bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing children's, teenagers' and young adults' subjective responses to myopia control contact lenses
Authors: Tahhan Nina , Naduvilath Thomas , Tilia Daniel
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Myopia control (MC) studies in children link efficacy with subjective performance. There is little MC research in teenagers and young adults. This study compared subjective experience of MC contact lenses in different age groups.

Methods

Data were retrospectively reviewed from two double‐masked, bilateral wear, crossover contact lens clinical trials (myopia −0.75D to −3.50D and <1.00 DC; 9–35 years). Participants wore two novel lenses (MC lenses with relative peripheral plus [+1.50D and +2.50D]) and a single‐vision (SV) control lens (Clariti® 1 day) for 1 week each. All lenses were made from Somofilcon A material. Data collected included visual acuity (VA), wearing time, subjective ratings of comfort, distance and near vision clarity and overall vision. Generalised estimating equations with subject random intercepts and identity link functions were used in the analysis.

Results

A total of 31 participants (10 children, 11 teenagers and 10 adults) were included, with no difference between the age groups for VA with the dispensed lenses (p > 0.05). All groups could discriminate between the SV and MC lenses for vision (distance, near and overall) after 1 week (p < 0.05). There was no difference between groups for comfort or distance and near vision. Children rated the overall vision quality higher than teenagers and adults for both SV and MC lenses (p < 0.05), but there was no difference relative to the SV lens between groups (p > 0.50). Daily wear time was lowest for children for all lens types (all p < 0.02). Wear time was positively associated with ratings of overall vision quality for children and young adults (both p < 0.05).

Conclusion

All age groups rated SV lenses higher than MC lenses. Subjective ratings of MC lenses appear similar between age groups relative to SV lenses. Wear time was lowest in children and was correlated with overall vision quality ratings in children and young adults.
Role of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Complex in Spinal Deformity Secondary to Surgical Resection of the Intradural Tumor
Authors: Yin Xiang , Luo Keyu , Jin Yufei , Liu Yaoyao , Wang Yinbo , Liu Mingyong , Liu Peng
Published: February 2023

Objective

In most cases, complete resection of the intradural tumor is accompanied by long‐term neurological complications. Postoperative spinal deformity is the most common complication after surgical resection of intradural tumors, and posterior longitudinal ligament complex (PLC) plays an important role in postoperative spinal deformity. In this study, we investigated the role of PLC in spinal deformity after the surgical treatment of intradural tumors.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 218 consecutive patients who underwent intradural tumor resection from 2000 to 2018 in this retrospective study. Before 2010, patients underwent laminoplasty without maintaining the integrity of PLC (laminoplasty group, n = 155). After 2010, patients performed single‐port laminoplasty to maintain the integrity of PLC (laminoplasty retain posterior ligament complex group, n = 63). The score of quality of life, painful cortex, spinal cord movement, progressive kyphosis or scoliosis, perioperative morbidity, and neurological results were analyzed in the laminoplasty group and laminoplasty retain posterior ligament complex group. The distributed variable was shown as mean ± standard deviation and an independent t‐test or one‐way analysis of variance was calculated.

Results

There are 155 patients (71.1%) included in the laminoplasty group, and 63 patients (28.9%) in the laminoplasty retain posterior ligament complex group. The average age of patients was 42 ± 2.3 years, and the average modified McCormick score was 2. There were 158 (72.4%) patients with intramedullary tumors and 115 (52.7%) patients with extramedullary tumors. The length of hospital stays (8 days vs. 6 days; p = 0.023) and discharge to inpatient rehabilitation (48.4% vs. 26.9%; p = 0.012) were significantly lower in the laminoplasty retain posterior ligament complex group than the laminoplasty group. There was no significant difference in the risk of progressive deformity between the two groups at 18 months after surgery (relative risk 0.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43–1.25; p = 0.258) and at 20 months after surgery (relative risk 0.24; 95% CI 0.21–2.1).

Conclusion

Laminoplasty retains posterior ligament complex showed no impact on the spinal deformities compared with laminoplasty, but significantly improved the postoperative spinal activity, alleviated pain symptoms, and reduced hospital recovery time.
A novel and efficient method for identifying cotton leafroll dwarf virus infection in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: DeSalvio Serina M. , Cheek Brianna L. , Vaughn Robert N. , Alabi Olufemi J. , Holme John E. , Jain Nisha , Stelly David M.
Published: February 2023

We report the development of a novel and more efficient, rapid, cost‐effective and simple technique than current PCR‐based identification methods for screening cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) plants for the presence of cotton leafroll dwarf virus (CLRDV). This protocol takes advantage of the PACE (PCR Allele Competitive Extension) system and uses PCR amplification of cDNA, coupled with sequence‐specific fluorescent probes to differentiate between infected and uninfected cotton plants. This procedure has the potential for application in detection of other RNA viruses in a variety of other crops, by using primers specific for the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) gene and a widely conserved housekeeping gene in the host organism; in this case, the G. hirsutum polyubiquitin gene (GhUB).
Differences in prescriptions for systemic medications and nonsteroidal topicals among children with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Ahmed Fahad , Takeshita Junko , Wan Joy
Published: February 2023

