bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overexpressing eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) proteins to promote corticospinal axon repair after injury
Authors: Romaus-Sanjurjo Daniel , Saikia Junmi M. , Kim Hugo J. , Tsai Kristen M. , Le Geneva Q. , Zheng Binhai
Published: September 2022

Although protein synthesis is hypothesized to have a pivotal role in axonal repair after central nervous system (CNS) injury, the role of core components of the protein synthesis machinery has not been examined. Notably, some elongation factors possess non-canonical functions that may further impact axonal repair. Here, we examined whether overexpressing eukaryotic elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF1A) proteins enhances the collateral sprouting of corticospinal tract (CST) neurons after unilateral pyramidotomy, along with the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that overexpressing eEF1A proteins in CST neurons increased the levels of pS6, an indicator for mTOR activity, but not pSTAT3 and pAKT levels, in neuronal somas. Strikingly, overexpressing eEF1A2 alone, but neither eEF1A1 alone nor both factors simultaneously, increased protein synthesis and actin rearrangement in CST neurons. While eEF1A1 overexpression only slightly enhanced CST sprouting after pyramidotomy, eEF1A2 overexpression substantially enhanced this sprouting. Surprisingly, co-overexpression of both eEF1A1 and eEF1A2 led to a sprouting phenotype similar to wild-type controls, suggesting an antagonistic effect of overexpressing both proteins. These data provide the first evidence that overexpressing a core component of the translation machinery, eEF1A2, enhances CST sprouting, likely by a combination of increased protein synthesis, mTOR signaling and actin cytoskeleton rearrangement.
Mechanostimulation of breast myoepithelial cells induces functional changes associated with DCIS progression to invasion
Authors: Hayward Mary-Kate , Allen Michael D. , Gomm Jennifer J. , Goulding Iain , Thompson Clare L. , Knight Martin M. , Marshall John F. , Jones J. Louise
Published: September 2022

Women with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) have an increased risk of progression to invasive breast cancer. Although not all women with DCIS will progress to invasion, all are treated as such, emphasising the need to identify prognostic biomarkers. We have previously shown that altered myoepithelial cells in DCIS predict disease progression and recurrence. By analysing DCIS duct size in sections of human breast tumour samples, we identified an associated upregulation of integrin β6 and an increase in periductal fibronectin deposition with increased DCIS duct size that associated with the progression of DCIS to invasion. Our modelling of the mechanical stretching myoepithelial cells undergo during DCIS progression confirmed the upregulation of integrin β6 and fibronectin expression in isolated primary and cell line models of normal myoepithelial cells. Our studies reveal that this mechanostimulated DCIS myoepithelial cell phenotype enhances invasion in a TGFβ-mediated upregulation of MMP13. Immunohistochemical analysis identified that MMP13 was specifically upregulated in DCIS, and it was associated with progression to invasion. These findings implicate tissue mechanics in altering the myoepithelial cell phenotype in DCIS, and that these alterations may be used to stratify DCIS patients into low and high risk for invasive progression.
Quantum anomalous semimetals
Authors: Fu Bo , Zou Jin-Yu , Hu Zi-Ang , Wang Huan-Wen , Shen Shun-Qing
Published: September 2022

The topological states of matter and topological materials have been attracting extensive interests as one of the frontier topics in condensed matter physics and materials science since the discovery of quantum Hall effect in 1980s. So far all the topological phases such as integer quantum Hall effect and topological insulators are characterized by integer topological invariants. None is a half integer or fractional. Here we propose a type of semimetals which hosts a single cone of Wilson fermions. The Wilson fermions possess linear dispersion near the Dirac point, but break the chiral or parity symmetry such that an unpaired Dirac cone can be realized on a lattice. In order to avoid the fermion doubling problem, the chiral symmetry or parity symmetry must be broken explicitly if the hermiticity, locality and translational invariance all hold. We find that the system can be classified by the relative homotopy group, and a half-integer topological invariant. We term the nontrivial quantum phase as quantum anomalous semimetal. The work opens the door towards exploring novel states of matter with fractional topological charge.
KSHV (HHV8) vaccine: promises and potential pitfalls for a new anti-cancer vaccine
Authors: Casper Corey , Corey Lawrence , Cohen Jeffrey I. , Damania Blossom , Gershon Anne A. , Kaslow David C. , Krug Laurie T. , Martin Jeffrey , Mbulaiteye Sam M. , Mocarski Edward S. , Moore Patrick S. , Ogembo Javier Gordon , Phipps Warren , Whitby Denise , Wood Charles
Published: September 2022

Seven viruses cause at least 15% of the total cancer burden. Viral cancers have been described as the “low-hanging fruit” that can be potentially prevented or treated by new vaccines that would alter the course of global human cancer. Kaposi sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV or HHV8) is the sole cause of Kaposi sarcoma, which primarily afflicts resource-poor and socially marginalized populations. This review summarizes a recent NIH-sponsored workshop’s findings on the epidemiology and biology of KSHV as an overlooked but potentially vaccine-preventable infection. The unique epidemiology of this virus provides opportunities to prevent its cancers if an effective, inexpensive, and well-tolerated vaccine can be developed and delivered.
Application of 0-1 test for chaos on forward converter to study the nonlinear dynamics
Authors: Ali Ahsan , Iqbal Sajid , Muqeet Hafiz Abdul , Munir Hafiz Mudassir , Bukhari Syed Sabir Hussain , Ro Jong-Suk , Akbar Zeeshan
Published: September 2022

