bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Co-dependent regulation of p-BRAF and potassium channel KCNMA1 levels drives glioma progression
Authors: Xie Shanshan , Xu Chengyan , Wu Cheng , Lou Yuhan , Duan Jingwei , Sang Rong , Lou Ziwei , Hou Jiaru , Ge Wanzhong , Xi Yongmei , Yang Xiaohang
Published: February 2023

BRAF mutations have been found in gliomas which exhibit abnormal electrophysiological activities, implying their potential links with the ion channel functions. In this study, we identified the Drosophila potassium channel, Slowpoke (Slo), the ortholog of human KCNMA1, as a critical factor involved in dRafGOF glioma progression. Slo was upregulated in dRafGOF glioma. Knockdown of slo led to decreases in dRafGOF levels, glioma cell proliferation, and tumor-related phenotypes. Overexpression of slo in glial cells elevated dRaf expression and promoted cell proliferation. Similar mutual regulations of p-BRAF and KCNMA1 levels were then recapitulated in human glioma cells with the BRAF mutation. Elevated p-BRAF and KCNMA1 were also observed in HEK293T cells upon the treatment of 20 mM KCl, which causes membrane depolarization. Knockdown KCNMA1 in these cells led to a further decrease in cell viability. Based on these results, we conclude that the levels of p-BRAF and KCNMA1 are co-dependent and mutually regulated. We propose that, in depolarized glioma cells with BRAF mutations, high KCNMA1 levels act to repolarize membrane potential and facilitate cell growth. Our study provides a new strategy to antagonize the progression of gliomas as induced by BRAF mutations.
The Differentiability of Horizons Along Their Generators
Authors: Szeghy D.
Published: February 2023

Let H be a (past directed) horizon in a time-oriented Lorentz manifold and $$\gamma :[\left( \alpha ,\beta \right) \rightarrow H$$

γ
:
[

α
,
β

→
H

a past directed generator of the horizon, where $$[\left( \alpha ,\beta \right) $$

[

α
,
β

is $$[\alpha ,\beta )$$

[
α
,
β
)

or $$\left( \alpha ,\beta \right) $$

α
,
β

. It is proved that either at every point of $$\gamma \left( t\right) ,~t\in \left( \alpha ,\beta \right) $$

γ

t

,

t
∈

α
,
β

the differentiability order of H is the same, or there is a so-called differentiability jumping point $$\gamma \left( t_{0}\right) ,~t_{0}\in \left( \alpha ,\beta \right) $$

γ

t
0

,

t
0

∈

α
,
β

such that H is only differentiable at every point $$\gamma \left( t\right) ,~t\in \left( \alpha ,t_{0}\right) $$

γ

t

,

t
∈

α
,

t
0

but not of class $$C^{1}$$

C
1

and H is exactly of class $$C^{1}$$

C
1

at every point $$\gamma \left( t\right) ,~t\in \left( t_{0},\beta \right) $$

γ

t

,

t
∈

t
0

,
β

. We will use in the proof a result which shows that every mathematical horizon in the sense of P. T. Chruściel locally coincides with a Cauchy horizon.
Robotic stereotactic body radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer: final analysis of the German HYPOSTAT trial
Authors: Krug David , Imhoff Detlef , Haidenberger Alfred , Heßler Nicole , Schäfer Jane , Huttenlocher Stefan , Chatzikonstantinou Georgios , Fürweger Christoph , Ramm Ulla , König Inke R. , Chun Felix , Staehler Michael , Rödel Claus , Muacevic Alexander , Vonthein Reinhard , Dunst Jürgen , Blanck Oliver
Published: February 2023

Purpose

We report results of the first German prospective multicenter single-arm phase II trial (ARO 2013-06; NCT02635256) of hypofractionated robotic stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with localized prostate cancer (HYPOSTAT).

Methods

Patients eligible for the HYPOSTAT study had localized prostate cancer (cT1‑3 cN0 cM0), Gleason score ≤ 7, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤ 15 ng/ml, prostate volume ≤ 80 cm3, and an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≤ 12. Initially, inclusion was limited to patients ≥ 75 years or patients 70–74 years with additional risk factors. The trial protocol was later amended to allow for enrolment of patients aged ≥ 60 years. The treatment consisted of 35 Gy delivered in 5 fractions to the prostate and for intermediate- or high-risk patients, also to the proximal seminal vesicles using the CyberKnife system (Accuray Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA). Primary endpoint was the rate of treatment-related gastrointestinal or genitourinary grade ≥ 2 toxicity based on the RTOG scale 12–15 months after treatment. Secondary endpoints were acute toxicity, late toxicity, urinary function, quality of life, and PSA response.

Results

From July 2016 through December 2018, 85 eligible patients were enrolled and received treatment, of whom 83 could be evaluated regarding the primary endpoint. Patients mostly had intermediate-risk disease with a median PSA value of 7.97 ng/ml and Gleason score of 7a and 7b in 43.5% and 25.9% of patients, respectively. At the final follow-up 12–15 months after treatment, no patient suffered from treatment-related gastrointestinal or genitourinary grade ≥ 2 toxicity. Acute toxicity was mostly mild, with three grade 3 events, and the cumulative rate of grade ≥ 2 genitourinary toxicity was 8.4% (95% CI 4.1–16.4%). There were no major changes in urinary function or quality of life. The median PSA value dropped to 1.18 ng/ml 12–15 months after treatment. There was one patient who developed distant metastases.

