bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive computational cost analysis for state-of-the-art visual slam methods for autonomous mapping
Authors: YANIK Ömer Faruk , ILGIN Hakki Alparslan
Published: September 2023

It is important to solve the autonomous mapping problem with high accuracy using limited energy resources in an environment without prior knowledge and/or signal. Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) deals with the problem of determining the position and orientation of an autonomous vehicle or robot with various on-board sensors, and simultaneously creating a map of environment with low energy consumption. However visual SLAM methods require high processing performance for real-time operations. Also, processing capability of the hardware is limited by the power constraints. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the processing load and power consumption of visual SLAM methods for autonomous vehicles or robots. For visual SLAM methods, although there are different comparison studies, there is no comprehensive computational cost analysis covering different datasets and important parameters including absolute trajectory error, RAM Usage, CPU load, GPU load, with total power consumption. In this paper, ORB-SLAM2, Direct Sparse Odometry (DSO), and DSO with Loop Closure (LDSO), which are state of the art visual SLAM methods, are compared. Besides the performance of these methods, energy consumption and resource usage are evaluated allowing the selection of the appropriate SLAM method.
A MÚSICA E A DEPENDÊNCIA QUÍMICA: UM OLHAR SOBRE A LITERATURA NACIONAL
Authors: Resende Guilherme Afonso Silva de , Pedrosa Frederico
Published: September 2023

Esta pesquisa se trata de uma revisão descritiva que investigou a literatura sobre Musicoterapia ou Música nos tratamentos focados na Dependência Quí­mica em lí­ngua portuguesa e/ou em revistas nacionais. Foram revisadas a base de dados do Google Scholar bem como a Revista InCantare e a Revista Brasileira de Musicoterapia. Ao inspecionar 641 textos no total, foram selecionados 9 destes, sendo 5 feitos por musicoterapeutas e 4 por profissionais de outras áreas da saúde. Dentre os textos selecionados contêm artigos completos, resumos, monografias e dissertações que, entre outras coisas, indicaram que a Musicoterapia promove relaxamento, trocas psicoafetivas e possibilita expressão verbal em pacientes com dependência quí­mica. Entre os textos incluí­dos na revisão, há também trabalhos que fazem uso da música na terapia, mas sem o uso de técnicas musicoterapêuticas especí­ficas, preponderando, neste caso, a escuta musical. Também foi considerada, a partir deste trabalho, a necessidade de mais produção de pesquisas dentro deste tema, buscando evidências dos benefí­cios que a Musicoterapia pode proporcionar aos clientes.
Políticas públicas de saúde brasileira sobre as infeccões relacionadas ao sexo frente à mulher lésbica: ensaio teórico
Authors: Callou Filho Cesario Rui , Gomes Junior Alexandre Alves , Girão Beatriz Viana , Felix Junior Benedito Gomes , Costa Edina Silva , Braga Alexandre Pinheiro , Lopes Júnior José Evaldo Gonçalves , Campos Cristiane Gomes de Souza , Montenegro Juliana Pinto , Oliveira Tatiana de Queiroz
Published: September 2023

Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever as ações de promoção à saúde frente às Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis- ISTs dentro do contexto dos cadernos de atenção à saúde da mulher. Método: Trata-se de um estudo do tipo documental de segunda ordem com a proposta de melhorar o atendimento a pacientes lésbicas, desenvolvido no período de fevereiro a junho de 2022, por meio da análise dos documentos oficiais do Ministério da Saúde acerca da Política Nacional de Atenção Integral à Saúde da Mulher (PNAISM) e Política Nacional de Saúde Integral de Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Travestis e Transexuais (PNSILGBTT). Resultado: Foram lidas oito diretrizes dos cadernos, sendo três da PNAISM e cinco da PNSILGBTT. Conclusão: O estudo vem nos alertar sobre a necessidade de oferecer à sociedade, profissionais e principalmente as MSM, informações sobre os riscos, prevenção e a busca por cuidados continuados na atenção básica voltadas para a saúde da mulher.
Métricas de engajamento a partir da conversação de usuários da marca Nubank
Authors: Sanchotene Carlos Renan Samuel , Faria Lucas Vilela de
Published: September 2023

O presente artigo busca compreender como é formada a rede de conversação entre os usuários da marca Nubank no Twitter. Entre os objetivos busca-se estudar o compartilhamento de hashtags da marca identificando as métricas de engajamento que se baseiam nas seguintes categorias: voz dominante, preocupação, comprometimento, posicionamento e alinhamento. A metodologia foi elaborada a partir da Análise Crítica (ROGERS, 2018) do engajamento nas redes sociais digitais. Para tanto, foi analisada a hashtag #VemProNubankPadre criada no dia 22 de maio de 2019. Conclui-se que a empresa Nubank cria situações em que seus seguidores podem interagir de forma descontraída preocupando-se em manter um atendimento humanizado e íntimo com o consumidor.
Engineered exosomes as drug and RNA co-delivery system: new hope for enhanced therapeutics?
Authors: Chen Haorong , Yao Hanbo , Chi Jiaxin , Li Chaowei , Liu Yilin , Yang Jiayi , Yu Jiaqi , Wang Jiajun , Ruan Yongdui , Pi Jiang , Xu Jun-Fa
Published: September 2023

