bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate, Health, and Nursing Tool (CHANT): A confirmatory factor analysis
Authors: Winquist Anna , Schenk Elizabeth C. , Cook Cara , Demorest Shanda , Burduli Ekaterina
Published: December 2022

Objective

To confirm the factor structure of the Climate, Health, and Nursing Tool (CHANT) tool via confirmatory factor analysis.

Design and sample

This is a cross‐sectional analysis of voluntary, anonymous responses collected online in 2019, from a non‐representative sample of 489 nurses from 12 nations with 95% of the respondents from the United States.

Measurements

A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test a five‐factor measurement model of the 22‐item CHANT. Reliability was examined via Cronbach's α coefficient.

Results

The five CHANT subscales demonstrated acceptable reliability with Cronbach's α ranging from 0.67 to 0.91. The five‐factor model of CHANT demonstrated good fit, x2(199) = 582.747, p < .001, CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.06, and SRMR = 0.04 with statistically significant item‐factor loadings.

Conclusion

CHANT is a reliable and robust instrument to measure nurses’ awareness, concern, motivation, and home and work behaviors regarding climate change and health, and is ready to be utilized in research, policy, professional settings, and among educators.
Effectiveness of self‐financing patient‐led support groups in the management of hypertension and diabetes in low‐ and middle‐income countries: Systematic review
Authors: Sanya Richard E. , Johnston Erin Stewart , Kibe Peter , Werfalli Mahmoud , Mahone Sloan , Levitt Naomi S. , Klipstein‐Grobusch Kerstin , Asiki Gershim
Published: December 2022

Objective

There is insufficient evidence on the role of self‐financing patient support groups in the control of blood pressure (BP) and/or diabetes in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). We conducted a systematic review to investigate the effectiveness of these groups in BP and glycaemic control.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Global Health, African Journals Online, CINAHL and African Index Medicus for published peer‐reviewed articles from inception up to November 2021. Grey literature was obtained from OpenGrey. Studies on patient support groups for hypertension and/or diabetes with a component of pooling financial resources, conducted in LMICs, were included. Narrative reviews, commentaries, editorials and articles published in languages other than English and French were excluded. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the National Institutes of Health Quality assessment tool and the revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool. Results are reported according to PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Of 724 records screened, three studies met the criteria: two trials conducted in Kenya and a retrospective cohort study conducted in Cambodia. All studies reported improvement in BP control after 12 months follow‐up with reductions in systolic BP of 23, 14.8, and 16.9 mmHg, respectively. Two studies reported diabetes parameters. The first reported improvement in HbA1c (reduction from baseline 10.8%, to 10.6% at 6 months) and random blood sugar (baseline 8.9 mmol/L, to 8.5 mmol/L at 6 months) but these changes did not achieve statistical significance. The second reported a reduction in fasting blood glucose (baseline—216 mg/dl, 12 months—159 mg/dl) in diabetic patients on medication.

Conclusion

Self‐financing patient support groups for diabetes and hypertension are potentially effective in the control of BP and diabetes in LMICs. More studies are needed to add to the scarce evidence base on the role of self‐financing patient support groups.
Reconsidering sickle cell trait testing of red blood cell units allocated to children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Hajjaj Omar I. , Cserti‐Gazdewich Christine , Dumevska Letka , Hanna Mirette , Lau Wendy , Lieberman Lani ,   the Canadian Obstetrical Pediatric Transfusion Network
Published: December 2022

Background

Sickle cell trait (SCT) testing of red blood cell (RBC) units is sometimes performed to identify and divert units containing hemoglobin S (HbS). Recipients strategically guarded against this exposure include fetuses, neonates, and children with sickle cell disease (SCD). The clinical necessity of this practice is unclear.

Study Design and Methods

A one‐year audit (2018) was performed at a pediatric tertiary care hospital that tests for SCT in RBC units prescribed to children with SCD and neonates. The impact of incorporating varying numbers of SCT RBC units in a single‐unit top‐up, partial‐manual red cell exchange, and automated erythrocytapheresis was modeled in four typical‐parameter age scenarios (2, 5, 10, and 18 years) sharing a high baseline HbS. Additionally, a survey assessing SCT testing practices was administered to Canadian pediatric hospital transfusion laboratories serving hemoglobinopathy programs.

Results

Of 2268 donor RBC units tested, one was positive for SCT (0.04% [95% CI: 0.01%–0.24%]), at a cost of $19,384.56 CAD. The impact of SCT unit incorporation on lost HbS reduction was modest (Δ1%–3% [automated erythrocytapheresis] and Δ4%–15% [top‐up/partial manual exchange]). The survey (with all 13 sites responding) showed variable SCT testing practice; four (31%) do not test, four (31%) test for children with SCD, and six (46%) test for neonates.

Conclusion

RBC SCT testing may be more costly than beneficial or necessary in children with SCD. As of 2019, our transfusion service has ceased SCT testing for this population. Further research in the fetal/neonatal populations is needed to overturn this entrenched practice.
Ocular surface physiology and aqueous tear secretion in cats of diverse cephalic conformations
Authors: Oksa‐Minaļto Jelena , Maggs David J. , Akimova Jekaterina , Ilgaža Aija , Sebbag Lionel
Published: December 2022

Objective

To describe normative ocular surface and aqueous tear testing data for cats of various cephalic conformation.

