bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Congenital Cervical Scoliosis Treated with Concave Side Distraction with Three‐Dimensional Printed Titanium Cage
Authors: Li Zihe , Zhou Feifei , Zhai Shuheng , Xia Tian , Pan Shengfa , Zhang Fengshan , Zhang Li , Chen Jiasheng , Sun Yu
Published: September 2023

Study Design

Single‐center, retrospective study.

Objective

Hemivertebra resection is the only treatment option for congenital cervical scoliosis (CCS). However, this procedure is complex and technically demanding. It often requires a considerably long operation, and there is substantial intraoperative bleeding. Therefore, we have attempted to treat CCS with a concave side distraction comprising a three‐dimensional (3D) printed titanium cage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this technique for the treatment of patients with CCS.

Methods

A series of 22 patients with CCS who underwent a concave side distraction technique between 2019 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Radiological measurements included the Cobb angle of the distraction segments, the kyphosis angle, the range of movement, and the distraction correction angle. Student's t‐test and Spearman correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The study included 12 males and 10 females whose ages ranged from 6 to 14 years old (9.8 ± 2.1 years old). Follow‐up times ranged from 15 to 30 months (25.8 ± 3.6 months). Among 22 patients, two patients developed a postoperative C5 nerve root palsy and recovered after being treated with conservative treatment for 6 months. The duration of surgery ranged from 229 to 756 min (389 ± 112 min), and the estimated volume of blood loss ranged from 100 to 600mL (235 ± 121 mL). The coronal Cobb angle (p < 0.001), kyphosis angle (p < 0.05), and range of movement (p < 0.001) between the last follow‐up and preoperative period were significantly different. A total of 28 segments were distracted, and the Cobb angle of the distraction segment ranged from 2.4 to 14.1° (8.5 ± 3.0°). There were six upper cervical spines (8.9 ± 1.9°) and 22 lower cervical spines (8.4 ± 3.2°) with no significant difference between them (p = 0.130). In addition, there was no correlation between the angle of the concave side distraction and patients’ age (r = 0.018, p = 0.315). The fusion was solid between the bone and the customized 3D‐printed pore metal cage at the final follow‐up.

Conclusion

The concave side distraction comprising a customized 3D‐printed titanium cage implantation can provide satisfactory correction results and is a safe and reliable procedure for treating CCS.
Video‐assisted thoracoscopic epicardial pacing: A contemporary overview
Authors: Marini Massimiliano , Pannone Luigi , Branzoli Stefano , Quintarelli Silvia , Coser Alessio , Guarracini Fabrizio , Bonmassari Roberto , La Meir Mark , de Asmundis Carlo
Published: September 2023

Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has revolutionized the approach and management of pulmonary and cardiac diseases, and its applications have significantly expanded in the last two decades. Beyond its established role in thoracic procedures, VATS has also emerged as a valuable technique for various electrophysiological procedures, including pacemaker implantations, ablation procedures, and left atrial appendage exclusion. This paper presents a thorough review of the existing literature on pacing procedures performed using a VATS approach. By analyzing and synthesizing the available studies, we aim to provide an in‐depth understanding of the current knowledge and advancements in VATS‐based pacing procedures. A key focus of this review is the detailed description of implantation techniques via a VATS approach.
Hiding in plain sight: Surge pricing and strategic providers
Authors: Bai Jiaru , Heese H. Sebastian , Tripathy Manish
Published: September 2023

Many on‐demand service platforms employ surge pricing policies, charging higher prices and raising provider compensation when customer demand exceeds provider supply. There is increasing evidence that service providers understand these pricing policies and strategically collude to induce artificial supply shortages by reducing the number of providers showing as available online. We study a stylized mathematical model of a setting in which an on‐demand service platform determines its pricing and provider compensation policies, anticipating their impact on customer demand and the participation of strategic providers, who might collectively decide to limit the number of providers showing online as available. We find that collusion can substantially harm the platform and customers, especially when the potential demand is large, and the supply of providers in nearby regions is limited. We explore two pricing policies that a platform could employ in the presence of (potential) provider collusion: a bonus pricing policy that offers additional provider payments on top of the regular compensation and the optimal pricing policy that maximizes the platform's expected profit while taking strategic provider behavior fully into consideration. Both policies feature a compensation structure that ensures that total provider earnings increase in the number of providers available, thereby encouraging all providers to offer their service. We show that both policies can effectively mitigate the impact of potential provider collusion, with the bonus pricing policy often performing near‐optimally. As it might be difficult for a platform to accurately estimate the propensity of providers to collude, we numerically evaluate how platform profits are affected if the pricing policy is designed based on possibly incorrect estimates of the providers' propensity to collude. Our observations suggest that a platform should design its pricing policy under the assumption that all providers are strategic and consider collusion, as the losses associated with implementing such a policy in settings with minor risk of collusion are limited, while the potential losses from failing to consider rampant collusion can be significant.
Elucidation of the mescaline biosynthetic pathway in peyote (Lophophora williamsii)
Authors: Watkins Jacinta L. , Li Qiushi , Yeaman Sam , Facchini Peter J.
Published: September 2023

Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is an entheogenic and medicinal cactus native to the Chihuahuan desert. The psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties of peyote are principally attributed to the phenethylamine derivative mescaline. Despite the isolation of mescaline from peyote over 120 years ago, the biosynthetic pathway in the plant has remained undiscovered. Here, we use a transcriptomics and homology‐guided gene discovery strategy to elucidate a near‐complete biosynthetic pathway from l‐tyrosine to mescaline. We identified a cytochrome P450 that catalyzes the 3‐hydroxylation of l‐tyrosine to l‐DOPA, a tyrosine/DOPA decarboxylase yielding dopamine, and four substrate‐specific and regiospecific substituted phenethylamine O‐methyltransferases. Biochemical assays with recombinant enzymes or functional analyses performed by feeding putative precursors to engineered yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) strains expressing candidate peyote biosynthetic genes were used to determine substrate specificity, which served as the basis for pathway elucidation. Additionally, an N‐methyltransferase displaying broad substrate specificity and leading to the production of N‐methylated phenethylamine derivatives was identified, which could also function as an early step in the biosynthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids in peyote.
Design and Fabrication of In-House Nozzle System to Extrude Multi-Hydrogels for 3D Bioprinting Process
Authors: Habib Ahasan , Quigley Connor , Sarah Rokeya , Hurd Warren , Clark Scott
Published: September 2023

The field of 3D bioprinting is rapidly expanding as researchers strive to create functional tissues for medical and pharmaceutical purposes. The ability to print multiple materials, each containing various living cells, brings us closer to achieving tissue regeneration. Deliberately transitioning between different material types encapsulating distinct cells and extruding through a single outlet, can lead to the achievement of user-defined material distribution, which is still challenging. In a previous study, we designed a Y-shaped nozzle connector system that allowed for continuous deposition of multiple materials through a single outlet. This system was made of plastic and had a fixed switching angle, rendering it suitable for a single use. In this article, we present the updated version of our nozzle system, which includes a range of angles (30 deg, 45 deg, 60 deg, and 90 deg) between the two materials. Changing the angles helps us figure out how that affects the control of backflow and minimizes the overall material switching time in the nozzle. We used stainless steel as the fabrication material and recorded the overall material switching time, comparing the effects of the various angles. Our previously developed hybrid hydrogel, which comprised 4% alginate and 4% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), was used as a test material to flow through the nozzle system. The in-house fabricated nozzle connectors are reusable, sterile, and easy to clean, ensuring a smooth material transition and flow. Our proposition can offer to achieve user-defined material distribution across a given region with appropriate selection of rheology and printing process parameters.
Enhancing Microstructural, Textural, and Mechanical Properties of Al–Ti Dissimilar Joints via Static Shoulder Friction Stir Welding
Authors: Saravana Sundar A. , Mugada Krishna Kishore , Kumar Adepu
Published: September 2023

The present study explores the application of static shoulder friction stir welding (SSFSW) to address the challenges of poor mechanical properties in conventional Al–Ti dissimilar friction stir joints, which arise due to significant material mixing, and the formation of thick intermetallic layers. The results show that SSFSW inhibited material mixing, and the mutual diffusion of Al and Ti was suppressed due to lower heat input. Mutual interdiffusion of Al and Ti was directed by an exothermic chemical reaction, forming an Al5Ti2—Al3Ti sequence due to the sluggish diffusion of Al in Ti at a temperature of 512 °C achieved in this study. The microstructure at the stir zone (SZ) comprised equiaxed grains with Ti particles acting as dispersoids for nucleation, whereas the presence of large Ti blocks at SZ of conventional FSW (CFSW) resisted plastic deformation, resulting in a nonhomogeneous concentration of dislocations near its interface. A significant decrease in grain size at all the critical zones of weldment was due to the rearrangement of dislocations through the slip-and-climb mechanism, as evidenced by the occurrence of dynamic recrystallization. The emergence of γ-fiber and basal fiber texture contributed to a significant enhancement in the tensile strength of SSFSW (289 MPa). The study also analyzed the various strengthening mechanisms contributing to the improved yield strength of SSFSW weldments, and the results showed that grain boundary strengthening plays a predominant role in enhancing the strength of SSFSW.
Conjugate Heat Transfer Characteristics of a Film-Cooled Turbine Blade Leading Edge With Staggered-Oblique Impinging Jets
Authors: Hongye Li , Qiang Du , Qingzong Xu , Guangyao Xu , Haoyang Liu , Dawei Chen
Published: September 2023