Chemotherapy often faces some obstacles such as low targeting effects and drug resistance, which introduce the low therapeutic efficiency and strong side effects. Recent advances in nanotechnology allows the use of novel nanosystems for targeted drug delivery, although the chemically synthesized nanomaterials always show unexpected low biocompability. The emergence of exosome research has offered a better understanding of disease treatment and created novel opportunities for developing effective drug delivery systems with high biocompability. Moreover, RNA interference has emerged as a promising strategy for disease treatments by selectively knocking down or over-expressing specific genes, which allows new possibilities to directly control cell signaling events or drug resistance. Recently, more and more interests have been paid to develop optimal delivery nanosystems with high efficiency and high biocompability for drug and functional RNA co-delivery to achieve enhanced chemotherapy. In light of the challenges for developing drug and RNA co-delivery system, exosomes have been found to show very attractive prospects. This review aims to explore current technologies and challenges in the use of exosomes as drug and RNA co-delivery system with a focus on the emerging trends and issues associated with their further applications, which may contribute to the accelerated developments of exosome-based theraputics.
Progress and prospects in flexible tactile sensors
Authors: Liu Ya-Feng , Wang Wei , Chen Xu-Fang
Published: September 2023

Flexible tactile sensors have the advantages of large deformation detection, high fault tolerance, and excellent conformability, which enable conformal integration onto the complex surface of human skin for long-term bio-signal monitoring. The breakthrough of flexible tactile sensors rather than conventional tactile sensors greatly expanded application scenarios. Flexible tactile sensors are applied in fields including not only intelligent wearable devices for gaming but also electronic skins, disease diagnosis devices, health monitoring devices, intelligent neck pillows, and intelligent massage devices in the medical field; intelligent bracelets and metaverse gloves in the consumer field; as well as even brain–computer interfaces. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an overview of the current technological level and future development of flexible tactile sensors to ease and expedite their deployment and to make the critical transition from the laboratory to the market. This paper discusses the materials and preparation technologies of flexible tactile sensors, summarizing various applications in human signal monitoring, robotic tactile sensing, and human–machine interaction. Finally, the current challenges on flexible tactile sensors are also briefly discussed, providing some prospects for future directions.
Creating community learning for empowerment groups: an innovative model for participatory research partnerships with refugee communities
Authors: Yohani Sophie , Kirova Anna , Georgis Rebecca , Gokiert Rebecca , Taylor Mischa , Tahir Sabah
Published: September 2023

Empowering communities to respond to humanitarian crises is one of the core principles of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. In response to large numbers of refugees resettling in Canada from Syria as they fled its civil war, a community-based research partnership was initiated to examine the psychosocial needs and adaptation processes of Syrian individuals and families. In this article, we introduce Community Learning for Empowerment Groups (CLEGs) as a methodological innovation in participatory research partnerships and demonstrate how they can be used to harvest local knowledge and create critical spaces for transformative learning. We describe the process of co-creating CLEGs with seven recently resettled Syrian community leaders, examples of their implementation, and lessons learned in our community-based participatory research (CBPR). Grounded in a transformative paradigm, our CBPR project occurred over three phases of implementation. Activities undertaken by the research team in phase one aimed at empowering the leaders through a “train-the trainer” and collaborative learning approach to lead CLEGs in phase two. Focus groups were held with leaders in phase two to explore their experiences leading CLEGs. Discussions in focus groups revealed that leaders were empowered to adapt their learning from phase one according to their group dynamics and personal leadership style. Deepened insights and new facilitation approaches were evidence of leaders’ growth, as exemplified in the focus groups. Leaders were able to support their groups to generate and, in some cases, implement community-based solutions to their groups’ psychosocial challenges. Community Learning for Empowerment Groups are a promising model for supporting power sharing and knowledge co-construction in participatory research partnerships.
Multivisceral resection of nonfunctional pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm with nearby organ invasion: a case report
Authors: Zhang Cong , Niu Weiqiao , Xu Yaopeng , Lu Yijie , Huang Lining , Li Song , Jiang Xinwei , Wu Jianwu
Published: September 2023

Pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (pNENs) are relatively rare epithelial malignancies originating from pancreatic neuroendocrine cells, pathologically classified into well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) and poorly-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (pNECs). Although they also fall under the category of pNENs, the almost entirely distinct biological characteristics and survival prognosis have caused debate among surgeons when it comes to the development of surgical intervention options, particularly for locally advanced G3 pNETs and pNECs. We present a case of 66-year-old male with nonfunctional G3 pNET, invasion of five nearby pancreatic organs and type II liver metastases. The patient achieved good outcomes after undergoing multivisceral resection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. This finding helps surgeons better understand locally advanced pNENs, formulate treatment decisions systematically and confidently, and balance patient benefits and risks of surgery.
Relationship between gut microbiota and thyroid function: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Xie Liangzhuo , Zhao Huaye , Chen Wei
Published: September 2023

Background

Numerous observational studies have indicated a link between the composition of gut microbiota and thyroid function. Nevertheless, the precise causal relationship between gut microbiota and thyroid function remains uncertain.

