bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impaired social concept processing in persons with autistic-like traits
Authors: Birba Agustina , López-Pigüi Joana , León Santana Inmaculada , García Adolfo M.
Published: September 2023

Situated models suggest that social concepts are grounded in interpersonal experience. However, few studies have tested this notion experimentally, and none has targeted individuals with reduced social interaction. Here, we assessed comprehension of text-level social and non-social concepts in persons with and without autistic-like traits. Participants read a social and a non-social text and answered questionnaires targeting social and non-social concepts, respectively. We compared behavioral outcomes, gauged their contribution to subject-level classification, and examined their association with validated measures of autism. Persons with autistic-like traits showed selective deficits in grasping text-level social concepts, even adjusting for intelligence, memory, and vocabulary. Also, social concept comprehension was the only variable that significantly classified between groups. Finally, social concept outcomes correlated negatively with measures of autism, including social interaction. Our results suggest that reduced interpersonal experience selectively compromises text-level social concept processing, offering empirical constraints for situated models of social semantics.
Characterization of signal and transit peptides based on motif composition and taxon-specific patterns
Authors: Sidorczuk Katarzyna , Mackiewicz Paweł , Pietluch Filip , Gagat Przemysław
Published: September 2023

Targeting peptides or presequences are N-terminal extensions of proteins that encode information about their cellular localization. They include signal peptides (SP), which target proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum, and transit peptides (TP) directing proteins to the organelles of endosymbiotic origin: chloroplasts and mitochondria. TPs were hypothesized to have evolved from antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which are responsible for the host defence against microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. In this study, we performed comprehensive bioinformatic analyses of amino acid motifs of targeting peptides and AMPs using a curated set of experimentally verified proteins. We identified motifs frequently occurring in each type of presequence showing specific patterns associated with their amino acid composition, and investigated their position within the presequence. We also compared motif patterns among different taxonomic groups and identified taxon-specific features, providing some evolutionary insights. Considering the functional relevance and many practical applications of targeting peptides and AMPs, we believe that our analyses will prove useful for their design, and better understanding of protein import mechanism and presequence evolution.
Mechanical and microstructural properties of iron mining tailings stabilized with alkali-activated binder produced from agro-industrial wastes
Authors: Levandoski William Mateus Kubiaki , Ferrazzo Suéllen Tonatto , Bruschi Giovani Jordi , Consoli Nilo Cesar , Korf Eduardo Pavan
Published: September 2023

This study evaluated the stabilization of iron ore tailings (IOTs) with an alkali-activated binder (AAB) produced from sugar cane bagasse ash, hydrated eggshell lime, and sodium hydroxide solution. Unconfined compressive strength, split tensile strength, initial shear stiffness, mineralogy, chemical composition, and microstructure of IOTs-AAB were evaluated. Strength values up to 6.59 MPa were achieved after 28 days-curing at 40 °C. Reducing porosity and increasing the binder content improved the overall mechanical behavior. N-A-S-H like gels were identified in IOTs-AAB mixtures. Finally, longer curing times led to more compact structures.
Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of butterfly-shaped hexanuclear [FeIII4LnIII2] single-molecule magnets
Authors: Liu Shujing , Zou Chen , Wang Hanjie , Chen Sihuai , Yuan Jun , Jia Lihui
Published: September 2023

A series of new FeIII4LnIII2 complexes possessing a unique centrosymmetric chair-like core topology have been synthesized and characterized.
A theoretical study on π-stacking and ferromagnetism of the perylene diimide radical anion dimer and tetramer
Authors: Gan Hanlin , Jiang Qinglin , Ma Yuguang
Published: September 2023

DFT calculated ferromagnetic mechanism for NH4PDI materials.
Making chemicals from the air: the new frontier for hybrid electrosyntheses in artificial tree-like devices
Authors: Centi Gabriele , Perathoner Siglinda
Published: September 2023

The production of fertilisers and food components (carbohydrates, proteins) from the air in artificial-tree-like devices is analysed, focusing on electrosynthesis.
Rapid and sensitive determination of folic acid by facile synthesized dsDNA-CuNCs fluorescent probe
Authors: Liu Luyao , Luo Yuchen , Zhang Xuebing , Deng Bo , Zhen Deshuai , Zhou Zhangye , Xie Hongbin , Liang Hao , Chen Lili
Published: September 2023

Folic acid (FA) is one of the essential vitamins for the growth and reproduction of human cells, and it is of great significance to detect FA in real time.
Synthesis, structures, and properties of manganese(i) complexes featuring tridentate amidine-toting protic amine ligands
Authors: Watari Ryo , Kayaki Yoshihito
Published: September 2023

Cationic Mn(CO)3 complexes having a protic amine ligand with cyclic amidine side arms were prepared and their catalytic properties of transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone and electrochemical reduction of CO2 were compared.
Bridging physical intuition and hardware efficiency for correlated electronic states: the local unitary cluster Jastrow ansatz for electronic structure
Authors: Motta Mario , Sung Kevin J. , Whaley K. Birgitta , Head-Gordon Martin , Shee James
Published: September 2023