Conclusion

Robotic SBRT with 35 Gy in 5 fractions was associated with a favorable short-term toxicity profile. Recruitment for the HYPOSTAT‑2 trial (ARO-2018‑4; NCT03795337), which further analyses the late toxicity of this regimen with a planned sample size of 500 patients, is ongoing.
Intercontinental validation of a clinical prediction model for predicting 90-day and 2-year mortality in an Israeli cohort of 2033 patients with a femoral neck fracture aged 65 or above
Authors: Oosterhoff Jacobien H. F. , Karhade Aditya V. , Groot Olivier Q. , Schwab Joseph H. , Heng Marilyn , Klang Eyal , Prat Dan
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Mortality prediction in elderly femoral neck fracture patients is valuable in treatment decision-making. A previously developed and internally validated clinical prediction model shows promise in identifying patients at risk of 90-day and 2-year mortality. Validation in an independent cohort is required to assess the generalizability; especially in geographically distinct regions. Therefore we questioned, is the SORG Orthopaedic Research Group (SORG) femoral neck fracture mortality algorithm externally valid in an Israeli cohort to predict 90-day and 2-year mortality?

Methods

We previously developed a prediction model in 2022 for estimating the risk of mortality in femoral neck fracture patients using a multicenter institutional cohort of 2,478 patients from the USA. The model included the following input variables that are available on clinical admission: age, male gender, creatinine level, absolute neutrophil, hemoglobin level, international normalized ratio (INR), congestive heart failure (CHF), displaced fracture, hemiplegia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and beta-blocker use. To assess the generalizability, we used an intercontinental institutional cohort from the Sheba Medical Center in Israel (level I trauma center), queried between June 2008 and February 2022. Generalizability of the model was assessed using discrimination, calibration, Brier score, and decision curve analysis.

Results

The validation cohort included 2,033 patients, aged 65 years or above, that underwent femoral neck fracture surgery. Most patients were female 64.8% (n = 1317), the median age was 81 years (interquartile range = 75–86), and 80.4% (n = 1635) patients sustained a displaced fracture (Garden III/IV). The 90-day mortality was 9.4% (n = 190) and 2-year mortality was 30.0% (n = 610). Despite numerous baseline differences, the model performed acceptably to the validation cohort on discrimination (c-statistic 0.67 for 90-day, 0.67 for 2-year), calibration, Brier score, and decision curve analysis.

Conclusions

The previously developed SORG femoral neck fracture mortality algorithm demonstrated good performance in an independent intercontinental population. Current iteration should not be relied on for patient care, though suggesting potential utility in assessing patients at low risk for 90-day or 2-year mortality. Further studies should evaluate this tool in a prospective setting and evaluate its feasibility and efficacy in clinical practice. The algorithm can be freely accessed: https://sorg-apps.shinyapps.io/hipfracturemortality/.

Level of evidence

Level III, Prognostic study.
Equal accuracy for Andrew and Abubakar—detecting and mitigating bias in name-ethnicity classification algorithms
Authors: Hafner Lena , Peifer Theodor Peter , Hafner Franziska Sofia
Published: February 2023

Uncovering the world’s ethnic inequalities is hampered by a lack of ethnicity-annotated datasets. Name-ethnicity classifiers (NECs) can help, as they are able to infer people’s ethnicities from their names. However, since the latest generation of NECs rely on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), they may suffer from the same racist and sexist biases found in many AIs. Therefore, this paper offers an algorithmic fairness audit of three NECs. It finds that the UK-Census-trained EthnicityEstimator displays large accuracy biases with regards to ethnicity, but relatively less among gender and age groups. In contrast, the Twitter-trained NamePrism and the Wikipedia-trained Ethnicolr are more balanced among ethnicity, but less among gender and age. We relate these biases to global power structures manifested in naming conventions and NECs’ input distribution of names. To improve on the uncovered biases, we program a novel NEC, N2E, using fairness-aware AI techniques. We make N2E freely available at www.name-to-ethnicity.com.
Delay in childbearing and the evolution of fertility rates
Authors: Dioikitopoulos Evangelos , Varvarigos Dimitrios
Published: February 2023

We present a growth model whose novelty is to explicitly account for the direct, preference-related factors that reinforce the delay in the timing of childbearing. Given the strength of these factors, the model generates the empirically observed dynamics in completed cohort fertility. Furthermore, the quantitative analysis of our results verifies that our model provides a good fit for actual data of the rebound of the completed cohort fertility rates in Nordic countries. The fact that these countries are widely considered as the most progressive ones, in terms of their cultural norms and in terms of their family-oriented policies, offers credence to the hypothesis that our model advances. More generally, our framework provides a platform for research that can uncover empirically relevant, but yet unexplored, mechanisms in the joint analysis of demographic change and economic growth.
Enzymatically mediated fluorescent copper nanocluster generation for tyramine determination
Authors: Camacho-Aguayo Javier , de Marcos Susana , Pericás Marta , Galbán Javier
Published: February 2023