The turbine blade leading edge is subjected to harsh conditions due to high heat loads and unfavorable compact structures. To improve the cooling performance, a novel impingement scheme is proposed to be used in a film-cooled turbine blade leading edge. Different from a normal impingement scheme, the novel scheme consists of two rows of staggered impinging jets at oblique angles of ±35 deg, and is thus named as the staggered-oblique impingement scheme. A conjugated numerical investigation is carried out to illustrate the underlying mechanisms of the cooling performance. Three typical jet Reynolds numbers, 6000, 12,000, and 18,000, are studied using the validated SST k–ω turbulence model. Numerical results show a flow separation within the staggered-oblique impinging jets, which causes the discharge coefficient for the novel impingement scheme lower than that for the normal impingement scheme. Results also reveal a phenomenon difference that two symmetric vortices are induced by each normal impinging jet, while only one vortex appears on the acute angle side along with each staggered-oblique impinging jet. The flow fields of the staggered-oblique impingement scheme create a more uniform heat transfer distribution and a maximum of 23.7% higher area-averaged Nusselt number than the normal impingement scheme. The area-averaged overall cooling effectiveness for the staggered-oblique impingement scheme is higher than the normal impingement scheme by a maximum of 4.8%. The uniformity and the enhancement of the overall cooling effectiveness arise from the wall jet being fully developed and affecting a larger area of the target wall. The adiabatic cooling effectiveness is similar for both impingement schemes. This indicates that the improvement in overall cooling effectiveness for the staggered-oblique impingement scheme mainly arises from internal heat transfer.
Application of machine learning to spectrum and image data
Authors: Aoyagi Satoka
Published: September 2023

Machine learning is a useful tool when extracting hidden information from complex measurement data obtained via surface analysis, as in secondary ion mass spectrometry. Flexible learning methods often require significant effort to adjust parameters, as these parameters may have a significant effect on results. However, machine learning methods enable the extraction of new information that cannot be found by manual analysis. This paper presents some examples of complex data analyses using conventional multivariate analysis methods based on linear combinations (principal component analysis and multivariate curve resolution), an unsupervised learning method based on artificial neural networks (sparse autoencoder), and a supervised learning method based on decision trees (random forest). To obtain reproducible and useful results from machine learning applications to surface analysis data, the preparation of data sets—including the selection of variables and the raw data conversion process—is crucial. Moreover, sufficient information representing analytical purposes, such as the chemical structures of unknown samples, material types, and physical or chemical properties of particular materials, must be contained in the data set for supervised learning.
A type 2 immune circuit in the stomach controls mammalian adaptation to dietary chitin
Authors: Kim Do-Hyun , Wang Yilin , Jung Haerin , Field Rachael L. , Zhang Xinya , Liu Ta-Chiang , Ma Changqing , Fraser James S. , Brestoff Jonathan R. , Van Dyken Steven J.
Published: September 2023

Dietary fiber improves metabolic health, but host-encoded mechanisms for digesting fibrous polysaccharides are unclear. In this work, we describe a mammalian adaptation to dietary chitin that is coordinated by gastric innate immune activation and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase). Chitin consumption causes gastric distension and cytokine production by stomach tuft cells and group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in mice, which drives the expansion of AMCase-expressing zymogenic chief cells that facilitate chitin digestion. Although chitin influences gut microbial composition, ILC2-mediated tissue adaptation and gastrointestinal responses are preserved in germ-free mice. In the absence of AMCase, sustained chitin intake leads to heightened basal type 2 immunity, reduced adiposity, and resistance to obesity. These data define an endogenous metabolic circuit that enables nutrient extraction from an insoluble dietary constituent by enhancing digestive function.
In Other Journals
Authors: Lavine Marc S. , Maroso Mattia , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Hurtley Stella M. , Jiang Di , Smith Keith T. , Yeston Jake
Published: September 2023

Editors’ selections from the current scientific literature
Did interstellar debris fall to the sea floor? Experts are doubtful
Authors: Clery Daniel , Voosen Paul
Published: September 2023

Controversial astrophysicist says metallic spheres hail from outside the Solar System, but others say it’s “nonsense”
Impact of slab tearing along the Yadong-Gulu rift on Miocene alkaline volcanism from the Lhasa terrane to the Himalayas, southern Tibet
Authors: Jarquín Esteban , Wang Rui , Sun Wen-Rui , Luo Chen-Hao , Xia Wen-Jie
Published: September 2023

Slab tearing is widely reported in oceanic slabs; however, tearing in continental slabs is still not very well understood. Geophysical data have shown the existence of tearing of the Indian lithosphere underneath the Yadong-Gulu rift in southern Tibet. Along this rift, the Jiacun lamprophyres and the Yangying trachytes comprise the youngest alkaline volcanic rocks in the Himalayan-Tibetan orogen, and hence provide evidence for understanding the operation of continental slab tearing. Jiacun lamprophyres, with an age of 13 Ma as determined by Ar-Ar dating, are the only outcrop of alkaline volcanic rocks in the Himalayan block. Geochemical analysis indicates that they were derived from a peridotite source in the Indian lithospheric mantle near the spinel field. Yangying trachytes, dated at 8.81 ± 0.15 Ma by the U-Pb dating method, were derived from a pyroxenite melt in the Tibetan lithospheric mantle with a higher crustal influence. Both sites show high phlogopite and pyroxene temperatures, indicating a hot influx favoring the melting of these magmas, which is likely associated with the tearing of the Indian slab. Ages of this magmatism suggest that the activity along the rift lasted at least 4 m.y. and migrated from south to north. This shows that slab tearing can trigger over-thickened lithospheric melting in a collisional orogen.
High-Resolution Spectroscopy of the ErCrO3 Crystal: A New Phase Transition?
Authors: Jablunovskis A. , Chukalina E. P. , Yin L. H. , Popova M. N.
Published: September 2023