Methods

In this two-sample Mendelian randomization study, we utilized summary data from a genome-wide association study of gut microbiota composition in 18,340 participants from 24 cohorts, as well as summary statistics on thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone from the ThyroidOmics Consortium and summary statistics on hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism from the FinnGen R8 release. Five different methods, including inverse variance weighting, MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode, were employed to examine the causal relationship between gut microbiota and thyroid function. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted for taxa identified as having a causal relationship with thyroid function in the Mendelian randomization analysis. To assess the robustness of the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted employing Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO global test, and leave-one-out analysis.

Results

Through MR analysis of 211 microbial taxa and 4 phenotypes, we identified a total of 34 gut microbiota taxa that were associated with the outcomes. After using the bonferroni method for multiple testing correction, phylum Actinobacteria (id.400) had a protective effect on hypothyroidism (OR=0.883, 95% CI: 0.817-0.955, P=0.002), and class Deltaproteobacteria (id.3087) had a protective effect on hyperthyroidism (OR=0.549, 95% CI: 0.374-0.805, P=0.002). According to the results of reverse MR analysis, no significant causal effect of the four phenotypes was found on gut microbiota. No significant horizontal pleiotropy was detected based on MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO global test.

Conclusion

Through two-sample MR analysis, we identified specific gut microbiota taxa at the genetic level that are predicted to have a causal relationship with thyroid function, which may serve as useful biomarkers for early disease diagnosis.
Comprehensive scientometrics and visualization study profiles lymphoma metabolism and identifies its significant research signatures
Authors: Guo Song-Bin , Pan Dan-Qi , Su Ning , Huang Man-Qian , Zhou Zhen-Zhong , Huang Wei-Juan , Tian Xiao-Peng
Published: September 2023

Background

There is a wealth of poorly utilized unstructured data on lymphoma metabolism, and scientometrics and visualization study could serve as a robust tool to address this issue. Hence, it was implemented.

Methods

After strict quality control, numerous data regarding the lymphoma metabolism were mined, quantified, cleaned, fused, and visualized from documents (n = 2925) limited from 2013 to 2022 using R packages, VOSviewer, and GraphPad Prism.

Results

The linear fitting analysis generated functions predicting the annual publication number (y = 31.685x - 63628, R² = 0.93614, Prediction in 2027: 598) and citation number (y = 1363.7x - 2746019, R² = 0.94956, Prediction in 2027: 18201). In the last decade, the most academically performing author, journal, country, and affiliation were Meignan Michel (n = 35), European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (n = 1653), USA (n = 3114), and University of Pennsylvania (n = 86), respectively. The hierarchical clustering based on unsupervised learning further divided research signatures into five clusters, including the basic study cluster (Cluster 1, Total Link Strength [TLS] = 1670, Total Occurrence [TO] = 832) and clinical study cluster (Cluster 3, TLS = 3496, TO = 1328). The timeline distribution indicated that radiomics and artificial intelligence (Cluster 4, Average Publication Year = 2019.39 ± 0.21) is a relatively new research cluster, and more endeavors deserve. Research signature burst and linear regression analysis further confirmed the findings above and revealed additional important results, such as tumor microenvironment (a = 0.6848, R² = 0.5194, p = 0.019) and immunotherapy (a = 1.036, R² = 0.6687, p = 0.004). More interestingly, by performing a “Walktrap” algorithm, the community map indicated that the “apoptosis, metabolism, chemotherapy” (Centrality = 12, Density = 6), “lymphoma, pet/ct, prognosis” (Centrality = 11, Density = 1), and “genotoxicity, mutagenicity” (Centrality = 9, Density = 4) are crucial but still under-explored, illustrating the potentiality of these research signatures in the field of the lymphoma metabolism.

Conclusion

This study comprehensively mines valuable information and offers significant predictions about lymphoma metabolism for its clinical and experimental practice.
Comparative computational analysis to distinguish mesenchymal stem cells from fibroblasts
Authors: Budeus Bettina , Unger Kristian , Hess Julia , Sentek Hanna , Klein Diana
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered to be the most promising stem cell type for cell-based therapies in regenerative medicine. Based on their potential to home to diseased body sites following a therapeutically application, these cells could (i) differentiate then into organ-specific cell types to locally restore injured cells or, most prominently, (ii) foster tissue regeneration including immune modulations more indirectly by secretion of protective growth factors and cytokines. As tissue-resident stem cells of mesenchymal origin, these cells are morphologically and even molecularly- at least concerning the classical marker genes- indistinguishable from similar lineage cells, particularly fibroblasts.

Methods

Here we used microarray-based gene expression and global DNA methylation analyses as well as accompanying computational tools in order to specify differences between MSCs and fibroblasts, to further unravel potential identity genes and to highlight MSC signaling pathways with regard to their trophic and immunosuppressive action.