This work details the enzymatic generation of fluorescence nanomaterials and the use of this optical signal as the analytical parameter for the quantification of the substrate. More specifically, fluorescent copper nanoclusters have been obtained during the enzymatic reaction of tyramine oxidase and tyramine in the presence of Cu(II); the fluorescence intensity being proportional to the concentration of tyramine. The nanoclusters obtained show fluorescence at 445 nm by being excited at 320 nm and have been characterized by TEM, EDX, and XPS. The formation mechanism has also been studied, suggesting that under the optimal conditions (0.1 M MES buffer and pH = 6), the formation of the nanoclusters is due to the reducing properties of the product of the enzymatic reaction (p-hydroxybenzaldehyde) in MES buffer. The method shows a linear relationship with the concentration of tyramine in the range from 1.0·10−5 to 2.5·10−4 M, a RSD of 3% (n = 5) and a LOD of 6.3·10−6 M. The method has been applied to the determination of tyramine in sausage with good results.

Graphical Abstract
Maximum depth extensions for Hydrozoa, Tunicata and Ctenophora
Authors: Jamieson Alan J. , Lindsay Dhugal J. , Kitazato Hiroshi
Published: February 2023

The observation of singleton or rare species in the deep sea is extremely valuable for gaining a census of biodiversity. At hadal depths (> 6000 m), these records provide a more complete picture of the vertical distribution of fauna. In this study, we present new in situ video records for Trachymedusae (Hydrozoa), Ascidiacea (Tunicata), and Tentaculata (Ctenophora) taken by submersible and supporting landers in the western Pacific Ocean. Together, these three taxonomic groups are present at depths far deeper than previously known. Observations of the rhopalonematid trachymedusa (Pectis cf. profundicola) from both lander and submersible dives at 10,063 and 10,040 m in the Philippine Trench (NW Pacific Ocean) extend the maximum depth of the Hydrozoa by a further 997 m and is the first record of Hydrozoa > 10,000 m. The predatory tunicate Octacnemidae sp. was observed nine times at 7799 m in the Mariana Trench and once at 8077 m in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench (NW Pacific Ocean), therefore extending its maximum depth by 1726 m, and 1002 m to historical accounts of what might also be in the Phlebobranchia order of Ascidiacea. Several observations of large, globular ctenophores with long filamentous tentacles and lacking oral lobes from 10,040 m in the Kermadec Trench (SW Pacific Ocean) increase the maximum depth of the Ctenophora by 2823 m and is the first record of Ctenophora > 10,000 m. Benthic ctenophores were also recorded from the Japan Trench at 8001 m, extending their known depth range by a further 2750 m.
Integral points on algebraic subvarieties of period domains: from number fields to finitely generated fields
Authors: Javanpeykar Ariyan , Litt Daniel
Published: February 2023

We show that for a variety which admits a quasi-finite period map, finiteness (resp. non-Zariski-density) of S-integral points implies finiteness (resp. non-Zariski-density) of points over all $$\mathbb {Z}$$
Z
-finitely generated integral domains of characteristic zero. Our proofs rely on foundational results in Hodge theory due to Deligne, Griffiths, and Schmid, and Bakker-Brunebarbe-Tsimerman. We give straightforward applications to arithmetic locally symmetric varieties, the moduli space of smooth hypersurfaces in projective space, and the moduli of smooth divisors in an abelian variety.
Soil Bacterial Assemblage Across a Production Landscape: Agriculture Increases Diversity While Revegetation Recovers Community Composition
Authors: Mason A. R. G. , Cavagnaro T. R. , Guerin G. R. , Lowe A. J.
Published: February 2023

Aboveground ecological impacts associated with agricultural land use change are evident as natural plant communities are replaced with managed production systems. These impacts have been extensively studied, unlike those belowground, which remain poorly understood. Soil bacteria are good candidates to monitor belowground ecological dynamics due to their prevalence within the soil system and ability to survive under harsh and changing conditions. Here, we use soil physicochemical assessment and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate the soil physical and bacterial assemblage changes across a mixed-use agricultural landscape. We assess soil from remnant vegetation (Eucalyptus mallee), new and old vineyards, old pasture, and recently revegetated areas. Elevated concentrations of nitrogen (NO3−) and plant-available (Colwell) phosphorus were identified in the managed vineyard systems, highlighting the impact of agricultural inputs on soil nutrition. Alpha diversity comparison revealed a significant difference between the remnant mallee vegetation and the vineyard systems, with vineyards supporting highest bacterial diversity. Bacterial community composition of recently revegetated areas was similar to remnant vegetation systems, suggesting that bacterial communities can respond quickly to aboveground changes, and that actions taken to restore native plant communities may also act to recover natural microbial communities, with implications for soil and plant health. Findings here suggest that agriculture may disrupt the correlation between above- and belowground diversities by altering the natural processes that otherwise govern this relationship (e.g. disturbance, plant production, diversity of inputs), leading to the promotion of belowground microbial diversity in agricultural systems.
Acyl carrier protein tag can enhance tobacco etch virus protease stability and promote its covalent immobilisation
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Huang Jiahua , Zhou Junjie , Sun Changsheng , Zheng Yujiao , Wang Yuan , Zhu Jin , Wang Shengbin
Published: February 2023