Infrared absorption spectra of the ErCrO3 crystal in the region of $$f{-} f$$ transitions in the Er3+ ion are recorded for the first time. An analysis of high-resolution temperature-dependent spectra reveals a step at $$T{\kern 1pt} ' = 47$$ K on the temperature dependences of the characteristics of spectral lines, in addition to the features at temperatures of magnetic ordering TN = 133 K and spin-reorientation transition $${{T}_{{{\text{SR}}}}} = 9.3{\kern 1pt} $$ K. This feature can be associated with either a previously unknown phase transition or with local changes in the crystal structure. The shape of the lines at liquid helium temperatures indicates the presence of additional positions for Er3+ ions in the ErCrO3 crystal. Presumably, these are positions near uncontrolled impurities that enter the crystal during its growth by the solution–melt method and form regions with a distorted structure responsible for the occurrence of polarization.
Photoinduced Nonthermal Reduction of the Coercive Field in FePt and FePt0.84Rh0.16 Epitaxial Thin Films in the L10 Phase
Authors: Petrov A. V. , Nikitin S. I. , Tagirov L. R. , Kamzin A. S. , Yusupov R. V.
Published: September 2023

The time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect in epitaxial thin films of the FePt compound and the FePt0.84Rh0.16 solid solution with the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy on MgO (001) substrates has been studied. The evolution of hysteresis loops at short (100 fs–1 ns) and long (1–20 ms) time scales after the excitation by a femtosecond light pulse has been studied. Long-lived nonthermal reduction of the coercive field has been detected. The coercive field is recovered in several milliseconds. It has been proposed to explain the observed phenomenon by the excitation of high-Q-factor acoustic resonances in the substrate/film system and to the strong magnetoelastic interaction in FePt and FePt0.84Rh0.16 films.
Cascade Formation of Topological Defects and Satellite Droplets in Liquid Crystals at Dynamic Capillary Instability
Authors: Dolganov P. V. , Spiridenko N. A. , Dolganov V. K. , Kats E. I. , Baklanova K. D.
Published: September 2023

The formation of topological defects at the nematic–isotropic liquid interface and near satellite droplets has been detected at the breakup and fragmentation of the bridge of the isotropic phase between nematic domains. This process has been implemented in thin optical cells filled with a liquid crystal. The critical width of the bridge at which a universal time dependence of its width is determined by the capillary velocity (ratio of the surface tension to the viscosity) has been determined.
Examining the relationship between heatwaves and fatal drowning: a case study from Queensland, Australia
Authors: Peden Amy E , Mason Hannah M , King Jemma Chandal , Franklin Richard Charles
Published: September 2023

Background

Globally, drowning is a leading cause of injury-related harm, which is heavily impacted by environmental conditions. In Australia, fatal unintentional drowning peaks in summer, yet the impact of prolonged periods of hot weather (heatwave) on fatal drowning has not previously been explored.

Methods

Using a case-crossover approach, we examined the difference in drowning risk between heatwave and non-heatwave days for the Australian state of Queensland from 2010 to 2019. Heatwave data, measured by the excess heat factor, were acquired from the Bureau of Meteorology. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated by sex, age of drowning decedent, category of drowning incident (International Classification of Diseases−10 codes) and heatwave severity. Excess drowning mortality during heatwaves was also calculated.

Results

Analyses reveal increased fatal drowning risk during heatwave for males (IRR 1.22, 95% CI 0.92 to 1.61), people aged 65+ years (IRR 1.36, 95% CI 0.83 to 2.24), unintentional drowning (IRR 1.28, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.69) and during severe heatwaves (IRR 1.26, 95% CI0.88 to 1.82). There were 13 excess drowning deaths due to heatwave over the study period.

Discussion

The findings confirm an increased risk of fatal drowning during heatwaves. With increased likelihood and severity of heatwaves, this information should be used to inform drowning prevention, in particular the timing of public awareness campaigns and patrolling of supervised aquatic locations.

Conclusions

Water safety and patrolling organisations, as well as first responders, need to prepare for more drowning deaths during heatwave conditions. In addition, drowning prevention education ahead of heatwaves is needed for recreational swimmers, and older people, particularly those with comorbidities which may be further exacerbated by a heatwave.
Performance evaluation of a CRISPR Cas9-based selective exponential amplification assay for the detection of KRAS mutations in plasma of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Shen Yue , Zhang Xiaoling , Zhang Liyi , Zhang Zuoying , Lyu Bao , Lai Qian , Li Qinglin , Zhang Yuhua , Ying Jieer , Song Jinzhao
Published: September 2023

Aims

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly malignant, with shockingly mortality rates. KRAS oncoprotein is the main molecular target for PDAC. Liquid biopsies, such as the detection of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), offer a promising approach for less invasive diagnosis. In this study, we aim to evaluate the precision and utility of programmable enzyme-based selective exponential amplification (PASEA) assay for rare mutant alleles identification.