Animals studied

Fifty‐three healthy adult cats (11 British Shorthair, 11 Burmese, 10 Devon Rex, 10 Scottish Fold, and 11 Sphynx).

Procedures

Blink rate, corneal tactile sensation (CTS), and Schirmer tear test with or without topical anesthesia (STT‐1, STT‐2) and with nasolacrimal stimulation (NL‐STT1, NL‐STT2) were assessed. Palpebral fissure length (PFL) and skull morphology were measured, and cephalic index (CI) and craniofacial ratio (CFR) calculated.

Results

Mean ± SD test results were as follows: blink rate (5.0 ± 2.3 blinks/min), CTS (3.2 ± 0.7 cm), STT‐1 (11.2 ± 4.3 mm/min), STT‐2 (6.7 ± 3.6 mm/min), NL‐STT1 (13.4 ± 5.7 mm/min), NL‐STT2 (13.5 ± 5.2 mm/min), and PFL (2.0 ± 0.2 cm). Corneal sensitivity did not differ significantly among breeds (p = .152) but was negatively correlated with body weight (r = −.32, p = .019). STT‐1 significantly differed among breeds (p < .001) and was lowest in Sphynx cats (8.7 ± 4.3 mm/min). A positive correlation was detected between STT‐1 values at 30 and 60 s (r = .98; p < .001). The nasolacrimal reflex significantly increased STT in anesthetized and unanesthetized eyes (approximately +100% and +20%, respectively; p ≤ .002). STT‐1 tended to be higher in intact versus neutered cats (p = .062). Age did not impact any test result (p ≥ .085).

Conclusions

Normative data described here serve as a baseline for future studies assessing ocular surface disease in multiple feline breeds. Unlike dogs, brachycephalic cats did not have lower CTS or STT‐1 than non‐brachycephalic cats.
Human performance augmentation: the importance of integrative physiological quantification
Authors: Ryan Benjamin J. , Charkoudian Nisha , Joyner Michael J.
Published: December 2022

In recent years, there has been an explosion of new approaches (technological, methodological, pharmacological, etc.) designed to improve physical performance for athletes, the military and in other applications. The goal of the present discussion is to review and quantify several ways in which physiology can provide important insights about which tools may lead to improved performance (and may therefore be worth resource investment) and which tools are less likely to provide meaningful enhancement. To address these objectives, we review examples of technological solutions/approaches in terms of the magnitude of their potential (or actual) influences: transformational, moderate, ineffective or undetermined. As one example, if there were a technology which significantly increased arterial oxygen partial pressure by 10%, this would be relatively meaningless in healthy people resting at sea level, where it would have a minimal effect on arterial oxygen content. However, there might be specific situations where such an effect would be very helpful, including at high altitude or in some patient populations. We discuss the importance of quantitative evaluation of putative approaches to performance enhancement and highlight the important role of integrative physiologists in the development and critical appraisal of these approaches.

image
Computer simulation of vocal tract resonance tuning strategies with respect to fundamental frequency and voice source spectral slope in singing
Authors: Herbst Christian T. , Story Brad H.
Published: December 2022

A well-known concept of singing voice pedagogy is “formant tuning,” where the lowest two vocal tract resonances (fR1, fR2) are systematically tuned to harmonics of the laryngeal voice source to maximize the level of radiated sound. A comprehensive evaluation of this resonance tuning concept is still needed. Here, the effect of fR1, fR2 variation was systematically evaluated in silico across the entire fundamental frequency range of classical singing for three voice source characteristics with spectral slopes of –6, –12, and –18 dB/octave. Respective vocal tract transfer functions were generated with a previously introduced low-dimensional computational model, and resultant radiated sound levels were expressed in dB(A). Two distinct strategies for optimized sound output emerged for low vs high voices. At low pitches, spectral slope was the predominant factor for sound level increase, and resonance tuning only had a marginal effect. In contrast, resonance tuning strategies became more prevalent and voice source strength played an increasingly marginal role as fundamental frequency increased to the upper limits of the soprano range. This suggests that different voice classes (e.g., low male vs high female) likely have fundamentally different strategies for optimizing sound output, which has fundamental implications for pedagogical practice.
Synthetic cytokine circuits that drive T cells into immune-excluded tumors
Authors: Allen Greg M. , Frankel Nicholas W. , Reddy Nishith R. , Bhargava Hersh K. , Yoshida Maia A. , Stark Sierra R. , Purl Megan , Lee Jungmin , Yee Jacqueline L. , Yu Wei , Li Aileen W. , Garcia K. Christopher , El-Samad Hana , Roybal Kole T. , Spitzer Matthew H. , Lim Wendell A.
Published: December 2022

