bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatics analysis identifies potential hub genes and crucial pathways in the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia
Authors: Zou Ci , Xu Shen , Geng Hao , Li Enlai , Sun Wei , Yu Dexin
Published: December 2022

Background

Asthenozoospermia is a troublesome disease experienced by men in their reproductive years, but its exact etiology remains unclear. To address this problem, this study aims to identify the hub genes and crucial pathways in asthenozoospermia.

Methods

We screened two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE92578 and GSE22331) to extract the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normozoospermic and asthenozoospermic men using the “Limma” package. Gene enrichment analyses of the DEGs were conducted using the “clusterProfiler” R package. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then established using the STRING database. A miRNA-transcription factor-gene network was constructed based on the predicted results of hub genes using the RegNetwork database. The expression of four hub genes in asthenozoospermia and normal samples were verified using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting.

Results

We identified 271 DEGs, which included 218 upregulated and 53 downregulated in two asthenozoospermia datasets. These DEGs were observed to be markedly enriched in pathways with cell growth and embryonic organ development, phospholipase D signaling pathway, cGMP-PKG signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. The most significant genes were identified, including COPS7A, CUL3, KLHL7, NEDD4. We then constructed regulatory networks of these genes, miRNAs, and transcription factors. Finally, we found that the COPS7A was significantly upregulated in patients with asthenozoospermia, but CUL3, KLHL7 and NEDD4 were significantly downregulated compared with normal samples.

Conclusion

We applied bioinformatics methods to analyze the DEGs of asthenozoospermia based on the GEO database and identified the novel crucial genes and pathways in this disease. Our findings may provide novel insights into asthenozoospermia and identify new clues for the potential treatment of this disease.
Identification and validation of an E2F-related gene signature for predicting recurrence-free survival in human prostate cancer
Authors: Yang Cheng , Chen Lei , Niu Qingsong , Ge Qintao , Zhang Jiong , Tao Junyue , Zhou Jun , Liang Chaozhao
Published: December 2022

Background

It is well-established that biochemical recurrence is detrimental to prostate cancer (PCa). In the present study, we explored the mechanisms underlying PCa progression.

Methods

Five cohorts from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were used to perform gene set variation analysis (GSVA) between nonrecurrent and recurrent PCa patients. We obtained the intersection of pathway enrichment results and extracted the corresponding gene list. LASSO Cox regression analysis was used to identify recurrence-free survival (RFS)-related significant genes and establish an RFS prediction gene signature and nomogram. MTT and colony formation assays were conducted to validate our findings.

Results

The E2F signaling pathway was activated in recurrent PCa patients compared to nonrecurrent patients. We established an E2F-related gene signature for RFS prediction based on the four identified E2F-related genes (CDKN2C, CDKN3, RACGAP1, and RRM2) using LASSO Cox regression in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) cohort. The risk score of each patient in MSKCC was calculated based on the expression levels of CDKN2C, CDKN3, RACGAP1, and RRM2. PCa patients with low-risk scores exhibited higher RFS than those with high-risk scores. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis validated the good performance and prognostic accuracy of the E2F-related gene signature, which was validated in the TCGA-prostate adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) cohort. Compared to patients with low Gleason scores and early T stages, PCa patients with high Gleason scores and advanced T stages had high-risk scores. Moreover, the E2F-related gene signature-based nomogram yielded good performance in RFS prediction. Functional experiments further confirmed these results.

Conclusions

The E2F signaling pathway is associated with biochemical recurrence in PCa. Our established E2F-related gene signature and nomogram yielded good accuracy in predicting the biochemical recurrence in PCa.
Social determinants of health pave the path to maternal deaths in rural Sri Lanka: reflections from social autopsies
Authors: Irangani Lasandha , Prasanna Indika Ruwan , Gunarathne Sajaan Praveena , Shanthapriya Sandaru Hasaranga , Wickramasinghe Nuwan Darshana , Agampodi Suneth Buddhika , Agampodi Thilini Chanchala
Published: December 2022

Background

Ending preventable maternal deaths remains a challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Society perceived causes and real-life observations can reveal the intangible causes of maternal deaths irrespective of formal maternal death investigations. This study reports complex patterns in which social determinants act towards paving the path to maternal deaths in a rural Sri Lankan setting.

Methods

We conducted social autopsies for 15/18 maternal deaths (in two consecutive years during the past decade) in district A (pseudonymized). In-depth interviews of 43 respondents and observations were recorded in the same field sites. During thematic analysis, identified themes were further classified according to the World Health Organization framework for social determinants of health (SDH). The patterns between themes and clustering of social determinants based on the type of maternal deaths were analyzed using mixed methods.

Results

Discernable social causes underpinned 12 out of 15 maternal deaths. Extreme poverty, low educational level, gender inequity, and elementary or below-level occupations of the husband were the characteristic structural determinants of most deceased families. Social isolation was the commonest leading cause manifesting as a reason for many other social factors and resulted in poor social support paving the path to most maternal deaths. A core set of poverty, social isolation, and poor social support acted together with alcohol usage, and violence leading to suicides. These core determinants mediating through neglected self-health care led to delay in health-seeking. Deficits in quality of care and neglect were noted at health institutions and the field.

