bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A first voice perspective of people experiencing homelessness on preferences for the end-of-life and end-of-life care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Vihvelin Cait , Rupasinghe Viraji , Hughes Jean , Karabanow Jeff , Weeks Lori E.
Published: April 2022

Objective

People experiencing homelessness often encounter progressive illness(es) earlier and are at increased risk of mortality compared to the housed population. There are limited resources available to serve this population at the end-of-life (EOL). The purpose of this study was to gain insight into preferences for the EOL and end-of-life care for people experiencing homelessness. Utilizing an interpretive phenomenology methodology and the theoretical lens of critical social theory, we present results from 3 participants interviewed from August to October 2020, with current or previous experience of homelessness and a diagnosis of advanced disease/progressive life-threatening illness.

Results

A key finding focused on the existential struggle experienced by the participants in that they did not care if they lived or died. The participants described dying alone as a bad or undignified way to die and instead valued an EOL experience that was without suffering, surrounded by those who love them, and in a familiar place, wherever that may be. This study serves to highlight the need for improvements to meet the health care and social justice needs of people experiencing homelessness by ensuring equitable, humanistic health and end-of-life care, particularly during the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Heat shock protein family D member 1 in boar spermatozoa is strongly related to the litter size of inseminated sows
Authors: Pang Won-Ki , Son Ji-Hyun , Ryu Do-Yeal , Rahman Md Saidur , Park Yoo-Jin , Pang Myung-Geol
Published: April 2022

Background

Sperm quality evaluation is the logical first step in increasing field fertility. Spermatozoa contain cytoplasmic organelles and biomolecules known as sperm-intrinsic factors, which play key roles in sperm maturation, sperm-oocyte fusion, and embryo development. In particular, sperm membrane proteins [e.g., arginine vasopressin receptor 2, beta-actin, prohibitin, and heat shock protein family D member 1 (HSPD1)] and RNA could be used as functional indicators of male fertility. We sought to clarify the effects of differential mRNA expression of selected genes on several fertilisation parameters, including sperm motility, motion kinematics, capacitation, and litter size, in a porcine model.

Results

Our results demonstrated that HSPD1 expression was significantly correlated with male fertility, as measured by the litter size of inseminated sows. The expression of HSPD1 mRNA was linked to sperm motility and other motion kinematic characteristics. Furthermore, HSPD1 had a 66.7% overall accuracy in detecting male fertility, and the high-litter size group which was selected with the HSPD1 marker had a 1.34 greater litter size than the low-litter size group.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that HSPD1 might be a helpful biomarker for superior boar selection for artificial insemination, which could boost field fertility.
ROCK inhibitor fasudil reduces the expression of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells via ROS/NF-κB pathway
Authors: Liu Huanlong , Pan Zhenhua , Ma Xindi , Cui Junru , Gao Juan , Miao Qingfeng , Zhu Zhongning , Chen Xueyan , Su Suwen
Published: April 2022

Background

Inflammation plays a major role in the pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and the acute lung injury (ALI) diseases. The common feature of these complications is the dysfunction of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Fasudil, the only Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor used in clinic, has been proved to be the most promising new drug for the treatment of PAH, with some anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, in the present study, the effect of fasudil on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory injury in rat PMVECs was investigated.

Methods

LPS was used to make inflammatory injury model of rat PMVECs. Thereafter, the mRNA and protein expression of pro-inflammatory factors was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) assay respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured by the confocal laser scanning system. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined by using commercial kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65.

Results

Fasudil effectively prevented inflammatory injury induced by LPS, which is manifested by the decrease of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chenotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Meanwhile, fasudil dramatically reduced the levels of ROS and MDA, and also elevated the activities of SOD and GSH-Px. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 induced by LPS was also suppressed by fasudil. Additionally, the ROS scavengers N-Acetylcysteine (N-Ace) was also found to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the mRNA expression of IL-6 and MCP-1 induced by LPS, which suggested that ROS was essential for the nuclear translocation of NF-κB.

Conclusions

The present study revealed that fasudil reduced the expression of inflammatory factors, alleviated the inflammatory and oxidative damage induced by LPS in rat PMVECs via ROS-NF-κB signaling pathway.
Expanding the clinical-pathological and genetic spectrum of RYR1-related congenital myopathies with cores and minicores: an Italian population study
Authors: Fusto Aurora , Cassandrini Denise , Fiorillo Chiara , Codemo Valentina , Astrea Guja , D’Amico Adele , Maggi Lorenzo , Magri Francesca , Pane Marika , Tasca Giorgio , Sabbatini Daniele , Bello Luca , Battini Roberta , Bernasconi Pia , Fattori Fabiana , Bertini Enrico Silvio , Comi Giacomo , Messina Sonia , Mongini Tiziana , Moroni Isabella , Panicucci Chiara , Berardinelli Angela , Donati Alice , Nigro Vincenzo , Pini Antonella , Giannotta Melania , Dosi Claudia , Ricci Enzo , Mercuri Eugenio , Minervini Giovanni , Tosatto Silvio , Santorelli Filippo , Bruno Claudio , Pegoraro Elena
Published: April 2022