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are ineffective against solid tumors with immunosuppressive microenvironments. To overcome suppression, we engineered circuits in which tumor-specific synNotch receptors locally induce production of the cytokine IL-2. These circuits potently enhance CAR T cell infiltration and clearance of immune-excluded tumors, without systemic toxicity. The most effective IL-2 induction circuit acts in an autocrine and T cell receptor (TCR)- or CAR-independent manner, bypassing suppression mechanisms including consumption of IL-2 or inhibition of TCR signaling. These engineered cells establish a foothold in the target tumors, with synthetic Notch–induced IL-2 production enabling initiation of CAR-mediated T cell expansion and cell killing. Thus, it is possible to reconstitute synthetic T cell circuits that activate the outputs ultimately required for an antitumor response, but in a manner that evades key points of tumor suppression.
Exercise-crazy mice have their gut microbes to thank
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: December 2022

Signal from bacteria may have same effect in people
Heat Shock Protein Family A Member 1 Promotes Intracellular Amplification of Hepatitis B Virus Covalently Closed Circular DNA
Authors: Tang Liudi , An Ping , Zhao Qiong , Winkler Cheryl A. , Chang Jinhong , Guo Ju-Tao
Published: December 2022

Elimination or functional inactivation of cccDNA minichromosomes in HBV-infected hepatocytes is essential for the cure of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, lack of knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of cccDNA metabolism and regulation hampers the development of antiviral drugs to achieve this therapeutic goal.
Multicenter Evaluation of the FilmArray Blood Culture Identification 2 Panel for Pathogen Detection in Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Caméléna François , Péan de Ponfilly Gauthier , Pailhoriès Hélène , Bonzon Lucas , Alanio Alexandre , Poncin Thibaut , Lafaurie Matthieu , Dépret François , Cambau Emmanuel , Godreuil Sylvain , Chenouard Rachel , Le Monnier Alban , Jacquier Hervé , Berçot Béatrice
Published: December 2022

Rapid molecular diagnosis combining the identification of pathogens and the detection of antibiotic resistance genes from positive blood cultures (BC) can improve the outcome for patients with bloodstream infections. The FilmArray BCID2 panel, an updated version of the original BCID, can detect 11 Gram-positive bacteria, 15 Gram-negative bacteria, 7 fungal pathogens, and 10 antimicrobial resistance genes directly from a positive BC.
Distribution and Transmission of Colistin Resistance Genes
mcr-1
and
mcr-3
among Nontyphoidal Salmonella Isolates in China from 2011 to 2020
Authors: Yang Tingting , Li Weiwei , Cui Qingpo , Qin Xiaoxia , Li Bosheng , Li Xiugui , Jia Huayun , Yang Xiaorong , Liu Chengwei , Wang Yang , Wang Shaolin , Shen Jianzhong , Guo Yunchang , Shen Zhangqi
Published: December 2022

Nontyphoidal
Salmonella
is one of four major causative agents of diarrheal diseases globally, with most cases of salmonellosis being mild. Antimicrobial treatments are required for cases of life-threatening infections, and colistin is one of the last-line antibiotics for the treatment of multidrug-resistant
Salmonella
infections.
Toward stronger coupling between technical infrastructures and institutional processes in data-intensive science
Authors: Mayernik* Matthew S.
Published: December 2022

The techniques and approaches within geoinformatics and data science rely on the effective coupling of supporting infrastructures and institutions. Without underlying infrastructures for data discovery, analysis, management, distribution, and preservation, new computational techniques wither on the vine for lack of input or remain isolated as niche tools that miss broader potential audiences. Likewise, without supporting institutions that enable governance of policies and finances, coordination of stakeholders, and validation of new knowledge and tools, technological advances become detached from the people and organizations that operate and use them. This paper centers on a case study of work within the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) to develop effective systems and processes for research data curation, access, discovery, and preservation. By emphasizing iterative alignment of institutional work (policies, intermediaries, governance processes, routines, and financial instruments) and infrastructural work (data storage systems, repositories, tools, and interfaces), balanced progress has been made toward developing solutions to gaps in organizational data services.
Geodynamic controls in the southernmost Northern Andes magmatic arc: Trace elements and Hf-O isotopic systematics in forearc detrital zircon
Authors: Witt César , Poujol Marc , Chiaradia Massimo , Villagomez Diego , Seyler Monique , Averbuch Olivier , Bouden Nordine
Published: December 2022

