bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STMN2 overexpression promotes cell proliferation and EMT in pancreatic cancer mediated by WNT/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Shao Mingrui , Wang Li , Zhang Qi , Wang Tianlong , Wang Shiyang
Published: March 2022

Background: STMN2, as a key regulator in microtubule disassembly and dynamics, has been recently reported to participate in cancer development. However, the corresponding role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PC), to our knowledge has not been reported. Methods: We investigate the potential role of STMN2 in the development of PC in vitro and vivo. Results: Overexpression of STMN2 was prevalently observed in human PC tissues compared with that in paired pancreas (44/81,54.3% vs 15/81, 18.5%, P<0.01), which was positively with multiple advanced stage of PC patients (tumor size, T stage, lymph-node metastasis and the poor survival). Meanwhile, a close correlation between high STMN2 and cytoplasmic/nuclear β-catenin expression (P=0.007) was observed in PC tissues and cell lines. STMN2 overexpression induced EMT and cell proliferation in vitro, which stimulated EMT-like cellular morphology, cell motility and proliferation, and the change of EMT (Snail1, E-cad and Vimentin) and Cyclin D1 signaling. However, XAV939 inhibited STMN2 overexpression-enhanced EMT and proliferation. Conversely, KY19382 reversed STMN2 silencing- inhibited EMT and cell proliferation in vitro. In addition, STMN2 promoted subcutaneous tumor growth with the overexpression of EMT and Cyclin D1 signaling. Finally, activated STMN2 and β-catenin were co-localized in cytoplasm/nuclear in vitro. Conclusions: β-catenin/TCF-mediated the transcription of STMN2. STMN2 overexpression promotes aggressive clinical stage of PC patients and promotes EMT and cell proliferation in vitro and vivo mediated by WNT/β-catenin signaling.
The role of palliative care in relapsed and metastatic head and neck cancer patients in a single ESMO Integrated Oncology and Palliative Care centre.
Authors: Espeli Vittoria Guro , Schimdhauser Tanja Fusi , Dylan Mangan , Gamondi Claudia
Published: March 2022

Background: Palliative care (PC) for patients with advanced cancer improves symptom management and quality of life and may promote home deaths. Limited data are available regarding PC in advanced head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The aim of this study was to describe the type of care and modalities of integration of specialized PC in a population of relapsed and/or metastatic head and neck cancer patients, followed in a single institution over 4 years.Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2019, data on patients with relapsed and/or metastatic head and neck cancer not suitable for curative treatment diagnosed at the Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland were reviewed retrospectively. Site, type and lines of treatment, treatment response, referral to specialist palliative care (yes or no), type of symptoms, tracheostomy and/or feeding-tube presence, and site of death were documented. Comparisons were made between patients benefitting from PC integration versus standard care.Results: Eighty-six patients with relapsed/metastatic HNC were identified, 63 (73.3%) of whom were referred to specialized PC. Patients were mainly men (66, 76.7%), with a median age of 69 years (range 44–95). The most common site of tumour was the oropharynx (31, 36%), followed by the larynx (21, 24.4%), oral cavity (19, 22.1%), hypopharynx (14, 16.3%), and unknown primary (1, 1.2%). Forty-four patients (51.2%) were treated with systemic treatment. The median time interval between the diagnosis and palliative care referral was 1.7 months. At the time of our analysis, 69 patients had died (58 in the PC group and 11 in the non-PC group).Fifteen patients (25.9%) in the PC group and 4 (36.4%) in the non-PC group had received aggressive treatment (chemotherapy, tracheostomy and/or feeding tube) in the last month of life, with no significant difference between groups (p=0.44). There was no difference in the incidence of home death (19.1% PC group vs 9.1% non-PC group, p=0.67) or presence of caregiver (69.8% PC group vs 78.2% non-PC group, p=0.58) between groups, while palliative care was associated with more opioid use (90.5% vs 17.4%, p<0.0001).Patients in the PC group had a shorter survival compared to the non-PC group (5.7 months vs 19.9 months, p=0.0063).Conclusions: This study shows that patients appear to be at risk of receiving inappropriate invasive treatments close to death and of dying in hospital settings. Further research is needed to investigate how early PC may affect decision-making around treatments and improve HNC patients’ holistic wellbeing.
Rapid diagnosis of malaria by chemometric peak-free LIBS of trace biometals in blood
Authors: Musioka Wayua Debrah , Kalambuka Angeyo Hudson , Alix Dehayem-Massop , Amiga Kaduki Kenneth
Published: March 2022