DC–DC converters has significant role in the applied power electronic systems, distributed power systems, computers, home appliances and communication equipment. A converter must remain within the specified range of operation. The main goal of this paper is to discuss the nonlinear behavior of forward converter and highlighted the application of the 0-1 test by applying it on the forward converter. As forward converter may contains electronic components, which cause instability in the system. So, it is necessary to understand its behavior when specifications of components are changed. To study chaotic behavior, 0-1 test will be applied on the forward converter, which is a novel technique outperform in unearthing the subtle chaotic behavior in deterministic dynamical systems. The forward converter goes from period-1, period-2, period-4 and finally become chaotic when the load resistance is varied. This variation in the behavior of the forward converter are analysis through 0-1 test for chaos. Moreover, time series plot, phase portrait and Bifurcation diagram for forward converter is also drawn for the validation of results obtained from 0-1 test. Test algorithm is applied via MATLAB and simulation of forward converter via MultiSim by varying its load resistance.
Flap monitoring with incisional negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in diabetic foot patients
Authors: Park Jun Ho , Park Ji-Ung
Published: September 2022

Various types of flaps are considered as reconstructive options for patients with diabetic foot ulcer. However, flap reconstruction for diabetic foot ulcer treatment is particularly challenging because of the relatively limited collateral perfusion in the distal lower extremity. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel postoperative monitoring procedure implemented in conjunction with negative pressure wound therapy immediately after flap operations for treating diabetic foot. A retrospective analysis was performed on diabetic foot patients who underwent free flaps and perforator flaps from March 2019 through August 2021. The surgical outcomes of interest were the rates of survival and complications. On the third postoperative day, patients underwent computed tomography angiography to check for pedicle compression or fluid collection in the sub-flap plane. Monitoring time, as well as comparisons between NPWT and conventional methods, were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed between the two groups. This study included 26 patients. Among patients, the negative pressure wound Therapy treated group included 14 flaps and the conventional monitoring group included 12 flaps. There was no significant intergroup difference in flap survival rate (p = 0.83). In addition, there was no significant intergroup difference in the diameters of perforators or anastomosed vessels before and after negative pressure wound therapy (p = 0.97). Compared with conventional monitoring, flap monitoring with incisional negative pressure wound therapy was associated with a significantly lower mean monitoring time per flap up to postoperative day 5. Although conventional monitoring is widely recommended, especially for diabetic foot ulcer management, the novel incisional negative pressure wound therapy investigated in this study enabled effortless serial flap monitoring without increasing complication risks. The novel flap monitoring technique is efficient and safe for diabetic foot patients and is a promising candidate for future recognition as the gold standard for flap monitoring.
Computational insights into the [Ni]H-catalyzed remote C(sp3)–H hydroamidation of alkenes: mechanism and insertion selectivity
Authors: Wang Juping , Zheng Zhenjie , Lin Zijie , Xiao Rongxing , Miao Tifang
Published: September 2022

A complete mechanism of the [Ni]H-catalyzed remote C(sp3)–H hydroamidation of alkenes was established and the origin of insertion selectivity was revealed.
Stronger winds increase the sand-dust storm risk in northern China
Authors: Liu Yi , Xu Rongrong , Ziegler Alan D. , Zeng Zhenzhong
Published: September 2022

Annual average wind speed and sand-dust storm frequency trends in China changed synchronously.
Removal of arsenic from smelting wastewater using Fe3O4as anin situFe source: the effect of pre-dissolution and the evolution process of scorodite
Authors: Li Guohua , Qi Xianjin , Shi Jiahao , Yan Guizhi , Wang Heng , Zhang Aimin
Published: September 2022

Arsenic (As) pollution is a serious worldwide problem that requires urgent attention, as this heavy metal poses a serious threat to both human and environmental health.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria disinfection in untreated hospital wastewater using peracetic acid with short contact time
Authors: Sanchez Diego Francisco , Kisieliene Lina , Lindholst Sabine , Hansen Alexander Valentin , Sanderbo Jesper , Løppenthien Birgitte Krogh , Eilkær Thomas , Pedersen Natascha Kock , Jørgensen Jan , Kragelund Caroline , Andersen Henrik Rasmus , Chhetri Ravi Kumar
Published: September 2022

Peracetic acid effectively reduced the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in untreated municipal & hospital wastewater.
Biopolymer-based electrospun fibers in electrochemical devices: versatile platform for energy, environment, and health monitoring
Authors: Banitaba Seyedeh Nooshin , Ebadi Seyed Vahid , Salimi Pejman , Bagheri Ahmad , Gupta Ashish , Arifeen Waqas Ul , Chaudhary Vishal , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Kaushik Ajeet , Mostafavi Ebrahim
Published: September 2022

Electrochemical power tools, fabricated using the natural-based electrospun fibers, are regarded as essential keys in a world that is becoming increasingly reliant on fossil fuels in order to meet the challenges of rapidly depleting fossil fuel supplies.
Interesting dimensional transition through changing cations as the trigger in multinary thioarsenates displaying variable photocurrent response and optical anisotropy
Authors: Zhang Chao , Zhou Sheng-Hua , Xiao Yu , Lin Hua , Liu Yi
Published: September 2022

Two novel quaternary thioarsenates Cs2ZnAs4S8 and [(NH4)Cs]CdAs4S8 with intriguing dimensional transition have been discovered for the first time, which display variable photocurrent response and optical anisotropy.
Modular construction of α-furanyl ketones via semi-pinacol rearrangement-mediated ring expansion
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhu Shifa
Published: September 2022