U-Pb dating of single detrital zircon grains by laser ablation−inductively coupled plasma−mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) paired with Hf and O isotopic and trace-element analyses provide first-order indicators of the Late Cretaceous−Cenozoic evolution of the southern Ecuadorian magmatic arc. Detrital zircon U-Pb ages define significant clusters that are tentatively interpreted as intense arc magmatism at ca. 72 Ma, ca. 60 Ma, and ca. 43 Ma. A major accretionary event in the Late Cretaceous (75−65 Ma) is marked by a broad range of zircon isotopic values (εHf[t] > 20 and δ18O > 8‰) that suggest melting of both the lower and upper crust (most likely of continental affinity) as well as enriched mantle components. Highly fractionated signatures in trace-element patterns and Eu/Eu* combined with mantle-like δ18O and juvenile εHf values characterize zircons from 60 to 45 Ma, suggesting that the Late Cretaceous−middle Eocene arc originated from an enriched mantle and likely reflects the persistence of overthickened crust previously attributed to the main Late Cretaceous accretionary period. Subsequently, negative shifts in εHf(t) isotopic composition from 45 to 30 Ma are paired with mantle-like δ18O values as well as decreases in U/Yb and Eu/Eu*. These signatures could be attributed to magma emplacement in a thinner crust and the existence of a broad extensional magmatic arc extending from the current forearc toward areas near the craton; however, other scenarios cannot be excluded. This event was characterized by enriched mantle melt sources with residence times pointing to known crustal events (Sunsás) in the Amazonian craton. From 30 to 10 Ma, the isotopic record slightly evolved toward a depleted mantle signature with a substantial increase in fractionation. Our results combined with previously published isotopic records from detrital zircon grains found in modern rivers suggest that, for at least the last 30 m.y., the southernmost Northern Andes magmatic arc has been segmented, with the emplacement of juvenile magmas to the north and more enriched magmas related to the recycling of ancient continental crust and/or subducted sediments to the south—aspects found in other Northern Andes settings in which the continental arc was constructed in both oceanic and continental crust.
Parent-reported factors associated with the emergency department presentation of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and/or intellectual disability with behaviours of concern: a qualitative study
Authors: Pillai Jasmine , Dunn Karen , Efron Daryl
Published: December 2022

Objective

We aimed to examine the parent-reported factors contributing to the emergency department (ED) presentation of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (autism) and/or intellectual disability (ID) with behaviours of concern (BOC).

Design

Qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Data were analysed phenomenologically using inductive thematic analysis.

Setting

The ED of the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, a tertiary paediatric hospital.

Participants

14 parents and/or carers of children and adolescents with autism and/or ID who presented to ED for management of BOC.

Results

Three themes emerged from the data: (1) Parents and carers had difficulties navigating the healthcare system and accessing appropriate community supports prior to their child’s ED presentation; (2) Families presented to ED due to an inability to manage risk and/or contain their child’s behaviour, compounded by carer burn-out; (3) Presentation to ED was considered a last resort option for many families. The ED was generally unable to assist families in the ongoing management of their child’s BOC, leading to a potential need to re-present in future.

Conclusions

This study highlights the need for families of children with autism and ID and associated BOC to have improved access to appropriately skilled community health professionals, allowing their BOC to be addressed as they emerge rather than at crisis point. The findings additionally highlight the need for changes to the delivery of acute care in the management of BOC, to minimise patient distress and maximise safe and satisfactory patient outcomes.
Access to medicines for children in China
Authors: Chen Zhe , Li Siyu , Choonara Imti , Zou Kun , Zeng Linan , Huang Liang , Jia Zhi-Jun , Cheng Guo , Jiang Yongmu , Tang Yong , Zhao Shaoyang , Zhang Lingli
Published: December 2022

Access to essential medicines for children is a big challenge, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries. In China, the average availability of essential medicines for children is 1.6%–46.5%. The availability of generics was generally higher than original brands in public hospitals and the prices of generics were relatively lower and more reasonable (generics: availability, 27.3%–46.5%, prices, 0.52–4.28 times the international reference prices; original brands: 1.6%–33.0%, 2.59–11.38 times the international reference prices). In terms of affordability of medicines for children, generics were more affordable than original brands and tablets/capsules were more affordable than injections. Most commonly used anti-infective medicines (such as amoxicillin capsule, azithromycin tablet, cefuroxime tablet) and antipyretics (such as ibuprofen suspension) were relatively affordable. Six commonly used medicines in paediatrics, including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, beclomethasone, cefazolin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cyclosporine were unaffordable. Since August 2011, China has successively issued several policies to ensure the accessibility of medicines for children, covering research and development, production, procurement and prices of medicines. The accessibility of medicines for children has been partially improved, but still needs continuous improvement.
Cardiovascular disease risk in paediatric and young adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Simon Tracey G , Roelstraete Bjorn , Alkhouri Naim , Hagström Hannes , Sundström Johan , Ludvigsson Jonas F
Published: December 2022

Objective

Longitudinal evidence is lacking regarding the long-term risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in children and young adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Design

This nationwide cohort study included all Swedish children and young adults ≤25 years old with histologically confirmed NAFLD and without underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) at baseline (1966–2016; n=699). NAFLD was defined from prospectively recorded histopathology, and further categorised as simple steatosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD patients were matched to ≤5 population controls without NAFLD or CVD (n=3353). Using Cox proportional hazards modelling, we calculated multivariable-adjusted HRs (aHRs) and 95% CIs for incident MACE (ie, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure or cardiovascular mortality). In secondary analyses, we also explored rates of incident cardiac arrhythmias.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 16.6 years, incident MACE was confirmed in 33 NAFLD patients and 52 controls. NAFLD patients had significantly higher rates of MACE than controls (3.1 vs 0.9/1000 person-years (PY); difference=2.1/1000 PY; aHR=2.33, 95% CI=1.43 to 3.78), including higher rates of ischaemic heart disease (difference=1.4/1000 PY; aHR=3.07, 95% CI 1.62 to 5.83) and congestive heart failure (difference=0.5/1000 PY; aHR=3.89, 95% CI=1.20 to 12.64). Rates of incident MACE outcomes appeared to be further augmented with NASH (aHR=5.27, 95% CI=1.96 to 14.19). In secondary analyses, NAFLD patients also had significantly higher rates of cardiac arrythmias (aHR=3.16, 95% CI=1.49 to 6.68).

