bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of HSP 90 is associated with potent anti-tumor activity in Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Pahwa Roma , Dubhashi Janhavi , Singh Anand , Jailwala Parthav , Lobanov Alexei , Thomas Craig J. , Ceribelli Michele , Wilson Kelli , Ricketts Christopher J. , Vocke Cathy D. , Wells Catherine , Bottaro Donald P. , Linehan W. Marston , Neckers Len , Srinivasan Ramaprasad
Published: June 2022

Background

There is no universally accepted treatment for patients with advanced papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC). The presence of activating mutations in MET, as well as gain of chromosome 7, where the MET gene is located, are the most common genetic alterations associated with PRCC, leading to the clinical evaluation of MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in this cancer. However, TKIs targeting MET selectively, as well as multitargeted TKIs with activity against MET demonstrate modest efficacy in PRCC and primary and secondary treatment failure is common; other approaches are urgently needed to improve outcomes in these patients.

Methods

High throughput screening with small molecule libraries identified HSP90 inhibitors as agents of interest based on antitumor activity against patient derived PRCC cell lines. We investigated the activity of the orally available HSP90 inhibitor, SNX2112 in vitro, using 2D/3D PRCC cell culture models and in vivo, in mice tumor xenograft models. The molecular pathways mediating antitumor activity of SNX2112 were assessed by Western blot analysis, Flow cytometry, RNA-seq analysis, Real Time qPCR and imaging approaches.

Results

SNX2112 significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PRCC lines overexpressing MET. In contrast to TKIs targeting MET, SNX2112 inhibited both MET and known downstream mediators of MET activity (AKT, pAKT1/2 and pERK1/2) in PRCC cell lines. RNAi silencing of AKT1/2 or ERK1/2 expression significantly inhibited growth in PRCC cells. Furthermore, SNX2112 inhibited a unique set of E2F and MYC targets and G2M-associated genes. Interestingly, interrogation of the TCGA papillary RCC cohort revealed that these genes were overexpressed in PRCC and portend a poor prognosis. Finally, SNX-2112 demonstrated strong antitumor activity in vivo and prolonged survival of mice bearing human PRCC xenograft.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that HSP90 inhibition is associated with potent activity in PRCC, and implicate the PI3K/AKT and MEK/ERK1/2 pathways as important mediators of tumorigenesis. These data also provide the impetus for further clinical evaluation of HSP90, AKT, MEK or E2F pathway inhibitors in PRCC.

Graphical Abstract
Performance of Mini Parasep® SF stool concentrator kit, Kato-Katz, and formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods for diagnosis of opisthorchiasis in Northeast Thailand
Authors: Kopolrat Kulthida Y. , Singthong Seri , Khuntikeo Narong , Loilome Watcharin , Worasith Chanika , Homwong Chutima , Wangboon Chompunoot , Yasaka Patiwat , Eamudomkarn Chatanun , Pitaksakulrat Opal , Tonkhamhak Krisnakorn , Paeyo Arunee , Crellen Thomas , Sithithaworn Jiraporn , Sithithaworn Paiboon
Published: June 2022

Background

Control and elimination of the liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) is a primary preventive strategy against cholangiocarcinoma in Southeast Asia. A sensitive parasitological diagnostic method is required to facilitate a surveillance and control program. In this study, we evaluated the performance of Mini Parasep® SF stool concentrator kit (stool kit) compared with Kato-Katz (KK) and the quantitative formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique (FECT) for detection of O. viverrini and co-endemic parasitic infections.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey for parasitic infection in residents aged > 15 years in a community in Kalasin province, Northeast Thailand, was conducted in 2018. Fecal samples were collected and screened by KK method, and a subset of samples was further examined by the stool kit and FECT methods. The results were analyzed for prevalence of parasitic infections in addition to the diagnostic performance of the methods for qualitative and quantitative detection of helminthiases.

Results

The initial survey of parasitic infection determined by the KK method (n = 567) showed the prevalence of O. viverrini was 32.63%, followed by Taenia 2.65%, echinostomes 1.76%, hookworms 1.41%, Trichuris trichiura 0.53% and Strongyloides stercoralis 0.53%. Within a subset of samples tested with multiple diagnostics (n = 150), the detection rates of O. viverrini by the stool kit, FECT and KK methods were 27.3%, 30.7% and 28.7%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity for opisthorchiasis was similar for FECT (75.5%), KK(66.0%) and the stool kit (67.3%). For other parasitic infections, FECT and stool kit methods performed better than KK, particularly in detecting minute intestinal flukes (MIF), S. stercoralis and coinfections. When measuring the intensity of O. viverrini infection (fecal egg counts), the stool kit results showed a significant positive correlation with KK and FECT (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

As the stool kit is simple to use and shows a comparable performance to FECT, it may serve as an alternative method of fecal examination for screening of helminthiasis including opisthorchiasis.