Nonsteroidal topicals and systemic therapies are often utilized for atopic dermatitis (AD) in children with inadequate response to topical corticosteroids. We sought to characterize patient factors associated with prescriptions for nonsteroidal topical (tacrolimus, pimecrolimus, crisaborole), systemic immunosuppressant (methotrexate, mycophenolate, cyclosporine, azathioprine), and systemic corticosteroid therapy among children with AD. In a cross‐sectional study of patients <18 years old with AD seen at a large children's hospital between 2009 and 2017, we found that nonsteroidal topical and systemic medication prescriptions were associated with older age of the patient, male sex, comorbid atopy, greater healthcare utilization, specialist care, and race/ethnicity. Compared to White patients, Black and Hispanic patients were less likely to be prescribed nonsteroidal topicals and non‐White patients were less likely to be prescribed systemic medications, suggesting that further examination of potential disparities in pediatric AD treatment is needed.
Stop or Switch: Correlates of Stopping Use or Switching Contraceptive Methods While Wanting to Avoid Pregnancy in 48 Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Sarnak Dana , Gemmill Alison , Bradley Sarah E. K. , Brecker Eve , Patierno Kaitlyn
Published: February 2023

Contraceptive discontinuation for method‐related reasons, while presumably wanting to avoid pregnancy, is a common phenomenon and can contribute to high levels of unmet need and unplanned pregnancies. Some women discontinue contraceptive use and do not quickly resume a method (“stopping”), while others are able to quickly switch to another method to achieve their reproductive goal of avoiding pregnancy (“switching”). We use Demographic and Health Survey data from 48 countries to examine what differentiates women who were able to switch to another method versus those who ultimately stopped entirely, among women who discontinued contraception for method‐related reasons. Results show that wanting to limit births, having ever been married, and recent prior use are all associated with switching versus stopping. In addition, we find that women in West and Middle Africa were more likely to stop use compared to women in other regions. Addressing obstacles to contraceptive continuation, including effective method switching, among women who wish to delay or avoid pregnancy should be a priority for global and country initiatives aiming to deliver client‐centered care that supports women and couples to make their best family planning choices.
Distributions of 11‐loci HLA alleles typed by amplicon‐based next‐generation sequencing in South Koreans
Authors: Baek In‐Cheol , Choi Eun‐Jeong , Kim Hyoung‐Jae , Choi Haeyoun , Kim Tai‐Gyu
Published: February 2023

The range of HLA typing for successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is gradually expanding with the next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based improvement in its quality. However, it is influenced by the allocation of finances and laboratory conditions. HLA‐A, ‐B, ‐C, ‐DRB1/3/4/5, ‐DQA1, ‐DQB1, ‐DPA1, and ‐DPB1 alleles were genotyped at the 3‐field level by amplicon‐based NGS using MiSeqDx system and compared to our previous study employing long‐range PCR and NGS using TruSight HLA v2 kit, in healthy donors from South Korea. Exon 2, exons 2/3, exons 2/3/4 or 5 of 11‐loci were amplified by multiplex PCR. The sequence reads of over 53 depth counts were consistently obtained in each sample exon, depending on the target exon determined to match the reference sequence contained in the IPD‐IMGT/HLA Database. HLA alleles were investigated by combinations of the determined exons. A total of 18 alleles with a frequency over 10% were found at the 11 HLA loci. Three ambiguities of HLA‐A, ‐C, and ‐DRB1 were resolved. We observed a total of 26 HLA‐A ~ C ~ B and 6 HLA‐DRB1 ~ DQA1 ~ DQB1 ~ DPA1 ~ DPB1 haplotypes having significant linkage disequilibrium between alleles at all neighboring HLA loci. This result was compatible with the previous one, using TruSight HLA v2 kit. Advantages are simple and short progress time because one plate is used for each PCR step in one PCR machine and 11‐loci HLA typing is possible even if only eight samples. These data suggested that expanded 11‐loci HLA typing data by amplicon‐based NGS might help perform HSCT.
A new approach on approximate controllability of Sobolev-type Hilfer fractional differential equations
Authors: Pandey Ritika , Shukla Chandan , Shukla Anurag , Upadhyay Ashwini , Singh Arun Kumar
Published: February 2023

The approximate controllability of Sobolev-type Hilfer fractional control differential systems is the main emphasis of this paper. We use fractional calculus, Gronwall's inequality, semigroup theory, and the Cauchy sequence to examine the main results for the proposed system. The application of well-known fixed point theorem methodologies is avoided in this paper. Finally, a fractional heat equation is discussed as an example.
Circulating exosome‐like vesicle and skeletal muscle microRNAs are altered with age and resistance training
Authors: Xhuti Donald , Nilsson Mats I. , Manta Katherine , Tarnopolsky Mark A. , Nederveen Joshua P.
Published: February 2023