Conclusion

Compared with matched population controls, children and young adults with biopsy-proven NAFLD had significantly higher rates of incident MACE, including ischaemic heart disease and congestive heart failure. Research to better characterise cardiovascular risk in children and young adults with NAFLD should be prioritised.
Efficacy of implantable haemodynamic monitoring in heart failure across ranges of ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Curtain James P , Lee Matthew M Y , McMurray John JV , Gardner Roy S , Petrie Mark C , Jhund Pardeep S
Published: December 2022

Aims

We conducted a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of implantable haemodynamic monitoring (IHM)-guided care.

Methods

PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE were searched for RCTs of IHM in patients with heart failure (HF). Outcomes were examined in total (first and recurrent) event analyses.

Results

Five trials comparing IHM-guided care with standard care alone were identified and included 2710 patients across ejection fraction (EF) ranges. Data were available for 628 patients (23.2%) with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (EF ≥50%) and 2023 patients (74.6%) with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (EF <50%). Chronicle, CardioMEMS and HeartPOD IHMs were used. In all patients, regardless of EF, IHM-guided care reduced total HF hospitalisations (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.82) and total worsening HF events (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.84). In patients with HFrEF, IHM-guided care reduced total worsening HF events (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.86). The effect of IHM-guided care on total worsening HF events in patients with HFpEF was uncertain (fixed-effect model: HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.88; random-effects model: HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.14). IHM-guided care did not reduce mortality (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.20). IHM-guided care reduced all-cause mortality and total worsening HF events (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.88).

Conclusions

In patients with HF across all EFs, IHM-guided care reduced total HF hospitalisations and worsening HF events. This benefit was consistent in patients with HFrEF but not consistent in HFpEF. Further trials with pre-specified analyses of patients with an EF of ≥50% are required.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021253905.
Characterisation of T cell receptor repertoires in coeliac disease
Authors: Lee Lik Wee , Shafiani Shahin , Crossley Beryl , Emerson Ryan O , Williamson David , Bunin Anna , Vargas Justin , Han Arnold S , Kaplan Ian M , Green Peter H R , Kirsch Ilan , Bhagat Govind
Published: December 2022

Aims

Characterise T-cell receptor gene (TR) repertoires of small intestinal T cells of patients with newly diagnosed (active) coeliac disease (ACD), refractory CD type I (RCD I) and patients with CD on a gluten-free diet (GFD).

Methods

Next-generation sequencing of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) of rearranged T cell receptor β (TRB) and γ (TRG) genes was performed using DNA extracted from intraepithelial cell (IEC) and lamina propria cell (LPC) fractions and a small subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples obtained from CD and non-CD (control) patients. Several parameters were assessed, including relative abundance and enrichment.

Results

TRB and TRG repertoires of CD IEC and LPC samples demonstrated lower clonality but higher frequency of rearranged TRs compared with controls. No CD-related differences were detected in the limited number of PBMC samples. Previously published LP gliadin-specific TRB sequences were more frequently detected in LPC samples from patients with CD compared with non-CD controls. TRG repertoires of IECs from both ACD and GFD patients demonstrated increased abundance of certain CDR3 amino acid (AA) motifs compared with controls, which were encoded by multiple nucleotide variants, including one motif that was enriched in duodenal IECs versus the PBMCs of CD patients.

Conclusions

Small intestinal TRB and TRG repertoires of patients with CD are more diverse than individuals without CD, likely due to mucosal recruitment and accumulation of T cells because of protracted inflammation. Enrichment of the unique TRG CDR3 AA sequence in the mucosa of patients with CD may suggest disease-associated changes in the TCRγδ IE lymphocyte (IEL) landscape.
Activated NK cells reprogram MDSCs via NKG2D-NKG2DL and IFN-γ to modulate antitumor T-cell response after cryo-thermal therapy
Authors: Peng Peng , Lou Yue , Wang Shicheng , Wang Junjun , Zhang Zelu , Du Peishan , Zheng Jiamin , Liu Ping , Xu Lisa X
Published: December 2022

Background

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can potently inhibit T-cell activity, promote growth and metastasis of tumor and contribute to resistance to immunotherapy. Targeting MDSCs to alleviate their protumor functions and immunosuppressive activities is intimately associated with cancer immunotherapy. Natural killer (NK) cells can engage in crosstalk with multiple myeloid cells to alter adaptive immune responses, triggering T-cell immunity. However, whether the NK-cell-MDSC interaction can modulate the T-cell immune response requires further study. Cryo-thermal therapy could induce the maturation of MDSCs by creating an acute inflammatory environment to elicit a CD4+Th1-dominant immune response, but the mechanism regulating this process remains unclear.