An efficient semi-pinacol rearrangement strategy of enynals involving a metal carbene intermediate has been developed, which allows the practical synthesis of various functionalized α-furanyl ketones in moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions.
A novel sensor for the selective monitoring of trace ytterbium ions using an agarose-based optical membrane
Authors: Amin Alaa S. , El-Feky Hesham H. , Hassan Nader
Published: September 2022

The immobilized optical sensor preparation and its measurement procedure.
Enhancing two-dimensional perovskite photodetector performance through balancing carrier density and directional transport
Authors: Huang Tao , Zhu Zhicheng , Zhao Chen , Kong Wenchi , Chen Xuhang , Li Ruiyan , Yu Zhi , Shi Zhiming , Li Dabing , Yang Bai , Yu Weili
Published: September 2022

A balance between carrier density and carrier directional transport is achieved when the inorganic layer number n is 4, and thereby a high-efficiency perovskite single crystal horizontal photodetector is prepared.
A high performance approach for solving the high voltage direct current ion flow field problem by tensor‐structured finite element method
Authors: Cheng Qiwen , Zou Jun
Published: September 2022

In order to achieve high performance for solving the ion flow field problem, an approach is proposed with the tensor‐structured finite element method (FEM) to accelerate the Newton iteration. The Poisson equation and the continuity equation are reformulated into the tensor expressions, respectively. The element level evaluation phase is decomposed into the concatenated tensor contraction operations, which is implemented by the highly optimised arithmetic operation provided in Matlab. In contrast to the traditional implemented FEM, the tensor‐structured FEM has significantly improved the throughput and achieved high performance. The accuracy and efficiency of the tensor‐based algorithm are verified under the unipolar and bipolar model, respectively. The tensor‐based algorithm provides one order of magnitude speedup over the traditional algorithm in the elemental evaluation phase. ‘Tensorization’ is an efficient way to bridge the algorithm and the hardware.
Étude de l’effet de l’ajout des déchets de marbre sur les propriétés du béton à base de granulats de briques recyclés (GBR)
Authors: El Maghri Sanaa , Yousfi Samia , Essallaki Hicham , Bouamrani Mouna Latifa
Published: September 2022

Le présent travail vise à valoriser les déchets issus de l’industrie des matériaux de construction à savoir les débris des briques en terre cuite des briqueteries et les déchets de marbre. Pour atteindre cet objectif de valorisation des déchets inertes, non dangereux issus de l’industrie des matériaux de construction, il est impératif de développer des systèmes de recyclage de ces déchets. C’est dans cette optique que nous proposons, dans ce travail, de recycler les déchets de briques en terre cuite ainsi que les déchets de marbre. Il s’agit d’une étude expérimentale où différentes formulations des bétons ont été préparées à partir d’une formulation de référence avec des granulats naturels. Une substitution partielle avec des taux de 20 %, 40 %, 60 % jusqu’à une substitution totale de 100 % a été réalisée. Les bétons ainsi fabriqués ont été caractérisés afin d’évaluer leurs performances en comparaison avec celles du béton de référence. Les résultats de cette étude ont prouvé que les meilleures performances du béton sont obtenues pour un taux de 20 % et 40 % de substitution. Ces résultats ont été améliorés par l’ajout des déchets de marbre sous forme de poudre, avec différents taux (5 %, 10 % et 15 %). La qualité des bétons ainsi fabriqués a été améliorée. Ainsi, ces granulats recyclés peuvent être employés à la place de granulats naturels dans de nouvelles constructions en suivant la norme EN 206 qui réglemente leur utilisation selon leurs caractéristiques et la classe d’exposition des ouvrages construits.
Hinkley Point C : l’étalon britannique
Authors:   La rédaction
Published: September 2022

La centrale d’Hinkley Point C, avec deux réacteurs en construction, est le plus jeune des chantiers EPR. Lancé en 2016, il a pu bénéficier de l’expérience des quatre projets précédents menés à travers le monde et sera déterminant pour la réussite des projets à venir.
L’EPR sur la route des Indes
Authors: Dupin Ludovic
Published: September 2022

La décarbonation de l’Inde est un défi majeur pour la transition énergétique et la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre à l’échelle mondiale. Malgré son immense pression démographique, le pays doit en effet sortir urgemment du charbon. Si les renouvelables seront le premier levier pour y parvenir, le nucléaire devra aussi prendre toute sa part. À commencer par la centrale de Jaitapur, un projet de six EPR porté par EDF et NPCIL, l’entreprise publique du nucléaire indienne.
Drogennotfallschulung Opioidabhängiger in Haft und Versorgung
mit Take-Home Naloxon bei Haftentlassung: Machbarkeitsstudie aus dem bayerischen
Modellprojekt
Authors: Wodarz-von Essen Heike Jutta , Wolstein Jörg , Pogarell Oliver , Wodarz Norbert
Published: September 2022

Einleitung 22–30% der Inhaftierten in Deutschland sollen
intravenöse Drogenkonsumenten sein. In den ersten Wochen nach
Haftentlassung steigt das Sterberisiko um das 12-fache, meist infolge einer
Opioidüberdosis. Als möglicher Baustein zur
Mortalitätsreduktion soll die Machbarkeit einer Drogennotfallschulung,
inkl. Take-Home Naloxon bei inhaftierten Opioidabhängigen
überprüft werden.