Graphical abstract
Tear strength and elastic recovery of new generation hybrid elastomeric impression material: A comparative study
Authors: Singer Lamia , Bourauel Christoph , Habib Shaymaa I. , Shalaby Heba El-Amin , Saniour Sayed H.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Since there is no material in the market met all the ideal requirements of an impression material, thus in an attempt to find one, hybridization between the two most commonly used impression materials were done. The aim of the hybridization was to obtain a new material combining the good merits of both and eliminate their shortcomings. Thus, this study aimed to assess the impact of hybridization between polyether with addition silicone on tear strength and elastic recovery of the new material and compare such effect with regard to parent materials.

Results

A polyether (PE), polyvinyl siloxanse (PVS) and vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) hybrid elastomers were used in the present study. Tear strength was measured one hour after setting time of each material according to the manufacturer and the three materials showed statistically comparable tear strength in N/mm. Elastic recovery was evaluated one minute after the setting time recommended by the manufacturer. The three materials were statistically insignificant from each other, and all met the ISO4823 requirement of having greater than 96.5% recovery.
Genome sequences of 38 Fusarium oxysporum strains
Authors: Sabahi Fatemeh , Banihashemi Zia , de Sain Mara , Rep Martijn
Published: June 2022

Objective

Wilt caused byFusarium oxysporumf. sp.melonis(Fom) is one of the most widespread and destructive melon diseases worldwide. Whole-genome sequencing data of a diverse set of Fom strains, as well as several non-pathogenic strains isolated from melon from different parts of the world are described here. These data shed light on the genetic diversity, population structure and the potential evolutionary trajectories which have led to the emergence of different Fom races, and will facilitate identification of avirulence genes which will be helpful to develop resistant melon cultivars.

Data description

Genomic DNA was extracted from mycelium of 38Fusarium oxysporum(Fo) strains collected from different parts of the world including Belgium, China, France, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States. The genomes were sequenced to ≈ 20 × coverage using the Illumina Hiseq Xten system, resulting in paired-end reads of 151 bp and assemblies of 1675 (Fom-18L) to 4472 (Fom-R12-13) scaffolds. The genome sequences are available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and the Sequence Read Archive (SRA) under Project number PRJNA596396 and PRJNA596396, respectively. The presented data set can be useful to identify the genes associated with pathogenic strategies.
A detailed macroscopic scoring system for experimental post-traumatic Osteoarthritis in the equine middle carpal joint
Authors: Andersen Camilla , Jacobsen Stine , Walters Marie , Lindegaard Casper
Published: June 2022

Objective

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a significant health issue in humans as well as horses. Experimental models of equine carpal OA have been used to investigate OA pathogenesis and potential therapeutic candidates. A 5-scale scoring system (OARSI) for macroscopic pathological cartilage changes already exists, but there is a need for a scoring system with better differentiation of severity. The aim of this study was therefore to develop and validate such a scoring system.

Results

New scoring system were developed for cartilage erosions (Copenhagen Equine Total Cartilage Score, CEqTCS) along with synovial membrane pathology and osteochondral fragment healing (Copenhagen Equine Carpal Osteoarthritis Score, CEqCOAS). For the CEqTCS there was excellent intraclass agreement (ICC = 0.993; CI 0.985–0.996; p = 1.08e-31) and consistency (ICC = 0.992; CI 0.985–0.996; p = 4.61e-31), as well as excellent interclass agreement (ICC = 0.974; CI 0.948–0.987, p = 2e-22) and consistency (ICC = 0.973; CI 0.946–0.987; p = 2.77e-22), while the OARSI system had moderate (κ = 0.47) and weak (κ = 0.28) inter- and intra-class agreement, respectively. The OARSI score and the CEqTCS correlated excellently, but every OARSI grade encompassed a wide range of CEqTCS grades. The new score for assessment of equine OA provides means to a better differentiation of OA changes than the existing OARSI system.
EFFECT of digestates derived from the fermentation of maize-legume intercropped culture and maize monoculture application on soil properties and plant biomass production
Authors: Brtnicky M. , Kintl A. , Holatko J. , Hammerschmiedt T. , Mustafa A. , Kucerik J. , Vitez T. , Prichystalova J. , Baltazar T. , Elbl J.
Published: June 2022

Background

The use of maize-legume mixed culture to produce renewable energy and fertilizers by anaerobic fermentation (AD), while respecting soil quality is a favourable approach in sustainable farming. This paper investigates how the substrate (silage) composition affects the quality of digestate and thus its effect on selected soil parameters (respiration, content of carbon and nitrogen). The high content of remaining nutrients (mainly N) in the AD residual biomass of digestate may increase the biomass of amended plants. One objective of this study was to determine the composition of different digestates produced by anaerobic fermentation of the biomass of intercropped (mixed) cultures. Other objectives focused the digestate impact on soil properties and yield of tested plant (lettuce) in a pot experiment, carried out under controlled conditions in the growth chamber for 6 weeks. Variants tested in the pot experiment included negative control, maize (Zea maysL.) digestate, broad bean (Vicia fabaL.) digestate, white lupine (Lupinus albusL.) digestate, maize + broad bean digestate, maize + white lupine digestate.