Methods

NK cells were depleted and NKG2D was blocked with monoclonal antibodies in vivo. MDSCs, NK cells and T cells were assessed by flow cytometry and isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS). MDSCs and NK cells were cocultured with T cells to determine their immunological function. The transcriptional profiles of MDSCs were measured by qRT-PCR and RNA-sequencing. Isolated NK cells and MDSCs by MACS were cocultured to study the viability and maturation of MDSCs regulated by NK cells. TIMER was used to comprehensively examine the immunological, clinical, and genomic features of tumors.

Results

NK-cell activation after cryo-thermal therapy decreased MDSC accumulation and reprogrammed immunosuppressive MDSCs toward a mature phenotype to promote T cell antitumor immunity. Furthermore, we discovered that NK cells could kill MDSCs via the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis and promote MDSC maturation by interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in response to NKG2D. In addition, CD4+Th1-dominant antitumor immune response was dependent on NKG2D, which promoted the major histocompatibility complex Ⅱ pathway of MDSCs. High activated NK-cell infiltration and NKG2D level in tumors were positively correlated with better clinical outcomes.

Conclusions

Cryo-thermal therapy induces effective CD4+Th1-dominant antitumor immunity by activating NK cells to reprogram MDSCs, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer immunotherapy.
An Evolutionary Attention-Based Network for Medical Image Classification
Authors: Zhu Hengde , Wang Jian , Wang Shui-Hua , Raman Rajeev , Górriz Juan M. , Zhang Yu-Dong
Published: December 2022

Deep learning has become a primary choice in medical image analysis due to its powerful representation capability. However, most existing deep learning models designed for medical image classification can only perform well on a specific disease. The performance drops dramatically when it comes to other diseases. Generalizability remains a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose an evolutionary attention-based network (EDCA-Net), which is an effective and robust network for medical image classification tasks. To extract task-related features from a given medical dataset, we first propose the densely connected attentional network (DCA-Net) where feature maps are automatically channel-wise weighted, and the dense connectivity pattern is introduced to improve the efficiency of information flow. To improve the model capability and generalizability, we introduce two types of evolution: intra- and inter-evolution. The intra-evolution optimizes the weights of DCA-Net, while the inter-evolution allows two instances of DCA-Net to exchange training experience during training. The evolutionary DCA-Net is referred to as EDCA-Net. The EDCA-Net is evaluated on four publicly accessible medical datasets of different diseases. Experiments showed that the EDCA-Net outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on three datasets and achieves comparable performance on the last dataset, demonstrating good generalizability for medical image classification.
Abundant and accurate computational wave structures of the nonlinear fractional biological population model
Authors: Khater Mostafa M. A.
Published: December 2022

In this paper, the generalized exponential (GExp) method has been employed to construct novel solitary wave solutions of the nonlinear fractional biological population (FBP) model. This model is used to demonstrate the relation of the population with deaths and births. Many novel traveling wave solutions have been formulated in distinct forms such as exponential, hyperbolic and trigonometric forms. These solutions have been explained in three different axes. The first axis is plotting them in their three optional (real, imaginary and absolute value), the second axis is handling these solutions for constructing the requested conditions for applying trigonometric quintic B-spline (TQBS) scheme. The second one determines the accuracy of the obtained analytical solutions by showing the error’s value between the analytical and numerical solutions. At the same time, the third one is comparing our analytical and numerical solutions, which have recently been published that explain the paper’s contribution and novelty.
An Improved PoinTr Point Cloud Completion Method Based on Feature Enhancement
Authors: Sun Haiyan , Lin Zaichao , Lu Qingtao , Jia Sichen , Cai Xingquan
Published: December 2022

To address the issue that point cloud data is often incomplete and difficult to obtain, we propose a point cloud completion method to improve the PoinTr method based on feature enhancement. In dataset preprocessing, the farthest point of the original point cloud is sampled to obtain the central point coordinates. Our method constructs an MLP network, where the local information of these central points is obtained and the location embedding is performed. Combining network and SENet network, the local features of the point cloud are extracted and enhanced, and the location embedding and local features are added to obtain the point proxies of the original point cloud. Afterward, our method predicts the missing part of the point cloud by using an Encoder to model the relationship between the point cloud structure information and points, and then using a Decoder to learn the relationship between the missing and existing parts of the point cloud and reconstruct the missing point cloud. Our method also modifies the attention mechanism to make the features more global and enhance the network expression. Finally, the point cloud is refined, and is realized by predicting multiple points around each point of the coarse point cloud through the FoldingNet network, and the final output is the complete point cloud. Experimental results show that the proposed method can not only reduce the performance overhead, but also improve the effects of point cloud completion.
A Size-Dependent Generalized Thermoelasticity Theory for Thermoelastic Damping in Vibrations of Nanobeam Resonators
Authors: Jalil Abduladheem Turki , Saleh Zuhra Muter , Imran Ahmed Falah , Yasin Yaser , Ruhaima Ali Abdul Kadhim , Gatea M. Abdulfadhil , Esmaeili Shahab
Published: December 2022