Mutations in the RYR1 gene, encoding ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1), are a well-known cause of Central Core Disease (CCD) and Multi-minicore Disease (MmD). We screened a cohort of 153 patients carrying an histopathological diagnosis of core myopathy (cores and minicores) for RYR1 mutation. At least one RYR1 mutation was identified in 69 of them and these patients were further studied. Clinical and histopathological features were collected. Clinical phenotype was highly heterogeneous ranging from asymptomatic or paucisymptomatic hyperCKemia to severe muscle weakness and skeletal deformity with loss of ambulation. Sixty-eight RYR1 mutations, generally missense, were identified, of which 16 were novel. The combined analysis of the clinical presentation, disease progression and the structural bioinformatic analyses of RYR1 allowed to associate some phenotypes to mutations in specific domains. In addition, this study highlighted the structural bioinformatics potential in the prediction of the pathogenicity of RYR1 mutations. Further improvement in the comprehension of genotype–phenotype relationship of core myopathies can be expected in the next future: the actual lack of the human RyR1 crystal structure paired with the presence of large intrinsically disordered regions in RyR1, and the frequent presence of more than one RYR1 mutation in core myopathy patients, require designing novel investigation strategies to completely address RyR1 mutation effect.
Empirical formulation for debris flow impact and energy release
Authors: Di Perna Angela , Cuomo Sabatino , Martinelli Mario
Published: April 2022

Full understanding the interaction mechanisms between flow-like landslides and the impacted protection structures is an open issue. While several approaches, from experimental to numerical, have been used so far, it is clear that the adequate assessment of the hydromechanical behaviour of the landslide body requires both a multiphase and large deformation approach. This paper refers to a specific type of protection structure, namely a rigid barrier, fixed to the base ground. Firstly, a framework for the Landslide-Structure-Interaction (LSI) is outlined with special reference to the potential barrier overtopping (nil, moderate, large) depending on the features of both the flow and the barrier. Then, a novel empirical method is casted to estimate the impact force on the barrier and the time evolution of the flow kinetic energy. The new method is calibrated by using an advanced hydro-mechanical numerical model based on the Material Point Method. The validation of the empirical formulation is pursued referring to a large dataset of field evidence for the peak impact pressure. Both numerical and empirical methods can appropriately simulate the physical phenomena. The performance of the newly proposed empirical method is compared to the literature methods and its advantages are outlined.
Teasing apart the host-related, nutrient-related and temperature-related effects shaping the phenology and microbiome of the tropical seagrass Halophila stipulacea
Authors: Szitenberg Amir , Beca-Carretero Pedro , Azcárate-García Tomás , Yergaliyev Timur , Alexander-Shani Rivka , Winters Gidon
Published: April 2022

Background

Halophila stipulaceaseagrass meadows are an ecologically important and threatened component of the ecosystem in the Gulf of Aqaba. Recent studies have demonstrated correlated geographic patterns for leaf epiphytic community composition and leaf morphology, also coinciding with different levels of water turbidity and nutrient concentrations. Based on these observations, workers have suggested an environmental microbial fingerprint, which may reflect various environmental stress factors seagrasses have experienced, and may add a holobiont level of plasticity to seagrasses, assisting their acclimation to changing environments and through range expansion. However, it is difficult to tease apart environmental effects from host-diversity dependent effects, which have covaried in field studies, although this is required in order to establish that differences in microbial community compositions among sites are driven by environmental conditions rather than by features governed by the host.

Results

In this study we carried out a mesocosm experiment, in which we studied the effects of warming and nutrient stress on the composition of epiphytic bacterial communities and on some phenological traits. We studiedH. stipulaceacollected from two different meadows in the Gulf of Aqaba, representing differences in the host and the environment alike. We found that the source site from which seagrasses were collected was the major factor governing seagrass phenology, although heat increased shoot mortality and nutrient loading delayed new shoot emergence. Bacterial diversity, however, mostly depended on the environmental conditions. The most prominent pattern was the increase in Rhodobacteraceae under nutrient stress without heat stress, along with an increase in Microtrichaceae. Together, the two taxa have the potential to maintain nitrate reduction followed by an anammox process, which can together buffer the increase in nutrient concentrations across the leaf surface.

Conclusions

Our results thus corroborate the existence of environmental microbial fingerprints, which are independent from the host diversity, and support the notion of a holobiont level plasticity, both important to understand and monitorH. stipulaceaecology under the changing climate.
Incidence and Clinical Relevance of COVID-19 in a Population of Young Competitive and Elite Football Players: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Colangelo Lidia , Volpe Alessandra , Toso Elisabetta , Magnano Massimo , Matta Mario , Vignati Chiara , Marchini Andrea , Semperboni Luca , Stefanini Luca , Gaita Fiorenzo
Published: April 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed lifestyle worldwide, including sport. A comprehensive evaluation of the prevalence of cardiac involvement in COVID-19 is essential to finalize a safe protocol for resuming elite sport. The aim of this study is to evaluate incidence of cardiac involvement and COVID-19 impact on athletic performance.

