bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Athenian Working Class
Authors: van Wees Hans
Published: December 2023

This chapter looks at those Athenians who were ‘working-class’ in the sense that they derived part or all of their livelihood by performing wage labour. It argues that that about 90 per cent of Athenians were in this category around 600 bce, and that most of them worked under highly exploitative conditions for a wage of only one-sixth of the crops they cultivated on their employers’ farms. Economic growth and social reform in the sixth century meant that a substantial ‘middle class’ of independent working producers emerged and that in classical Athens only about 55 per cent of citizens were still reliant on wages, now earned from casual or seasonal labour. Contrary to recent claims that wage labour was exceptionally well rewarded in classical Athens, this chapter argues that the Athenian working class continued to earn only a bare subsistence.
Hostile: accurate decontamination of microbial host sequences
Authors: Constantinides Bede , Hunt Martin , Crook Derrick W
Published: December 2023

Motivation

Microbial sequences generated from clinical samples are often contaminated with human host sequences that must be removed for ethical and legal reasons. Care must be taken to excise host sequences without inadvertently removing target microbial sequences to the detriment of downstream analyses such as variant calling and de novo assembly.

Results

To facilitate accurate host decontamination of both short and long sequencing reads, we developed Hostile, a tool capable of accurate host read removal using a laptop. We demonstrate that our approach removes at least 99.6% of real human reads and retains at least 99.989% of simulated bacterial reads. Using Hostile with a masked reference genome further increases bacterial read retention (≥99.997%) with negligible (≤0.001%) reduction in human read removal performance. Compared with an existing tool, Hostile removes 21%–23% more human short reads and 21–43 times fewer bacterial reads, typically in less time.

Availability and implementation

Hostile is implemented as an MIT-licensed Python package available from https://github.com/bede/hostile together with supplementary material.
Conformalized survival analysis with adaptive cut-offs
Authors: Gui Yu , Hore Rohan , Ren Zhimei , Barber Rina Foygel
Published: December 2023

This paper introduces an assumption-lean method that constructs valid and efficient lower predictive bounds for survival times with censored data. We build on recent work by Candès et al. (2023), whose approach first subsets the data to discard any data points with early censoring times and then uses a reweighting technique, namely, weighted conformal inference (Tibshirani et al., 2019), to correct for the distribution shift introduced by this subsetting procedure. For our new method, instead of constraining to a fixed threshold for the censoring time when subsetting the data, we allow for a covariate-dependent and data-adaptive subsetting step, which is better able to capture the heterogeneity of the censoring mechanism. As a result, our method can lead to lower predictive bounds that are less conservative and give more accurate information. We show that in the Type-I right-censoring setting, if either the censoring mechanism or the conditional quantile of the survival time is well estimated, our proposed procedure achieves nearly exact marginal coverage, where in the latter case we additionally have approximate conditional coverage. We evaluate the validity and efficiency of our proposed algorithm in numerical experiments, illustrating its advantage when compared with other competing methods. Finally, our method is applied to a real dataset to generate lower predictive bounds for users’ active times on a mobile app.
Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and subsequent risk of atopic dermatitis in offspring: a nationwide birth cohort study in South Korea
Authors: Kim Minji , Choi Yujin , Lee Myeongcheol , Kang Jiseung , Kang So Min , Lee Dong-Geol , Yon Dong Keon
Published: December 2023

Although previous studies suggest an association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults, insufficient attention has been given to the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on pregnant woman and their offspring. Evidence on prenatal SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent risk of AD is lacking; therefore, we aimed to investigate the risk of AD in infants born to women who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy.
rTMS concurrent with cognitive training rewires AD brain by enhancing GM-WM functional connectivity: a preliminary study
Authors: Qin Tong , Wang Luyao , Xu Huanyu , Liu Chunyan , Shao Yuxuan , Li Fangjie , Wang Yuping , Jiang Jiehui , Lin Hua
Published: December 2023

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and cognitive training for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) can change functional connectivity (FC) within gray matter (GM). However, the role of white matter (WM) and changes of GM–WM FC under these therapies are still unclear. To clarify this problem, we applied 40 Hz rTMS over angular gyrus (AG) concurrent with cognitive training to 15 mild–moderate AD patients and analyzed the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging before and after treatment. Through AG-based FC analysis, corona radiata and superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF) were identified as activated WM tracts. Compared with the GM results with AG as seed, more GM regions were found with activated WM tracts as seeds. The averaged FC, fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF), and regional homogeneity (ReHo) of the above GM regions had stronger clinical correlations (r/P = 0.363/0.048 vs 0.299/0.108, 0.351/0.057 vs 0.267/0.153, 0.420/0.021 vs 0.408/0.025, for FC/fALFF/ReHo, respectively) and better classification performance to distinguish pre-/post-treatment groups (AUC = 0.91 vs 0.88, 0.65 vs 0.63, 0.87 vs 0.82, for FC/fALFF/ReHo, respectively). Our results indicated that rTMS concurrent with cognitive training could rewire brain network by enhancing GM–WM FC in AD, and corona radiata and SLF played an important role in this process.
Academic verb knowledge of DHH college students and their hearing peers
Authors: Berent Gerald P , Kelly Ronald R , Rizzo Susan P , Chen Zhong , Schueler-Choukairi Tanya , Persky Kimberly , Schmitz Kathryn L , Van Horn Stanley
Published: December 2023