The age‐related loss of skeletal muscle mass and functionality, known as sarcopenia, is a critical risk factor for morbidity and all‐cause mortality. Resistance exercise training (RET) is the primary countermeasure to fight sarcopenia and ageing. Altered intercellular communication is a hallmark of ageing, which is not well elucidated. Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, contribute to intercellular communication by delivering microRNAs (miRNAs), which modulate post‐translational modifications, and have been shown to be released following exercise. There is little evidence regarding how EVs or EV‐miRNAs are altered with age or RET. Therefore, we sought to characterize circulating EVs in young and older individuals, prior to and following a 12‐week resistance exercise programme. Plasma EVs were isolated using size exclusion chromatography and ultracentrifugation. We found that ageing reduced circulating expression markers of CD9, and CD81. Using late‐passage human myotubes as a model for ageing in vitro, we show significantly lower secreted exosome‐like vesicles (ELVs). Further, levels of circulating ELV‐miRNAs associated with muscle health were lower in older individuals at baseline but increased following RET to levels comparable to young. Muscle biopsies show similar age‐related reductions in miRNA expressions, with largely no effect of training. This is reflected in vitro, where aged myotubes show significantly reduced expression of endogenous and secreted muscle‐specific miRNAs (myomiRs). Lastly, proteins associated with ELV and miRNA biogenesis were significantly higher in both older skeletal muscle tissues and aged human myotubes. Together we show that ageing significantly affects ELV and miRNA cargo biogenesis, and release. RET can partially normalize this altered intercellular communication.

image

Key points

We show that ageing reduces circulating expression of exosome‐like vesicle (ELV) markers, CD9 and CD81. Using late‐passage human skeletal myotubes as a model of ageing, we show that secreted ELV markers are significantly reduced in vitro.

We find circulating ELV miRNAs associated with skeletal muscle health are lower in older individuals but can increase following resistance exercise training (RET).

In skeletal muscle, we find altered expression of miRNAs in older individuals, with no effect of RET.

Late‐passage myotubes also appear to have aberrant production of endogenous myomiRs with lower abundance than youthful counterparts

In older skeletal muscle and late‐passage myotubes, proteins involved with ELV‐ and miRNA biogenesis are upregulated
Training the Future Engineering Workforce
Authors: Simon Leigh
Published: February 2023

Educators—spanning secondary to higher education, vocational, and technical training—must better prepare students for emerging technologies while still teaching foundational concepts and theories. What research backs up is that it’s absolutely necessary for academia and industry to collaborate.
Making a Difference
Authors: Brennan Jaclyn , Woodmansee Micahel
Published: February 2023

Two Federal Fellows from the 2021-2022 class share their experiences and describe what they learned from their time in D.C.
Vibration Signal-Assisted Endpoint Detection for Long-Stretch, Ultraprecision Polishing Processes
Authors: Jin Shilan , Bukkapatnam Satish , Michael Hayes Sean , Ding Yu
Published: February 2023

The research reported in this article is concerned with the question of detecting and subsequently determining the endpoint in a long-stretch, ultraprecision surface polishing process. While polishing endpoint detection has attracted much attention for several decades in the chemical-mechanical planarization of semiconductor wafer polishing processes, the uniqueness of the surface polishing process under our investigation calls for novel solutions. To tackle the research challenges, we develop both an offline model and an online detection method. The offline model is a functional regression that relates the vibration signals to the surface roughness, whereas the online procedure is a change-point detection method that detects the energy turning points in the vibration signals. Our study reveals a number of insights. The offline functional regression model shows clearly that the polishing process progresses in three states, including a saturation phase, over which the polishing action could be substantially shortened. The online detection method signals in real-time when to break a polishing cycle and to institute a follow-up inspection, rather than letting the machine engage in an overpolishing cycle for too long. When implemented properly, both sets of insights and the corresponding methods could lead to substantial savings in polishing time and energy and significantly improve the throughput of such polishing processes without inadvertently affecting the quality of the final polish.
Identities and prejudice: an essay from the thought of Paul Ricoeur
Authors:   Universidade de Coimbra, Florence Giesbrecht Daniel
Published: February 2023

Contemporaneity is presented to us as one of its products a type of confused, divided human being, who no longer knows what he is or what he is not, in a sequence of doubts that arise in his ipse. Over time (experience) and through interactions.
Quiero que todo sea como antes
Authors:   Universidad de Salamanca, Vroutsi Vasiliki
Published: February 2023

El desplazamiento forzoso del pueblo indígena Avá Guaraní de Paraguay y su lucha por recuperar su modo de vida anterior.
La migración, ¿problema o solución?
Authors:   Universidad de Granada, Castillo Fernández Ariet
Published: February 2023

Se trata de un artículo de opinión en el que cuestiono la instrumentalización de la migración, desde un planteamiento que emerge de la perspectiva utilitarista, desde la que se olvida la condición humana y, sin embargo, se enfatiza la desigualdad social
La antropóloga extrañada
Authors:   Universidad de Barcelona, Ovelleiro Reina Sheila
Published: February 2023

Reflexión sobre los procesos de sociabilización de pequeños grupos religiosos, conocidos popularmente como sectas, así como sobre el papel de la investigadora durante la elaboración del trabajo de campo en este contexto.
­Description of a new species of Stigmaeus (Acari: Stigmaeidae) with notes on species described from Northwest Iran
Authors: Mohammad-doustaresharaf Mojtaba , Bagheri Mohammad , Lotfallahi Parisa
Published: February 2023

