bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review on fault-tolerant control strategies for lithium-ion battery systems
Authors: Ghaeminezhad Nourallah , Wang Zhisheng , Ouyang Quan
Published: September 2022

Expanding the usable life of rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries in numerous applications calls for an effective evaluation of probable faults and their diagnosis and control methods. Plenty of work has focused on Lithium-ion battery systems’ fault detection and diagnosis techniques. However, seldom of them are devoted to the comprehensive analysis and comparison of the fault-tolerant control schemes. To fill this gap, a review of the most up-to-date fault-tolerant control methods applied to the Lithium-ion battery systems is conducted in this paper. They are classified as active, passive, and integrated methods. To this end, this paper first presents a detailed description of fault types in Lithium-ion batteries, followed by a proposed classification of fault detection and diagnostic methods. Finally, the paper concludes with a comprehensive discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of the reviewed algorithms.
Labour market collectivism: New solidarities of highly skilled freelance workers in medicine, IT and the film industry
Authors: Apitzsch Birgit , Wilkesmann Maximiliane , Ruiner Caroline , Bassyiouny Mona , Ehlen Ronny , Schulz Lena
Published: September 2022

Highly skilled freelance workers are mainly depicted as a challenge to trade unionism because of their mobility, market power and specific interests in organisational support. The authors explore the manifestations of collectivism of highly skilled freelance workers on the basis of semi-structured interviews with 14 highly skilled freelancers and 35 representatives of intermediaries such as trade unions, professional associations, staffing agencies and cooperatives in medicine, IT and film in Germany. The results reveal new forms and dynamics of labour market collectivism arising from concurrent conflicts and negotiations of job access and working conditions.
Contextualizing the Impacts of Homelessness on Academic Growth
Authors: Pavlakis Alexandra E. , Goff Peter , Miller Peter M.
Published: September 2022

Background/Context

Students experiencing homelessness are also often living in poverty and may share many of the same characteristics and experiences with children in low-income housing. Scholars aim to understand the impacts of homelessness above and beyond the effects of poverty, but studies are mixed. Contextual factors—such as the localized implementation of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (McKinney-Vento), which aims to reduce barriers to school success for students experiencing homelessness—are often overlooked by scholars but may play an important role in explaining inconsistencies between single-site studies.

Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study

Our purpose is to examine the impacts of homelessness above and beyond poverty. We ask two questions: “To what extent does homelessness impact students’ academic growth?” and “To what extent does chronic homeless-ness impact students’ academic growth?” In making sense of our findings, we consider the unique context of our study site.

Setting

We draw data from Midtown, a pseudonym for a Midwestern city that has experienced rising homelessness. Midtown has a nationally recognized program aimed at overseeing McKinney-Vento.

Research Design

We conducted a secondary analysis of a longitudinal administrative district dataset. For our first question, we used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, with and without student fixed effects, with standard errors clustered at the school level. To help isolate the impact of homelessness apart from poverty, we (a) limited our sample to include only those students who have experienced sustained poverty (history of free lunch status) and stable housing prior to fourth grade, (b) included relevant covariates to adjust for other between-group differences, (c) used student fixed effects to control for any remaining time-invariant, unobserved between-group differences, and (d) examined achievement growth (rather than absolute achievement). To examine our second research question (chronic homelessness), we used OLS regression, with standard errors clustered at the school level.

Conclusions/Recommendations

Notwithstanding the fact that Midtown devotes considerable resources toward McKinney-Vento, the impact of homelessness remains evident in our fixed effects model. Turning to chronic homelessness, our results showed no discernible impact on achievement growth. We speculate that as time goes on, the Midtown district may play an important role in buffering families. Our study suggests that in order to reduce the impact of homelessness on academic achievement, it is important to be aware of when students become homeless—so that their needs can be met right at this critical juncture. Specific recommendations, such as the ongoing use of residency questionnaires and surveys, are discussed.
Representative Bureaucracy, Environmental Turbulence, and Organizational Performance
Authors: Xu Xiaoyang , Flink Carla
Published: September 2022

The literature on representative bureaucracy posits that increased representation at the managerial level leads to improved outcomes for minority clients. These managers, however, must work within organizational constraints and during times of environmental turbulence to sustain organizational performance. We forward the theory that contextual factors, such as environmental turbulence, could moderate the effects of representation on organizational performance. Utilizing a Texas school-level dataset of K-12 education from 2011, we examine how the race of the school principal influences student standardized test performance in a time of widespread financial resource cuts. Our findings suggest that same-race school principal representation improves the academic performance of both African American and Latino students, but the positive effects diminish as budgetary cuts become more widespread in the school. This means that environmental turbulence can decrease the impact of representation.
Effect of thymoquinone on sepsis-induced cardiac damage via anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms
Authors: Guo Wenyan , Long Xiaofeng , Lv Mingyi , Deng Shuling , Liu Duping , Yang Qin
Published: September 2022

Objective

Sepsis is a systemic and deleterious host reaction to severe infection. Cardiac dysfunction is an established serious outcome of multiorgan failure associated with this condition. Therefore, it is important to develop drugs targeting sepsis-induced cardiac damage and inflammation. Thymoquinone (TQ) has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fibrotic, anti-tumor, and anti-apoptotic effects. This study examined the effects of thymoquinone on sepsis-induced cardiac damage.