Conclusion

Social autopsies of maternal deaths revealed complex social issues and social determinants of health leading to maternal deaths in Sri Lanka, indicating the need for a socially sensitive health system.
Investigating the potential of a prematurely aged immune phenotype in severely injured patients as predictor of risk of sepsis
Authors: Foster Mark A. , Bentley Conor , Hazeldine Jon , Acharjee Animesh , Nahman Ornit , Shen-Orr Shai S. , Lord Janet M. , Duggal Niharika A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Traumatic injury elicits a hyperinflammatory response and remodelling of the immune system leading to immuneparesis. This study aimed to evaluate whether traumatic injury results in a state of prematurely aged immune phenotype to relate this to clinical outcomes and a greater risk of developing additional morbidities post-injury.

Methods and findings

Blood samples were collected from 57 critically injured patients with a mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 26 (range 15–75 years), mean age of 39.67 years (range 20–84 years), and 80.7% males, at days 3, 14, 28 and 60 post-hospital admission. 55 healthy controls (HC), mean age 40.57 years (range 20–85 years), 89.7% males were also recruited. The phenotype and frequency of adaptive immune cells were used to calculate the IMM-AGE score, an indicator of the degree of phenotypic ageing of the immune system. IMM-AGE was elevated in trauma patients at an early timepoint (day 3) in comparison with healthy controls (p < 0.001), driven by an increase in senescent CD8 T cells (p < 0.0001), memory CD8 T cells (p < 0.0001) and regulatory T cells (p < 0.0001) and a reduction in naïve CD8 T cells (p < 0.001) and overall T cell lymphopenia (p < 0 .0001). These changes persisted to day 60. Furthermore, the IMM-AGE scores were significantly higher in trauma patients (mean score 0.72) that developed sepsis (p = 0.05) in comparison with those (mean score 0.61) that did not.

Conclusions

The profoundly altered peripheral adaptive immune compartment after critical injury can be used as a potential biomarker to identify individuals at a high risk of developing sepsis and this state of prematurely aged immune phenotype in biologically young individuals persists for up to two months post-hospitalisation, compromising the host immune response to infections. Reversing this aged immune system is likely to have a beneficial impact on short- and longer-term outcomes of trauma survivors.
Intensity modulated proton therapy for early-stage glottic cancer: high-precision approach to laryngeal function preservation with exceptional treatment tolerability
Authors: Held Thomas , Franke Henrik , Lang Kristin , Eichkorn Tanja , Regnery Sebastian , Weusthof Katharina , Bauer Lukas , Plath Karim , Dyckhoff Gerhard , Plinkert Peter K. , Harrabi Semi B. , Herfarth Klaus , Debus Jürgen , Adeberg Sebastian
Published: December 2022

Background

Due to the increasing expertise in transoral laser surgery and image-guided radiation therapy, treatment outcomes have recently improved in patients with early-stage glottic cancer. The objective of the current study was to evaluate intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) as novel treatment option.

Methods

A total of 15 patients with T1-2N0 glottic squamous cell carcinoma, treated between 2017 and 2020, were evaluated. Toxicity was recorded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03.

Results

The majority were T1a/b tumors (66.7%) and no patient had lymph node or distant metastases. The median total dose was 70 Gy relative biological effectiveness (RBE) (range 66–70 Gy RBE). The one- and two-year OS and metastases-free survival were 100%. One patient developed local failure and received salvage laryngectomy. No higher-grade acute or late toxicity was reported. The mean number of CTCAE grade I and II overall toxicity events per patient was 4.1 (95%-[confidence interval] CI 3.1–5.3) and 1.0 (95%-CI 0.5–1.5).

Conclusion

High-precision proton therapy of T1-2N0 glottic cancer resulted in exceptional treatment tolerability with high rates of laryngeal function preservation and promising oncological outcome. IMPT has the potential to become a standard treatment option for patients with early-stage laryngeal cancer.
Safety and efficacy of using portable coagulation monitor for INR examination after left-sided mechanical prosthetic valve replacement
Authors: Shen Yue , Zhong Fu-xiu , Huang Xue-shan
Published: December 2022

Background

Time in therapeutic range (TTR) is an index to assess the effectiveness of anticoagulation and is important to predict the risk of bleeding and thrombosis in patients taking warfarin. In recent years, the portable coagulation monitor, a point-of-care testing device for patients to perform self-management international normalized ratio (INR) examination, has provided an opportunity to improve the quality of oral warfarin treatment. In this study, we applied TTR to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the portable coagulation monitor for patients with oral anticoagulant warfarin after left-sided mechanical prosthetic valve (MPV) replacement.

Methods

It is a single-centre cohort study. From September 2019 to June 2021, a total of 243 patients who returned to our institution for outpatient clinic revisit at 3 months after left-sided MPV replacement, met the inclusion criteria and agreed to be followed up were included. Self-management group used portable coagulation monitor for INR examination, and patients in the conventional group had their INR monitored in routine outpatient visits. Clinical data of the patients would be recorded for the next 12 months, and results were compared between the two groups to assess the effect of the coagulation monitor on TTR and complications related to bleeding and thrombosis in patients with left-sided MPV replacement.

