bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digitally enabled geoscience workflows: unlocking the power of our data – an introduction to the thematic collection
Authors: Austin Dan , Feng Runhai , Wilson Paul
Published: October 2024

This contribution is an introduction to the thematic collection ‘Digitally enabled geoscience workflows: Unlocking the power of our data’. The goal of the collection is to show how advances in data-science are transforming the process of scientific research and fueling a new generation of energy geoscience workflows. These workflows are providing game-changing advances in terms of time saving on complex tasks, improved consistency and repeatability of interpretation, and utilization of scarce experienced geoscientists. Eight articles have been accepted for publication as part of this thematic collection, five in
Petroleum Geoscience
and three in
Geoenergy
. We provide a short summary of each of these contributions and hope that this collection will provide inspiration and examples of the breadth of workflows that can be transformed by embracing the coming wave of digital technologies.

This thematic collection resulted from an open call for papers on the theme of ‘Digitally enabled geoscience workflows: Unlocking the power of our data’. Eight contributions have been accepted for publication, five in
Petroleum Geoscience
and three in
Geoenergy
. Although the energy geoscience industry typically employs statistical workflows that are highly data intensive, it has been relatively slow to adopt modern data-science technologies. This is a result of historical reliance on established methods, the cost and complexity of adopting new technologies, and cultural and organizational challenges. However, with improved computing power and growing interest in data sciences, this is now changing rapidly, with the development and application of data-driven workflows an active area of research in energy geoscience. It is expected that the publication of research contributions in this area will continue to accelerate, with this collection providing a useful summary of the current key emerging themes.
Achieving Panoramic View Coverage in Visual Mobile Crowd-Sensing Networks for Emergency Monitoring Applications
Authors: Chen Jiaoyan , Cheng Zhehao , Liu Jin , Deng Xianjun , Yang Laurence T. , Chen Yihong
Published: October 2024

Visual Mobile Crowd-Sensing (VMCS) collects photos by leveraging camera embedded in mobile users’ phones. There are two important issues in VMCS: determining whether photos collected by mobile users meet the requirements or not and designing an appropriate mechanism to attract mobile users to provide photos that meet the requirements. In this article, we address those two issues when VMCS is applied to emergency monitoring applications. We first model an emergency scene as a disk region and define a coverage angle metric that quantifies the coverage ratio provided by each photo, then formulate a Maximize Coverage Angle with Limited Budget problem. The goal of this work is to recruit mobile users to provide panoramic view coverage for a disk while the total reward paid to participants does not exceed the budget. In our solution, we first propose a Coverage Angle Computation algorithm to calculate the coverage angle of each uploaded photo. Then two incentive mechanisms—the Guidance-based Incentive Mechanism and the Coverage Prediction Incentive Mechanism—are designed to encourage mobile users to upload photos with a coverage angle that are not provided by other mobile users. Finally, we design a mobile app called
I-share
in the Android system to implement the system. Meanwhile, we recruited students to install
I-share
and simulated the information interaction between mobile users and the server. We conducted experiments by using
I-share
without and with an embedded Coverage Angle Computation algorithm to validate the efficiency of the two incentive mechanisms. The experiment results demonstrate that our proposed incentive mechanisms effectively attract mobile users to provide panoramic view coverage of emergency scenes when the budget allows. Additionally, the Coverage Prediction Incentive Mechanism outperforms the Guidance-based Incentive Mechanism, offering a higher coverage ratio with lower rewards.
DeepZoning: Re-accelerate CNN Inference with Zoning Graph for Heterogeneous Edge Cluster
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Ma Ruilong , Yang Xiang , Qi Qi , Zhuang Zirui , Wang Jing , Liao Jianxin , Guo Song
Published: October 2024

