bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cuproptosis‐associated lncRNA impact prognosis in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer co‐infected with COVID‐19
Authors: Li Jing , Wang Nan , Mao Guocai , Wang Jiantang , Xiang Mengqi , Zhang Huachuan , Zeng Daxiong , Ma Haitao , Jiang Junhong
Published: September 2024

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients infected with COVID‐19 experience much worse prognosis. However, the specific mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain unclear. We conducted a multicentre study, collecting surgical tissue samples from a total of 36 NSCLC patients across three centres to analyse. Among the 36 lung cancer patients, 9 were infected with COVID‐19. COVID‐19 infection (HR = 21.62 [1.58, 296.06], p = 0.021) was an independent risk factor of progression‐free survival (PFS). Analysis of RNA‐seq data of these cancer tissues demonstrated significantly higher expression levels of cuproptosis‐associated genes in COVID‐19‐infected lung cancer patients. Using Lasso regression and Cox regression analysis, we identified 12 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) regulating cuproptosis. A score based on these lncRNA were used to divide patients into high‐risk and low‐risk groups. The results showed that the high‐risk group had lower overall survival and PFS compared to the low‐risk group. Furthermore, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) database revealed that the high‐risk group benefited more from immunotherapy. Drug sensitivity analysis identified cetuximab and gefitinib as potentially effective treatments for the high‐risk group. Cuproptosis plays a significant role NSCLC patients infected with COVID‐19. Promisingly, cetuximab and gefitinib have shown potential effectiveness for managing these patients.
Mechanism of seed coat removal of walnut kernel by high temperature transient thermal radiation and experimental evaluation
Authors: Li Kang , Li Changhe , Liu Mingzheng , Wang Leyi , Ye Xiangrui , Wang Ziwen , Fan Linzheng , Wang Renkun , Cao Chengmao , Wu Jiankang
Published: September 2024

The traditional alkaline peeling method generates high‐salinity wastewater, posing significant environmental risks. To avoid water waste and chemical use, a dry method using high‐temperature thermal radiation was explored for removing walnut skins. The mechanism of the high‐temperature thermal radiation dry method for removing walnut skins was revealed by studying the physical properties of walnut kernels. Research on the performance of the peeling device identified the optimal parameters: an infrared emitter surface temperature of 600°C, a radiation time of 20.7 seconds, and a distance of 129.46 mm between emitters, achieving a 95.18% skin removal rate with only 0.8% moisture loss and a quality score of 96.82. Raman spectroscopy showed that this method increased the unsaturated fatty acid content of walnut kernels by 27.26%, greatly enhancing their quality. SEM analysis revealed different microstructural changes between skins removed by infrared and alkaline methods, revealing the differences in their peeling mechanisms. These findings provide a scientific foundation for developing thermal radiation dry peeling technology and devices.

Practical applications

The removal of walnut skins is an essential process for enhancing the added value of products. However, current industrial peeling methods such as hot alkaline peeling and steam peeling are water and energy‐intensive industries, generating large amounts of wastewater that negatively impact the environment. There is an urgent need to develop an efficient, green, and environmentally friendly dry peeling technology for walnut kernels in the food industry to replace traditional chemical peeling methods. The high‐temperature thermal radiation dry peeling technology provides a new approach that avoids the use of water and chemical reagents while maintaining high product quality after peeling. Research focuses on the theoretical study and several key points of dry peeling technology for achieving walnut kernel peeling. The research results provide scientific basis for the replacement of traditional alkaline peeling with high‐temperature thermal radiation dry peeling technology and offer theoretical support and reference for the development and optimization of related equipment.
Efficacy and antibacterial mechanism of high‐frequency ultrasound combined with sodium hypochlorite against E. coliO157:H7
Authors: Li Yinhui , Lv Ruiling , Zhou Jianwei , Wang Wenjun , Liu Donghong
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the synergistic effects and mechanism of high‐frequency ultrasound (HFUS) combined with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) against Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli). The bactericidal effect of HFUS alone against E. coli was limited (reduced 0.14–0.30 log CFU/mL), while that of NaClO (3 mg/L) was relatively better (reduced 1.10–2.02 log CFU/mL). When combining HFUS and NaClO, the decontamination of E. coli increased as decreasing ultrasonic frequency and increasing ultrasonic power at the range of 2.16–5.76 log CFU/mL, which achieved an additional maximum 3.58 log CFU/mL‐reduction (581 kHz, 167 W, 18 min) comparing to the total reduction of sole NaClO and HFUS treatments. The remarkable cell membrane damages caused by HFUS during the combined treatment were confirmed by membranal integrity, membranal permeability, and ultrastructural morphology analyses. Incredibly, as one of membrane damages, pores observed on the cell membrane could provide new channels for hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide induced by HFUS to enter E. coli cells. Furthermore, those chemical substances significantly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels at a lower ultrasonic frequency and higher power, which were part of the reason for subsequent DNA damage in addition to the mechanical effects of HFUS. These results may broaden the application of high‐frequency ultrasound in food sterilization.

