bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between visual memory and spatial intelligence with students’ academic achievement in anatomy
Authors: Aspanani Amin , Sadeqhi Hosein , Omid Athar
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Academic achievement is influenced by various factors. Spatial intelligence and visual memory are among the factors that seem to be related to learning anatomy. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between visual memory and spatial intelligence with students’ academic achievement in anatomy.

Methods

The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional study. All medical and dental students who had chosen anatomy courses (Semester 3 medicine and 2 dentistry) were the target population (n=240). The study tools were Jean-Louis Sellier 's visual memory test to determine visual memory and ten questions from Gardner Spatial Intelligence Questionnaire were employed to assess spatial intelligence. The tests were performed at the beginning of the semester and its relationship with the academic achievement scores of the anatomy course was examined. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression.

Results

Data of 148 medical students and 85 dental students were analyzed. The mean score of visual memory in medical students (17.1±5.3) was significantly higher than dental students (14.3±4.6) (P-value <0.001). But the mean score of spatial intelligence (31.5±5.9) was not significantly different between medical and dental students (31.9±4.9) (P-value=0.56). Pearson correlation coefficient showed that in medical students there was a direct relationship between visual memory score and spatial intelligence score with scores of anatomy courses (P-value<0.05). Moreover, in dental students, there was a direct relationship between the score of anatomical sciences with the score of visual memory (P-value=0.01) and the score of spatial intelligence (P-value=0.003).

Conclusion

The results of this study showed that there is a significant relationship between spatial intelligence and visual memory with learning anatomy and planning to enhance these characteristics can be fruitful in students. It is suggested that Visual memory and spatial intelligence should be considered for student admission, especially in the fields of medicine and dentistry.
Mental health and substance use screening in HIV primary care before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lea Alexandra N. , Levine Tory M. , Davy-Mendez Thibaut , Leibowitz Amy , Altschuler Andrea , Flamm Jason , Hare C. Bradley , N. Luu Mitchell , Silverberg Michael J. , Satre Derek D.
Published: May 2023

Background

Mental health and substance use disorders disproportionately affect people with HIV (PWH), and may have been exacerbated during COVID-19. The Promoting Access to Care Engagement (PACE) trial was designed to assess the effectiveness of electronic screening for mental health and substance use in HIV primary care and enrolled PWH from October 2018 to July 2020. Our objective here was to compare screening rates and results for PWH before (October 2018 – February 2020) and early in the COVID-19 pandemic (March-July 2020).

Methods

Adult (≥ 18 years) PWH from 3 large HIV primary care clinics in a US-based integrated healthcare system were offered electronic screening online or via in-clinic tablet computer every 6 months. Screening completion and results (for depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and substance use) were analyzed using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) before and after the start of the regional COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders on March 17, 2020. Models adjusted for demographics (age, sex, race/ethnicity), HIV risk factors (men who have sex with men, injection drug use, heterosexual, other), medical center, and modality of screening completion (online or tablet). We conducted qualitative interviews with providers participating in the intervention to evaluate how the pandemic impacted patient care.

Results

Of 8,954 eligible visits, 3,904 completed screenings (420 during COVID, 3,484 pre-COVID), with lower overall completion rates during COVID (38% vs. 44%). Patients completing screening during COVID were more likely to be White (63% vs. 55%), male (94% vs. 90%), and MSM (80% vs., 75%). Adjusted PRs comparing COVID and pre-COVID (reference) were 0.70 (95% CI), 0.92 (95% CI), and 0.54 (95% CI) for tobacco use, any substance use, and suicidal ideation, respectively. No significant differences were found by era for depression, anxiety, alcohol, or cannabis use. These results were in contrast to provider-reported impressions of increases in substance use and mental health symptoms.

Conclusion

Findings suggest PWH had modest declines in screening rates early in the COVID-19 pandemic which may have been affected by the shift to telemedicine. There was no evidence that mental health problems and substance use increased for PWH in primary care.

Trial registration

NCT03217058 (First registration date: 7/13/2017);https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03217058
Implications of Peptidyl Arginine Deiminase 4 gene transcription and polymorphisms in susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in an Iranian population
Authors: Bagheri-Hosseinabadi Zahra , Mirzaei Mohammad Reza , Esmaeili Ozrasadat , Asadi Fatemeh , Ahmadinia Hassan , Shamsoddini Banafshe , Abbasifard Mitra
Published: May 2023

Background

Peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) has been implicated in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis. Here we aimed to evaluate the association of PADI4 gene rs11203367 and rs1748033 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with RA proneness.

Methods

The mRNA expression of PADI4 was determined in the whole blood samples. The genotyping of PADI4 polymorphisms was conducted using allelic discrimination TaqMan genotyping Real-time PCR.