Parallelizing CNN inference on heterogeneous edge clusters with data parallelism has gained popularity as a way to meet real-time requirements without sacrificing model accuracy. However, existing algorithms struggle to find optimal parallel granularity for complex CNNS, the structure of which is a directed acyclic graph (DAG) rather than a chain, and the parallel dimension is inflexible. To distribute the workload of modern CNNs on heterogeneous devices is also proven as NP-hard problem. In this paper, we introduce
DeepZoning
, a versatile and cooperative inference framework that combines both model and data parallelism to accelerate CNN inference. DeepZoning employs two algorithms at different levels: (1) a low-level Adaptive Workload Partition algorithm that uses linear programming and takes spatial and channel dimensions into optimization during the search for feature map distribution on heterogeneous devices, and (2) a high-level Model Partition algorithm that finds the optimal model granularity and organizes complex CNNs into sequential zones to balance communication and computation during execution. Our experimental evaluations show that DeepZoning is effective, achieving up to a 3.02 × speed improvement on our experimental prototype compared to state-of-the-art algorithms.
Electrodeposited NiB Films as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts in Alkaline Water Electrolizer
Authors: Lopez-Montelongo J. R. , Becerril-Estrada V. , Vazquez-Arenas Jorge , Lara Rene H. , Arjona Noé , de Jesús Pérez-Bueno José , Díaz-Real J. A. , Ortega R. , Méndez-Albores A. , Trejo G.
Published: October 2024

Sustainable electrochemical energy generation requires cost-effective, noble-metal-free electrocatalysts for hydrogen and oxygen production in electrolyzers. This study used electrodeposition to create crystalline NiB films with different boron (B) contents—Ni-(1.17 wt% B), Ni-(1.06 wt% B), Ni-(0.94 wt% B), and Ni-(0.89 wt% B)—on Fluorine-doped tin oxide coated glass (FTO) substrates. These films were tested as bifunctional electrocatalyst electrodes for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. The NiB films’ composition and morphology were analyzed using SEM, AFM, XRD, GD-OES, and XPS; while Linear sweep voltammetry assessed their electrocatalytic performance. Higher B content in the films promoted the formation of electroactive NiOOH, enhancing the OER. The Ni-(1.17 wt%B) electrode required an overpotential of 380 mV to reach 10 mA cm⁻2 for OER, while the Ni-(1.06 wt% B) electrode required 146 mV for the same current density for HER. An alkaline water electrolyzer using Ni-(1.17 wt% B) as the anode and Ni-(1.06 wt% B) as the cathode achieved a current density of 10 mA cm⁻2 at 1.70 V for overall water splitting. The system showed stability over 12 h of testing. The results indicate that NiB films on FTO substrates are promising, low-cost bifunctional electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrolysis, offering an alternative to noble-metal-based electrocatalysts.
The Effect of Electromagnetic Interference Produced by Smartphones Using 5G Network on Patients With Permanent Pacemakers (EMS5G‐PPM Study)
Authors: Wisaratapong Treechada , Pechaksorn Nutthapong , Liabsuetrakul Tippawan , Lohawijarn Watchara
Published: October 2024

Background: The safety of new‐generation mobile phones using 5G networks in patients with modern‐generation pacemakers has not been studied.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by a new‐generation mobile phone with 5G networks when positioned at the pacemaker pocket or the contralateral ear and assess the incidence of EMI with telemetry interrogation in patients with permanent pacemakers.

Methods: We enrolled 489 patients with pacemakers from three different manufacturers. The pacemaker mode was programmed for overdrive pacing and sensing mode if an intrinsic rhythm was present. A smartphone (Samsung S21 + 5G) was placed directly over the pulse generator and right ear. The phone was tested under standby mode, 5G internet connection, and incoming and outgoing calls for each location. Real‐time electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring and patient symptoms were recorded to determine the occurrence of EMI. The possibility of EMI with interrogation telemetry was also investigated.

Results: A total of 4824 tests were performed on 489 patients. Most pacemakers were dual‐chamber (82%) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐compatible systems (83%). EMI was not detected with both mobile phone positions. Interference with telemetry was demonstrated in 11.5% of patients. Almost all incidences of interference (98.2%) occurred during incoming calls. Single‐chamber pacemakers, non‐MRI‐compatible systems, older pulse generators, older leads, and unipolar settings were significantly related to a higher incidence of interference with interrogation telemetry.

