bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended preconditioning on soft matrices directs human mesenchymal stem cell fate via YAP transcriptional activity and chromatin organization
Authors: Ma Yufei , Zhang Xu , Tang Shaoxin , Xue Li , Wang Jing , Zhang Xiaohui
Published: February 2023

Dynamic extracellular matrix (ECM) mechanics plays a crucial role in tissue development and disease progression through regulation of stem cell behavior, differentiation, and fate determination. Periodontitis is a typical case characterized by decreased ECM stiffness within diseased periodontal tissues as well as with irreversible loss of osteogenesis capacity of periodontal tissue-derived human periodontal tissue-derived MSCs (hMSCs) even returning back to a physiological mechanical microenvironment. We hypothesized that the hMSCs extendedly residing in the soft ECM of diseased periodontal tissues may memorize the mechanical information and have further effect on ultimate cell fate besides the current mechanical microenvironment. Using a soft priming and subsequent stiff culture system based on collagen-modified polydimethylsiloxane substrates, we were able to discover that extended preconditioning on soft matrices (e.g., 7 days of exposure) led to approximately one-third decrease in cell spreading, two-third decrease in osteogenic markers (e.g., RUNX2 and OPN) of hMSCs, and one-thirteenth decrease in the production of mineralized nodules. The significant loss of osteogenic ability may attribute to the long-term residing of hMSCs in diseased periodontal tissue featured with reduced stiffness. This is associated with the regulation of transcriptional activity through alterations of subcellular localization of yes-associated protein and nuclear feature-mediated chromatin organization. Collectively, we reconstructed phenomena of irreversible loss of hMSC osteogenesis capacity in diseased periodontal tissues in our system and revealed the critical effect of preconditioning duration on soft matrices as well as the potential mechanisms in determining ultimate hMSC fate.
Conditional statistics of Reynolds stress in open channel flows with modeled canopies of homogeneous and heterogeneous density
Authors: Li Dian , Liu Mengyang , Huai Wenxin , Liu Guoqiang , Peng Zhenyang , Zhang Fuping
Published: February 2023

The flow structures under the effects of heterogeneous canopies have been shown to be significantly different from those under the effects of homogeneous canopies. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the changes in density and density uniformity of the canopy affect the turbulent characteristics of the flow in a partially vegetated channel. A comparative experiment is conducted, including two cases of homogeneous canopy with different densities and one case of heterogeneous canopy consisting of alternating sparse and dense vegetation patches. While the lateral profiles of Reynolds stress, magnitudes of quadrant motions, and high-order moments of velocity fluctuations present a high similarity within the shear layer, variations in both the density and density uniformity of the canopy markedly affect the turbulence at the interface between the canopy and the main channel. The results show that canopy density heterogeneity enhances the momentum exchange at the interface and promotes the penetration of stress-driven flow into the sparse vegetation patch while inhibiting its penetration into the dense vegetation patch. An analogy can be drawn between the canopy flow with sufficient density and the turbulent rough-wall boundary layers based on the turbulent statistics within the shear layer. Furthermore, the effect of increased canopy density on the flow corresponds well to the effect of decreased wall roughness. By using the cumulant expansion method, the assumption of structural similarity present in wall-bounded flows is found to be applicable to the canopy flows considered in this study.
Lagrangian transport in the time-periodic two-dimensional lid-driven square cavity
Authors: Babor Lukas , Kuhlmann Hendrik C.
Published: February 2023

The Lagrangian transport in the laminar incompressible flow in a two-dimensional square cavity driven by a harmonic tangential oscillation of the lid is investigated numerically for a wide range of Reynolds and Strouhal numbers. The topology of fluid trajectories is analyzed by stroboscopic projections revealing the co-existence of chaotic trajectories and regular Kolmogorov–Arnold–Moser (KAM) tori. The pathline structure strongly depends on the Reynolds number and the oscillation frequency of the lid. Typically, most pathlines are chaotic when the oscillation frequency is small, with few KAM tori being strongly stretched along instantaneous streamlines of the flow. As the frequency is increased, the fluid motion becomes more regular and the size of the KAM tori grows until, at high frequencies, they resemble streamlines of a mean flow.
Effects of sex and gestational age on the auditory brainstem responses among two ears in moderate preterm infants
Authors: Bagheri Fereshteh , Miresmaeili Zeinab , Mahmoodi-Bakhtiari Behrooz , Ahmadi Akram , Ahmadi Zohreh Ziatabar
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Auditory cortex in each hemisphere mostly receives the sounds from the opposite ear. The present study aimed at the contralateral dominance of auditory brainstem response (ABR) among the ears in preterm neonates by comparing sex and gestational age.

Methods

Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) were recorded at 3 months postconceptional age (PCA). The performance of two ears in ABR was compared. In addition, performance of each ear was analysed in females and males. A comparison of moderate gestational age also was performed. Twenty preterm neonates from 32 to 36 weeks gestational age admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Shafizadeh Children’s Hospital were participated.

Results

No significant asymmetry in ABR absolute latency and inter-peak intervals of right and left ears in preterm infants was noticed. Females and males did not demonstrate statistically significant values in ABR latencies. Moreover, the results of four gestational ages were not statistically different from each other.