This study addressed the critical gap in research on the academic English vocabulary knowledge of deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students at the college level, with a specific focus on academic English verbs. An English vocabulary test was developed to assess knowledge of academic verbs at three distinct corpus-defined lexical frequency ranges. The test was administered to the DHH students along with two comparison groups of college peers—students of English as an Additional Language (EAL)1 and hearing native-English-speaking students. Results revealed near-ceiling performance by hearing native speakers but significant vocabulary challenges in the DHH and EAL learner groups, who exhibited parallel lexical knowledge. Learner group performance increased as verb frequency range increased and as overall English proficiency level increased. The findings demonstrate that lexical frequency effects guide English verb acquisition in the targeted populations.2
Burden of bradycardia and barriers to accessing bradycardia therapy in underserved countries
Authors: Egas Diego , Rodriguez Francisco , Jaswal Aparna , Jeilan Mohamed , Milasinovic Goran , Al Fagih Ahmed
Published: December 2023

Bradycardia, a condition characterized by an abnormally slow heart rate, poses significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment. While it is a concern world-wide, low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face substantial barriers in accessing appropriate bradycardia therapy. This article aims to explore the global aetiology and incidence of bradycardia, compare the prevalence and management of the condition in high-income countries versus LMICs, identify the key reasons behind the disparities in access to bradycardia therapy in LMICs, and emphasize the urgent need to address these disparities to ensure equitable healthcare on a global scale.
Type 2 diabetes in the Democratic Republic of Congo: an urgent need for a management framework
Authors: Fina Lubaki Jean-Pierre , Omole Olufemi Babatunde , Francis Joel Msafiri
Published: December 2023

Glycaemic control is of one the main goals for managing type 2 diabetes. In sub-Saharan Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, studies have reported alarming poor control rates. Patients with poor glycaemic control are exposed to complications leading to high cost of care and deteriorated quality of life. In recent studies by our group, we have demonstrated that poor glycaemic control is high and driven by proximal (individual) and distal (structural) factors in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Financial constraints impacted many aspects of care at multiple levels from the Government to persons living with diabetes. Financial constraints prevented good preparation, organization and access to diabetes care. Difficulties in implementing lifestyle changes, lack of health literacy and limited healthcare support were also contributing to poor glycaemic control. Through a Delphi study, a group of experts reached a consensus on five potential strategies for improving glycaemic control in the Democratic Republic of Congo as follows: changing the healthcare system for better diabetes care extended to other noncommunicable diseases, ensuring consistent financing of the healthcare, augmenting the awareness of diabetes among the general population and the persons living with diabetes, easing the adoption of lifestyle modifications and reducing the burden of undiagnosed diabetes. This paper reflects on the urgent need for an improved management framework for diabetes care in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Specifically, the Government needs to increase the investment in the prevention and treatment of noncommunicable diseases including diabetes.
Nondaily growth increments in the commercial species, Octopus berrima, and the importance of age validation
Authors: Durante Erica D , Grammer Gretchen L , Martino Jasmin C , Payne Justin L , Doubleday Zoë A
Published: December 2023

Age data are crucial for understanding and managing target species in commercial and recreational fisheries. Octopus catches are increasing worldwide, yet ageing methods are still in their infancy. Octopus age is estimated by counting growth increments in stylets and beaks. These increments have been validated as daily in some species or assumed to be daily in other species. Here, we conducted an age validation study on both the stylets and beaks of a commercial octopus species (Octopus berrima). Subsequently, we compared and assessed the readability of growth increments in beaks and stylets of wild-caught O. berrima. We found that increment periodicity was nondaily for both structures, with increment periodicity also varying between structures (0.75 increments per day for stylets and 0.53 increments per day for beak). This study highlights the importance of validating increment periodicity for different octopus species and for both stylets and beaks to obtain accurate age and growth data. Without accurate age data, a species may be incorrectly managed with the potential for negative effects on the sustainability of wild populations.
Effect of examining lymph nodes count on mortality risk in resected T1 non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Zeng Jun , Liu Qi , Chang Ruiming , Chen Yufan , Yu Zhongjie , Yi Bin , Gao Yang
Published: December 2023

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to estimate the effect of the examined lymph node count (ELNC) on the cancer-related mortality risk and non-cancer-related mortality risk in patients with resected T1 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Patients diagnosed as primary T1 NSCLC between 2000 and 2017 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the ELNC cutoff value, which was calculated based on overall survival outcomes. Propensity score matching was used to equalize the differences in baseline characteristics between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 38 242 resected T1 NSCLC patients were extracted from the database with the ELNC cutoff value of 8. After propensity score matching, 27 676 patients were included in this study. Examining ≥8 ELNC was associated with a more accurate assessment of lymph node (LN) metastasis and significantly improving the prognosis. These trends remained consistent in subgroup analysis by histology type. In competing risk mode, examining ≥8 LNs could significantly reduce the risk of death from lung cancer, risk of death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and risk of death from cardiac diseases. In the subgroup analysis, these trends were consistent.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the mortality risk associated with lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and cardiac diseases, at least 8 LNs should be examined in surgery for T1 NSCLC.
Rape Myths in the European Court of Human Rights’ Non-Refoulement Case Law on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Authors: Roels Lore
Published: December 2023