Results

The alleles and genotypes of rs11203367 polymorphism were not associated with susceptibility to RA risk. The T allele (OR = 1.58, 95%CI: 1.21–2.04, P = 0.0005), TT genotype (OR = 2.79, 95%CI: 1.53–5.06, P = 0.0007), TC genotype (OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.04–2.23, P = 0.0291), dominant (OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.19–2.47, P = 0.0034) and recessive (OR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.25–3.82, P = 0.0057) models of rs1748033 SNP were associated with higher risk of RA. There was a significant upregulation of PADI4 mRNA in the RA patients compared to controls. mRNA expression of PADI4 had significantly positive correlation with anti-CCP level (r = 0.37, P = 0.041), RF level (r = 0.39, P = 0.037), and CRP level (r = 0.39, P = 0.024).

Conclusion

PADI4 gene rs1748033 SNP was associated with increased RA risk. This polymorphism might affect the RA pathogenesis regardless of impressing the levels of PADI-4 in serum.
Association between macrocalcification and papillary thyroid carcinoma and corresponding valuable diagnostic tool: retrospective study
Authors: Ye Mengyao , Wu Shan , Zhou Qi , Wang Fang , Chen Xiaojun , Gong Xiaohua , Wu Wenjun
Published: May 2023

Background

Microcalcifications are suggested to be an indicator of thyroid malignancy, especially for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), nonetheless, the association between macrocalcification and PTC is underexplored. Furthermore, screening methods like ultrasonography and ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) are limited in evaluating macro-calcified thyroid nodules. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between macrocalcification and PTC. We also explored the diagnostic efficiency of US-FNAB and proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf V600E (BRAF V600E) mutation in macro-calcified thyroid nodules evaluation.

Methods

A retrospective research of 2645 thyroid nodules from 2078 participants was performed and divided into three groups as non-, micro-, and macro-calcified for further PTC incidence comparison. Besides, a total of 100 macro-calcified thyroid nodules with both results of US-FNAB and BRAF V600E mutation were screened out for subsequent evaluation of diagnostic efficiency.

Results

Compared to non-calcification, macrocalcification showed a significantly higher incidence of PTC (31.5% vs. 23.2%, P<0.05). Additionally, when compared with a single US-FNAB, the combination of US-FNAB and BRAF V600E mutation showed better diagnostic efficiency in diagnosing macro-calcified thyroid nodule (area under the curve (AUC) 0.94 vs. 0.84, P=0.03), with a significantly higher sensitivity (100.0% vs. 67.2%, P<0.01) and a comparable standard of specificity (88.9% vs. 100.0%, P=0.13).

Conclusions

Occurrence of macrocalcification in thyroid nodules may suggest a high risk of PTC, and the combination of US-FNAB and BRAF V600E showed a greater value in identifying macro-calcified thyroid nodules, especially with significantly higher sensitivity.

Trial registration

The Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University (2018-026).
A framework for seroepidemiologic investigations in future pandemics: insights from an evaluation of WHO’s Unity Studies initiative
Authors: Hennessey Karen , Pezzoli Lorenzo , Mantel Carsten
Published: May 2023

Background

The WHO Unity Studies initiative supports countries, especially low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), in conducting seroepidemiologic studies for rapidly informing responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten generic study protocols were developed which standardized epidemiologic and laboratory methods. WHO provided technical support, serological assays and funding for study implementation. An external evaluation was conducted to assess (1) the usefulness of study findings in guiding response strategies, (2) management and support to conduct studies and (3) capacity built from engagement with the initiative.

Methods

The evaluation focused on the three most frequently used protocols, namely first few cases, household transmission and population-based serosurvey, 66% of 339 studies tracked by WHO. All 158 principal investigators (PIs) with contact information were invited to complete an online survey. A total of 19 PIs (randomly selected within WHO regions), 14 WHO Unity focal points at the country, regional and global levels, 12 WHO global-level stakeholders and eight external partners were invited to be interviewed. Interviews were coded in MAXQDA™, synthesized into findings and cross-verified by a second reviewer.

Results

Among 69 (44%) survey respondents, 61 (88%) were from LMICs. Ninety-five percent gave positive feedback on technical support, 87% reported that findings contributed to COVID-19 understanding, 65% to guiding public health and social measures, and 58% to guiding vaccination policy. Survey and interview group responses showed that the main technical barriers to using study findings were study quality, variations in study methods (challenge for meta-analysis), completeness of reporting study details and clarity of communicating findings. Untimely study findings were another barrier, caused by delays in ethical clearance, receipt of serological assays and approval to share findings. There was strong agreement that the initiative created equitable research opportunities, connected expertise and facilitated study implementation. Around 90% of respondents agreed the initiative should continue in the future.