Results

As compared to maize, silage from the mixed culture (or legumes) positively affected the properties of digestate (content of N, P, K, Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL). The effect of digestate application on soil parameters depended on the digestate composition: the highest basal respiration was induced by digestates with the increased content of dry matter and ADF – maize + broad bean and white lupine. The broad bean variant showed glucose-induced respiration 0.75 (μg CO2·g-1h-1), while the lowest value was in the maize variant (0.45 μg CO2·g-1h-1). The application of digestate derived from the mixed culture increased the plant biomass more than that of single maize silage digestate (+ 14% in the maize + broad bean variant and + 33% in the maize + white lupine variant).

Conclusions

A potential was found of silage made of leguminous plants to increase the digestate N content. Nevertheless, it is desirable to increase the C/N ratio by raising the amount of C containing substances. Fertilization with digestate showed a potential to increase the plant biomass (compared to the unfertilized control); however, differences among the individual digestates were not observed. The benefit of legume added to the maize-based silage was proven, especially the contribution of nutrients to arable soil.

Graphical abstract
Effective inactivation of Bacillus atrophaeus spores and Escherichia coli on disposable face masks using ultraviolet laser irradiation
Authors: Nguyen My-Chi Thi , Nguyen Huu-Quang , Jang Hanbyeol , Noh Sojung , Sohn Youngku , Yee Kiju , Jung Heesoo , Kim Jeongkwon
Published: June 2022

Due to the widespread emergence of COVID-19, face masks have become a common tool for reducing transmission risk between people, increasing the need for sterilization methods against mask-contaminated microorganisms. In this study, we measured the efficacy of ultraviolet (UV) laser irradiation (266 nm) as a sterilization technique against Bacillus atrophaeus spores and Escherichia coli on three different types of face mask. The UV laser source demonstrated high penetration of inner mask layers, inactivating microorganisms in a short time while maintaining the particle filtration efficiency of the masks. This study demonstrates that UV laser irradiation is an efficient sterilization method for removing pathogens from face masks.
Structure-guided engineering of a flavin-containing monooxygenase for the efficient production of indirubin
Authors: Sun Bing-Yao , Sui Hua-Lu , Liu Zi-Wei , Tao Xin-Yi , Gao Bei , Zhao Ming , Ma Yu-Shu , Zhao Jian , Liu Min , Wang Feng-Qing , Wei Dong-Zhi
Published: June 2022

Indirubin is a bisindole compound for the treatment of chronic myelocytic leukemia. Here, we presented a structure-guided method to improve the activity of a flavin-containing monooxygenase (bFMO) for the efficient production of indirubin in Escherichia coli. A flexible loop interlocked with the active pocket through a helix and the substrate tunnel rather than the active pocket in bFMO were identified to be two reconfigurable structures to improve its activity, resulting in K223R and N291T mutants with enhanced catalytic activity by 2.5- and 2.0-fold, respectively. A combined modification at the two regions (K223R/D317S) achieved a 6.6-fold improvement in catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) due to enhancing π–π stacking interactions stabilization. Finally, an engineered E. coli strain was constructed by metabolic engineering, which could produce 860.7 mg/L (18 mg/L/h) indirubin, the highest yield ever reported. This work provides new insight into the redesign of FMOs to boost their activities and an efficient approach to produce indirubin.

Graphical Abstract
Validity and Reliability of Inertial Measurement Units on Lower Extremity Kinematics During Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zeng Ziwei , Liu Yue , Hu Xiaoyue , Tang Meihua , Wang Lin
Published: June 2022

Background

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are useful in monitoring running and alerting running-related injuries in various sports settings. However, the quantitative summaries of the validity and reliability of the measurements from IMUs during running are still lacking. The purpose of this review was to investigate the concurrent validity and test–retest reliability of IMUs for measuring gait spatiotemporal outcomes and lower extremity kinematics of health adults during running.

Methods

PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases were searched from inception until September 2021. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) evaluated the validity or reliability of measurements from IMUs, (2) measured specific kinematic outcomes, (3) compared measurements using IMUs with those obtained using reference systems, (4) collected data during running, (5) assessed human beings and (6) were published in English. Eligible articles were reviewed using a modified quality assessment. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the pooled correlation coefficients of validity and reliability.

Results

Twenty-five articles were included in the systematic review, and data from 12 were pooled for meta-analysis. The methodological quality of studies ranged from low to moderate. Concurrent validity is excellent for stride length (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.937 (0.859, 0.972), p < 0.001), step frequency (ICC (95% CI) = 0.926 (0.896, 0.948), r (95% CI) = 0.989 (0.957, 0.997), p  < 0.001) and ankle angle in the sagittal plane (r (95% CI) = 0.939 (0.544, 0.993), p = 0.002), moderate to excellent for stance time (ICC (95% CI) = 0.664 (0.354, 0.845), r (95% CI) = 0.811 (0.701, 0.881), p < 0.001) and good for running speed (ICC (95% CI) = 0.848 (0.523, 0.958), p = 0.0003). The summary Fisher's Z value of flight time was not statistically significant (p = 0.13). Similarly, the stance time showed excellent test–retest reliability (ICC (95% CI) = 0.954 (0.903, 0.978), p < 0.001) and step frequency showed good test–retest reliability (ICC (95% CI) = 0.896 (0.837, 0.933), p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Findings in the current review support IMUs measurement of running gait spatiotemporal parameters, but IMUs measurement of running kinematics on lower extremity joints needs to be reported with caution in healthy adults.