Conclusions: The risk of EMI between modern smartphones with 5G networks and pacemakers is low. Nevertheless, interference with the interrogation telemetry may still occur.
Gender Differences in Amplitude of Low‐Frequency Fluctuation Alterations in Healthy Volunteers by Acupuncture on Left “LI 15”: A Resting‐State fMRI Study
Authors: Li Guoyan , Jing Yinghua , Ren Jing , Cui Song , Yu Ding
Published: October 2024

Objectives: This study is aimed at evaluating gender differences in neural activity change response to the acupuncture on left Jianyu (LI 15) in healthy volunteers.

Methods: Forty healthy volunteers (20 males and 20 females) received 20‐min acupuncture on left LI 15 and underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans before and after acupuncture. Amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in the 0.01–0.08 Hz range were determined for both scans. Paired t‐tests were performed on ALFF between two scans separately for the male and female groups to identify neural changes related to acupuncture.

Results: After acupuncture, males showed significantly increased ALFF in the left cerebellum and right angular gyrus but decreased ALFF in the left precentral gyrus, left inferior occipital gyrus, and right fusiform gyrus. However, the ALFF change in females is almost negligible.

Conclusions: Brain functional activity in response to acupuncture on left LI 15 is noticeably different between males and females. This is preliminary evidence that gender may be an important factor for optimal clinically personalized acupuncture therapy for poststroke shoulder pain in the future.
Association Between Dietary Fiber and the Severity of Depression Symptoms
Authors: Yang Yi , Shi Lubo , Zeng Shihan , Chen Chuyan
Published: October 2024

Aim: Our study is aimed at exploring the correlation between consumption of dietary fiber and the severity of depression symptoms.

Methods: This study utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey spanning from 2007 to 2018, employing a cross‐sectional design. The relationship between the severity of depression symptoms and intake of total cereals, vegetables, and fruits dietary fiber was assessed using both univariate and multivariate linear/logistic regression analyses. Stratified analyses were conducted based on hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, cancer or malignancy, and cardiovascular disease.

Results: This study included 28,852 participants who were classified into 21,696 with nondepression symptoms, 4614 with mild depression symptoms, 1583 with moderate depression symptoms, 684 with moderately severe depression symptoms, and 275 with severe depression symptoms. After adjusting all confounding factors, we observed a negative correlation between total dietary fiber and depression symptoms (beta = −0.004, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: −0.006, −0.002). Taking nondepression symptoms as a reference, total dietary fiber was found to have an inverse association with moderate (OR = 0.976, 95% CI: 0.962–0.991), moderately severe (OR = 0.963, 95% CI: 0.938–0.990), and severe depression symptoms (OR = 0.960, 95% CI: 0.921–1.001; marginal significance), respectively.

Conclusion: The intakes of total dietary fibers might be related to moderate/moderately severe/severe depression symptoms, and a negative association was shown between total dietary fiber intakes and the risk of depression symptoms.
Influence of Using Various Types of Steel Fibers of Recycled Concrete Aggregates on the Shear Behavior of RC Beams
Authors: Summra Ayman A. , Mahmoud Mahmoud H. , Soliman Mohamed M.
Published: October 2024

This study aims to determine the efficiency of concrete containing multiple recycled materials, recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) and recycled steel fibers (RSFs), and compare it with conventional concrete. Natural coarse aggregate (NCA) in the concrete mix was partially replaced with 30% RCA to achieve a target compressive strength of 30 MPa after 28 days. Different types of fibers (steel fibers, RSFs, and mixed fibers) were added at varying percentages (1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%) to improve the mechanical properties of the concrete mixes. The shear behavior of reinforced concrete beams containing RCA and different types of fibers was investigated. Ten concrete mixtures were designed, and 10 reinforced concrete beams were tested under a two‐point load to estimate the contribution of various fiber types to the shear resistance. The results indicate that the addition of different types of fibers significantly enhances compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths of the concrete. Specifically, the improvement in compressive strength for RSFs was 38.9% at 1.5%, tensile strength improved by 21.1%, and flexural strength by 46.2% at the same fiber percentage, thereby improving the concrete’s ability to resist cracks through an increase in shear resistance.
Acute and 28‐Day Repeated Dose of Oral Polyphenol‐Rich Extract of Ocimum gratissimum Leaves Treatment on Adult Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Joseph Ikokide Emmanuel , Festus Jaja Ishmael , Ajibade Temitayo Olabisi , Oyagbemi Ademola Adetokunbo , Wahab Abiodun Temitayo , Theophilus Jarikre Aghogho , Oyeyemi Mathew Olugbenga
Published: October 2024