Conclusion

The maturation of the auditory brainstem pathways most likely take places in both hemispheres simultaneously, independent of sex in preterm infants. Changes of gestational age in each month do not impact on the maturation of the auditory brain pathways.
Understanding element solution energies in nickelbase alloys using machine learning
Authors: Bäker Martin
Published: February 2023

The design of nickelbase superalloys requires to tune the content of different phases with a composition of Ni3A, either to strengthen the alloy (γ′-phase, Ni3Al,γ″-phase, Ni3Nb) or to influence its grain size and avoid embrittlement (δ-phase, Ni3Nb,η-phase, Ni3Ti). Here, we use a machine-learning-inspired approach to understand the influence of elemental properties on the energy of an alloying element in the respective phases. It is shown that the energy inγ″,δ, andηcan be fitted well using the Bader charge and the volume of the element in a nickel matrix. In the case ofγ′, the small lattice mismatch requires a fit not involving the volume, but the bond order instead. We also show that the frequently usedMd-parameter can be predicted from the properties of an element in a pure nickel matrix. Finally, the physical basis of the results is discussed in detail.
Temperature dependent black phosphorus transistor and memory
Authors: Kumar Arun , Viscardi Loredana , Faella Enver , Giubileo Filippo , Intonti Kimberly , Pelella Aniello , Sleziona Stephan , Kharsah Osamah , Schleberger Marika , Di Bartolomeo Antonio
Published: February 2023

We studied the temperature dependent transport properties and memory behaviour of ultrathin black phosphorus field-effect transistors. The devices show electrical conductance and field-effect mobility that decreases with the rising temperature. The field effect mobility, which depends also on the gate voltage sweep range, is 283 cm2V−1s−1 at 150 K and reduces to 33 cm2V−1s−1 at 340 K, when the voltage gate sweep range is

±

50 V. The transfer characteristics show a hysteresis width that increases with the temperature and is exploited to enable non-volatile memories with a wider programming window at higher temperatures.
Synthesizability of transition-metal dichalcogenides: a systematic first-principles evaluation
Authors: Lu Tenglong , Wang Yanan , Cai Guanghui , Jia Huaxian , Liu Xinxin , Zhang Cui , Meng Sheng , Liu Miao
Published: February 2023

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are a class of materials with various useful properties, and it is worthwhile to have a thorough evaluation of the characteristics of the TMDs, most importantly, their structural stability and exfoliability, in a systematic fashion. Here, by employing high-throughput first-principles calculations, we investigate the vast phase space of TMDs, including 16 bulk phases and 6 monolayer phases for all possible TMD combinations [comprising (3d, 4d, 5d) transition-metal cations and (S, Se, Te) anions], totaling 1386 compounds. Through the ‘bird-view’ of the as-large-as-possible configurational and chemical space of TMDs, our work presents comprehensive energy landscapes to elucidate the thermodynamic stability as well as the exfoliability of TMDs, which are of vital importance for future synthesis and exploration towards large-scale industrial applications.
Robust a posteriori estimates for the stochastic Cahn-Hilliard equation
Authors: Baňas Ľubomír , Vieth Christian
Published: February 2023

We derive a posteriori error estimates for a fully discrete finite element approximation of the stochastic Cahn-Hilliard equation. The a posteriori bound is obtained by a splitting of the equation into a linear stochastic partial differential equation and a nonlinear random partial differential equation. The resulting estimate is robust with respect to the interfacial width parameter and is computable since it involves the discrete principal eigenvalue of a linearized (stochastic) Cahn-Hilliard operator. Furthermore, the estimate is robust with respect to topological changes as well as the intensity of the stochastic noise. We provide numerical simulations to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed adaptive algorithm.
On a multi-integral norm defined by weighted sums of log-concave random vectors
Authors: Skarmogiannis Nikos
Published: February 2023

Let

C
C

and

K
K

be centrally symmetric convex bodies in

R

n

{\mathbb R}^n

. We show that if

C
C

is isotropic then
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-vertical-bar bold t double-vertical-bar Subscript upper C Sub Superscript s Subscript comma upper K Baseline equals integral Underscript upper C Endscripts midline-horizontal-ellipsis integral Underscript upper C Endscripts double-vertical-bar sigma-summation Underscript j equals 1 Overscript s Endscripts t Subscript j Baseline x Subscript j Baseline double-vertical-bar Subscript upper K Baseline d x Subscript s Baseline midline-horizontal-ellipsis d x 1 less-than-or-slanted-equals c 1 upper L Subscript upper C Baseline left-parenthesis log n right-parenthesis Superscript 5 Baseline StartRoot n EndRoot upper M left-parenthesis upper K right-parenthesis double-vertical-bar bold t double-vertical-bar Subscript 2">