Methods

PASEA uses CRISPR-Cas9 to continuously shear wild-type alleles during recombinase polymerase amplification, while mutant alleles are exponentially amplified, ultimately reaching a level detectable by Sanger sequencing. We applied PASEA to detect KRAS mutations in plasma ctDNA. A total of 153 patients with stage IV PDAC were enrolled. We investigated the relationship between ctDNA detection rates with various clinical factors.

Results

Our results showed 91.43% vs 44.83% detection rate in patients of prechemotherapy and undergoing chemotherapy. KRAS ctDNA was more prevalent in patients with liver metastases and patients did not undergo surgical resection. Patients with liver metastases prior to chemotherapy showed a sensitivity of 95.24% (20/21) with PASEA. Through longitudinal monitoring, we found ctDNA may be a more accurate biomarker for monitoring chemotherapy efficacy in PDAC than CA19-9.

Conclusions

Our study sheds light on the potential of ctDNA as a valuable complementary biomarker for precision targeted therapy, emphasising the importance of considering chemotherapy status, metastatic sites and surgical history when evaluating its diagnostic potential in PDAC. PASEA technology provides a reliable, cost-effective and minimally invasive method for detecting ctDNA of PDAC.
Creating the First Confidential GPUs
Authors: Dhanuskodi Gobikrishna , Guha Sudeshna , Krishnan Vidhya , Manjunatha Aruna , O'Connor Michael , Nertney Rob , Rogers Phil
Published: September 2023

Today's datacenter GPU has a long and storied 3D graphics heritage. In the 1990s, graphics chips for PCs and consoles had fixed pipelines for geometry, rasterization, and pixels using integer and fixed-point arithmetic. In 1999, NVIDIA invented the modern GPU, which put a set of programmable cores at the heart of the chip, enabling rich 3D scene generation with great efficiency. It did not take long for developers and researchers to realize 'I could run compute on those parallel cores, and it would be blazing fast.' In 2004, Ian Buck created Brook at Stanford, the first compute library for GPUs, and in 2006, NVIDIA created CUDA, which is the gold standard for accelerated computing on GPUs today.
Prediction of Basal Ganglia Hematoma Expansion Based on Radiomics and Clinical Characteristics: A Novel Multivariate Predictive Nomogram
Authors: Luo Bin , Ma Lin , Wang Yubo , Ren Hecheng , Yu MingSheng , Ma YuXiang , Yin Long , Huang Ying
Published: September 2023

Background. This study is aimed at formulating and authenticating a pioneering nomogram integrating noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) mean CT densities (m-CTD) of hematoma, morphological indicators from NCCT hematoma, and clinical manifestations to foresee hematoma expansion (HE) in patients suffering from spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage (BGH). Methods. A predictive model was constructed by retrospectively evaluating the data from 406 patients. This model was externally validated using an independent dataset of 174 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was deployed to discern independent prognostic indicators and to generate a nomogram for HE prediction. Model calibration was examined using 1000 bootstrap samples for internal validation. Results. Multivariate logistic regression disclosed that m-CTD (odds ratio (OR) 0.846, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.782-0.909), baseline hematoma volume (BHV) (OR 1.055, 95% CI 1.017-1.095), NCCT blend sign (BS) (OR 3.320, 95% CI 1.704-6.534), NCCT black hole sign (BHS) (OR 2.468, 95% CI 1.293-4.729), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (OR 1.027, 95% CI 1.014-1.040), and homocysteine (Hcy) (OR 1.075, 95% CI 1.038-1.114) were independent predictors of HE. The area under the curve (AUC) for the training and validation datasets yielded 0.874 and 0.883, respectively. The calibration curve for the nomogram closely approximated the optimal diagonal. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the prediction model offers substantial net benefits. Conclusions. The innovative predictive nomogram, leveraging radiomics and clinical traits of hematoma, presents a potent and noninvasive tool for HE risk stratification. The method of quantifying mean hematoma density holds significant prognostic value in forecasting HE.
The Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Validity to Detect Omicron Variants
Authors: Partakusuma Lia Gardenia , Budiailmiawan Luhung , Budiman  , Parwati Ida , Aryati  , Andriyoko Basti , Markus Louisa , Niswara Corine , Cinthia Alamanda Cut Nur
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Mutation of SARS-CoV-2 has generated several variants of concern (VOC) which spread promptly worldwide. These emerging variants affected global strategies to overcome COVID-19. Variants of SARS-CoV-2 are determined by the whole genome sequencing (WGS) assay, which is time-consuming, with limited availability (only in several laboratories). Hence, a faster and more accessible examination is needed. The single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) method is one of the options for genomic variation surveillance that can help provide an answer to this challenge. This study aims to determine the validity of the SNP method with PCR to detect omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 compared with the gold standard, WGS. Methods. This is a diagnostic analysis of 140 confirmed COVID-19 nasopharyngeal samples taken from the Kemayoran COVID Emergency Hospital Laboratory and the West Java Provincial Health Laboratory from April to October 2022. Data analysis was carried out to determine conformity and validity values. Results. Analysis using Cohen’s kappa coefficient test showed high conformity between SNP and WGS (

p

value <0.001; kappa coefficient = 0.948). SNP showed great validity values on omicron BA.1 (90% sensitivity; 100% specificity), omicron BA.2 (100% sensitivity; 99% specificity), and omicron BA.4/5 (99.2% sensitivity; 100% specificity). Conclusion. The SNP method can be a more time-efficient alternative to detect omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 and distinguish their sublineages (BA.1, BA.2, and BA.4/5) by two different specific gene mutations in combination analysis (ΔH69/V70 and Q493R mutations).
Copula-Based Joint Flood Frequency Analysis: The Case of Guder River, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Haile Mesfin Mamo , Khosa Rakesh , Abebe Asnake Kassahun , Gelalcha Ayansa Teshome , Tolera Abera Misgana
Published: September 2023