Methods

Male BALB/c mice were randomly segregated into four groups: control, TQ, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and CLP + TQ groups. CLP was performed after gavaging the mice with TQ for 2 weeks. After 48 hours, we estimated the histopathological changes in the cardiac tissue and the serum levels of cardiac troponin-T. We evaluated the expression of factors associated with inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Results

TQ significantly reduced intestinal histological alterations and inhibited the upregulation of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, Bax, NOX4, p-PI3K, and p-AKT. TQ also increased Bcl-2, HO-1, and NRF2 expression.

Conclusion

These results suggest that TQ effectively modulates pro-inflammatory, apoptotic, oxidative stress, and PI3K/AKT pathways, making it indispensable in the treatment of sepsis-induced cardiac damage.
The Conflicts and Conflict Management in Stable Middle-Class Marriages: An Indian Perspective
Authors: Barman Jeshmeen Deb , Maheshwari Saurabh , Varma Parvati
Published: September 2022

The present study explores the reason for conflict that Indian middle-class married couples face and the ways they manage those conflicts. For the purpose, 30 long-term married couples (Mage = 44.70 years; Mmarriage years = 19.48) were interviewed. Thematic analysis was carried out using Quirkos software. The reliability of the codes was checked by two independent raters and ICR was found to be 0.902. The analysis shows that disputes related to daily problems, finances, children, and in-laws, are more common in Indian middle-class couples. Unlike Western studies, Indian middle-class couples are not very vocal about problems related to intimacy and personal needs. Moreover, results show that the conflict management style of Indian middle-class couples is more relationship and partner-centric, that is, it is focused on benefiting their marital stability overall. We found three different but interdependent conflict management approaches—problem-solving, prioritizing partner, and harmonizing relationship. The results of the study show that some conflicts, as well as conflict management strategies, are more specific to Indian married couples, which probably gives longevity to Indian marriages. The findings can also help to guide and encourage couples facing problems in their marriage, especially young couples to choose an effective approach to solve a conflict.
Comparison of Prospectively Generated Glioma Treatment Plans Clinically Delivered on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)-Linear Accelerator (MR-Linac) Versus Conventional Linac: Predicted and Measured Skin Dose
Authors: Wang Michael H. , Kim Anthony , Ruschin Mark , Tan Hendrick , Soliman Hany , Myrehaug Sten , Detsky Jay , Husain Zain , Atenafu Eshetu G. , Keller Brian , Sahgal Arjun , Tseng Chia-Lin
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator radiotherapy is an innovative technology that requires special consideration for secondary electron interactions within the magnetic field, which can alter dose deposition at air–tissue interfaces. As part of ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement of new radiotherapy technologies, the purpose of this study was to evaluate skin dose modelled from the treatment planning systems of a magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator and a conventional linear accelerator, and then correlate with in vivo measurements of delivered skin dose from each linear accelerator. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 37 consecutive glioma patients had treatment planning completed and approved prior to radiotherapy initiation using commercial treatment planning systems: a Monte Carlo-based algorithm for magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator or a convolution-based algorithm for conventional linear accelerator. In vivo skin dose was measured using an optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter. Results: Monte Carlo-based magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator plans and convolution-based conventional linear accelerator plans had similar dosimetric parameters for target volumes and organs-at-risk. However, magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator plans had 1.52 Gy higher mean dose to air cavities ( P < .0001) and 1.10 Gy higher mean dose to skin ( P < .0001). In vivo skin dose was 14.5% greater for magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator treatments ( P = .0027), and was more accurately predicted by Monte Carlo-based calculation ( ρ = 0.95, P < .0001) versus convolution-based ( ρ = 0.80, P = .0096). Conclusion: This is the first prospective dosimetric comparison of glioma patients clinically treated on both magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator and conventional linear accelerator. Our findings suggest that skin doses were significantly greater with magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator plans but correlated better with in vivo measurements of actual skin dose from delivered treatments. Future magnetic resonance imaging-linear accelerator planning processes are being designed to account for skin dosimetry and treatment delivery.
Drivers’ Understanding of Artificial Intelligence in Automated Driving Systems: A Study of a Malicious Stop Sign
Authors: Garcia Katherine R. , Mishler Scott , Xiao Yanru , Wang Cong , Hu Bin , Still Jeremiah D. , Chen Jing
Published: September 2022