Practical applications

There is an increasing trend toward food sterilization that prefers non‐thermal processing. E. coli is a typical pathogen associated with foodborne disease outbreaks and has one of the broadest disease spectra. Ultrasound is a promising non‐thermal technology due to its gentle action, simple operation, and environmental friendliness. This study combined ultrasound with sodium hypochlorite against E. coli, which obtained a remarkable synergistic bactericidal effect, making potential applications in the future food industry.
Effect of passive smoking on birth weight in pregnant women with vitamin D deficiency living in Turkey: A case control study
Authors: Dincgez Burcu , Ozgen Gulten , Kartal Golcuk Esra
Published: September 2024

Aim

Although vitamin D deficiency in smokers has a greater risk of low birth weight than vitamin D deficiency or smoking alone, there is no study searching birth weight in vitamin D deficient passive smokers. We evaluated the effect of vitamin D deficiency on birth weight in active and passive smokers. Additionally, we aimed to determine the predictive role of vitamin D for low birth weight in smokers.

Methods

The study was designed as a retrospective case control study. A total of 210 participants were divided into three groups: active smoking (n = 34), passive smoking (n = 79), and non‐smokers (n = 97). Then passive smokers were divided into two subgroups as vitamin D ≥ 20 ng/mL (n = 23) and vitamin D < 20 ng/mL (n = 56). Sociodemographic, laboratory, and perinatal characteristics were recorded and compared between groups.

Results

Birth weight was higher in non‐smokers as compared to active (p < 0.001) and passive (p = 0.001) smokers, and also in passive than active smokers (p = 0.023). In passive smokers, birth weight was lower in vitamin D < 20 ng/mL group (p < 0.001). Vitamin D were correlated with birth weight in all smokers (r = 0.653, p < 0.001), passive (r = 0.624, p < 0.001) and active smokers (r = 0.526, p = 0.001). Vitamin D ≤ 14 ng/mL predicted low birth weight with 100% sensitivity and 53.92% specificity in smokers (area under curve [AUC] = 0.773, p < 0.001), with 100% sensitivity and 63.5% specificity in passive smokers (AUC = 0.759, p < 0.001) while vitamin D ≤ 11 ng/mL predicted with 83.33% sensitivity and 71.43% specificity in active smokers (AUC = 0.774, p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Vitamin D deficiency in smokers is associated with low birth weight. Although vitamin D supplementation is not routinely recommended in pregnant women, we suggest that it could be an option in preventing low birth weight in smokers, even passive ones, who do not have adequate dietary intake and have insufficient exposure to daylight.
COVID‐19 experiences and family resilience: A latent class analysis
Authors: Chen Xuejiao , Yeung Wei‐Jun Jean
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study identifies subtypes of families with varying levels of economic and relational resilience during the pandemic and evaluates the factors associated with these subtypes in Singapore.

Background

Despite mounting evidence on the detrimental impact of the pandemic on family well‐being, we examine how resources at different levels may enhance family resilience.

Method

A sample of 2818 households was extracted from two waves of the Singapore Longitudinal Early Development Study (SG‐LEADS). Latent class analysis was conducted to classify subgroups of families. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to examine the association between the subgroup membership and multilevel factors including mother's self‐efficacy, family socioeconomic status, quality of family time, mother's work‐life conflict, partner cooperation, neighborhood environment, and government and community support.

Results

We identified six distinct groups of families: “economically and relationally fragile” (4%), “economically struggling but relationally improved” (11%), “economically struggling but relationally stable” (14%), “economically secure and relationally stable” (28%), “economically secure but relationally deteriorating” (11%) and “economically secure and relationally strengthened” (31%). Families with higher socioeconomic status tend to show economic resilience. Families with mothers exhibiting higher self‐efficacy and lower work‐life conflict, coupled with quality family time, better neighborhood, greater government and community support, are more relationally resilient.

Conclusion

The study provides a nuanced picture of family dynamics under a global crisis, highlighting the multilevel resources that are correlated with family resilience.
Work organization in social enterprises: A source of job satisfaction?
Authors: Joutard Xavier , Petrella Francesca , Richez‐Battesti Nadine
Published: September 2024

Many studies suggest that employees of social enterprises experience greater job satisfaction than employees of for‐profit organizations, although their pay and employment contracts are usually less favorable. Based on linked employer–employee data from a French survey on employment characteristics and industrial relations and using a decomposition method developed by Gelbach (2016), this paper aims to explain this somewhat paradoxical result. Focusing on work organization variables, we show that the specific work organization of social enterprises explains a large part of the observed job satisfaction differential both in general and more specifically, in terms of satisfaction with access to training and working conditions. By detailing the components of work organization, the higher job satisfaction reported by employees in social enterprises stems from their greater autonomy and better access to information. In contrast to earlier studies, however, our results show that these work organization variables do not have more value for social enterprise employees than for for‐profit organization employees in the case of overall job satisfaction. This result casts doubt on the widespread hypothesis that social enterprise employees attach more weight to the nonmonetary advantages of their work than their counterparts in for‐profit organizations.
The elusive fiscal commons: Examining fiscal interaction among overlapping governments
Authors: Yang Lang K. , Yu Jinhai , Chen Xin
Published: September 2024