Trial Registration: PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42021279395.
Distribution of hemoglobinopathy phenotypes in western Kenya: a retrospective study done at Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu
Authors: Mutua Benard , Sowayi George , Okoth Patrick
Published: June 2022

Background

Hemoglobinopathies are inheritable disorders of hemoglobin and are the most common genetic defects in humans. This is a neglected public health problem whose undiagnosis remain a major threat to its prevention and control in sub-Saharan Africa countries; thus its exact magnitude on morbidity and mortality remains poorly documented. These hemoglobin disorders have been associated with Plasmodium falciparum; therefore, the current study sought to determine its distribution in a malaria-holoendemic region of Western Kenya as part of remedial intervention recommended by World Health Organization (WHO).

Method

This study analyzed data conveniently selected through census from 2015 to 2020 from hematology laboratory database for patients examined in Aga Khan, Hospital, Kisumu, and its satellites in Western Kenya. A total of 247 cases were selected whose sample size was calculated using Cochran’s formula. Distribution of hemoglobinopathies based on stations, gender, and age was expressed in frequencies, proportions, bar graphs, and pie charts.

Results

The distribution of hemoglobinopathies had varying proportions in different locations in Western Kenya with regions that were at proximity to Lake Victoria (Kisumu 41.3%, n = 102; Busia 21.5%, n = 53; Homabay 15.4%, n = 38) recording a higher overall hemoglobinopathy proportions than those that were far from the lake that include Bungoma 5.7%, n = 14; Kakamega 4.0%, n = 10; Kitale 4.0%, n = 10; Kisii 4.0%, n = 10, and Migori 4.0% n = 10.

Conclusion

The study represents the burden of hemoglobinopathies in a malaria-holoendemic region of Western Kenya, and even though the present study did not include ethnicity in data collection, stations from where the data was collected are predominated by different communities; therefore, there may be an ethnic correlation in the variation of hemoglobinopathies in Western Kenya. The communities juxtaposed to the lake seems to be the most affected ethnic group along the Lake Victoria economic block region; thus, it may be erroneous to assume that the entire malaria-holoendemic region of Western Kenya has high prevalence of hemoglobin disorders without factoring ethnicity and geographical location in a properly conducted population-based prevalence study in the wider Western Kenya.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing: part 1 – theory, procedure and use in PTSD
Authors: Udo Itoro , Javinsky Tori-Rose , Awani Tuoyo
Published: June 2022

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is an established psychotherapy developed in the late 1980s to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It involves the use of repetitive eye movements or other bilateral stimulation to aid in the reprocessing of traumatic memories. It is unique in that it does not require extended exposure to or discussion of distressing memories and may result in symptom resolution in fewer sessions than other psychotherapies. In the decades since its initial development, a wealth of high-quality evidence has suggested that EMDR is a safe and effective treatment for trauma- and stress-based conditions, resulting in its inclusion in various treatment guidelines. This article reviews the theory behind how EMDR works, how it is conducted, the evidence supporting its use in the treatment of PTSD and its approved indications and contraindications.
Phase III Randomized Trial of Maintenance Taxanes Versus Surveillance in Women With Advanced Ovarian/Tubal/Peritoneal Cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group 0212:NRG Oncology Study
Authors: Copeland Larry J. , Brady Mark F. , Burger Robert A. , Rodgers William H. , Huang Helen Q. , Cella David , O'Malley David M. , Street Daron G. , Tewari Krishnansu S. , Bender David P. , Morris Robert T. , Lowery William J. , Miller David S. , Dewdney Summer B. , Spirtos Nick M. , Lele Shashikant B. , Guntupalli Saketh , Ueland Frederick R. , Glaser Gretchen E. , Mannel Robert S. , DiSaia Philip J.
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE

To compare taxane maintenance chemotherapy, paclitaxel (P) and paclitaxel poliglumex (PP), with surveillance (S) in women with ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian tube (O/PC/FT) cancer who attained clinical complete response after first-line platinum-taxane therapy.

METHODS

Women diagnosed with O/PC/FT cancer who attained clinical complete response after first-line platinum-taxane–based chemotherapy were randomly allocated 1:1:1 to S or maintenance, P 135 mg/m2 once every 28 days for 12 cycles, or PP at the same dose and schedule. Overall survival (OS) was the primary efficacy end point.

