiency than UA, and this indicates a lower environmental impact and a higher economic profitability.
Pan-cancer analysis of microRNA expression profiles highlights microRNAs enriched in normal body cells as effective suppressors of multiple tumor types: A study based on TCGA database
Authors: Moradi Sharif , Kamal Aryan , Aboulkheyr Es Hamidreza , Farhadi Farnoosh , Ebrahimi Marzieh , Chitsaz Hamidreza , Sharifi-Zarchi Ali , Baharvand Hossein
Published: April 2022

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently deregulated in various types of cancer. While antisense oligonucleotides are used to block oncomiRs, delivery of tumour-suppressive miRNAs holds great potential as a potent anti-cancer strategy. Here, we aim to determine, and functionally analyse, miRNAs that are lowly expressed in various types of tumour but abundantly expressed in multiple normal tissues.

Methods

The miRNA sequencing data of 14 cancer types were downloaded from the TCGA dataset. Significant differences in miRNA expression between tumor and normal samples were calculated using limma package (R programming). An adjusted p value < 0.05 was used to compare normal versus tumor miRNA expression profiles. The predicted gene targets were obtained using TargetScan, miRanda, and miRDB and then subjected to gene ontology analysis using Enrichr. Only GO terms with an adjusted p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. All data from wet-lab experiments (cell viability assays and flow cytometry) were expressed as means ± SEM, and their differences were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software (Student’s t test, p < 0.05).

Results

By compiling all publicly available miRNA profiling data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Pan-Cancer Project, we reveal a small set of tumour-suppressing miRNAs (which we designate as ’normomiRs’) that are highly expressed in 14 types of normal tissues but poorly expressed in corresponding tumour tissues. Interestingly, muscle-enriched miRNAs (e.g. miR-133a/b and miR-206) and miRNAs from DLK1-DIO3 locus (e.g. miR-381 and miR-411) constitute a large fraction of the normomiRs. Moreover, we define that the CCCGU motif is absent in the oncomiRs’ seed sequences but present in a fraction of tumour-suppressive miRNAs. Finally, the gain of function of candidate normomiRs across several cancer cell types indicates that miR-206 and miR-381 exert the most potent inhibition on multiple cancer types in vitro.

Conclusion

Our results reveal a pan-cancer set of tumour-suppressing miRNAs and highlight the potential of miRNA-replacement therapies for targeting multiple types of tumour.