Background
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) trace atomic species of diseased biofluids are very subtle (peak-free) in complex spectra. Trace analysis requires a considerable push in analytical strategy. Enabling LIBS with chemometrics can help identify, extract, analyze and interpret the species’ spectral signatures to give an insight on the biophysiological status of the bodies from which the biofluids originate.
Methods
We report on the trace quantitative performance of peak-free LIBS enabled by chemometrics modeling using principal components analysis (PCA) for direct artificial neural network (ANN)–based analysis of Cu, Zn, Fe and Mg in plasmodium falciparum-infected blood in the context of rapid spectral diagnosis of malaria utilizing the biometals as the disease biomarkers. Only one standard is required in this method - to delineate the analyte spectral regions (feature selection) and to test for accuracy.
Results
Based on the alteration of the biometal levels and their multivariate and correlational patterns in cultured blood, peripheral finger blood drops dried directly on Nucleopore membrane filters was accurately discriminated as either malaria-infected or healthy utilizing principal components analysis (PCA) modelling. Further the morphological evolution of plasmodium was accurately predicted using spectral features of the biometals wherein high negative correlations between Fe (-0.775) and Zn (-0.881) and high positive correlations between Cu (0.892) and Mg (0.805) with parasitemia was observed. During the first 96 hours of malaria infection Cu increases profoundly (from 328 to 1,999 ppb) while Fe, Zn and Mg decrease (from 1,206 to 674 ppb), (from 1,523 to 499 ppb) and (from 23,880 to 19,573 ppb) respectively. Compared with healthy, plasmodium falciparum-infected blood has high Cu but low levels of Fe, Zn and Mg. Cu and Zn are highly (≥0.9) positively correlated while Fe and Cu as well as Zn and Cu are highly (≥ 0.9) negatively correlated.
Conclusion
Chemometric peak-free LIBS has demonstrated the potential for direct rapid malaria diagnostics in blood based on the levels, alterations and multivariate associations of analyzed trace biometals which are used as biomarkers of the disease.
Prediction of Tunnel Squeezing in Soft Sedimentary Rocks by Geo-electrical Data
Authors: Akbariforouz Mohammadreza , Taherdangkoo Reza , Baghbanan Alireza , Butscher Christoph
Published: March 2022

Squeezing is time-dependent deformations of tunnels which can cause technical difficulties and financial consequences. This study employs geo-electrical resistivity data to predict squeezing intensity along Beheshtabad tunnel in the Sanandaj-Sirjan formation located in Northwest Iran. For comparison analysis, a combination of semi-empirical approach and numerical modeling was used to evaluate tunnel squeezing at design stage. The squeezing intensity obtained for Beheshtabad tunnel was then compared with the instability observations along Golab tunnel excavated in sedimentary rocks of the same formation. We developed a relationship between electrical resistivity and strains, and provided a new strain-based squeezing classification system. The calibrated electrical data are the most accurate method to predict tunnel squeezing as compared to the conventional approach. The results show that rock type, joint properties and water saturation have noticeable impacts on squeezing.
Accurate Identification and Prognostication of End-of-Life State in Japan Using A Guideline-Based Diagnostic Method: A Diagnostic and Prognostic Study
Authors: Arahata Masahisa , Asakura Hidesaku , Morishita Eriko , Minami Shinji , Shimizu Yukihiro
Published: March 2022

Background: Prognostic uncertainty can be a barrier to providing palliative care. Accurate prognostic estimation in patients at the end of life is a challenging issue.Methods: A retrospective longitudinal observational study was conducted collaborated by three medical facilities in a rural super-aged community in Japan. We established a unique end-of-life diagnostic process consisting of (1) physicians’ judgement, (2) disclosure to patients, and (3) discussions at an end-of-life case conference (EOL-CC), which were based on Japanese end-of-life related guidelines. Participants were consecutive patients discussed at EOL-CC between January 1, 2010, and September 30, 2017. The primary study outcome was mortality within 6 months after the initial EOL-CC decision. The secondary outcome was diagnostic odds ratio using EOL-CC diagnosis (end-of-life or non-end-of-life) as an index test and overall survival (less than 6 months or 6 months and more) as a reference standard.Results: A total of 315 patients were eligible for survival analysis (189 women, median [range] age 89 [54–107] years). In the survival analysis, end-of-life diagnosis was associated with much lower survival rate at 6 months after EOL-CC than non-end-of-life diagnosis (6.9% vs 43.5%, respectively; P < 0.001). However, 10 of the end-of-life patients were alive more than 1 year later (maximum 6.3 years). Of participants, 297 were eligible for diagnostic accuracy analysis (165 women, age 89 [54–107] years). The EOL-CC diagnosis showed high sensitivity (0.95; 95% CI 0.92–0.97) but low specificity (0.35; 95% CI 0.20–0.53) against the outcomes. It also showed the highest negative predictive value (0.44; 95% CI 0.23–0.64), the lowest negative likelihood ratio (0.14; 95% CI 0.07–0.29), and the highest diagnostic odds ratio (10.32; 95% CI 4.08–26.13) compared with other prognostic prediction tools (Charlson Comorbidity Index, Palliative Performance Scale, and Advanced Dementia Prognostic Tool).Conclusions: The diagnostic process using the Japanese end-of-life guidelines enabled more accurate identification and prognostication of end of life than existing prognostic tools. However, the study population was limited to patients with severe conditions, thus further research is necessary to build full consensus.
Macrophage-derived GPNMB Trapped by Fibrotic Extracellular Matrix Promotes Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhang Xinxin , Yuan Mengqin , Yin Juan , Luo Wei , Wang Sha , Cai Yu , Jiang Wei , Chao Jie
Published: March 2022