Ocimum gratissimum (OG) Linn is a member of the Lamiaceae family and is widely distributed in the coastal and savannah areas of tropical countries such as Brazil, Nigeria, India, and Mexico. In this report, the impact of acute and 28‐day repeated oral polyphenol‐rich extract of Ocimum gratissimum (PREOG) treatment was investigated in adult male Wistar rats using Lorke and stipulated OECD (420 and 407) guidelines with little modifications. In the acute test, (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 mg/kg) PREOG was orally administered using gavage at a single dose, and for 14 days, the animals were scrutinized for any signs of toxicity. In the 28‐day oral PREOG test, the animals were allotted (50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg) PREOG daily over a period of 28 days; Control Group A received only distilled water, while Group B received corn oil. At the end of these studies, semen, blood, and tissues were collected for semen, hormonal, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses. No death and obvious signs of toxicity were recorded in both the acute and 28‐day oral PREOG treatment, and PREOG was well tolerated even at 5000 mg/kg. Body weight gain, histopathology (liver, testes, and kidney), and hematological and biochemical parameters were unperturbed by the acute and 28‐day oral PREOG treatment. Semen quality and hormonal and antioxidant capacity of the liver, testes, and kidney were also not impaired by the 28‐day oral PREOG treatment. These studies demonstrated tolerability of PREOG by adult male rats and the 28‐day oral PREOG treatment did not impair the reproductive and antioxidant capacity in adult male rats.
A Rare Case of Multiple Myeloma Identified Following the Diagnosis of Amyloidosis of the Tongue
Authors: Kanemoto Hideka , Obata Kyoichi , Kadoya Koichi , Ono Kisho , Kawai Hotaka , Kunisada Yuki , Yao Mayumi , Ibaragi Soichiro
Published: October 2024