The criminal justice and the refugee/human rights systems operate within different procedural and substantive frameworks. However, analysis of the European Court of Human Rights’ case law reveals a significant parallel between the two, namely judges’ acceptance of ‘rape myths’ in making their decisions. Criminal justice scholarship has defined rape myths as stereotyped and false beliefs about rape (including about victims and perpetrators). This article translates the concept to the refugee/human rights context and extends it to other forms of sexual or gender-based violence (SGBV) as well. It identifies four specific SGBV myths in the court’s non-refoulement case law: non-reporting of SGBV in the country of origin equals non-exhaustion of local remedies or protection (institutional scope: section 4.1); the existence of a private (male) support network suffices to protect an applicant from SGBV (interpersonal scope: section 4.2); resourceful applicants do not need protection against SGBV (personal scope: section 4.3); and any vagueness, incompleteness, or inconsistency in SGBV disclosures indicates a false or exaggerated story (narrative scope: section 4.4). These types of reasoning not only lack evidence-based grounds, but also demonstrate a striking lack of understanding of the nature of SGBV and the protection needs of its survivors/victims. In theory, SGBV has been recognized as a form of ill-treatment deserving protection from refoulement. In practice, however, access to this protection is hindered by a tendency to use SGBV myths in (credibility) assessments of applicants who fear ill-treatment on the basis of SGBV. While the exact meaning of gender-sensitive non-refoulement assessments remains undefined, it cannot entail the practices of SGBV myth acceptance uncovered in this article.
Preparing for Mpox Resurgence: Surveillance Lessons From Outbreaks in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Sachdeva Herveen , Shahin Rita , Ota Sylvia , Isabel Sandra , Mangat Chand S , Stuart Rebecca , Padhi Shovita , Chris Allison , Mishra Sharmistha , Tan Darrell H S , Braukmann Tom W , Eshaghi AliReza , Mejia Edgard M , Hizon Nikho A , Finkelstein Michael
Published: December 2023

Background

With many global jurisdictions, Toronto, Canada, experienced an mpox outbreak in spring/summer 2022. Cases declined following implementation of a large vaccination campaign. A surge in early 2023 led to speculation that asymptomatic and/or undetected local transmission was occurring in the city.

Methods

Mpox cases and positive laboratory results are reported to Toronto Public Health. Epidemic curves and descriptive risk factor summaries for the 2022 and 2023 outbreaks were generated. First- and second-dose vaccination was monitored. Mpox virus wastewater surveillance and whole genome sequencing were conducted to generate hypotheses about the source of the 2023 resurgence.

Results

An overall 515 cases were reported in spring/summer 2022 and 17 in the 2022–2023 resurgence. Wastewater data correlated with the timing of cases. Whole genome sequencing showed that 2022–2023 cases were distinct from 2022 cases and closer to sequences from another country, suggesting a new importation as a source. At the start of the resurgence, approximately 16% of first-dose vaccine recipients had completed their second dose.

Conclusions

This investigation demonstrates the importance of ongoing surveillance and preparedness for mpox outbreaks. Undetected local transmission was not a likely source of the 2022–2023 resurgence. Ongoing preexposure vaccine promotion remains important to mitigate disease burden.
RSV Neutralizing Antibodies in Dried Blood
Authors: Terstappen Jonne , Delemarre Eveline M , Versnel Anouk , White Joleen T , Derrien-Colemyn Alexandrine , Ruckwardt Tracy J , Bont Louis J , Mazur Natalie I
Published: December 2023

Background

The key correlate of protection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is virus neutralization, measured via sera obtained through venipuncture. Dried blood obtained with a finger prick can simplify acquisition, processing, storage, and transport in trials and thereby reduce costs. In this study, we validate an assay to measure RSV neutralization in dried capillary blood.

Methods

Functional antibodies were compared between matched serum and dried blood samples from a phase 1 trial with RSM01, an investigational anti-RSV prefusion F mAb. Hep-2 cells were infected with a serial dilution of sample-virus mixture by using RSV-A2-mKate to determine the half-maximal inhibitory concentration. Stability of dried blood was evaluated over time and during temperature stress.

Results

Functional antibodies in dried blood were highly correlated with serum (R2 = 0.98, P < .0001). The precision of the assay for dried blood was similar to serum. The function of mAb remained stable for 9 months at room temperature and frozen dried blood samples.

Conclusions

We demonstrated the feasibility of measuring RSV neutralization using dried blood as a patient-centered solution that may replace serology testing in trials against RSV or other viruses, such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2.

Clinical Trials Registration.  NCT05118386 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
Ceftriaxone Efficacy for Mycobacterium avium Complex Lung Disease in the Hollow Fiber and Translation to Sustained Sputum Culture Conversion in Patients
Authors: Deshpande Devyani , Magombedze Gesham , Boorgula Gunavanthi D , Chapagain Moti , Srivastava Shashikant , Gumbo Tawanda
Published: December 2023

Background

Only 35.6%–50.8% of patients with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) pulmonary disease achieve sustained sputum culture conversion (SSCC) on treatment with the azithromycin-ethambutol-rifabutin standard of care (SOC). We tested the efficacy of ceftriaxone, a β-lactam with a lung-to-serum penetration ratio of 12.18-fold.