The univariate analysis of hydrological extremes is a well-established practice in developing countries such as Ethiopia. However, for the design of hydrological and hydraulic systems, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of flood event characteristics, including volumes, peaks, time of occurrence, and duration. This study utilizes copula functions for bivariate modeling of flood peak and volume characteristics, examining the performance of four Archimedean copulas in the Guder basin located in Ethiopia from 1987 to 2017. Flood peak and volume were extracted using the theory of runs for analysis of their joint characteristics with the truncation level chosen as equal to the lowest annual maximum event. Univariate distributions with the best fitness on both variables were determined, and results showed that gamma and GEV-fitted flood peaks and lognormal-fitted flood volumes are the most suitable. Four Archimedean copulas were evaluated, and the Gumbel-Hougaard copula was found to be the best fit for the data based on graphical and measurable tests. Bivariate probability and return period were computed in “AND” and “OR” states. The joint return period for flood peak (97.49 m3/s) and volume (77.35 m3/s) was found to be 15 years in the “AND” state and approximately 4 years in the “OR” state. The study also evaluates univariate and conditional return periods, comparing them with the primary one. The copula method was an effective method for distributing marginal variables, highlighting its potential as a valuable tool in flood management.
Small Intestinal Volvulus Caused by Lipomatosis in a Middle-Aged Female
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Kumar Shashikant , Kumar Anurag , Bharti Shreekant , Anwer Majid , Kumar Anil
Published: September 2023

Lipomas are benign tumors composed of adipose tissue that can occur in various locations throughout the body, including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Lipoma of the small bowel is a rare clinical condition. It infrequently results in small bowel obstruction and volvulus. In most of the patients, it is an incidental diagnosis. However, it may present with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, GI bleeding, and constipation. It is commonly diagnosed using imaging studies, such as computerized tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. The management of small bowel lipomas depends on the presence of symptoms and the risk of complications. Asymptomatic lipomas can be safely monitored with imaging studies, as the risk of complications is low. However, in symptomatic cases, surgical or endoscopic treatment may be necessary to relieve obstruction and prevent complications. We report a case of volvulus of small bowel in a middle-aged female presenting to our hospital with acute GI symptoms.
Rapid Discrimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST175 Isolates Involved in a Nosocomial Outbreak Using MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry and FTIR Spectroscopy Coupled with Machine Learning
Authors: Candela Ana , Arroyo Manuel J. , Sánchez-Cueto María , Marín Mercedes , Cercenado Emilia , Méndez Gema , Muñoz Patricia , Mancera Luis , Rodríguez-Temporal David , Rodríguez-Sánchez Belén
Published: September 2023

The goal of this study was to evaluate matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–iime of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-S) as diagnostic alternatives to DNA-based methods for the detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sequence type (ST) 175 isolates involved in a hospital outbreak. For this purpose, 27 P. aeruginosa isolates from an outbreak detected in the Hematology department of our hospital were analyzed by the above-mentioned methodologies. Previously, these isolates had been characterized by pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Besides, eight P. aeruginosa isolates were analyzed as unrelated controls. MALDI-TOF MS spectra were acquired by transferring several colonies onto the MALDI target and covering them with 1 µl of formic acid 100% and 1 µl of α-ciano-3,4-hidroxicinamic acid matrix. For the analysis with FTIR-S, colonies were resuspended in 70% ethanol and sterile water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Spectra from both methodologies were analyzed using Clover Biosoft Software, which allowed data modeling using different algorithms and validation of the classifying models. Three outbreak-specific biomarkers were found at 5,169, 6,915, and 7,236 m/z in MALDI-TOF MS spectra. Classification models based on these three biomarkers showed the same discrimination power displayed by PFGE. Besides, K-nearest neighbor algorithm allowed the discrimination of the same clusters provided by WGS and the validation of this model achieved 97.0% correct classification. On the other hand, FTIR-S showed a discrimination power similar to PFGE and reached correct discrimination of the different STs analyzed. In conclusion, the combination of both technologies evaluated, paired with machine learning tools, may represent a powerful tool for real-time monitoring of high-risk clones and isolates involved in nosocomial outbreaks.
Methyl Palmitate Modulated NMDA-Induced Cerebral Hyperemia in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Hsu Chun-Kai , Chang Shang-Jen , Lim Li-Yi , Chang Hsi-Hsien , Shei-Dei Yang Stephen
Published: September 2023