Automated Driving Systems (ADS), like many other systems people use today, depend on successful Artificial Intelligence (AI) for safe roadway operations. In ADS, an essential function completed by AI is the computer vision techniques for detecting roadway signs by vehicles. The AI, though, is not always reliable and sometimes requires the human’s intelligence to complete a task. For the human to collaborate with the AI, it is critical to understand the human’s perception of AI. In the present study, we investigated how human drivers perceive the AI’s capabilities in a driving context where a stop sign is compromised and how knowledge, experience, and trust related to AI play a role. We found that participants with more knowledge of AI tended to trust AI more, and those who reported more experience with AI had a greater understanding of AI. Participants correctly deduced that a maliciously manipulated stop sign would be more difficult for AI to identify. Nevertheless, participants still overestimated the AI’s ability to recognize the malicious stop sign. Our findings suggest that the public do not yet have a sufficiently accurate understanding of specific AI systems, which leads them to over-trust the AI in certain conditions.
Transarterial and transvenous pial arteriovenous Fistula embolization: A video case report
Authors: Housley Steven B , Waqas Muhammad , Cappuzzo Justin M , Almayman Faisal , Metcalf-Doetsch William , Siddiqui Adnan H
Published: September 2022

Cerebral pial arteriovenous fistulas (pAVFs) are rare and complex high-flow vascular malformations found in pediatric and adolescent populations. 1 They are often divided into two groups based on the pattern of venous drainage, galenic or nongalenic. Nongalenic pAVFs are typically supratentorial and carry a high risk of rupture. Their angioarchitecture is very complex with various patterns of feeding arteries and draining veins not originating from dural vessels or the vein of Galen. 2 The natural history has not been well established; however, mortality estimates range as high 63%. 1 Presentations include hemorrhage, seizure, congestive heart failure, and elevated intracranial pressure. 3 We describe the case of an adolescent girl with acute onset of headaches that led to the discovery of an occipital, nongalenic pAVF. Transarterial and transvenous embolizations performed during a single procedure resulted in complete obliteration of the fistula. No complications arose, and the patient remained at her neurological baseline.
High inflammatory burden predicts cardiovascular events in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: a long-term follow-up study
Authors: Shi Lin-Hong , Lam Steven H. , So Ho , Li Edmund K. , Li Tena K. , Szeto Cheuk-Chun , Tam Lai-Shan
Published: September 2022

Background:

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients are at higher risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD) than the general population, partly due to consequences of inflammation or its treatment. But relationship between inflammation in axSpA and cardiovascular events (CVE) is unknown.

Objectives:

To examine whether inflammatory burden over time can predict CVE independent of baseline CV risk factors in axSpA patients.

Design:

A cohort analysis was performed in patients who had been recruited since January 2001. The primary outcome was a first CVE occurring between January 2001 and December 2020.

Methods:

Three CVD risk scores were computed at baseline. The performance of the original and modified (*1.5 multiplication factor) CV risk algorithms were assessed. Time-varying Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were used to assess whether inflammatory burden (Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index [BASDAI] and inflammatory markers), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can predict the development of first CVE.

Results:

463 patients (35 [26–45] years, male: 360 [77.8%]) were recruited. After a median follow-up of 12 (7–19) years, 61 patients (13.2%) experienced a first CVE. Traditional/modified CV risk scores underestimated CV risk. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) ⩾ 20 mm/h was associated with a significantly higher risk of CVE during follow-up (HR: 2.07, 95%CI [1.10, 3.98], p = 0.008). Active disease as indicated by a rising BASDAI also showed positive trend towards a higher risk of developing CVE over time. After adjusting for CV risk scores in the multivariable models, high ESR level (ESR ⩾ 20 mm/h) over time remained significantly associated with a higher risk of developing CV events.

Conclusion:

Increased inflammatory burden as reflected by elevated ESR levels (ESR ⩾ 20) was associated with increased risk of CVE, while the use of NSAIDs and DMARDs were not.
Cytotoxic Biflavonoids from Selaginella braunii
Authors: Liu Xue-Feng , Fu Tong-Fei , Wu Jun-Song , Lu Bi-Chao , Zhang Ping , Liu He-Jing
Published: September 2022

A new biflavonoid, (2″ S)-8″-C-methyl-2″,3″-dihydrorobustaflavone-4′-methyl ether (1) and 5 known robustaflavones (2-6) were isolated from the 70% EtOH extract of Selaginella braunii for the first time. The structures of 1 and the known compounds were identified by performing a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data including ultraviolet-visible, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, 1-dimensional and 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, and circular dichroism spectra. Compounds 1-6 were determined for cytotoxic activity against 3 human cancer cell lines (SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and A549). Compound 1 exerted apparent antiproliferative effects on SMMC-7721, MCF-7, and A549 cells, with IC50 values of 18.6, 16.7, and 25.5 μM, respectively.
Bacterial isolates, antibiogram and outcomes of blood culture proven sepsis in neonates at a tertiary institution in South East Nigeria: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nnamani Kenechi O. , Nnamani Chioma P. , Iloh Kenechukwu K. , Aghanya Iloduba N. , Ushie Simon N. , Ofiaeli Ogochukwu C. , Ezeudu Chijioke E. , Onubogu Chinyere U. , Ugochukwu Ebelechukwu F. , Akujobi Comfort N. , Ezechukwu Clement C.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Neonatal sepsis (NNS) in developing countries continues to be a diagnostic and management challenge due to the delays in identifying the aetiologic pathogens and antibiograms.