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a form of progressive lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The pulmonary ECM undergoes profound changes during fibrosis. However, the protein changes that occur in fibrotic ECM during silica-induced progressive PF and their contribution to fibrosis progression are unclear. Here, we established a model of progressive PF induced by silica, observed the effect of fibrotic ECM on normal fibroblast activation and explored the possible mechanism. Proteomic analysis of the ECM revealed that obvious changes in the expression of ECM components and ECM remodeling occurred. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) combined with spatial transcriptomics revealed that during transport, macrophage-derived glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) captured by fibrotic ECM may activate resident normal fibroblasts around fibrotic foci. Functional experiments showed activation of normal fibroblasts in fibrotic ECM, which was alleviated by GPNMB-neutralizing antibodies or macrophage deletion in the ECM of silica-instilled mice, implying that macrophage-derived GPNMB may contribute to progressive PF. Transcriptome analysis showed that the Serpinb2 expression level was increased in fibroblasts in fibrotic ECM, and the expression of CD44, a cell receptor for GPNMB, was increased in mice after silica instillation according to scRNA-seq combined with spatial transcriptomics. Therefore, macrophage-derived GPNMB is trapped by fibrotic ECM during transport and may activate fibroblasts via the CD44/Serpinb2 pathway, leading to further development of fibrosis.
Perfectionism as a Predictor of Physician Burnout
Authors: Martin Sarah R. , Fortier Michelle A. , Heyming Theodore W. , Ahn Kyle , Nichols Whitney , Golden Charles , Saadat Haleh , Kain Zeev N.
Published: March 2022

Background: Burnout is common among physicians and has detrimental effects on patient care and physician health. Recent editorials call attention to maladaptive perfectionism in medicine and the potential role of perfectionism in physician burnout; however, no studies to date have examined the effect of perfectionism on burnout in physicians practicing in the United States. This study examined the unique effects of demographics, perfectionism and personality traits on burnout among physicians. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and included 69 attending physicians. Emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment burnout were assessed via the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Validated instruments were used to measure personality and perfectionism. Data were analyzed using linear regression models. Results: Across physicians assessed, 42% reported either high emotional exhaustion burnout or depersonalization burnout. High self-critical perfectionism uniquely predicted both high emotional exhaustion burnout (B =0.55, 95%CI 0.25-0.85) and depersonalization burnout (B = 0.18, 95%CI 0.05-0.31). Low conscientiousness (B = -6.12; 95%CI, -10.95- -1.28) predicted higher emotional exhaustion burnout and low agreeableness (B = -3.20, 95%CI -5.93- -0.46) predicted higher depersonalization burnout. Conclusions: Perfectionism is understudied among physicians and the current findings suggest that addressing system and individual-level factors that encourage maladaptive perfectionism is warranted and may reduce risk for physician burnout.
Physically Constrained Generative Adversarial Networks for Improving Earth System Model Precipitation Output
Authors: Hess Philipp , Drüke Markus , Petri Stefan , Strnad Felix , Boers Niklas
Published: March 2022

Precipitation results from complex processes across many scales, making its accurate simulation in Earth system models (ESMs) challenging. Existing post-processing methods can improve ESM simulations locally, but cannot correct errors in modelled spatial patterns. Here we propose a framework based on physically constrained generative adversarial networks (GANs) to improve local distributions and spatial structure simultaneously. We apply our approach to the computationally efficient ESM CM2Mc-LPJmL. Our method outperforms existing ones in correcting local distributions, and leads to strongly improved spatial patterns especially regarding the intermittency of daily precipitation. Notably, a double-peaked Intertropical Convergence Zone, a common problem in ESMs, is removed. Enforcing a physical constraint to preserve global precipitation sums, the GAN can generalize to future climate scenarios unseen during training. Feature attribution shows that the GAN identifies regions where the ESM exhibits strong biases. Our method constitutes a general framework for correcting ESM variables and enables realistic simulations at a fraction of the computational costs.
A seven-year surveillance of epidemiological trends of Serratia marcescens with different infection types in a tertiary hospital in China
Authors: Zhu Qingtang , Chen Caiyun , Ge Zijun , Zang Feng , Yang Yue , Zhang Yongxiang , Liu Bo
Published: March 2022

Objective
To explore the trend of detection and antimicrobial resistance of Serratia marcescens with different infection types for 7 consecutive years, to provide a reference for future studies for the control of S. marcescens infections and a rational selection of antibiotics.
Methods
S. marcescens isolates were collected from 2014 to 2020, and the trend of detection and antimicrobial resistance were analyzed according to different types of infection.
Results
For 7 consecutive years, the data showed that patients with S. marcescens infections were mainly from the intensive care unit (ICU) (384 isolates, 40.98%), and the isolates recovered were mainly from sputum samples (743 isolates, 79.30%). The number of isolated strains increased every year, and the average rate of detection ranged from 0.60–0.80%. The detection rate of S. marcescens with hospital-acquired infections (HAI) showed a downward trend and that of S. marcescens with colonization showed an upward trend. The detection rate of multidrug-resistant S. marcescens fluctuated between 8.33–16.89%. The resistance rate of S. marcescens to piperacillin was 17.0–29.06% and the resistance rate to piperacillin tazobactam was 2.95–13.13%. For cephalosporin antibiotics, the resistance rates of S. marcescens to cefuroxime and cefazolin were > 99% and the resistance rates to ceftazidime and cefepime were < 13%. The resistance rate of S. marcescens to aminoglycoside antibiotics, especially amikacin, was the lowest. The resistance rate of S. marcescens with community-acquired infections (CAI) to carbapenems was higher than that with HAI and colonization.
Conclusion
The different infection types of S. marcescens have different detection and epidemic trends. In addition, resistance to carbapenems is different across the strains.
COVID-19 Spreading Prediction in a Control Room of Power Plant Using CFD Simulation
Authors: Karami Shahram , Lakzian Esmail , Lee Bok Jik , Warkiani Majid Ebrahimi , Mahian Omid , Ahmadi Goodarz
Published: March 2022