Results

A total of 212 individuals provided complete and validated INR data spanning of 1 year. Those who applied the portable coagulation monitor had higher TTR values and larger number of tests for INR. No significant differences were seen between the two groups in postoperative bleeding and thromboembolic complications, but portable coagulation monitor showed a trend toward fewer bleeding events.

Conclusion

Portable devices for coagulation monitoring are safe and can achieve a higher TTR. Patients who use the portable coagulation monitor for home INR self-management can achieve a safe and effective warfarin therapy.
Comparison of oocyte vitrification using a semi-automated or a manual closed system in human siblings: survival and transcriptomic analyses
Authors: Barberet Julie , Ducreux Bastien , Bruno Céline , Guilleman Magali , Simonot Raymond , Lieury Nicolas , Guilloteau Adrien , Bourc’his Déborah , Fauque Patricia
Published: December 2022

Background

Indications of oocyte vitrification increased substantially over the last decades for clinical and ethical reasons. A semi-automated vitrification system was recently developed making each act of vitrification reproducible. In this study, we evaluated the efficiency of the semi-automated technique of oocyte vitrification by survival rate, morphometric assessment and resistance to empty micro-injection gesture as compared with a manual method. Additionally, we intended to evaluate transcriptomic consequences of both techniques using single-cell RNA-seq technology.

Results

Post-warming survival rate, oocyte surfaces and resistance to empty micro-injection were comparable between semi-automated and manual vitrification groups. Both oocyte vitrification techniques showed limited differences in the resulting transcriptomic profile of sibling oocytes since only 5 differentially expressed genes were identified. Additionally, there was no difference in median transcript integrity number or percentage of mitochondrial DNA between the two groups. However, a total of 108 genes were differentially expressed between fresh and vitrified oocytes (FDR < 0.05) and showed over-represented of genes related to important cellular process.

Conclusions

Our results provide reassurance about the influence of semi-automation as compared with the manual vitrification method. Concerning oocyte vitrification itself, no tight common transcriptomic signature associated has been observed across studies.

Trial registration

NCT03570073.
Evolution of breast cancer incidence in young women in a French registry from 1990 to 2018: Towards a change in screening strategy?
Authors: Hassaine Yanis , Jacquet Emmanuelle , Seigneurin Arnaud , Delafosse Patricia
Published: December 2022

Background

The worldwide incidence of invasive breast cancer in women is increasing according to several studies. This increase in incidence seems to be higher in young women (< 40 years). However, the reasons for this trend are poorly understood. This article aims to provide the most recent estimates of this trend and assess whether there is indeed an increase in the incidence of breast cancer among young women to strengthen prevention campaigns.

Methods

We collected data from the Isere cancer registry in France of all invasive breast cancers from January 1990 to December 2018. The standardized incidence rate was calculated for four age groups (< 40 years, 40–49 years, 50–74 years, ≥ 75 years) for this period. The 10-year relative survival was evaluated for each age group age for two periods (1990–1999 and 2000–2008). From 2011 to 2013, we analyzed the incidence and 5-year relative survival by tumor subtype (triple negative, luminal, HER2 amplified) for each age group.

Results

A total of 23,703 cases were selected, including 1343 young women (< 40 years). The incidence of invasive breast cancer increased annually by 0,8% (95% CI 0,7; 1) in all age groups combined from 1990 to 2018. The highest incidence increase is found among young women, by 2,1% annually (95% CI 1,3; 2,8). Regarding tumor subtypes from 2011 to 2018, the incidence of triple negatives increases higher in young women (+ 1,4% by year, 95% CI − 8,2; 11) and those over 75 years (+ 4% by year, 95% CI − 5,1; 13,2), but the results are not statistically significant. 10-year relative survival in young women increased from 74,6% (95% CI 69,6; 78,9) to 78,3%(95% CI 73,7; 82,1) between 1990–1999 and 2000–2008, respectively. Five-year relative survival is better in young women among triple negative and HER2 amplified.

Conclusion

Our study confirms the current trend of increasing the incidence of breast cancer in young women, associated with improved survival very likely attributable to earlier diagnosis due to increased awareness, and improvements in treatment. A better individualized risk-based screening strategy is needed for these patients. Additional studies will be needed to more accurately assess the risk of developing breast cancer and improve diagnostic performance.
Aurora kinase a promotes the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma by activating the mTORC2-AKT signalling pathway
Authors: Zhao Zewei , Wang Huijuan , Kang Ning , Wang Zhongyu , Hou Xiukun , Hu Linfei , Qie Shuo , Guo Jianping , Wei Songfeng , Ruan Xianhui , Zheng Xiangqian
Published: December 2022

Background

Treatment failure is the main cause of death from papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). It is urgent to look for new intervention targets and to develop new therapies for treating PTC. Aurora-A kinase (AURKA) functionally regulates cell mitosis and is closely related to the occurrence and development of a variety of tumours. However, the expression and potential functions of AURKA in PTC remain largely elusive.