Aim:

To determine the predominant bacterial isolates, antibiotic susceptibility pattern and outcomes of blood culture proven sepsis in neonates.

Methodology:

A hospital-based cross-sectional study of 120 neonates admitted into the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi with clinical features suggestive of sepsis. A semi-structured questionnaire and proforma were used to record neonatal, maternal and laboratory information. Blood specimens were collected for aerobic culture using Bactenecin (BACTEC)-Ped plus culture system. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Data obtained were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. p value < 0.05 was considered as significant.

Results:

There were 68 males and 52 females giving a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1. The median age at admission was 48 h. Staphylococcus aureus 13 (43.3%) was the most common bacteria isolated. The prevalence of blood culture proven sepsis were 25% and 6.7% of the subjects with positive blood culture died. Gram-positive bacteria isolated were sensitive to gentamicin, vancomycin (VA), linezolid and resistant to penicillin. Gram-negative bacteria isolated were sensitive to meropenem (MEM), imipenem (IPM), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and resistant to ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, ampicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid.

Conclusion:

The most common bacteria isolated causing NNS using BACTEC automated blood culture system was Staphylococcus aureus. The empirical antibiotics considered for use at the study site are gentamycin, VA for Gram-positive organisms and CIP, IPM and MEM for Gram-negative organisms. Some of the participants with positive blood culture died. Therefore, there is a need for regular antibiogram profiles in all hospitals offering neonatal care.
Obstructive salivary gland disease
Authors: Beneng Kiran
Published: September 2022

This paper provides an overview of the most common cause of salivary gland complaints presenting to the general dental practitioner, obstructive salivary gland disease (OSGD). It is important to be aware of the characteristic signs and symptoms to allow for appropriate management and onward referral.
Acid-suppressive therapy among infants and risk of anemia at 12 months of age
Authors: Abu-Sulb Ahmad , Al-Najjar Rawan , Maghnam Rama , Ashhab Ashraf
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

Numerous studies have shown that links exist between exposure to acid suppression among adults and nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin B12 and iron. While the use of acid suppression among children and infants is common, nutritional deficiency remains a concern but does not have numerous studies to support it. We conducted a cohort study to examine this concern; the hypothesis we proposed is that acid-suppressive therapy (AST) during infancy is linked to anemia in the first year of life.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included infants born between 2017 and 2018 who visited Legacy Community Health. The inclusion criteria were exposure to acid suppression for a minimum of 1 month and a hemoglobin reading at 12–15 months. Infants who had hemoglobinopathies, failure to thrive, or malabsorption syndromes were excluded. Mean hemoglobin was calculated, and student’s t-test was applied to find statistical differences between the two groups. Change in weight before and after treatment was recorded. Occurrence of respiratory and gastroenterological adverse events was recorded in the exposed group.

Results:

Overall, 135 exposed infants were identified 135 controls were selected. The majority of the sample included Hispanic girls. Ranitidine was the most commonly prescribed medicine. The duration of treatment was 3 months. Weight improved significantly at termination of the treatment. There was no significant difference between the hemoglobin level of cases and controls, and both were not considered anemic.

Conclusion:

AST was not linked to anemia, despite the slightly lower hemoglobin in some cases. There were few weaknesses in our study; therefore, further studies can examine this link by focusing further on medication type and close follow-up. We found that although proton pump inhibitors are considered the first line of treatment, histamine-2 receptor antagonists were more frequently prescribed. Strategies to familiarize general pediatricians with the NSAPGHAN guidelines might be needed.
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the use of psilocybin by veterans with symptoms of trauma
Authors: Smith FL , Neill JC , Wainwright V
Published: September 2022

Veterans are at increased risk of experiencing symptoms of trauma. Although many benefit from available treatments, some find treatment inaccessible or ineffective and explore alternative substances. One such substance is psilocybin. This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis study aimed to provide an initial insight into the experiences of veterans who have used or have considered using psilocybin and their perspectives regarding the acceptability of it as a treatment for their self-reported symptoms of trauma. Seven veterans with current or historic trauma symptoms were interviewed. All participants had either used or considered using psilocybin to alleviate their symptoms. All participants reported perceiving barriers when accessing treatment with many considering psilocybin out of desperation. All participants who had used psilocybin reported immediate and long-term improvements in their symptomatology. The study suggests that some perceive current treatments as ineffective and/or inaccessible, leading to the consideration of alternatives, such as psilocybin. The immediate and long-term symptom reductions reported suggest it may be a viable treatment option for symptoms of trauma for some. However, further research and clinical trials are required to form conclusions on the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for this group.
Territorial identity and boundary negotiations among Santhals
Authors: Dutta Sayak , Sinha Sachidanand
Published: September 2022