Results

We identified 1352 differentially expressed genes, of which in the MSCs there is a strong signature for e.g., KRAS signaling, known to play essential role in stemness maintenance, regulation of coagulation and complement being decisive for resolving inflammatory processes, as well as of wound healing particularly important for their regenerative capacity. Genes upregulated in fibroblasts addressed predominately transcription and biosynthetic processes and mapped morphological features of the tissue. Concerning the cellular identity, we specified the already known HOX code for MSCs, established a potential HOX code for fibroblasts, and linked certain HOX genes to functional cell-type-specific properties. Accompanied methylation profiles revealed numerous regions, especially in HOX genes, being differentially methylated, which might provide additional biomarker potential.

Discussion

Conclusively, transcriptomic together with epigenetic signatures can be successfully be used for the definition (cellular identity) of MSCs versus fibroblasts as well as for the determination of the superior functional properties of MSCs, such as their immunomodulatory potential.
Impact of nitrogen-fixation bacteria on nitrogen-fixation efficiency of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L) Verdc] genotypes
Authors: Bitire Tope Daniel , Abberton Michael , Tella Esther Oluwabukunola , Edemodu Alex , Oyatomi Olaniyi , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti
Published: September 2023

Nitrogen fixation by bacteria is essential for sustaining the growth, development, and yield of legumes. Pot experiments were carried out at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in the glasshouse between August to December 2018/2019 cropping season in Ibadan, Nigeria. Field studies were also performed in two different agroecological zones, “Ibadan and Ikenne” between August and December of 2019/2020 cropping season. The studies were set up to determine the potential of nitrogen-fixation bacteria strain inoculation on the nitrogen-fixation potential of 10 Bambara groundnut (BGN) genotypes, namely, TVSu-378, TVSu-506, TVSu-787, TVSu-1,606, TVSu-1,698, TVSu-1739, TVSu-710, TVSu-365, TVSu-475, and TVSu-305. The strains were inoculated as a broth to seedlings of each BGN genotype in the pot experiment. While six seeds from each BGN genotype were coated with each of the following nitrogen-fixation bacteria (Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains), FA3, USDA110, IRJ2180A, and RACA6, nitrogen fertilizer (urea, 20 kg/ha) was applied as a check to the nitrogen-fixation bacteria to seedlings of BGN genotypes 2 weeks after planting in both glasshouses and fields. Uninoculated plants served as controls (zero inoculation and zero fertilization). The field experiments were arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), while the glasshouse experiments were arranged in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) in triplicate. The result gotten showed that higher nodule numbers and weight were recorded in TVSu-1739 and TVSu-475 in both locations and seasons compared to other genotypes; the highest nitrogen fixed values were recorded among BGN genotypes TVSu-1739, TVSu-1,698, TVSu-787, TVSu-365, TVSu-305, TVSu-710, and TVSu-1,606, with a range of (62–67 kg ha−1), and were mostly enhanced by RACA6 and USDA110 strains compared to other strains that were used.
Fractal dimension of the cortical gray matter outweighs other brain MRI features as a predictor of transition to dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment and leukoaraiosis
Authors: Marzi Chiara , Scheda Riccardo , Salvadori Emilia , Giorgio Antonio , De Stefano Nicola , Poggesi Anna , Inzitari Domenico , Pantoni Leonardo , Mascalchi Mario , Diciotti Stefano
Published: September 2023

Background

The relative contribution of changes in the cerebral white matter (WM) and cortical gray matter (GM) to the transition to dementia in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not yet established. In this longitudinal study, we aimed to analyze MRI features that may predict the transition to dementia in patients with MCI and T2 hyperintensities in the cerebral WM, also known as leukoaraiosis.

Methods

Sixty-four participants with MCI and moderate to severe leukoaraiosis underwent baseline MRI examinations and annual neuropsychological testing over a 2 year period. The diagnosis of dementia was based on established criteria. We evaluated demographic, neuropsychological, and several MRI features at baseline as predictors of the clinical transition. The MRI features included visually assessed MRI features, such as the number of lacunes, microbleeds, and dilated perivascular spaces, and quantitative MRI features, such as volumes of the cortical GM, hippocampus, T2 hyperintensities, and diffusion indices of the cerebral WM. Additionally, we examined advanced quantitative features such as the fractal dimension (FD) of cortical GM and WM, which represents an index of tissue structural complexity derived from 3D-T1 weighted images. To assess the prediction of transition to dementia, we employed an XGBoost-based machine learning system using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values to provide explainability to the machine learning model.

Results

After 2 years, 18 (28.1%) participants had transitioned from MCI to dementia. The area under the receiving operator characteristic curve was 0.69 (0.53, 0.85) [mean (90% confidence interval)]. The cortical GM-FD emerged as the top-ranking predictive feature of transition. Furthermore, aggregated quantitative neuroimaging features outperformed visually assessed MRI features in predicting conversion to dementia.

Discussion

Our findings confirm the complementary roles of cortical GM and WM changes as underlying factors in the development of dementia in subjects with MCI and leukoaraiosis. FD appears to be a biomarker potentially more sensitive than other brain features.
Efficacy and safety of acupuncture in post-stroke constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Tianye , Wang Kaiyue , Li Lili , Yan Mingyuan , Zou Lin , Zhang Mi , Yang Songyi , Wu Jing , Liu Jinmin
Published: September 2023

Background and objective

Post-stroke constipation (PSC) is a common complication of strokes that seriously affects the recovery and quality of life of patients, and effective treatments are needed. Acupuncture is a viable treatment option, but current evidence is insufficient to support its efficacy and safety. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of PSC.