During a study of predatory mites in Urmia, Northwestern Iran, the female and male of a new species, Stigmaeus dokeri sp. nov. (Acari: Stigmaeidae), were collected from soil under oak trees. The specimens of the following species, S. malekii Haddad Irani-Nejad, Bagheri & Khanjani, 2006, S. boshroyehensis Khanjani, Izadi, Asali-Fayaz, Raisi, Rostami & Doğan, 2010, S. miandoabiensis Bagheri & Zarei, 2012 and S. marandiensis Bagheri & Ueckermann, 2011, were re-examined. We propose that S. boshroyehensis syn. nov. is a junior synonym of S. malekii. We also found S. miandoabiensis and S. marandiensis having bifurcate terminal eupathidium on palptarsus instead of tridentate in the original descriptions.
A new genus and species of Eviphididae Berlese (Acari: Mesostigmata) associated with an earth-boring dung beetle (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) in Nepal
Authors: Joharchi Omid , Halliday Bruce , Frolov Andrey V.
Published: February 2023

We describe a new monotypic genus in the mite family Eviphididae, Platyphis Joharchi & Halliday gen. nov., to accommodate a new species, P. montreuili Joharchi & Halliday sp. nov., from specimens collected on a rare earth-boring dung beetle species, Enoplotrupes bieti (Oberthür) (Coleoptera: Geotrupidae) in Nepal. The new genus differs from all other genera of Eviphididae by having an expansive anal shield. Other distinctive features of the new genus include the moderately narrow deutosternal groove with five rows of denticles, and the internal malae with thick and moderately long fimbriae.
Computational study of mechanical stresses in a cell interacting with micromechanical cues and microfabrication of such cues in Nervous system-on-Chips
Authors: Sabahi-Kaviani Rahman , van Boekel Daan , Luttge Regina
Published: February 2023

We have investigated the laser micromachining of microsieves with 3D micropore geometries. We hypothesize that mechanical cues resulting from the positioning and machining of ablated holes inside a pyramidal microcavity can influence the direction of neuronal outgrowth and instruct stem cell-derived neural networks in their differentiation processes. We narrowed the number of variations in device fabrication by developing a numerical model to estimate the stress distribution in a cell interacting with the laser-tailored unique 3D geometry of a microsieve’s pore. Our model is composed of two components: a continuous component (consisting of the membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus) and a tensegrity structural component (consisting of the cytoskeleton, nucleoskeleton, and intermediate filaments). The final values of the mechanical properties of the components are selected after evaluating the shape of the continuous cell model when a gravity load is applied and are compared to the shape of a cell on a glass substrate after 3 h. In addition, a physical criterion implying that the cell should not slip through a hole with a bottom aperture of 3.5 μm is also set as a constraint. Among all the possible one- or multi-hole configurations, six cases appeared promising in influencing the polarization process of the cell. These configurations were selected, fabricated, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Fabricated microsieves consist of a 20 μm thick Norland Optical Adhesive 81 (NOA81) foil with an array of inverted pyramidal microcavities, which are opened by means of KrF 248 nm laser ablation. By changing the position of the laser beam spot on the cavities (center, slope, or corner) as well as the direction of laser beam with respect to the NOA81 microcavity foil (top side or back side), different ablation configurations yielded a variety of geometries of the 3D micropores. In the one-hole configurations when the shot is from the top side, to make the desired diameter of 3.5 μm (or less) of an opening, 1500 laser pulses are sufficient for the center and slope openings. This requirement is around 2000 laser pulses when the aperture is positioned in the corner. In back side ablation processes, the required number of pulses for through-holes at the center, slope, and corner positions are 1200, 1800, and 1800 pulses, respectively. In conclusion, we developed a microsieve platform that allows us to tailor the 3D topography of individual micropores according to the selection of cases guided by our numerical stress distribution models.
Growth patterns of Emys orbicularis across a range of aquatic habitats: a long-term study
Authors: Escoriza Daniel , Poch Santiago , Sunyer-Sala Pau , Boix Dani
Published: February 2023

Emys orbicularis is a semi-aquatic turtle with great longevity being able to reach 50 years. In this study, we estimated the growth rates (in carapace length and body mass) in a population of E. orbicularis from the northeastern Iberian Peninsula over a period of 23 years. We compared their growth rates among age groups, sexes, and years and across different types of habitats (small forest ponds, large forest ponds, and slow-flow streams). We hypothesized that the subpopulation that inhabits the small forest ponds may show slower growth rates because these habitats have lower solar exposure and lower water temperature. The study population showed sexual dimorphism in size, with females being larger and heavier than males. The analyses confirmed that the individuals from small forest ponds are smaller and grow at slower rates. Our results also revealed significant inter-annual variability in the growth rates of E. orbicularis, emphasizing the importance of conducting long-term studies of species with great longevity.
Ovine vocal individuality expression by ewes and lambs at a late (40 days) post-partum time point
Authors: Laliotis George P. , Papadaki Kallirroi , Bizelis Iosif
Published: February 2023