Vertically overlapping governments share the same tax base, which may generate fiscal spillovers in tax, spending, or debt decisions. Various studies have tested the fiscal commons effect in this context, though the findings remain inconclusive. This paper uses a regression discontinuity design to address empirical challenges in fiscal spillover research. We focus on bond referendums of Texas cities, counties, school districts, and water districts and identify the effect of exogenous increases in debt and property taxes induced by successful bond measures. We find no evidence of spillovers for bond measures, election results, property taxes, or overall revenue, spending, and indebtedness. Successful bond measures do not affect the shared property tax base, which suggests that the benefit view of property tax may explain the lack of vertical spillover.
Digitalization and the green transition: Different challenges, same policy responses?
Authors: Busemeyer Marius R. , Stutzmann Sophia , Tober Tobias
Published: September 2024

How do citizens perceive labor market risks related to digitalization and the green transition, and how do these risk perceptions translate into preferences for social policies? We address these questions in this paper by studying the policy preferences of individual workers on how governments should deal with the two labor market challenges of digitalization and the green transition. Employing novel cross‐country comparative survey data including a vignette experiment for six advanced postindustrial economies, we probe to what extent the different labor market challenges are associated with differences in preferences, distinguishing between support for social investment policies on the one hand and compensatory policies on the other. A first finding is that even though individuals perceive different levels of labor market risk due to the green transition and digitalization, their preferences for social policy responses do not differ systematically across the two risks. Instead, we find that social policy preferences are affected by individual‐level and, to some extent, country‐level contextual factors. Confirming previous work, higher perceived labor market risk is associated with more support for compensatory policies but less support for social investment.
Of poultry and the good farmer: Skilled role performance in antimicrobial use on poultry farms in Sweden, France and Vietnam
Authors: Sutherland Lee‐Ann , Bâtie Chloé , Gröndal Hedvig , Rousset Nathalie
Published: September 2024

In this article, we advance the good farmer literature by assessing how farmers’ understanding of what it is to be a good farmer is formed in relation to a less visible (enclosed) species (poultry). Findings demonstrate how the materialities of poultry bodies lead to similar practices across the three sites. These practices reflect the small size and rapid growth of poultry bodies and illustrate the multiple senses: visual, olfactory and tactile, which are encompassed in skilled role performance. The differing ‘rules of the game’ between the countries lead to distinctive ‘moral capitals’ attached to antimicrobial use, including stigma (Sweden), care‐full farming (France) and moral obligation (Vietnam). We argue that although cultural capital is not accrued in the same way as for more visible species, farmers mobilise their social capital to express cultural capital. Farmers clearly respond to changing ‘rules of the game’ in the form of government regulations, developing normative expectations. Deployment of the ‘good farmer’ concept in Sweden demonstrates the potential to mobilise cultural capital through benchmarking.
Microstructure and properties of laser cladding NiFeCrCoMo high entropy alloy coating on the surface of TP347 steel
Authors: Xie Fang , Zhai Changsheng , Zhang Xi , Jiang Sainan , Zhang Xin , Zheng Hongxing
Published: September 2024

The laser cladding NiFeCrCoMo high entropy alloy coatings (HEACs) were prepared on the surface of TP347H steel. The microstructure, phase formation, microhardness, and electrochemical corrosion performance were investigated. The result shows that the coating exhibits a single FCC structure, with a cross-sectional structure composed of matrix, heat-affected-zone (HAZ), fusion-zone (Fz), and HEA-coating-zone (HEACz). The Fz structure is a mixed crystal structure with dense columnar crystals and equiaxed crystals. The HEACz and surface of the coating are both composed of dendritic structures. Mo is enriched within the dendrites. The average hardness of the coating is 455.75 HV1.0, which is approximately 2.26 times that of TP347 steel. The thermodynamic parameters of the HEA coating include the following: ΔHmix = − 10.28 kJ/mol, ΔSmix = 15.07 J/kmol, δ = 8.46%, Ω = 2.19, meeting the conditions for the formation of a single FCC stable solid solution in a multiprincipal component high entropy alloy under nonequilibrium solidification conditions. Compared with TP347H steel, the Tafel curve capacitance arc radius of HEACs is much larger than the former in 3.5% NaCl solution, with higher Ecorr, lower Icorr, and larger |Z|, Rs, Rf, and Rct, exhibiting better electro-chemical corrosion performance, which can be attributed to the comprehensive effect of the passivation film as a single FCC solid solution phase.
TCR/CD3-based synthetic antigen receptors (TCC) convey superior antigen sensitivity combined with high fidelity of activation
Authors: Mühlgrabner Vanessa , Peters Timo , Velasco Cárdenas Rubí M.-H. , Salzer Benjamin , Göhring Janett , Plach Angelika , Höhrhan Maria , Perez Iago Doel , Goncalves Vasco Dos Reis , Farfán Jesús Siller , Lehner Manfred , Stockinger Hannes , Schamel Wolfgang W. , Schober Kilian , Busch Dirk H. , Hudecek Michael , Dushek Omer , Minguet Susana , Platzer René , Huppa Johannes B.
Published: September 2024