Methods

A systematic search of eight databases was conducted to identify PSC-related randomized clinical trials from the inception of each database through May 2023. Methodological quality assessment was conducted by RoB 2.0, meta-analysis was conducted by RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.1, and evidence quality was evaluated by GRADE. Moreover, reporting quality of acupuncture interventions was assessed using the Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture (STRICTA).

Results

Thirty RCTs involving 2,220 patients were identified. We found that acupuncture was superior to conventional treatment (CT) in improving total responder rate [risk ratio (RR): 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09 to 1.25, p < 0.0001], decreasing constipation symptom scores [standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.65, 95% CI: −0.83 to −0.46, p < 0.00001], increasing serum P substance (SP) levels (SMD: 1.92, 95% CI: 0.47 to 3.36, p = 0.009), reducing the time to first bowel movement (BM) (SMD: -1.19, 95% CI: −2.13 to −0.25, p = 0.01), and lowing serum vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels (SMD: –2.11, 95% CI: −3.83 to −0.38, p = 0.02). Furthermore, acupuncture plus CT was superior regarding total responder rate (RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17 to 1.35, p < 0.00001), serum SP levels (SMD: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.65–2.35, p < 0.00001), time to first BM (SMD: –2.08, 95% CI: −2.44 to −1.71, p < 0.00001), and serum VIP levels (SMD: –1.71, 95% CI: −2.24 to −1.18, p < 0.00001). However, regarding Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) score, acupuncture plus CT was superior to CT (SMD: -2.48, 95% CI: −3.22 to −1.73, p < 0.00001), while there was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture and CT (SMD: 0.28, 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.58, p = 0.07). Acupuncture causes fewer AEs than CT (RR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.26, p < 0.00001), though there was no statistically significant difference between acupuncture plus CT vs. CT (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 0.60 to 2.84, p = 0.51).

Conclusion

Acupuncture may be an effective and safe therapy for PSC. However, given the inferior quality of clinical data, additional well-designed RCTs are required to confirm these findings.
METTL3 promotes drug resistance to oxaliplatin in gastric cancer cells through DNA repair pathway
Authors: Wang Yi , Hong Zhongshi , Song Jintian , Zhong Peilin , Lin Liang
Published: September 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) poses a significant threat to human health and remains a prevalent form of cancer. Despite clinical treatments, the prognosis for Gastric cancer patients is still unsatisfactory, largely due to the development of multidrug resistance. Oxaliplatin (OXA), a second-generation platinum drug, is commonly recommended for adjuvant and palliative chemotherapy in Gastric cancer; however, the underlying mechanisms of acquired resistance to Oxaliplatin in Gastric cancer patients are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential mechanisms of Oxaliplatin resistance in Gastric cancer by employing bioinformatics analysis and conducting in vitro experiments. Specifically, we focused on investigating the role of methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3). Our findings revealed that the knockdown of METTL3 significantly impeded the proliferation and migration of Gastric cancer cells. METTL3 knockdown induced apoptosis in OXA-resistant Gastric cancer cells and enhanced their sensitivity to Oxaliplatin. Furthermore, we found that DNA repair pathways were significantly activated in OXA-resistant Gastric cancer cells, and METTL3 knockdown significantly inhibited DNA repair pathways. Another important finding is that METTL3 knockdown and OXA-induced Gastric cancer cell death are additive, and the targeted METTL3 can assist Oxaliplatin treatment. Collectively, our findings suggest that METTL3 knockdown can augment the sensitivity of Gastric cancer cells to Oxaliplatin by impeding DNA repair processes. Consequently, targeting METTL3 holds great promise as a viable adjuvant strategy in the treatment of Gastric cancer patients.
Maintenance of subsynaptic myonuclei number is not driven by neural input
Authors: Ruiz Lloyd P. , Macpherson Peter C. , Brooks Susan V.
Published: September 2023

The development and maintenance of neuromuscular junctions (NMJ) are supported by a specialized population of myonuclei that are referred to as the subsynaptic myonuclei (SSM). The relationship between the number of SSM and the integrity of the NMJ as well as the impact of a loss of innervation on SSM remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify these associations by simultaneously analyzing SSM counts and NMJ innervation status in three distinct mouse models of acute and chronic NMJ disruption. SSM were identified using fluorescent immunohistochemistry for Nesprin1 expression, which is highly enriched in SSM, along with anatomical location beneath the muscle fiber motor endplate. Acute denervation, induced by surgical nerve transection, did not affect SSM number after 7 days. Additionally, no significant changes in SSM number were observed during normal aging or in mice with chronic oxidative stress (Sod1−/−). Both aging WT mice and Sod1−/− mice accumulated degenerating and denervated NMJ in skeletal muscle, but there was no correlation between innervation status of a given NMJ and SSM number in aged or Sod1−/− mice. These findings challenge the notion that a loss of SSM is a primary driver of NMJ degradation and leave open questions of the mechanisms that regulate SSM number as well as the physiological significance of the precise SSM number. Further investigations are required to define other properties of the SSM, such as transcriptional profiles and structural integrity, to better understand their role in NMJ maintenance.
Metabolomic analyses provide insights into the preharvest rind disorder in Satsuma Owari Mandarin
Authors: Pervaiz Tariq , Park Suejin , Rezk Alaaeldin , Hur Manhoi , Obenland David , Arpaia Mary Lu , El-kereamy Ashraf
Published: September 2023