Coughing and sneezing are the main ways of spreading coronavirus-2019 (SARS-CoV-2). Strategically critical facilities such as power plants cannot be shut down even in challenging situations like the COVID-19 outbreak. The personnel of the power plants' control room need to work together at close distances. This study presents the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation results on the dispersion and transport of respiratory droplets emitted by an infected person coughs in a control room with an air ventilation system. This information would be helpful for risk assessment and for developing mitigation measures to prevent the spread of infection. The turbulent airflow in the control room is simulated using the k-ε model. The particle equation of motion included the drag, the Saffman lift, the Brownian, gravity/buoyancy, and thermophoresis forces. The simulation results showed that after 115 s, the cough droplets are dispersed in the entire room, and there is no safe (virus-free) space in the control room. Therefore, a safer design for the ventilation system is proposed by placing the ventilation air inlet and outlet registers across the control room and creating airflow patterns similar to air curtains that divided the room into three compartments.
The Shear Strength Behaviour of Yamuna Sand-A preliminary study
Authors: Bhardwaj Sandeep
Published: March 2022

To describe the strength parameter in the loaded soil mass are the cohesion and internal frictional angle of the soil. The shear strength determination to study the shear strength after tillage a schematic study on Yamuna sand is conducted. Yamuna sand which is present in the banks of river Yamuna in around Delhi is taken for this study. The shear strength behaviour of Yamuna sand was tested through triaxial and direct shear. For this consolidated drained triaxial test (CD) was conducted on Yamuna sand and results are very different from direct shear test results. The angle of internal friction is more in CD triaxial test as compared to direct shear test. Also some cohesive strength is also find in CD triaxial test which was not found in Direct Shear Test (DST). Direct shear test was conducted for dense and loose state of relative density and saturated state of Yamuna sand. The angle of internal friction was found to be highest in saturated state for Yamuna sand. Among dense and loose, dense state giving higher internal angle of friction.
Genetic diversity and prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in aquatic environment receiving untreated hospital effluents
Authors: Pillai Devika , Kalasseril Sneha Girijan , paul Robin
Published: March 2022

The spread of extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria in the environment has been recognized as a challenge to public health. Currently one of the most important mechanisms of resistance in Enterobacteriaceae is the synthesis of enzymes that contribute to modern expanded spectrum cephalosporin resistance, mainly extended spectrum beta-lactamases. The aim of the present study was to assess the occurrence of ESBL producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae from selected water bodies receiving hospital effluents in Kerala, India. Nearly 69.8% of Enterobacteriaceae isolates were multi-drug resistant by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Double disc synergy test was used to detect the ESBL production and the genes responsible for imparting resistance was detected by PCR. Conjugation experiments confirmed the mechanism of plasmid-mediated transfer of resistance. The prevalence of ESBL production in E. coli and K. pneumoniae was 37.4% and 11.2% respectively. Among the ESBL encoding genes, blaCTX−M was the most prevalent group followed by blaTEM, blaOXA, blaCMY and blaSHV. The results suggest that healthcare settings are one of the key contributors in the spread of ESBL-producing bacteria, not only through cross-transmission and ingestion of antibiotics, but also through the discharge of waste without a proper treatment, leading to harmful effects on the aquatic environment. The high prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae with resistance genes in public water bodies even post-treatment poses a serious threat. .
Fundamental applications of the Bruun model to project land loss of coastal cities: A case study of Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia.
Authors: Bagheri Milad , Ibrahim Zelina Z , Manaf Latifah Abd , Akhir Mohd Fadzil , Talaat Wan Izatul Asma Wan , Wolf Isabelle D.
Published: March 2022

Shoreline erosion is a topic of high urgency in coastal cities that suffer from climate change induced sea-level rise and inundation. Knowledge is needed to protect ecologically sensitive coastal areas with high social and economic value such as the Kuala Terengganu area in Malaysia. The current study applies environmental geospatial modeling to evaluate the impact of changes in sea level on shoreline erosion in Kuala Terengganu. We present an analysis and framework for model formulation adopting the Bruun model for coastal areas that can serve as a blueprint for other studies. The goal was to assess the rate of shoreline erosion and to predict erosion based on changes in sea level. Key assumptions in the model include the beach profile and its equilibrium. We identified several areas at greatest risk for erosion including Kuala Nerus and Pengadang Buluh and discuss measures and challenges for erosion mitigation. The findings of this study can enhance the planning, policy, and decision-making for climate change adaptation in shoreline and coastal areas.
The protective effect of Akexotide against ocular bacterial infection in rats
Authors: Gong Yan , Li Meng , Xin ChanLi , Gao Jian , Yi Quanyong , Yuan Jianshu
Published: March 2022