Low antigen sensitivity and a gradual loss of effector functions limit the clinical applicability of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)–modified T cells and call for alternative antigen receptor designs for effective T cell–based cancer immunotherapy. Here, we applied advanced microscopy to demonstrate that TCR/CD3-based synthetic constructs (TCC) outperform second-generation CAR formats with regard to conveyed antigen sensitivities by up to a thousandfold. TCC-based antigen recognition occurred without adverse nonspecific signaling, which is typically observed in CAR–T cells, and did not depend—unlike sensitized peptide/MHC detection by conventional T cells—on CD4 or CD8 coreceptor engagement. TCC-endowed signaling properties may prove critical when targeting antigens in low abundance and aiming for a durable anticancer response.
Clinical outcomes and emergence of resistance of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections treated with ceftolozane-tazobactam versus ceftazidime-avibactam
Authors: Hareza Dariusz A. , Cosgrove Sara E. , Bonomo Robert A. , Dzintars Kathryn , Karaba Sara M. , Hawes Armani M. , Tekle Tsigereda , Simner Patricia J. , Tamma Pranita D.
Published: September 2024

Few studies compare outcomes of patients with difficult-to-treat resistance (DTR)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections treated with ceftolozane-tazobactam versus ceftazidime-avibactam. A multicenter prospective study was conducted of unique patients with DTR
P. aeruginosa
infections from 2018 to 2023 receiving >72 h of ceftolozane-tazobactam or ceftazidime-avibactam, with confirmation that the
P. aeruginosa
isolate was susceptible to the agent administered by broth microdilution. Inverse probability weighting (IPW) incorporating propensity scores was utilized to ensure balanced baseline characteristics. Regression performed on the post-IPW group determined 30-day mortality and subsequent emergence of resistance (i.e., ≥4-fold increase in MIC) to the initial treatment (i.e., ceftolozane-tazobactam or ceftazidime-avibactam). Among 186 eligible patients, 102 (55%) received ceftolozane-tazobactam and 84 (45%) received ceftazidime-avibactam. In the post-IPW cohort, balance was achieved across all variables [e.g., demographics, severity of illness, severe immunocompromise, Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥5, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), source of infection, combination therapy]. Thirty-day mortality was similar between the ceftolozane-tazobactam and ceftazidime-avibactam groups [21% vs 17%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.01 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.90–1.14)]. Emergence of resistance was higher in the ceftolozane-tazobactam group [38% vs 25%; aOR: 1.89 (95% CI: 0.98–4.88)], but did not achieve statistical significance. Prolonged treatment durations and use of CRRT were associated with increased emergence of resistance (both
P
= 0.04). Although the survival of patients with DTR
P. aeruginosa
infections appears similar regardless of whether ceftolozane-tazobactam or ceftazidime-avibactam is prescribed, the emergence of resistance may be more concerning with the former. Plausible mechanistic explanations support these findings. Modifiable risk factors were identified that may mitigate this risk.
Immunogenicity and efficacy of XBB.1.5 rS vaccine against the EG.5.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian hamsters
Authors: Soudani Nadia , Bricker Traci L. , Darling Tamarand , Seehra Kuljeet , Patel Nita , Guebre-Xabier Mimi , Smith Gale , Davis-Gardner Meredith , Suthar Mehul S. , Ellebedy Ali H. , Boon Adrianus C. M.
Published: September 2024

The continued emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants necessitates updating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines to match circulating strains. The immunogenicity and efficacy of these vaccines must be tested in pre-clinical animal models. In Syrian hamsters, we measured the humoral and cellular immune response after immunization with the nanoparticle recombinant Spike (S) protein-based COVID-19 vaccine (Novavax, Inc.). We also compared the efficacy of the updated monovalent XBB.1.5 variant vaccine with previous COVID-19 vaccines for the induction of XBB.1.5 and EG.5.1 neutralizing antibodies and protection against a challenge with the EG.5.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2. Immunization induced high levels of S-specific IgG and IgA antibody-secreting cells and antigen-specific CD4
+
T cells. The XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 vaccines, but not the Prototype vaccine, induced high levels of neutralizing antibodies against the XBB.1.5, EG.5.1, and JN.1 variants of SARS-CoV-2. Upon challenge with the Omicron EG.5.1 variant, the XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 vaccines reduced the virus load in the lungs, nasal turbinates, trachea, and nasal washes. The bivalent vaccine (Prototype rS + BA.5 rS) continued to offer protection in the trachea and lungs, but protection was reduced in the upper airways. By contrast, the monovalent Prototype vaccine no longer offered good protection, and breakthrough infections were observed in all animals and tissues. Thus, based on these study results, the protein-based XBB.1.5 vaccine is immunogenic and increased the breadth of protection against the Omicron EG.5.1 variant in the Syrian hamster model.