A prominent goal in quantum chemistry is to solve the molecular electronic structure problem for ground state energy with high accuracy.
Multifunctional gene delivery vectors containing different liver-targeting fragments for specifically transfecting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells
Authors: Cheng Qin , Wang Taoran , Zhang Jing , Tian Long , Zeng Chunlan , Meng Zhao , Zhang Changhao , Meng Qingbin
Published: September 2023

Multifunctional peptide-based materials achieved targeted gene delivery into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells efficiently.
Long-term spontaneous negative aging behavior of encapsulated blue quantum dot light emitting devices: the influence of the hole transport material
Authors: Chen Junfei , Ghorbani Atefeh , Samaeifar Fatemeh , Chun Peter , Lyu Quan , Cotella Giovanni , Song Dandan , Xu Zheng , Aziz Hany
Published: September 2023

Improving the shelf stability of encapsulated QLEDs with VB-FNPD as the hole transport layer instead of TFB.
Recent progress of antibacterial hydrogel materials for biomedical applications
Authors: Wang Qian , Feng Xing , Xu Hong , Guo Guo , Li Ying , Zhang Qilong
Published: September 2023

Antibacterial hydrogels, as novel antibacterial materials with inherent or exogenous antibacterial activity, can be used for local use, controlled drug release, stimulus-responsive activation, synergistic antibacterial therapy, realizing its translational applications in different medical fields.
High-performance p-type transparent conducting CuI–Cu2O thin films with enhanced hole mobility, surface, and stability
Authors: Xue Ruibin , Gao Gang , Yang Lei , Xu Liangge , Zhang Yumin , Zhu Jiaqi
Published: September 2023

We employed reactive magnetron sputtering and iodination process at room temperature to deposit CuI–Cu2O films with enhanced hole mobility, surface, and stability.
Chemical biology tools for protein labelling: insights into cell–cell communication
Authors: Wright Megan H.
Published: September 2023

Multicellular organisms require carefully orchestrated communication between and within cell types and tissues, and many unicellular organisms also sense their context and environment, sometimes coordinating their responses. This review highlights contributions from chemical biology in discovering and probing mechanisms of cell–cell communication. We focus on chemical tools for labelling proteins in a cellular context and how these can be applied to decipher the target receptor of a signalling molecule, label a receptor of interest in situ to understand its biology, provide a read-out of protein activity or interactions in downstream signalling pathways, or discover protein–protein interactions across cell–cell interfaces.
Possible Gas Embolism from Double-Lumen Intra-Aortic Balloon-Case Report and Preventive Measure
Authors: Gray David W. , Albright Horace H.
Published: September 2023

Although double-lumen intra-aortic balloon catheters offer some obvious advantages over more conventional balloon catheters, they introduce another source for possible gas embolism and its complications of which perfusionists and other personnel involved with counterpulsation must be aware.
Consistent Two to Four Degree Crystalloid Potassium Cardioplegia
Authors: Schneider Benjamin , Kurusz Mark , Safley William L. , Conti Vincent R.
Published: September 2023

The use of hypothermic crystalloid potassium cardioplegia in open heart surgery has been shown to be effective in arresting the heart and protecting it from ischemic injury during aortic crossclamping. A perfusion technique for the routine delivery of 2-4° centigrade (C) crystalloid potassium cardioplegia has been employed in 116 consecutive coronary artery bypass graft procedures between October 1980 and October 1981. The cardioplegic solution is infused with a low flow roller pump through a polyvinyl chloride tubing coil immersed in an ice bath which serves as the cooling device and a Sarns pediatric bubble trap. The planned initial dose of cardioplegia is 450 ml/m2 body surface area. With the initial cardioplegia infusion, the mean myocardial temperature was lowered to 14.4 ± 0.4°C (S.E.). Myocardial temperataure is maintained at less than 20°C at all times. A total of 2524 ± 73 ml of cardioplegia was administered for each patient with a mean crossclamp time of 83.6 ± 2.2 minutes and a total bypass time of 156 ± 3.6 minutes.

CPK-MB and SGOT values were minimally elevated in the immediate postoperative period, but returned to normal on the second and third postoperative day respectively. Two patients in the study group died with an operative mortality of 1.7 percent. The cardioplegia infusion system we have employed assured the delivery of crystalloid potassium cardioplegia to the myocardium at 2-4°C, provided continuous profound myocardial hypothermia, and resulted in good myocardial protection as determined by clinical variables followed postoperatively.
Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) Basics
Authors: Lam Samuel M.
Published: September 2023

Follicular unit excision (FUE) has risen to the forefront as the world's most popular hair transplant procedure. However, most writing on this subject has catered to the advanced practitioner. The goal of this article will be to focus on safe planning and decision making along with key technical steps that will guide the beginner surgeon to harvest a graft safely and to harvest the donor area in a uniform way to avoid overharvesting. Topics covered in this article also include instrumentation and decision making between FUE versus linear strip excision.
Increased Femoral Component Flexion and No Difference in Slope in Robotic- versus Computer-Assisted Total Knee Arthroplasty When Targeting Mechanical Alignment
Authors: Klasan Antonio , Anelli-Monti Victoria , Neri Thomas , Putnis Sven Edward , Zacherl Maximillian , Kammerlander Christian , Sadoghi Patrick
Published: September 2023

Robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is becoming popular due to better precision, when compared with other instrumentation. Although RAS has been validated in comparison with computer-assisted surgery (CAS), data from clinical settings comparing these two techniques are lacking. This is especially the case for sagittal alignment. Whereas pure mechanical alignment (MA) aims for 0 to 3 degrees of flexion of the femoral component and 3° of posterior slope for the tibial component, adjusted MA (aMA) mostly used with RAS allows for flexing of the femoral component for downsizing and increase of slope for an increase of the flexion gap. In the present study, we compared sagittal alignment after TKA using RAS with aMA and CAS targeting MA, which has been the standard in the center for more than 10 years. We analyzed a prospectively collected database of patients undergoing TKA in a single center. Femoral component flexion and tibial slope were compared for both techniques. In 140 patients, 68 CAS and 72 RAS, we found no difference in tibial slope (p = 0.661), 1° median femoral component flexion (p = 0.023), and no difference in outliers (femur, p = 0.276, tibia, p = 0.289). RAS slightly increases femoral component flexion, but has no influence on tibial slope, when compared with CAS in TKA. If MA is the target, RAS provides no benefit over CAS for achieving the targeted sagittal alignment.

Level of Evidence Level III retrospective study.
Evaluation of the Response Rate to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Rectal Adenocarcinoma: A Retrospective Long-term Study in Two Terciary Reference Centers
Authors: Rossoni Juliana Lima Toledo , Feitosa Marley Ribeiro , Tosetti Caio Vinícius Souza , Feres Omar , Rocha José Joaquim Ribeiro da
Published: September 2023

Objectives To evaluate the complete response (CR) rate and surgeries performed in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant therapy (NT) at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo and at Hospital São Paulo, in Ribeirão Preto, from January 2007 to December 2017.

Methods We evaluated 166 medical records of patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (T3, T4 or N + ) who underwent NT. The regimen consisted of performing conventional (2D) or conformational (three-dimensional-3D/ radiotherapy with modulated intensity – IMRT) at a dose of 45-50.4Gy associated with capecitabine 1650mg/m2 or 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin (LV). The following variables were analyzed: gender, age, pretreatment stage, radiotherapy, CR index, local and distant recurrence rates. Surgical treatment and complications were also evaluated.

Results The CR index was 28.3%. Patients treated with 3D/IMRT radiotherapy had a higher rate of CR (36.3% x 4.8%; p < 0.001), higher rates of clinical follow-up (21% x 0%; p < 0.001), lower surgery rates (79% x 100%; p < 0.001), higher rates of transanal resection (37.1% x 9.5%; p = 0.001), lower rates of abdominal rectosigmoidectomy (25.8% x 50%; p = 0.007) and lower rates of abdominoperineal resection of the rectum (16.1% x 40.5%; p = 0.002), when compared to patients treated with 2D radiotherapy.

Conclusion Modern radiotherapy techniques such as 3D conformal and IMRT, by offering greater adequacy and precision of treatment, could result in better local control and less toxicity in organs at risk, enabling organ preservation strategies and less invasive approaches in selected cases.
Study of Long Non-Coding RNA Tug1 Expression in Egyptian Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Patients
Authors: Amin Yasmine , Ketat Amel , Kamal Hanan , Zaki Inass , Moaz Ahmed , Ghazala Rasha Abdelmawla
Published: September 2023

Purpose Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most fatal tumors worldwide. In Egypt, most CRC cases occur in individuals > 40 years old. TUG1 has been proved to be disrupted in different malignancies and may have a critical role in tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. However, its role in CRC has not been adequately studied.

Materials / Methods Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to evaluate the expression levels of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1), in nonmetastatic and metastatic CRC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues as control.

Results LncRNA TUG1 expression was significantly upregulated in both nonmetastatic and metastatic CRC tissues, in comparison with the adjacent noncancerous tissue. It was found that TUG1 could have a possible prognostic role in CRC, by comparing the sensitivity and specificity of TUG1 with those of CEA and CA19–9.

Conclusion The results of the current study suggest that the LncRNA TUG1 participates in the malignant behaviors of CRC cells.
The credit they deserve: contesting predictive practices and the afterlives of red-lining
Authors: Katzenstein Emily
Published: September 2023

Racial capitalism depends on the reproduction of an existing racialized economic order. In this article, I argue that the disavowal of past injustice is a central way in which this reproduction is ensured and that market-based forms of knowledge production, such as for-profit predictive practices, play a crucial role in facilitating this disavowal. Recent debates about the fairness of algorithms, data justice, and predictive policing have intensified long-standing controversies, both popular and academic, about the way in which statistical and financial modes of accounting and predicting articulate, represent and produce ascriptive categories of hierarchically ordered social difference, and reproduce unjust social hierarchies and inequalities. These debates have productively problematized the racial lives of seemingly apolitical predictive technologies and demanded the re-politicization of predictive practices. What has been missing from these debates so far, however, is a more explicit engagement with ways in which anti-racist movements and activists themselves have contested the entanglements of prediction and race making. I turn to a recent prominent example, namely the contestation over racial discrepancies in subprime lending to examine how fair lending activists have conceptualized and troubled the reproduction of a racialized economic order through for-profit predictive practices in the decade before the Great Financial Crisis. I situate this particular example in the broader historical and political context of politicizing prediction that first emerged with the ascendancy of a liberal, individualist-proprietary conception of risk, and the political problem space to which this has given rise. My analysis shows that actuarial conceptions of fairness continue to reverberate in anti-racist contestations of for-profit predictive practices, and that they tend to marginalize and undercut more radical strands of critique of the racialization of financial markets. Insofar as these modalities of contestation implicitly reproduce a liberal, proprietary-individualist conception of risk, I argue, they fail to effectively challenge the quasi-alchemical transformation of injustice into personal responsibility, and thus contribute to the disavowal of past injustice.
Using machine learning and optical imaging to identify malignant tumor cells
Authors: Thompson Avery
Published: September 2023