Materials and methods

This retrospective observational study analysed the data collected from consecutive competitive athletes who performed medical-sports examinations at the J Medical Center from March 2020 to March 2021. All athletes periodically performed a molecular test using a nasopharyngeal swab to detect COVID-19 infection. Positive athletes performed laboratory (cardiac troponin T—cTnT) and instrumental (echocardiography, stress test, Holter ECG) investigations following recovery to identify any cardiac involvement. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in case of abnormal findings at first-level evaluation.

Results

Among 238 athletes (median age 20 years), 77 contracted COVID-19, mainly males (79%) with a median age of 16 years. Fifty-one athletes (66%) presented mild symptoms, and none required hospitalization. Evaluation for resuming sport was performed after a median of 30 days from the first positive test. Abnormal findings were obtained in 13 cases (5 athletes [6%] with elevated cTnT values; 13 athletes [17%] with arrhythmias on Holter ECG and/or during stress test; 2 athletes [3%] anomalies at echocardiography). Cardiac MRI discovered abnormalities in 9 cases, but none of these was clearly related to COVID-19 and none fulfilled acute myocarditis criteria. No negative impact on athletic performance was observed, and none of the athletes developed persistent COVID-related symptoms.

Conclusions

Our registry confirms the predominantly self-limiting illness in young athlete population. The incidence of clear COVID-19-related structural myocardial injury was very low, but transient exertional ventricular arrhythmias or pericardial effusion was observed without significant impact on athletic performance. Implemented screening for return to activity is likely reasonable only in moderate-to-severe symptomatic athletes.
Quantitative effects of head rotation angle on apnea hypopnea index in positional obstructive sleep apnea – a preliminary case series
Authors: Lyons Christopher , Flanagan Kelly , Lyons Ellen , Lawee Michael , Aghassi Payam
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Quantify the effects of head rotation and head incline on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) severity.

Design

Single-arm, intervention study.

Setting

Pulmonary specialty clinic.

Case presentation

Ten adults diagnosed with positional OSA ranging from 32 to 64 years of age 6 females, 4 males reporting persistent daytime sleepiness and health issues with consistent use of CPAP.

Intervention

Standard polysomnography with a head angle sensor attached to the forehead and coaching to fall asleep with head at various rotation and incline angles and torso in supine and non-supine positions.

Measurements

OSA severity was scored according to American Academy of Sleep Medicine guidelines. Apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and peripheral capillary oxygen (SpO2) saturation were measured during each sleep epoch of unique head rotation, head incline, and torso position.

Results

Two participants (1 with no apneas and 1 with central sleep apnea) were excluded. Among the remaining 8 participants, average reduction in peak AHI was 66% (range 18–88%) with head rotation ≤ 20° above the horizon compared with > 20° above the horizon. The average of peak AHI values with head rotation ≤ 20° was significantly lower than with head rotation > 20° (20.0 vs 45.3, P = 0.002). Minimum SpO2 was significantly higher for head rotation ≤ 20° compared with > 20° (mean: 90.6% vs 84.3%, P = 0.03). In the torso supine position, average peak AHI was significantly lower with head rotation ≤ 20° compared with > 20° (7.1 vs 52.1, P < 0.001). In the torso non-supine position, lower average peak AHI with head rotation ≤ 20° was not statistically significant (22.3 vs 38.4, P = 0.09).

Conclusion

These results support further exploration of maintaining head position ≤ 20° above the horizon to minimize AHI and oxygen desaturation in OSA patients.

Trial registration

Apnea Hypopnea Index Severity Versus Head Position During Sleep.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04086407 September 11, 2019 Registered retrospectively.
Does weight loss affect the center of pressure of children with obesity: a follow-up study
Authors: Zhang Linshan , Yan Shiyang , Li Ruoyi , Dan Weihua , Yang Luming
Published: April 2022

Background

Children with obesity were found to show the greater postural instability compared to the normal-weighted children. However, it’s still unclear if their altered postural control ability would recover towards normal pattern after weight loss. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of weight loss on the center of pressure (COP) for obese children.

Method

Totally 147 children were conducted a follow-up study in three years. A total number of 22 participants aged 7–13 years were recruited for their remission of obesity problem after 36 months. Their dynamic plantar pressure data were collected by Footscan pressure plate. The normalized time of four sub-phases, displacements and velocities of COP in anterior–posterior (AP) and medial–lateral (ML) directions were calculated to perform the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and paired sample t test for statistical analyses.

Results

After weight loss, children’s normalized time of forefoot contact phase (FFCP) increased significantly, and their duration of flat foot phase (FFP) decreased significantly. They also exhibited the more medial and posterior orientated COP path after weight loss. In ML-direction, the COP displacement during FFP and FFPOP increased, and the COP velocity during FFPOP increased. In AP-direction, COP velocity during FFP and FFPOP increased.

