bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra-Short-Term Load Forecast of Charging Stations Considering the Travelling and Charging Behaviours of Electric Vehicles
Authors: Yi Xingyu , Ren Jie
Published: December 2023

The traditional electric vehicle (EV) load forecasting methods are mostly used to predict large areas such as cities, which makes it difficult to serve practical applications. The existing charging station load forecasting methods ignore the traveling and charging behaviors of EVs. To this end, a charging station ultra-short-term load prediction method considering the traveling and charging behaviors of EVs is proposed. Firstly, EV types are classified according to charging behaviors. On this basis, a rolling forecast model of the number of arrivals per unit time of each vehicle type is established, and then the impact of charging randomness on load forecast is reduced by repeated Monte Carlo sampling. The total load of charging stations during the prediction period can be obtained by adding up the load of individual vehicles. The results show that the method enables accurate prediction of ultra-short-term load at charging stations, which has higher accuracy and reference value than the traditional load forecasting methods.
Multi-objective Collaborative Optimization Method for Intelligent Distribution Network Operation and Maintenance
Authors: Zhao Chenxu , Zhang Lei
Published: December 2023

Most of the conventional multi-objective coordination methods for active distribution network operation are designed based on the principle of weighted random algorithm, which has limited application scope and cannot simplify the algorithm and reduce the complexity of the solution process, resulting in poor stability of active distribution network lines and potential faults. Based on this, this algorithm is introduced to carry out multi-objective collaborative optimization for intelligent distribution network operation. Firstly, the node types for the intelligent distribution network are defined and the power flow of the distribution network is analyzed. Secondly, a multi-objective configuration model for the lower level of the operation is constructed to maximize the distribution network investment and operation benefit index. A multi-objective collaborative optimization algorithm based on an enhanced particle swarm optimization algorithm is designed to reduce the operation cost of the distribution network and enhance the security and stability of the distribution network system during operation. The simulation test results show that after the application of the new method, the intelligent distribution network voltage stability index Vm
is always less than 1, and the line stability has been significantly improved.
Research on Corrosion Characteristics of Towers and Grounding Grids in Power Systems
Authors: Mao Xiaopo , Cui Qiuju , Ye Jianfeng , Li Xin , Gao Liang , Yang Haibo , Yan Weiming , Tian Ze , Xiong Yu
Published: December 2023

Due to the increasingly severe corrosion of transmission line towers and grounding grids by the environment in which they are located, we analyse the corrosion characteristics of transmission line towers and grounding grids and provide a theoretical basis for the stable operation of the power grid. This article studies the corrosion components composed of various factors, including water content, temperature, potential difference, area ratio of the cathode to anode, and accelerated corrosion time, through experimental simulation of heavy industrial pollution environment. The research results indicate that water content, potential difference between positive and negative electrodes, area ratio of positive and negative electrodes, and test temperature significantly impact the accelerated corrosion rate test results.
Dispatching Method of Distributed Energy Storage Resources in Substation Based on Peak-shaving Compensation Response Model
Authors: Zhang Ruichao , Zhou Lin
Published: December 2023

The conventional distributed energy storage resource scheduling method is mainly based on automatic load demand response scheduling, and the load response gap between peak hours and low hours is large, which affects the economic benefits of energy storage resource scheduling. Therefore, a distributed energy storage resource scheduling method based on a peak shaving compensation response model is designed. The cluster scheduling characteristics of distributed energy storage resources are extracted, and the distributed energy storage resources are charged and discharged synchronously at the same scheduling node. Combined with the resource scheduling strategy of the substation, the scheduling load of energy storage resources is limited so that the scheduling impact on the substation power grid is reduced. Based on the peak-shaving compensation response model, the dispatching objective function of distributed energy storage resources in the substation is optimized, the dispatching of distributed energy storage resources in the substation is optimized from the perspective of safe and economic operation, and the stochastic error of distributed energy storage resource scheduling is avoided in the form of a compensation response constraint to meet the resource scheduling requirements. Comparative experiments show that this method is more economical and can be applied to real life.
A Deep Reinforcement Learning Method for Unit Commitment with Renewable Energy Generators
Authors: Rao Fuping , Zheng Li
Published: December 2023

To cope with the challenges of complex modeling, difficult solutions, and low efficiency brought by a significant amount of renewable energy units to the power system dispatch (PSD), a deep reinforcement learning method for unit commitment with renewable energy generators is proposed. Firstly, a PPO-based reinforcement learning method is utilized to promptly and effectively resolve the unit commitment. A mathematical optimization technique is employed to solve the security-constrained economic dispatch, considering the “N-1” security check. By integrating these two methods, the decision-making efficiency is enhanced while ensuring the security of the result. The proposed method’s efficiency is affirmed by case simulation.
Energy Storage Operation Analysis of High-proportion Wind Power System Based on Optimization Model
Authors: He Fangyu , Li Xiang , Mu Jingru
Published: December 2023