IMPORTANCE

As SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve, there is a need to assess the immunogenicity and efficacy of updated vaccines against newly emerging variants in pre-clinical models such as mice and hamsters. Here, we compared the immunogenicity and efficacy between the updated XBB.1.5, the original Prototype Wuhan-1, and the bivalent Prototype + BA.5 vaccine against a challenge with the EG.5.1 Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 in hamsters. The XBB.1.5 and bivalent vaccine, but not the Prototype, induced serum-neutralizing antibodies against EG.5.1, albeit the titers were higher in the XBB.1.5 immunized hamsters. The presence of neutralizing antibodies was associated with complete protection against EG.5.1 infection in the lower airways and reduced virus titers in the upper airways. Compared with the bivalent vaccine, immunization with XBB.1.5 improved viral control in the nasal turbinates. Together, our data show that the updated vaccine is immunogenic and that it offers better protection against recent variants of SARS-CoV-2.
Envelope domain III E
324
, E
351
, and E
380
mutations lever adaptive evolution of DENV-1 genotype I
Authors: Jiang Tao , Huang Chenxiao , Ruan Qianqian , Huang Xiaorong , Liang Chumin , Chen Zhiqiang , Yu Xi , Peng Yihao , Liu Zheng , Cheng Gong , Dai Jianfeng , Sun Jiufeng
Published: September 2024

Dengue virus (DENV) gains genetic mutations during continuous transmission and evolution, making the virus more adaptive and virulent. The clade of DENV-1 genotype I has expanded and become the predominant genotype in Asia and the Pacific areas, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. A combined analysis of nonsynonymous mutations in domain III of the envelope protein and their biological effects on virus pathogenesis and transmission was evaluated. Phylogenetic analyses found three nonsynonymous mutations (V324I, V351L, and V380I) in domain III of the envelope protein, which emerged in 1970s–1990s and stably inherited and expanded in contemporary strains after 2000. We generated reverse-mutated viruses (I324V, L351V, and I380V) based on an infectious clone of an epidemic DENV-1 strain (NIID02–20), and the results suggested that the infectivity of the contemporary epidemic virus (wild type, WT) has increased compared to the reverse mutant viruses in mammalian hosts but not mosquito vectors. The WT virus showed a higher binding affinity to host cells and increased virion stability. In addition, weaker immunogenicity and higher resistance to neutralizing antibodies of the WT virus indicated a trend of immune escape. The data suggested that nonsynonymous mutations of the E protein (V324I, V351L, and V380I) promote infectivity and immune evasion of DENV-1 genotype I, which may facilitate its onward transmission on a global scale.

IMPORTANCE

We provide evidence that minor sequence variation among dengue virus (DENV) strains can result in increased adaptability and virulence, impacting both the biology of the virus and the antiviral immune response. The genetic mutations of DENV-1 gained during continuous transmission and evolution will offer new clues for the design of novel vaccines against flaviviruses.
Metabolic homeostasis in fungal infections from the perspective of pathogens, immune cells, and whole-body systems
Authors: Weerasinghe Harshini , Stölting Helen , Rose Adam J. , Traven Ana
Published: September 2024

The ability to overcome metabolic stress is a major determinant of outcomes during infections. Pathogens face nutrient and oxygen deprivation in host niches and during their encounter with immune cells. Immune cells require metabolic adaptations for producing antimicrobial compounds and mounting antifungal inflammation. Infection also triggers systemic changes in organ metabolism and energy expenditure that range from an enhanced metabolism to produce energy for a robust immune response to reduced metabolism as infection progresses, which coincides with immune and organ dysfunction. Competition for energy and nutrients between hosts and pathogens means that successful survival and recovery from an infection require a balance between elimination of the pathogen by the immune systems (resistance), and doing so with minimal damage to host tissues and organs (tolerance). Here, we discuss our current knowledge of pathogen, immune cell and systemic metabolism in fungal infections, and the impact of metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes. We put forward the idea that, while our knowledge of the use of metabolic regulation for fungal proliferation and antifungal immune responses (i.e., resistance) has been growing over the years, we also need to study the metabolic mechanisms that control tolerance of fungal pathogens. A comprehensive understanding of how to balance resistance and tolerance by metabolic interventions may provide insights into therapeutic strategies that could be used adjunctly with antifungal drugs to improve patient outcomes.
Early Neoarchean geodynamic regime in the North China Craton: Constraints from 2.7 Ga granitoids in the southern Jilin terrane
Authors: Liu Jin , Zhang Hongxiang , Palin Richard M. , Liu Zhenghong , Zhang Jian , Cheng Changquan , Liu Xiaoguang , Zhao Chen
Published: September 2024

Identifying the processes responsible for the generation and evolution of the Archean continental crust is crucial for understanding the tectonic regimes present on early Earth. A major episode of continental growth during the early Neoarchean has been identified in many cratons worldwide. Indeed, early Neoarchean magmatism has been recognized in several terranes within the North China Craton over the past decade, although the geodynamic regime in which such activity occurred remains highly debated. Here, we focus on newly recognized early Neoarchean mylonitic trondhjemite and granodiorite from the southern Jilin terrane, China, to address this knowledge gap. Zircon U-Pb geochronology reveals that these granitoids formed at ca. 2.7 Ga. They display adakitic geochemical characteristics, such as high Sr/Y and LaN/YbN ratios. Their low MgO, Cr, and Ni contents, along with low δ18O values (4.19‰–5.39‰) and positive εHf(t) (0.7–6.5) and εNd(t) (2.0–2.6) values, indicate that they originated from thickened juvenile lower continental crust. Thermodynamic modeling further constrains the ca. 2.7 Ga granitoids to have been generated from partial melting driven by amphibole breakdown under granulite-facies P-T conditions of 10–15 kbar and 800–900 °C, with garnet and amphibole as the major residual minerals. Combined with previous studies, we suggest that the North China Craton underwent significant crustal growth during the early Neoarchean, which was likely attributed to the synergistic effects of waning mantle plume activity and the coeval onset of plate tectonics.
A multicenter retrospective study to assess feasibility, safety and efficacy of first-line carboplatin-paclitaxel versus carboplatin monotherapy in a frail, elderly epithelial ovarian cancer population
Authors: Merry Eve , Kesmez Ronas Taner , Yu Tamara , Flynn Michael , Ledermann Jonathan , Lockley Michelle , Macdonald Nicola , McCormack Mary , Nicum Shibani , Crusz Shanthini , Miller Rowan
Published: September 2024