Conclusions

The Unity Studies initiative created a highly valued community of practice, contributed to study implementation and research equity, and serves as a valuable framework for future pandemics. To strengthen this platform, WHO should establish emergency-mode procedures to facilitate timeliness and continue to build capacity to rapidly conduct high-quality studies and communicate findings in a format friendly to decision-makers.
SDMA attenuates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through inhibition of STAT4
Authors: Wang Yanzhe , Wu Ming , Chen Dongping , Tan Bo , Lin Pinglan , Huang Di , Ye Chaoyang
Published: May 2023

Background

Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis is the hallmark of various chronic kidney diseases. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is an independent cardiovascular risk factor in patients with chronic kidney diseases, which is mostly excreted through renal tubules. However, the effect of SDMA on kidneys in a pathological condition is currently unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of SDMA in renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and explored its underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Mouse unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and unilateral ischemia–reperfusion injury (UIRI) models were established to study renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. SDMA was injected into kidneys through ureter retrogradely. TGF-β stimulated human renal epithelial (HK2) cells were used as an in vitro model and treated with SDMA. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-4 (STAT4) was inhibited by berbamine dihydrochloride or siRNA or overexpressed by plasmids in vitro. Masson staining and Western blotting were performed to evaluate renal fibrosis. Quantitative PCR was performed to validate findings derived from RNA sequencing analysis.

Results

We observed that SDMA (from 0.01 to 10 µM) dose-dependently inhibited the expression of pro-fibrotic markers in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells. Intrarenal administration of SDMA (2.5 µmol/kg or 25 µmol/kg) dose-dependently attenuated renal fibrosis in UUO kidneys. A significant increase in SDMA concentration (from 19.5 to 117.7 nmol/g, p < 0.001) in mouse kidneys was observed after renal injection which was assessed by LC–MS/MS. We further showed that intrarenal administration of SDMA attenuated renal fibrosis in UIRI induced mouse fibrotic kidneys. Through RNA sequencing analysis, we found that the expression of STAT4 was reduced by SDMA in UUO kidneys, which was further confirmed by quantitative PCR and Western blotting analysis in mouse fibrotic kidneys and renal cells. Inhibition of STAT4 by berbamine dihydrochloride (0.3 mg/ml or 3.3 mg/ml) or siRNA reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic markers in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells. Furthermore, blockage of STAT4 attenuated the anti-fibrotic effect of SDMA in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells. Conversely, overexpression of STAT4 reversed the anti-fibrotic effect of SDMA in TGF-β stimulated HK2 cells.

Conclusion

Taken together, our study indicates that renal SDMA ameliorates renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through inhibition of STAT4.
An early microvascular training program of dental intern students and junior residents: a comparative prospective study
Authors: Elayah Sadam Ahmed , Liang Xiang , Sakran Karim Ahmed , Telha Wael , Al-Aroomi Maged Ali , Younis Hamza , Alqurmoti Sarah A. , Ghaleb Omar , Cui Hao , Wang Weiqi , Na Sijia
Published: May 2023

Background

Clinical instructional strategies and the climate in which teaching and learning take place have a significant impact on the quality of dental education. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the impact of early microsurgery training on the skills of dental intern students who are planning to join an oral and maxillofacial surgical field (DIS) as compared with junior residents within an oral and maxillofacial surgery department who had no microsurgery experience (JR).

Methods

A total of 100 trainees, 70 were DIS, while the other 30 were JR. The average age was 23.87 ± 2.05 years for DIS group and 31.05 ± 3.06 for JR group. All trainees attended a microsurgical course (theoretical and practical parts) for seven days within a Microvascular Laboratory for Research and Education of a university-affiliated tertiary hospital. Two blinded examiners had assessed the performance of trainees independently using a specific scoring system. The independent sample t-test was used to compare the effect of microsurgery training between DIS and JR groups. The significance level was set at 0.05.

Results

The DIS group had showed higher attendance rate than JR group (p < 0.01), with a lower absence score in DIS than JR groups (0.33 ± 0.58 vs. 2.47 ± 1.36). The total score of the theoretical test was significantly different between both groups (p < 0.01). In this context, the DIS group had revealed higher total score than JR group (15.06 ± 1.92 vs. 12.73 ± 2.49). In term of tissue preservation, there was a significant difference between both groups, with the DIS had better performance score than JR (1.49 ± 0.51 vs. 0.93 ± 0.59). Further, the practical exam score was significantly higher in DIS group than JR group (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Overall, the performance of dental intern students was favourably compared with junior residents in most aspects. Therefore, it is promising and essential for dental colleges to add a microsurgery course to the curriculum of dental intern students who plan to specialize in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Comparison of short-term clinical outcomes between robot-assisted and freehand pedicle screw placement in spine surgery: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Li Yiyang , Wang Yan , Ma Xinlong , Ma Jianxiong , Dong Benchao , Yang Peichuan , Sun Yadi , Zhou Liyun , Shen Jiahui
Published: May 2023

Study design

Meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background

Robot-assisted pedicle screw placement technique offers greater accuracy than the traditional freehand screw placement technique. However, it is controversial whether there is a difference between the two procedures in terms of improved clinical outcomes.

Materials and methods

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Web of Science to identify potentially eligible articles. Indispensable data such as the year of publication, study type, age, number of patients, sex distribution, and outcomes were extracted. The outcome indicators of interest included Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS) score, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and post-operative length of stay. RevMan 5.4.1 was used for the meta-analysis.