MethodikEine Teilstichprobe im Rahmen des Bayerischen Take-Home Naloxon
Modellprojektes umfasste inhaftierte Opioidabhängige in 5 bayerischen
Justizvollzugsanstalten. Es erfolgte eine manualisierte Drogennotfallschulung,
inkl. Take-Home Naloxon. Sämtliche Erhebungen erfolgten mit
standardisierten Fragebögen oder teilstrukturierten Interviews.

Ergebnisse Durchschnittlich nahmen 3,9 (1–10) inhaftierte
Opioidabhängige pro Schulung teil. Zum Zeitpunkt der Schulung waren die
Opioidabhängigen seit 42 (1–228) Wochen in Haft und erwarteten
ihre Haftentlassung in ca. 10 (1–64) Wochen. Es konnten 62
Opioidabhängige in Haft eingeschlossen werden (Alter: 36 (22–53)
Jahre; 53,2% Frauen; Alter bei Opioid-Erstkonsum: 19,2 (10–31)
Jahre). 68% waren bereits selbst von einem Drogennotfall betroffen.
84% erlebten bereits mindestens einen Drogennotfall bei einem anderen
Konsumierenden, davon 36% sogar mehrmals. Knapp ein Drittel gab an, beim
letzten erlebten Notfall nicht geholfen zu haben, meist aus Angst, etwas falsch
zu machen. Knapp 50% riefen zumindest den Rettungsdienst. Immerhin
25% versuchten, zu helfen, allerdings mit wenig geeigneten
Maßnahmen. 75% gaben an, häufig in Gegenwart anderer
Personen zu konsumieren, meist mit Partner und/oder
Freunden/Bekannten. Die inhaftierten Opioidabhängigen konnten
gut zur Teilnahme motiviert werden und zeigten einen signifikanten Zuwachs an
Wissen und Skills zum lebensrettenden Umgang mit einer
Opioidüberdosierung.

Schlussfolgerung Die Machbarkeitsstudie zeigt, dass manualisierte
Drogenotfallschulungen mit inhaftierten Opioidabhängigen, sowie die
Vergabe von Take-Home Naloxon am Haftende umsetzbar sind. Ein Best-Practice
Modell wurde etabliert, z. B. Reduktion anfänglicher Vorbehalte,
praktische Organisation, Naloxon-Verordnung durch AnstaltsärztInnen. Die
hohe Rate an bereits erlebten Drogennotfällen und der häufige
Konsum im Beisein Anderer (potentielle Ersthelfer) belegt, dass die Zielgruppe
erreicht wurde. Für eine messbare Senkung der Mortalität
benötigt es jedoch eine breite Ausrollung.
Der Einfluss des Behandlungsvolumens psychiatrischer Kliniken auf das
Risiko der Anwendung besonderer Sicherungsmaßnahmen
Authors: Bramesfeld Anke , Röding Dominik
Published: September 2022

Ziel Bestimmen des Einflusses des Behandlungsvolumens auf die
Häufigkeit und Dauer der Anwendung von Besonderen
Sicherungsmaßnahmen (bSm) wie Fixierung und Isolierung.

Methode Datenbasis sind krankenhausbezogene Registerdaten aus
Niedersachsen der Halbjahre 2/2019 bis 1/2021 zu Fällen,
die nach dem Niedersächsischen Gesetz für Psychisch Kranke
(NPsychKG) untergebracht sind, zum Anteil der Fälle, die eine bSm
erhielten sowie zur Anzahl und kumulativen Dauer von bSm/Fall. Es wurden
einfache lineare Regressionsmodelle gerechnet.

Ergebnis und Diskussion Mit Zunahme des Behandlungsvolumens von nach
NPsychKG untergebrachten Fällen sinkt der Anteil der Fälle, die
bSm erhalten. Dieses Ergebnis bleibt bestehen auch wenn statistische
Ausreißer aus den Berechnungen herausgelassen werden.

Schlussfolgerung Angesichts von Hinweisen, dass auch in der
psychiatrischen Versorgung das Behandlungsvolumen mit dem gewünschten
Behandlungsziel assoziiert ist, sollte das Spannungsfeld wohnortnahe
vollstationäre Versorgung in kleinen Kliniken versus Konzentration von
Expertise in Zentren diskutiert werden.
Higher Symptom Score, Larger Residual Rectocele, and Lower Rectal Compliance Predict Failure of Improvement after Surgical Treatment of Rectocele
Authors: Emile Sameh Hany , Elfallal Ahmed Hossam , Abdelnaby Mahmoud , Balata Mohamed
Published: September 2022

Background Rectocele is a frequent finding in women and is usually asymptomatic. However, it is sometimes associated with symptoms of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS). While most patients with ODS due to rectocele respond well to conservative treatment, some may require surgical treatment. The aim of the study was to determine the predictors of failure of symptom improvement after rectocele repair.

Methods The study included adult women with rectocele who underwent surgical treatment by transperineal repair (TPR) or transvaginal repair (TVR). The preoperative and postoperative assessment was done using the Wexner constipation score, anorectal manometry, and defecography.

Results A total of 93 female patients with a mean age of 43.7 years were included. Among them, 65.6% of patients underwent TPR and 34.4% underwent TVR; 22 (23.7%) patients reported failure of significant improvement in ODS symptoms after surgery. The independent predictors of failure of improvement were higher preoperative Wexner score (odds ratio, OR: 1.4, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.09–1.84, p = 0.009), larger residual rectocele after repair (OR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.43–6.08, p = 0.003), and lower postoperative maximum tolerable volume (OR: 0.949, 95% CI: 0.907–0.992, p = 0.02). The predictive cutoff point for the preoperative Wexner score was 15.