Results

Clinicopathologically, AURKA is highly expressed in PTC tissues compared to normal tissues and is correlated with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage and patient prognosis. Biologically, AURKA functions as an oncoprotein to promote the proliferation and migration of PTC cells. Mechanistically, AURKA directly binds to SIN1 and compromises CUL4B-based E3 ligase-mediated ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of SIN1, leading to hyperactivation of the mTORC2-AKT pathway in PTC cells.

Conclusions

We found that AURKA plays critical roles in regulating the progression of PTC by activating the mTORC2-AKT pathway, highlighting the potential of targeting AURKA to treat PTC.
On the chaotic nature of the Rabinovich system through Caputo and Atangana–Baleanu–Caputo fractional derivatives
Authors: Deressa Chernet Tuge
Published: December 2022

The Rabinovich system can describe different physical interactions, including waves in plasmas, a convective fluid flow inside a rotating ellipsoid, and Kolmogorov’s flow interactions. This study considers the Rabinovich system through Caputo and Atangana–Baleanu fractional derivatives to detect its chaotic nature. First, the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of the fractional-order systems are proved using the combination of the Picard–Lindelöf theorem and the Banach contraction principle. Then, a numerical approximation of the fractional systems is developed. The fractional Rabinovich system is found to exhibit a chaotic behavior verified via Lyapunov exponents. However, the fractional-order models do not enter into chaotic behavior at the same fractional-derivative order. Bifurcation diagrams referring to variation of the fractional-order derivatives are provided. Chaotic attractors for both cases of the fractional-derivative representation of the system are depicted. The two fractional-order models of the system show sensitivity to initial conditions. A master–response synchronization was developed in the context of the Atangana–Baleanu fractional derivative. The master and the response systems showed a strong correlation, proving the system’s applicability in solving real problems, including secure communications.
Determinants of women participation in income generating activities: evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Alemu Abera , Woltamo Tesfaye , Abuto Aklilu
Published: December 2022

This paper aims to examine the major determinants and challenges of women's participation in income-generating activities focusing on rural women of Ethiopia. To carry out this study, both primary and secondary data were used. Randomly selected 161 households were the source of primary data for this study. Secondary data were collected from the review of related literature. A binary logistic regression econometric model was implemented to identify major determinants of women's participation in income-generating activities. The finding of this study revealed that in the study area, women are not allowed by their husbands to participate in high-income earning activities. They are considered a housewife and only husband are expected to participate in high income-generating activities due to the local customs. In the study area, women's participation in the income-generating activity is determined by age, husband’s education, women's education, family size, land size, market distance, livestock holding, and access to credit. This paper contributes to the literature on women's participation challenges in income-generating activities, giving emphasis to rural women's perspectives. It provides the basis for further studies aimed at challenges hindering women's participation in high-income earning activities, particularly in developing countries.
Low secondary attack rate after prolonged exposure to sputum smear positive miliary tuberculosis in a neonatal unit
Authors: Pop Roxana , Kaelin Marisa B. , Kuster Stefan P. , Sax Hugo , Rampini Silvana K. , Zbinden Reinhard , Relly Christa , Zacek Bea , Bassler Dirk , Fontijn Jehudith R. , Berger Christoph
Published: December 2022

Background

Several neonatal intensive care units (NICU) have reported exposure to sputum smear positive tuberculosis (TB). NICE guidelines give support regarding investigation and treatment intervention, but not for contact definitions. Data regarding the reliability of any interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) in infants as a screening test for TB infection is scarce. We report an investigation and management strategy and evaluated the viability of IGRA (T-Spot) in infants and its concordance to the tuberculin skin test (TST).

Methods

We performed an outbreak investigation of incident TB infection in a NICU after prolonged exposure to sputum smear positive miliary TB by an infant’s mother. We defined individual contact definitions and interventions and assessed secondary attack rates. In addition, we evaluated the technical performance of T-Spot in infants and compared the results with the TST at baseline investigation.

Results

Overall, 72 of 90 (80%) exposed infants were investigated at baseline, in 51 (56.7%) of 54 (60%) infants, follow-up TST at the age of 6 months was performed. No infant in our cohort showed a positive TST or T-Spot at baseline. All blood samples from infants except one responded to phytohemagglutinin (PHA), which was used as a positive control of the T-Spot, demonstrating that cells are viable and react upon stimulation. 149 of 160 (93.1%) exposed health care workers (HCW) were investigated. 1 HCW was tested positive, having no other reason than this exposure for latent TB infection. 5 of 92 (5.5%) exposed primary contacts were tested positive, all coming from countries with high TB incidences. In total, 1 of 342 exposed contacts was newly diagnosed with latent TB infection. The secondary attack rate in this study including pediatric and adult contacts was 0.29%.