Thermoelastic damping (TED) has been discerned as a definite source of intrinsic energy loss in miniaturized mechanical elements. The size-dependent structural and thermal behavior of these small-sized structures has been proven through experimental observations. As a first attempt, this article exploits nonlocal strain gradient theory (NSGT) and nonlocal dual-phase-lag (NDPL) heat conduction model simultaneously to acquire a mathematical formulation and analytical solution for TED in nanobeams that can accommodate size effect into both structural and heat transfer fields. For this purpose, the coupled equations of motion and heat conduction are firstly extracted via NSGT and NDPL model. Next, by deriving the distribution of temperature from heat conduction equation and substituting it in the motion equation, the unconventional thermoelastic frequency equation is established. By deriving the real and imaginary parts of the frequency from this equation and employing the definition of quality factor, an explicit solution is given for approximating TED value. The veracity of the proposed model is checked by comparing it with the solutions reported in the literature for specific and simpler cases. A diverse set of numerical results is then presented to appraise the influence of some factors like structural and thermal nonlocal parameters, strain gradient length scale parameter, geometrical parameters, mode number and material on the amount of TED. According to the results, use of NDPL model yields a smaller value for TED than DPL model, but prediction of NSGT about the magnitude of TED, in addition to the relative amounts of its two scale parameters, strongly depend on other factors such as aspect ratio, vibration mode and material type.
Thermal Energy Harvesting in a Composite Beam Using Piezoelectric, One-Way and Two-Way Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Mohamadi R. , Ashrafi M. J.
Published: December 2022

Shape memory alloys (SMA) exhibit the shape memory effect (SME), allowing the alloy which is upon a cyclic thermal loading to return to its original shape after heating beyond the transformation temperature. Two-way SMAs deform during heating and cooling and are suitable for thermal energy harvesting applications. Also, piezoelectric materials (PM) can convert mechanical strain into electrical voltage or current. In this work, a thermal energy harvesting structure is introduced and analyzed. The structure is a composite cantilever beam, comprising two layers, i.e., one-way or two-way SMA and PM. The beam is subjected to different fluctuating temperature ranges, and then we obtain results about energy harvesting performance such as phase transformation strain and output voltage. After developing the nonlinear constitutive equations for one-way and two-way SMEs, the effect of pre-strain and two types of SMAs, i.e., one-way and two-way SMAs are compared with each other under a particular thermal loading. Moreover, the effect of the SMA thickness layer on the output voltage and power has been investigated. Regarding the results, we conclude that for larger pre-strains and maximum temperature of the cycle, greater piezoelectric power is induced. But for a small pre-strain (0.2%), no phase transformation and no output power are observed. Furthermore, it is concluded that in a thermal loading by using two-way SMAs, an electrical potential can be derived without any pre-strain, and increasing the thickness of SMA can rise output power remarkably.
Fuzzy Strong ϕ-b-Normed Linear Space for Fuzzy Bounded Linear Operators
Authors: Das Abhishikta , Bag T.
Published: December 2022

In this paper, concept of fuzzy continuous operator, fuzzy bounded linear operator are introduced in fuzzy strong [Formula: see text]-b-normed linear spaces and their relations are studied. Idea of operator fuzzy norm is developed and completeness of BF(X,Y) is established.
Youth Homelessness and Type-2 Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Mordeson John N. , Mathew Sunil , Gayathri G.
Published: December 2022

The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) encourage countries to solve many social problems. One of these problems is homelessness. We rank states in the United States with respect to youth homelessness and the achievement of these goals. We use fuzzy similarity measures to determine the degree of similarity between these rankings. Given a similarity measure between two categories, we introduce a method using type-2 fuzzy sets that determines a similarity of a subcategory of one category with the other category. In particular, given a similarity measure between youth homelessness and the SDGs, we determine a similarity measure between youth vulnerable to toxic stress and the SDGs and also youth vulnerable to human trafficking and the SDGs. We also use a relatively new similarity measure, an [Formula: see text]-dimensional similarity measure.
New Directions in Indian Political Economy: Reflections on Development, Welfare, and Governance
Authors: KIM CHANWAHN , KUMAR RAJIV
Published: December 2022

In this introductory paper of the Special Issue, we explore how India’s political economy is moving in a new direction by focusing on three key political economy issues: development, welfare, and governance. India has undergone a substantial political transformation in recent years, especially since Bharatiya Janata Party led by Narendra Modi formed the first majoritarian government in three decades in 2014. In this paper, we first demonstrate that this political transformation has a significant impact on the Indian political economy, given that the country is witnessing the rise of a new developmentalism, a new welfarism, and the new modes of governance. After that, we summarize the collections of articles of the Special Issue and situate them in relation to our central theme, new directions in the Indian political economy. This paper, and this Special Issue more broadly, seeks to contribute to the existing literature by introducing new analytical frameworks to understand recent changes in the Indian political economy and providing new empirical evidence on this topic drawing on content analysis and field research.
Profound Learning Through Universal Design
Authors: Rogers-Shaw Carol , Kroth Michael , Carr-Chellman Davin , Choi Jinhee
Published: December 2022