Results

A total of eight studies with 508 participants were included. Eight were related to ΔVAS, six were related to ΔODI, seven were related to operative time, five were related to intraoperative blood loss, and seven were related to the length of hospitalization. The results showed that, in terms of ΔVAS (95% CI, −1.20 to −0.36, P = 0.0003) and ΔODI (95% CI, −2.50 to −0.48, P = 0.004), robot-assisted pedicle screw placement technique scored higher than traditional freehand technique. Additionally, the intraoperative blood loss (95% CI, −140.34 to −10.94, P = 0.02) and the length of hospitalization (95% CI, −2.59 to −0.31, P = 0.01) for patients who underwent robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement were less than that of those who underwent the conventional freehand screw placement. No significant difference was found between robot-assisted techniques and conventional freehand techniques in pedicle screw placement in surgical time (95% CI, −2.24 to 26.32, P = 0.10).

Conclusions

Robot-assisted technique helps improve short-term clinical outcomes, reduce intraoperative blood loss and patient suffering, and shorten recovery time compared to the freehand technique.
The effect of integrity of lesser tuberosity-medial calcar on postoperative outcome in the proximal humeral fracture
Authors: Ren Hanru , Wu Lianghao , Zhang Xu , Jian Zhen , Yi Chengqing
Published: May 2023

Background

In proximal humeral fractures, the medial calcar is often considered an important stabilizing structure. When the medial calcar is disrupted, some patients may have accompanying humeral lesser tuberosity comminution that has not been noticed. To investigate the impacts of comminuted fragments of lesser tuberosity and calcar on postoperative stability, CT results, number of fragments, cortical integrity, and the variation of neck-shaft angle were compared in patients with proximal humeral fractures.

Materials and methods

From April 2016 to April 2021, this study included patients with senile proximal humeral fractures diagnosed by CT three-dimensional reconstruction with lesser tuberosity fractures and medial column injuries. The number of fragments in the lesser tuberosity and the continuity of medial calcar were evaluated. Postoperative stability and shoulder function were evaluated by comparing changes in neck-shaft angle and the DASH upper extremity function score from 1 week to 1 year after the operation.

Results

A total of 131 patients were included in the study, and the results showed that the number of fragments of the lesser tuberosity was related to the integrity of the medial cortex of the humerus. That is, when there were more than two lesser tuberosity fragments, the integrity of humeral medial calcar was poor. The positive rate of the lift-off test was higher in patients with lesser tuberosity comminutions 1 year after surgery. In addition, patients with more than two lesser tuberosity fragments and continuous destruction of the medial calcar had large variations in the neck-shaft angle, high DASH scores, poor postoperative stability, and poor recovery of shoulder joint function 1 year postoperatively.

Conclusion

The number of humeral lesser tuberosity fragments and the integrity of the medial calcar were associated with the collapse of the humeral head and the decrease in shoulder joint stability after the proximal humeral fracture surgery. When the number of lesser tuberosity fragments was greater than two and the medial calcar was damaged, the proximal humeral fracture had poor postoperative stability and poor functional recovery of the shoulder joint, which required auxiliary internal fixation treatment.
Clinician attitudes towards cancer treatment guidelines in Australia
Authors: Bierbaum Mia , Arnolda Gaston , Braithwaite Jeffrey , Rapport Frances
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) are designed to guide treatment decisions, yet adherence rates vary widely. To characterise perceived barriers and facilitators to cancer treatment CPG adherence in Australia, and estimate the frequency of previous qualitative research findings, a survey was distributed to Australian oncologists.

Results

The sample is described and validated guideline attitude scores reported for different groups. Differences in mean CPG attitude scores across clinician subgroups and associations between frequency of CPG use and clinician characteristics were calculated; with 48 respondents there was limited statistical power to find differences. Younger oncologists (< 50 years) and clinicians participating in three or more Multidisciplinary Team Meetings were more likely to routinely or occasionally use CPGs. Perceived barriers and facilitators were identified. Thematic analysis was conducted on open-text responses. Results were integrated with previous interview findings and presented in a thematic, conceptual matrix. Most barriers and facilitators identified earlier were corroborated by survey results, with minor discordance. Identified barriers and facilitators require further exploration within a larger sample to assess their perceived impact on cancer treatment CPG adherence in Australia, as well as to inform future CPG implementation strategies. This research was Human Research Ethics Committee approved (2019/ETH11722 and 52019568810127, ID:5688).
Radio map construction based on BERT for fingerprint-based indoor positioning system
Authors: Wang Zhuang , Kong Qun , Wei Bingcai , Zhang Liye , Tian Aikui
Published: May 2023

Due to the heavy workload of RSS collection, the instability of WLAN signal strength and the disappearance of signals caused by complex indoor environments, the construction of radio map for wireless local area network (WLAN) fingerprint-based indoor positioning system is time-consuming and laborious. In order to rapidly deploy indoor WLAN positioning system, the bidirectional encoder representation from transformers (BERT) model is used to fill the missing signal in radio map and quickly build radio map. The radio map is imported into the BERT model in the form of natural language text, and the missing signal is filled by the BERT model. Since the number of input data in BERT model cannot exceed 512 words, the structure of BERT model is not suitable for WLAN signals with large data volume. Therefore, we redefine the model structure based on the original BERT model and fill in the missing signals in the radio map in parallel. In addition, the loss function is redefined. Except that each segment has a loss function, the weighted average value of all segment loss functions is defined as the total loss function. The experimental results show that the BERT model is better than the traditional linear interpolation method, compressed sensing algorithm and matrix completion algorithm in filling the missing signals in the fingerprint database, and the probability of error within 2 m reaches about 94%.
A modified subgradient extragradient algorithm-type for solving quasimonotone variational inequality problems with applications
Authors: Ofem Austine Efut , Mebawondu Akindele Adebayo , Ugwunnadi Godwin Chidi , Işık Hüseyin , Narain Ojen Kumar
Published: May 2023