Energy storage is a valid way to ensure the actual-time power equilibrium of renewable energy systems. However, owing to the comparatively high cost of accumulation energy, the use of energy storage to equilibrium the system power will add to the system run cost, and the economy and dependability of the power system will be influenced. Therefore, in this paper, a wind-thermal-storage joint optimization model considering load-side demand response and carbon capture integrated cost is established for different wind power installed capacities, and the PSO algorithm and CPLEX solver are selected to solve the model. The power balance change and energy storage configuration of the system are compared and analyzed under the condition that the lowest cost of power generation operation is the goal function, which provides some guidance for energy storage collocation of the wind energy system and reliable power supply of the system. The results of the instance show that the improvement model introduced in this paper can validly solve the power balance issue of the high ratio wind power system with energy storage, and ensure the safe and reliable functioning of the power system while reducing the power generation cost of the system.
C/O Ratio Studies in the atmosphere of hot Jupiters
Authors: Liu Zhiling
Published: December 2023

Exoplanet atmospheres are a window into the chemical composition, internal motion and evolution of extrasolar planets. In the past two decades, more than 5,700 exoplanets have been discovered. The theoretical research and observation of exoplanet atmospheres have developed rapidly. Among the varieties of exoplanets, hot Jupiters are excellent objects for transit observation due to their characteristics of large radius, high temperature and close-in orbit, which provide many valuable research samples for spectroscopy. A large number of observations and studies have been carried out around it. With the rapid development of exoplanet atmospheres studies, this paper aims to provide a brief introduction on the detection methods of planetary atmospheres and the relevant research progress of the carbon-to-oxygen ratio (C/O) of hot Jupiters, which is an important property that reveals the atmospheric processes and planetary evolution, so as to show the prospect of the future study of exoplanet atmospheres.
Improved training framework in a neural network model for disruption prediction and its application on EXL-50
Authors: CAI 蔡 Jianqing 剑青 , LIANG 梁 Yunfeng 云峰 , KNIEPS Alexander , QI 齐 Dongkai 东凯 , WANG 王 Erhui 二辉 , XIANG 向 Haoming 皓明 , LIAO 廖 Liang 亮 , HUANG 黄 Jie 杰 , YANG 阳 Jie 杰 , HUANG 黄 Jia 佳 , LIU 刘 Jianwen 建文 , DREWS Philipp , XU 徐 Shuai 帅 , GU 顾 Xiang 翔 , GAO 高 Yichen 轶琛 , LUO 罗 Yu 宇 , LI 李 Zhi 直 , Team the EXL-50
Published: December 2023

A neural network model with a classical annotation method has been used on the EXL-50 tokamak to predict impending disruption. However, the results revealed issues of overfitting and overconfidence in predictions caused by inaccurate labeling. To mitigate these issues, an improved training framework has been proposed. In this approach, soft labels from previous training serve as teachers to supervise the further learning process; this has lead to a significant improvement in predictive model performance. Notably, this enhancement is primarily attributed to the coupling effect of the soft labels and correction mechanism. This improved training framework introduces an instance-specific label smoothing method, which reflects a more nuanced model assessment on the likelihood of a disruption. It presents a possible solution to effectively address the challenges associated with accurate labeling across different machines.
Macrophage migration is differentially regulated by fibronectin and laminin through altered adhesion and myosin II localization
Authors: Stinson Matthew W. , Liu Sophia , Laurenson Alexander J. , Rotty Jeremy D.
Published: December 2023

Macrophages are indispensable for proper immune surveillance and inflammatory regulation. They also exhibit dramatic phenotypic plasticity and are highly responsive to their local microenvironment, which includes the extracellular matrix (ECM). This work demonstrates that two fibrous ECM glycoproteins, fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LAM), elicit distinct morphological and migratory responses from macrophages in two-dimensional environments. LAM 111 inhibits macrophage cell spreading, but drives them to migrate rapidly and less persistently compared with cells on FN. Differential integrin engagement and ROCK/myosin II organization helps explain why macrophages alter their morphology and migration character on these two ECM components. This study also demonstrates that LAM 111 exerts a suppressive effect toward FN, as macrophages plated on a LAM/FN mixture adopt a morphology and migratory character almost identical to LAM alone. This suggests that distinct responses can be initiated downstream of receptor–ECM engagement, and that one component of the microenvironment may affect the cell’s ability to sense another. Overall, macrophages appear intrinsically poised to rapidly switch between distinct migratory characters based on their ECM environments. The role of ECM composition in dictating motile and inflammatory responses in three-dimensional and in vivo contexts warrants further study.
Bsp1, a fungal CPI motif protein, regulates actin filament capping in endocytosis and cytokinesis
Authors: Hummel Daniel R. , Hakala Markku , Toret Christopher P. , Kaksonen Marko
Published: December 2023