‖

t

‖

C
s

,
K

=

∫

C

⋯

∫

C

‖

∑

j
=
1

s

t
j

x
j

‖

K

d

x
s

⋯
d

x
1

⩽

c
1

L
C

(
log
⁡
n

)
5

n

M
(
K
)
‖

t

‖
2

\begin{equation*} \|\mathbf {t}\|_{C^s,K}=\int _{C}\cdots \int _{C}\Big \|\sum _{j=1}^st_jx_j\Big \|_K\,dx_s\cdots dx_1 \leqslant c_1L_C(\log n)^5\,\sqrt {n}M(K)\|\mathbf {t}\|_2 \end{equation*}

for every

s
⩾
1

s\geqslant 1

and

t

=
(

t
1

,
…
,

t
s

)
∈

R

s

\mathbf {t}=(t_1,\ldots ,t_s)\in {\mathbb R}^s

, where

L
C

L_C

is the isotropic constant of

C
C

and
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper M left-parenthesis upper K right-parenthesis colon-equal integral Underscript upper S Superscript n minus 1 Baseline Endscripts double-vertical-bar xi double-vertical-bar Subscript upper K Baseline d sigma left-parenthesis xi right-parenthesis">

M
(
K
)
≔

∫

S

n
−
1

‖
ξ

‖
K

d
σ
(
ξ
)

M(K)≔\int _{S^{n-1}}\|\xi \|_Kd\sigma (\xi )

. This reduces a question of V. Milman to the problem of estimating from above the parameter

M
(
K
)

M(K)

of an isotropic convex body. The proof is based on an observation that combines results of Eldan, Lehec and Klartag on the slicing problem: If

μ
\mu

is an isotropic log-concave probability measure on

R

n

{\mathbb R}^n

then, for any centrally symmetric convex body

K
K

in

R

n

{\mathbb R}^n

, we have that
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper I 1 left-parenthesis mu comma upper K right-parenthesis colon-equal integral Underscript double-struck upper R Superscript n Baseline Endscripts double-vertical-bar x double-vertical-bar Subscript upper K Baseline d mu left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis less-than-or-slanted-equals c 2 StartRoot n EndRoot left-parenthesis log n right-parenthesis Superscript 5 Baseline upper M left-parenthesis upper K right-parenthesis period">

I
1

(
μ
,
K
)
≔

∫

R

n

‖
x

‖
K

d
μ
(
x
)
⩽

c
2

n

(
log
⁡
n

)
5

M
(
K
)
.

\begin{equation*} I_1(\mu ,K)≔\int _{{\mathbb R}^n}\|x\|_K\,d\mu (x)\leqslant c_2\sqrt {n}(\log n)^5\,M(K). \end{equation*}

We illustrate the use of this inequality with further applications.
The Importance of Being First: Economic and Non-economic Dimensions of Inventorship in American and German Law
Authors: Assaf-Zakharov Katya , Herzog Lisa
Published: February 2023

This Article examines the right to be acknowledged as the first inventor of a new technology in patent law. Technological inventions usually result from cumulative research and development, and several people sometimes arrive at the same invention almost simultaneously. However, only one person is usually considered to be the “inventor,” and receives all the credit and honor.

This Article focuses on the legal systems of Germany and the United States, comparing how they conceptualize the right to be seen as inventor. These systems have developed in substantially different philosophical and cultural climates: while the German legal system has been deeply influenced by Kantian and Hegelian thought, the American legal system has been inspired more strongly by liberal and utilitarian ideas. These two schools of philosophical thought have different perspectives on the relationship between personal identity and work; while the German tradition emphasizes the deeply personal relation between individuals and their work, the Anglo-Saxon approach is, in general, more instrumentalist and utilitarian with regard to work.

One way in which these differences express themselves is the different ways in which the right to be acknowledged as the first inventor is understood and regulated. The right to be acknowledged as the first inventor is deeply connected with one’s identity as a professional, whether an engineer, technician, or scientist. On the other hand, this right does not necessarily have pecuniary significance. Hence, the protection of the right to be considered as the first inventor allows a glimpse into the different visions of identity and work found in these legal systems.

This Article examines to what extent German and American legal systems recognize and protect the right to be perceived as the first inventor. It demonstrates that the two legal systems differ profoundly in the ways they perceive and protect the right to be considered as the first inventor. True to its visions of professional dignity, German law carefully protects this right, independently from any pecuniary interests. In contrast, American law grants a remarkably weak protection to the right to be considered as the first inventor, focusing primarily on its monetary aspects. Hence, one can here discover different visions of the role of individuals in society, and specifically of the role of individuals as creators and not just consumers. What is at stake here is whether questions of honor, dignity, and symbolic property, above and beyond material benefits, are recognized as playing a role in the economic system.
Alcohol Misuse Among Youth Living With and at High Risk for Acquiring HIV During the COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Orders: A Study in Los Angeles and New Orleans
Authors: Rezai Roxana , Hayati Rezvan Panteha , Comulada Warren Scott , Lee Sung-Jae , Ocasio Manuel A , Swendeman Dallas , Fernández Maria Isabel ,   the Adolescent Trials Network (ATN) CARES Team
Published: February 2023

Background

To slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, governments across the globe instituted stay-at-home orders leading to increased stress and social isolation. Not surprisingly, alcohol sales increased during this period. While most studies primarily focused on alcohol consumption among college students or adults, this study investigates alcohol misuse among marginalized youth in the USA. We examined risk factors associated with hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking including risk behaviors, life stressors and demographic characteristics.