RESULTS

Between March 2005 and January 2014, 1,157 individuals were enrolled. Grade 2 or worse GI adverse events were more frequent among those treated with taxane (PP: 20%, P: 27% v S: 11%). Grade 2 or worse neurologic adverse events occurred more often with taxane treatment (PP: 46%, P: 36% v S: 14%). At the fourth scheduled interim analysis, both taxane regimens passed the OS futility boundary and the Data Monitoring Committee approved an early release of results. With a median follow-up of 8.1 years, 653 deaths were reported; none were attributed to the study treatment. Median survival durations were 58.3, 56.8, and 60.0 months for S, P, and PP, respectively. Relative to S, the hazard of death for P was 1.091 (95% CI, 0.911 to 1.31; P = .343) and for PP, it was 1.033 (95% CI, 0.862 to 1.24; P = .725). The median times to first progression or death (PFS) were 13.4, 18.9, and 16.3 months for S, P, and PP, respectively. Hazard ratio = 0.801; 95% CI, 0.684 to 0.938; P = .006 for P and hazard ratio = 0.854; 95% CI, 0.729 to 1.00; P = .055 for PP.

CONCLUSION

Maintenance therapy with P and PP did not improve OS among patients with newly diagnosed O/tubal/peritoneal cancer, but may modestly increase PFS. GI and neurologic toxicities were more frequent in the taxane treatment arms.
Biomarkers for Systemic Therapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update
Authors: Henry N. Lynn , Somerfield Mark R. , Dayao Zoneddy , Elias Anthony , Kalinsky Kevin , McShane Lisa M. , Moy Beverly , Park Ben Ho , Shanahan Kelly M. , Sharma Priyanka , Shatsky Rebecca , Stringer-Reasor Erica , Telli Melinda , Turner Nicholas C. , DeMichele Angela
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE

To update the ASCO Biomarkers to Guide Systemic Therapy for Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) guideline.

METHODS

An Expert Panel conducted a systematic review to identify randomized clinical trials and prospective-retrospective studies from January 2015 to January 2022.

RESULTS

The search identified 19 studies informing the evidence base.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Candidates for a regimen with a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor and hormonal therapy should undergo testing for PIK3CA mutations using next-generation sequencing of tumor tissue or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma to determine eligibility for alpelisib plus fulvestrant. If no mutation is found in ctDNA, testing in tumor tissue, if available, should be used. Patients who are candidates for poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor therapy should undergo testing for germline BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations to determine eligibility for a PARP inhibitor. There is insufficient evidence for or against testing for a germline PALB2 pathogenic variant to determine eligibility for PARP inhibitor therapy in the metastatic setting. Candidates for immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy should undergo testing for expression of programmed cell death ligand-1 in the tumor and immune cells to determine eligibility for treatment with pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy. Candidates for an immune checkpoint inhibitor should also undergo testing for deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability-high to determine eligibility for dostarlimab-gxly or pembrolizumab, as well as testing for tumor mutational burden. Clinicians may test for NTRK fusions to determine eligibility for TRK inhibitors. There are insufficient data to recommend routine testing of tumors for ESR1 mutations, for homologous recombination deficiency, or for TROP2 expression to guide MBC therapy selection. There are insufficient data to recommend routine use of ctDNA or circulating tumor cells to monitor response to therapy among patients with MBC. Additional information can be found at www.asco.org/breast-cancer-guidelines .
Enhanced radiation of nonlinear Thomson backscattering by a tightly focused Gaussian laser pulse and an external magnetic field
Authors: Hong Xueren , Wei Dou , Li Yanan , Tang Rongan , Sun Jianan , Duan Wenshan
Published: June 2022

The electron dynamics and the Thomson backscattering of an electron moving in a combined field of a tightly focused Gaussian laser pulse and an external uniform magnetic field are investigated in detail. It is found that by considering the tightly focused Gaussian laser pulse, the electron can be pushed out from the laser pulse by the ponderomotive force, resulting in the symmetry breaking of the electron dynamics from the Gaussian envelope, which can dramatically enhance the radiation intensity. It is also found that by introducing an external magnetic field, the emergence of the cyclotron motion of the electron under the external magnetic field also breaks the symmetry of the electron dynamics and enhances the radiation. Especially in the resonance case, i.e., the cyclotron frequency of the electron is close to the laser frequency, the emission spectrum is further enhanced due to the great extension of the interaction time and the symmetry breaking by the beat wave between the helix motion and the cyclotron motion of the electron in the combined field, and a platform with high radiation intensity containing the THz band has also appeared.
Athermal GES-based solar plasma stability with sphero-logabarotropic special effects
Authors: Karmakar Pralay Kumar , Deka Utpal
Published: June 2022