Fusion expression is widely employed to enhance the solubility of recombinant proteins. However, removal of the fusion tag is often required due to its potential impact on the structure and activity of passenger proteins. Tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease is widely used for this purpose due to its stringent sequence recognition. In the present work, fusion to the acyl carrier protein from E. coli fatty acid synthase (ACP) significantly increased the yield of recombinant soluble TEV, and the ACP tag also greatly improved TEV stability. The cleavage activity of TEV was not affected by the ACP fusion tag, and ACP-TEV retained high activity, even at unfavourable pH values. Moreover, ACP-TEV could be efficiently modified by co-expressed E. coli holo-ACP synthase (AcpS), leading to covalent attachment of 4′-phosphopantetheine (4′-PP) group to ACP. The sulfhydryl group of the long, flexible 4′-PP chain displayed high specific reactivity with iodoacetyl groups on the solid support. Thus, TEV could be immobilised effectively and conveniently via the active holo-ACP, and immobilised TEV retained high cleavage activity after a long storage period and several cycles of reuse. As a low-cost and recyclable biocatalyst, TEV immobilised by this method holds promise for biotechnological research and development.

Key points

• The ACP tag greatly increased the soluble expression and stability of TEV protease.

• The ACP tag did not affect the cleavage activity of TEV.

• The holo-ACP Tag effectively mediated the covalent immobilisation of TEV.
Dynamic study of the finger interphalangeal joint volar plate—motion analysis with magnetic resonance cinematography and histologic comparison
Authors: Lutter Christoph , Kuerten Stefanie , Geppert Carol , Mittelmeier Wolfram , Klinder Annett , Söder Stephan , Römer Frank , Uder Michael , Janka Rolf , Bayer Thomas
Published: February 2023

Objective

We aimed to further improve knowledge about volar plate (VP) motion of the finger proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP), by analyzing the dynamic VP shape during a full range of finger flexion using magnetic resonance cinematography of the fingers (MRCF), and to compare the results with anatomical cross sections from cadaver specimens.

Materials and methods

The dynamic sagittal VP shape was visualized with MRCF in a total number of 23 healthy volunteers. The length, angle, and thickness as well as the contact length of the VP to the PIP joint base were measured. Statistical analysis included t-test or rank-sum testing. Anatomical cross sections with differing degrees of PIP joint flexion were obtained from 12 cadaver specimens (fingers) for comparison.

Results

Significant positive correlations between PIP joint flexion angle and VP area, length, depth and the VP contact length were found. This matched histologically to fiber rearrangements especially within the loose third VP layer.

Conclusion

Our study analyzed the full range of motion dynamic VP shape of the PIP joint using MRCF. This contributes to a more precise understanding of the complex interaction of the VP with the PIP joint and may facilitate evaluation of clinical cases such as VP avulsion or pulley rupture.
Surgeon-designed patient-specific instrumentation improves glenoid component screw placement for reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in a population with small glenoid dimensions
Authors: Yung Colin Shing-Yat , Fang Christian , Fang Evan , Siu Yuk-Chuen , Yee Dennis King Hang , Wong Kevin Kwun-Hung , Poon Kai-Chung , Leung Matthew Man Fai , Wan Jonathan , Lau Tak-Wing , Leung Frankie
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Glenoid component loosening is a potential complication of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA), occurring in part due to lack of adequate screw purchase in quality scapular bone stock. This study was to determine the efficacy of a surgeon-designed, 3D-printed patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) compared to conventional instrumentation (CI) in achieving longer superior and inferior screw lengths for glenoid component fixation.

Methods

A multi-centre retrospective analysis of patients who underwent rTSA between 2015 and 2020. Lengths of the superior and inferior locking screws inserted for fixation of the glenoid baseplate component were recorded and compared according to whether patients received PSI or CI. Secondary outcomes included operative duration and incidence of complications requiring revision surgery.

Results

Seventy-three patients (31 PSI vs. 42 CI) were analysed. Average glenoid diameter was 24.5 mm (SD: 3.1) and 81% of patients had smaller glenoid dimensions compared to the baseplate itself. PSI produced significantly longer superior (44.7 vs. 30.7 mm; P < 0.001) and inferior (43.0 vs. 31 mm; P < 0.001) mean screw lengths, as compared to CI. A greater proportion of maximal screw lengths for the given rTSA construct (48 mm) were observed in the PSI group (71.9% vs. 11.9% superior, 59.4% vs. 11.9% inferior). Operative duration was not statistically significantly different between the PSI and CI groups (150 min vs. 169 min, respectively; P = 0.229). No patients had radiographic loosening of the glenoid component with an average of 2-year follow-up.