Conclusion

This investigation highlighted the low transmission rate of sputum smear positive miliary TB in a particularly highly susceptible population as infants. Our expert definitions and interventions proved to be helpful in terms of the feasibility of a thorough outbreak investigation. Furthermore, we demonstrated concordance of T-Spot and TST. Based on our findings, we assume that T-Spot could be considered a reliable investigation tool to rule out TB infection in infants.
Cultivation-independent genomes greatly expand taxonomic-profiling capabilities of mOTUs across various environments
Authors: Ruscheweyh Hans-Joachim , Milanese Alessio , Paoli Lucas , Karcher Nicolai , Clayssen Quentin , Keller Marisa Isabell , Wirbel Jakob , Bork Peer , Mende Daniel R. , Zeller Georg , Sunagawa Shinichi
Published: December 2022

Background

Taxonomic profiling is a fundamental task in microbiome research that aims to detect and quantify the relative abundance of microorganisms in biological samples. Available methods using shotgun metagenomic data generally depend on the deposition of sequenced and taxonomically annotated genomes, usually from cultures of isolated strains, in reference databases (reference genomes). However, the majority of microorganisms have not been cultured yet. Thus, a substantial fraction of microbial community members remains unaccounted for during taxonomic profiling, particularly in samples from underexplored environments. To address this issue, we developed the mOTU profiler, a tool that enables reference genome-independent species-level profiling of metagenomes. As such, it supports the identification and quantification of both “known” and “unknown” species based on a set of select marker genes.

Results

We present mOTUs3, a command line tool that enables the profiling of metagenomes for >33,000 species-level operational taxonomic units. To achieve this, we leveraged the reconstruction of >600,000 draft genomes, most of which are metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), from diverse microbiomes, including soil, freshwater systems, and the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants and other animals, which we found to be underrepresented by reference genomes. Overall, two thirds of all species-level taxa lacked a reference genome. The cumulative relative abundance of these newly included taxa was low in well-studied microbiomes, such as the human body sites (6–11%). By contrast, they accounted for substantial proportions (ocean, freshwater, soil: 43–63%) or even the majority (pig, fish, cattle: 60–80%) of the relative abundance across diverse non-human-associated microbiomes. Using community-developed benchmarks and datasets, we found mOTUs3 to be more accurate than other methods and to be more congruent with 16S rRNA gene-based methods for taxonomic profiling. Furthermore, we demonstrate that mOTUs3 increases the resolution of well-known microbial groups into species-level taxa and helps identify new differentially abundant taxa in comparative metagenomic studies.

Conclusions

We developed mOTUs3 to enable accurate species-level profiling of metagenomes. Compared to other methods, it provides a more comprehensive view of prokaryotic community diversity, in particular for currently underexplored microbiomes. To facilitate comparative analyses by the research community, it is released with >11,000 precomputed profiles for publicly available metagenomes and is freely available at:https://github.com/motu-tool/mOTUs.
Landslide disasters in eastern Uganda: post-traumatic stress disorder and its correlates among survivors in Bududa district
Authors: Kabunga Amir , Okalo Ponsiano , Nalwoga Viola , Apili Brenda
Published: December 2022

Background

Post-traumatic stress disorder is the commonly reported psychiatric morbidity among the survivors of natural disasters. However, its prevalence particularly in Bududa, Eastern Uganda is largely unknown.

Aims and objectives

To assess the prevalence and correlates of post-traumatic stress disorder among Bududa landslide survivors.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 587 participants. The study setting was the Bududa district, with a multistage sampling method. Pre-tested, administered interviewer PTSD Checklist–civilian version was used as screening tools between 4th and April 29th 2022. Data were analyzed using descriptive and binary logistic approaches at a 5% level of significance.

Results

Of the study participants, 276 (46.8%) had PTSD symptoms. Among the respondents, 250 (42.6%) were in the age range of 40 and above, 396 (67.3%) were female, 284 (48.4%) had no formal education, and 333 (56.7%) were married. Results showed that male gender (AOR: 0.47; 95% CI 0.31–0.73; p = 0.001), widowhood (AOR: 0.44; 95% CI 0.21–0.94; p = 0.034), lack of counseling (AOR: 0.44; 95% CI 0.21–0.94; p = 0.001), and duration since the landslide (AOR: 0.35; 95% CI 0.23–0.52; p = 0.001) were associated with an increased likelihood of screening for PTSD in landslide survivors.

Conclusion

Landslides pose significant effects on the mental health of survivors. In the present study, the extent of PTSD among survivors is substantially high. male gender,, widowhood, lack of counselling, low social support, and duration since the landslide were significantly associated with PTSD. Effective screening and awareness programs among survivors should be strengthened for the prevention and treatment of psychiatric morbidity among the survivors of landslides.
Impact of COVID-19 and effects of BNT162b2 on patient-reported outcomes: quality of life, symptoms, and work productivity among US adult outpatients
Authors: Di Fusco Manuela , Sun Xiaowu , Moran Mary M. , Coetzer Henriette , Zamparo Joann M. , Puzniak Laura , Alvarez Mary B. , Tabak Ying P. , Cappelleri Joseph C.
Published: December 2022

Background

Although there is extensive literature on the clinical benefits of COVID-19 vaccination, data on humanistic effects are limited. This study evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on symptoms, Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Work Productivity and Impairment (WPAI) prior to and one month following infection between individuals vaccinated with BNT162b2 and those unvaccinated.