Santhals are the third-largest tribal community in India with a population of nearly 6.5 million. They are by far the largest tribal community in the Chhotanagpur region. However, despite inhabiting a contiguous geographical region, three state boundaries cut across them splintering their homeland. The present study, conducted via in-depth interviews of the region’s tribal intellectuals, is an attempt to synthesise the narratives of territoriality within the Santhal tribe, juxtaposing it with the political boundaries of the region. The lack of territorial unity is even more distressing when contrasted with the glory of Santhal Pargana, an autonomous region that they won for themselves in the colonial past. Coupled with their strong sense of cultural affinity, this has instilled a sense of territorial identity among Santhals that fails to find expression. Their migration to the Chhotanagpur region is shrouded more in myth than in history, as people have appropriated different regions to represent ‘Champagarh’ or ‘Hihiri-Pipiri’. The Santhal settlements of ‘Damin-i-Koh’ and the subsequent struggles of the Santhal rebellion have reinforced Santhal Pargana as a matter of territorial pride for the community. In independent India, Santhals threw their weight behind the Adivasi identity and Jharkhand movement. To their chagrin, they failed to meet their ideals of a tribal state. In recent years, Santhali identity has undergone a tremendous resurgence; narratives of Santhali unity evoke the golden age ‘Chae-Champa’ and the valour of Sedo-Kanhu. Social practices and literary expressions are being revived to supplement the budding national fervour. Santhali intelligentsia recognise the necessity of political autonomy, and it is perhaps only a matter of time until their cultural assertion finds expression in political struggle.
Arthroscopic Treatment of Femoral Neck Impingement Cysts Using Biocomposite Anchors in the Setting of Femoroacetabular Impingement
Authors: Day Hannah K. , Doan Kent C. , Shelton Trevor J. , Comfort Spencer M. , Philippon Marc J.
Published: September 2022

Background:

There is no established superior treatment for femoral neck impingement cysts, which may be symptomatic and can create a challenge in the arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. Isolated decompression of these cysts may lead to biomechanical compromise and an increased risk of femoral neck fracture similar to that associated with cortical perforation in osteoplasty of cam lesions, given the remaining focal osseous disruption and cortical discontinuity analogous to a burr perforation.

Indications:

In patients undergoing arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement and found to have femoral neck impingement cyst warranting decompression, occlusion of the remaining defect with a biocomposite anchor may improve symptoms related to the impingement cyst as well as reduce the risk of femoral neck fracture.

Technique Description:

This surgical technique video demonstrates the filling of a femoral neck impingement cyst using a case example of a very active middle-aged woman undergoing arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement. During cam osteoplasty in the peripheral compartment phase, the cyst is decompressed using a curette. An appropriately sized bioabsorbable suture anchor is secured into the defect and the sutures removed. The osteoplasty is resumed over the screw to achieve contouring of the femoral neck commensurate with an adequate head-neck offset confirmed by dynamic intraoperative hip examination.

Results:

Postoperative imaging from this procedure reveals bony in-fill with gradual dissolution of the biocomposite anchor. In our cohort of patients treated with biocomposite anchors concomitant to arthroscopic treatment of femoracetabular impingement with follow-up ranging from 2 to 12 years, there were no self-reported femoral neck fractures.

Discussion/Conclusion:

We expect that treatment of femoral neck impingement cysts with biocomposite anchors will stimulate bony in-fill of the defect stimulated by the anchor, with a decrease in the risk of femoral neck fracture as compared with an untreated cyst. Further research is needed to strengthen the evidence surrounding comparative treatment of impingement cysts as well as the optimal choice of material in the case of occlusion with a biocomposite anchor.
Natural variation in the maternal and zygotic mRNA complements of the early embryo in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Feitzinger Anna A. , Le Anthony , Thompson Ammon , Haseeb Mehnoor , Murugesan Mohan Koumar , Tang Austin M. , Lott Susan E.
Published: September 2022

Background

Maternal gene products supplied to the egg during oogenesis drive the earliest events of development in all metazoans. After the initial stages of embryogenesis, maternal transcripts are degraded as zygotic transcription is activated; this is known as the maternal to zygotic transition (MZT). Recently, it has been shown that the expression of maternal and zygotic transcripts have evolved in the Drosophila genus over the course of 50 million years. However, the extent of natural variation of maternal and zygotic transcripts within a species has yet to be determined. We asked how the maternal and zygotic pools of mRNA vary within and between populations ofD. melanogaster.In order to maximize sampling of genetic diversity, African lines ofD. melanogasteroriginating from Zambia as well as DGRP lines originating from North America were chosen for transcriptomic analysis.

Results

Generally, we find that maternal transcripts are more highly conserved, and zygotic transcripts evolve at a higher rate. We find that there is more within-population variation in transcript abundance than between populations and that expression variation is highest post- MZT between African lines.