Conclusions Patients with a preoperative Wexner score higher than 15 and larger residual rectocele after surgery may experience little improvement in symptoms after rectocele repair. Although TPR was associated with a poorer relief of symptoms than did TVR; it was not an independent predictor of failure.
Origin of oscillatory structures in the magnetothermal conductivity of the putative Kitaev magnet α-RuCl3
Authors: Bruin J. A. N. , Claus R. R. , Matsumoto Y. , Nuss J. , Laha S. , Lotsch B. V. , Kurita N. , Tanaka H. , Takagi H.
Published: September 2022

The layered honeycomb magnet α-RuCl3 has been suggested to exhibit a field-induced quantum spin liquid state, in which the reported large thermal Hall effect close to the half-quantized value still remains a subject of debate. Recently, oscillatory structures of the magnetothermal conductivity were reported and interpreted as quantum oscillations of charge-neutral particles. To investigate the origin of these oscillatory structures, we performed a comprehensive measurement of the in-plane magnetothermal conductivity κ(H) down to low temperature (100 mK), as well as magnetization M, for single crystals grown by two different techniques: Bridgman and chemical vapor transport. The results show a series of dips in κ(H) and peaks in the field derivative of M located at the same fields independent of the growth method. We argue that these structures originate from the field-induced phase transitions rather than from quantum oscillations. The positions of several of these features are temperature-dependent and connected to the magnetic phase transitions in zero field: the main transition at 7 K and weaker additional transitions, which likely arise from secondary phases at 10 K and 13 K. In contrast to what is expected for quantum oscillations, the magnitude of the structure in κ(H) is smaller for the higher conductivity crystal and decreases rapidly upon cooling below 1 K.
The ages of pragmatic particles in Colloquial Singapore English
Authors: Li Lijun , Lorenz Eliane , Siemund Peter
Published: September 2022

The study aims to work towards a diachronic reconstruction of pragmatic particles in Colloquial Singapore English (CSE, also known as “Singlish”) by exploiting an unused historical data source: The Oral History Interviews held by the National Archives of Singapore (OHI-NAS). We investigate the distribution of five pragmatic particles (ah, lah, leh, lor, and meh) in 101 interviews conducted between 1979 and 2009 in speakers born between 1899 and 1983. Lim (2007) reconstructs the origin of these particles in different substrate languages, with the first two particles (ah and lah) being traceable to earlier Bazaar Malay and/or Hokkien, while the latter three (leh, lor, and meh) are of later Cantonese origin. The results of the present study show that ah and lah are the most frequent particles attested earliest. Their frequency of use increases over time, being additionally contingent on the gender and age of the speakers, their educational level, and their ethnic background. The particles ah and lah are mostly used in assertive contexts.
Widespread declines in water salinity of the endorheic Tibetan Plateau lakes
Authors: Song Chunqiao , Luo Shuangxiao , Liu Kai , Chen Tan , Zhang Pengfei , Fan Chenyu
Published: September 2022

The Tibetan Plateau (TP) hosts more than one thousand lakes (>1km2) in its endorheic basins. The changing climate in recent decades has led to significant modifications in the endorheic hydrologic system. Most TP lakes experienced dramatically expanding areas, rising water levels, and increasing storage, which inevitably influenced the lake salinity. This study provides a regional-scale investigation of water salinity changes of the TP lakes (for 83 lakes with two-epoch salinity records, among the approximately 160 lakes >50km2) by synthesizing multi-source data around the 1970s and 2010s. Our results reveal lake salinity has considerably declined for most expanding lakes across the endorheic basins. The mean salinity of 62 terminal lakes dropped from 92.76 g l−1 to 42.00 g l−1 during the 1970s–2010s, in contrast to the slight variations (3.42 g l−1 to 1.48 g l−1) of the 21 exorheic or upstream lakes. As a result, many hypersaline lakes have become polysaline or oligosaline lakes, such as Cedo Caka, Norma Co, etc. In particular, some large lakes (e.g., Siling Co, ‘Twin Lakes’, and Ayakkum Lake) also experienced significant drops in water salinity, with the exceptional cases for Nam Co and Qinghai Lake probably due to the relatively low ratios of increased water mass to their net storages. The widespread declining water salinities could greatly influence bacterial richness, diversity, and evenness, and affect the aquatic carbon cycle and utilization in the high-altitude endorheic lakes. More attention should be paid on understanding the saline lake ecosystem evolution and the regional carbon cycle in response to changing water salinity of the TP lakes.
Improving bacterial genome assembly using a test of strand orientation
Authors: Greenberg Grant , Shomorony Ilan
Published: September 2022

The complexity of genome assembly is due in large part to the presence of repeats. In particular, large reverse-complemented repeats can lead to incorrect inversions of large segments of the genome. To detect and correct such inversions in finished bacterial genomes, we propose a statistical test based on tetranucleotide frequency (TNF), which determines whether two segments from the same genome are of the same or opposite orientation. In most cases, the test neatly partitions the genome into two segments of roughly equal length with seemingly opposite orientations. This corresponds to the segments between the DNA replication origin and terminus, which were previously known to have distinct nucleotide compositions. We show that, in several cases where this balanced partition is not observed, the test identifies a potential inverted misassembly, which is validated by the presence of a reverse-complemented repeat at the boundaries of the inversion. After inverting the sequence between the repeat, the balance of the misassembled genome is restored. Our method identifies 31 potential misassemblies in the NCBI database, several of which are further supported by a reassembly of the read data.