Conclusions

The findings indicated that weight loss would have effects on the COP characteristics and postural stability for obese children. COP trajectory can provide essential information for evaluating foot function. The findings may be useful for obese children, medical staff, and healthcare physician.

Graphical Abstract
Synthesis and characterization of poly (styrene-co-acrylamide)-graft-polyanilines as new sorbents for mercuric present in aqueous hydrocarbon liquids
Authors: Fares Hossam M. M. , Azzam Eid. M. S. , Abd El-Salam H. M.
Published: April 2022

Background

The unprocessing hydrocarbon oil often contains high concentrations of mercury, which damages the metallic processing components and have health risk on workers and environment. Mercuric removal unit associated with natural gas processing plant is failed to complete mercury removal and then mercury distributed in most places of removal unit. Most of unremoved mercury are found in polar solutions.

Results

Styrene-co-acrylamide-graft-polyanilines were synthesized and characterized. The copolymer formed by free radical emulsion copolymerization of styrene-acrylamide (14:1) using ammonium persulphate (APS) at 60 °C. In addition, the grafting process was also achieved by oxidation chemical polymerization of the above copolymer with both aniline and 2-chloroaniline using APS. The synthetic polymeric samples were characterized using infrared (IR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), scan electron microscope (SEM), transition electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) to confirm the polymerization process and investigate the polymeric samples as new sorbents for Hg (II). Both adsorption kinetics and isotherm models were checked.

Conclusions

In most cases Hg (II) was adsorbed as multi-layer on the obtained mesopores materials. The grafting process enhances the copolymer activity towards Hg (II) removal. The complete removal of mercury from water solution portion of mercuric removal unit was achieved by introduction of synthetic polymeric mesopores material based on styrene-co-acrylamide-graft-polyanilines. The removal efficiency closed to 100% in case of grafting with poly (2-chloroaniline).
Barriers to Access: Global Variability in Implementing Treatment Advances in Lung Cancer
Authors: Febbraro Michela , Gheware Atish , Kennedy Thomas , Jain Deepali , de Moraes Fabio Ynoe , Juergens Rosalyn
Published: April 2022

Globally, lung cancer is the second most-diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death. Advances in science and technology have contributed to improvements in primary cancer prevention, cancer diagnosis, and cancer therapy, leading to an increase in survival and improvement in quality of life. Many of these advances have been seen in high-income countries. Accessibility, availability, and affordability are key domains in barriers to access of care between countries and within countries. The impact of these domains, as they relate to molecular testing, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy, are discussed.
Physical Therapy Utilization Among Hospitalized Patients With Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Rodwin Rozalyn L. , Ma Xiaomei , Ness Kirsten K. , Kadan-Lottick Nina S. , Wang Rong
Published: April 2022

PURPOSE:

Patients with pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are at risk for impaired physical function from treatment. Early physical therapy (PT) may improve physical function and health in children with ALL, yet little is known about PT utilization in this population.

METHODS:

Leveraging the Premier Healthcare Database, we conducted a cohort study including participants hospitalized with ALL at age 0-21 years from January 1, 2010, through March 31, 2017. A generalized mixed linear model assessed sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with receiving PT within 1 year of first hospitalization.

RESULTS:

Among 5,488 pediatric ALL patients from 330 hospitals (median age 7 years, interquartile range = 4-14 years), only 27.2% overall and 58.9% with neuromuscular conditions received PT within a year of first ALL admission. In multivariable analysis, patients more likely to receive PT were age 10-14 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.76) or 15-21 years (OR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.36 to 2.02) versus 0-4 years and Hispanic (OR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.56) versus White. Patients less likely to receive PT were treated by a nonhematology/oncology pediatric (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.46 to 0.70) or adult (OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.38 to 0.65) specialist versus a pediatric hematologist/oncologist and treated at a nonteaching hospital (OR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.79) versus a teaching hospital.

CONCLUSION:

Only 27.2% of pediatric ALL patients overall and 58.9% with neuromuscular conditions receive inpatient PT within a year of first ALL admission. Interventions to increase inpatient PT services to pediatric ALL patients and address disparities in PT utilization may improve the physical function and long-term health of survivors.
Identification of Foramen Ovale With H-Figure Fluoroscopic Landmark Improves Treatment Outcomes in Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: He Liang-Liang , Zhao Wen-Xing , Paul Su Po-Yi , Sun Qin-Ran , Guo Gui-Li , Yue Jian-Ning , Ni Jia-Xiang , Yang Li-Qiang , Guan Zhonghui
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:

Because it is traditionally difficult and time-consuming to identify the foramen ovale (FO) with fluoroscopy, we recently developed the H-figure method to acquire fluoroscopic view of FO with shorter procedure time and less radiation. However, the impact of such an H-figure approach on the clinical outcomes of trigeminal ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) in treating idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) remains unclear.