Recognizing the identity of conspecifics is important for survival and social interactions. In sheep, vocal individuality enhances postnatal recognition and strengthens the mother-offspring bond. Although previous studies report vocal individuality in an early postnatal period (3–15 days of life), scarce information exists on whether individuality occurs at a later postnatal time point. The aim of the study was to identify whether individuality in acoustic cues is expressed in ewes' and their lambs' bleats at 40 days post-partum. Dairy ewes (N = 21) and their suckling offspring (n = 30) were isolated separately without hearing or seeing each other, and vocalizations were recorded. Different approaches for estimating individuality on 18 determined acoustic parameters were implemented. All parameters showed individuality, but higher individuality appeared in those related with source and spectral characteristics. A discriminant function analysis showed similar levels of individuality between ewes and lambs, but lower than that reported in an earlier postnatal time, suggesting that ewes and lambs do not need strong individualized cues at the examined time point. In both cases, jitter was the only common parameter, suggesting its importance. Distinctive cues were noted between siblings. Ewes displayed vocal individuality at their dry season (a later time point than suckling period), which was based on amplitude-related acoustic parameters.
The Challenge of Incomplete Data in Accelerometer Studies: Characteristics of Nonparticipation and Noncompliance in a Nationwide Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults in Germany
Authors: Manz Kristin , Burchartz Alexander , Niessner Claudia , Kolb Simon , Schienkiewitz Anja , Mensink Gert B.M.
Published: February 2023

Background: Incomplete data due to nonparticipation and noncompliance with the study protocol can bias the results of studies. We investigated how a nationwide accelerometer sample of adolescents and young adults is affected by such incomplete data. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from 6465 participants (11–31 y old) who participated in a national health survey in Germany (KiGGS Wave 2; 2014–2017). The data included information about the participation in the measurement of physical activity using accelerometers, compliance with the wear-time protocol, and sociodemographic and health-related variables. Multivariable regression analyses were conducted to detect factors associated with incomplete data. Results: Of the total sample, 78.0% participated in the accelerometer part of the study, and 83.5% of the participants with data available complied with the wear-time protocol. In 11- to 17-year-olds, the likelihood of having incomplete accelerometer data was higher in boys, older adolescents, adolescents with a lower sociodemographic status, adolescents with overweight, adolescents not participating in organized sport, adolescents not speaking only German at home, current smokers, and adolescents having a higher soft drink consumption. In 18- to 31-year-olds, the likelihood of having incomplete accelerometer data was higher in men, adults with a lower educational level, adults not speaking only German at home, and adults who smoke. Conclusions: Our results suggest that accelerometer samples are biased such that participants with more beneficial health behaviors provide complete accelerometer data more often. This knowledge should be used to design effective recruitment strategies and should be considered when interpreting results of accelerometer studies.
Slab to back-arc to arc: Fluid and melt pathways through the mantle wedge beneath the Lesser Antilles
Authors: Hicks Stephen P. , Bie Lidong , Rychert Catherine A. , Harmon Nicholas , Goes Saskia , Rietbrock Andreas , Wei Songqiao Shawn , Collier Jenny S. , Henstock Timothy J. , Lynch Lloyd , Prytulak Julie , Macpherson Colin G. , Schlaphorst David , Wilkinson Jamie J. , Blundy Jonathan D. , Cooper George F. , Davy Richard G. , Kendall John-Michael ,   VoiLA Working Group
Published: February 2023

Volatiles expelled from subducted plates promote melting of the overlying warm mantle, feeding arc volcanism. However, debates continue over the factors controlling melt generation and transport, and how these determine the placement of volcanoes. To broaden our synoptic view of these fundamental mantle wedge processes, we image seismic attenuation beneath the Lesser Antilles arc, an end-member system that slowly subducts old, tectonized lithosphere. Punctuated anomalies with high ratios of bulk-to-shear attenuation (
Q
κ
−1
/
Q
μ
−1
 > 0.6) and

V
P

/

V
S

(>1.83) lie 40 km above the slab, representing expelled fluids that are retained in a cold boundary layer, transporting fluids toward the back-arc. The strongest attenuation (1000/

Q
S

 ~ 20), characterizing melt in warm mantle, lies beneath the back-arc, revealing how back-arc mantle feeds arc volcanoes. Melt ponds under the upper plate and percolates toward the arc along structures from earlier back-arc spreading, demonstrating how slab dehydration, upper-plate properties, past tectonics, and resulting melt pathways collectively condition volcanism.
A root cause analysis to identify the mechanistic drivers of immunogenicity against the anti-VEGF biotherapeutic brolucizumab
Authors: Kearns Jeffrey D. , Wassmann Paul , Olgac Ufuk , Fichter Marie , Christen Brigitte , Rubic-Schneider Tina , Koepke Stephan , Cochin de Billy Benjamin , Ledieu David , Andre Cedric , Hawtin Stuart , Fischer Benoit , Moretti Francesca , Hug Christian , Bepperling Alexander , Brannetti Barbara , Mendez-Garcia Celia , Littlewood-Evans Amanda , Clemens Andreas , Grosskreutz Cynthia L. , Mehan Pawan , Schmouder Robert L. , Sasseville Vito , Brees Dominique , Karle Anette C.
Published: February 2023