Methods

In October 2020, youth living with or at high risk for acquiring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), participating in community-based research to improve HIV prevention and care, were invited to complete an online survey to assess the impact of the stay-at-home orders on multiple aspects of their daily life.

Results

Respondents (n = 478) were on average 23 years old; cisgender (84%), not-heterosexual (86.6%), Latino or Black/African American (73%) and assigned male at birth (83%); 52% reported being employed and 14% reported living with HIV. White participants and those who use drugs had higher odds of hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking, compared with other race categories and non-drug users, respectively.

Conclusion

Contrary to findings from adult studies, we did not observe an increase in hazardous or binge drinking among youth at risk for HIV. Hazardous alcohol use and binge drinking was more likely among White participants, those who use drugs and those who were hazardous/binge drinkers prior to the COVID-19 lockdown, which points to the importance of identifying and treating youth who misuse alcohol early to prevent future alcohol misuse.
Is it time we changed the way we manage melanoma in situ of the trunk and limbs?
Authors: Smith Hayley , Hussain Walayat
Published: February 2023

There is little evidence on the optimal clinical and histological margins required to reduce local recurrence in melanoma in situ (MIS). Our aim was to identify the number of lesions on the trunk and limbs with histological clearance > 1 mm after initial narrow-margin excision. In our cohort 93.6% were considered clear after initial exclusion with no residual MIS seen when further wide local excision was carried out.
Social Work Interventions with Children under 5 in Scotland: Over a Quarter Referred and One in Seventeen Investigated with Wide Variations between Local Authorities
Authors: Bilson Andy , Macleod Marion
Published: February 2023

This article uses information from freedom of information requests to find the rate of children who were subject to social work interventions in Scotland before the age of 5. It finds that more than one in every four children were referred to social work and provides the rates for other types of interventions including children investigated for child protection, becoming looked after and being adopted. Despite differences in legislation and the judicial system, the study shows many similarities in rates of intervention in Scotland to similar longitudinal studies in England. The study found wide variations between local authorities in rates of these different interventions, which for most interventions was moderately correlated with deprivation and, in the case of the high disparities in rates of referral and child protection investigation, had little correlation with deprivation. The likelihood of children’s involvement with social work varied markedly depending on where they lived.
Thermodynamic Characterization of Polyetherimide/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Composites
Authors: Isik Birol , Ugraskan Volkan , Yazici Ozlem , Cakar Fatih
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to examine the interactions of composite materials obtained by adding single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) to polyetherimide (ULTEM) in different weight ratios with various organic solvents, and to evaluate the solubility of composites in these organic solvents. The characterization of prepared composites was performed with SEM analysis. Thermodynamic properties of ULTEM/SWCNT composites were determined by the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) method at 260–285°C in infinite dilution. According to the IGC method, the retention behaviors were examined by passing different organic solvent vapors over the composites used as stationary phase, and retention diagrams were drawn using the obtained retention data. Thermodynamic parameters including Flory–Huggins interaction parameters (${\chi}_{12}^{\infty }$), equation of state interaction parameters (${\chi}_{12}^{\ast }$), weight fraction activity coefficients in infinite dilution (${\Omega}_1^{\infty }$), effective exchange energy parameters (${\chi}_{\mathrm{eff}}$), partial molar sorption enthalpies ($\Delta{\overline{H}}_1^S$), partial molar dissolution enthalpies in infinite dilution ($\Delta{\overline{H}}_1^{\infty }$) and molar evaporation enthalpies ($\Delta{\overline{H}}_v$) were calculated using the linear retention diagrams. According to ${\chi}_{12}^{\infty }$, ${\chi}_{12}^{\ast }$, ${\Omega}_1^{\infty }$ and ${\chi}_{\mathrm{eff}}$ values, organic solvents were found to be poor solvents for composites at all temperatures. Besides, the solubility parameters of composites were determined by IGC method at infinite dilution.
Current Pyuria Cutoffs Promote Inappropriate Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis in Older Women
Authors: Bilsen Manu P , Aantjes Margaretha J , van Andel Esther , Stalenhoef Janneke E , van Nieuwkoop Cees , Leyten Eliane M S , Delfos Nathalie M , Sijbom Martijn , Numans Mattijs E , Achterberg Wilco P , Mooijaart Simon P , van der Beek Martha T , Cobbaert Christa M , Conroy Simon P , Visser Leo G , Lambregts Merel M C
Published: February 2023

Background

Pre-existing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), cognitive impairment, and the high prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) complicate the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) in older women. The presence of pyuria remains the cornerstone of UTI diagnosis. However, >90% of ASB patients have pyuria, prompting unnecessary treatment. We quantified pyuria by automated microscopy and flowcytometry to determine the diagnostic accuracy for UTI and to derive pyuria thresholds for UTI in older women.

Methods

Women ≥65 years with ≥2 new-onset LUTS and 1 uropathogen ≥104 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL were included in the UTI group. Controls were asymptomatic and classified as ASB (1 uropathogen ≥105 CFU/mL), negative culture, or mixed flora. Patients with an indwelling catheter or antimicrobial pretreatment were excluded. Leukocyte medians were compared and sensitivity–specificity pairs were derived from a receiver operating characteristic curve.