Methods

We mimicked lung concentration-time profiles of 7 ceftriaxone once-daily doses for 28 days in the hollow fiber system model of intracellular MAC (HFS-MAC). Monte Carlo experiments were used for dose selection. We also compared once-daily ceftriaxone monotherapy to 3-drug SOC against 5 MAC clinical isolates in HFS-MAC using γ (kill) slopes, and translated to SSCC rates.

Results

Ceftriaxone killed 1.02–3.82 log10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL, at optimal dose of 2 g once-daily. Ceftriaxone killed all 5 strains below day 0 versus 2 of 5 for SOC. The median γ (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 0.49 (.47–.52) log10 CFU/mL/day for ceftriaxone and 0.38 (.34–.43) log10 CFU/mL/day for SOC. In patients, the SOC was predicted to achieve SSCC rates (CI) of 39.3% (36%–42%) at 6 months. The SOC SSCC was 50% at 8.18 (3.64–27.66) months versus 3.58 (2.20–7.23) months for ceftriaxone, shortening time to SSCC 2.35-fold.

Conclusions

Ceftriaxone is a promising agent for creation of short-course chemotherapy.
Berberine–fluconazole microparticle-based combination therapy to treat candidiasis infections
Authors: Simões Gobbi Ludmila Pini , Costa Eliana Harue Endo , Fernandez Carla Maria Mariano , Lorenzetti Fabiana Bruschi , Fonseca Dyenefer Pereira , Gomes Anderson Valdiney , Baldoqui Debora Cristina , Fernandes Cleverton de Souza , Ueda-Nakamura Tânia , Nakamura Celso Vataru , Lima Marli Miriam de Souza , Filho Benedito Prado Dias
Published: December 2023

Aim

This study aims to incorporate alginate microparticles containing berberine and fluconazole into two different types of pharmaceutical formulations, to subsequently evaluate the antifungal activity against Candida albicans.

Methods and Results

Alginate microparticles containing BBR (berberine) and FLU (fluconazole) were produced by the spray-drying technique, characterized and incorporated in two pharmaceutical formulations, a vaginal cream and artificial saliva. Broth microdilution, checkerboard, time–kill curve, and scanning electron microscopy were carried out to determine the antifungal effects of BBR and FLU against C. albicans. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of free BBR were 125 μg ml−1. Synergism between BBR and FLU was demonstrated by a fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) = 0.0762. The time–kill curve for the combination BBR + FLU showed a more pronounced decrease in fungal growth in comparison to free drugs, and an antibiofilm effect of BBR occurred in the formation and preformed biofilm.

Conclusion

Alginate microparticles containing BBR and FLU were obtained and incorporated in a vaginal cream and artificial saliva. Both formulations showed good stability, antifungal effects, and organoleptic characteristics, which suggest that BBR–FLU microparticles in formulations have potential as antifungal therapy.
Utility of N-Bromosuccinimide–Water Combination as a Green Reagents for a Validated Indirect Spectrophotometric Determination of Some Antihypertensive Drugs: An Application to Their Monitoring in Marketed Tablets and Capsules
Authors: Helmy Marwa I , Nessim Christine K
Published: December 2023

Background

Analytical tests were conducted to investigate the use of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) as an important, safe analytical reagent for the spectrophotometric detection of therapeutically significant dihydropyridine-based calcium antagonists (DHP), namely nifedipine (NIF) and amlodipine (AML), which have been demonstrated to possess antioxidant activity in vivo and to reduce the intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Following the reaction of DHP and NBS in acidic media, the excess NBS was evaluated for the first time by its interaction with P-aminophenol (PAP), which produced a violet-colored product that was detected at 556 nm.

Objective

The analytical method was performed and validated since different variables disturbing the reaction (concentration of reagent, type and concentration of the selected acid, reaction time and the diluting solvents) were carefully studied and optimized.

Methods

The stoichiometry of the applied reaction was determined by Job’s method of continuous variation. Monitoring of these drug dosage forms’ content uniformity is a first tool or evidence for their efficacy and safety after their administration.

Results

Beer’s law was obeyed in the concentration range 1.25–11.0 µg/mL for NIF and 1.25–10.0 µg/mL for AML. The calculated limit of detection (LODs) and limit of quantification (LOQs) for NIF and AML were 0.220, 0.155 µg/mL and 0.519, 0.735 µg/mL, respectively. The precision of the applied method was satisfactory; the RSDs did not exceed 2%. Two greenness assessment tools, the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Analytical Greenness Metric for Sample Preparation (AGREEprep) were used for measuring the environmental friendliness of the recommended method.

Conclusion

The micro-determinations of content uniformity for NIF and AML in their pharmaceutical dosage forms were extremely comparable with those from official and validated procedures.