Amyloidosis is a disease in which amyloid protein is deposited in organs and tissues, resulting in functional impairment. Amyloidosis occurs in 12%–30% of patients with multiple myeloma, but in rare cases, amyloidosis may precede the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Our patient was a 76‐year‐old Japanese male on dialysis. Multiple nodules accompanied by ulcers were observed on his tongue. He had no subjective symptoms or clinical findings associated with multiple myeloma. The histopathological findings suggested amyloidosis. We suspected both systemic and localized amyloidosis and performed a comprehensive systemic examination. Since the patient had been on dialysis for only a short period of time (~3 months), dialysis‐related amyloidosis was ruled out. After blood and urine tests, a diagnosis of multiple myeloma was made. Chemotherapy treatment was started, but the patient’s multiple myeloma could not be suppressed and the tongue amyloidosis worsened, leading to his death 2 years and 2 months after the initial diagnosis.
Toll-Like Receptor 2 Attenuates the Formation and Progression of Angiotensin II-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in ApoE−/− Mice
Authors: Zhang Yali , Bagley Jessamyn , Park Ho-Jin , Cao Xuehong , Maganto-Garcia Elena , Lichtman Andrew , Beasley Debbie , Galper Jonas B.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: We demonstrated Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 in the pathogenesis of angiotensin II (AngII)-mediated abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. Here, we study TLR2 in the AAA formation. Methods: Male ApoE−/− and ApoE−/−TLR2−/− mice were treated with AngII. Mice were injected with the TLR2 agonist Pam3CSK4. The incidence and severity of AAA were determined. MCP-1, MCP-5, RANTES, CXCL10, CCR5, and CXCR3 were analyzed. M1 and M2 macrophages in the aorta were detected by flow cytometry. Results: These studies demonstrated an increase in AAA formation in TLR2−/− mice and a decrease by Pam3CSK4. Pam3CSK4 decreased the ratio of M1/M2 and the levels of RANTES, CXCL10, CCR5, and CXCR3. Furthermore, Pam3CSK4 treatment 1 week following AngII retarded the progression of AAA. Conclusion: These data demonstrated a protective effect of TLR2 signaling on AAA in association with a decrease in the ratio of M1 to M2 macrophages and the expression of chemokines and their receptors. Furthermore, the treatment of Pam3CSK4 after AngII demonstrated a marked retardation of lesion progression. Given the fact that most AAA patients are detected late in the disease process, these findings suggest that TLR2 stimulation may play a therapeutic role in retarding disease progression.
Colorectal Carcinoma and Gluteal Abscesses in the Background of a Gait Disturbance Presentation
Authors: Coyne Brendan , Saravanakumar Sanjeev , Murillo-Chavez Franco , Chengappa Nivedita Kharkongor , Ihsan Rida , Chaudhry Bilal A.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Profuse diarrhea and abdominal discomfort are well-documented symptoms of patients with known colorectal cancer. It is much less common for these patients to present with a chief complaint of gait disturbance and rhabdomyolysis. We present a case of incidentally discovered colorectal carcinoma in a patient who was initially evaluated for progressive weakness and recurrent falls. Case Presentation: A 51-year-old man was admitted to our department for management of rhabdomyolysis in the setting of progressive lower extremity weakness and mechanical falls. He developed abdominal discomfort and bowel changes during his admission, and after further investigation, he was found to have a rectal polyp positive for invasive adenocarcinoma, as well as multiple gluteal abscesses. Workup for metastasis, mutations, and oncogenic biomarkers was unremarkable. Conclusion: This case is a demonstration of a medically complex patient presentation compounded by multifactorial processes. Future providers may take note that an initial absence of classic gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms does not necessarily rule out underlying GI cancer. Instead, the initial presentation of colorectal adenocarcinoma may manifest with paraneoplastic versus incidental progressive proximal limb weakness prior to GI symptoms such as diarrhea. Additionally, our report demonstrates a case of possible paraneoplastic gluteal abscesses, which may have further contributed to the patient’s gait disturbance. However, it is unclear as to whether our patient’s various symptoms were directly linked to one another, or if they were incidental co-presentations.
Validation of Fat Mass Metrics in Pediatric Obesity
Authors: Lischka Julia , Pixner Thomas , Mörwald Katharina , Lauth Wanda , Furthner Dieter , Weghuber Daniel , Gomahr Julian , Thivel David , Brandtner Herwig , Bergauer Max , Forer Lotte , Torbahn Gabriel , Forslund Anders , Ciba Iris , Manell Hannes , Kullberg Joel , Anderwald Christian-Heinz , Bergsten Peter
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Hudda-Index is a prediction model for fat mass (FM) based on simple anthropometric measures. FM is a crucial factor in the development of comorbidities, i.e., type 2 diabetes. Hence, Hudda-Index is a promising tool to facilitate the identification of children at risk for metabolic comorbidities. It has been validated against deuterium dilution assessments; however, independent validation against the gold standard for body composition analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is lacking. The aim of this study was to validate FM calculated by Hudda-Index against FM measured by MRI. The secondary aim was to compare Hudda-Index to other anthropometric measures including body mass index (BMI), BMI-standard deviation score (BMI-SDS), waist/hip-ratio, waist circumference (WC), and skinfold thickness. Methods: The study cohort consists of 115 individuals between the age of 9 and 15 years, recruited at Paracelsus Medical University Hospital in Salzburg (Austria) and Uppsala University Children’s Hospital (Sweden). Anthropometry, blood samples, and oral glucose tolerance tests followed standard procedures. MRI examinations were performed to determine visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue. Results: BMI and WC showed slightly stronger associations with the reference standard VAT (r = 0.72 and 0.70, p < 0.01, respectively) than Hudda-Index (r = 0.67, p < 0.01). There is an almost perfect linear association between BMI and Hudda-Index. Accordingly, BMI and Hudda-Index both showed an acceptable association with cardiometabolic parameters. VAT was strongly associated with markers of liver status (LFF r = 0.59, p < 0.01) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR r = 0.71, p < 0.01) and predicted metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Conclusion: BMI, although an imperfect measure, remains the most reliable tool and estimates cardiometabolic risk more reliably than other anthropometry-based measures.
Plaque-Psoriasis: Langzeitdaten bestätigen positives Sicherheitsprofil von Deucravacitinib
Authors: Sondermann Wiebke
Published: October 2024