The capping of barbed filament ends is a fundamental mechanism for actin regulation. Capping protein controls filament growth and actin turnover in cells by binding to the barbed ends of the filaments with high affinity and slow off-rate. The interaction between capping protein and actin is regulated by capping protein interaction (CPI) motif proteins. We identified a novel CPI motif protein, Bsp1, which is involved in cytokinesis and endocytosis in budding yeast. We demonstrate that Bsp1 is an actin binding protein with a high affinity for capping protein via its CPI motif. In cells, Bsp1 regulates capping protein at endocytic sites and is a major recruiter of capping protein to the cytokinetic actin ring. Lastly, we define Bsp1-related proteins as a distinct fungi-specific CPI protein group. Our results suggest that Bsp1 promotes actin filament capping by the capping protein. This study establishes Bsp1 as a new capping protein regulator and promising candidate to regulate actin networks in fungi.
Climate change perception and its association with cancer screening intent
Authors: Qian Zhiyu , Beatrici Edoardo , Trinh Quoc-Dien , Kibel Adam S , Loeb Stacy , Iyer Hari S , Cole Alexander P
Published: December 2023

As the climate crisis deepens, its adverse effects on human health are becoming evident, including impacts on cancer pathogenesis and treatment. This study explored the link between individuals’ awareness of the health impacts of climate change and interest in cancer screening. Using the 2021 Health Information National Trends Survey, our study demonstrated a statistically significant association between recognition of climate change as a personal health threat and interest in cancer screening. Although the study’s retrospective nature and self-reported data pose some limitations, these findings signal a promising avenue for future research on the intersection of climate and cancer risk. This research supports the development of public health interventions that incorporate components of environmental health literacy alongside cancer screening efforts.
Finding one’s way: a response to the idea of an education after progress
Authors: Langmann Elisabet
Published: December 2023

Inspired by the work of Hannah Arendt, this response article focusses on the tension between hope in the future and lost hope in the present inherent in the modern idea of progress. The backdrop of the Suite ‘Education after Progress’ is some of the interrelated challenges that we are facing today, such as climate change, new pandemics, mass migration, and the rise of populism. Drawing on different philosophical concepts and strands, the five articles in the Suite explore what it would mean to learn and educate beyond the imagery of progress. Thinking beyond, however, is never an easy task and the question becomes how to orient oneself in this new philosophical landscape without losing track of what is educationally important and meaningful. After responding to each article, focussing on five possible connections between them (change, orientation, time, situatedness, and immanence), the response article concludes with the more general question of what place, if any, concepts as the past, conservation, and preservation have in an education ‘after’ progress.
Incorporating testing volume into estimation of effective reproduction number dynamics
Authors: Goldstein Isaac H , Wakefield Jon , Minin Volodymyr M
Published: December 2023

Branching process inspired models are widely used to estimate the effective reproduction number—a useful summary statistic describing an infectious disease outbreak—using counts of new cases. Case data is a real-time indicator of changes in the reproduction number, but is challenging to work with because cases fluctuate due to factors unrelated to the number of new infections. We develop a new model that incorporates the number of diagnostic tests as a surveillance model covariate. Using simulated data and data from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in California, we demonstrate that incorporating tests leads to improved performance over the state of the art.
Long-term outcomes after plaque excision grafting for Peyronie’s disease and subanalysis of patients who undergo the procedure despite preoperative counseling against it
Authors: Langbo William A , Wang Vinson , Bajic Petar , Levine Laurence
Published: December 2023

Background

Plaque excision and grafting (PEG) has been recommended for patients with Peyronie’s disease (PD) with >60° curvature and/or hinge effect and strong preoperative erections, while placement of an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) is recommended when rigidity is suboptimal. Nevertheless, many patients counseled to undergo an IPP decline and insist on proceeding with PEG due to personal preference or desire to avoid an implant.

Aim

We aim to review long-term outcomes in patients who underwent PEG for PD at our institution and investigate whether there is any difference in long-term outcomes in patients who undergo PEG despite a recommendation to undergo IPP.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review from 2007 to 2021 on PEG surgery performed at a single tertiary care institution in patients ≥18 years old who had >3 months of follow-up.

Outcomes

Postoperative information was gathered from the electronic medical record, including postoperative erectile function, patient satisfaction, and the ability to engage in penetrative sexual intercourse.

Results

An overall 251 patients underwent PEG with a median follow-up of 12 months (IQR, 6-54). Among these, 54 (22%) were initially advised to undergo IPP but elected for PEG. Patients who underwent PEG despite counseling to undergo IPP reported lower postoperative ability to engage in intercourse (51% vs 76%). Seven (13%) patients initially advised to undergo IPP eventually received an IPP, relative to 7 (4%) initially advised to undergo PEG.

Clinical Implications

Thorough preoperative assessment of erectile function and penile deformity can guide clinician counseling and manage patient expectations during decision making between PEG surgery and IPP implantation for PD.

Strengths and Limitations

Limitations of this study include its retrospective nature, high attrition to follow-up, and risk of recall and selection bias. This is a large study with a median follow-up of 12 months, with a high-volume single surgeon who treats patients in a specialized population of complex cases.