Results

We included 164 participants. UTI patients had higher median urinary leukocytes compared with control patients (microscopy: 900 vs 26 leukocytes/µL; flowcytometry: 1575 vs 23 leukocytes/µL; P < .001). Area under the curve was 0.93 for both methods. At a cutoff of 264 leukocytes/µL, sensitivity and specificity of microscopy were 88% (positive and negative likelihood ratio: 7.2 and 0.1, respectively). The commonly used cutoff of 10 leukocytes/µL had a poor specificity (36%) and a sensitivity of 100%.

Conclusions

The degree of pyuria can help to distinguish UTI in older women from ASB and asymptomatic controls with pyuria. Current pyuria cutoffs are too low and promote inappropriate UTI diagnosis in older women.

Clinical Trials Registration. International Clinical Trials Registry Platform: NL9477 (https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NL9477)
A Nrf2-OSGIN1&2-HSP70 axis mediates cigarette smoke-induced endothelial detachment: implications for plaque erosion
Authors: Satta Sandro , Beal Robert , Smith Rhys , Luo Xing , Ferris Glenn R , Langford-Smith Alex , Teasdale Jack , Ajime Tom Tanjeko , Serré Jef , Hazell Georgina , Newby Graciela Sala , Johnson Jason L , Kurinna Svitlana , Humphries Martin J , Gayan-Ramirez Ghislaine , Libby Peter , Degens Hans , Yu Bo , Johnson Thomas , Alexander Yvonne , Jia Haibo , Newby Andrew C , White Stephen J
Published: February 2023

Aims

Endothelial erosion of plaques is responsible for ∼30% of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Smoking is a risk factor for plaque erosion, which most frequently occurs on the upstream surface of plaques where the endothelium experiences elevated shear stress. We sought to recreate these conditions in vitro to identify potential pathological mechanisms that might be of relevance to plaque erosion.

Methods and results

Culturing human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) under elevated flow (shear stress of 7.5 Pa) and chronically exposing them to cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) recapitulated a defect in HCAEC adhesion, which corresponded with augmented Nrf2-regulated gene expression. Pharmacological activation or adenoviral overexpression of Nrf2 triggered endothelial detachment, identifying Nrf2 as a mediator of endothelial detachment. Growth/Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF15) expression was elevated in this model, with protein expression elevated in the plasma of patients experiencing plaque erosion compared with plaque rupture. The expression of two Nrf2-regulated genes, OSGIN1 and OSGIN2, was increased by CSE and TNFα under elevated flow and was also elevated in the aortas of mice exposed to cigarette smoke in vivo. Knockdown of OSGIN1&2 inhibited Nrf2-induced cell detachment. Overexpression of OSGIN1&2 induced endothelial detachment and resulted in cell cycle arrest, induction of senescence, loss of focal adhesions and actin stress fibres, and disturbed proteostasis mediated in part by HSP70, restoration of which reduced HCAEC detachment. In ACS patients who smoked, blood concentrations of HSP70 were elevated in plaque erosion compared with plaque rupture.

Conclusion

We identified a novel Nrf2-OSGIN1&2-HSP70 axis that regulates endothelial adhesion, elevated GDF15 and HSP70 as biomarkers for plaque erosion in patients who smoke, and two therapeutic targets that offer the potential for reducing the risk of plaque erosion.
Migration of stem-like CD8 T cells between tissue microenvironments underpins successful anti-tumour immune responses
Authors: Kennedy Bethany C , Dean Isaac , Withers David R
Published: February 2023

The clinical success of immune checkpoint blockade in some patients has transformed treatment approaches in cancer and offers the hope of durable curative responses. Building from studies of chronic infection, the composition of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes and in particular, the spectrum of exhausted CD8 T cells has now been characterized in detail, profiling the phenotype, function, transcriptional regulation and even the epigenetic changes. However, what remains less clear is how intratumoural immune cells interface with populations in the periphery, both in terms of sustaining the response in cancer, but also in establishing systemic memory responses that can provide long-term protection. Here we will succinctly review the current understanding of the anti-tumour response, consider the tissue microenvironments that support key cellular subsets and the extent to which cellular migration between these sites impacts the response.
Osmia taurus (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): A Non-native Bee Species With Invasiveness Potential in North America
Authors: Gutierrez Grace M , LeCroy Kathryn A , Roulston T’ai H , Biddinger David J , López-Uribe Margarita M
Published: February 2023

Bees are important pollinators and are essential for the reproduction of many plants in natural and agricultural ecosystems. However, bees can have adverse ecological effects when introduced to areas outside of their native geographic ranges. Dozens of non-native bee species are currently found in North America and have raised concerns about their potential role in the decline of native bee populations. Osmia taurus Smith (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) is a mason bee native to eastern Asia that was first reported in the United States in 2002. Since then, this species has rapidly expanded throughout the eastern part of North America. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the natural history of O. taurus, document its recent history of spread through the United States and Canada, and discuss the evidence suggesting its potential for invasiveness. In addition, we compare the biology and history of colonization of O. taurus to O. cornifrons (Radoszkowski), another non-native mason bee species now widespread in North America. We highlight gaps of knowledge and future research directions to better characterize the role of O. taurus in the decline of native Osmia spp. Panzer and the facilitation of invasive plant-pollinator mutualisms.
The right age for the en-bloc rotation of the outflow tracts: a single-centre experience
Authors: Kreuzer Michaela , Sames-Dolzer Eva , Tulzer Andreas , Gierlinger Gregor , Mair Roland , Nawrozi Mohammad-Paimann , Mair Rudolf
Published: February 2023

OBJECTIVES

The en-bloc rotation of the outflow tracts (EBR) enables an anatomic correction of transposition of the great arteries with ventricular septal defect and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. The anatomical condition or previous palliative procedures may allow choosing an elective date for the anatomic correction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal age for performing the EBR based on the largest series published so far.