METHODS:

In a 12-month follow-up retrospective cohort study, patients with ITN had fluoroscopy-guided RFT of trigeminal ganglion via either classic approach (n = 100) or H-figure approach (n = 136) to identify FO. Data of continuous variables were analyzed with a Shapiro-Wilk test for normality and subsequently with a Mann-Whitney test, and the binary data were analyzed with a χ2 test. The primary outcome was the facial pain measured by a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 1 year after the treatment. The secondary outcomes included the quality of the fluoroscopic FO views, the threshold voltage to provoke paresthesia, the procedure time, the number of fluoroscopic images, and the facial numbness VAS.

RESULTS:

Compared with the classic approach group, the H-figure approach group was associated with better long-term pain relief after the procedure, with significantly fewer patients had pain 3 months (6.6% vs 17.0%, P = .012) and 12 months (21.3% vs 38.0%, P = .005) after the procedure, and among patients who had pain after the procedure, patients in the H-figure group had significantly less pain 6 months after the procedure (VAS median [interquartile range (IQR)]: 3 [2–6] vs 6 [4–7], P < .001). Moreover, compared to the classic approach, the H-figure approach provided better fluoroscopic view of FO, lower threshold voltage to elicit paresthesia (median [IQR]: 0.2 [0.2–0.3] vs 0.4 [0.4–0.5] V, P < .0001), with shorter procedure time (median [IQR]: 7.5 [6.0–9.0] vs 14.0 [10.0–18.0] min, P < .0001), and required fewer fluoroscopic images (median [IQR]: 4.0 [3.0–5.0] vs 8.0 [6.0–10.0], P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

RFT of the trigeminal ganglion using the H-figure approach is associated with superior longer term clinical pain relief than the classic approach in treating ITN.
Advantages and Limitations of Intraoperative Ultrasound Strain Elastography Applied in Brain Tumor Surgery: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Cepeda Santiago , García-García Sergio , Arrese Ignacio , Velasco-Casares María , Sarabia Rosario
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND:

Strain elastography is an intraoperative ultrasound (ioUS) modality currently under development with various potential applications in neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the main technical aspects, usefulness, and limitations of ioUS strain elastography applied in a large case series of brain tumors.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent craniotomy for a brain tumor between March 2018 and March 2021. Cases with an ioUS strain elastography study were included. The elastograms were processed semiquantitatively, and the mean tissue elasticity (MTE) values were calculated from the histogram of intensities. An analysis was performed to correlate the histopathological groups and the tumor and peritumoral MTE values using the Kruskal–Wallis test and a decision tree classifier. Furthermore, elastogram quality was assessed to discuss possible artifacts and weaknesses of the ultrasound technique.

RESULTS:

One hundred two patients with the following histopathological diagnoses were analyzed: 43 high-grade gliomas, 11 low-grade gliomas, 28 meningiomas, and 20 metastases. The tumor MTE values were significantly different between the histopathological groups (P < .001). The decision tree classifier showed an area under the curve of 0.73 and a classification accuracy of 72%. The main technical limitations found in our series were the presence of artifacts after dural opening, the variability of the frequency and amplitude of the mechanical pulsations, and the challenge in evaluating deep lesions.

CONCLUSION:

Tumor stiffness revealed by ioUS strain elastography has a plausible histopathological correlation. Thus, this fast and versatile technique has enormous potential to be exploited in the coming years.
Implementation of a new research tool for evaluating Mediterranean Sea Literacy (MSL) of high school students: A pilot study
Authors: CHEIMONOPOULOU MARIA , KOULOURI PANAYOTA , PREVIATI MONICA , REALDON GIULIA , Mokos Melita , Mogias Athanasios
Published: April 2022

The Mediterranean Sea is recognized as a key component in the development, economy, and culture of European, North African, and Middle East countries. With respect to heterogeneity across the region in different sectors, Ocean Literacy, though still in its infancy, is nevertheless a requisite for a better understanding of the two-way interaction between the Sea and its people. In the present study, marine issues in relation to the content knowledge of 154 high school students from the Mediterranean region were investigated by using a structured questionnaire based on the recently published Mediterranean Sea Literacy guide. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics to portray frequencies and knowledge scores of the participants, and inferential statistics to assess the eﬀects of grade level on students’ knowledge. The study which focused for the first time on the unique features of the Mediterranean marine ecosystems, found the level of content knowledge of the participants to be low to moderate. It is therefore of the utmost importance for the organizations and networks working on marine issues in the Mediterranean Sea to develop synergies and coordinate research programmes to broaden engagement with human societies in the region.
“Watchful waiting”: everyday ethical caring practices of general practitioners in cases of intimate partner violence
Authors: Vergaert Eva , Withaeckx Sophie , Coene Gily
Published: April 2022