Immunogenicity against intravitreally administered brolucizumab has been previously described and associated with cases of severe intraocular inflammation, including retinal vasculitis/retinal vascular occlusion (RV/RO). The presence of antidrug antibodies (ADAs) in these patients led to the initial hypothesis that immune complexes could be key mediators. Although the formation of ADAs and immune complexes may be a prerequisite, other factors likely contribute to some patients having RV/RO, whereas the vast majority do not. To identify and characterize the mechanistic drivers underlying the immunogenicity of brolucizumab and the consequence of subsequent ADA-induced immune complex formation, a translational approach was performed to bridge physicochemical characterization, structural modeling, sequence analysis, immunological assays, and a quantitative systems pharmacology model that mimics physiological conditions within the eye. This approach revealed that multiple factors contributed to the increased immunogenic potential of brolucizumab, including a linear epitope shared with bacteria, non-natural surfaces due to the single-chain variable fragment format, and non-native drug species that may form over prolonged time in the eye. Consideration of intraocular drug pharmacology and disease state in a quantitative systems pharmacology model suggested that immune complexes could form at immunologically relevant concentrations modulated by dose intensity. Assays using circulating immune cells from treated patients or treatment-naïve healthy volunteers revealed the capacity of immune complexes to trigger cellular responses such as enhanced antigen presentation, platelet aggregation, endothelial cell activation, and cytokine release. Together, these studies informed a mechanistic understanding of the clinically observed immunogenicity of brolucizumab and associated cases of RV/RO.
The Impact of Colistin Resistance on the Activation of Innate Immunity by Lipopolysaccharide Modification
Authors: Avendaño-Ortiz José , Ponce-Alonso Manuel , Llanos-González Emilio , Barragán-Prada Hugo , Barbero-Herranz Raquel , Lozano-Rodríguez Roberto , Márquez-Garrido Francesc J. , Hernández-Pérez José María , Morosini María-Isabel , Cantón Rafael , del Campo Rosa , López-Collazo Eduardo
Published: February 2023

Colistin resistance is acquired by different lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modifications. We proposed to evaluate the of effect
in vivo
colistin resistance acquisition on the innate immune response.
Impact of a Science Art Exhibit on Public Interest and Student Comprehension of Disease Ecology Research
Authors: Ricci Kyra , McLauchlin Benjamin , Hua Jessica
Published: February 2023

Art is a common approach for communicating and educating about science, yet it remains unclear the extent to which science art can benefit varied audiences in varied contexts. To examine this gap, we developed an art exhibit based on the findings of two publications in disease ecology.
Hybrid Assembly from 75 E. coli Genomes Isolated from French Bovine Food Products between 1995 and 2016
Authors: Jaudou Sandra , Tran Mai-Lan , Vorimore Fabien , Fach Patrick , Delannoy Sabine
Published: February 2023

Here, we report the complete (or near-complete) genome sequences of 75
Escherichia coli
isolates, including 71
stx
-positive
E. coli
isolates, isolated in France between 1995 and 2016 from food of bovine origin. Genomes were assembled using a combination of long- and short-read sequencing.
Integrated Proteomic and Metabolomic Analyses Show Differential Effects of Glucose Availability in Marine
Synechococcus
and
Prochlorococcus
Authors: Moreno-Cabezuelo José Ángel , Gómez-Baena Guadalupe , Díez Jesús , García-Fernández José Manuel
Published: February 2023

Glucose uptake by marine picocyanobacteria has been previously described and strongly suggests they are mixotrophic organisms (capable of using energy from the sun to make organic matter, but also to directly use organic matter from the environment when available). However, a detailed analysis of the effects of glucose addition on the proteome and metabolome of these microorganisms had not been carried out.
Citation impact and reach of the IOC sport and exercise medicine consensus statements
Authors: Fortington Lauren V , Handcock Rebecca N , Derman Wayne , Emery Carolyn A , Pasanen Kati , Schwellnus Martin , Verhagen Evert , Finch A O Caroline F
Published: February 2023

Background

Research evidence is commonly compiled into expert-agreed consensus statements or guidelines, with an increasing trend towards their publication in peer-reviewed journals. Prominent among these has been the publication of several International Olympic Committee (IOC) tatements to help inform sport and exercise medicine (SEM) practice. This study aimed to assess the citation impact and reach of the IOC statements published between 2003 and 2020.

Method

Bibliometric analysis focused on identifying core publications (original statement and linked publications) and quantifying their academic citations (number and Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI)) in journal articles up to February 2022. The analysis includes descriptive data on the country of IOC statement authorship affiliations, where they were published and by whom. The extent to which the IOC statements have been cited in the peer-reviewed literature is presented, together with information about the country of authorship of the citing papers as a measure of international academic reach.

Results

29 IOC statements were composed of 61 core publications. The IOC statements have had 9535 citations from 7863 citing publications. Individual FWCI ranged from 1.2 to 24.3 for core publications. The IOC statements were coauthored by multiple authors, mostly affiliated to countries with well-resourced SEM Authors of citing publications reflected the same geographical regions (ie, the USA, Canada, Australia, UK and western Europe.)

Conclusion

Disseminating the IOC statements as open access papers in peer-reviewed journals has resulted in strong citation impact. However, this impact is centred on well-resourced academic circles that may not represent the diversity of SEM. Further research is required to identify if, and to what extent, the IOC statements have impacted SEM practice worldwide.
Risk factors of lower extremity injuries in youth athletes
Authors: Kamiya Tomoaki , Teramoto Atsushi , Otsubo Hidenori , Matsumura Takashi , Ikeda Yasutoshi , Watanabe Kota , Yamashita Toshihiko
Published: February 2023

Objective

Lower extremity sports injuries frequently occur during an individual’s growth period. The object of the current study was to analyse the risk factors for lower extremity sports injuries for youth athletes. The secondary objective was to clarify the factors related to new injuries after a lower extremity injury.