Highlights

A validated indirect spectrophotometric method for accurate quantification of some 1,4-dihydropyridine drugs using NBS with the aid of PAP. Monitoring of NIF and AML dosage forms’ content uniformity as a first tool or evidence for their efficacy and safety after their administration. Greenness evaluation tools, GAPI and AGREEprep, for measuring the environmental friendliness of the recommended method.
Effects of the central melanocortin system on feed intake, metabolic hormones and insulin action in the sheep
Authors: Ehrhardt Richard A , Giesy Sarah L , Hileman Stanley M , Houseknecht Karen L , Boisclair Yves R
Published: December 2023

Voluntary feed intake is insufficient to meet the nutrient demands associated with late pregnancy in prolific ewes and early lactation in high-yielding dairy cows. Under these conditions, peripheral signals such as growth hormone and ceramides trigger adaptations aimed at preserving metabolic well-being. Recent work in rodents has shown that the central nervous system–melanocortin (CNS-MC) system, consisting of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and agouti-related peptide (AGRP) acting respectively as agonist and antagonist on central MC receptors, contributes to the regulation of some of the same adaptations. To assess the effects of the CNC-MC on peripheral adaptations in ruminants, ewes were implanted with an intracerebroventricular cannula in the third ventricle and infused over days with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), the α-MSH analog melanotan-I (MTI), or AGRP. Infusion of MTI at 0.03 nmol/h reduced intake, expressed as a fold of maintenance energy requirement (M), from 1.8 to 1.1 M (P < 0.0001), whereas AGRP at 0.3 nmol/h increased intake from 1.8 to 2.0 M (P < 0.01); these doses were used in all subsequent experiments. To assess the effect of MTI on plasma variables, sheep were fed ad libitum and infused with aCSF or MTI or pair-fed to MTI-treated sheep and infused with aCSF (aCSFPF). Feed intake of the MTI and aCSFPF groups was 40% lower than the aCSF group (P < 0.0001). MTI increased plasma triiodothyronine and thyroxine in an intake-independent manner (P < 0.05 or less) but was devoid of effects on plasma glucose, insulin, and cortisol. None of these variables were altered by AGRP infusion in sheep fed at a fixed intake of 1.6 M. To assess the effect of CNS-MC activation on insulin action, ewes were infused with aCSF or MTI over the last 3 d of a 14-d period when energy intake was limited to 0.3 M and studied under basal conditions and during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps. MTI had no effect on plasma glucose, plasma insulin, or glucose entry rate under basal conditions but blunted the ability of insulin to inhibit endogenous glucose production during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps (P < 0.0001). Finally, MTI tended to reduce plasma leptin in sheep fed at 0.3 M (P < 0.08), and this effect became significant at 0.6 M (P < 0.05); MTI had no effect on plasma adiponectin irrespective of feeding level. These data suggest a role for the CNC-MC in regulating metabolic efficiency and peripheral insulin action.
Long-term monitoring and analysis of Brood X cicada activity by distributed fiber optic sensing technology
Authors: Ozharar Sarper , Ware Jessica L , Tian Yue , Ding Yangmin
Published: December 2023

Brood X is the largest of the 15 broods of periodical cicadas, and individuals from this brood emerged across the Eastern United States in spring 2021. Using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technology, the activity of Brood X cicadas was monitored in their natural environment in Princeton, NJ. Critical information regarding their acoustic signatures and activity level is collected and analyzed using standard outdoor-grade telecommunication fiber cables. We believe these results have the potential to be a quantitative baseline for regional Brood X activity and pave the way for more detailed monitoring of insect populations to combat global insect decline. We also show that it is possible to transform readily available fiber optic networks into environmental sensors with no additional installation costs. To our knowledge, this is the first reported use case of a distributed fiber optic sensing system for entomological sciences and environmental studies.
H3K27-altered diffuse midline gliomas with MAPK pathway alterations: Prognostic and therapeutic implications
Authors: Gestrich Catherine , Grieco Kristina , Lidov Hart G , Baird Lissa C , Fehnel Katie P , Yeo Kee Kiat , Meredith David M , Alexandrescu Sanda
Published: December 2023

Large-scale sequencing led to the identification of driver molecular alterations such as FGFR1 and BRAF in occasional diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) H3K27-mutant but their significance has not been completely explored. We evaluated these associations in our institutional cohorts. We searched our archives for H3K2M7-mutant gliomas and analyzed the co-occurring genetic alterations. The demographics, clinical information, and pathology were reviewed. Oncoplots and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated with the maftools R package. We identified 81 patients (age range 2–68, median 26), of which 79 (97%) were DMGs, and 2 were glioneuronal tumors. The 2 glioneuronal tumors (1 with BRAF fusion and 1 BRAF-V600E-mutant) were removed from the outcome analysis. Four cases had BRAF V600E mutation, 12 had FGFR1 hotspot mutations, and one each had KRAS and NRAS pathogenic mutations. The most common correlating anatomic location was the brainstem for the BRAF group and thalamus for the FGFR1group. Follow-up ranged from 0 to 78 months, average 20.4 months. The overall survival in FGFR1- and BRAF V600E-mutant DMGs was not statistically improved when compared with those that were wildtype. However, the possibility of targeted therapy argues for comprehensive sequencing of H3K27-altered gliomas.
The fight against sex trafficking
Authors: Bott Gregory J. , Freeman Nickolas K. , Cochran James J. , Keskin Burcu B.
Published: December 2023

Monitoring online ads, social media and other internet activities can help identify and rescue victims of this murky, complex crime. Nickolas K. Freeman, Gregory J. Bott, Burcu B. Keskin and James J. Cochran describe how their advanced analytical techniques are helping police
Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma With Sarcomatoid and/or Rhabdoid Dedifferentiation After Progression on Immune Checkpoint Therapy
Authors: Hahn Andrew W , Surasi Devaki Shilpa , Viscuse Paul V , Bathala Tharakeswara K , Wiele Andrew J , Campbell Matthew T , Zurita Amado J , Shah Amishi Y , Jonasch Eric , Gao Jianjun , Goswami Sangeeta , Alhalabi Omar , Rao Priya , Sircar Kanishka , Tannir Nizar M , Msaouel Pavlos
Published: December 2023