In this article, we introduce an inertial-type algorithm that combines the extragradient subgradient method, the projection contraction method, and the viscosity method. The proposed method is used for solving quasimonotone variational inequality problems in infinite dimensional real Hilbert spaces such that it does not depend on the Lipschitz constant of the cost operator. Further, we prove the strong convergence results of the new algorithm. Our strong convergence results are achieved without imposing strict conditions on the control parameters and inertial factor of our algorithm. We utilize our algorithm to solve some problems in applied sciences and engineering such as image restoration and optimal control. Some numerical experiments are carried out to support our theoretical results. Our numerical illustrations show that our new method is more efficient than many existing methods.
N/S element transformation modulating lithospheric microbial communities by single-species manipulation
Authors: Yao Shun , Jin Tianzhi , Zhang Lu , Zhang Yong , Chen Rui , Wang Qian , Lv Mingjie , Hu Chuxiao , Ma Ting , Xia Wenjie
Published: May 2023

Background

The lithospheric microbiome plays a vital role in global biogeochemical cycling, yet their mutual modulation mechanisms remain largely uncharted. Petroleum reservoirs are important lithosphere ecosystems that provide desirable resources for understanding microbial roles in element cycling. However, the strategy and mechanism of modulating indigenous microbial communities for the optimization of community structures and functions are underexplored, despite its significance in energy recovery and environmental remediation.

Results

Here we proposed a novel selective stimulation of indigenous functional microbes by driving nitrogen and sulfur cycling in petroleum reservoirs using injections of an exogenous heterocycle-degrading strain ofPseudomonas. We defined such bacteria capable of removing and releasing organically bound sulfur and nitrogen from heterocycles as “bioredox triggers”. High-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, metagenomic, and gene transcription-level analyses of extensive production water and sandstone core samples spanning the whole oil production process clarified the microbiome dynamics following the intervention. These efforts demonstrated the feasibility ofin situN/S element release and electron acceptor generation during heterocycle degradation, shifting microbiome structures and functions and increasing phylogenetic diversity and genera engaged in sulfur and nitrogen cycling, such asDesulfovibrio,Shewanella, andSulfurospirillum. The metabolic potentials of sulfur- and nitrogen-cycling processes, particularly dissimilatory sulfate reduction and dissimilatory nitrate reduction, were elevated in reservoir microbiomes. The relative expression of genes involved in sulfate reduction (dsrA,dsrB) and nitrate reduction (napA) was upregulated by 85, 28, and 22 folds, respectively. Field trials showed significant improvements in oil properties, with a decline in asphaltenes and aromatics, hetero-element contents, and viscosity, hence facilitating the effective exploitation of heavy oil.

Conclusions

The interactions between microbiomes and element cycling elucidated in this study will contribute to a better understanding of microbial metabolic involvement in, and response to, biogeochemical processes in the lithosphere. The presented findings demonstrated the immense potential of our microbial modulation strategy for green and enhanced heavy oil recovery.

Graphical Abstract
Disruption of fish gut microbiota composition and holobiont’s metabolome during a simulated Microcystis aeruginosa (Cyanobacteria) bloom
Authors: Gallet Alison , Halary Sébastien , Duval Charlotte , Huet Hélène , Duperron Sébastien , Marie Benjamin
Published: May 2023

Background

Cyanobacterial blooms are one of the most common stressors encountered by metazoans living in freshwater lentic systems such as lakes and ponds. Blooms reportedly impair fish health, notably through oxygen depletion and production of bioactive compounds including cyanotoxins. However, in the times of the “microbiome revolution”, it is surprising that so little is still known regarding the influence of blooms on fish microbiota. In this study, an experimental approach is used to demonstrate that blooms affect fish microbiome composition and functions, as well as the metabolome of holobionts. To this end, the model teleost Oryzias latipes is exposed to simulated Microcystis aeruginosa blooms of various intensities in a microcosm setting, and the response of bacterial gut communities is evaluated in terms of composition and metabolome profiling. Metagenome-encoded functions are compared after 28 days between control individuals and those exposed to highest bloom level.

Results

The gut bacterial community of O. latipes exhibits marked responses to the presence of M. aeruginosa blooms in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, abundant gut-associated Firmicutes almost disappear, while potential opportunists increase. The holobiont’s gut metabolome displays major changes, while functions encoded in the metagenome of bacterial partners are more marginally affected. Bacterial communities tend to return to original composition after the end of the bloom and remain sensitive in case of a second bloom, reflecting a highly reactive gut community.