Background: Two phase 3 trials, POETYK PSO-1 and PSO-2, previously established the efficacy and overall safety of deucravacitinib, an oral, selective, allosteric tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, in plaque psoriasis. Objectives: To further assess the safety of deucravacitinib over 52 weeks in the pooled population from these two trials. Methods: Pooled safety data were evaluated from PSO-1 and PSO-2 in which patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis were randomized 1:2:1 to receive oral placebo, deucravacitinib or apremilast. Results: A total of 1683 patients were included in the pooled analysis. Adverse event (AE) incidence rates were similar in each treatment group, serious AEs were low and balanced across groups, and discontinuation rates were lower with deucravacitinib versus placebo or apremilast. No new safety signals emerged with longer deucravacitinib treatment. Exposure-adjusted incidence rates of AEs of interest with placebo, deucravacitinib and apremilast, respectively, were as follows: serious infections (0.8/100 person-years [PY], 1.7/100 PY, and 1.8/100 PY), major adverse cardiovascular events (1.2/100 PY, 0.3/100 PY, and 0.9/100 PY), venous thromboembolic events (0, 0.2/100 PY, and 0), malignancies (0, 1.0/100 PY and 0.9/100 PY), herpes zoster (0.4/100 PY, 0.8/100 PY, and 0), acne (0.4/100 PY, 2.9/100 PY, and 0) and folliculitis (0, 2.8/100 PY, and 0.9/100 PY). No clinically meaningful changes from baseline in mean levels, or shifts from baseline to CTCAE grade ≥3 abnormalities, were reported in laboratory parameters with deucravacitinib.
Do Changes in BMI during the COVID-19 Pandemic Persist in the Post-Pandemic Period in a Pediatric Population Attending Health Care Clinics? A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Shalitin Shlomit , Phillip Moshe , Yackobovitch-Gavan Michal
Published: October 2024