Citrus fruit’s appearance is the primary criterion used to assess its quality for the fresh market, hence the rind’s condition is a crucial quality trait. Pre-harvest rind disorder is one of the major physiological problems in mandarins. The disorder occurs right before harvest following rain events in some Mandarin varieties. Despite the economic damage caused by this kind of disorder, very limited information is available about the molecular mechanisms underlying the occurrence of this disorder. In the present study, we evaluated the primary metabolites, antioxidants, and hormones associated with the pre-harvest rind disorder in Mandarins. The study was carried out using ten-year-old ‘Owari’ Satsuma mandarin trees grafted on ‘Carrizo’ rootstock and grown in a commercial orchard in San Joaquin Valley, California, USA. Samples were collected from healthy tissue of healthy fruit (HF_HT), healthy tissue of damaged fruit (DF_HT), and damaged tissue of damaged fruit (DF_DT). Damaged fruit (DF_HT and DF_DT) showed lower cellulose concentrations than healthy fruit tissues (HF_HT), however, had similar contents of pectin and hemicellulose. The antioxidant activities showed no significant difference in all paired comparisons between samples as expressed in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content. However, DF_DT had a higher H2O2 content compared to HF_HT, but DF_HT had a similar content to that of HF_HT. Furthermore, peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were increased in DF_DT compared to HF_HT (P = 0.0294) and DF_HT (P = 0.0044), respectively. Targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that a total of 76 metabolites were identified in Satsuma rind tissues, and the relative concentrations of 43 metabolites were significantly different across studied samples. The hormonal analysis showed the involvement of jasmonate O-methyltransferase, jasmonic acid-amido synthetase JAR1-like, and JA-isoleucine may key role in causing the rind disorder in mandarins. In addition, the damaged fruit tissues have a higher level of jasmonic acid (JA), 12-oxo-phytodienoic acid, and JA-isoleucine than undamaged tissue.
Comparative analyses of Linderniaceae plastomes, with implications for its phylogeny and evolution
Authors: Yan Rongrong , Geng Yanfei , Jia Yuhuan , Xiang Chunlei , Zhou Xinxin , Hu Guoxiong
Published: September 2023

Introduction

The recently established Linderniaceae, separated from the traditionally defined Scrophulariaceae, is a taxonomically complicated family. Although previous phylogenetic studies based on a few short DNA markers have made great contributions to the taxonomy of Linderniaceae, limited sampling and low resolution of the phylogenetic tree have failed to resolve controversies between some generic circumscriptions. The plastid genome exhibits a powerful ability to solve phylogenetic relationships ranging from shallow to deep taxonomic levels. To date, no plastid phylogenomic studies have been carried out in Linderniaceae.

Methods

In this study, we newly sequenced 26 plastid genomes of Linderniaceae, including eight genera and 25 species, to explore the phylogenetic relationships and genome evolution of the family through plastid phylogenomic and comparative genomic analyses.

Results

The plastid genome size of Linderniaceae ranged from 152,386 bp to 154,402 bp, exhibiting a typical quartile structure. All plastomes encoded 114 unique genes, comprising 80 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The inverted repeat regions were more conserved compared with the single-copy regions. A total of 1803 microsatellites and 1909 long sequence repeats were identified, and five hypervariable regions (petN-psbM, rps16-trnQ, rpl32-trnL, rpl32, and ycf1) were screened out. Most protein-coding genes were relatively conserved, with only the ycf2 gene found under positive selection in a few species. Phylogenomic analyses confirmed that Linderniaceae was a distinctive lineage and revealed that the presently circumscribed Vandellia and Torenia were non-monophyletic.

Discussion

Comparative analyses showed the Linderniaceae plastomes were highly conservative in terms of structure, gene order, and gene content. Combining morphological and molecular evidence, we supported the newly established Yamazakia separating from Vandellia and the monotypic Picria as a separate genus. These findings provide further evidence to recognize the phylogenetic relationships among Linderniaceae and new insights into the evolution of the plastid genomes.
A novel method for maize leaf disease classification using the RGB-D post-segmentation image data
Authors: Nan Fei , Song Yang , Yu Xun , Nie Chenwei , Liu Yadong , Bai Yali , Zou Dongxiao , Wang Chao , Yin Dameng , Yang Wude , Jin Xiuliang
Published: September 2023