Employing multiple advanced technologies offers an approach for identifying and phenotyping circulating tumor cells in blood samples.
Observation of photoelectric-induced microplasma avalanche breakdown in AlGaN ultraviolet photodiode with separate absorption and multiplication structure
Authors: Cao Jiying , Cai Qing , You Haifan , Shao Pengfei , Wang Jin , Guo Hui , Xue Junjun , Liu Bin , Xie Zili , Cao Xun , Lu Hai , Zheng Youdou , Zhang Rong , Chen Dunjun
Published: September 2023

Amplification of weak ultraviolet signals has always been a challenging issue to design and fabricate high-performance ultraviolet photodetectors. Here, we observe a distinctive microplasma breakdown behavior in AlGaN-based ultraviolet avalanche photodiodes with artificial mesa architecture. At 107 V breakdown voltage, the photocurrent increases sharply whereas dark current intriguingly remains at the extremely low level of 0.1 nA as the applied voltage increases. Simultaneously, a significant blue luminescence phenomenon is observed at the mesa edge of photodiode at breakdown voltage, indicating the occurrence of microplasma breakdown. Ultimately, the microplasma avalanche photodiode achieves a record-high avalanche gain of 3 × 106 with light–dark current ratio readily exceeding 107. Kelvin probe force microscopy was employed to reveal the physical mechanism of localized avalanche breakdown induced by photoelectric effects and elaborate the microplasma discharge process, which is related to surface states. The unprecedented detection mode of photocurrent triggering avalanche events while remaining low dark current is anticipated to effectively shield the background noise and amplify ultraviolet signals. It is worth further research to explore its possibility on high-sensitivity ultraviolet photodetection.
How I overcame problems in in vitro fertilisation of livestock animals
Authors: Nagai Takashi
Published: September 2023

In my research life of 35 years, growing with IETS as a researcher of in vitro maturation and fertilisation (IVM/IVF) of porcine and cattle oocytes, I suffered from hard times related to solving problems that prevented the progress of my research and conferment of my degrees. Many researchers may have similar problems. Thus, I would like to address a few examples of how I overcame these problems related to IVF and help young researchers with similar troubles. There were four main problems to be solved in my experiments. Problem 1: Establishment of IVF using only defined medium in pigs. Problem 2: Establishment of successful in vitro culture (IVC) of IVM/IVF bovine oocytes in defined medium. Problem 3: Low rate of male pronucleus formation in IVM porcine oocytes after IVF. Problem 4: Sedimentation of Ca2+ in the sperm capacitation solution for IVF in pigs. Problem 1 was solved by a lucky accident, in which a sperm suspension that would have otherwise been discarded happened to be successfully used for IVF in pigs. Problems 2, 3 and 4 were solved by communication with scientists whose fields were different from mine, where similar problems had been solved already. Young researchers are encouraged to transcend the boundaries of their research fields and solve problems by interacting with researchers in different fields. There are many good connections or answers around us that may be effective in resolving the problems that are hindering the progress of pending research.
Anti-predator strategies of blue sheep (naur) under varied predator compositions: a comparison of snow leopard-inhabited valleys with and without wolves in Nepal
Authors: Thapa Kamal , Rayamajhi Santosh
Published: September 2023

Context In Nepal, naur are usually the staple wild prey for the snow leopard, a solitary stalker hunter, and in some cases, for the wolf who hunts in a pack. We assumed that naur would adapt their anti-predatory responses to the presence of chasing and ambushing predators in the Manang Valley, where there are snow leopards and wolves, and in the Nar Phu valley, an area where there is only the snow leopard. Aims The aim of this study was to determine if there were differences in anti-predator strategies (vigilance, habitat selection and escape terrain) of naur in two valleys over two seasons, spring and autumn. Methods In spring 2019, we conducted a reconnaissance survey on the status of the naur and its habitat in the Manang and Nar Phu valleys of the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. In spring and autumn 2020 and 2021, we observed 360 focal naur individuals (180 individuals in each valley), using the vigilance behaviour methodology to examine the behaviour of the naur. Key results There was little difference in the size of the naur groups between the Manang and Nar Phu valleys. The naur were twice as vigilant in Manang (15%), where there are snow leopards and wolves, as they were in Nar Phu (9%), with only snow leopards. The distance from the naur to escape cover was significantly shorter in Manang than in Nar Phu valley. Naur used significantly more rolling terrain in Nar Phu than in Manang. Conclusions The return of wolves to the Manang valley may have resulted in an increase in the level of naur vigilance. Most likely, the wolves in Manang have already had an effect on the female-to-young-ratio, and this effect will possibly have important consequences for the naur population, as well as at the ecosystem level in the future. Other key determining factors, such as the climate crisis and changes in local resources, could have a significant impact on the naur population, indicating the need for more research. Implications The findings of this study would provide valuable baseline information for the design of a science-based conservation strategy for conservation managers and scientists on naur, snow leopards and wolves.
Starting at Go: Protein structure prediction succumbs to machine learning
Authors: Rothman James E.
Published: September 2023