Availability and implementation

A github repository is available at https://github.com/gcgreenberg/Oriented-TNF.git.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Impact of surgeon and hospital factors on length of stay after colorectal surgery systematic review
Authors: Bayat Zubair , Guidolin Keegan , Elsolh Basheer , De Castro Charmaine , Kennedy Erin , Govindarajan Anand
Published: September 2022

Background

Although length of stay (LOS) after colorectal surgery (CRS) is associated with worse patient and system level outcomes, the impact of surgeon and hospital-level factors on LOS after CRS has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to synthesize the evidence for the impact of surgeon and hospital-level factors on LOS after CRS.

Methods

A comprehensive database search was conducted using terms related to LOS and CRS. Studies were included if they reported the effect of surgeon or hospital factors on LOS after elective CRS. The evidence for the effect of each surgeon and hospital factor on LOS was synthesized using vote counting by direction of effect, taking risk of bias into consideration.

Results

A total of 13 946 unique titles and abstracts were screened, and 69 studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies were retrospective and assessed a total of eight factors. Surgeon factors such as increasing surgeon volume, colorectal surgical specialty, and progression along a learning curve were significantly associated with decreased LOS (effect seen in 87.5 per cent, 100 per cent, and 93.3 per cent of studies respectively). In contrast, hospital factors such as hospital volume and teaching hospital status were not significantly associated with LOS.

Conclusion

Provider-related factors were found to be significantly associated with LOS after elective CRS. In particular, surgeon-related factors related to experience specifically impacted LOS, whereas hospital-related factors did not. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these relationships may allow for tailoring of interventions to reduce LOS.
Christianity and Psychedelic Medicine: A Pastoral Approach
Authors: McCarthy Bryan
Published: September 2022

In recent years, researchers in the “psychedelic renaissance” have been reinvestigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical anxiety/depression, and addiction. Each of these has treatment-resistant cases, sometimes decades in the making, but studies employing psychedelics to address them are yielding impressive results. Given the evolving legal situation around these substances as well as corporate investment in them, their availability and appeal promise to increase. The question facing Christians is: How do these developments impact the theological significance of psychedelics as a broader phenomenon? This paper argues that since the population standing to benefit from these treatments is likely to include Christians, a thoughtful and rigorous response is necessary. The inquiry proceeds by analyzing some of the pertinent research, showing the insufficiency of previous Christian responses, and considering some hurdles and objections before issuing a call to theologize on this timely and important cultural moment.
Clinical governance of patients with acute coronary syndromes
Authors: Leonardi Sergio , Montalto Claudio , Carrara Greta , Casella Gianni , Grosseto Daniele , Galazzi Marco , Repetto Alessandra , Tua Lorenzo , Portolan Monica , Ottani Filippo , Galvani Marcello , Gentile Leandro , Cardelli Laura Sofia , De Servi Stefano , Antonelli Andrea , De Ferrari Gaetano Maria , Visconti Luigi Oltrona , Campo Gianluca ,   ACS Clinical Governance Programme Investigators, Gazmawi Rasheed , Valenza Filippo Andrea , Russo Francesco Alfio , Carli Sebastiano , Dioniso Francesco Matteo , Barengo Alberto , Castelli Chiara , Fortuni Federico , Peschiera Anna , Candito Pamela , Scorza Marco , Acquaro Mauro , Camporotondo Rita , Costantino Ilaria , Gnecchi Massimiliano , Guida Stefania , Totaro Rossana , Repetto Alessandra , Ferlini Marco , Mirizzi Alessandro Mandurino , Marinoni Barbara , Ferrario Maurizio , Elia Arianna , Perlini Stefano , Secco GianMarco , Manzalini Chiara , Lodolini Veronica , Mosele Elisa , Flamigni Filippo , Sammarini Giulia , Daniello Emanuele , Carletti Roberto , Conficoni Elisa , Pedretti Roberto Franco Enrico , Staine Tiziana
Published: September 2022

Aims

Using the principles of clinical governance, a patient-centred approach intended to promote holistic quality improvement, we designed a prospective, multicentre study in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We aimed to verify and quantify consecutive inclusion and describe relative and absolute effects of indicators of quality for diagnosis and therapy.

Methods and results

Administrative codes for invasive coronary angiography and acute myocardial infarction were used to estimate the ACS universe. The ratio between the number of patients included and the estimated ACS universe was the consecutive index. Co-primary quality indicators were timely reperfusion in patients admitted with ST-elevation ACS and optimal medical therapy at discharge. Cox-proportional hazard models for 1-year death with admission and discharge-specific covariates quantified relative risk reductions and adjusted number needed to treat (NNT) absolute risk reductions. Hospital codes tested had a 99.5% sensitivity to identify ACS universe. We estimated that 7344 (95% CI: 6852–7867) ACS patients were admitted and 5107 were enrolled—i.e. a consecutive index of 69.6% (95% CI 64.9–74.5%), which varied from 30.7 to 79.2% across sites. Timely reperfusion was achieved in 22.4% (95% CI: 20.7–24.1%) of patients, was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for 1-year death of 0.60 (95% CI: 0.40–0.89) and an adjusted NNT of 65 (95% CI: 44–250). Corresponding values for optimal medical therapy were 70.1% (95% CI: 68.7–71.4%), HR of 0.50 (95% CI: 0.38–0.66), and NNT of 98 (95% CI: 79–145).