Conclusions

Determining the natural variation of gene expression surrounding the MZT in natural populations ofD. melanogastergives insight into the extent of how a tightly regulated process may vary within a species, the extent of developmental constraint at both stages and on both the maternal and zygotic genomes, and reveals expression changes allowing this species to adapt as it spread across the world.
Differential venom gland gene expression analysis of juvenile and adult scorpions Androctonus crassicauda
Authors: Salabi Fatemeh , Jafari Hedieh
Published: September 2022

Background

TheAndroctonus crassicauda, belonging to the genusAndroctonusof the family Buthidae, is the most venomous scorpion in Middle East countries. However, the venom gland transcriptome profile ofA. crassicaudascorpion has not yet been studied. In this study, we elucidated and compared the venom gland gene expression profiles of adult and juvenile male scorpionA. crassicaudausing high-throughput transcriptome sequencing. This is the first report of transcriptional analysis of the venom glands of scorpions in different growth stages, with insights into the identification of the key genes during venom gland development.

Results

A total of 209,951 mRNA transcripts were identified from total RNA-seq data, of which 963 transcripts were differentially expressed (DE) in adult and juvenile scorpions (p < 0.01). Overall, we identified 558 up-regulated and 405 down-regulated transcripts in the adult compared to the juvenile scorpions, of which 397 and 269 unique unigenes were annotated, respectively. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the metabolic, thermogenesis, cytoskeleton, estrogen signaling, GnRH signaling, growth hormone signaling, and melanogenesis pathways were affected by two different growth conditions and the results suggested that the DE genes related to those pathways are important genes associated with scorpion venom gland development, in which they may be important in future studies, including Chs, Elovl, MYH, RDX, ACTN, VCL, PIP5K, PP1C, FGFR, GNAS, EGFR, CREB, CoA, PLCB, CALM, CACNA, PKA and CAMK genes.

Conclusions

These findings broadened our knowledge of the differences between adult and juvenile scorpion venom and opened new perspectives on the application of comparative transcriptome analysis to identify the special key genes.
Development and validation of a nomogram to predict cancer-specific survival in elderly patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: a population-based study
Authors: Wang Jinkui , Zhanghuang Chenghao , Jin Liming , Zhang Zhaoxia , Tan Xiaojun , Mi Tao , Liu Jiayan , Li Mujie , Wu Xin , Tian Xiaomao , He Dawei
Published: September 2022

Objective

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is the most common endocrine tumor in the human body. Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) accounts for more than 80% of thyroid cancers. Accurate prediction of elderly PTC can help reduce the mortality of patients. We aimed to construct a nomogram predicting cancer-specific survival (CSS) in elderly patients with PTC.

Methods

Patient information was downloaded from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to screen the independent risk factors for patients with PTC. The nomogram of elderly patients with PTC was constructed based on the multivariate Cox regression model. We used the concordance index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and the calibration curve to test the accuracy and discrimination of the prediction model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to test the clinical value of the model.

Results

A total of 14,138 elderly patients with PTC were included in this study. Patients from 2004 to 2015 were randomly divided into a training set (N = 7379) and a validation set (N = 3141), and data from 2016 to 2018 were divided into an external validation set (N = 3618). Proportional sub-distribution hazard model showed that age, sex, tumor size, histological grade, TNM stage, surgery and chemotherapy were independent risk factors for prognosis. In the training set, validation set and external validation set, the C-index was 0.87(95%CI: 0.852–0.888), 0.891(95%CI: 0.866–0.916) and 0.931(95%CI:0.894–0.968), respectively, indicating that the nomogram had good discrimination. Calibration curves and AUC suggest that the prediction model has good discrimination and accuracy.

Conclusions

We constructed a new nomogram to predict CSS in elderly patients with PTC. Internal cross-validation and external validation indicate that the model has good discrimination and accuracy. The predictive model can help doctors and patients make clinical decisions.
Different clinical features of children and adults in regional outbreak of Delta COVID-19
Authors: Hong Mei-Zhu , Qiu Rongxian , Chen Wei , Lin Hui , Xing Qing-Qing , Dong Xuan , Pan Jin-Shui , Li Qin
Published: September 2022

Background

This study compared clinical features of the Delta variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in children and adults.

Methods

Clinical data included 80 children and 132 adults with the Delta variant of COVID-19, hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Putian College between September and October 2021. The data was analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The proportion of mild patients in the children group (50%) was higher than that in the adults group (17.9%). Cough (25%, 20/80) and diarrhea (1.3%, 1/80) symptoms in children group were significantly less frequent. Compared with adults, there was no significant difference in the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in samples collected by nasopharyngeal swabs. In children, lymphocyte count was higher [1.98 (0.25–4.25) vs 1.20 (0.29–4.27) ×109/L], whereas the interleukin-6 level was lower [5.87 (1.50–61.40) vs 15.15 (1.79–166.30) pg/mL] than that in adults group. Additionally, the incidence of liver injury in children group was lower than that in adults group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of proteinuria (22/75 vs 45/112) between the two groups, but the serum creatinine level in children was lower [42.0 (28.0–73.0) vs 57.0 (32.0–94.0) µmol/L].