Conclusion

PSI facilitates longer superior and inferior screw placement in the fixation of the glenoid component for rTSA. With sufficient training, PSI can be designed and implemented by surgeons themselves.
Biologically meaningful moonlight measures and their application in ecological research
Authors: Śmielak Michał Krysztof
Published: February 2023

Light availability is one of the key drivers of animal activity, and moonlight is the brightest source of natural light at night. Moon phase is commonly used but, while convenient, it can be a poor proxy for lunar illumination on the ground. While the moon phase remains effectively constant within a night, actual moonlight intensity is affected by multiple factors such as disc brightness, position of the moon, distance to the moon, angle of incidence, and cloud cover. A moonlight illumination model is presented for any given time and location, which is significantly better at predicting lunar illumination than moon phase. The model explains up to 92.2% of the variation in illumination levels with a residual standard error of 1.4%, compared to 60% explained by moon phase with a residual standard error of 22.6%. Importantly, the model not only predicts changes in mean illumination between nights but also within each night, providing greater temporal resolution of illumination estimates. An R package moonlit facilitating moonlight illumination modelling is also presented. Using a case study, it is shown that modelled moonlight intensity can be a better predictor of animal activity than moon phase. More importantly, complex patterns of activity are shown where animals focus their activity around certain illumination levels. This relationship could not be identified using moon phase alone. The model can be universally applied to a wide range of ecological and behavioural research, including existing datasets, allowing a better understanding of lunar illumination as an ecological resource.

Significance statement

Moon phase is often used to represent lunar illumination as an environmental niche, but it is a poor proxy for actual moonlight intensity on the ground. A model is therefore proposed to estimate lunar illumination for any given place and time. The model is shown to provide a significantly better prediction of empirically measured lunar illumination than moon phase. Importantly, it also has much higher temporal resolutions, allowing to not only detect selectiveness for light levels between nights but also within each night, which is not achievable with moon phase alone. This offers unprecedented opportunities to study complex activity patterns of nocturnal species using any time-stamped data (GPS trackers, camera traps, song meters, etc.). It can also be applied to historical datasets, as well as facilitate future research planning in a wide range of ecological and behavioural studies.
Legitimacy, Shared Understanding and Exchange of Resources: Co-managing Lakes Along an Urban–Rural Gradient in Greater Bengaluru Metropolitan Region, India
Authors: Lakshmisha Arvind , Thiel Andreas
Published: February 2023

Co-management is increasingly seen as a way forward in natural resource management and collective goods provisioning, especially in the management of urban commons. Co-management entails sharing of power between actors, including elements such as exchange of information and resources as well as changes in regulations favouring the development of common goals among actors. In this paper, we try to understand if and how preconditions of legitimacy, shared understanding and exchange of resources combine to facilitate the co-management of lakes in Greater Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (GBMR), India. To understand these issues, we undertook an exploratory, qualitative analysis of the governance of three lakes located within a single watershed placed along an urban-rural gradient. We provide an exploratory assessment of co-management across the cases situated in diverse contexts, highlighting the importance of heterogeneity of socio-economic settings for co-management of lakes. Community involvement in co-management varies with heterogeneity, correspondingly increasing transaction costs. In urbanising contexts, state actors have started to recognise the political efficacy of non-state actors mobilising knowledge and financial resources for lake management. Involvement of the state custodian and third-sector organisations (NGOs) was found to be crucial in developing and facilitating shared understanding. Deliberation between mutually dependent state and non-state actors was key to overcoming scepticism in order to realign actor perspectives. We highlight that increased acceptance of community participation based on the development of a collective identity and understanding of mutual dependence observed in our urban and rural cases reduced transaction costs and thus enabled co-management.
Fast Identification Method for Screening Bacteria from Faecal Samples Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION Sequencing
Authors: Borges Ana Sofia G. , Basu Meghna , Brinks Erik , Bang Corinna , Cho Gyu-Sung , Baines John F. , Franke Andre , Franz Charles M. A. P.
Published: February 2023

Most bacterial identification methods require extensive culturing, strain purification and DNA extraction protocols. This leads to additional expenses and time lags when isolating specific bacteria from complex microbiological ecosystems. This study aimed to develop a fast and robust method for identification of lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and Bacteroides in human faecal samples. Bacteria from faecal samples were cultured anaerobically on selective media. Sonication-based DNA extraction was performed, followed by almost complete 16S rRNA gene polymerase chain reaction amplification and MinION sequencing with the Flongle adapter. Sequence analysis was performed using NanoCLUST, while RStudio was used for graphics. For 110 of the 125 colonies investigated, 100% of reads were attributed to a single species, while the remaining 15 colonies consisted of mixtures of up to three different species. The proposed bacterial identification method is advantageous for isolating particular bacteria for which there are no exclusively selective media, as it avoids lengthy colony purification and DNA purification methods, and yields a quick colony identification with high accuracy. Therefore, this method can be used for directly screening for pure cultures of target microorganisms and is suitable for the identification of bacteria in culturomics studies.
Pilot study investigating BP-180 in extracellular vesicles derived from blister fluid of bullous pemphigoid patients
Authors: Gasparini Giulia , Tasso Roberta , Palamà Maria Elisabetta Federica , Ciferri Maria Chiara , Gentili Chiara , Di Zenzo Giovanni , Provini Alessia , Salemme Adele , Quarto Rodolfo , Parodi Aurora , Cozzani Emanuele
Published: February 2023