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors were found to be dysfunctional in hypertensive rats. Methyl palmitate (MP) has been shown to diminish the nicotine-induced increase in blood flow in the brainstem. The aim of this study was to determine how MP modulated NMDA-induced increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in normotensive (WKY), spontaneously hypertensive (SHR), and renovascular hypertensive (RHR) rats. The increase in rCBF after the topical application of experimental drugs was measured using laser Doppler flowmetry. Topical NMDA application induced an MK-801-sensitive increase in rCBF in anesthetized WKY rats, which was inhibited by MP pretreatments. This inhibition was prevented by pretreatment with chelerythrine (a PKC inhibitor). The NMDA-induced increase in rCBF was also inhibited by the PKC activator in a concentration-dependent manner. Neither MP nor MK-801 affected the increase in rCBF induced by the topical application of acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside. Topical application of MP to the parietal cortex of SHRs, on the other hand, increased basal rCBF slightly but significantly. MP enhanced the NMDA-induced increase in rCBF in SHRs and RHRs. These results suggested that MP had a dual effect on the modulation of rCBF. MP appears to play a significant physiological role in CBF regulation.
Comparisons of Insulin Resistance- and Steatosis-Based Scores in Monitoring Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease Treatment Response
Authors: Ye Junzhao , Lin Yansong , Shao Congxian , Sun Yanhong , Feng Shiting , Zhong Bihui
Published: September 2023

Background: Quantitative measurements of liver fat contents (LFCs) by magnetic resonance imaging derived-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) are accurate but limited by availability, convenience, and expense in the surveillance of metabolic associated fatty liver (MAFLD). Insulin resistance (IR) and steatosis-associated serum indices are useful in screening for MAFLD, but their value in monitoring MAFLD with or without chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection remains unclear and we aimed to evaluate these scores in predicting changes in LFC. Methods: We conducted a prospective study between January 2015 and December 2021 with 620 consecutive participants with MAFLD (212 participants with CHB) who received a 24-week lifestyle intervention. The homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR), HOMA2 index, glucose-insulin ratio, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, fasting insulin resistance index, fatty liver index (FLI), hepatic steatosis index (HSI), liver fat score (LFS), visceral adiposity index, and triglycerides * glucose were calculated. Results: When using endpoints such as LFS improvements of ≥5% or 10% or escalations of ≥5%, LFS had the highest area under the curve (AUC) values at all endpoints for MAFLD alone (0.756, 95% CI: 0.707–0.805; 0.761, 95% CI: 0.705–0.818; 0.807, 95% CI: 0.713–0.901, all p < 0.05, respectively). With CHB, the FLI (AUC = 0.750) and HIS (AUC = 0.770) exhibited the highest AUCs between the former two outcomes, respectively, but no score could predict LFC escalation of ≥5%. Conclusion: Among IR and steatosis scores, changes in LFC through lifestyle interventions can be captured with LFS possessing moderate precision but not in those with CHB.
Eicosanoid-Regulated Myeloid ENaC and Isolevuglandin Formation in Human Salt-Sensitive Hypertension
Authors: Ertuglu Lale A. , Pitzer Mutchler Ashley , Jamison Sydney , Laffer Cheryl L. , Elijovich Fernando , Saleem Mohammad , Blackwell Daniel J. , Kryshtal Dmytro O. , Egly Christian L. , Sahinoz Melis , Sheng Quanhu , Wanjalla Celestine N. , Pakala Suman , Yu Justin , Gutierrez Orlando M. , Kleyman Thomas R. , Knollmann Björn C. , Ikizler T. Alp , Kirabo Annet
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:

The mechanisms by which salt increases blood pressure in people with salt sensitivity remain unclear. Our previous studies found that high sodium enters antigen-presenting cells (APCs) via the epithelial sodium channel and leads to the production of isolevuglandins and hypertension. In the current mechanistic clinical study, we hypothesized that epithelial sodium channel–dependent isolevuglandin-adduct formation in APCs is regulated by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and leads to salt-sensitive hypertension in humans.

METHODS:

Salt sensitivity was assessed in 19 hypertensive subjects using an inpatient salt loading and depletion protocol. Isolevuglandin-adduct accumulation in APCs was analyzed using flow cytometry. Gene expression in APCs was analyzed using cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing analysis of blood mononuclear cells. Plasma and urine EETs were measured using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.

RESULTS:

Baseline isolevuglandin
+
APCs correlated with higher salt-sensitivity index. Isolevuglandin
+
APCs significantly decreased from salt loading to depletion with an increasing salt-sensitivity index. We observed that human APCs express the epithelial sodium channel δ subunit, SGK1 (salt-sensing kinase serum/glucocorticoid kinase 1), and cytochrome P450 2S1. We found a direct correlation between baseline urinary 14,15 EET and salt-sensitivity index, whereas changes in urinary 14,15 EET negatively correlated with isolevuglandin
+
monocytes from salt loading to depletion. Coincubation with 14,15 EET inhibited high-salt–induced increase in isolevuglandin
+
APC.