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important crops, influencing food production and even the whole industry. In recent years, global crop production has been facing great challenges from diseases. However, most of the traditional methods make it difficult to efficiently identify disease-related phenotypes in germplasm resources, especially in actual field environments. To overcome this limitation, our study aims to evaluate the potential of the multi-sensor synchronized RGB-D camera with depth information for maize leaf disease classification. We distinguished maize leaves from the background based on the RGB-D depth information to eliminate interference from complex field environments. Four deep learning models (i.e., Resnet50, MobilenetV2, Vgg16, and Efficientnet-B3) were used to classify three main types of maize diseases, i.e., the curvularia leaf spot [Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn], the small spot [Bipolaris maydis (Nishik.) Shoemaker], and the mixed spot diseases. We finally compared the pre-segmentation and post-segmentation results to test the robustness of the above models. Our main findings are: 1) The maize disease classification models based on the pre-segmentation image data performed slightly better than the ones based on the post-segmentation image data. 2) The pre-segmentation models overestimated the accuracy of disease classification due to the complexity of the background, but post-segmentation models focusing on leaf disease features provided more practical results with shorter prediction times. 3) Among the post-segmentation models, the Resnet50 and MobilenetV2 models showed similar accuracy and were better than the Vgg16 and Efficientnet-B3 models, and the MobilenetV2 model performed better than the other three models in terms of the size and the single image prediction time. Overall, this study provides a novel method for maize leaf disease classification using the post-segmentation image data from a multi-sensor synchronized RGB-D camera and offers the possibility of developing relevant portable devices.
Hepatitis B virus infection in patients presenting for immunosuppressive cancer therapy with and without underlying HIV infection
Authors: Ngoato Malowane H. , Amponsah-Dacosta Edina , Blose Ntombifuthi , Selabe Selokela G. , Msibi Thembeni L. , Motswaledi Mojakgomo H. , Musyoki Andrew M.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection induced by immunosuppressive cancer therapy is associated with fulminant liver disease and death. While national guidelines recommend HBV screening and antiviral prophylaxis for patients with cancer prior to initiating immunosuppressive therapy, compliance with these measures is unclear. This study characterized the burden of HBV infection among patients diagnosed with gynecological or dermatological cancers, with or without underlying HIV infection, before initiating immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods

Between 2016 – 2018, we recruited study patients from the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane, South Africa. Demographic (age, sex) and clinical data (HIV test results, HIV antiviral regimen, type of cancer) were recorded using a standardized data collection form. All participants were tested for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to the surface (anti-HBs) and core antigens (anti-HBc). For detection of HBV DNA, a nested polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify polymerase gene fragments which were Sanger-sequenced and analyzed using bioinformatics software. All statistical analyses were performed using R version 4.1.0 (2021-05-18) and R studio version 2022.07.2.

Results

Study participants were predominantly female (96.3%, 103/107) with a median (IQR) age of 50 (17.5) years. Cervical cancer was the most frequent cancer diagnosis (72%). Over half (52.3%; 56/107) of the participants were HIV positive and all but four (92.9%) on highly active antiretroviral therapy at the time of enrollment. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis B in the study population was 11.2% [95% CI:6.2-19.1], increasing to 14.3% [95% CI:6.8-26.8] in the HIV positive sub-population. The overall prevalence of occult HBV infection was 20% [95% CI:12.8-29.7], 57.9% [95% CI:33.97-78.9] of whom tested negative for all serological markers. Phylogenetic inference showed that all polymerase gene sequences generated in this study were sub-genotype A2. Mutational analysis did not reveal any drug resistance-associated amino acid variations in this study.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that chronic and occult HBV infections are more prevalent among cancer patients with or without underlying HIV infection compared to what has previously been reported for the general South African population. This underscores the need to scale-up universal HBV serological and molecular screening with timely institution of prophylaxis prior to initiating immunosuppressive cancer therapy.
Female Groin Hernia Repairs in the Swedish Hernia Register 1992–2022: A Review With Updates
Authors: Dahlstrand Ursula , Melkemichel Maria , Österberg Johanna , Montgomery Agneta , de la Croix Hanna
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Groin hernias in women is much less common than in men; it constitutes only 9% of all groin hernia operations. Historically, studies have been performed on men and the results applied to both genders. However, prospectively registered operations within national registers have contributed to new knowledge regarding groin hernias in women. The aim of this paper was to investigate and present a body of literature based upon the Swedish Hernia Register together with recent data from the register’s annual report.

Patients and Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched for studies based on the Swedish Hernia Register between 1992 and 2023. Based on the initial reading of abstracts, studies that presented results separately for women were selected and read. Recent data were acquired from the 2022 annual report of the Swedish Hernia Register.

Results: A total of 73 studies of interest were identified. Of these, 52 included women, but only 19 presented separate results for women. Four themes emerged and were analysed further: emergency surgery and mortality, femoral hernias, the risk of reoperation for recurrence, and chronic pain following female groin hernia repairs.