This article focuses on the ethical caring practices of general practitioners in dealing with intimate partner violence. In-depth interviews were conducted with general practitioners to inquire about their concrete experiences and conflicts, which were then submitted to a thematic analysis based on Tronto’s elements of an ethics of care. The results show the difficulties faced by general practitioners when it comes to clarifying their patients’ caring needs, determining what is meant by competent care and dealing with the conflicting expectations of the caregiver and care receiver particular to the issue of intimate partner violence.
Third-order harmonic mode-locked and Q-switched Er-doped fiber laser based on a Cr2Ge2Te6 saturable absorber
Authors: Liu Xueyao , Xu Nannan , Shang Xinxin , Zhao Lin , Dong Xueyuan , Liu Chao , Zhang Huanian , Li Dengwang
Published: April 2022

This paper reports the generation of fundamental solitons and third-order solitons in an erbium-doped fiber laser (EDFL) by a

C

r

2

G

e

2

T

e

6

-polyvinyl alcohol (CGT-PVA) saturable absorber (SA). Stable fundamental solitons at 1559.09 nm at a repetition frequency of 5.1 MHz were detected, and third-order solitons with a maximum output power of 6.807 mW and narrowest monopulse duration of 615.2 fs were obtained under a repetition frequency of 15.3 MHz by changing pump power. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first time to achieve a

Q

-switched pulse with a minimum pulse duration of 2.2 µs and maximum single pulse energy of 12.11 nJ in EDFL based on CGT-PVA SA after reducing the cavity length. Its repetition rate monotonically increased from 18.8 kHz to 61.8 kHz with a tuning range of about 43 kHz. The experimental results sufficiently demonstrate that CGT has enormous potential as an ultrafast photonics device.
Colorless, partially directionless, and contentionless architecture for high-degree ROADMs
Authors: Li Yongcheng , Lin Jieming , Zong Liangjia , Bose Sanjay K. , Mukherjee Biswanath , Shen Gangxiang
Published: April 2022

With the rapid growth of Internet traffic, there can be multiple pairs of bi-directional fibers on a network link. This leads to the need for high-degree reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexers (ROADMs) in an optical network. However, this high-degree requirement poses new challenges to ROADMs since it is challenging and expensive for a wavelength selective switch (WSS), a key switching component in a ROADM, to expand its size. Therefore, a common strategy is to use small-size WSSs to build a high-degree ROADM. In this paper, we design a novel colorless, partially directionless, and contentionless (CpDC) ROADM architecture, in which the sizes of WSSs can be significantly reduced by partially sacrificing the directionless feature of a ROADM. The partially directionless feature may degrade the switching performance of a ROADM. Thus, to tackle this issue, we also propose an interconnection pattern for the ROADM backplane to effectively connect fiber links and add/drop modules. An analytical model is developed to evaluate the lightpath blocking performance of a single CpDC ROADM. Efficient routing, fiber, wavelength, and add/drop port assignment (RFWPA) algorithms (i.e., the shortest-path-based and waveplane-based algorithms) are also developed for lightpath establishment in an optical network made up of CpDC ROADMs, in which two wavelength selection strategies [i.e., non-interconnection aware (NIA) and interconnection aware (IA)] are further proposed. Simulation studies show that, while these achieve almost the same lightpath blocking performance as conventional CDC ROADMs, CpDC ROADMs are more effective from considerations of cost, insertion loss, and node volume. The waveplane-based RFWPA algorithm with the IA strategy is also found to be the most effective for lightpath provisioning in an optical network made up of CpDC ROADMs.
Cimmino simultaneously iterative holographic projection
Authors: El Guendy Miguel de V. , Mouthaan Ralf , Kadis Andrew , Wang Youchao , Niculescu Oana , Soliman Amr , Milne Darran , Kaczorowski Andrzej , Wilkinson Timothy D.
Published: April 2022

The Cimmino algorithm is an iterative algorithm used for solving linear equations (Ax = b) and is part of a wider family of algebraic reconstruction algorithms. Despite being used in computed tomography and digital signal processing, we present an approach for using it in holographic projections in the Fraunhofer region. Following the work carried out by our group on Kaczmarz holography, an earlier algebraic linear equation solver, we compare the performance and speed of Cimmino against this algorithm. Three versions of the Cimmino algorithm, Cimmino full, Cimmino eye, and Cimmino FFT, are evaluated and compared to both Kaczmarz and Gerchberg-Saxton. Interestingly, the derivation and simplification of Kaczmarz and Cimmino leads to the input-output algorithm originally derived by Fienup and while the solution is well-known, the link between these algorithms is not and despite being around since the 1930s, it was originally used to solve linear equations and not phase retrieval. While the Cimmino full and Cimmino eye reflect fairly poorly against Cimmino FFT and Kaczmarz in terms of image quality and speed, the Cimmino FFT delivers better results in terms of image quality than all algorithms considered. It is significantly faster than Kaczmarz, being only a few milliseconds slower than Gerchberg-Saxton.
Silicon microring synapses enable photonic deep learning beyond 9-bit precision
Authors: Zhang Weipeng , Huang Chaoran , Peng Hsuan-Tung , Bilodeau Simon , Jha Aashu , Blow Eric , de Lima Thomas Ferreira , Shastri Bhavin J. , Prucnal Paul
Published: April 2022