Conclusion

Patients who were initially counseled to undergo IPP due to suboptimal erectile rigidity but elected for PEG had worse postoperative ability to engage in penetrative intercourse, and a higher proportion of these patients eventually received an IPP.
TMS Pulse Waveform and Direction
Authors: Sommer Martin , Hannah Ricci , Peterchev Angel V. , Paulus Walter
Published: December 2023

The pulse waveform and current direction contribute to the specific effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). For single pulse TMS these factors have been shown to influence, for example, motor threshold and recruitment curve, motor-evoked potential latency and silent period duration detected by motor cortex stimulation, and phosphene threshold tested by occipital stimulation. The mechanisms of most of these effects are understood from biophysical models and derive largely from the depolarization characteristics of cortical axon membranes. In contrast, in paired-pulse and repetitive TMS (rTMS) protocols, the complexity of the effects increases dramatically since they are mediated not only by the direct recruitment of various neuronal populations but also by recurrent network interactions and synaptic plasticity. Indeed, experimental studies have shown that the inhibition and facilitation induced by rTMS—a basis of therapeutic applications—are sensitive to the characteristics of the individual pulses as well as the pulse trains. A major challenge and opportunity is to expand and leverage the understanding of pulse waveform and direction effects to implement more potent and reliable rTMS interventions.
‘We Never Talked About It at Home’: Diethylstilbestrol, Impacted Families and the (De)construction of Ignorance from Below (Belgium, 1970s–Present)
Authors: Van Kerckhove Antje , Claes Tinne
Published: December 2023

Drawing on oral history, this article analyses how Belgian families affected by diethylstilbestrol (DES) both constructed and deconstructed ignorance of the transgenerational side effects of this hormone from the 1970s onwards. It is the first historical study on the (lack of) knowledge production about DES in Belgium, where until today research has been left to investigative journalists who have pointed to the possibility of a cover-up. This article takes a different approach, producing a multifaceted long-term analysis that also looks at other factors that might have led to ignorance, wilful or otherwise. The emphasis here is on how impacted families themselves maintained or broke silences about DES across generations and over time. By focussing on women’s experiences, this article contributes a bottom-up perspective to existing studies of ignorance production relating to the side effects of hormones, which tend to focus on governments, medical communities and pharmaceutical industries.
Application of Machine Learning Techniques to Development of Emergency Medical Rapid Triage Prediction Models in Acute Care
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Han , Hu Ya-Han
Published: December 2023

Given the critical and complex features of medical emergencies, it is essential to develop models that enable prompt and suitable clinical decision-making based on considerable information. Emergency nurses are responsible for categorizing and prioritizing injuries and illnesses on the frontlines of the emergency room. This study aims to create an Emergency Medical Rapid Triage and Prediction Assistance model using electronic medical records and machine learning techniques. Patient information was retrieved from the emergency department of a large regional teaching hospital in Taiwan, and five supervised learning techniques were used to construct classification models for predicting critical outcomes. Of these models, the model using logistic regression had superior prediction performance, with an F1 score of 0.861 and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.855. The Emergency Medical Rapid Triage and Prediction Assistance model demonstrated superior performance in predicting intensive care and hospitalization outcomes compared with the Taiwan Triage and Acuity Scale and three clinical early warning tools. The proposed model has the potential to assist emergency nurses in executing challenging triage assessments and emergency teams in treating critically ill patients promptly, leading to improved clinical care and efficient utilization of medical resources.
Factors influencing the continuation of home blood pressure measurement in community-dwelling older adults: the NOSE study
Authors: Wada Arisa , Kabayama Mai , Godai Kayo , Kido Michiko , Ohata Yuka , Murakami Naoko , Nakamura Yuko , Yoshida Hiroko , Hashimoto Sumiyo , Higashi Makiko , Hatanaka Hiromi , Kikuchi Takeshi , Terauchi Keiji , Nagayoshi Sho , Matsuno Fumie , Shinomiya Noboru , Asayama Kei , Ohkubo Takayoshi , Rakugi Hiromi , Tabara Yasuharu , Kamide Kei
Published: December 2023

Objective:

This study aimed to identify the factors influencing home blood pressure measurement (HBPM) continuation in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods:

A longitudinal analysis used the NOSE study intervention group datasets. The participants were encouraged HBPM with self-monitoring devices provided to them twice in the morning and twice in the evening. Every 7-day interval from the HBPM start date was defined as 1 week, and the number of HBPMs per week was counted. The first week in which the number of HBPMs was zero was defined as the week in which HBPM was discontinued. Participants who did not experienced discontinuation until the end of the observation period were considered complete survivors in the survival time analysis.

Results:

Data from 437 participants were included in the analysis. Of these, 120 (27.5%) discontinued HBPM. In univariate analysis, factors significantly associated with HBPM discontinuation included exercise habits [hazard ratio per one unit 0.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.69], social participation (hazard ratio 0.65; 95% CI 0.42–0.99), MoCA-J score (hazard ratio 0.94; 95% CI 0.90–0.98), and frailty (hazard ratio 5.20; 95% CI 2.87–9.43). In multivariate analysis, factors significantly associated with HBPM discontinuation included sex (hazard ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.32–0.95; ref. = female individuals), smoking history (hazard ratio 1.69; 95% CI 1.02–2.80), exercise habits (hazard ratio 0.51; 95% CI 0.30–0.85), MoCA-J score (hazard ratio 0.93; 95% CI 0.88–0.98), and frailty (hazard ratio 3.31; 95% CI 1.50–7.29).