Background

Metastatic RCC with sarcomatoid and/or rhabdoid (S/R) dedifferentiation is an aggressive disease associated with improved response to immune checkpoint therapy (ICT). The outcomes of patients treated with VEGFR-targeted therapies (TT) following ICT progression have not been investigated.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective review of 57 patients with sarcomatoid (S), rhabdoid (R), or sarcomatoid plus rhabdoid (S + R) dedifferentiation who received any TT after progression on ICT at an academic cancer center. Clinical endpoints of interest included time on TT, overall survival (OS) from initiation of TT, and objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST version 1.1. Multivariable models adjusted for epithelial histology, IMDC risk, prior VEGFR TT, and inclusion of cabozantinib in the post-ICT TT regimen.

Results

29/57 patients had S dedifferentiation and 19 had R dedifferentiation. The most frequently used TT was cabozantinib (43.9%) followed by selective VEGFR TT (22.8%). The median time on TT was 6.4 months for all, 6.1 months for those with S dedifferentiation, 15.6 months for R dedifferentiation, and 6.1 months for S + R dedifferentiation. Median OS from initiation of TT was 24.9 months for the entire cohort, and the ORR was 20.0%. Patients with R dedifferentiation had significantly longer time on TT than those with S dedifferentiation (HR 0.44, 95% CI, 0.21-0.94). IMDC risk was associated with OS.

Conclusions

A subset of patients with S/R dedifferentiation derive clinical benefit from TT after they have progressive disease on ICT. Patients with R dedifferentiation appeared to derive more benefit from TT than those with S dedifferentiation.
Antibody predictors of mortality and lung function trends in myositis spectrum interstitial lung disease
Authors: Hannah Jennifer R , Lawrence Alexandra , Martinovic Jennifer , Naqvi Marium , Chua Felix , Kouranos Vasileios , Ali Saadia Sasha , Stock Carmel , Owens Cara , Devaraj Anand , Pollard Louise , Agarwal Sangita , Atienza-Mateo Belén , González-Gay Miguel Angel , Patel Amit , West Alex , Tinsley Kate , Robbie Hasti , Lams Boris , Wells Athol U , Norton Sam , Galloway James , Renzoni Elisabetta A , Gordon Patrick A
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The impact of autoantibody profiles on the prognosis for idiopathic inflammatory myositis–associated interstitial lung disease (IIM-ILD) and myositis spectrum ILD with myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs) remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study examined whether serological profiles were associated with mortality or longitudinal lung function change.

Methods

The baseline clinical/demographic characteristics and follow-up lung function data of consecutive adult patients with IIM-ILD or interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features (IPAF) positive for MSAs (IPAF-MSA) were extracted from three hospitals. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses were used to compare mortality between groups of patients with different autoantibodies. Regression models were used to analyse their lung function trends.

Results

Of the 430 included patients, 81% met the IIM criteria, and the remaining 19% were diagnosed with IPAF-MSA. On univariate analysis, the risk factors associated with mortality included higher age, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and CRP; and lower BMI, baseline TLCO% and FEV1%. Compared with anti-MDA5 negativity, anti-MDA5 positivity (MDA5+) was associated with higher mortality in the first 3 months [hazard ratio (HR) 65.2, 95% CI 14.1, 302.0], while no significant difference was seen thereafter (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.14, 2.28). On multivariate analysis, combined anti-synthetase antibodies were associated with a reduced risk of mortality (HR 0.63), although individually, mortality was reduced in patients with anti-Jo1+ (HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.4–0.87) and increased in patients with anti-PL7+ (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.44–2.99). Anti-MDA5+ was associated with slow improvement in %FVC over the first 3 years, while anti-PL7+ was linked with a slow decline from 12 months onwards.

Conclusion

Among the autoantibody profiles in myositis spectrum disorders, anti-MDA5+ and anti-PL7+ conferred higher mortality risks in patients with IIM-ILD. Survivors of an early peak of mortality in anti-MDA5+ disease appeared to have a favourable prognosis.
Impact of serological activity on flare following clinically inactive disease and remission in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Kisaoglu Hakan , Sener Seher , Aslan Esma , Baba Ozge , Sahin Sezgin , Bilginer Yelda , Kasapcopur Ozgur , Ozen Seza , Kalyoncu Mukaddes
Published: December 2023

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to assess the association between serological activity (SA) and clinical inactivity in SLE and to investigate whether SA predicts flare after the attainment of clinically inactive disease (CID) and remission.

Methods

The longitudinal data of children from three paediatric rheumatology referral centres were retrospectively reviewed. CID was interpreted as the beginning of a transitional phase of clinical inactivity on a moderate glucocorticoid dose during which tapering was expected and defined as the absence of disease activity in clinical domains of SLEDAI, without haemolytic anaemia or gastrointestinal activity, in patients using <15 mg/day prednisolone treatment. Modified DORIS remission on treatment criteria were used to determine remission.