Deep neural networks (DNNs) consist of layers of neurons interconnected by synaptic weights. A high bit-precision in weights is generally required to guarantee high accuracy in many applications. Minimizing error accumulation between layers is also essential when building large-scale networks. Recent demonstrations of photonic neural networks are limited in bit-precision due to cross talk and the high sensitivity of optical components (e.g., resonators). Here, we experimentally demonstrate a record-high precision of 9 bits with a dithering control scheme for photonic synapses. We then numerically simulated the impact with increased synaptic precision on a wireless signal classification application. This work could help realize the potential of photonic neural networks for many practical, real-world tasks.
The Escherichia coli serS gene promoter region overlaps with the rarA gene
Authors: Jain Kanika , Stanage Tyler H. , Wood Elizabeth A. , Cox Michael M.
Published: April 2022

Deletion of the entire gene encoding the RarA protein of Escherichia coli results in a growth defect and additional deficiencies that were initially ascribed to a lack of RarA function. Further work revealed that most of the effects reflected the presence of sequences in the rarA gene that affect expression of the downstream gene, serS. The serS gene encodes the seryl aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase. Decreases in the expression of serS can trigger the stringent response. The sequences that affect serS expression are located in the last 15 nucleotides of the rarA gene.
Endophytic Trichoderma strains isolated from forest species of the Cerrado-Caatinga ecotone are potential biocontrol agents against crop pathogenic fungi
Authors: Morais Estefenson Marques , Silva Alex Ap. Rosini , Sousa Francisco Wderson Araújo de , Azevedo Izabelle Maria Barboza de , Silva Helane França , Santos Alice Maria Gonçalves , Beserra Júnior José Evando Aguiar , Carvalho Caroline Pais de , Eberlin Marcos Nogueira , Porcari Andreia M. , Araújo Francisca Diana da Silva
Published: April 2022

The indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides increasingly harms the health of living beings and the environment. Thus, biological control carried out by microorganisms has gained prominence, since it consists of an environmentally friendly alternative to the use of pesticides for controlling plant diseases. Herein, we evaluated the potential role of endophytic Trichoderma strains isolated from forest species of the Cerrado-Caatinga ecotone as biological control agents of crop pathogenic fungi. Nineteen Trichoderma strains were used to assess the antagonistic activity by in vitro bioassays against the plant pathogens Colletotrichum truncatum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Sclerotium delphinii isolated from soybean, cacao, fava bean, and black pepper crops, respectively. All Trichoderma strains demonstrated inhibitory activity on pathogen mycelial growth, with maximum percent inhibition of 70% against C. truncatum, 78% against L. theobromae, 78% against M. phaseolina, and 69% against S. delphinii. Crude methanol extracts (0.5 to 2.0 mg mL-1) of Trichoderma strains were able to inhibit the growth of C. truncatum, except Trichoderma sp. T3 (UFPIT06) and T. orientale (UFPIT09 and UFPIT17) at 0.5 mg mL-1, indicating that the endophytes employ a biocontrol mechanism related to antibiosis, together with multiple mechanisms. Discriminant metabolites of Trichoderma extracts were unveiled by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomics combined with principal component analysis (PCA), which included antifungal metabolites and molecules with other bioactivities. These results highlight the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma strains isolated from the Cerrado-Caatinga ecotone against crop pathogenic fungi, providing support for ongoing research on disease control in agriculture.
Silencing LncRNA CASC9 inhibits proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by MiR-542-3p/ILK
Authors: Zhang Heping , Wang Jingfang , Yu Taoyuan , Wang Jingmin , Lu Jun , Yu Zongyang
Published: April 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks the third in cancers and the second in the reasons of cancer-related death. More evidence indicates that long non-coding RNA participates in tumor initiation and progression. It’s known that cancer susceptibility candidate 9 is an oncogenic long non-coding RNA in CRC. miR-542-3p is a negative regulator of CRC, while integrin-linked kinase could contribute to tumor progression and chemoresistance. However, the correlation among long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 9, miR-542-3p and integrin-linked kinase in CRC is still unclear. We demonstrated long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 9 in CRC specimens and cell lines overexpressed via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Once long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 9 was knocked down, it significantly inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of CRC cells in real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine, and transwell assays, which also was validated in vivo. Long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 9 negatively regulates miR-542-3p in a targeted manner, and the function of up-regulated miR-542-3p was confirmed similarly. While miR-542-3p negatively regulates integrin-linked kinase. Thus, we further verified that overexpression of integrin-linked kinase on down-regulated long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 9 or up-regulated miR-542-3p significantly restored CRC cell proliferation via bioinformatic analysis, dual-luciferase report assay, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, RNA immunoprecipitation, and western blot. This study testified that silencing long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate 9 could inhibit proliferation and invasion of CRC cells by miR-542-3p/integrin-linked kinase.
A comprehensive analysis of clinical, quality of life, and cost-effectiveness outcomes of key treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Chughtai Bilal , Rojanasarot Sirikan , Neeser Kurt , Gultyaev Dmitry , Fu Shuai , Bhattacharyya Samir K. , El-Arabi Ahmad M. , Cutone Ben J. , McVary Kevin T.
Published: April 2022