Objective

Underrepresentation of elderly ovarian cancer patients in clinical trials has led to lack of clarity regarding optimal first-line chemotherapy in this cohort. The Elderly Women with Ovarian Cancer (EWOC)-1 trial demonstrated that 3-weekly carboplatin (3wC) resulted in worse survival and feasibility compared with standard 3-weekly carboplatin-paclitaxel (3wCP) in frail, elderly ovarian cancer patients. Our retrospective study compares feasibility, safety, and efficacy of first-line 3wCP and 3wC in a frail ovarian cancer cohort.

Methods

Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed for newly-diagnosed, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III/IV, ≥70-year-old epithelial ovarian cancer patients, treated by clinician choice with 3wC or 3wCP at two London cancer centers over a 2 year period. Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status provided surrogate markers of frailty. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0 graded toxicity.

Results

A total of 107 patients were treated with 3wC (n=30) and 3wCP (n=77). Age, performance status, and CCI were significantly different between cohorts, with 3wC patients older (84 vs 75 years, p<0.001), with more comorbidities (median CCI 4 vs 3, p<0.001) and worse performance status (47% vs 17% PS ≥2, p=0.015). Surgical outcomes differed significantly between cohorts, with 20 (67%) 3wC patients not undergoing surgery, compared with 22 (29%) 3wCP patients (p<0.001). Median follow-up was 45.8 months (IQR 38.7–56.3 months). While we observed improved progression-free (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.90, p=0.017) and overall survival (HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.73, p=0.001, log-rank test) in a univariate cox proportional hazards comparison between 3wCP and 3wC, this was not significant on multivariate analysis. Completion of six planned chemotherapy cycles was achieved by the majority, with similar discontinuation rates between groups (13% 3wC vs 8% 3wCP, p>0.05). Overall grade ≥3 hematological toxicity rates were similar between regimens (33% 3wC vs 44% 3wCP, p=0.37) with grade ≥3 neutropenia (p=0.019) and grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia (p=0.006) more common with 3wCP and 3wC, respectively. No treatment-related deaths occurred.

Conclusion

Our data demonstrates that standard 3wCP is a well-tolerated, feasible first-line treatment for frail, elderly ovarian cancer patients. Improved survival with 3wCP was not significant when corrected for established clinical prognostic factors.
Long-term disability trajectories in multiple sclerosis: a group-based trajectory analysis of the AusLong cohort
Authors: Zarghami Amin , Hussain Mohammad Akhtar , van der Mei Ingrid , Simpson-Yap Steve , Ponsonby Anne-Louise , Lechner-Scott Jeanette , Broadley Simon A , Lucas Robyn M , Zhou Yuan , Lin Xin , Investigator Group AusLong , Taylor Bruce V
Published: September 2024

Background

Previous natural history studies highlighted a consistent heterogeneity of disability trajectories among individuals with primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). However, evidence on disability progression in relapsing onset MS is scarce.

The aim of this study was to investigate heterogeneity in disability accumulation over 10 years following a first clinical diagnosis of central nervous system demyelination (FCD) and identify genetic, demographic, environmental and clinical factors associated with these trajectories.

Methods

We used group-based trajectory models to measure heterogeneity in disability trajectories based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in a prospectively assessed cohort of 263 participants. To capture sustained neurological impairments and avoid issues related to significant changes in EDSS associated with relapse, we did not consider EDSS points recorded within 3 months of a relapse.

Results

We identified three distinct and clinically meaningful disability trajectories: No/minimal, moderate and severe. Those in the no/minimal disability trajectory showed no appreciable progression of disability (median EDSS∼1 at 10-year review) while those in the moderate and severe disability trajectories experienced disability worsening (median time to reach EDSS 4 was 9 and 7 years, respectively). Compared with the no/minimal disability trajectory, those with older age, a higher number of relapses within the first 5 years post-FCD, and a higher number of comorbidities at baseline were more likely to be in the worse disability trajectory. Surprisingly, baseline MRI and anatomical site of initial symptoms did not influence long-term outcomes.

Conclusions

Those at higher risk of faster MS disability progression can be identified based on their early clinical characteristics with potential therapeutic implications for early intervention and treatment escalation.
Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis prescribing patterns for patients with orthopedic trauma: a clinical vignette survey
Authors: O'Hara Nathan N , Stein Deborah M , Haut Elliott R , Breazeale Stephen , Frey Katherine P , Slobogean Gerard P , Firoozabadi Reza , Castillo Renan , O'Toole Robert V
Published: September 2024

Background

A recent clinical trial suggested aspirin is a viable alternative to enoxaparin for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in patients after orthopedic trauma. The initial impact of these findings on VTE prophylaxis prescribing is unknown. The study aimed to evaluate stated VTE prophylaxis prescribing patterns among clinicians who treat patients after orthopedic trauma.