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering disease that targets the haemidesmosomal proteins, mainly BP180. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been demonstrated to carry tissue-specific autoantigens in the setting of autoimmune diseases and transplant organ rejection; this phenomenon was demonstrated to have pathogenic implications in autoimmune diseases and to correlate with transplant rejection severity. The purpose of this study was to identify the presence of BP targeted autoantigens in blister fluid derived EVs. We isolated, by size exclusion chromatography, EVs derived from blisters of BP-patients and from suction blisters of healthy donors. EV characterization was performed by flow cytometry and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Western blot analysis was used to investigate the presence of autoantigens. A suspension enriched in EVs was efficiently obtained from blister fluid from patients and healthy donors. EV-enriched fractions were enriched in particles with a size distribution characterizing small-EVs (main peak was present at 94.5 nm). BP180 was found, by western blot analysis, in EVs derived from blister fluid of 3 out 6 BP patients and in none of EVs isolated from suction blister fluid of healthy donors. BP230 and Dsg1 were not detectable in EVs of any of the samples. No specific clinical characteristics seemed to correlate to the presence of BP180 in EVs. The discovery of BP180 in EVs derived from blister fluid might help understanding BP pathogenesis.
Evaluation of right ventricular myocardial deformation properties in fetal hypoplastic left heart by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography
Authors: Enzensberger Christian , Graupner Oliver , Fischer Stefanie , Meister Markus , Reitz Maleen , Götte Malena , Müller Vera , Wolter Aline , Herrmann Johannes , Axt-Fliedner Roland
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Right ventricular (RV) function influences the outcome of hypoplastic left heart (HLH) patients. This study aimed to confirm the assumption of prenatal RV remodeling and possible influencing factors of myocardial restructuring using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE).

Methods

This is a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study including HLH fetuses and gestational age-matched controls. Based on a four-chamber view, cine loops were stored with 60 frames per second. Global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLPSS) of the RV was retrospectively determined and compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, HLH subgroups were built according to the presence of left ventricular endocardial fibroelastosis (LV-EFE) and restrictive foramen ovale (FO) to investigate the effect of these compromising factors on myocardial deformation.

Results

A total of 41 HLH fetuses and 101 controls were included. Gestational age at fetal assessment was similarly distributed in both groups (controls: 26.0 ± 5.6 weeks vs. HLH: 29.1 ± 5.6 weeks). Relating to RV-GLPSS values, fetuses with HLH demonstrated lower mean values than healthy control fetuses (− 15.65% vs. − 16.80%, p = 0.065). Cases with LV-EFE (n = 11) showed significantly lower mean values compared to such without LV-EFE (n = 30) (RV-GLPSS: − 12.12% vs. − 16.52%, p = 0.003). No significant differences were observed for cases with FO restriction (n = 10).

Conclusions

In HLH the RV undergoes prenatal remodeling, leading to an adaptation of myocardial function to LV conditions. Further explorations by STE should expand knowledge about RV contraction properties in HLH and its impact on surgical outcome.
A systematic review of validated assessments methods for head and neck lymphedema
Authors: Arends Coralie R. , Lindhout Josephine E. , van der Molen Lisette , Wilthagen Erica A. , van den Brekel Michiel W. M. , Stuiver Martijn M.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This systematic review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the validity and reliability of existing measurement instruments for quantifying head and neck lymphedema.

Methods

Four databases were searched on January 31st, 2022. The COnsensus-based Standards for selecting health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklists were used for the risk of bias (ROB) assessment.

Results

Out of 3362 unique records, eight studies examined the reliability and validity of five measurement instruments of which one patient reported outcome. The Patterson scale for internal lymphedema and the patient reported head and neck external lymphedema and fibrosis (LIDS-H&N) demonstrated validity and reliability. For external lymphedema, none of the instruments had good reliability for all measuring points.

Conclusion

There is a lack of sufficiently reliable and valid measurement instruments for external head and neck lymphedema. The Patterson scale and the patient reported LIDS-H&N seem reliable for clinical practice and research.
High-multiplex tissue imaging in routine pathology—are we there yet?
Authors: Einhaus Jakob , Rochwarger Alexander , Mattern Sven , Gaudillière Brice , Schürch Christian M.
Published: February 2023