Discussion: Studies from the Swedish Hernia Register clearly describe that both the presentation of hernias and outcomes after repair differ significantly between the two genders. The differences that have been identified over the years have been incorporated into the national guidelines. Register data indicates that the guidelines have been implemented and are fairly well adhered to. As a result, significant improvements in outcomes regarding recurrences have been made for women with groin hernias in Sweden.
Unveiling the Transparency of Prediction Models for Spatial PM2.5 over Singapore: Comparison of Different Machine Learning Approaches with eXplainable Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Sunder M. S. Shyam , Tikkiwal Vinay Anand , Kumar Arun , Tyagi Bhishma
Published: September 2023

Aerosols play a crucial role in the climate system due to direct and indirect effects, such as scattering and absorbing radiant energy. They also have adverse effects on visibility and human health. Humans are exposed to fine PM2.5, which has adverse health impacts related to cardiovascular and respiratory-related diseases. Long-term trends in PM concentrations are influenced by emissions and meteorological variations, while meteorological factors primarily drive short-term variations. Factors such as vegetation cover, relative humidity, temperature, and wind speed impact the divergence in the PM2.5 concentrations on the surface. Machine learning proved to be a good predictor of air quality. This study focuses on predicting PM2.5 with these parameters as input for spatial and temporal information. The work analyzes the in situ observations for PM2.5 over Singapore for seven years (2014–2021) at five locations, and these datasets are used for spatial prediction of PM2.5. The study aims to provide a novel framework based on temporal-based prediction using Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB) regression, and Tree-based Pipeline Optimization Tool (TP) Auto ML works based on meta-heuristic via genetic algorithm. TP produced reasonable Global Performance Index values; 7.4 was the highest GPI value in August 2016, and the lowest was −0.6 in June 2019. This indicates the positive performance of the TP model; even the negative values are less than other models, denoting less pessimistic predictions. The outcomes are explained with the eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques which help to investigate the fidelity of feature importance of the machine learning models to extract information regarding the rhythmic shift of the PM2.5 pattern.
Genetic Correlates as a Predictor of Bariatric Surgery Outcomes after 1 Year
Authors: Thanos Panayotis K. , Hanna Colin , Mihalkovic Abrianna , Hoffman Aaron , Posner Alan , Butsch John , Blum Kenneth , Georger Lesley , Mastrandrea Lucy D. , Quattrin Teresa
Published: September 2023

This study analyzed genetic risk assessments in patients undergoing bariatric surgery to serve as a predictive factor for weight loss parameters 1 year after the operation. Thirty (30) patients were assessed for Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS), which analyzes neurogenetic polymorphisms involved in addiction and reward deficiency. Genetic and psychosocial data collected before the operation were correlated with weight loss data, including changes in weight, body mass index (BMI), and percent of expected weight loss (%EWL). Results examined correlations between individual gene risk alleles, 1-year body weight data, and psychosocial trait scores. Spearman’s correlations revealed that the OPRM1 (rs1799971) gene polymorphism had significant negative correlation with 1-year weight (rs = −0.4477, p < 0.01) and BMI (rs = −0.4477, p < 0.05). In addition, the DRD2 risk allele (rs1800497) was correlated negatively with BMI at 1 year (rs = −0.4927, p < 0.05), indicating that one risk allele copy was associated with lower BMI. However, this allele was positively correlated with both ∆Weight (rs = 0.4077, p < 0.05) and %EWL (rs = 0.5521, p < 0.05) at 1 year post-surgery. Moreover, the overall GARS score was correlated with %EWL (rs = 0.4236, p < 0.05), ∆Weight (rs = 0.3971, p < 0.05) and ∆BMI (rs = 0.3778, p < 0.05). Lastly, Food Cravings Questionnaire (FCQ) scores were negatively correlated with %EWL (rs = −0.4320, p < 0.05) and ∆Weight at 1 year post-surgery (rs = −0.4294, p < 0.05). This suggests that individuals with a higher genetic addiction risk are more responsive to weight loss treatment, especially in the case of the DRD2 polymorphism. These results should translate clinically to improve positivity and attitude related to weight management by those individuals born with the risk alleles (rs1800497; rs1799971).
Inactivating Host Bacteria for Characterization and Use of Phages
Authors: Chambers James P. , Wright Elena T. , Hunter Barbara , Serwer Philip
Published: September 2023

Phage characterization for research and therapy can involve newly isolated phages propagated in pathogenic bacteria. If so, characterization requires safety-managing the bacteria. In the current study, we adapt a common and inexpensive reagent, PrimeStore (Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, San Antonio, TX, USA), to safety-manage bacteria in 20 min by selectively inactivating the bacteria. No bacterial survivors are observed among >109 bacteria per ml for a representative of both Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis). This procedure causes no detected inactivation of podophage T3, myophage T4 and siphophage 0105phi7-2. Margins of safety for PrimeStore concentration exist for bacterial inactivation and phage non-inactivation. Thus, general applicability is expected. Subsequent dialysis is used to block long-term effects on phages. Nonetheless, comparable tests should be performed for each pathogenic bacterial strain/phage. Electron microscopy of thin sections reveals inactivation-altered bacterial cytoplasm and a non-disintegrated bacterial envelope (ghosts). Ghosting of E. coli includes re-arrangement of the cytoplasm and the release of endotoxin. The activity of the released endotoxin is >99% reduced after subsequent dialysis, which also removes PrimeStore components. Ghosting of B. thuringiensis includes apparent phase separation within the cytoplasm. The primary application envisaged is biophysical and other screening of phages for therapy of infectious disease.