METHODS

At the Children’s Heart Center Linz, the EBR was performed in 33 patients between 2003 and 2021. Median age at operation was 74 [interquartile range (IQR) 17–627] days. Twelve patients were newborns (≤28 days), 9 older than 369 days. These 2 groups were compared to the remaining patients each regarding peri- and postoperative data, complications, reinterventions and mortality. The median follow-up period was 5.4 (IQR 0.99–11.74) years.

RESULTS

In-hospital mortality was 6.1%. All-cause mortality was lower in patients younger than 369 days at the time of EBR (4.2% vs 44.4% in patients >369 days old, P = 0.013). In newborns, intensive care unit stay (median 18.5 days vs 8 days, P = 0.008) and in-hospital stay (median 29.5 days vs 15 days, P = 0.026) were significantly longer, the risk for postoperative AV block was higher (33.3 vs 0%, P = 0.012) than in patients who had been corrected anatomically after the neonatal period.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest the deferral of the EBR to the post-newborn period. A significantly higher mortality rate in patients of older age at operation seems to recommend the anatomic correction during the first year of life.
Association Between Cognitive Impairment and Repeat Fractures in Medicare Beneficiaries Recently Hospitalized for Hip Fracture
Authors: Tzeng Huey-Ming , Downer Brian , Li Chih-Ying , Raji Mukaila A , Haas Allen , Kuo Yong-Fang
Published: February 2023

Background

Repeat fractures contribute substantially to fracture incidents in older adults. We examined the association between cognitive impairment and re-fractures during the first 90 days after older adults with hip fractures were discharged home from a skilled nursing facility rehabilitation short stay.

Methods

Multilevel binary logistic regression was used to analyze 100% of U.S. national postacute-care fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries who had a hospital admission for hip fracture from January 1, 2018, to July 31, 2018; were admitted for a skilled nursing facility stay within 30 days of hospital discharge; and were discharged to the community after a short stay. Our primary outcome was rehospitalization for any re-fractures within 90 days of skilled nursing facility discharge. Cognitive status assessed at skilled nursing facility admission or before discharge was classified as either intact or having mild or moderate/severe impairment.

Results

In 29 558 beneficiaries with hip fracture, odds of any re-fracture were higher in those with minor (odds ratio: 1.48; 95% confidence interval: 1.19–1.85; p < .01) and moderate/major cognitive impairment (odds ratio: 1.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.07–1.89; p = .0149) than in those classified as intact.

Conclusions

Beneficiaries with cognitive impairment were more likely than their counterparts with no cognitive impairment to experience re-fractures. Community-dwelling older adults with minor cognitive impairment may experience a higher likelihood of experiencing a repeat fracture leading to rehospitalization.
Workflow sharing with automated metadata validation and test execution to improve the reusability of published workflows
Authors: Suetake Hirotaka , Fukusato Tsukasa , Igarashi Takeo , Ohta Tazro
Published: February 2023

Background

Many open-source workflow systems have made bioinformatics data analysis procedures portable. Sharing these workflows provides researchers easy access to high-quality analysis methods without the requirement of computational expertise. However, published workflows are not always guaranteed to be reliably reusable. Therefore, a system is needed to lower the cost of sharing workflows in a reusable form.

Results

We introduce Yevis, a system to build a workflow registry that automatically validates and tests workflows to be published. The validation and test are based on the requirements we defined for a workflow being reusable with confidence. Yevis runs on GitHub and Zenodo and allows workflow hosting without the need of dedicated computing resources. A Yevis registry accepts workflow registration via a GitHub pull request, followed by an automatic validation and test process for the submitted workflow. As a proof of concept, we built a registry using Yevis to host workflows from a community to demonstrate how a workflow can be shared while fulfilling the defined requirements.

Conclusions

Yevis helps in the building of a workflow registry to share reusable workflows without requiring extensive human resources. By following Yevis’s workflow-sharing procedure, one can operate a registry while satisfying the reusable workflow criteria. This system is particularly useful to individuals or communities that want to share workflows but lacks the specific technical expertise to build and maintain a workflow registry from scratch.
Protection From COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination and Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection Against COVID-19–Associated Encounters in Adults During Delta and Omicron Predominance
Authors: Bozio Catherine H , Butterfield Kristen A , Briggs Hagen Melissa , Grannis Shaun , Drawz Paul , Hartmann Emily , Ong Toan C , Fireman Bruce , Natarajan Karthik , Dascomb Kristin , Gaglani Manjusha , DeSilva Malini B , Yang Duck-Hye , Midgley Claire M , Dixon Brian E , Naleway Allison L , Grisel Nancy , Liao I Chia , Reese Sarah E , Fadel William F , Irving Stephanie A , Lewis Ned , Arndorfer Julie , Murthy Kempapura , Riddles John , Valvi Nimish R , Mamawala Mufaddal , Embi Peter J , Thompson Mark G , Stenehjem Edward
Published: February 2023

Background

Data assessing protection conferred from COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and/or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection during Delta and Omicron predominance periods in the United States are limited.