Conclusion

Gut-associated bacterial communities and holobiont functioning are affected by both short and long exposure to M. aeruginosa, and show evidence of post-bloom resilience. These findings point to the significance of bloom events to fish health and fitness, including survival and reproduction, through microbiome-related effects. In the context of increasingly frequent and intense blooms worldwide, potential outcomes relevant to conservation biology as well as aquaculture warrant further investigation.
Predicting movement speed of beetles from body size and temperature
Authors: Terlau Jördis F. , Brose Ulrich , Boy Thomas , Pawar Samraat , Pinsky Malin , Hirt Myriam R.
Published: May 2023

Movement facilitates and alters species interactions, the resulting food web structures, species distribution patterns, community structures and survival of populations and communities. In the light of global change, it is crucial to gain a general understanding of how movement depends on traits and environmental conditions. Although insects and notably Coleoptera represent the largest and a functionally important taxonomic group, we still know little about their general movement capacities and how they respond to warming. Here, we measured the exploratory speed of 125 individuals of eight carabid beetle species across different temperatures and body masses using automated image-based tracking. The resulting data revealed a power-law scaling relationship of average movement speed with body mass. By additionally fitting a thermal performance curve to the data, we accounted for the unimodal temperature response of movement speed. Thereby, we yielded a general allometric and thermodynamic equation to predict exploratory speed from temperature and body mass. This equation predicting temperature-dependent movement speed can be incorporated into modeling approaches to predict trophic interactions or spatial movement patterns. Overall, these findings will help improve our understanding of how temperature effects on movement cascade from small to large spatial scales as well as from individual to population fitness and survival across communities.
Artificial intelligence-driven radiomics study in cancer: the role of feature engineering and modeling
Authors: Zhang Yuan-Peng , Zhang Xin-Yun , Cheng Yu-Ting , Li Bing , Teng Xin-Zhi , Zhang Jiang , Lam Saikit , Zhou Ta , Ma Zong-Rui , Sheng Jia-Bao , Tam Victor C. W. , Lee Shara W. Y. , Ge Hong , Cai Jing
Published: May 2023

Modern medicine is reliant on various medical imaging technologies for non-invasively observing patients’ anatomy. However, the interpretation of medical images can be highly subjective and dependent on the expertise of clinicians. Moreover, some potentially useful quantitative information in medical images, especially that which is not visible to the naked eye, is often ignored during clinical practice. In contrast, radiomics performs high-throughput feature extraction from medical images, which enables quantitative analysis of medical images and prediction of various clinical endpoints. Studies have reported that radiomics exhibits promising performance in diagnosis and predicting treatment responses and prognosis, demonstrating its potential to be a non-invasive auxiliary tool for personalized medicine. However, radiomics remains in a developmental phase as numerous technical challenges have yet to be solved, especially in feature engineering and statistical modeling. In this review, we introduce the current utility of radiomics by summarizing research on its application in the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of treatment responses in patients with cancer. We focus on machine learning approaches, for feature extraction and selection during feature engineering and for imbalanced datasets and multi-modality fusion during statistical modeling. Furthermore, we introduce the stability, reproducibility, and interpretability of features, and the generalizability and interpretability of models. Finally, we offer possible solutions to current challenges in radiomics research.
Convergence and persistent contrasts in the determinants of working-age women in Sweden and Japan living alone since the 1990s
Authors: Sandström Glenn , Padyab Mojgan , Noguchi Haruko , Fu Rong
Published: May 2023

The increase in one-person households (OPHs) in the developed world is often seen as the result of a trend in which individualistic values and behaviors are replacing family solidarity. Nordic countries have been identified as frontrunners in this development. In Asia, equally developed countries like Japan retain elements of a strong-family system and an asymmetrical gender regime, simultaneously as they are experiencing rapid increases in OPHs. This article aims to uncover how the demographic and socioeconomic composition of OPHs have developed since the 1990s among working-age women in Sweden and Japan. Our results show that, in particular, civil status and income play different roles for OPH-living in Sweden and Japan. In contrast to Japan, the level of OPHs remained stable over time in Sweden, and even declined among women with high incomes. This suggests that the negative association between family formation and women’s economic activity is temporary and only prevails as long as society has not adapted to the convergence of men’s and women’s socioeconomic roles. The findings are discussed in light of the “second demographic transition” and “dual equilibrium theory”.
A parallel epidemic of sino-nasal mucormycosis post-COVID pneumonia, and its anesthetic implications: a case report
Authors: Arora Prateek , Bharadwaj Abhishek , Mujahid Omer Mohammed , Khetarpal Monica
Published: May 2023

Background

There has been a rise in cases of sino-nasal mucormycosis in patients who contracted the COVID-19 virus and were on steroids. Population at risk includes diabetics and on immunosuppressant therapy and/or immunocompromised state. Perioperative management becomes challenging due to residual pulmonary disease secondary to COVID pneumonia and complication following systemic antifungal therapy. Such patients often have other associated illnesses like hypertension, obesity, and deranged renal functions, either as a part of metabolic syndrome or post-systemic antifungal therapy.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 64-year-old female, a poorly controlled hypertensive, with class 1 obesity, and diabetic on oral hypoglycemic agents, hypothyroid on oral medications, and post-COVID pneumonia with recently diagnosed sino-nasal mucormycosis who was posted for debridement of the sino-nasal fungal mass. The gamut of co-morbid conditions along with post-COVID pneumonia status presents an anesthetic challenge apropos the optimization of the clinical conditions and timing of the surgery considering the emergent nature of the surgery.