Conclusion

A comprehensive approach to quality for patients with ACS may promote equitable access of care and inform implementation of health care delivery.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.Gov ID NCT04255537
Left-bundle branch pacing as bail-out strategy after failed coronary sinus lead placement for cardiac resynchronization: a case report
Authors: Fink Thomas , Eitz Thomas , Sohns Christian , Sommer Philipp , Imnadze Guram
Published: September 2022

Background

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by implantation of an endocardial coronary sinus (CS) pacing lead is an established heart failure therapy. The recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines on cardiac pacing and CRT recommend conduction system pacing (CSP) as a potential bail-out therapy in patients with previously unsuccessful CS-lead implantation. We present a case in which unsuccessful implantation of a CS pacing and ineffective QRS correction by His-bundle pacing (HBP) was overcome by left-bundle branch pacing (LBBP) to achieve cardiac resynchronization.

Case summary

The patient had to undergo revision of a CS lead for CRT due to rising pacing thresholds and pacing impedance. CS-lead implantation was omitted by a stenotic posterolateral CS branch. HBP did not lead to adequate QRS correction. The patient underwent successful LBB lead implantation as bail-out therapy. After LBBP lead implantation electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters were evident of effective CRT.

Discussion

Conduction system pacing may be an alternative to CS pacing for CRT in heart failure patients, which is endorsed by the current European guidelines. LBBP may overcome limitations of HBP and provide an alternative to other strategies such as surgical implantation of epicardial left-ventricular pacing leads. Further studies are needed to fully clarify the role of LBBP for heart failure treatment.
Evolution of higher mesenchymal CD44 expression in the human lineage
Authors: Ma Xinghong , Dighe Anasuya , Maziarz Jamie , Neumann Edwin , Erkenbrack Eric , Hei Yuan-Yuan , Liu Yansheng , Suhail Yasir ,   Kshitiz, Pak Irene , Levchenko Andre , Wagner Günter P
Published: September 2022

CD44 is an extracellular matrix receptor implicated in cancer progression. CD44 increases the invasibility of skin (SF) and endometrial stromal fibroblasts (ESF) by cancer and trophoblast cells. We reasoned that the evolution of CD44 expression can affect both, the fetal–maternal interaction through CD44 in ESF as well as vulnerability to malignant cancer through expression in SF. We studied the evolution of CD44 expression in mammalian SF and ESF and demonstrate that in the human lineage evolved higher CD44 expression. Isoform expression in cattle and human is very similar suggesting that differences in invasibility are not due to the nature of expressed isoforms. We then asked whether the concerted gene expression increase in both cell types is due to shared regulatory mechanisms or due to cell type-specific factors. Reporter gene experiments with cells and cis-regulatory elements from human and cattle show that the difference of CD44 expression is due to cis effects as well as cell type-specific trans effects. These results suggest that the concerted expression increase is likely due to selection acting on both cell types because the evolutionary change in cell type-specific factors requires selection on cell type-specific functions. This scenario implies that the malignancy enhancing effects of elevated CD44 expression in humans likely evolved as a side-effect of positive selection on a yet unidentified other function of CD44. A possible candidate is the anti-fibrotic effect of CD44 but there are no reliable data showing that humans and primates are less fibrotic than other mammals.
Early evolution and transmission of GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus in China
Authors: Wang Luqi , Ji Lei , Li Hao , Xu Deshun , Chen Liping , Zhang Peng , Wang Weibing
Published: September 2022

Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. During 2016–2017, a novel recombinant GII.P16-GII.2 genotype of norovirus suddenly appeared and over the next several years became the predominant strain in both China and worldwide. To better understand the origin and diffusion of the GII.P16-GII.2 genotype in China, we conducted molecular evolutionary analyses, including phylodynamics and phylogeography. Moreover, to trace person-to-person transmission of GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus, we applied the novel method, TransPhylo, to a historical phylogeny using sequences obtained from a publicly available database. A time-scaled phylogenetic tree indicated that the time to the most recent common ancestor of the GII.P16-GII.2 major capsid protein (VP1) gene diverged from the GII.P2-GII.2 VP1 gene at 2,001.03 with an evolutionary rate of 3.32 × 10−3 substitutions/site/year. The time to the most recent common ancestor of the GII.P16-GII.2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region diverged from the GII.P16-GII.4 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region at 2,013.28 with an evolutionary rate of 9.44 × 10−3 substitutions/site/year. Of these 2 genomic regions, VP1 gene sequence variations were the most influenced by selective pressure. A phylogeographic analysis showed that GII.P16-GII.2 strains in China communicated most frequently with those in the United States, Australia, Thailand, and Russia, suggesting import from Australia to Taiwan and from the United States to Guangdong. TransPhylo analyses indicated that the basic reproductive number (R0) and sampling proportion (pi) of GII.P16-GII.2 norovirus were 1.99 (95% confidence interval: 1.58–2.44) and 0.76 (95% confidence interval: 0.63–0.88), respectively. Strains from the United States and Australia were responsible for large spread during the evolution and transmission of the virus. Coastal cities and places with high population densities should be closely monitored for norovirus.
Bidirectional Links of Daily Sleep Quality and Duration With Pain and Self-rated Health in Older Adults’ Daily Lives
Authors: Lücke Anna J , Wrzus Cornelia , Gerstorf Denis , Kunzmann Ute , Katzorreck Martin , Hoppmann Christiane , Schilling Oliver K
Published: September 2022

Background

Sleep and health perceptions, such as self-ratings of pain and health are closely linked. However, the temporal ordering of such associations is not well understood, and it remains unclear whether sleep quality and sleep duration show similar or differential associations with health perceptions.