This year’s Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research Award recognizes the invention of AlphaFold, a revolutionary advance in the history of protein research which for the first time offers the practical ability to accurately predict the three-dimensional arrangement of amino acids in the vast majority of proteins on a genomic scale on the basis of sequence alone [J. Jumper
et al.
,
Nature
596
, 583–589 (2021) and K. Tunyasuvunakool
et al.,
Nature
596
, 590–596 (2021)]. This extraordinary achievement by Demis Hassabis and John Jumper and their coworkers at Google’s DeepMind and other collaborators was built on decades of experimental protein structure determination (structural biology) as well as the gradual development of multiple strategies incorporating biologically inspired statistical approaches. But when Jumper and Hassabis added a brew of innovative neural network-based machine learning approaches to the mix, the results were explosive. Realizing the half-century-old dream of predicting protein structure has already accelerated the pace and creativity of many areas of Chemistry, Biology, and Medicine.
Caring for Male Prisoners Who Self-Harm: Perceptions, Attitudes and Experiences of Custodial Prison Staff and Male Prisoners in England
Authors: Neave Siobhan , Glorney Emily
Published: September 2023

The aims of this research were to explore custodial prison staff and male prisoners’ perceptions toward self-harm, prison system responses and environmental impacts on self-harm. Four staff focus groups (thematic analysis) and 12 semi-structured interviews with male prisoners (interpretative phenomenological analysis) took place in three prisons in England. Prison staff attributed manipulative intention to self-harm; self-harming prisoners felt misunderstood. The prison environment and formal response processes were barriers for care access and provision. Recommendations include staff training in understanding and management of self-harm, supported by a care-focused culture, and fostering safety, security, empowerment and value for both prisoners and staff.
Restriction of irreducible unitary representations of 𝑆𝑝𝑖𝑛(𝑁,1) to parabolic subgroups
Authors: Liu Gang , Oshima Yoshiki , Yu Jun
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we obtain explicit branching laws for all irreducible unitary representations of

G
=
Spin
⁡
(
N
,
1
)

G=\operatorname {Spin}(N,1)

when restricted to a parabolic subgroup

P
P

. The restriction turns out to be a finite direct sum of irreducible unitary representations of

P
P

. We also verify Duflo’s conjecture for the branching laws of discrete series representations of

G
G

with respect to

P
P

. That is to show: in the framework of the orbit method, the branching law of a discrete series representation is determined by some geometric behavior of the moment map for the corresponding coadjoint orbit.
Cohomology of the Morava stabilizer group through the duality resolution at 𝑛=𝑝=2
Authors: Beaudry Agnès , Bobkova Irina , Goerss Paul , Henn Hans-Werner , Pham Viet-Cuong , Stojanoska Vesna
Published: September 2023

We compute the continuous cohomology of the Morava stabilizer group with coefficients in Morava

E
E

-theory,

H
∗

(

G

2

,

E

t

)

H^*(\mathbb {G}_2, \mathbf {E}_t)

, at

p
=
2

p=2

, for

0
≤
t
>
12

0\leq t > 12

, using the Algebraic Duality Spectral Sequence. Furthermore, in that same range, we compute the

d
3

d_3

-differentials in the homotopy fixed point spectral sequence for the

K
(
2
)

K(2)

-local sphere spectrum. These cohomology groups and differentials play a central role in

K
(
2
)

K(2)

-local stable homotopy theory.
Multimodal variational autoencoder for inverse problems in geophysics: application to a 1-D magnetotelluric problem
Authors: Rodriguez Oscar , Taylor Jamie M , Pardo David
Published: September 2023

Estimating subsurface properties from geophysical measurements is a common inverse problem. Several Bayesian methods currently aim to find the solution to a geophysical inverse problem and quantify its uncertainty. However, most geophysical applications exhibit more than one plausible solution. Here, we propose a multimodal variational autoencoder model that employs a mixture of truncated Gaussian densities to provide multiple solutions, along with their probability of occurrence and a quantification of their uncertainty. This autoencoder is assembled with an encoder and a decoder, where the first one provides a mixture of truncated Gaussian densities from a neural network, and the second is the numerical solution of the forward problem given by the geophysical approach. The proposed method is illustrated with a 1-D magnetotelluric inverse problem and recovers multiple plausible solutions with different uncertainty quantification maps and probabilities that are in agreement with known physical observations.
A multizone view on the multiwavelength emission of blazars
Authors: Liu Ruo-Yu , Xue Rui , Wang Ze-Rui , Tan Hong-Bin , Böttcher Markus
Published: September 2023