A model formalism for the small-scale radial fluctuations excitable in the athermal (non-thermal) solar plasma system on the basis of the non-extensive gravito-electrostatic sheath (GES) model fabric is reported. A unique speciality here is that it intercouples the solar interior plasma (SIP) and the solar wind plasma (SWP) gravito-electrostatically via the interfacial diffused solar surface boundary (SSB). The constitutive electrons are thermostatistically framed in the κ-distribution laws via the Tsallis thermostatistics. In contrast, the heavier ions are treated as an inhomogeneous fluid. The turbulent degrees of freedom are accounted through the Larson nonlinear logabarotropic equation of state in curved geometry. A spherically symmetric wave analysis over the perturbed GES structure results in a unique pair of distinct linear dispersion laws (SIP plus SWP) without any typical quasi-classic approximation. A numerical illustrative platform for the dispersion analysis specifically shows that an antikink-type (kink-type) impulsive rarefactive (compressive) propagatory boost due to irregular dispersion is experienced by the fluctuations at the heliospheric core (photospheric SSB). We see that the thermostatistical parameter (Tsallis power-law tail index κ) acts as a unique form of acceleration agency for both the SIP and SWP instabilities to proliferate. At the last, the explorative semi-analytic results are contextually compared with the realistic domains of the collective excitation of the helioseismic waves and SSB oscillations.
Examining Ethnicity: Patterns of Minority Identification Among Children of Interethnic Marriages in China
Authors: Francis-Tan Andrew , Mu Zheng
Published: June 2022

Ethnic identity is a highly contested issue in China. Yet, the literature on the social construction of ethnoracial identity is dominated by research on the Americas. In this study, we investigate patterns of ethnic identification among children of interethnic parents in China using census data from 2000 and survey data from 2010–2018. We focus on children who are aged 20 or younger and have one parent identified as an ethnic minority and one parent identified as an ethnic Han. We find that the strongest predictor of a child's minority identification is the father's ethnicity. Minority identification is also associated with gender, birth year, mother's education, household income, migration status, parent's perception of the child's diligence, the geographic concentration of minorities, and eligibility for ethnicity-based bonus points on the college entrance examination. Taken together, the results suggest that children's ethnoracial identity is shaped by family demographic characteristics as well as by education policy.
Arap1 loss causes retinal pigment epithelium phagocytic dysfunction and subsequent photoreceptor death
Authors: Shao Andy , Lopez Antonio Jacobo , Chen JiaJia , Tham Addy , Javier Seanne , Quiroz Alejandra , Frick Sonia , Levine Edward M. , Lloyd K. C. Kent , Leonard Brian C. , Murphy Christopher J. , Glaser Thomas M. , Moshiri Ala
Published: June 2022

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a retinal degenerative disease, is the leading cause of heritable blindness. Previously, we described that Arap1−/− mice develop a similar pattern of photoreceptor degeneration. Arap1 is an Arf-directed GTPase-activating protein shown to modulate actin cytoskeletal dynamics. Curiously, Arap1 expression was detected in Müller glia and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), but not the photoreceptors themselves. In this study, we generated conditional knockout mice for Müller glia/RPE, Müller glia and RPE via targeting Rlbp1, Glast and Vmd2 promoters, respectively, to drive Cre recombinase expression to knock out Arap1. Vmd2-Cre Arap1tm1c/tm1c and Rlbp1-Cre Arap1tm1c/tm1c mice, but not Glast-Cre Arap1tm1c/tm1c mice, recapitulated the phenotype originally observed in germline Arap1−/− mice. Mass spectrometry analysis of human ARAP1 co-immunoprecipitation identified candidate binding partners of ARAP1, revealing potential interactants involved in phagocytosis, cytoskeletal composition, intracellular trafficking and endocytosis. Quantification of outer segment phagocytosis in vivo demonstrated a clear phagocytic defect in Arap1−/− mice compared to Arap1+/+ controls. We conclude that Arap1 expression in RPE is necessary for photoreceptor survival due to its indispensable function in RPE phagocytosis.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Contribution of model organism phenotypes to the computational identification of human disease genes
Authors: Alghamdi Sarah M. , Schofield Paul N. , Hoehndorf Robert
Published: June 2022

Computing phenotypic similarity helps identify new disease genes and diagnose rare diseases. Genotype–phenotype data from orthologous genes in model organisms can compensate for lack of human data and increase genome coverage. In the past decade, cross-species phenotype comparisons have proven valuble, and several ontologies have been developed for this purpose. The relative contribution of different model organisms to computational identification of disease-associated genes is not fully explored. We used phenotype ontologies to semantically relate phenotypes resulting from loss-of-function mutations in model organisms to disease-associated phenotypes in humans. Semantic machine learning methods were used to measure the contribution of different model organisms to the identification of known human gene–disease associations. We found that mouse genotype–phenotype data provided the most important dataset in the identification of human disease genes by semantic similarity and machine learning over phenotype ontologies. Other model organisms' data did not improve identification over that obtained using the mouse alone, and therefore did not contribute significantly to this task. Our work impacts on the development of integrated phenotype ontologies, as well as for the use of model organism phenotypes in human genetic variant interpretation.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Comparison of Gefitinib in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and clinical effects of Osimertinib and EGFR Gene mutation
Authors: Li Xiaofeng , Zhai Zhanqiang , Zhu Youcai , Zhou Haiou
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To compare the clinical effects of Osimertinib and Gefitinib in the treatment of non-small cell lung (NSCLC) complicated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutation.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 102 patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR gene mutations treated in the Chest Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Center of our hospital from January 2018 to January 2020. We divided the data based on the administered treatments into Osimertinib and Gefitinib groups. The disease control rate (DCR), progression free survival (PFS) and the incidence of adverse events in both groups were analyzed.