Methods

This cohort study included persons ≥18 years who had ≥1 health care encounter across 4 health systems and had been tested for SARS-CoV-2 before 26 August 2021. COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection defined the exposure. Cox regression estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for the Delta and Omicron periods; protection was calculated as (1−HR)×100%.

Results

Compared to unvaccinated and previously uninfected persons, during Delta predominance, protection against COVID-19–associated hospitalizations was high for those 2- or 3-dose vaccinated and previously infected, 3-dose vaccinated alone, and prior infection alone (range, 91%–97%, with overlapping 95% confidence intervals [CIs]); during Omicron predominance, estimates were lower (range, 77%–90%). Protection against COVID-19–associated emergency department/urgent care (ED/UC) encounters during Delta predominance was high for those exposure groups (range, 86%–93%); during Omicron predominance, protection remained high for those 3-dose vaccinated with or without a prior infection (76%; 95% CI = 67%–83% and 71%; 95% CI = 67%–73%, respectively).

Conclusions

COVID-19 mRNA vaccination and/or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection provided protection against COVID-19–associated hospitalizations and ED/UC encounters regardless of variant. Staying up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination still provides protection against severe COVID-19 disease, regardless of prior infection.
The Estimated Lifetime Quality-Adjusted Life-Years Lost Due to Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and Trichomoniasis in the United States in 2018
Authors: Li Yunfei , You Shiying , Lee Kyueun , Yaesoubi Reza , Hsu Katherine , Gift Thomas L , Chesson Harrell W , Berruti Andrés A , Salomon Joshua A , Rönn Minttu M
Published: February 2023

Background

Comprehensive evaluation of the quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) lost attributable to chlamydia, gonorrhea, andtrichomoniasis in the United States is lacking.

Methods

We adapted a previous probability-tree model to estimate the average number of lifetime QALYs lost due to genital chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis, per incident infection and at the population level, by sex and age group. We conducted multivariate sensitivity analyses to address uncertainty around key parameter values.

Results

The estimated total discounted lifetime QALYs lost for men and women, respectively, due to infections acquired in 2018, were 1541 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 186–6358) and 111 872 (95% UI, 29 777–267 404) for chlamydia, 989 (95% UI, 127–3720) and 12 112 (95% UI, 2 410–33 895) for gonorrhea, and 386 (95% UI, 30–1851) and 4576 (95% UI, 13–30 355) for trichomoniasis. Total QALYs lost were highest among women aged 15–24 years with chlamydia. QALYs lost estimates were highly sensitive to disutilities (health losses) of infections and sequelae, and to duration of infections and chronic sequelae for chlamydia and gonorrhea in women.

Conclusions

The 3 sexually transmitted infections cause substantial health losses in the United States, particularly gonorrhea and chlamydia among women. The estimates of lifetime QALYs lost per infection help to prioritize prevention policies and inform cost-effectiveness analyses of sexually transmitted infection interventions.
Biochemical characterization of the RNA-binding and RNA–DNA strand exchange activities of the human RAD52 protein
Authors: Tsuchiya Ryohei , Saotome Mika , Kinoshita Chiaki , Kamoi Kazuki , Kagawa Wataru
Published: February 2023

RAD52 is a single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein that functions in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by promoting the annealing of complementary DNA strands. RAD52 may also play an important role in an RNA transcript-dependent type of DSB repair, in which it reportedly binds to RNA and mediates the RNA–DNA strand exchange reaction. However, the mechanistic details of these functions are still unclear. In the present study, we utilized the domain fragments of RAD52 to biochemically characterize the single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) binding and RNA–DNA strand exchange activities of RAD52. We found that the N-terminal half of RAD52 is primarily responsible for both activities. By contrast, significant differences were observed for the roles of the C-terminal half in RNA–DNA and DNA–DNA strand exchange reactions. The C-terminal fragment stimulated the inverse RNA–DNA strand exchange activity displayed by the N-terminal fragment in trans, whereas the trans stimulatory effect by the C-terminal fragment was not observed in the inverse DNA–DNA or forward RNA–DNA strand exchange reactions. These results suggest the specific function of the C-terminal half of RAD52 in RNA-templated DSB repair.
Testicular choriocarcinoma: a rare diagnosis in a patient presenting with hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Mazzeo Michael , Bhattacharyya Ratul , Yang James , Molavi Ida
Published: February 2023