Background: Infectious keratitis, a medical emergency with acute and rapid disease progression may lead to severe visual impairment and even blindness. Herein, an antimicrobial polypeptide from Crassostrea gigas, which the lab named Akexotide (Is or Os), was evaluated for its therapeutic efficacy against keratitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus as well as Escherichia coli infection in rats, respectively. Methods: Infectious keratitis models were constructed by scratching the ocular surface of rats infected with S. aureus and E.coli, respectively. The two models were treated by giving 100μL 100μM Is drops, respectively. Positive drugs for S. aureus and E. coli infection were cefazolin eye drops and tobramycin eye drops, respectively. For the curative effect, the formation of blood vessels in the fundus was observed by a slit lamp. At the end day, the condition of the injured eye was photographed by cobalt blue light using 5μL of 1% sodium fluorescein. The pathological damage of corneal tissues was done using HE staining, and the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Akexotide Is alleviated the symptoms of corneal neovascularization as observed by slit lamp and cobalt blue lamp. The activity of S. aureus and E.coli is inhibited by Is to protect corneal epithelial cells and reduce corneal stromal bacterial invasion. It also prevented corneal thickening, as well as inhibited neovascularization by reducing VEGF expression at the cornea. Conclusion: Akexotide Is can effectively inhibit keratitis caused by E.coli as well as S. aureus in rats, as reflected by the inhibition of corneal neovascularization and the reduction of bacterial damage to the cornea.
Effects of β-Blocker Therapy on Exercise Oscillatory Ventilation in Reduced Ejection Fraction Heart Failure Patients: A Case Series Study
Authors: Belli-Marin Juliana Fernanda Calhado , Bocchi Edimar Alcides , Ayub-Ferreira Silvia , Junior Nelson Carvas , Guimaraes Guilherme
Published: March 2022

PURPOSE: Exercise oscillatory ventilation (EOV) is an abnormal breathing pattern that occurs in ~20% of patients with heart failure (HF) and is associated with poor prognosis and exercise intolerance. β-blockers (βb) are prescribed for most HF patients; however, their effect on EOV remains unclear. We evaluated the effect of βb on EOV in HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). METHODS: Fifteen patients diagnosed with HF, ejection fraction < 45%, aged from 18 to 65 years, were included before starting βb therapy. Patients underwent clinical evaluation, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, echocardiography, laboratory exams (norepinephrine levels, B type natriuretic peptide) at baseline and after βb therapy optimized for six months. Presence of exercise oscillatory breathing was determined by two experienced observers who were blinded to the moment of the test (pre or post). RESULTS: Fifteen patients (1 female), aged 49.5±2.5 years, with HFrEF, NYHA I-III enrolled in the study. The etiologies of the HFrEF were idiopathic (n=8) and hypertensive (n=7). LVEF increased after βb therapy from 25.9±2.5% to 33±2.6%, P =0.02; peak VO 2 did not significantly change (21.8±1.7 vs 24.7±1.9, P =0.4); VE/VCO 2 slope changed from 32.1±10.6 to 27.5±9.1, P =0.03. Before βb initiation, nine patients (60%) had EOV, but only two (13%) did after optimized therapy. McNemar test was used to evaluate the significance of the association between the two moments ( P =0.02). CONCLUSION In patients with HF, medical therapy with βb can reverse EOV. This may explain why these patients experience symptom improvement after βb therapy.
Learning the dynamics of metamaterials from diffracted waves with convolutional neural networks
Authors: Zhai Yuxin , Kwon Hyung-Suk , Choi Yungseok , Kovacevich Dylan , Popa Bogdan-Ioan
Published: March 2022

Conventional methods used to identify the dynamical properties of unknown media from scattered mechanical waves rely on analytical or numerical manipulations of the wave equation. These methods show their limitations in scenarios where the analyzed medium is moderately sized and the diffraction from the material edges influences the scattered fields significantly (e.g., non-destructive diagnostics, metamaterial characterization). This work shows that convolutional neural networks can interpret the diffracted fields and learn the mapping between the scattered fields and all the effective material parameters including mass density and stiffness tensors from a small set of numerical simulations. Furthermore, networks trained with synthetic data can process physical measurements and is very robust to measurement errors. More importantly, the trained network provides insight into the dynamic behavior of matter including quantitative measures of the scattered field sensitivity to each material property and how the sensitivity changes depending on the material under test.
The impact of food insecurity on health outcomes: Empirical evidence from sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: Beyene Sisay
Published: March 2022