In this work, a time-dependent modelling is developed to study the emission properties of blazars in the low state. Motivated by various observations, we speculate and assume that numerous discrete radiation zones throughout the jet of a blazar contribute to the broad-band emission. We model the temporal evolution of the electron spectrum in each emission zone taking into account the injection, cooling, and escape of relativistic electrons. By doing so, we are able to calculate the multiwavelength emission of each radiation zone. The observed emission of a blazar is then the superposition of the emission from all discrete radiation zones. We revisit the multiwavelength spectral energy distributions, light curves, and polarization under the model, and discuss its potential to reproduce the flat radio spectra, the core-shift phenomena, the minute-scale gamma-ray variability, and the large polarization-angle swings, which are difficult to explain under the conventional one-zone models simultaneously.
Renalase regulates renal tubular injury in diabetic nephropathy via the p38MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Li , Zang Chong‐sen , Chen Bin , Wang Yu , Xue Shuai , Wu Mei‐yan
Published: September 2023

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an important complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease globally. Renal tubular damage occurs to varying degrees in the early stages of DN prior to glomerular damage. Renalase (RNLS) is an amine oxidase, which is produced and secreted by the renal tubular epithelial cells. RNLS is reportedly closely related to renal tubular injury in acute and chronic kidney diseases. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the changes in tubular RNLS expression in DN and its correlation with DN‐associated renal tubular injury. Conditional permanent renal tubular epithelial rat‐cell line NRK‐52E was transfected with pcDNA3‐RNLS plasmid or administered recombinant rat RNLS protein and high glucose (HG) dose. A total of 22 adult Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly divided into the control (CON, n = 10) or diabetic nephrology (DN, n = 12) group. Random blood glucose levels of the rats were measured by sampling of the caudal vein weekly. After 8 weeks, the rat's body weight, 24‐h urinary albumin concentration, and right kidney were evaluated. Our study suggested the decreased expression levels of RNLS in renal tissue and renal tubular epithelial cells in DN rats, accompanied by renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, and activation of the p38MAPK signal pathway. Reversing the low RNLS expression can reduce the level of p38MAPK phosphorylation and delay renal tubular injury. Thus, the reduction of renal tubular RNLS expression in DN mediates tubulointerstitial fibrosis and cell apoptosis via the activation of the p38MAPK signal pathway. RNLS plays a key mediating role in DN‐associated tubular injury via p38MAPK, which provides new therapeutic targets and a theoretical basis for early prevention and treatment of DN.
Low-flow oxygen delivery using a nasal cannula for apnoeic oxygenation in children undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthesia
Authors: Ray Sohini , Bhalotra Anju R. , Arya Mona , Sharma Kavita R.
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

Children have a smaller functional residual capacity and higher rate of oxygen consumption making them prone to develop hypoxaemia during a period of apnoea. The effectiveness of apnoeic oxygenation in preventing oxygen desaturation during laryngoscopy and intubation in small children has not been well studied.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of apnoeic oxygenation using a nasal cannula in preventing oxygen desaturation during laryngoscopy and intubation in children.

DESIGN

Prospective randomised double-blind controlled trial.

SETTING

Tertiary care teaching hospital between January 2020 and September 2021.

PATIENTS

One hundred and twenty children of 1 to 6 years age undergoing elective surgery requiring general anaesthesia with endotracheal intubation.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomly allocated to receive 3 l min−1 oxygen by nasal cannula (apnoeic oxygenation group) or no oxygen (control group). Laryngoscopy and intubation was undertaken by a trainee anaesthesiologist.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the lowest value of peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) during laryngoscopy and intubation. Secondary outcomes were the number of children whose SpO2 dropped to 95%, from 92% to < 95%, and below 92% and the incidence of bradycardia.

RESULTS

The mean ± SD of lowest SpO2 values was 99.95 ± 0.29% in the apnoeic oxygenation group and 98.37 ± 4.60% in the control group (P 
= 0.009). No fall of SpO2 occurred in any patient in the apnoeic oxygenation group in spite of a longer apnoea time (P = 0.012). In the control group, 43 patients had no fall in SpO2 (P < 0.001), in 12 patients there was a fall in SpO2 to 95% (P 
= 0.004), in one patient SpO2 fell to 92 to <95% (P 
= 0.315) and in four patients SpO2 fell below 92% (P 
= 0.038). There was no incidence of bradycardia.

CONCLUSION

Apnoeic oxygenation using a nasal cannula was effective in preventing oxygen desaturation during laryngoscopy and intubation in children as compared with those who did not receive apnoeic oxygenation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Registry of India: CTRI/2020/01/022724 (www.ctri.nic.in).
Interaction of Surface Type, Temperature, and Week of Season on Concussion Risk in the National Football League: A Bayesian Analysis
Authors: Smoliga James M. , Deshpande Sameer K. , Binney Zachary O.
Published: September 2023

Background:

Artificial turf fields and environmental conditions may influence sports concussion risk, but existing research is limited by uncontrolled confounding factors, limited sample size, and the assumption that risk factors are independent of one another. The purpose of this study was to examine how playing surface, time of season, and game temperature relate to diagnosed concussion risk in the National Football League (NFL).