Results: In the Osimertinib group, there was one patients with complete response (CR), 38 with partial response (PR), eight with stable disease (SD), and two with progressive disease (PD)/ The overall response rate (ORR) was 79.59% (39/49), and the disease control rate (DCR) was 95.92% (47/49). In the Gefitinib group, we found zero patients with CR, 37 patients with PR, 11 with SD, and five with PD. The ORR in the Gefitinib group was 69.80% (37/53) and DCR was 90.57% (48/53). There was no statistical significance between the two groups, ORR was χ2=0.927 (P=0.336) and the DCR χ2=0.221 (P=0.638). The median PFS of and Gefitinib groups was significantly higher in the oxitinib group, compared to the Gefitinib group (18.1 months (95% CI 15.4-20.7) and 10.7 months (95% CI 9.9-11.4), respectively, P<0.001). The incidence of adverse reactions in the Osimertinib group was 12.24% (6/49), which was significantly lower than 28.30% (15/53) in the Gefitinib group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: The clinical effect of oxitinib in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer complicated with EGFR gene mutation is similar to that of Gefitinib. In patients with advanced NSCLC and EGFR gene mutations, oxitinib treatment is associated with significantly longer PFS and lower adverse reaction rate compared with Gefitinib treatment.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5456

How to cite this:Li X, Zhai Z, Zhu Y, Zhou H. Comparison of Gefitinib in the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and clinical effects of Osimertinib and EGFR Gene mutation. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5456

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comparison of two suspension injection tracers of nano activated carbon and methylene blue in mapping and tracing of sentinel lymph nodes of patients with endometrial cancer
Authors: Yang Shuying , Zhang Weifeng , Shu Yan , Ni Dongmei , Wan Zeqiu
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To analyze the application efficiency of two tracers for sentinel lymph node mapping in patients with endometrial cancer.

Methods: The records of endometrial cancer patients treated in our hospital from July 2019 to July 2021 were selected. Among them, 29 patients received methylene blue suspension injection and 33 patients received nano activated carbon suspension injection. The staining of sentinel lymph nodes was recorded and the application efficiency of two different tracers were analyzed.

Results: Total detection rate, average number of sentinel lymph nodes and bilateral detection rate of nano activated carbon suspension injection were significantly higher than those of methylene blue suspension injection (P<0.05). Detection accuracy, positive predictive value and sensitivity of nano activated carbon suspension injection were significantly higher than those of methylene blue suspension injection (P<0.05). Incidence of complications was the same in the two groups (P>0.05). Tracing time of nano activated carbon suspension injection was significantly lower than that of methylene blue suspension injection, and the total duration was significantly higher than that of methylene blue suspension injection (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Nano activated carbon can obtain good detection effect in sentinel lymph node recognition in endometrial cancer patients, with shorter tracing time and higher total duration than methylene blue suspension.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5714

How to cite this:Zhang W, Shu Y, Ni D, Wan Z, Yang S. Comparison of two suspension injection tracers of nano activated carbon and methylene blue in mapping and tracing of sentinel lymph nodes of patients with endometrial cancer. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5714

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Nonverbal communication skills: New-era education needs of younger generation medical students
Authors: Murakami Manabu , Jin Shigeki , Takeuchi Akiko , Matoba Kotaro
Published: June 2022

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.6058

How to cite this:Murakami M, Jin S, Takeuchi A, Matoba K. Nonverbal communication skills: New-era education needs of younger generation medical students. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.6058

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A large-scale image dataset of wood surface defects for automated vision-based quality control processes
Authors: Kodytek Pavel , Bodzas Alexandra , Bilik Petr
Published: June 2022

The wood industry is facing many challenges. The high variability of raw material and the complexity of manufacturing processes results in a wide range of visible structure defects, which have to be controlled by trained specialists. These manual processes are not only tedious and biased, but also less effective. To overcome the drawbacks of the manual quality control processes, several automated vision-based systems have been proposed. Even though some conducted studies achieved a higher recognition rate than trained experts, researchers have to deal with a lack of large-scale databases and authentic data in this field. To address this issue, we performed a data acquisition experiment set in the industrial environment, where we were able to acquire an extensive set of authentic data from a production line. For this purpose, we designed and implemented a complex technical solution suitable for high-speed acquisition during harsh manufacturing conditions. In this data note, we present a large-scale dataset of high-resolution sawn timber surface images containing more than 43 000 labelled surface defects and covering 10 types of the most common wood defects. Moreover, with each image record, we provide two types of labels allowing researchers to perform semantic segmentation, as well as defect classification, and localization.
luox: validated reference open-access and open-source web platform for calculating and sharing physiologically relevant quantities for light and lighting
Authors: Spitschan Manuel , Mead James , Roos Chris , Lowis Chris , Griffiths Ben , Mucur Paul , Herf Michael , Nam Somang , Veitch Jennifer A.
Published: June 2022