Testicular choriocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive subtype of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors accounting for <1% of all germ cell tumors. We report an unusual case of testicular choriocarcinoma metastasis that presents as hemorrhagic shock. Diagnosis was unsuspected and difficult with vast other potential causes. This case highlights the importance of proper foundational workup and management that ultimately led to the appropriate definitive treatment of unusual manifestations of undiagnosed metastatic choriocarcinoma in a critical patient.
Singular spectrum analysis of time series data from low-frequency radiometers, with an application to SITARA data
Authors: Thekkeppattu Jishnu N , Trott Cathryn M , McKinley Benjamin
Published: February 2023

Understanding the temporal characteristics of data from low-frequency radio telescopes is of importance in devising suitable calibration strategies. Application of time-series analysis techniques to data from radio telescopes can reveal a wealth of information that can aid in calibration. In this paper, we investigate singular spectrum analysis (SSA) as an analysis tool for radio data. We show the intimate connection between SSA and Fourier techniques. We develop the relevant mathematics starting with an idealized periodic dataset and proceeding to include various non-ideal behaviours. We propose a novel technique to obtain long-term gain changes in data, leveraging the periodicity arising from sky drift through the antenna beams. We also simulate several plausible scenarios and apply the techniques to a 30-day time series data collected during 2021 June from SITARA – a short-spacing two element interferometer for global 21-cm detection. Applying the techniques to real data, we find that the first reconstructed component – the trend – has a strong anti-correlation with the local temperature suggesting temperature fluctuations as the most likely origin for the observed variations in the data. We also study the limitations of the calibration in the presence of diurnal gain variations and find that such variations are the likely impediment to calibrating SITARA data with SSA.
Identifying anomalous radio sources in the Evolutionary Map of the Universe Pilot Survey using a complexity-based approach
Authors: Segal Gary , Parkinson David , Norris Ray , Hopkins Andrew M , Andernach Heinz , Alexander Emma L , Carretti Ettore , Koribalski Bärbel S , Legodi Letjatji S , Leslie Sarah , Luo Yan , Pierce Jonathon C S , Tang Hongming , Vardoulaki Eleni , Vernstrom Tessa
Published: February 2023

The Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) large-area radio continuum survey will detect tens of millions of radio galaxies, giving an opportunity for the detection of previously unknown classes of objects. To maximize the scientific value and make new discoveries, the analysis of these data will need to go beyond simple visual inspection. We propose the coarse-grained complexity, a simple scalar quantity relating to the minimum description length of an image that can be used to identify unusual structures. The complexity can be computed without reference to the broader sample or existing catalogue data, making the computation efficient on new surveys at very large scales (such as the full EMU survey). We apply our coarse-grained complexity measure to data from the EMU Pilot Survey to detect and confirm anomalous objects in this data set and produce an anomaly catalogue. Rather than work with existing catalogue data using a specific source detection algorithm, we perform a blind scan of the area, computing the complexity using a sliding square aperture. The effectiveness of the complexity measure for identifying anomalous objects is evaluated using crowd-sourced labels generated via the Zooniverse.org platform. We find that the complexity scan identifies unusual sources, such as odd radio circles, by partitioning on complexity. We achieve partitions where 5 per cent of the data is estimated to be 86 per cent complete, and 0.5 per cent is estimated to be 94 per cent pure, with respect to anomalies and use this to produce an anomaly catalogue.
Preservation of the Innate Immune Response toClostridioides difficileInfection in Hospitalized Immunocompromised Patients
Authors: Banegas Marcela , Villafuerte-Gálvez Javier , Paredes Rodrigo , Sprague Rebecca , Barrett Caitlin , Gonzales-Luna Anne J , Daugherty Kaitlyn , Garey Kevin W , Xu Hua , Lin Qianyun , Wang Lamei , Chen Xinhua , Pollock Nira R , Kelly Ciarán P , Alonso Carolyn D
Published: February 2023

Background

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) immune response is influenced by the innate and adaptive (humoral) immune systems. Our prior research found attenuated humoral responses to C difficile in immunocompromised hosts (ICHs) with CDI. We sought to evaluate whether the innate immune response to CDI was influenced by ICH status.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of hospitalized adults with CDI (acute diarrhea, positive C difficile stool nucleic acid amplification testing [NAAT], and decision to treat), with and without immunosuppression and measured a panel of cytokines (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF], interleukin [IL]–10, IL-15, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor–α) in blood and stool at CDI diagnosis. Results were compared with measurements from a cohort of asymptomatic carrier patients (ASCs) (NAAT positive, without diarrhea) with and without immunocompromise.

Results

One hundred twenty-three subjects (42 ICHs, 50 non-ICHs, 31 ASCs) were included. Median values for blood and stool cytokines were similar in ICH versus non-ICH CDI subjects. In blood, G-CSF, IL-10, IL-15, IL-6, and IL-8 were higher in both groups of CDI subjects versus the ASC cohort (P < .05). In stool, IL-1β and IL-8 were higher in both groups of CDI subjects versus the ASC cohort (P < .05). Median stool concentrations of IL-1β demonstrated significant differences between the groups (ICHs, 10.97 pg/mL; non-ICHs, 9.71 pg/mL; and ASCs, 0.56 pg/mL) (P < .0001).

Conclusions

In this small exploratory analysis, ICH status did not significantly impact blood and fecal patterns of cytokines in humans at the diagnosis of CDI, suggesting that the innate immune response to C difficile may be conserved in immunocompromised patients.