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study examined data from the 2012 to the 2019 NFL regular season. We fit Bayesian negative binomial regression models to relate how playing surface, game temperature, and week of the season independently related to diagnosed concussion risk and any interactions among these factors.

Results:

We identified 1096 diagnosed concussions in 1830 games. There was a >99% probability that concussion risk was reduced on grass surface (median incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.78 [95% credible interval: 0.68, 0.89]), >99% probability that concussion risk was lower at higher temperatures (IRR = 0.85 [0.76,0.95] for each 7.9 °C), and >91% probability that concussion risk increased with each week of the season (IRR = 1.02 [1.00,1.04]). There was an >84% probability for a surface × temperature interaction (IRR = 1.01 [0.96, 1.28]) and >75% probability for a surface × week interaction (IRR = 1.02 [0.99, 1.05]).

Conclusions:

Diagnosed concussion risk is increased on artificial turf compared with natural grass, and this is exacerbated in cold weather and, independently, later in the season. The complex interplay between these factors necessitates accounting for multiple factors and their interactions when investigating sports injury risk factors and devising mitigation methods.
Acid-sensing ion channel 3 mediates pain hypersensitivity associated with high-fat diet consumption in mice
Authors: Negm Ahmed , Stobbe Katharina , Ben Fradj Selma , Sanchez Clara , Landra-Willm Arnaud , Richter Margaux , Fleuriot Lucile , Debayle Delphine , Deval Emmanuel , Lingueglia Eric , Rovere Carole , Noel Jacques
Published: September 2023

Lipid-rich diet is the major cause of obesity, affecting 13% of the worldwide adult population. Obesity is a major risk factor for metabolic syndrome that includes hyperlipidemia and diabetes mellitus. The early phases of metabolic syndrome are often associated with hyperexcitability of peripheral small diameter sensory fibers and painful diabetic neuropathy. Here, we investigated the effect of high-fat diet-induced obesity on the activity of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons and pain perception. We deciphered the underlying cellular mechanisms involving the acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3). We show that mice made obese through consuming high-fat diet developed the metabolic syndrome and prediabetes that was associated with heat pain hypersensitivity, whereas mechanical sensitivity was not affected. Concurrently, the slow conducting C fibers in the skin of obese mice showed increased activity on heating, whereas their mechanosensitivity was not altered. Although ASIC3 knockout mice fed with high-fat diet became obese, and showed signs of metabolic syndrome and prediabetes, genetic deletion, and in vivo pharmacological inhibition of ASIC3, protected mice from obesity-induced thermal hypersensitivity. We then deciphered the mechanisms involved in the heat hypersensitivity of mice and found that serum from high-fat diet-fed mice was enriched in lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC16:0, LPC18:0, and LPC18:1). These enriched lipid species directly increased the activity of DRG neurons through activating the lipid sensitive ASIC3 channel. Our results identify ASIC3 channel in DRG neurons and circulating lipid species as a mechanism contributing to the hyperexcitability of nociceptive neurons that can cause pain associated with lipid-rich diet consumption and obesity.
Can Serum Chitotriosidase Levels, Immune, and Oxidative Stress Parameters Be Early Diagnostic Indicators in Patients With Silicosis?
Authors: Ergün Recai , Ergün Dilek , Özkan Esin , Kurt Ozlem Kar , Bacanli Merve , Körez Muslu Kazim
Published: September 2023

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the enzyme activity of chitotriosidase as a biomarker in early diagnosis silicosis and to investigate immune system response and oxidative stress caused by silica exposure.

Materials and Methods

Silicosis patients (n = 116), exposed to silica without disease (n = 76), and healthy individuals (n = 55) were included. Serum levels of chitotriosidase, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidant-antioxidant, and immune parameters were measured.

Results

Serum chitotriosidase enzyme levels in the silicosis group were statistically significantly higher than the exposure and control groups. Inflammatory biomarkers and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the silicosis and exposure group compared with the controls, while superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were lower.

Conclusions

Increased serum chitotriosidase level emerged as a biomarker that can not only distinguish silicosis from exposure and healthy controls but also indicate early pulmonary effects of silica.
Platinum-based chemotherapy for metastatic insulinoma harboring germline mutation in DNA damage repair pathway: a case report
Authors: Yang Kaili , Ying Hongyan , Guan Mei , Wang Lina , Xu Jia , Cheng Yuejuan
Published: September 2023

Malignant insulinomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors that require management for both symptomatic control and tumor reduction. It is clinically challenging to optimize treatment strategies for refractory malignant insulinoma. We report a case of metastatic grade 3 insulinoma presented with recurrent hypoglycemia in a 23-year-old female with RAD51D p.Q192 germline mutation. During the disease course of 5 years, the tumor has continuously progressed despite locoregional therapy and multiple lines of systemic treatment. However, oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy achieved a partial response, which was maintained for 2 years. The hypoglycemic symptoms were controlled after the treatment response and did not recur. The platinum-based regimen could be a feasible therapeutic strategy for malignant insulinoma. The relationship between germline mutation in the DNA damage repair pathway and treatment response to platinum-based regimens in neuroendocrine tumors warrants further investigation.
Progress in the field of hematopoietic stem cell-based therapies for inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Arnold Danielle E. , Pai Sung-Yun
Published: September 2023

Purpose of review

Hematopoietic stem cell-based therapies, including allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and autologous gene therapy (GT), have been used as curative therapy for many inborn errors of immunity (IEI). As the number of genetically defined IEI and the use of HCT and GT increase, valuable data on outcomes and approaches for specific disorders are available. We review recent progress in HCT and GT for IEI in this article.