Conclusion

Compared with adults, children with the Delta variant of COVID-19 have differences in symptoms, clinical classification, inflammatory indices, and liver/kidney function injury. Children’s illness is relatively mild. Clinicians should pay attention to their differences and use drugs accurately.
Incidence and sociodemographic, living environment and maternal health associations with stillbirth in a tertiary healthcare setting in Kano, Northern Nigeria
Authors: Milton Rebecca , Modibbo F. , Gillespie D. , Alkali F. I. , Mukaddas A. S. , Kassim A. , Sa’ad F. H. , Tukur F. M. , Khalid R. Y. , Muhammad M. Y. , Bello M. , Edwin C. P. , Ogudo E. , Iregbu K. C. , Jones L. , Hood K. , Ghazal P. , Sanders J. , Hassan B. , Belga F. J. , Walsh T. R.
Published: September 2022

Background

Almost two million stillbirths occur annually, most occurring in low- and middle-income countries. Nigeria is reported to have one of the highest stillbirth rates on the African continent. The aim was to identify sociodemographic, living environment, and health status factors associated with stillbirth and determine the associations between pregnancy and birth factors and stillbirth in the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, Nigeria.

Methods

A three-month single-site prospective observational feasibility study. Demographic and clinical data were collected. We fitted bivariable and multivariable models for stillbirth (yes/no) and three-category livebirth/macerated stillbirth/non-macerated stillbirth outcomes to explore their association with demographic and clinical factors.

Findings

1,998 neonates and 1,926 mothers were enrolled. Higher odds of stillbirth were associated with low-levels of maternal education, a further distance to travel to the hospital, living in a shack, maternal hypertension, previous stillbirth, birthing complications, increased duration of labour, antepartum haemorrhage, prolonged or obstructed labour, vaginal breech delivery, emergency caesarean-section, and signs of trauma to the neonate following birth.

Interpretation

This work has obtained data on some factors influencing stillbirth. This in turn will facilitate the development of improved public health interventions to reduce preventable deaths and to progress maternal health within this site.
Word recognition memory and serum levels of Borna disease virus specific circulating immune complexes in obsessive–compulsive disorder
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Alwin Prem Anand A , Bode Liv , Ludwig Hanns , Emrich Hinderk M. , Dietrich Detlef E.
Published: September 2022

Background

Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) is a non-segmented, negative-strand RNA virus that persistently infects mammals including humans. BoDV-1 worldwide occurring strains display highly conserved genomes with overlapping genetic signatures between those of either human or animal origin. BoDV-1 infection may cause behavioral and cognitive disturbances in animals but has also been found in human major depression and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the impact of BoDV-1 on memory functions in OCD is unknown.

Method

To evaluate the cognitive impact of BoDV-1 in OCD, event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were recorded in a continuous word recognition paradigm in OCD patients (n = 16) and in healthy controls (n = 12). According to the presence of BoDV-1-specific circulating immune complexes (CIC), they were divided into two groups, namely group H (high) and L (low),n = 8 each. Typically, ERPs to repeated items are characterized by more positive waveforms beginning approximately 250 ms post-stimulus. This “old/new effect” has been shown to be relevant for memory processing. The early old/new effect (ca. 300–500 ms) with a frontal distribution is proposed to be a neural correlate of familiarity-based recognition. The late old/new effect (post-500 ms) is supposed to reflect memory recollection processes.

Results

OCD patients were reported to show a normal early old/new effect and a reduced late old/new effect compared to normal controls. In our study, OCD patients with a high virus load (group H) displayed exactly these effects, while patients with a low virus load (group L) did not differ from healthy controls.

Conclusion

These results confirmed that OCD patients had impaired memory recollection processes compared to the normal controls which may to some extent be related to their BoDV-1 infection.
Fear of stigma from health professionals and family/neighbours and healthcare avoidance among PLHIV in Morocco: results from the Stigma Index survey Morocco
Authors: Delabre Rosemary M. , Moussa Amal Ben , Villes Virginie , Elkhammas Mohammed , Ouarsas Lahoucine , Castro Rojas Castro Daniela , Karkouri Mehdi
Published: September 2022

Background

Enacted or anticipated stigma among people living with HIV (PLHIV) can negatively impact healthcare engagement. We identified factors associated with having avoided HIV health services for fear of stigma among PLHIV in Morocco.

Methods

The Stigma Index survey was conducted in Morocco in March-June 2016. Factors associated with avoiding HIV testing and treatment services for fear of stigma by (A) health personnel or family/neighbours and (B) health personnel and family/neighbours compared to people who did not avoid health services for fear of stigma from either of the two sources were assessed using multinomial logistic regression models.

Results

Among 583 respondents, 280 (48.0%) were women and median number of years living with HIV was 5[IQR:2–7]. Half of the respondents reported avoiding health services for fear of stigma by health personnel and/or family/neighbours: (A) n = 228, 39.1% and (B) n = 68, 11.7%. After adjustment on perceived health status, not having had easy access to antiretroviral treatment ((A) aRR [95% CI] = 1.76[1.16; 2.68]; (B) 2.18[1.11; 4.27]), discrimination by PLHIV ((A) 1.87[1.12; 3.13]; (B) 3.35[1.63; 6.88]) and exclusion from social activities ((A) 1.70[1.10; 2.61]; (B) 2.63[1.39; 5.00]) were associated with having avoided health services for fear of stigma by health personnel or/and family/neighbours. Being female (2.85[1.48; 5.47]), not having been referred for an HIV test for suspected symptoms 3.47[1.67; 7.22], having discussed sexual/reproductive health with a health professional (4.56[2.38; 8.71]), and not having the feeling to influence decisions on local projects for PLHIV (3.47[1.37; 7.83], were associated with having avoided health services for fear of stigma by both sources.