High-multiplex tissue imaging (HMTI) approaches comprise several novel immunohistological methods that enable in-depth, spatial single-cell analysis. Over recent years, studies in tumor biology, infectious diseases, and autoimmune conditions have demonstrated the information gain accessible when mapping complex tissues with HMTI. Tumor biology has been a focus of innovative multiparametric approaches, as the tumor microenvironment (TME) contains great informative value for accurate diagnosis and targeted therapeutic approaches: unraveling the cellular composition and structural organization of the TME using sophisticated computational tools for spatial analysis has produced histopathologic biomarkers for outcomes in breast cancer, predictors of positive immunotherapy response in melanoma, and histological subgroups of colorectal carcinoma. Integration of HMTI technologies into existing clinical workflows such as molecular tumor boards will contribute to improve patient outcomes through personalized treatments tailored to the specific heterogeneous pathological fingerprint of cancer, autoimmunity, or infection. Here, we review the advantages and limitations of existing HMTI technologies and outline how spatial single-cell data can improve our understanding of pathological disease mechanisms and determinants of treatment success. We provide an overview of the analytic processing and interpretation and discuss how HMTI can improve future routine clinical diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
Comparison of robotic versus laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection for advanced lower rectal cancer: a retrospective study at two institutions
Authors: Zhang Lei , Shi Feiyu , Hu Chenhao , Zhang Zhe , Liu Junguang , Liu Ruihan , Wang Guanghui , Tang Jianqiang , She Junjun
Published: February 2023

Background

Lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) represents a technically challenging procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative, genitourinary functional and mid-term oncological outcomes of laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection (LLLND) and robotic lateral lymph node dissection (RLLND) for advanced lower rectal cancer (ALRC).

Methods

Between January 2015 and April 2021, consecutive patients who underwent RLLND and LLLND at two high-volume centres were enrolled. The perioperative outcomes, genitourinary function recovery and mid-term oncological outcomes of the patients were compared. A subgroup analysis of patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) was performed.

Results

A total of 205 patients were included in the analysis, with 95 in the RLLND group and 110 in the LLLND group. The patients in the RLLND group had a longer operative time, less blood loss, and more harvested internal iliac lymph nodes than did those in the LLLND group. In postoperative complication, urinary retention was less frequent in the RLLND group than in the LLLND group. Additionally, the RLLND group had better genitourinary function recovery. Similar results were also observed from the nCRT subgroup analysis. Moreover, there was no significant difference in mid-term oncological outcomes between the two groups. Further subgroup analysis indicated that the patients who underwent nCRT + LLLND/RLLND had better local control than those who underwent only LLLND/RLLND.

Conclusions

RLLND is safe and feasible for ALRC and is associated with more harvested internal iliac lymph nodes and better genitourinary function recovery. NCRT combined with minimally invasive LLND could constitute an improved strategy for ALRC.
Quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors participating in a pilot randomized controlled trial of a web-based dietary intervention with text messages
Authors: Wang Lufan , Langlais Crystal , Kenfield Stacey A. , Van Loon Katherine , Laffan Angela , Atreya Chloe E. , Chan June M. , Zhang Li , Allen Isabel E. , Miaskowski Christine , Fukuoka Yoshimi , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Venook Alan P. , Van Blarigan Erin L.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

We aimed to estimate the effect of a 12-week web-based dietary intervention with text messages on quality of life (QoL) among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors.

Methods

Between 2017 and 2018, 50 CRC survivors were randomized (1:1) to receive a 12-week web-based dietary intervention with daily text messages or wait-list control. Health-related QoL was assessed using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire–Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and colorectal quality of life module (QLQ-CR29) at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks. Within- and between-group mean changes in health-related QoL with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for both arms.

Results

Compared to the controls, participants receiving the intervention had an improvement in emotional functioning (mean change: 14.3; 95% CI: 3.0, 25.6) at 12 weeks and social functioning (mean change: 13.8; 95% CI: 2.1, 25.5) at 24 weeks. A decrease of fatigue from baseline was also observed in the intervention arm (mean change: − 9.1; 95% CI: − 17.1, − 1.1) at 24 weeks. No other changes in QoL scores were associated with the intervention.

Conclusion

CRC survivors randomized to receive a web-based dietary intervention with text messages experienced higher emotional and social functioning. Further study with a larger population may be warranted.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02965521. Registered 16 November 2016,https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/keydates/NCT02965521
Graph learning-based generation of abstractions for reinforcement learning
Authors: Xue Yuan , Kudenko Daniel , Khosla Megha
Published: February 2023

The application of reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms is often hindered by the combinatorial explosion of the state space. Previous works have leveraged abstractions which condense large state spaces to find tractable solutions. However, they assumed that the abstractions are provided by a domain expert. In this work, we propose a new approach to automatically construct abstract Markov decision processes (AMDPs) for potential-based reward shaping to improve the sample efficiency of RL algorithms. Our approach to constructing abstract states is inspired by graph representation learning methods, it effectively encodes the topological and reward structure of the ground-level MDP. We perform large-scale quantitative experiments on a range of navigation and gathering tasks under both stationary and stochastic settings. Our approach shows improvements of up to 8.5 times in sample efficiency and up to 3 times in run time over the baseline approach. Besides, with our qualitative analyses of the generated AMDPs, we are able to visually demonstrate the capability of our approach to preserve the topological and reward structure of the ground-level MDP.
Small amount of alcohol did not deteriorate microsurgical dexterity: a prospective laboratory study
Authors: Vasankari Ville , Eisenring Christian , Rossmann Tobias , Veldeman Michael , Nurminen Ville , Hafez Ahmad , Raj Rahul , Niemelä Mika , Lehecka Martin
Published: February 2023

Background

Alcohol consumption has been reported to deteriorate surgical performance both immediately after consumption as well as on the next day. We studied the early effects of alcohol consumption on microsurgical manual dexterity in a laboratory setting.