Methods

For this clinical vignette survey, we recruited surgeons and advanced practice providers who prescribed VTE prophylaxis to patients with orthopedic trauma across 40 states. Clinicians were shown seven clinical vignettes describing hypothetical patients with orthopedic trauma based on their fracture type, treatment, VTE risk factors, additional injuries and health insurance status. We assessed the stated VTE prophylaxis medications prescribed in-hospital and at discharge, patient factors associated with changes in medication prescribing preferences and practice variation by specialty and provider training.

Results

Among the 287 respondents, the median age was 43 years (IQR, 38–50), and 154 (weighted average, 63%) were men. For in-hospital VTE prophylaxis, enoxaparin was prescribed in 83% of the presented scenarios, and aspirin was prescribed in 13% (p<0.001). At discharge, aspirin was prescribed more frequently than enoxaparin (50% vs 41%, p<0.001). Healthcare providers with an aspirin discharge preference were 12% more likely to switch to enoxaparin if the patient had additional VTE risk factors, such as obesity (95% CI 4% to 19%, p=0.005).

Conclusions

Despite new clinical evidence, in-hospital VTE prophylaxis prescribing practices for patients with orthopedic trauma remain consistent with those reported a decade ago. However, compared with historical data, clinicians have significantly increased their preference for aspirin for thromboprophylaxis at discharge—unless the patient has additional thromboembolic risk factors.

Level of evidence

5—expert opinion.
A comparison of critical power and the respiratory compensation point at slower and faster pedaling cadences
Authors: Micheli Lorenzo , Teso Massimo , Guluzade Nasimi A. , Rizzo Matteo , Ferri Marini Carlo , Lucertini Francesco , Keir Daniel A. , Pogliaghi Silvia
Published: September 2024

We investigated whether pedal cadence (60 vs. 100 rpm) affects oxygen uptake (V̇O2) and power output (PO) at two indexes of the heavy-to-severe-intensity domain boundary (i.e., critical power (CP) and respiratory compensation point (RCP)) and their correspondence. Fourteen adults (7 females, 23 ± 2 years) cycled at 60 and 100 rpm during: (i) a “step-ramp-step” protocol to identify V̇O2 and PO at RCP; (ii) 4–5 exhaustive constant-PO bouts for CP identification; and (iii) a constant-power bout at CP to identify V̇O2 at CP. Separate two-way repeated measures Analysis of variance assessed whether V̇O2 and PO were affected by index (CP vs. RCP) and cadence (60 vs. 100 rpm). The V̇O2 was not affected by index (mean difference (MD) = 73 ± 197 mL·min−1; p = 0.136) but there was an index × cadence interaction ( p = 0.014), such that V̇O2 was higher at 100 versus 60 rpm for CP (MD = 142 ± 169 mL·min−1; p = 0.008), but not RCP ( p = 0526). The PO was affected by cadence (MD = 13 ± 9 W; p < 0.001) and index (MD = 8 ± 11 W; p = 0.016), with no cadence × index interaction ( p = 0.168). The systematic bias in PO confirms cadence-specificity of CP and RCP. The relationship between these indexes and their change in unison in PO suggests a mechanistic link between these two heavy-to-severe domain boundary candidates.
Acute effects of eccentric versus concentric exercise on executive function and attention of older adults
Authors: Huang Min-Jyue , Chen Trevor C. , Singh Favil , Taaffe Dennis R. , Nosaka Kazunori
Published: September 2024

Cognitive function is improved acutely after aerobic and/or resistance exercise, but it is unclear if the types of muscle contraction can influence this effect. This study tested the hypothesis that undertaking an acute bout of exercise with eccentric than concentric contractions would be more beneficial for improving cognitive function post-exercise in older adults. Twenty healthy older adults (66–75 years) performed descending stair walking (DSW), ascending stair walking (ASW), and resistance exercise of the knee extensors with eccentric-only (RE-ECC) or concentric-only contractions (RE-CON) for ∼20 min each with a week between exercises in a randomized order. The Stroop tests of color naming (STCN) and conflicting color words (STCC), symbol digit modalities test, digit span test (DST), and two types of the trail making test (TMT-A, TMT-B) were assessed before and after sitting for 20 min (control session), and each exercise. A significant ( p < 0.05) improvement in the baseline test scores was found from the control session to the fourth exercise session. Time to complete the tests was significantly ( p < 0.05) reduced from pre- to post-exercise as well as after sitting for 20 min for STCN (−5.9 ± 7.4 s, Cohen’s d = 0.79), STCC (−8.9 ± 11.1 s, d = 0.80), TMT-A (−22.6 ± 9.7 s, d = 2.34) and TMT-B (−23.1 ± 13.7 s, d = 1.69) without significant difference among the four exercise conditions. A significant ( p < 0.05) improvement of DST score was found from pre- to post-exercise for DSW (9.0 ± 17.6%, d = 0.51) and RE-ECC (6.5 ± 10.6%, d = 0.61), but not for ASW and RE-CON. These results partially supported the hypothesis that eccentric exercise could affect acute changes in cognitive function greater than concentric exercise.
ST-360: Spatial–Temporal Filtering-Based Low-Latency 360-Degree Video Analytics Framework
Authors: Li Jiaxi , Liao Jingwei , Chen Bo , Nguyen Anh , Tiwari Aditi , Zhou Qian , Yan Zhisheng , Nahrstedt Klara
Published: September 2024