Conclusion:

Among community-dwelling older adults, female sex, smoking history, lack of exercise, cognitive decline, and frailty were identified as factors influencing HBPM discontinuation.
Combining renin-angiotensin system blockade and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibition in experimental diabetes results in synergistic beneficial effects
Authors: Cruz-López Edwyn O. , Ye Dien , Stolk Daniel G. , Clahsen-van Groningen Marian C. , van Veghel Richard , Garrelds Ingrid M. , Poglitsch Marko , Domenig Oliver , Alipour Symakani Rahi S. , Merkus Daphne , Verdonk Koen , Jan Danser A.H.
Published: December 2023

Background:

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibition exerts cardioprotective and renoprotective effects, often on top of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockade. We investigated this in diabetic hypertensive (mREN2)27 rats.

Methods:

Rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin and treated with vehicle, the angiotensin receptor blocker valsartan, the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin, or their combination. Blood pressure (BP) was measured by telemetry.

Results:

Diabetes resulted in albuminuria, accompanied by glomerulosclerosis, without a change in glomerular filtration rate. Empagliflozin did not lower BP, while valsartan did, and when combined the BP drop was largest. Only dual blockade reduced cardiac hypertrophy and prevented left ventricular dilatation. Valsartan, but not empagliflozin, increased renin, and the largest renin rise occurred during dual blockade, resulting in plasma angiotensin II [but not angiotensin-(1–7)] upregulation. In contrast, in the kidney, valsartan lowered angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1–7), and empagliflozin did not alter this. Although both valsartan and empagliflozin alone tended to diminish albuminuria, the reduction was significant only when both drugs were combined. This was accompanied by reduced glomerulosclerosis, no change in glomerular filtration rate, and a favorable expression pattern of fibrosis and inflammatory markers (including SGLT2) in the kidney.

Conclusion:

RAS blockade and SGLT2 inhibition display synergistic beneficial effects on BP, kidney injury and cardiac hypertrophy in a rat with hypertension and diabetes. The synergy does not involve upregulation of angiotensin-(1–7), but may relate to direct RAS-independent effects of empagliflozin in the heart and kidney.
A Comparative Study of Medium-sized Macular Hole Surgery with Inverted Internal Limiting Membrane Flap Technique versus Conventional Peeling
Authors: Iwasaki Masanori , Nakashizuka Hiroyuki , Tanaka Koji , Wakatsuki Yu , Onoe Hajime , Sakakibara Takuya , Nakagawa Naoya , Fujimiya Taishi , Koutari Sawako , Kitagawa Yorihisa , Takayuki Hattori , Mori Ryusaburo , Shimada Hiroyuki
Published: December 2023

Purpose:

To investigate surgical results for medium-sized (251–400 µm) macular holes (MHs).

Methods:

This retrospective observational study involved 266 eyes of 262 consecutive patients who underwent internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling (147 eyes in the ILM peeling group) or inverted ILM flap cover technique (119 eyes in the inverted flap group) for primary medium-sized full-thickness MHs. MH associated with retinal detachment, recurrent MH, and traumatic MH were excluded.

Results:

The primary closure rate for overall medium-sized MHs was 100% (119/119 eyes) in the inverted flap group, which was significantly higher than that (94.6% [139/147 eyes]; p = 0.010) in the ILM peeling group. Notably, even after adjusting for the minimum MH diameter, presence of high myopia, or pre-existing posterior vitreous detachment, the primary closure rate was significantly better in the inverted flap group than in the ILM peeling group (Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel Test, overall adjusted p = 0.006, 0.009, 0.005, respectively). The pre- and postoperative restoration of the outer retinal layers and visual acuity were comparable between the inverted ILM flap and ILM peeling techniques.

Conclusion:

Primary closure for medium-sized MHs was significantly superior in the inverted flap group than in the ILM peeling group.
A Rare Case of COVID-19 Related Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy With the RANBP2 Mutation in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Christou Evangelos , Kotsia Alkisti , Tziouvas Konstantinos , Filias Panagiotis , Patsoura Aristoula
Published: December 2023

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare childhood neurological disorder. The familiar type of ANE (ANE1) is associated with a mutation in the RANBP2 gene. Both SARS-CoV-2 and RANBP2 mutations are responsible for the manifestation of a hyper-inflammatory response that invades the central nervous system and plays a key role in the rapid progression of encephalopathy.
Pulmonary hypertension in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current understanding, knowledge gaps and future directions
Authors: Atchley William T. , Kakkera Teja Krishna
Published: December 2023

Purpose of review

Despite the advent of effective and mechanistically diverse treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and their positive impacts on the functional capacities and outcomes for PAH patients, the much larger population of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in chronic lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PH-COPD) remain without effective therapies.