Method

Six neurosurgeons or neurosurgical residents (all male) performed micro- and macro suturing tasks after consuming variable amounts of alcohol. Each participant drank 0–4 doses of alcohol (14 g ethanol). After a delay of 60–157 min, he performed a macrosurgical and microsurgical task (with a surgical microscope). The tasks consisted of cutting and re-attaching a circular latex flap (diameter: 50 mm macrosuturing, 4 mm microsuturing) with eight interrupted sutures (4–0 multifilament macrosutures, 9–0 monofilament microsutures). We measured the time required to complete the sutures, and the amplitude and the frequency of physiological tremor during the suturing. In addition, we used a four-point ordinal scale to rank the quality of the sutures for each task. Each participant repeated the tasks several times on separate days varying the pre-task alcohol consumption (including one sober task at the end of the data collection).

Results

A total of 93 surgical tasks (47 macrosurgical, 46 microsurgical) were performed. The fastest microsurgical suturing (median 11 min 49 s, [interquartile range (IQR) 654 to 761 s]) was recorded after three doses of alcohol (median blood alcohol level 0.32‰). The slowest microsurgical suturing (median 15 min 19 s, [IQR 666 to 1121 s]) was observed after one dose (median blood alcohol level 0‰). The quality of sutures was the worst (mean 0.70 [standard deviation (SD) 0.48] quality points lost) after three doses of alcohol and the best (mean 0.33 [SD 0.52] quality points lost) after four doses (median blood alcohol level 0.44‰).

Conclusions

Consuming small amount of alcohol did not deteriorate microsurgical performance in our study. An observed reduction in physiological tremor may partially explain this.
Temperature interference in improved FBG pressure sensor for towing tank test
Authors: Suzuki Kantaro , Iwashita Hidetsugu , Kashiwagi Masashi , Wakahara Masahito , Iida Takahito , Minoura Munehiko
Published: February 2023

Because of EEDI regulations for ships and SDGs, it is of vital importance to develop ships with good propulsion performance, not only in still water, but also in waves. To predict the propulsion and seakeeping performance in waves, and in particular ship motions and added resistance, various theoretical calculation methods and CFD codes have been developed. To validate these estimation methods, experimental data on details of the flow induced by the ship disturbance are required. To meet this demand, the authors developed an innovative method for measuring and analyzing the spatial pressure distribution over the ship-hull surface using a large number of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) pressure sensors. However, pressure measurements with the conventional FBG pressure sensors are largely influenced by the difference in the temperature between water and air, referred to as the temperature interference. To resolve this issue, the authors developed a new FBG pressure sensor that incorporates three improvements and is significantly less influenced by temperature interference. Its performance was confirmed through comparisons with measured pressures obtained using existing strain-type and conventional FBG pressure sensors. Furthermore, the effects of different materials used for manufacturing ship models on the pressure measurement were investigated experimentally in towing tank tests. Finally, an experimental study was conducted to determine which of the three improvements in the latest FBG pressure sensor is essential for reducing the temperature interference.
Emerging advances of blockchain technology in finance: a content analysis
Authors: Weerawarna Rashikala , Miah Shah J. , Shao Xuefeng
Published: February 2023

Blockchain has become a widely used information system technology recently because of its effectiveness as an intermediary-free platform. While the use of blockchain in various fields, such as finance, supply chains, healthcare, education, and energy consumption, is increasingly enabling the development of Internet-enabled “distributed databases,” there are not many exploratory studies available to provide an understanding of how the field is progressing. Therefore, it is imperative to explore the status quo of blockchain technology in the finance sector, particularly highlighting how blockchain architectures can aid the finance sector to gain competitive advantage. This systematic literature review analyzes the content of the 50 most relevant articles and professional industry reports through peer-reviewed relevant academic literature in the finance sector from 2008 to 2022 to identify several possible features of blockchain research in the financial sector. This study highlighted the dimensions of blockchain technology, blockchain in finance, its competitive advantages, the current status of finance, and various challenges that keep the implementation of blockchain-based financial information systems at the initial stage. We identified three main areas that require research attention in order for blockchain technology to become the “next-generation networks” that will revolutionize the financial sector.
How deeply should we analyze non-covalent interactions?
Authors: Clark Timothy
Published: February 2023

Context

Just how much effort and detail should we invest in analyzing interactions of the order of 5 kcal mol−1? This comment attempts to provide a conciliatory overview of what is often a contentious field and to pose some questions that I hope will eventually lead at least to some consensus.

Methods

This is an opinion article without calculations or data.