Treatment options for men with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have variable efficacy, safety, and retreatment profiles, contributing to variations in patient quality of life and healthcare costs. This study examined the long-term cost-effectiveness of generic combination therapy (CT), prostatic urethral lift (PUL), water vapor thermal therapy (WVTT), photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP), and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of BPH. A systematic literature review was performed to identify clinical trials of CT, PUL, WVTT, PVP, and TURP that reported change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for men with BPH and a prostate volume ≤80 cm3. A random-effects network meta‐analysis was used to account for the differences in patient baseline clinical characteristics between trials. An Excel-based Markov model was developed with a cohort of males with a mean age of 63 and an average IPSS of 22 to assess the cost-effectiveness of these treatment options at 1 and 5 years from a US Medicare perspective. Procedural and adverse event (AE)-related costs were based on 2021 Medicare reimbursement rates. Total Medicare costs at 5 years were highest for PUL ($9,580), followed by generic CT ($8,223), TURP ($6,328), PVP ($6,152), and WVTT ($2,655). The total cost of PUL was driven by procedural ($7,258) and retreatment ($1,168) costs. At 5 years, CT and PUL were associated with fewer quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) than WVTT, PVP, and TURP. Compared to WVTT, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for both TURP and PVP were above a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY (TURP: $64,409/QALY; PVP: $87,483/QALY). This study provides long-term cost-effectiveness evidence for several common treatment options for men with BPH. WVTT is an effective and economically viable treatment in resource-constrained environments.
Chronotype and trait self-control as unique predictors of sleep quality in Chinese adults: The mediating effects of sleep hygiene habits and bedtime media use
Authors: Lin Shiang-Yi , Chung Kevin Kien Hoa
Published: April 2022

This study examined the distinctive roles of chronotype and trait self-control in predicting sleep quality and the mediation of sleep hygiene habits and bedtime media use of the relations between chronotype, trait self-control and sleep quality. Self-report questionnaire measuring chronotype, trait self-control, sleep hygiene behaviors, bedtime media use and sleep quality was administered to 224 Chinese adult participants (83.5% female). A multiple mediation model was estimated with sleep hygiene habits and bedtime media use as parallel mediators of the relations between chronotype, trait self-control, and sleep quality. Chronotype and trait self-control positively predicted sleep quality. Results of mediation analyses indicated that trait self-control predicted sleep quality both directly and indirectly through pre-sleep stress management and keeping a restful sleep environment, whereas chronotype predicted sleep quality indirectly through pre-sleep stress management and bedtime media use. This study provides evidence for the possible mechanism through which eveningness and low trait self-control undermine sleep quality: Whereas bedtime media use and sleep timing irregularity are linked to poor sleep quality in evening types, environmental interference (e.g., noise or disorganization) appears to be more relevant to poor sleep quality in individuals low in self-control. These findings can inform the design of personalized sleep hygiene recommendations appropriate for the target population. Practical implications regarding sleep hygiene education and interventions are discussed.
An exploratory identification of biological markers of chronic musculoskeletal pain in the low back, neck, and shoulders
Authors: Djade Codjo Djignefa , Diorio Caroline , Laurin Danielle , Dionne Clermont E.
Published: April 2022

Objectives

This study was an in-depth exploration of unique data from a nationally representative sample of adults living in the United States to identify biomarkers associated with musculoskeletal pain.

Methods

We performed secondary analyses of 2003–2004 NHANES data. After a first screening of 187 markers, analyses of 31 biomarkers were conducted on participants aged ≥20 years identified in all counties using the 2000 Census Bureau data (n = 4,742). To assess the association of each biomarker with each pain outcome (acute, subacute and chronic low back, neck, and shoulder pain), analyses were carried out using multivariable logistic regression with adjustments for sex, age and body mass index. Biomarkers were considered as continuous variables and categorized at the median of their distributions.

Results

Pain at any site for ≥24 hours during the past month was reported by 1,214 participants. Of these, 779 mentioned that the pain had lasted for ≥3 months (“chronic pain”). α-carotene, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, mercury and total protein had a statistically significant, inverse association with ≥2 chronic pain sites. Acrylamide, alkaline phosphatase, cadmium, cotinine, glycidamide, homocysteine, retinol, triglycerides and white blood cell count were positively associated with ≥2 chronic pain sites. Few biological markers were associated with acute and subacute pain.

Conclusions

This study identified some biomarkers that were strongly and consistently associated with musculoskeletal pain. These results raise new hypotheses and could have tremendous implications for advancing knowledge in the field. Research on musculoskeletal pain needs to put more effort on the biological dimension of the biopsychosocial model of pain.