Methods

Subjects with ≥ 1 self-reported symptom and positive RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 at CVS Health US test sites were recruited between 01/31/2022 and 04/30/2022. Socio-demographics, clinical characteristics and vaccination status were evaluated. Self-reported symptoms, HRQoL, and WPAI outcomes were assessed using questionnaires and validated instruments (EQ-5D-5L, WPAI-GH) across acute COVID time points from pre-COVID to Week 4, and between vaccination groups. Mixed models for repeated measures were conducted for multivariable analyses, adjusting for several covariates. Effect size (ES) of Cohen’s d was calculated to quantify the magnitude of outcome changes within and between vaccination groups.

Results

The study population included 430 subjects: 197 unvaccinated and 233 vaccinated with BNT162b2. Mean (SD) age was 42.4 years (14.3), 76.0% were female, 38.8% reported prior infection and 24.2% at least one comorbidity. Statistically significant differences in outcomes were observed compared with baseline and between groups. The EQ-Visual analogue scale scores and Utility Index dropped in both cohorts at Day 3 and increased by Week 4 but did not return to pre-COVID levels. The mean changes were statistically lower in the BNT162b2 cohort at Day 3 and Week 4. The BNT162b2 cohort reported lower prevalence and fewer symptoms at index date and Week 4. At Week 1, COVID-19 had a large impact on all WPAI-GH domains: the work productivity time loss among unvaccinated and vaccinated was 65.0% and 53.8%, and the mean activity impairment was 50.2% and 43.9%, respectively. Except for absenteeism at Week 4, the BNT162b2 cohort was associated with statistically significant less worsening in all WPAI-GH scores at both Week 1 and 4.

Conclusions

COVID-19 negatively impacted HRQoL and work productivity among mildly symptomatic outpatients. Compared with unvaccinated, those vaccinated with BNT162b2 were less impacted by COVID-19 infection and recovered faster.
Adaptive strategy in control of ectoparasitic infection in Eurasian tree sparrow
Authors: Singh Namram Sushindrajit , Dixit Anand Shanker , Khanikar Debashish
Published: December 2022

Background

Selection pressure due to parasitic infestation puts adverse effects on birds’ fitness concerning survival and reproductive success. The present study was conducted on Eurasian tree sparrow at Shillong (25°34′ N,91°53′ E), India, for a year to examine ectoparasitic infestation byMyrsidea balatiandSturnidoecus ruficeps. The parameters on the annual prevalence of infestation, annual cycles of gonadosomatic index (GSI), molt, hematocrit percentage and the time spent in behavior display were recorded.

Results

The infestation of both lice species ran parallel to GSI in both sexes of sparrow. Further, the intensity of infestation was higher in males. The increase in number of ectoparasites was found positively correlated with the increase in GSI in the birds. However, it was negatively correlated with feathers molt. Thus, the infestation of both parasites was maximum during the reproductive phase and minimum during the period when the birds were undergoing the process of molt. Seasonal variation in hematocrit percentage shows decline during high infection in females and during molt in both the sexes. The time spent in showing behavioral traits to limit infection was the longest during high infestation.

Conclusions

We conclude that the tree sparrow adopts various adaptive strategies like feathers molt and longer display of behavioral traits during their breeding and/or non-breeding seasons to control parasitic load and avoid energy conflict with high energy demanding processes like reproduction and molt.
The limits of internal devaluation: Switzerland during the great depression
Authors: Rosenkranz Peter , Straumann Tobias , Woitek Ulrich
Published: December 2022

During the Great Depression, countries endowed with abundant gold reserves were not able to leave the gold standard and devalue their currencies until the mid-1930s. Instead, they were forced to go down the road of internal devaluation. We analyze the policies of the Swiss authorities by estimating a New Keynesian small open economy model. Our results show that the long adherence to the gold standard and the failure of internal devaluation imposed considerable costs on the Swiss economy. Moreover, counterfactual exercises suggest that a timely devaluation would have led to an early recovery from the Great Depression.
Comparison between thoracic paravertebral block and segmental thoracic spinal anesthesia in breast cancer surgery
Authors: Mazy Alaa , El-Domiaty Ashraf , Mageed Nabil Abdel , Motawi Abdel Aziz , Messeha Medhat
Published: December 2022

Background

Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and segmental thoracic spinal anesthesia (STSA) can be used as sole anesthesia techniques alternative to general anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy in some critical patients. Both techniques were compared for efficacy and safety including detailed block characteristics, analgesia, patient’s and surgeon’s satisfaction, hemodynamics, respiration, and side effects.

Results

Both techniques were successful, but fentanyl requirements were higher in TPVB group. The sensory loss was faster, wider, and longer in STSA group; however, it was associated with more hypotension. There was no motor block in the upper or lower limbs in TPVB group, while all patients in STSA group showed ipsilateral handgrip affection and to less extent wrists and then elbow flexion. While the ipsilateral lower limbs motor block was partial and short. Postoperatively, there was no difference in analgesic requirements or side effects. Satisfaction was higher in STSA group.