Recent advances in computer vision algorithms and video streaming technologies have facilitated the development of edge-server-based video analytics systems, enabling them to process sophisticated real-world tasks, such as traffic surveillance and workspace monitoring. Meanwhile, due to their omnidirectional recording capability, 360-degree cameras have been proposed to replace traditional cameras in video analytics systems to offer enhanced situational awareness. Yet, we found that providing an efficient 360-degree video analytics framework is a non-trivial task. Due to the higher resolution and geometric distortion in 360-degree videos, existing video analytics pipelines fail to meet the performance requirements for end-to-end latency and query accuracy. To address these challenges, we introduce the innovative ST-360 framework specifically designed for 360-degree video analytics. This framework features a spatial-temporal filtering algorithm that optimizes both data transmission and computational workloads. Evaluation of the ST-360 framework on a unique dataset of 360-degree first-responders videos reveals that it yields accurate query results with a 50% reduction in end-to-end latency compared to state-of-the-art methods.
Hubness-Enabled Clustering and Recovery for Large-Scale Incomplete Multi-View Data
Authors: Yu Xiao , Liu Hui , Zhang Yan , Lin Yuxiu , Zhang Caiming
Published: September 2024

Incomplete multi-view clustering has gained considerable attention in recent years due to the prevalence of incomplete multi-view data in real-world applications. However, existing methods often struggle to effectively deal with large-scale datasets, particularly those with a significant number of missing instances. To address these issues, we propose a novel method called Hubness-Enabled Clustering and Recovery for Large-Scale Incomplete Multi-View Data (HENRI). HENRI utilizes the consensus hubs of all views to identify informative anchors to handle large-scale incomplete datasets. Furthermore, it incorporates a novel sample-level fusion strategy that effectively integrates information from all views, leading to remarkable outcomes in both cluster formation and missing data reconstruction. HENRI demonstrates exceptional capability in capturing the underlying structures of the data and recovering missing information, even when faced with a significant number of instances with incomplete data in partial views. To validate its effectiveness, we conducted experiments on 6 complete datasets and 31 incomplete datasets, comparing against 11 baseline methods. The results are impressive, demonstrating the superior performance of HENRI over the state-of-the-art methods.
Conscious Task Recommendation via Cognitive Reasoning Computing in Mobile Crowd Sensing
Authors: Liu Jia , Wang Jian , Zhao Guosheng
Published: September 2024

Mobile Crowd Sensing is a human-based data collection model, and the approach taken to recommend data collection tasks to users in order to maximize task acceptance rates is an important part of this research. Existing task recommendation methods are based only on intuitive data for unconscious analysis and decision-making, and lack the embodiment of cognitive intelligence. To address the above problem, a conscious task recommendation based on cognitive reasoning computing in Mobile Crowd Sensing has been proposed, using knowledge from cognitive science to simulate the human thinking process in order to achieve warm learning and conscious recommendation of sensing tasks. First, the task attributes are segmented into positive and negative attributes using a Kernel Density Estimation method based on bandwidth self-selection. Then, the user's attribute preferences are diagnosed by the Cognitive Diagnostic Method to obtain the user's preference vector. Finally, get the overall preference trend of users based on the Drift Diffusion Model, and make decisions according to whether the current task drift direction is consistent with the user preference trend. Simulation experiments were conducted using the Taobao dataset, MTurk dataset, and synthetic dataset, it was ultimately proven that conscious task recommendation combined with user cognitive ability effectively reduced RMSE and improved task acceptance rate. RMSE was 10.5%∼70.8% lower than other methods, and the task acceptance rate was basically over 80%, with most of the results being over 90%.
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP): From Biochemistry to Global Ecological Significance
Authors: Li Chun-Yang , Cao Hai-Yan , Payet Rocky D. , Todd Jonathan D. , Zhang Yu-Zhong
Published: September 2024

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is one of Earth's most abundant organosulfur compounds with important roles in stress tolerance, chemotaxis, global carbon and sulfur cycling, and climate-active gas production. Diverse marine prokaryotes and eukaryotes produce DMSP via three known pathways (methylation, transamination, and decarboxylation) and metabolize DMSP via three further pathways (demethylation, cleavage, and oxidation). Over 20 key enzymes from these pathways have been identified that demonstrate the biodiversity and importance of DMSP cycling. The last dozen years have seen significant changes in our understanding of the enzymology and molecular mechanisms of these DMSP cycling enzymes through the application of biochemistry and structural biology. This has yielded more than 10 crystal structures and, in many cases, detailed explanations as to how and why organisms synthesis and metabolize DMSP. In this review, we describe recent progress in biochemical and mechanistic understandings of DMSP synthesis and metabolism, highlighting the important knowledge gleaned and current challenges that warrant further exploration.