Background: Globally, food insecurity is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality through other diseases, which means food security and nutrition are crucial to improving people's health outcomes. Both food insecurity and the health outcomes are the policy and agenda of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is a lack of macro-level empirical studies concerning the relationship between food insecurity and health outcomes in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, even though the region is highly affected by food insecurity and its related health problems. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of food insecurity on life expectancy and infant mortality in SSA countries.Methods: The study uses secondary panel data collected from international institutions. It also mainly employs Driscoll-Kraay standard errors (DKSE), a generalised method of momentum (GMM), fixed effects (FE) and Granger causality approaches, along with others estimation techniques for robustness checks. Results: The DKSE result of model 1A confirms that a one percent increment in people’s prevalence for undernourishment reduces their life expectancy by 0.0034 percentage points. However, a one percentage increment in average dietary energy supply increases SSA countries' life expectancy by 0.0031 percentage points in model 1B. The FE results show that a one percent increment in the prevalence of undernourishment leads to an enhancement of infant mortality by 0.0119 percentage points in model 1C. However, the GMM result for model 1D confirms that a one percent increment in average dietary energy supply reduces infant mortality by 0.0004 percentage points.Conclusions: Food insecurity harms the health status of SSA countries, but food security impacts in the reverse direction. In other words, prevalence of undernourishment adversely affects life expectancy and it increases infant mortality. Moreover, an improvement in average dietary energy supply can improve life expectancy and reduces infant mortality. The study recommends efficient utilisation of resources; improvements in investment in agricultural research, markets, infrastructures, macroeconomic policies and institutions; and developing sub-region strategies based on their agro-ecological zone, all of which are essential to overcome food insecurity and improve health outcomes.
Nonlinear characteristic analysis of gear rattle based on refined dynamic model
Authors: Guo Dong , Ning Qinfeng , Ge Shuaishuai , Wang Yawen , Zhou Yi , Zhou Yi , Shi Xiaohui
Published: March 2022

In order to explore the vibration response and the nonlinear behavior of gear rattle, a nonlinear dynamic model is developed in this paper considering the nonlinear oil film force, timevarying meshing stiffness, dragging torque and friction and gear backlash with time-varying characteristics. The time-varying meshing stiffness is calculated using the potential energy method. Considering the convolution and extrusion of the lubricant between the teeth, it is modeled as a nonlinear spring-damped element and a nonlinear oil film force is introduced. The drag torque is calculated numerically using fluid dynamics theory, friction principle, momentum conservation principle and Bernoulli's principle. The model is verified by comparing the bench test results with the simulation results, and the parametric study is performed to investigate the nonlinear system characteristics by means of Fast Fourier Transform, Poincare map and bifurcation diagram. The results show that as the excitation frequency increases, the system enters chaotic state under multiple frequency jumps. Excessive torque fluctuation may lead to severe rattling phenomenon of the gear pair, and making the system enter a chaotic state; As the lubricant viscosity increases, the system shows periodic, bifurcation and chaotic behavior alternately, and when the viscosity is large enough, the high frequency shock intensity decays more rapidly due to large drag torque, which is beneficial to reduce the percussion strength and prevent the system into chaos.
Long-term multi-modal recording reveals unpredictable nongenetic adaptation routes in dormant breast cancer cells.
Authors: Magnani Luca
Published: March 2022

Patients diagnosed with hormone dependent breast cancer (HDBC) receive five or more years of adjuvant endocrine therapies (ET). Adjuvant treatment delays relapse1,2 by targeting hidden micro-metastatic deposits, yet up to 50% of treated patients experience recurrent disease, often many years after surgery1. The mechanisms driving these subtype-specific clinical dynamics are largely unknown but likely involve dormancy2. We developed two approaches to study the long-term fate of dormant cells in unprecedented details. Firstly, we took advantage of a rare cohort of patients treated upfront with first line ETs until progression to dissect the contribution of genomic events to tumour awakening. Next, we developed a first of its kind in vitro evolutionary study to systematically record adaptive strategies of individual clonal lineages in parallel unperturbed systems during a period of several months. Collectively our data suggest that ETs induce an inherently unstable persister dormant state in a stochastically selected fraction of lineages. Over time, single cells spontaneously escape dormancy and divergently adapt via heritable transcriptional reprogramming, often developing distinct collateral resistance. Overall, this study uncovers previously unsuspected roles for non-genetic plasticity during dormancy with profound clinical implications for breast cancer.
Patient characteristics and procedural variables are associated with length of stay and hospital cost among unilateral primary total hip arthroplasty patients: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Guoqing , Yu Fei , Liu Su , Weng Jian , Qi Tiantian , Qin Haotian , Chen Yixiao , Wang Fangxi , Xiong Ao , Wang Deli , Gao Liang , Zeng Hui
Published: March 2022

Background
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a successful treatment for many hip diseases. Length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs are crucial parameters to quantify the medical efficacy and quality of unilateral primary THA patients. Several factors that can affect LOS and hospital costs haven’t been investigated thoroughly.
Methods
The present study retrospectively explored the contributors of LOS and hospital costs among unilateral primary THA patients (266 females and 186 males; 57.05 ± 15.99 years) treated from January 2019 to January 2020 in our department. Outcomes include LOS and hospital costs while-1 variables include patient characteristics and procedural variables. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the association between outcomes and variables by controlling confounding factors.
Results
Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that patient comorbidities, more transfusion, and longer duration may prolong LOS (p < 0.05). Older age, higher body mass index, and fewer drainage may decrease the hospital costs while American Society of Anesthesiologists classification II, longer duration, more blood loss, more transfusion, and catheter may increase the hospital costs (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
Evaluation and identification of those risk factors are beneficial in patients' education and anticipation, perioperative management, or even surgical decisions.
Bone marrow-derived dedifferentiated fat cells exhibit similar phenotype as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells with high osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration ability
Authors: Sawada Hirokatsu , Kazama Tomohiko , Nagaoka Yuki , Arai Yoshinori , Kano Koichiro , Uei Hiroshi , Tokuhashi Yasuaki , Nakanishi Kazuyoshi , Matsumoto Taro
Published: March 2022