Recent findings

In this review, we will highlight advances in the understanding of PH-COPD pathobiology, the clinical impact comorbid PH has on COPD outcomes, and detail the spectrum of disease and clinical phenotypes that encompass the heterogenous disease manifestations of PH-COPD. Finally, we will examine recent studies exploring the effects of potential treatments for PH-COPD and highlight sub-populations and treatment options that warrant further study.

As the PAH population-base ages and comorbid diseases become more frequently diagnosed in PAH patients, the need to clearly delineate subpopulations for clinical applications of PH therapies and research becomes even more urgent. Through an improved understanding of the clinical phenotypes of PH-COPD and the overlap with certain subpopulations of PAH, a framework for future research and potential for therapeutic impact is highlighted.
Advances in desensitization for human leukocyte antigen incompatible kidney transplantation
Authors: Vo Ashley , Ammerman Noriko , Jordan Stanley C.
Published: December 2023

Purpose of review

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) sensitization is a major barrier to kidney transplantation induced by exposure to alloantigens through pregnancy, blood product exposure and previous transplantations. Desensitization strategies are undertaken to improve the chances of finding compatible organ offers. Standard approaches to desensitization include the use of plasmapheresis/low dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or high dose IVIG plus anti-CD20. However, current methods to reduce HLA antibodies are not always successful, especially in those with calculated panel reactive antibody 99–100%.

Recent findings

Newer desensitization strategies such as imlifidase [immunoglobulin G (IgG) endopeptidase] rapidly inactivates IgG molecules and creates an “antibody-free zone”, representing an important advancement in desensitization. However, pathogenic antibodies rebound, increasing allograft injury that is not addressed by imlifidase. Here, use of anti-IL-6R (tocilizumab) or anti-interleukin-6 (clazakizumab) could offer long-term control of B-memory and plasma cell DSA responses to limit graft injury. Agents aimed at long-lived plasma cells (anti-CD38 and anti-BCMAxCD3) could reduce or eliminate HLA-producing plasma cells from marrow niches. Other agents such as complement inhibitors and novel agents inhibiting the Fc neonatal receptor (FcRn) mediated IgG recycling will likely find important roles in desensitization.

Use of these agents alone or in combination will likely improve the efficacy and durability of desensitization therapies, improving access to kidney transplantation for immunologically disadvantaged patients.
The role of Da Vinci Xi robotic simulation curriculum in enhancing skills in robotic colorectal surgery
Authors: Saqib Sabah Uddin , Bajwa Adeel Ahmad
Published: December 2023

Robotic surgery in comparison to open and laparoscopic surgery allows better ergonomics, three-dimensional vision, and seven-degree freedom of movement. This ensures fast recovery, fewer postoperative complications, and safe oncological resections. Robotic surgery has revolutionized the field of colorectal surgery, providing surgeons with enhanced precision, dexterity, and visualization. To ensure safe and successful outcomes, surgeons must acquire competency and proficiency in robotic surgical techniques. Robotic simulation exercises have emerged as a valuable tool for training and skill development in robotic colorectal surgery. This research paper explores the importance and relationship between robotic simulation exercises and the acquisition of skills and competency required for carrying out safe colorectal surgery using a robotic platform. The authors discuss the benefits of virtual simulation-based training using the Da Vinci Xi skill simulator, and the evidence supporting its effectiveness in colorectal surgery. In this article, emphasis has been made on some important Da Vinci Xi skill simulator exercises for enhancing skills in robotic colorectal surgery.
Slower intravenous tramadol administration can prevent nausea and vomiting and predict postoperative nausea and vomiting: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gan Wanxia , Zheng Xiaozhu , Chen Yuanjing , Shu Bin , Dan Ling , Duan Guangyou , Chen Jie
Published: December 2023

Objective:

Nausea and vomiting are the most common complications in patients who use tramadol for analgesia. This study evaluated the risk of nausea and vomiting related to intravenous tramadol administration.

Methods:

In this study, 315 patients who received pre-analgesia before elective surgery were selected, and participants were divided into groups based on the Apfel risk assessment of nausea and vomiting, as follows: high risk (Apfel=4), medium risk (Apfel=2–3), and low-risk (Apfel=1). Tramadol (1.5 mg/kg) was administered intravenously over a duration of 1 min, 2 min, or 3 min before anaesthesia induction to observe preoperative nausea and vomiting reactions within 10 min.