CONCLUSIONS:

Isolevuglandin formation in APCs responds to acute changes in salt intake in salt-sensitive but not salt-resistant people with hypertension, and this may be regulated by renal 14,15 EET. Baseline levels of isolevuglandin
+
APCs or urinary 14,15 EET may provide diagnostic tools for salt sensitivity without a protocol of salt loading.
Seeing a Talking Face Matters: Gaze Behavior and the Auditory–Visual Speech Benefit in Adults' Cortical Tracking of Infant-directed Speech
Authors: Tan Sok Hui Jessica , Kalashnikova Marina , Di Liberto Giovanni M. , Crosse Michael J. , Burnham Denis
Published: September 2023

In face-to-face conversations, listeners gather visual speech information from a speaker's talking face that enhances their perception of the incoming auditory speech signal. This auditory–visual (AV) speech benefit is evident even in quiet environments but is stronger in situations that require greater listening effort such as when the speech signal itself deviates from listeners' expectations. One example is infant-directed speech (IDS) presented to adults. IDS has exaggerated acoustic properties that are easily discriminable from adult-directed speech (ADS). Although IDS is a speech register that adults typically use with infants, no previous neurophysiological study has directly examined whether adult listeners process IDS differently from ADS. To address this, the current study simultaneously recorded EEG and eye-tracking data from adult participants as they were presented with auditory-only (AO), visual-only, and AV recordings of IDS and ADS. Eye-tracking data were recorded because looking behavior to the speaker's eyes and mouth modulates the extent of AV speech benefit experienced. Analyses of cortical tracking accuracy revealed that cortical tracking of the speech envelope was significant in AO and AV modalities for IDS and ADS. However, the AV speech benefit [i.e., AV > (A + V)] was only present for IDS trials. Gaze behavior analyses indicated differences in looking behavior during IDS and ADS trials. Surprisingly, looking behavior to the speaker's eyes and mouth was not correlated with cortical tracking accuracy. Additional exploratory analyses indicated that attention to the whole display was negatively correlated with cortical tracking accuracy of AO and visual-only trials in IDS. Our results underscore the nuances involved in the relationship between neurophysiological AV speech benefit and looking behavior.
Audiotactile Stimulation Can Improve Syllable Discrimination through Multisensory Integration in the Theta Frequency Band
Authors: Guilleminot Pierre , Graef Cosima , Butters Emilia , Reichenbach Tobias
Published: September 2023

Syllables are an essential building block of speech. We recently showed that tactile stimuli linked to the perceptual centers of syllables in continuous speech can improve speech comprehension. The rate of syllables lies in the theta frequency range, between 4 and 8 Hz, and the behavioral effect appears linked to multisensory integration in this frequency band. Because this neural activity may be oscillatory, we hypothesized that a behavioral effect may also occur not only while but also after this activity has been evoked or entrained through vibrotactile pulses. Here, we show that audiotactile integration regarding the perception of single syllables, both on the neural and on the behavioral level, is consistent with this hypothesis. We first stimulated participants with a series of vibrotactile pulses and then presented them with a syllable in background noise. We show that, at a delay of 200 msec after the last vibrotactile pulse, audiotactile integration still occurred in the theta band and syllable discrimination was enhanced. Moreover, the dependence of both the neural multisensory integration as well as of the behavioral discrimination on the delay of the audio signal with respect to the last tactile pulse was consistent with a damped oscillation. In addition, the multisensory gain is correlated with the syllable discrimination score. Our results therefore evidence the role of the theta band in audiotactile integration and provide evidence that these effects may involve oscillatory activity that still persists after the tactile stimulation.
Description of two new species of Nemoleon Navás, 1909 (Neuroptera, Myrmeleontidae) from India
Authors: SURYANARAYANAN THANGALAZHI BALAKRISHNAN , ÁBRAHÁM LEVENTE , BIJOY CHENTHAMARAKSHAN
Published: September 2023

The Nemoleontid genus, Nemoleon Navás, 1909 from the Oriental realm, with two new species namely Nemoleon ghoshi sp. nov. and Nemoleon madayiensis sp. nov. are described from Kerala, India. Also, a species key of Nemoleon from India based on the adult characters is provided, and compered to African species.
Redescription of Lepidodactylus flaviocularis (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with the description of a new species from Makira Island, Solomon Islands
Authors: KRAUS FRED
Published: September 2023

Several species of geckos of the genus Lepidodactylus are endemic to the Solomon Islands and very poorly known. I redescribe one of these, L. flaviocularis, from Guadalcanal, based on examination of a second, newly obtained specimen and quantification of diagnostically useful features of the digits. I also describe a closely related new species from nearby Makira Island in the southern Solomon Islands. Both species are distinguished by their large number of undivided subdigital lamellae, extensive toe webbing, and a continuous row of enlarged precloacal/femoral scales. The new species is distinguished from L. flaviocularis by a number of scalational features and the color of the circumorbial scales. Both species are inhabitants of interior forest, and it remains uncertain whether they are naturally rare, rare due to interactions with invasive species, or simply have cryptic ecological habits, though the last seems most likely. Current evidence for both species is consistent with the taxon-cycle hypothesis, which posits ecological displacement to inland habitats of ancient island inhabitants by newer colonizers, but this remains to be critically tested. The limited pool of specimens available for both species necessitates assessing the IUCN conservation status of each as Data Deficient.