Conclusions

The timing of operative intervention for such patients is imperative and the treating team of anesthesiologist and the otorhinolaryngologist should aim to strike a balance between timely intervention to negate the spread of the infection to the orbit and brain causing potential irreparable damage and optimizing the cardio-respiratory and renal functions.
Artificial neural networks for data mining in animal sciences
Authors: Hamadani Ambreen , Ganai Nazir Ahmad , Bashir Janibul
Published: May 2023

Background

With the advancement in technology the amount of data generated, in almost every sphere of life, is increasing exponentially. This enormous amount of data needs new powerful tools for analysis and inference drawing. One such process is data mining which is the automated extraction of hidden, previously unknown, and useful knowledge from big data. Data mining is crucial as conventional strategies cannot keep up with the analysis of rapidly accumulating data and they are also inflexible in the wake of new challenges. Animal sciences are no exception to the changing scenario, especially when animal farms are quickly becoming more data intensive.

Main body of the abstract

The amount of data generated on the farms is also growing exponentially as farms become more intensive and mechanized. There is thus a need to utilize the knowledge of multidisciplinary fields like advanced statistics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and database management, for revamping animal sciences. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) offer a lot of promise in this direction since they are motivated by the distributed, massively parallel computation in the brain. ANNs are powerful machine learning tools that offer multiple advantages for data mining over traditional techniques in being fast, accurate, self-organizing, robust, and highly accepting of noisy and imprecise data. Neural networks are being applied successfully for a myriad of supervised and unsupervised learning applications to draw useful hitherto unknown inferences, patterns, and relationships. Neural networks have been used successfully for pattern recognition, clustering, forecasting, prediction, and classification in animal sciences due to their capacity to learn from data, their nonparametric nature, and their ability to generalize well. Today ANN computing is a major element within any data mining tool kit. Popular methods used for neural network computing include feed-forward networks, feedback networks, and self-organization networks. ANN also offers powerful and distributed computing architecture, especially under a scenario where the data are readily available in significant quantity.

Short conclusion

This paper gives an overview of ANN and their applications in animal sciences and reviews major research conducted in this new and exciting area of artificial intelligence. Research in many aspects of ANN in Animal Sciences has been conducted globally although there is scope for more research in aspects of animal health, monitoring, breeding as well as nutrition .
Mentorship Experiences Are Not All the Same: A Survey Study of Oncology Trainees and Early-Career Faculty
Authors: Idossa Dame , Velazquez Ana I. , Horiguchi Miki , Alberth Julia , Abuali Inas , Smith-Graziani Demetria , de Lima Lopes Gilberto , Lubner Sam , Florez Narjust
Published: May 2023

PURPOSE

Physician workforce diversity can be a driver of institutional excellence, improving innovation and reducing health disparities. However, the current diversity of the hematology/oncology (HO) workforce does not reflect that of the US population.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional online survey of current trainees and faculty within 5 years of completing terminal training in oncology specialties.

RESULTS

Of the 306 respondents, 64 (21%) were under-represented in medicine (URiM) and 161 (53%) identified as male. URiM participants were less likely to have a primary mentor (66%) than non-URiM participants (80%; P = .015). Among those who had a primary mentor, URiMs met less frequently (once every 3-6 months or less) with their mentor (19% v 7% non-URiM; P = .003). Furthermore, URiMs were more likely to report having mentors outside their own institution (47% v 40% non-URiM; P = .002) and making compromises to gain access to mentorship (36% v 23% non-URiM; P ≤ 0.001). URiMs were also less likely to apply for grants (34% v 42% non-URiM; P = .035) and awards (28% v 43% non-URiM; P = .019). In multivariable models, URiM individuals were more likely to make compromises to gain access to mentors (odds ratio [OR], 1.96; 95% CI, 1.01 to 3.82) and this remained significant for females (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.26 to 3.75).

CONCLUSION

URiM individuals may be less likely to have effective mentorship and apply for awards and grant support. Understanding the challenges of URiM trainees can help shape training environments in academic medicine to ensure that they are grounded in diversity, inclusion, and retention.
PICK1-Deficient Mice Maintain Their Glucose Tolerance During Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Backe Marie Balslev , Andersen Rita Chan , Jensen Morten , Jin Chunyu , Hundahl Cecilie , Dmytriyeva Oksana , Treebak Jonas T , Hansen Jakob Bondo , Gerhart-Hines Zach , Madsen Kenneth L , Holst Birgitte
Published: May 2023

Context

Metabolic disorders such as obesity represent a major health challenge. Obesity alone has reached epidemic proportions, with at least 2.8 million people worldwide dying annually from diseases caused by overweight or obesity. The brain–metabolic axis is central to maintain homeostasis under metabolic stress via an intricate signaling network of hormones. Protein interacting with C kinase 1 (PICK1) is important for the biogenesis of various secretory vesicles, and we have previously shown that PICK1-deficient mice have impaired secretion of insulin and growth hormone.