Results:

In the low-risk group, the numeric rating scale for postoperative nausea scores and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly lower in the 3-min group than those in the 1-min group, and the incidence of preoperative nausea and vomiting after intravenous administration of tramadol in the 1-min and 3-min groups were significantly related to the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The incidence of nausea and vomiting during pre-administration in the 1-min and 3-min groups was identified as an independent risk factor for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Conclusions:

In the clinical treatment of pain with tramadol, the slow intravenous application of tramadol within 3 min is worthy of being adopted and promoted by clinicians in their daily work.
Dunking rusk: innovative food soaking behaviour in Goffin's cockatoos (
Cacatua goffiniana
)
Authors: Zewald J. S. , Auersperg A. M. I.
Published: December 2023

Foraging innovations in animals involving the processing of resources that are already edible in an unprocessed state, yet of improved quality in a processed state, are rare but important to study the evolution of food preparation. Here, we present the first scientific report of food dunking behaviours in parrots by Goffin's cockatoos, a model species for innovative problem solving. Observations during lunch showed seven out of 18 cockatoos placing their food into water and soaking it prior to consumption. This was largely done with dry rusk which was eaten almost exclusively when dunked. Furthermore, their transport effort and waiting times before retrieving food from the water indicate their willingness to invest considerable time to prepare a soaked rusk piece of a higher texture quality. Our present results suggest that the function of this behaviour is to soak the food. Because only some individuals dunked food and dunking has not been observed in the wild, we believe this to be a spontaneous foraging innovation either by one or multiple individuals.
Quantifying visual acuity in
Heliconius
butterflies
Authors: Wright Daniel Shane , Manel Anupama Nayak , Guachamin-Rosero Michelle , Chamba-Vaca Pamela , Bacquet Caroline Nicole , Merrill Richard M.
Published: December 2023

Heliconius
butterflies are well-known for their colourful wing patterns, which advertise distastefulness to potential predators and are used during mate choice. However, the relative importance of different aspects of these signals will depend on the visual abilities of
Heliconius
and their predators. Previous studies have investigated colour sensitivity and neural anatomy, but visual acuity (the ability to perceive detail) has not been studied in these butterflies. Here, we provide the first estimate of visual acuity in
Heliconius
: from a behavioural optomotor assay, we found that mean visual acuity = 0.49 cycles-per-degree (cpd), with higher acuity in males than females. We also examined eye morphology and report more ommatidia in male eyes. Finally, we estimated how visual acuity affects
Heliconius
visual perception compared to a potential avian predator. Whereas the bird predator maintained high resolving power,
Heliconius
lost the ability to resolve detail at greater distances, though colours may remain salient. These results will inform future studies of
Heliconius
wing pattern evolution, as well as other aspects in these highly visual butterflies, which have emerged as an important system in studies of adaptation and speciation.
Exploring the Microbial Communities in Green Honey from Banggi Island, Sabah, Malaysia using Amplicon Sequencing Analysis
Authors: Ullah Saeed , Abdul Wahab Roswanira , Oyewusi Habeebat Adekilekun , Abdul Hamid Azzmer Azzar , Naim Mohamad Mohd Azrul , Huyop Fahrul
Published: December 2023

The green honey food product from honeybee is produced in the forest's subsurface region on Banggi Island, Because of its uniqueness, the product attracts a great market price. Naturally the honey doesn’t acquire microorganisms due to strong chemical property and dormant nature. Major causes of microbial contamination are probable to include pollen, the digestive tracts of honeybees, sources that are extremely difficult to control include earth, air, dust, and nectar. This study was carried out to determine the microbial diversity of green honey using amplicon sequencing method, we targeted 16S rRNA V3-V4 region for bacterial species and ITS1 region for fungal diversity. Result revolved that; Bacteria include the largest number of identified taxa (256) and read (136856400), total of (118) different bacteria species identified and validated with seven distinct phyla, namely protobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteriota, Bacteriodata, fusobacteriota, chloroflexota, and some unclassified phylum. Among other identified species only 11 bacterial species relative abundance is higher than one percent. Fungi is the second largest with 08 taxa identified and number of read (16217100). Six different species of fungi and only two species of yeast were identified, all the identified species were belong to two different phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. Among other identified genera genus Zygosaccharomyces have relative abundance (99%) as compared to other species identified, it reflects the very high abundance of Zygosaccharomyces in green honey sample.
ELISA for leptospiral 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase in urine is a promising screening tool for acute leptospirosis
Authors: Karunadasa A.K.U.I. , Toma Claudia , Senaratne Pavani , Kumara K.G.R.A. , Herath T.M. , Pathirage M.M.K. , Gamage Chandika D
Published: December 2023

Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that is prevalent worldwide. The leptospiral 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (3-HADH) is excreted in the urine of infected individuals. However, the potential use of 3-HADH as a biomarker for the diagnosis of leptospirosis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has not been investigated. A technique that identifies Leptospira in a patient in urine sample will be valuable in regular diagnostics and epidemic scenarios, as opposed to existing serological approaches. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an ELISA that can detect 3-HADH in the urine of patients with confirmed acute leptospirosis and to assess its potential as a screening test for leptospirosis.
Methods: Laboratory confirmation of acute leptospirosis was done by flaB-nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of plasma samples from suspected patients. ELISA-based determination of the presence of 3-HADH in the urine of PCR-positive patients versus PCR-negative patients matched for fever date was performed by coating ELISA plates with urine supernatants and using rabbit anti-3-HADH as the primary antibody. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the cutoff values for the ELISA. The diagnostic measures between the PCR-positive and PCR-negative patients were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: In total 158 febrile patients were assessed, of whom 121 (76.6%) were male. Of the 15 flaB-nested-PCR-positive patients, 12 were in the acute phase of the febrile illness. The best cutoff was an average optical density (ODav) value of 0.2200 for febrile patients. Sensitivity and specificity were 83.33% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.59–97.91%) and 83.33% (95% CI, 76.05–89.13%), respectively. The ODav values for PCR-positive patients in the acute phase of the disease (≤7 days of fever) were significantly higher than those for PCR-negative patients (p<0.001, U=114.0, z= -4.946).
Conclusion: Detection of 3-HADH in urine by ELISA appears promising for the screening of acute leptospirosis in suspected patients.
A computational study to assess the pathogenicity of single or combinations of missense variants on respiratory Complex I
Authors: Rigobello Laura , Lugli Francesca , Caporali Leonardo , Bartocci Alessio , Fadanni Jacopo , Zerbetto Francesco , Iommarini Luisa , Carelli Valerio , Ghelli Anna Maria , Musiani Francesco
Published: December 2023

Variants found in the respiratory complex I (CI) subunit genes encoded by mitochondrial DNA can cause severe genetic diseases. However, it is difficult to establisha prioriwhether a single or a combination of CI variants may impact oxidative phosphorylation. Here we propose a computational approach based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. One of the primary CI variants (m.14484T>C/MT-ND6) associated with the Leber hereditary optic neuropathy was used as a test case. This variant was investigated alone or in combination with two additional rare CI variants whose role remains uncertain. We found that the primary variant stiffens CI dynamics in the crucial E-channel region and that one of the other variants, located in the vicinity of the primary one, further worsens the stiffening. This approach may be extended to other variants candidate to exert a pathogenic impact on CI function, or to investigate the interaction of multiple variants.

Teaser

Molecular dynamics is able to predict the functional impact of variants hitting respiratory complex I mitochondrial genes.
Identifying drug sensitivity of multifocal primary prostate cancer
Authors: Kang Juening , Chouvardas Panagiotis , Ovchinnikova Katja , Thalmann George N. , Karkampouna Sofia , Kruithof-de Julio Marianna
Published: December 2023

The pronounced intra-patient variability in multifocal primary prostate cancer (PCa) has curtailed the efficacy of current treatment options. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have emerged as a pivotal model for functional testing due to their capability to retain the histopathological and molecular characteristics of parental tissues, allowing timely acquisition of drug response outcomes. In our study, employing twin biopsies from multiple lesions with matched PDO modelsin vitro, we investigated the molecular heterogeneity of PCa, and how it is linked to in vitro PDO pharmacological heterogeneity. Our functional testing approach leverages PDOs to screen standard-of-care treatment and FDA-approved compounds for other malignancies, aiming to repurpose their use in PCa and explore alternatives to androgen deprivation therapy. By integrating gene expression data from parental tissue with drug response results from PDOs, we have established a transcriptomics-based drug prediction models. The machine learning-based prediction model can predict the experimental PDO response to a specific drug, for the majority of screened drugs. This study offers a preclinical approach to potentially procure drug prediction outcomes and validate them in PDO models, as a prior step to clinical trial investigations or for selection of targeted therapeutic options.
A cyclic dipeptide for salinity stress alleviation and the trophic flexibility of an endophyte reveal niches in salt marsh plant-microbe interactions
Authors: Hung Shih-Hsun Walter , Yeh Pin-Hsien , Huang Tsai-Ching , Huang Shao-Yu , Wu I-Chen , Liu Chia-Ho , Lin Yu-Hsi , Chien Pei-Ru , Huang Fan-Chen , Ho Ying-Ning , Kuo Chih-Horng , Hwang Hau-Hsuan , Chiang En-Pei Isabel , Huang Chieh-Chen
Published: December 2023

In response to climate change, the nature of endophytes and their applications in sustainable agriculture has attracted the attention of academia and agro-industries. We focused on the endophytic halophiles of the endangered Taiwanese salt marsh plant,Bolboschoenus planiculmis, and evaluated the functions of the isolates throughin plantasalinity stress alleviation assay usingArabidopsis. An endophytic strainPriestia megateriumBP01R2 that could promote plant growth and salinity tolerance was further characterised through multi-omics approaches. The transcriptomics results suggested that BP01R2 could function by tuning hormone signal transduction, energy-producing metabolism, multiple stress responses, etc. In addition, a cyclodipeptide, cyclo(L-Ala-Gly), identified by metabolomics analysis was later confirmed to contribute to salinity stress alleviation in stressed plants by exogenous supplementation. Here we provide a new perspective on host-microbe interactions in the wetland biome based on the multi-omics investigation and mixotrophic character of BP01R2. This study revealed a biostimulant-based plant-endophyte symbiosis with potential application in sustainable agriculture and facilitated our understanding of those enigmatic cross-kingdom relationships.