Recent findings

Novel approaches to prevention of allogeneic complications and experience in adolescents and young adults have expanded the use of HCT. Universal newborn screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) has led to improved outcome after HCT. Analysis of outcomes of HCT and GT for SCID, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) reveal risk factors for survival, the impact of specific conditioning regimens, and vector- or disease-specific impacts on efficacy and safety. Preclinical studies of GT and gene editing show potential for translation to the clinic.

Emerging data on outcome after HCT for specific IEI support early evaluation and treatment, before development of co-morbidities. Data in large cooperative retrospective databases continues to yield valuable insights clinicians can use in patient selection and choice of therapy.
Time Perspective, Dietary Behavior, and Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Jin Pina , Wang Xiaojing , Li Aihua , Dong Huan , Ji Meihua
Published: September 2023

Background

Dietary behavior is a key component in the self-management of patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), as it is essential for glycemic control and preventing diabetic complications. However, it is challenging for patients with diabetes to make sustainable dietary behavior changes and achieve long-term optimal glycemic control.

Objectives

Dietary behavior changes involve present efforts to achieve future benefits. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among time perspective, dietary behaviors, and health outcomes in patients with T2DM. Based on the temporal self-regulation theory and previous research, the secondary aim of the study was to explore how time perspective influences dietary behaviors.

Methods

Following convenient sampling (N = 329), a cross-sectional study was conducted in patients with T2DM between November 2021 and October 2022. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires and the retrieval of clinical information from medical records. Hierarchical regression and path analysis were used to explore the relationships among study variables.

Results

Our analyses showed that a future-oriented time perspective was associated with better dietary behavior but was not significantly related to hemoglobin A1c. Hierarchical regression analysis also demonstrated that having a more future-oriented time perspective was associated with healthier dietary behavior after controlling covariates. Based on the theory and path analysis, there was an indirect effect of future time perspective on dietary behavior through self-control capacity and intention.

Discussion

The study reveals that a future-oriented time perspective can promote healthier dietary behavior when providing care for patients with T2DM. As a theoretical framework, the temporal self-regulation theory offers references for researchers and clinicians to take into consideration patients’ time perspectives and their intentions and self-control capacity when developing interventional programs to improve dietary behaviors.
Estrogen/Progesterone Receptor Expression and Cancer Antigen 125 Level as Preoperative Predictors to Estimate Lymph Node Metastasis in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Wang Shao-Chi , Wu Chen-Hsuan , Fu Hung-Chun , Ou Yu-Che , Tsai Ching-Chou , Chen Ying-Yi , Wang Ying-Wen , Hunag Szu-Wei , Huang Szu-Yu , Lan Jui , Lin Hao
Published: September 2023

Loss of estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor (ER/PR) in endometrial cancer (EC) is associated with tumor progression and poor outcomes. Elevated pretreatment cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) level is a risk factor for lymph node metastasis (LNM). We evaluated whether the combination of ER/PR expression and CA 125 level could be used as a biomarker to predict LNM. We retrospectively investigated patients with endometrioid EC who underwent complete staging surgery during January 2015 to December 2020. We analyzed ER/PR status using immunohistochemical staining, and quantified its expression using the sum of both ER/PR H-scores. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify optimal cutoff values of H-score and CA 125 levels for predicting LNM. A nomogram for predicting LNM was constructed and validated by bootstrap resampling. In 396 patients, the optimal cutoff values of the ER/PR H-score and CA 125 were 407 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.645, P=0.001) and 40 U/mL (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.762, P<0.001), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that CA 125 ≥40 UmL (odds ratio: 10.02; 95% CI: 4.74–21.18) and ER/PR H-score <407 (odds ratio: 4.20; 95% CI: 1.55–11.32) were independent predictors. An LNM predictive nomogram was constructed using these 2 variables and our model yielded a negative predictive value and negative likelihood ratio of 98.3% and 0.14, respectively. ER/PR expression with pretreatment CA 125 levels can help estimate LNM risk and aid in decision-making regarding the need for lymphadenectomy in patients with endometrioid EC.
Mullerian Polyp of the Vagina: Report of Three Cases of a Previously Undescribed Lesion With Discussion of the Differential Diagnosis
Authors: Arora Rupali , McCluggage W. Glenn
Published: September 2023

Benign and malignant neoplasms of the vagina are rare. We report 3 primary vaginal polypoid lesions involving the upper or mid-vagina in patients aged 40, 60, and 67 years. The lesions bore a striking morphologic resemblance to benign endocervical or endometrial polyps and we suggest the designation Mullerian polyp of the vagina. As far as we are aware, similar cases have not been reported previously in the literature. Follow-up ranging from 6 to 21 months has been uneventful. In reporting these cases, we discuss the possible origin and differential diagnosis and review vaginal lesions with a benign glandular component.