Conclusion

Results suggest a cumulative effect of fear of stigma and discrimination among PLHIV in Morocco. PLHIV who have experienced discrimination may seek to avoid similar situations at the expense of their health. These results should inform multi-level interventions and broader advocacy efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Measuring inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake and intent: results from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2021
Authors: Guay Mireille , Maquiling Aubrey , Chen Ruoke , Lavergne Valérie , Baysac Donalyne-Joy , Racine Audrey , Dubé Eve , MacDonald Shannon E. , Gilbert Nicolas L.
Published: September 2022

Background

By July 2021, Canada had received enough COVID-19 vaccines to fully vaccinate every eligible Canadian. However, despite the availability of vaccines, some eligible individuals remain unvaccinated. Differences in vaccination uptake can be driven by health inequalities which have been exacerbated and amplified by the pandemic. This study aims to assess inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake and intent in adults 18 years or older across Canada by identifying sociodemographic factors associated with non-vaccination and low vaccination intent using data drawn from the June to August 2021 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

Methods

The CCHS is an annual cross-sectional and nationally representative survey conducted by Statistics Canada, which collects health-related information. Since September 2020, questions about the COVID-19 pandemic are asked. Adjusted logistic regression models were fitted to examine associations between vaccination uptake or intent and sociodemographic and health related variables. Region, age, gender, level of education, Indigenous status, visible minority status, perceived health status, and having a regular healthcare provider were considered as predictors, among other factors.

Results

The analysis included 9,509 respondents. The proportion of unvaccinated was 11%. Non-vaccination was associated with less than university education (aOR up to 3.5, 95% CI 2.1–6.1), living with children under 12 years old (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.4), not having a regular healthcare provider (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.2), and poor self-perceived health (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3–2.4).

Only 5% of the population had low intention to get vaccinated. Being unlikely to get vaccinated was associated with the Prairies region (aOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–4.1), younger age groups (aOR up to 4.0, 95% CI 1.3–12.3), less than university education (aOR up to 3.8, 95% CI 1.9–7.6), not being part of a visible minority group (aOR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4–6.4), living with children under 12 years old (aOR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9), unattached individuals (aOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1–6.1), and poor self-perceived health (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3–2.9).

Conclusions

Disparities were observed in vaccination uptake and intent among various sociodemographic groups. Awareness of inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination uptake and intent is needed to determine the vaccination barriers to address in vaccination promotion strategies.
Hip reconstruction using a customized intercalary prosthesis with the rhino horn-designed uncemented stem for ultrashort proximal femur segments following tumor resection: a combined biomechanical and clinical study
Authors: Hu Xin , Lu Minxun , He Xuanhong , Li Longqing , Lin Jingqi , Zhou Yong , Luo Yi , Min Li , Tu Chongqi
Published: September 2022

Background

Hip-preserved reconstruction for patients with ultrashort proximal femur segments following extensive femoral diaphyseal tumor resection is a formidable undertaking. A customized intercalary prosthesis with a rhino horn-designed uncemented stem was developed for the reconstruction of these extensive skeletal defects.

Methods

This study was designed to analyze and compare the differences in the biomechanical behavior between the normal femur and the femur with diaphyseal defects reconstructed by an intercalary prosthesis with different stems. The biomechanical behavior under physiological loading conditions is analyzed using the healthy femur as the reference. Five three-dimensional finite element models (healthy, customized intercalary prosthesis with four different stems implemented, respectively) were developed, together with a clinical follow-up of 12 patients who underwent intercalary femoral replacement.

Results

The biomechanical results showed that normal-like stress and displacement distribution patterns were observed in the remaining proximal femur segments after reconstructions with the rhino horn-designed uncemented stems, compared with the straight stem. Stem A showed better biomechanical performance, whereas the fixation system with Stem B was relatively unstable. The clinical results were consistent with the FEA results. After a mean follow-up period of 32.33 ± 9.12 months, osteointegration and satisfactory clinical outcomes were observed in all patients. Aseptic loosening (asymptomatic) occurred in one patient reconstructed by Stem B; there were no other postoperative complications in the remaining 11 patients.

Conclusion

The rhino horn-designed uncemented stem is outstanding in precise shape matching and osseointegration. This novel prosthesis design may be beneficial in decreasing the risk of mechanical failure and aseptic loosening, especially when Stem A is used. Therefore, the customized intercalary prosthesis with this rhino horn-designed uncemented stem might be a reasonable alternative for the reconstruction of SSPF following extensive tumor resection.