Methods

We extracted information on youth athletes (aged 10–15 years) with sports-related disorders. Background data and injury situations were collected via a specific application. During the follow-up period, new injuries were also recorded. The athletes were divided into two groups according to injury location (lower extremity or other). We performed a multiple logistic regression analysis to clarify the association between injury location and background data.

Results

1575 complaints of lower extremity disorders and 328 complaints in other body parts were registered. According to the multiple regression analysis, practice time per week was significantly shorter for the lower extremity group than the other locations group (OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.963 to 0.999). Athletes whose future goal was at the recreational level had a significantly low incidence of new injuries after experiencing lower extremity disorders.

Conclusion

The practice environments and psychological factors should receive more attention to prevent lower extremity injuries.
Prognostic biomarkers in prodromal α-synucleinopathies: DAT binding and REM sleep without atonia
Authors: Kunz Dieter , Stotz Sophia , de Zeeuw Jan , Papakonstantinou Alexandra , Dümchen Susanne , Haberecht Martin , Plotkin Michail , Bes Frederik
Published: February 2023

Background

Isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) is a prodromal state of clinical α-synucleinopathies such as Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. The lead-time until conversion is unknown. The most reliable marker of progression is reduced striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) binding, but low availability of imaging facilities limits general use. Our prospective observational study aimed to relate metrics of REM sleep without atonia (RWA)—a hallmark of RBD—to DAT-binding ratios in a large, homogeneous sample of patients with RBD to explore the utility of RWA as a marker of progression in prodromal α-synucleinopathies.

Methods

DAT single-photon emission CT (SPECT) and video polysomnography (vPSG) were performed in 221 consecutive patients with clinically suspected RBD.

Results

vPSG confirmed RBD in 176 patients (162 iRBD, 14 phenoconverted, 45 non-synucleinopathies). Specific DAT-binding ratios differed significantly between groups, but showed considerable overlap. Most RWA metrics correlated significantly with DAT-SPECT ratios (eg, Montreal tonic vs most-affected-region: r=−0.525; p<0.001). In patients taking serotonergic/noradrenergic antidepressants or dopaminergic substances or with recent alcohol abuse, correlations were weaker, suggesting a confounding influence, unlike other possible confounders such as beta-blocker use or comorbid sleep apnoea.

Conclusions

In this large single-centre prospective observational study, we found evidence that DAT-binding ratios in patients with iRBD can be used to describe a continuum in the neurodegenerative process. Overlap with non-synucleinopathies and clinical α-synucleinopathies, however, precludes the use of DAT-binding ratios as a precise diagnostic marker. The parallel course of RWA metrics and DAT-binding ratios suggests in addition to existing data that RWA, part of the routine diagnostic workup in these patients, may represent a marker of progression. Based on our findings, we suggest ranges of RWA values to estimate whether patients are in an early, medium or advanced state within the prodromal phase of α-synucleinopathies, providing them with important information about time until possible conversion.
Numerical simulation of centrifugal pump impeller erosion caused by particles in lead–bismuth alloy
Authors: Liu Zhanzhong , Li Guojun
Published: February 2023

In order to study the influence of solid particles in lead–bismuth alloy on the safety of nuclear main pump, DPM (Discrete Phase Model) is used to calculate the wear rate of the impeller of nuclear main pump under different operating conditions. By comparing the erosion rate and the most severe erosion area under different working conditions, the most unfavorable operating conditions are obtained. The results show that the erosion of impeller caused by solid particles is the most serious when the inlet velocity of particles u is 0.4[Formula: see text]m/s and particle size D is 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m. Under the small particle size, the impeller erosion concentrated on the suction side of the blade, and under the large particle diameter, the erosion concentrated on the pressure side, and the erosion is more serious. With the increase of solid particle velocity, the erosion of the impeller increases first and then decreases. The erosion severity of impeller and front and rear cover plates caused by solid particles is not consistent. The above research can provide guidance for the anti-wear design and safe operation of the nuclear main pump impeller.
About switching of polarization in a thin ferroelectric film
Authors: Nechaev V. N. , Shuba A. V.
Published: February 2023

By using the Ginzburg–Landau theory in the nonlinear case, the shape of the inverse domain nucleus in a thin ferroelectric film in a weak electric field is determined. The dependencies of the critical size of the inverse domain nucleus on the film thickness, the strength of external electric field, the temperature and the parameter [Formula: see text], which determines the polarization pinning at the film planes, are calculated. We have established that when the parameter [Formula: see text] increases above a certain critical value, which depends on film thickness and external field strength, the polarization switches uniformly without domain formation. In the framework of Zeldovich theory of nucleation, the average repolarization velocity has been determined as a function of the film thickness, the external field strength and the parameter [Formula: see text].
Optimized Deep CNN with Deviation Relevance-based LBP for Skin Cancer Detection: Hybrid Metaheuristic Enabled Feature Selection
Authors: Enturi B. Krishna Manash , Suhasini A. , Satyala Narayana
Published: February 2023