Conclusions

Both TPVB and STSA were effective and safe as sole techniques for mastectomy providing adequate anesthesia with low complications, considerable analgesia, and satisfaction. Anesthesia was faster, wider, and longer in STSA group, with lower fentanyl requirements; however, it was associated with more hypotension.
Dietary enrichment of resistant starches or fibers differentially alter the feline fecal microbiome and metabolite profile
Authors: Lee Anne H. , Jha Aashish R. , Do Sungho , Scarsella Elisa , Shmalberg Justin , Schauwecker Amy , Steelman Andrew J. , Honaker Ryan W. , Swanson Kelly S.
Published: December 2022

Background

Cats are strict carnivores but possess a complex gastrointestinal (GI) microbial community that actively ferments dietary substrates that are not digested and reach the colon. The GI microbiota responses to dietary inclusion of resistant starches versus fibers have not been tested in cats. Thus, our objective was to evaluate the effects of diets enriched in resistant starch or fibers on the fecal characteristics, microbiome, and metabolite profiles of cats. Twelve healthy adult domestic shorthair cats (age = 9.6 ± 4.0 year; body weight = 3.9 ± 1.0 kg) were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design to test diets that were enriched with: (1) resistant starch (ERS), (2) a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend (FPPB), or (3) a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend + immune-modulating ingredients (iFPPB). In each 28-day period, 22 days of diet adaptation was followed by fecal and blood sample collection. Fecal samples were used for shotgun metagenomic sequencing. In addition, fecal and blood metabolite measurements and white blood cell stimulation was performed to assess immune function.

Results

A total of 1690 bacterial species were identified, with 259 species differing between fiber-rich and ERS treatments. In comparison with fiber-rich treatments that increased diversity and promoted Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes populations, resistant starch reduced microbial diversity and fecal pH, led to a bloom in Actinobacteria, and modified Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes orthology (KO) terms pertaining to starch and sucrose metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis and metabolism, epithelial cell signaling, among others. Resistant starch also differentially modified fecal metabolite concentrations with relevance to GI and overall host health (increased butyrate; decreased propionate and protein catabolites - branched-chain fatty acids; phenols and indoles; ammonia) and reduced blood cholesterol, which correlated strongly with microbial taxa and KO terms, and allowed for a high predictive efficiency of diet groups by random forest analysis.

Conclusion

Even though domestic cats and other carnivores evolved by eating low-carbohydrate diets rich in protein and fat, our results demonstrate that the feline microbiome and metabolite profiles are highly responsive to dietary change and in directions that are predictable.
Ocular trauma in the pediatric age group: a systematic review
Authors: Kaçer Emine Özdemir , Kaçer İlker
Published: December 2022

Background

Ocular traumas are the leading cause of acquired unilateral blindness in the pediatric age group. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of pediatric ocular injuries, the etiological factors that cause them, and to make some preventive recommendations.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of pediatric ocular trauma (age < 18 years) presented to the pediatric emergency unit of our tertiary university hospital between January 2016 and December 2020. Demographic data such as age, gender, season, duration of admission, trauma etiology, and type of injury were recorded. Patients with missing medical records were excluded from the study.

Results

Two hundred two patients aged a mean of 107.4 ± 40.7 months including 87 females (43.07%) and 115 males (56.93%) were included in the study. Most of the patients (n = 135, 66.83%) were in the 7–11 years of age group. The vast majority of the study population lived in the urban area (n = 119, 58.91%). Most injuries were seen in the summer (n = 108, 53.47%). 59.41% of all patients had closed globe injuries. Hyphema (32.5%) and endophthalmitis (26.6%) were the most common in closed globe injuries. Of the open globe injuries, 39 were penetrating (47.5%), 12 were perforated (14.6%), and 23 were intraocular foreign body injuries (28%). It was determined that the places where the injury occurred were mostly in situations where family control was reduced, such as weddings, holidays, and playgrounds (80.69%). The most common causes of injury were toy guns (35.15%), stones (28.71%), and fireworks (16.34%).

Conclusion

This analysis is the first study to provide data on childhood ocular trauma in Aksaray. Most of the childhood ocular injuries can be prevented with simple precautions. For this purpose, effective and preventive strategies should be developed such as raising public awareness, providing parental control, and early intervention.
Accelerating magnetotelluric forward modeling with deep learning: Conv-BiLSTM and D-LinkNet
Authors: Deng Fei , Yu Siling , Wang Xuben , Guo Zhiheng
Published: December 2022