Background
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to have different differentiation potential depending on the tissue of origin. Dedifferentiated fat cells (DFATs) are MSC-like multipotent cells that can be prepared from mature adipocytes by ceiling culture method. It is still unknown whether DFATs derived from adipocytes in different tissue showed different phenotype and functional properties. In the present study, we prepared bone marrow (BM)-derived DFATs (BM-DFATs), BM-MSCs, subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissue-derived DFATs (SC-DFATs) and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) from donor-matched tissue samples. Then, we compared their phenotypes and multilineage differentiation potential in vitro. We also evaluated in vivo bone regeneration ability of these cells using a mouse femoral fracture model.
Methods
BM-DFATs, SC-DFATs, BM-MSCs, and ASCs were prepared from tissue samples of knee osteoarthritis patients who received total knee arthroplasty. Cell surface antigens, gene expression profile, and in vitro differentiation capacity of these cells were determined. In vivo bone regenerative ability of these cells was evaluated by micro-computed tomography imaging at 28 days after local injection of the cells with peptide hydrogel (PHG) in the femoral fracture model in severe combined immunodeficiency mice.
Results
BM-DFATs were successfully generated at similar efficiency as SC-DFATs. Cell surface antigen and gene expression profiles of BM-DFATs were similar to those of BM-MSCs, whereas these profiles of SC-DFATs were similar to those of ASCs. In vitro differentiation analysis revealed that BM-DFATs and BM-MSCs had higher differentiation tendency toward osteoblasts and lower differentiation tendency toward adipocytes compared to SC-DFATs and ASCs. Transplantation of BM-DFATs and BM-MSCs with PHG enhanced bone mineral density at the injection sites compared to PHG alone in the mouse femoral fracture model.
Conclusions
We showed that phenotypic characteristics of BM-DFATs were similar to those of BM-MSCs. BM-DFATs exhibited higher osteogenic differentiation potential and bone regenerative ability compared to SC-DFATs and ASCs. These results suggest that BM-DFATs may be suitable sources of cell-based therapies for patients with non-union bone fracture.
Low-complexity Deep Unfolded Neural Network Receiver for MIMO Systems Based on the Probability Data Association Detector
Authors: Souza Pedro Henrique Carneiro , Mendes Luciano Leonel
Published: March 2022

The interest on applications where machine learning algorithms and communications are combined has been on a rising in recent years. Machine learning and neural networks are being advocated as a way of improving the performance of several functions across all layers of future communication systems. Furthermore, in applications where complexity reduction is essential for the system feasibility at the cost of an affordable performance loss, more efficient systems might be achieved with the aid of machine learning algorithms. Signal detection for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems has become a hot topic in recent years given its prominent role in fourth and fifth generations of mobile networks. However, the computational complexity in MIMO systems can become prohibitive when the number of antennas is high, as in massive MIMO, for example. Therefore, by leveraging neural networks architectures we propose a deep unfolded detector, whereby the probability data association (PDA) detector algorithm is adapted and enhanced by means of neural network learning capabilities. We unveil that the proposed detector is orders-of-magnitude less complex than the PDA detector and specially than the optimum detector, yet presenting no severe penalties in performance in terms of bit error rate (BER).
Effect of Swiss ball training on abnormal plantar pressure distribution among adolescents with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Liu Ruici , Li Shuoqi , Guo Rong , Yu Tao , Dai Zhenzhen , Zheng Xinyu , Li Shiming , Yu Wenbing , Han Tenghai
Published: March 2022

Objective: To explore the difference of plantar pressure distribution between adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) and healthy adolescents during gait and the effect of Swiss ball training on plantar pressure of adolescents with ID during gait.Methods: A total of 12 adolescents with ID participated in a 12-week Swiss ball training (three 40-minute sessions per week), including eight balance training movements. Meanwhile, 10 healthy adolescents did not undergo any intervention. Pre and post-interventions of stride length, stride time, gait speed, relative peak pressure, impulse and gait symmetry of 10 zones of the sole were conducted.Results: Adolescents with ID had shorter stride length, longer stride time, slower walking speed, excessive plantar peak pressure in heel medial zone, obvious abnormalities in metatarsal 1-3 zone, and significantly lower rearfoot impulse and gait symmetry than healthy adolescents. Adolescents with ID demonstrated increased post-intervention stride length, stride time, walking speed, and improved gait symmetry. Additionally, their peak pressure and impulse indexes were closer to those of healthy adolescents after the intervention.Conclusion: Abnormal gait phenomena, such as peak pressure, impulse, and gait asymmetry were observed in adolescents with an intellectual disability. Swiss ball training can make plantar pressure distribution more reasonable and improve abnormal gait among adolescents with ID.
Mapping Intrapatient Response Heterogeneity and Lesion-specific Relapse Dynamics in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Zhou Jiawei , Cipriani Amber , Liu Yutong , Fang Gang , Li Quefeng , Cao Yanguang
Published: March 2022