Light exposure has a profound impact on human physiology and behaviour. For example, light exposure at the wrong time can disrupt our circadian rhythms and acutely suppress the production of melatonin. In turn, appropriately timed light exposure can support circadian photoentrainment. Beginning with the discovery that melatonin production is acutely suppressed by bright light more than 40 years ago, understanding which aspects of light drive the 'non-visual' responses to light remains a highly active research area, with an important translational dimension and implications for "human-centric" or physiologically inspired architectural lighting design. In 2018, the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) standardised the spectral sensitivities for predicting the non-visual effects of a given spectrum of light with respect to the activation of the five photoreceptor classes in the human retina: the L, M and S cones, the rods, and the melanopsin-containing intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs). Here, we described a novel, lean, user-friendly, open-access and open-source platform for calculating quantities related to light. The platform, called luox, enables researchers and research users in vision science, lighting research, chronobiology, sleep research and adjacent fields to turn spectral measurements into reportable quantities. The luox code base, released under the GPL-3.0 License, is modular and therefore extendable to other spectrum-derived quantities. luox calculations of CIE quantities and indices have been endorsed by the CIE following black-box validation.
Mathematical modeling and software implementation of flight safety and aviation personnel management process
Authors: Shipilova Elena , Platonov Aleksandr , Ravlyk Roman , Gospod Aleksey
Published: June 2022

Obtaining timely, reliable and complete information about the state of the aviation system, and its processing using the latest information technologies is one of the most promising directions in solving the problem of reducing accidents in aviation. The paper presents an analysis of peculiarities of information and mathematical modeling of flight safety management process. One of the methods of ensuring flight safety is to monitor the production of flights, as well as to analyze the quality of officials' performance of their direct duties, which allows identifying and classifying emerging hazards, accumulating information in databases for subsequent use as a decision support system in the process of flight management, as well as for carrying out preventive measures to eliminate them. A mathematical model is given, based on a proactive method, the essence of which is to actively detect and predict the occurrence of hazardous factors of flight activity before their manifestation in flight. The model includes consideration of the effectiveness of flight safety management by various organizational groups at several stages of flight preparation, as well as an analysis of the effectiveness of officials. Based on the proposed mathematical model, a flight safety control system was developed, which is designed to constantly influence the elimination of hazardous factors, both on the ground and in the air. The system operates around a specific crew and a specific aircraft during the preparation, conduct and analysis of the flight. The use of the proposed management system, together with a model for assessing the organizational performance of officials, allows for the most comprehensive consideration and prevention of factors affecting flight safety. Description, structure diagrams, screen forms of the application package implementing the proposed mathematical model and flight safety management system, as well as results of testing of the proposed system in military units are given.
Modeling of the stress state and determination of the strength characteristics of materials of supporting structures of an industrial workshop
Authors: Muzhzhuhina Ekaterina , Nikolenko S. , Sazonova Svetlana
Published: June 2022

The paper presents a part of the results of a full-scale inspection of the molding shop of an industrial enterprise. The results of tests of masonry materials of the shop's enclosing walls by the shock pulse method using the ONIKS 2.5 device are presented. As a result, it was found that the grade for the compressive strength of the ceramic bricks of the walls corresponds to M100, and the grade of the masonry cement-sand mortar of the walls of the building corresponds to M50. The results of concrete testing by the non-destructive method of testing the strength using the DigiShmidt 2000 device were presented. As a result, it was established that the compressive strength class of concrete in reinforced concrete slabs of the pavement corresponds to B10, in reinforced concrete beams of the pavement - B40, in reinforced concrete crane beams of the covering - B15, in reinforced concrete columns of the building - B15. Instrumental studies were carried out using non-destructive testing methods, and verification calculations were carried out using a computer. The results of the verification calculations carried out according to the proposed method showed the sufficient bearing capacity of the roof beams, columns and foundations of the workshop building under the full design load. Based on the results of the survey, a verification calculation of the workshop frame was carried out. In general, the calculation showed sufficient strength of the entire load-bearing structures of an industrial building.
Development of an algorithm to improve the efficiency of the C-LEACH routing protocol
Authors: Tun Yuylin' , Novikova Tatyana , Evdokimova Svetlana
Published: June 2022

In the process of studying wireless sensor network protocols and communication mechanisms, the extension of network service life and minimization of node power consumption have become important indicators. In order to reduce the energy consumption caused by communication in a wireless sensor network, improve network scalability and extend the network lifecycle, it is important to intelligently connect network nodes using a certain clustering algorithm. The paper proposes an improved routing protocol for wireless sensors with low power consumption LEACH, based on data aggregation (C-LEACH). The Kalman filter algorithm was used to solve the problem of data accuracy on cluster member nodes. The principle of operation of the Kalman filter is explained by the example of the noise signal of the sensor. The above data modification model can be performed continuously to achieve the optimal evaluation and filtering effect. Thus, the volume of data sent by the node is reduced. Experimental results have shown that the proposed LEACH protocol based on data fusion (C-LEACH) effectively reduces data redundancy, reduces the power consumption of sensor nodes and prolongs the life cycle of wireless sensor networks compared to the traditional LEACH algorithm, significantly improves network integrity.