Objective

The aim was to investigate how global PICK1-deficient mice respond to high-fat diet (HFD) and assess its role in insulin secretion in diet-induced obesity.

Methods

We characterized the metabolic phenotype through assessment of body weight, composition, glucose tolerance, islet morphology insulin secretion in vivo, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion ex vivo.

Results

PICK1-deficient mice displayed similar weight gain and body composition as wild-type (WT) mice following HFD. While HFD impaired glucose tolerance of WT mice, PICK1-deficient mice were resistant to further deterioration of their glucose tolerance compared with already glucose-impaired chow-fed PICK1-deficient mice. Surprisingly, mice with β-cell–specific knockdown of PICK1 showed impaired glucose tolerance both on chow and HFD similar to WT mice.

Conclusion

Our findings support the importance of PICK1 in overall hormone regulation. However, importantly, this effect is independent of the PICK1 expression in the β-cell, whereby global PICK1-deficient mice resist further deterioration of their glucose tolerance following diet-induced obesity.
Maternal Morbidity According to Mode of Delivery Among Pregnant Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Meng Marie-Louise , Fuller Matthew , Federspiel Jerome J. , Engelhard Matthew , McNeil Ashley , Ernst Liliane , Habib Ashraf S. , Shah Svati H. , Quist-Nelson Johanna , Raghunathan Karthik , Ohnuma Tetsu , Krishnamoorthy Vijay
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND:

Patients with pulmonary hypertension have a high risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. It is unknown if a trial of labor carries a lower risk of morbidity in these patients compared to a planned cesarean delivery. The objective of this study was to examine the association of delivery mode with severe maternal morbidity events during delivery hospitalization among patients with pulmonary hypertension.

METHODS:

This retrospective cohort study used the Premier inpatient administrative database. Patients delivering ≥25 weeks gestation from January 1, 2016, to September 30, 2020, and with pulmonary hypertension were included. The primary analysis compared intended vaginal delivery (ie, trial of labor) to intended cesarean delivery (intention to treat analysis). A sensitivity analysis was conducted comparing vaginal delivery to cesarean delivery (as treated analysis). The primary outcome was nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity during the delivery hospitalization. Secondary outcomes included blood transfusion (4 or more units) and readmission to the delivery hospital within 90 days from discharge from delivery hospitalization.

RESULTS:

The cohort consisted of 727 deliveries. In the primary analysis, there was no difference in nontransfusion morbidity between intended vaginal delivery and intended cesarean delivery groups (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49–1.15). In secondary analyses, intended cesarean delivery was not associated with blood transfusion (aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.34–1.50) or readmission within 90 days (aOR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.32–1.14). In the sensitivity analysis, cesarean delivery was associated with a 3-fold higher risk of nontransfusion morbidity compared to vaginal delivery (aOR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.54–3.93), a 3-fold higher risk of blood transfusion (aOR, 3.06; 95% CI, 1.17–7.99), and a 2-fold higher risk of readmission within 90 days (aOR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.09–4.46) compared to vaginal delivery.

CONCLUSIONS:

Among pregnant patients with pulmonary hypertension, a trial of labor was not associated with a higher risk of morbidity compared to an intended cesarean delivery. One-third of patients who required an intrapartum cesarean delivery had a morbidity event, demonstrating the increased risk of adverse events in this group.
Neurofluids and the glymphatic system: anatomy, physiology, and imaging
Authors: Wang Danny JJ , Hua Jun , Cao Di , Ho Mai-Lan
Published: May 2023

First described in 2012, the glymphatic system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the central nervous system, including nutrient delivery, waste clearance, and consistency of the ionic microenvironment. It is comprised of glial cells and barrier systems that modulate neurofluid production, circulation, and exchange. Experimental interrogation of neurofluid dynamics is restricted to ex vivo and in vitro studies in animals and humans, therefore diagnostic imaging plays an important role in minimally invasive evaluation. This review article will synthesize current knowledge and theories regarding neurofluid circulation and implications for neuroimaging. First, we will discuss the anatomy of the neurogliovascular unit, including paravascular and perivascular pathways of fluid exchange. In addition, we will summarize the structure and function of barrier systems including the blood–brain, blood–cerebrospinal fluid, and brain–cerebrospinal fluid barriers. Next, we will mention physiologic factors that yield normal variations in neurofluid circulation, and how various disease pathologies can disrupt glymphatic drainage pathways. Lastly, we will cover the spectrum of diagnostic imaging and interventional techniques with relevance to glymphatic structure, flow, and function. We conclude by highlighting current barriers and future directions for translational imaging and applications to neurologic disorders.