Methods

We used ecological momentary assessment data from 123 young-old (66–69 years, 47% women) and 47 old-old adults (84–90 years, 60% women). Across 7 consecutive days, participants reported their sleep quality and sleep duration each morning and rated their momentary pain and health 6 times per day. We applied dynamic structural equation models to examine bidirectional links of morning reports of sleep quality and duration with daily levels of self-rated pain and health.

Results

In line with the hypotheses, results showed that when participants reported better sleep quality than what is typical for them, they reported less pain and better self-rated health on the day that followed. Longer sleep duration was not linked with subsequent pain or self-rated health. On days when people rated their health as better than usual, they reported better sleep quality but not longer sleep duration the following night. These associations were not moderated by age, gender, or chronic pain.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that in old age, sleep quality is more relevant for health perceptions than sleep duration. Associations between sleep quality and self-rated health seem to be bidirectional; daily pain was linked to prior but not subsequent sleep quality.
Wavelet Characterizations of Operator-Valued Hardy Spaces
Authors: Hong Guixiang , Wang Wenhua , Wu Xinfeng
Published: September 2022

Let $\mathcal {M}$ be a von Neumann algebra equipped with a normal semifinite faithful trace $\tau $, and $H_{p}(\mathbb {R},\,\mathcal {M}) (1\leq p<\infty )$ be the operator-valued Hardy spaces introduced by Tao Mei. In this paper, we characterize the operator-valued column Hardy space $H^c_{p}(\mathbb {R},\,\mathcal {M}) (1\leq p<\infty )$ by using several square functions involving wavelets, which corresponds to Meyer’s wavelet characterizations of the classical Hardy space when $p=1$.
Habits, Rule-of-thumb Consumption and Useful Public Consumption in Sub-Sahara Africa: Theory and New Evidence
Authors: Nana Francois John
Published: September 2022

Aggregate consumption behaviour of private agents is central in the mediation and effectiveness of macroeconomic policies, and it is therefore of first-order importance. In this paper, I derive and estimate a structural consumption model for a panel of 34 sub-Sahara African (SSA) countries from 1960 to 2018 to provide new evidence on three important aggregate consumption behaviours—habit formation, rule-of-thumb consumption behaviour and the complementarity of government consumption in private utility. The following key findings emerge. (1) There is evidence of habit formation in aggregate consumption. (2) Approximately 38% of consumers follow the rule-of-thumb of consuming their current income suggesting a deviation from the permanent income hypothesis in SSA. However, this rule-of-thumb consumption behaviour in the data is driven by the period before the mobile banking/money era that emerged post-2000s. (3) Public consumption complements private consumption in an Edgeworth–Pareto sense. This suggests that expansionary fiscal policies involving increases in government consumption can be an effective vehicle in stimulating aggregate demand via a positive marginal utility channel. These findings are robust to demographic factors and stable under different model assumptions.
Locally advanced breast cancer arising in the axilla
Authors: Sapon-Cousineau Sasha , Moldoveanu Dan , Charpentier Danielle , Gagnon Alain , Patocskai Érica
Published: September 2022

Locally advanced breast cancer arising from ectopic axillary breast tissue is an unusual presentation of this malignancy. The work-up and treatment approach pose some unique challenges. We present the case of a 37-year-old female presenting with a left axillary lesion with skin involvement. Radiological studies and biopsy demonstrated an underlying axillary mass compatible with a triple-positive invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. Following neoadjuvant therapy, the patient underwent nipple-sparing mastectomy with wide local excision of the involved axillary skin and axillary lymph node dissection. Ectopic locally advanced breast cancer can be treated similarly to its orthotopic counterpart, favoring a neoadjuvant therapy approach followed by surgical excision. Special considerations include the local anatomy of the tumor, the extent of surgery and reconstructive options.
Establishment of Review Criteria Coordinating With the Automated Digital Cell Morphology Identification System in a Specialized Women’s and Children’s Hospital
Authors: Wang Yuefang , Ye Lei , Chen Lan , Chen Qi , Zhang Xia , Dai Qingkai , Peng Luyun , Lai Chunqi , Zhang Ge
Published: September 2022

Objective

We aimed to establish appropriate review criteria for blood cell analysis in a specialized women’s and children’s hospital. Also, the CellaVision DI-60, was developed as one of the automated digital cell morphology analyzer, we evaluated if it was shown to be most effective under the certain review criteria.

Methods

A total of 2890 blood samples were detected to optimize the previously established review criteria for women and children with the Sysmex XE-2100. A total of 623 samples were used to validate the criteria.

Results

The microscopic-review rate based on the initial review criteria was 51.0%. After optimization, it was reduced to 17.3% and the false-negative rate was 3.85%. There was > 80% consistency between manual review results and CellaVision DI-60 preclassification when samples triggered the platelet- or red cell-related rules. The sensitivity for abnormalities (immature granulocytes, nucleated red blood cells) of reclassification was 90% to 100% and the false-negative rate was < 5%. However, direct microscopic review was required when the “Blasts/AbnLympho?” and “Atypical Lympho?” flags were triggered.

Conclusion

Specialized review criteria are needed for women and children. An automated morphology identification system might help to improve the review criteria.