Profound Learning (PL) can result from online interactions that support practices for deep, lifelong learning. Distance educators can initiate, facilitate, and maintain PL by encouraging thoughtful rather than superficial learning using Universal Design for Learning (UDL). The inclusive nature of UDL provides multiple mechanisms to find that deeper meaning. In this article, concepts and practices drawn from Profound Learning Theory are integrated into UDL guidelines and connected to distance learning to support the development of deep, meaningful, and robust online learning.
ISort: SSD Internal Sorting Algorithm for Big Data
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Wenhan , Ge Xuran , Chen Zhiguang , Ou Yang , Xiao Nong
Published: December 2022

As a basic algorithm for big data processing, external sorting suffers from massive read and write operations in the external memory. Recent works separate part of the data processing work from the host side to the solid state drive (SSD) to reduce data transmission. However, the internal memory of the SSD is limited, and undesirable data retention could occur during the merge phase. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of memory, we propose an algorithm named ISort. Specifically, we build an index table between the memory and the address. The index table determines the order of pages being read in the merge phase according to their minimum values, which are read into memory sequentially to reduce the data residing in memory and improve memory efficiency. Since the merge phase is performed inside the SSD, ISort can take advantage of the high IO bandwidth within the SSD to speed up the execution of the merge phase. We search for the optimal ratio of read and write channels by comparing the “specialized channel” and the “hybrid channel” for data of read and write performance because the utilization of the channel will directly influence performance. Experimental results show that ISort can maintain better data processing speed when SSD memory is limited, outperforming other robust algorithms. In addition, the algorithm’s performance using the crossover strategy is better than that using the specialization strategy.
RDW-to-ALB Ratio Is an Independent Predictor for 30-Day All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Retrospective Analysis from the MIMIC-IV Database
Authors: Liu Ping , Luo Su , Duan Xiang-jie , Chen Xiang , Zhou Quan , Jiang Yan , Liu Xia
Published: December 2022

Purpose. Previous studies have shown that the peripheral red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and human serum albumin (ALB) were both predictors of the risk and mortality of cerebrovascular diseases, and the ratio of RDW to ALB (RAR) was a combined new index that can predict the prognosis of the cardiovascular and respiration systemic diseases, but its role in cerebrovascular diseases had not been effectively evaluated. This study is aimed at exploring whether RAR can effectively predict the 30-day all-cause mortality of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. Methods. This retrospective cohort study was conducted on AIS patients (

age
>
18

years) in the intensive care database MIMIC-IV. The RAR was measured based on the red blood cell distribution width and albumin. The main result was 30-day all-cause mortality, and the secondary results were ICU mortality and hospital mortality. Obtain the odds ratio (OR) estimate from the logistic regression model of log-transformed RAR values and mortality. We had used another database for external validation. Results. A total of 1412 patients were enrolled, with an average age of

68.8
±
15.9

, including 708 (50.1%) males. When log-transformed RAR values were used as a continuous variable, as the values increases, the risk of death increases (30-day all-cause mortality

OR
=
4.02

(2.21, 7.32)

P
<
0.0001

, ICU mortality

OR
=
3.81

(1.92, 7.54)

P
=
0.0001

, and hospital mortality

OR
=
3.31

(1.83, 6.00)

P
<
0.0001

), when the values were used as three-category variables and as a trend variable was also positively correlated with each mortality rate. Especially as the categorical variables, a dose-response relationship was clearly observed, that was, as the category of RAR increased (Q1 to Q3), the HR value of the risk of death gradually steadily increased. Such a relationship can also be observed in the external validation database. In the subgroup analysis, we observed an increased risk of death in the patient with hyperlipidemia and low HAS-BLED scores; however, no significant interaction was found in other subgroup analyses (including the diagnostic sequence of AIS). Conclusion. RAR was a predictor of mortality in AIS patients. However, more in-depth research is needed to further analyze and confirm the role of RAR in AIS patients.
Hepatopancreas-Intestinal Health in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) Fed with Hydrolyzable Tannin or Rapeseed Meal
Authors: Yao Jingting , Hang Ying , Hua Xueming , Li Ningyu , Li Xiang
Published: December 2022

This study evaluated the effect of dietary rapeseed meal (RM) and hydrolyzable tannin on grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and determined the possible role of tannin on health when RM was added to the diet. Eight diets were formulated. Four were semipurified-diets with 0, 0.75, 1.25, and 1.75% hydrolyzable tannin (T0, T1, T2, and T3), and the other four were practical diets containing 0, 30, 50, and 70% RM (R0, R30, R50, and R70), which had similar tannin contents as semipurified-diets. After the 56 d feeding trial, the antioxidative enzymes and relative biochemical indexes showed a similar tendency in practical and semipurified groups. In hepatopancreas, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities increased with RM and tannin levels, respectively, while glutathione (GSH) content and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity increased. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased and decreased in T3 and R70, respectively. In the intestine, MDA content and SOD activity increased with RM and tannin levels, while GSH content and GPx activity decreased. The expression levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) were upregulated with RM and tannin levels, and the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) expression was upregulated in T3, whereas it was downregulated in R50. This study demonstrated that 50% of RM and 0.75% of tannin induced oxidative stress, injured hepatic antioxidant ability, and resulted in intestinal inflammation in grass carp. Therefore, the tannin in rapeseed meal cannot be neglected in aquatic feeding.