Results

Of the 124 patients included, 89.5% displayed SA at onset. Through follow-up, the rate of SA decreased to 43.3% at first CID and 12.1% at remission. Among the patients with CID, 24 (20.7%) experienced a moderate-to-severe flare before the attainment of remission. While previous proliferative LN [odds ratio (OR): 10.2, P: 0.01) and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (OR: 6.4, P: 0.02) were significantly associated with increased odds of flare after CID, SA at CID was not associated with flare. In contrast, 21 (19.6%) patients experienced flare in a median of 18 months after remission. Hypocomplementemia (OR: 9.8, P: 0.02) and a daily HCQ dose of <5 mg/kg (OR: 5.8, P: 0.02) during remission significantly increased the odds of flare.

Conclusion

SA during remission increases the odds of flare, but SA at CID does not. Suboptimal dosing of HCQ should be avoided, especially in children with SA in remission, to lower the risk of flares.
Studying sleep: towards the identification of hypnogram features that drive expert interpretation
Authors: van der Woerd Caspar , van Gorp Hans , Dujardin Sylvie , Sastry Manuel , Garcia Caballero Humberto , van Meulen Fokke , van den Elzen Stef , Overeem Sebastiaan , Fonseca Pedro
Published: December 2023

Study Objectives

Hypnograms contain a wealth of information and play an important role in sleep medicine. However, interpretation of the hypnogram is a difficult task and requires domain knowledge and “clinical intuition.” This study aimed to uncover which features of the hypnogram drive interpretation by physicians. In other words, make explicit which features physicians implicitly look for in hypnograms.

Methods

Three sleep experts evaluated up to 612 hypnograms, indicating normal or abnormal sleep structure and suspicion of disorders. ElasticNet and convolutional neural network classification models were trained to predict the collected expert evaluations using hypnogram features and stages as input. The models were evaluated using several measures, including accuracy, Cohen’s kappa, Matthew’s correlation coefficient, and confusion matrices. Finally, model coefficients and visual analytics techniques were used to interpret the models to associate hypnogram features with expert evaluation.

Results

Agreement between models and experts (Kappa between 0.47 and 0.52) is similar to agreement between experts (Kappa between 0.38 and 0.50). Sleep fragmentation, measured by transitions between sleep stages per hour, and sleep stage distribution were identified as important predictors for expert interpretation.

Conclusions

By comparing hypnograms not solely on an epoch-by-epoch basis, but also on these more specific features that are relevant for the evaluation of experts, performance assessment of (automatic) sleep-staging and surrogate sleep trackers may be improved. In particular, sleep fragmentation is a feature that deserves more attention as it is often not included in the PSG report, and existing (wearable) sleep trackers have shown relatively poor performance in this aspect.
Can intraoral and facial photos predict obstructive sleep apnea in the general and clinical population?
Authors: Vidigal Tatiana A , Haddad Fernanda L M , Guimaraes Thaís M , Silva Luciana O , Andersen Monica L , Schwab Richard , Cistulli Peter A , Pack Alan I , Tufik Sergio , Bittencourt Lia Rita A
Published: December 2023

Study Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate and compare measurements of standardized craniofacial and intraoral photographs between clinical and general population samples, between groups of individuals with an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 15 and AHI < 15, and their interaction, as well as the relationship with the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

We used data from 929 participants from Sleep Apnea Global Interdisciplinary Consortium, in which 309 patients from a clinical setting and 620 volunteers from a general population.

Results

AHI ≥ 15 were observed in 30.3% of the total sample and there were some interactions between facial/intraoral measures with OSA and both samples. Mandibular volume (p < 0.01) and lateral face height (p = 0.04) were higher in the AHI ≥ 15 group in the clinical sample compared to the AHI ≥ 15 group in the general population and AHI < 15 group in the clinical sample. When adjusted for sex and age, greater mandible width (p < 0.01) differed both in the clinical and in the general population samples, reflecting AHI severity and the likelihood of OSA. The measure of smaller tongue curvature (p < 0.01) reflected the severity and probability of OSA in the clinical sample and the higher posterior mandibular height (p = 0.04) showed a relationship with higher AHI and higher risk of OSA in the general population. When adjusted for sex, age, and body mass index, only smaller tongue curvature (p < 0.01) was associated with moderate/severe OSA.

Conclusions

Measures of greater tongue and mandible were associated with increased OSA risk in the clinical sample and craniofacial measurement was associated in the general population sample.
Low phosphorus impact on Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) root morphological polymorphism and expression pattern of the related genes
Authors: Hang Tingting , Lin Chenjun , Asim Muhammad , Ramakrishnan Muthusamy , Deng Shixin , Yang Ping , Zhou Mingbing
Published: December 2023