Magnetotelluric forward modeling is important for exploring underground electromagnetic anomalies. Although directly solving the electromagnetic wave equation has high accuracy, its computational cost is usually unaffordable for large-scale models. A neural network (NN) can increase the computation of the magnetotelluric forward modeling; however, its numerical accuracy is limited owing to the use of a simple network structure and small-scale training data sets. We have increased the computational efficiency of the magnetotelluric forward modeling by deep learning based on cyclic NN and full convolution NN models. First, we have extracted the basic characteristics of the 2D-magnetotelluric forward modeling, which were important for selecting and optimizing the network. Then, we have developed two forward network models: convolutional bidirectional long short-term memory (Conv-BiLSTM) and LinkNet with pretrained encoder and dilated convolution (D-LinkNet). Next, we have constructed data sets of large-scale multiple anomalies. Finally, we have tested our models using various examples. Existing methods only consider a single anomaly and have low accuracy; in contrast, our methods can handle multianomaly models because they have strong generalization, even though the training is based on models with two or three anomalies. Numerical experiments find that the average accuracy of the Conv-BiLSTM and D-LinkNet forward network models was 87.5% and 95.3%, respectively. Compared with D-LinkNet, the Conv-BiLSTM network model has lower accuracy but higher computational efficiency. Our deep-learning schemes can significantly reduce the computational burdens of the magnetotelluric forward modeling, and thus allow us to perform swift inversions of multianomaly models.
Deep neural network-based workflow for attenuating seismic interference noise and its application to marine towed-streamer data from the northern Viking Graben
Authors: Sun Jing , Hou Song , Triki Alaa
Published: December 2022

To separate seismic interference (SI) noise while ensuring high signal fidelity, we have developed a deep neural network (DNN)-based workflow applied to common-shot gathers (CSGs). In our design, a small subset of the entire to-be-processed data set is first processed by a conventional algorithm to obtain an estimate of the SI noise (from now on called the SI noise model). By manually blending the SI noise model with SI-free CSGs and a set of simulated random noise, we obtain training inputs for the DNN. The SI-free CSGs can be either real SI-free CSGs from the survey or SI-attenuated CSGs produced in parallel with the SI noise model from the conventional algorithm depending on the specific project. To enhance the DNN’s output signal fidelity, adjacent shots on both sides of the to-be-processed shot are used as additional channels of the input. We train the DNN to output the SI noise into one channel and the SI-free shot along with the intact random noise into another. Once trained, the DNN can be applied to the entire data set contaminated by the same types of SI in the training process, producing results efficiently. For demonstration, we applied our DNN-based workflow to 3D seismic field data acquired from the northern Viking Graben of the North Sea and compared it with a conventional algorithm. The studied area has a challenging SI contamination problem with no sail lines free from SI noise during the acquisition. The comparison finds that our DNN-based workflow outperformed the conventional algorithm in processing quality with less noise residual and better signal preservation. This validates its feasibility and value for real processing projects.
Geophysical joint inversion based on mixed structural and rock-physics coupling constraints
Authors: Zhang Rongzhe , Li Tonglin , Liu Cai , He Haoyuan , Huang Xingguo , Vatankah Saeed
Published: December 2022

Joint inversion algorithms continue to receive a lot of interest in the application of geophysical interpretation due to the reduction of uncertainty of the inverse solutions. Over the past decade, several coupling constraints, structural or rock physics, have been introduced to the joint inversion of multiple geophysical data sets. However, a single coupling constraint may not provide the optimum solution for all geologic scenarios. To improve the application of the multiple geophysical data sets, in which some rock-physics information is available, we have developed a new joint inversion algorithm based on a mixed structural and rock-physics coupling constraints. The presented algorithm incorporates the cosine dot product gradient function, a structural coupling constraint, with a guided fuzzy c-means clustering strategy, which is a rock-physics coupling constraint. The former imposes the structural similarity among different model parameters, whereas the latter improves the linear or nonlinear correlation among model parameters. We use the exact structural resemblance algorithm to numerically solve the mixed coupling constraint joint inversion objective function. The developed algorithm is applied on 2D synthetic and field data examples. Our results find a significant improvement in the resolution of the reconstructed models, in comparison with traditional single coupling algorithms, even when the rock-physics information is not complete. This algorithm is more conducive to obtaining clear geologic unit boundaries and provides a favorable basis for delineating metallogenic target areas.
Improving shallow and deep seismic-while-drilling with a downhole pilot in a desert environment
Authors: Silvestrov Ilya , Bakulin Andrey , Aldawood Ali , Hemyari Emad , Egorov Anton
Published: December 2022

Processing seismic data from drillbit-generated vibrations requires a reliable source signature for correlation and deconvolution purposes. Recently, a land field trial has been conducted in a desert environment. A memory-based downhole vibration accelerometer has been used together with a more conventional top-drive sensor to continuously record the pilot signal from 590 to 8600 ft (180–2621 m). Past results indicate that seismic-while-drilling (SWD) data processed using the top-drive accelerometer exhibit good quality in the middle sections of the well but a reduced signal-to-noise ratio for shallow and deep sections. One of the main challenges in using the downhole pilot is a substantial drift of the downhole clock time. To resolve it, a novel automated time-alignment procedure using the GPS-synchronized signal of the top-drive sensor as a reference is applied. The downhole recording provides a source signature of better quality. In shallow sections of the well, it helps to overcome the intense surface-related vibrational noise, whereas, in deeper sections, it provides a cleaner extraction of weaker signals from the polycrystalline diamond compact bits. Processing with the downhole pilot results in better surface seismic data quality than with a conventional top-drive sensor. Therefore, enabling the use of the synchronized downhole pilot signal is of crucial importance for SWD applications. Modern cost-effective near-bit vibrational sensors widely used for different nonseismic applications could be an effective acquisition solution, as shown in this study.