Achieving systemic tumor control across metastases is vital for long-term patient survival but remains intractable in many patients. High intrapatient heterogeneity persists, conferring many dissociated responses across metastatic lesions. Most studies of metastatic disease focus on tumor molecular and cellular features, which are crucial to elucidating the mechanisms underlying intrapatient heterogeneity. However, our understanding of intrapatient heterogeneity on the macroscopic level, such as lesion dynamics in growth, response, and relapse during treatment, remains rudimentary. This study investigated intrapatient heterogeneity through analyzing 116,542 observations of 40,612 lesions in 4,308 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. Despite significant differences in their response and relapse dynamics, metastatic lesions converged on four phenotypes that varied with anatomical site. Importantly, we found that organ-level relapse sequence was closely associated with patient survival, and that patients with the first relapses in the liver often had worse survival. In conclusion, our study provides insights into intrapatient response heterogeneity in mCRC and creates impetus for metastasis-specific therapeutics.
Paracrocinitomix mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a mangrove sediment and phylogeny of the family Cryomorphaceae revisited: proposal of two new families, Phaeocystidibacteraceae fam. nov. and Owenweeksiaceae fam. nov
Authors: Huang Zhaobin , Huang Yuanyuan , Lai Qiliang , Oren Aharon , Wang Wanpeng
Published: March 2022

A Gram-stain-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated GM2-3-6-6T was obtained from a mangrove sediment. Cells were light yellow-pigmented, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive. Flexirubin-pigment was not produced. Phylogeny of the 16S rRNA gene showed that strain GM2-3-6-6T was affiliated to the family Crocinitomicaceae, sharing maximum sequence similarities with Crocinitomix algicola 0182T, C. catalasitica IFO 15977T, and Putridiphycobacter roseus SM1701T of 93.8%, 93.6%, and 92.5%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values, digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) estimates and average amino acid identity (AAI) values between strain GM2-3-6-6T and the three close relatives were 68.55–68.80%, 18.50–19.20%, and 59.01–62.33%, respectively. The complete circular genome of strain GM2-3-6-6T was 4,365,762 bp in length with a DNA G + C content of 34.98%. The respiratory quinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids; one unidentified aminoglycolipid, one unidentified aminolipid and four other unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0, iso-C15:1 G, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and C16:1ω6c), and iso-C17:0 3-OH. Based on genomic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic characterizations, strain GM2-3-6-6T represents a novel species of a novel genus, for which the name Paracrocinitomix mangrovi gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is GM2-3-6-6T (= MCCC 1K04831T = KCTC 82931T). Additionally, phylogenomic analysis of the family Cryomorphaceae related members, including type strains and uncultivated bacteria, was performed using the Genome Taxonomic Database toolkit (GTDB-Tk). Based on 16S rRNA gene phylogeny and genomic features, two novel families, Phaeocystidibacteraceae fam. nov. and Owenweeksiaceae fam. nov. are proposed.
Binding affinity improvement analysis of multiple-mutant Omicron on 2019-nCov to human ACE2 by In-silico predictions
Authors: Li Bo , Guo Jindan , Qin Chuan , Liu Jiangning , Hu Wenxiang , Chen Yubao
Published: March 2022

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, the 2019-nCov coronavirus has appeared diverse mutational characteristics due to its own flexible conformation. One multiple-mutant strain (Omicron) with surprisingly infective activity outburst, and affected the biological activities of current drugs and vaccines, making the epidemic significantly difficult to prevent and control, and seriously threaten health around the world. Importunately exploration of mutant characteristics for novel coronavirus Omicron can supply strong theoretical guidance for learning binding mechanism of mutant viruses. What’s more, full acknowledgement of key mutated-residues on Omicron strain can provide new methodology of the novel pathogenic mechanism to human ACE2 receptor, as well as the subsequent vaccine development. In this research, 3D structures of 32 single-point mutations of 2019-nCov were firstly constructed, and 32-sites multiple-mutant Omicron were finally obtained based one the wild-type virus by homology modeling method. One total number of 33 2019-nCov/ACE2 complex systems were acquired by protein-protein docking, and optimized by using preliminary molecular dynamics simulations. Binding free energies between each 2019-nCov mutation system and human ACE2 receptor were calculated, and corresponding binding patterns especially the regions adjacent to mutation site were analyzed. The results indicated that one total number of 6 mutated sites on the Omicron strain played crucial role in improving binding capacities from 2019-nCov to ACE2 protein. Subsequently, we performed long-term molecular dynamic simulations and protein-protein binding energy analysis for the selected 6 mutations. 3 infected individuals, the mutants T478K, Q493R and G496S with lower binding energies − 66.36, -67.98 and − 67.09 kcal/mol also presents the high infectivity. These findings indicated that the 3 mutations T478K, Q493R and G496S play the crucial roles in enhancing binding affinity of Omicron to human ACE2 protein. All these results illuminate important theoretical guidance for future virus detection of the Omicron epidemic, drug research and vaccine development.