Segmentation of skin lesions is a significant and demanding task in dermoscopy images. This paper proposes a new skin cancer recognition scheme, with: “Pre-processing, Segmentation, Feature extraction, Optimal Feature Selection and Classification”. Here, pre-processing is done with certain processes. The pre-processed images are segmented via the “Otsu Thresholding model”. The third phase is feature extraction, where Deviation Relevance-based “Local Binary Pattern (DRLBP), Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) features and Gray Level Run-Length Matrix (GLRM) features” are extracted. From these extracted features, the optimal features are chosen via Particle Updated WOA (PU-WOA) model. Subsequently, classification occurs via Optimized DCNN and NN to classify the skin lesion. To make the classification more precise, the DCNN is optimized by the introduced algorithm. The result has shown a higher accuracy of 0.998737, when compared with other extant models like IPSO, IWOA, PSO+CNN, WOA+CNN and CNN schemes.
Optimized Deep Neuro-Fuzzy Network with MapReduce Architecture for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Classification and Severity Analysis
Authors: Bai G. Mercy , Venkadesh P.
Published: February 2023

The most common life-threatening disease, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), can be lethal within a few weeks if untreated. The early detection and analysis of leukemia is a key dilemma in the field of disease diagnosis, and the methods available for the classification process are time-consuming. To overcome the issues, this paper develops a robust classification technique named Horse Herd Whale Optimization-enabled Deep Neuro-Fuzzy Network (HHWO-enabled DNFN method) for ALL classification and severity analysis using the MapReduce framework. The input image is first preprocessed and segmented, and the useful features necessary for improving the classification performance are extracted during the mapper phase, known as HHWO, which incorporates Horse Herd Optimization Algorithm (HOA) and Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA). Finally, severity analysis of ALL is done to classify the levels of leukemia to offer optimal treatment. As a result, the developed method performed better than other existing methods, achieving superior performance with a greater testing accuracy of 0.959, sensitivity of 0.965, and specificity of 0.966, respectively.
On Wasserstein distances, barycenters, and the cross-section methodology for proxy credit curves
Authors: Michielon Matteo , Khedher Asma , Spreij Peter
Published: February 2023

The credit default swap (CDS) market plays an important role for financial institutions. This is not only for their trading activities, but also as it provides a source of information to extract default probabilities to be used for (counterparty) credit risk purposes, as for instance in credit valuation adjustment calculations. Nonetheless, the number of entities for which liquid single-name CDSs are traded is of the order of a few thousands. This requires financial institutions to employ proxy methodologies to estimate the credit risk they face when trading with counterparties for which no (liquid) CDSs are available in the market. In this paper, we propose and compare different approaches to take into account counterparty-specific information in terms of rating, region, sector, etc. at cross-sectional level to strip risk-neutral default probabilities from CDSs. This is achieved by taking into account the intrinsic probabilistic information characterizing each CDS by means of suitably-defined Wasserstein distances and barycenters. The results suggest that default probabilities are likely to be overestimated if the construction of the proxy credit curves overlooks the probability structure underlying the CDS market, potentially resulting in a too conservative counterparty credit risk pricing framework.
Label-Free Proteomics of Oral Mucosa Tissue to Identify Potential Biomarkers That Can Flag Predilection of Precancerous Lesions to Oral Cell Carcinoma: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Sharma Vipra , Bandyopadhyay Sabyasachi , Sikka Kapil , Kakkar Aanchal , Hariprasad Gururao , Singh Sundararajan Baskar
Published: February 2023

Oral squamous cell carcinomas are mostly preceded by precancerous lesions such as leukoplakia and erythroplakia. Our study is aimed at identifying potential biomarker proteins in precancerous lesions of leukoplakia and erythroplakia that can flag their transformation to oral cancer. Four biological replicate samples from clinical phenotypes of healthy control, leukoplakia, erythroplakia, and oral carcinoma were annotated based on clinical screening and histopathological evaluation of buccal mucosa tissue. Differentially expressed proteins were delineated using a label-free quantitative proteomic experiment done on an Orbitrap Fusion Tribrid mass spectrometer in three technical replicate sets of samples. Raw files were processed using MaxQuant version 2.0.1.0, and downstream analysis was done via Perseus version 1.6.15.0. Validation included functional annotation based on biological processes and pathways using the ClueGO plug-in of Cytoscape. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis were performed using the ClustVis tool. Across control, leukoplakia, and cancer, L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain, plectin, and WD repeat-containing protein 1 were upregulated, whereas thioredoxin 1 and spectrin alpha chain, nonerythrocytic 1 were downregulated. Across control, erythroplakia, and cancer, L-lactate dehydrogenase A chain was upregulated whereas aldehyde dehydrogenase 2, peroxiredoxin 1, heat shock 70 kDa protein 1B, and spectrin alpha chain, nonerythrocytic 1 were downregulated. We found that proteins involved in leukoplakia were associated with alteration in cytoskeletal disruption and glycolysis, while in erythroplakia, they were associated with alteration in response to oxidative stress and glycolysis across phenotypes. Hierarchical clustering subgrouped half of precancerous samples under the main branch of the control and the remaining half under carcinoma. Similarly, principal component analysis identified segregated clusters of control, precancerous lesions, and cancer, but erythroplakia phenotypes, in particular, overlapped more with the cancer cluster. Qualitative and quantitative protein signatures across control, precancer, and cancer phenotypes explain possible functional outcomes that dictate malignant transformation to oral carcinoma.