Moso bamboo typically grows in phosphorus (P)-deficient soil that limits its growth and development. In this study, 10 Moso bamboo genotypes (Ph-1 to Ph-10) were evaluated for their responses to P deficiency during the seedling stage by growing them in both P-sufficient and P-deficient conditions. Adaptive responses to low P (LP) conditions were observed in the majority of genotypes. Under P deficiency conditions, the total biomass decreased in several genotypes, but at the same time, the root-to-shoot ratio increased. Principal component analysis identified two main comprehensive traits (PC1 and PC2) related to the root volume and surface area and P concentration and accumulation. Based on the analysis, two genotypes (Ph-6 and Ph-10) were identified with significantly different levels of tolerance to P deficiency. The results revealed that the genotype Ph-10 responded to P deficiency by significantly increasing the root surface area and volume, while simultaneously reducing the number of root cortex cells when compared with the genotype Ph-6, which showed the lowest tolerance (intolerant). The genotype Ph-10 exhibited a robust response to external LP conditions, marked by elevated expression levels of PHOSPHATE TRANSPORTERs and SYG1/PHO81/XPR1s. In situ Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis also revealed distinct tissue-specific expression patterns of the genes in the roots, particularly highlighting the differences between Ph-6 and Ph-10. The results provide a foundation for elucidating the mechanism of LP tolerance, thus potentially contributing to developing high P-use efficiency in Moso bamboo species.
Temperature-Dependent Sporulation of the Fungus Coniella diplodiella, the Causal Agent of Grape White Rot
Authors: Ji Tao , Languasco Luca , Li Ming , Rossi Vittorio
Published: December 2023

White rot, caused by the fungus Coniella diplodiella, can severely reduce grapevine yields worldwide. Currently, white rot control mainly relies on fungicides applied on a calendar basis or following hailstorms that favor disease outbreaks; however, the control achieved with this strategy is often inconsistent or otherwise unsatisfactory. Realizing more rational control requires an improved understanding of white rot epidemiology. To this end, we conducted experiments with grapevine berries of two Vitis vinifera cultivars (either injured or not before artificial inoculation with a conidial suspension of C. diplodiella) to determine the effect of temperature on the length of latency (i.e., the time between infection and onset of mature pycnidia on berries) and the production of pycnidia and conidia. Sporulation occurred between 10 and 35°C, with the optimum detected at 20°C. The latency period (LP) was shorter at 25 to 35°C than at lower temperatures; the shortest LP was 120 h at 30°C on injured berries. Affected berries produced abundant conidia at 15 to 30°C (the optimum was 20°C) for more than 2 months following inoculation. Mathematical equations were developed that fit the data, with strong associations with temperature for the LP (R2 = 0.831) and for the production dynamics of secondary conidia (R2 = 0.918). These equations may contribute to the development of a risk algorithm to predict infection periods, which can inform risk-based disease control strategies rather than calendar-based disease control strategies.
HuR deficiency abrogated the enhanced NLRP3 signaling in experimental ischemic stroke
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Zhao Mingfeng , Lu Xiulian , Du Pengchao , Feng Shaobin , Gong Ruo , Chen Hao , Qi Guoliang , Yang Fan
Published: December 2023

Human antigen R (HuR) is a universally expressed RNA‐binding protein that plays an essential role in governing the fate of mRNA transcripts. Accumulating evidence indicated that HuR is involved in the development and functions of several cell types. However, its role in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) remains unclear. In this study, we found that HuR was significantly upregulated after CIRI. Moreover, we found that silencing HuR could inhibit the inflammatory response of microglia and reduce the damage to neurons caused by oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion treatment. In vivo, we found that microglial HuR deficiency significantly ameliorated CIRI and reduced NLRP3‐mediated inflammasome activation. Mechanistically, we found that HuR could regulate NLRP3 mRNA stability by binding to the AU‐rich element (ARE) region within the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of NLRP3 mRNA. In addition, we found that the upregulation of HuR was dependent on the upregulation of NADPH oxidase‐mediated ROS accumulation. Collectively, our studies revealed that HuR could regulate NLRP3 expression and that HuR deficiency abrogated the enhanced NLRP3 signaling in experimental ischemic stroke. Targeting HuR may be a novel therapeutic strategy for cerebral ischemic stroke treatment.
Maternal Perspective of Inpatient Methadone Initiation: Opportunities to Increase Retention in Treatment
Authors: Gannon Meghan , Hand Dennis , Short Vanessa , McLaughlin Kimberly , Flood Tara , Shaffer Kathryn , Lenegan Nicole , Abatemarco Diane , DiDonato Stephen
Published: December 2023

Objectives

Recent trends demonstrate increases in the rates of opioid use among pregnant and parenting women. Treatment for pregnant people with opioid use disorder (OUD) includes medications for OUD, like methadone, as well as comprehensive support services. Still, inpatient treatment engagement is suboptimal and treatment drop out is common. There is little research examining the maternal perspective of the inpatient methadone initiation experience. The primary aim of this qualitative methods study was to explore patient experience and perspective of the inpatient methadone initiation period.

Methods

All participants were recruited from a single urban university affiliated hospital and OUD treatment program. Data were collected from 30 maternal participants in OUD treatment about their inpatient methadone initiation experience while pregnant using semistructured interviews. Thematic analyses were conducted using an inductive approach after an iterative process of code development and application among a multidisciplinary team of 3 coders. Validity was accounted for through 2 participant feedback interviews and study team review and discussion of findings.

Results

Four themes emerged from the maternal interview data: (1) Barriers to Inpatient Methadone Initiation, (2) Facilitators to Inpatient Methadone Initiation, (3) Transition From Hospital Inpatient to Outpatient or Residential OUD Treatment Services, and (4) Opportunities for Enhanced Clinical Support.

Conclusion

Maternal participants reported multiple barriers and facilitators to inpatient care during methadone initiation, highlighting opportunities for improvement to effectively engage pregnant individuals in treatment.