Introduction: The long-term effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on body weight has not been sufficiently analyzed. This study aimed to analyze changes in body mass index (BMI) during and after the COVID-19 pandemic among a large pediatric population attending health care clinics. Methods: This retrospective longitudinal cohort study utilized electronic medical data of 106,871 children (52.1% males, median age 8.2 years at pre-pandemic assessment). Each child had at least one BMI measurement recorded pre-pandemic and two additional measurements: one during the pandemic and one post-pandemic. Results: Obesity rates increased from 12.8% pre-pandemic to 15.4% during the pandemic, slightly decreasing to 15.0% post-pandemic. BMI-standard deviation scores (SDSs) increased during the pandemic, in both sexes, across all ages and all socioeconomic position (SEP) clusters, and in children with pre-pandemic underweight or normal weight (all p < 0.001). After pandemic, BMI-SDS decreased but remained above pre-pandemic levels, particularly in younger children (aged 2–6 years) and those from low/medium SEP clusters (all p < 0.001). BMI-SDS continued to increase in children aged 6.1–16 years, those of Arab ethnicity, and those in the high SEP cluster. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic correlated with an overall increase in BMI-SDS, which decreased post-pandemic but remained above pre-pandemic levels. Effective policy interventions to prevent pediatric obesity are crucial.
Karyotypes and Chromosomal Mapping of Some Repetitive DNAs in Two Stingless Bee Species (Apidae: Meliponini), with the Description of a B Chromosome in Plebeia Genus
Authors: Andrade Bárbara L.F. , Lopes Ana Luiza G. , Teixeira Gisele A. , Tavares Mara G.
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Cytogenetic studies on stingless bees have significantly contributed to our understanding of karyotypic evolution and the composition of euchromatin and heterochromatin regions, including repetitive sequences. Methods: In this study, we performed classical cytogenetics, chromosomal banding, and mapping of some repetitive sequences in two stingless bee species, Frieseomelitta trichocerata and Plebeia poecilochroa. Results: The species exhibit the typical diploid chromosome number of each genera, 2n = 30 for Frieseomelitta and 2n = 34 for Plebeia. Additionally, some individuals of P. poecilochroa presented a small heterochromatic B chromosome, showing a numeric variation of n = 17–18 in males and 2n = 34–35 in females. In both species, heterochromatin is primarily distributed in the short arm and centromeric regions. Centromeric regions were found to be AT-rich in both species, while subterminal/terminal regions of the short arms of one and six chromosomes presented GC-rich sites in P. poecilochroa and F. trichocerata, respectively. The rDNA clusters were mapped on two chromosomes in F. trichocerata, and in only one chromosome pair in P. poecilochroa. Microsatellites (GA)n, (GAG)n, and (CAA)n were predominantly mapped in euchromatic regions, while the telomeric motif (TTAGG)n mapped to the ends of most chromosomes, including the B chromosome of P. poecilochroa. The other repetitive probes used, including the rDNA clusters, do not label the B chromosome of P. poecilochroa. Conclusions: Our cytogenetic data highlight both similarities and differences when compared to other congeneric species, expanding the chromosomal data for both genera.
Stroke Is Not an Accident: An Integrative Review on the Use of the Term Cerebrovascular Accident
Authors: Burns Catherine , Sanders Ailie , Sanders Lauren M. , Dalli Lachlan L. , Feigin Valery , Cadilhac Dominique A. , Donnan Geoffrey , Norrving Bo , Olaiya Muideen T. , Nair Balakrishnan , Henry Nathan , Kilkenny Monique F.
Published: October 2024

Background: Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is an outdated term for describing stroke as it implies stroke is an accident. We conducted an integrative review to examine the use of CVA in terms of (1) frequency in major medical journals over time; (2) associated publication characteristics (e.g., number of authors, senior author country, topic); and (3) frequency in medical records. Methods: We searched Google Scholar for publications in leading neurology and vascular journals (Quartile 1) across two 5-year periods (1998–2002 and 2018–2022) using the terms “cerebrovascular accident” or “CVA.” Two reviewers independently reviewed full-text publications and recorded the frequency of CVA use. Rates of use (per 1,000 articles/year) were calculated for each journal and time period. Associations of publication characteristics with CVA use were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. In addition, admission and discharge forms in the Auckland Regional Community Stroke Study (ARCOS V) were audited for frequency of use of the term CVA. Results: Of the 1,643 publications retrieved, 1,539 were reviewed in full. Of these, CVA was used ≥1 time in 676 publications, and ≥2 times in 276 publications (129 in 1998–2002; 147 in 2018–2022). The terms CVA and stroke both appeared in 57% of publications where CVA was used ≥2 times in 1998–2002, compared to 65% in 2018–2022. Majority of publications were on the topic of stroke (22% in 1998–2002; 20% in 2018–2022). There were no associations between publication characteristics and the use of CVA. The highest rate of CVA use in 2018–2022 was in Circulation, which had increased over time from 1.3 uses per 1,000 publications in 1998–2002 to 1.8 uses per 1,000 publications in 2018–2022. The largest reduction in the use of CVA was in Neuroepidemiology (2.0 uses per 1,000 publications in 1998–2002 to 0 uses in 2018–2022). The term CVA was identified in 0.2% (17/7,808) of stroke admission and discharge forms audited. Conclusion: We found evidence of changes in the use of CVA in the scientific literature over the past two decades. Editors, authors, and clinicians should avoid the use of the term CVA as it perpetuates the use of an ambiguous and inappropriate term.
Preliminary Investigation of Context-Aware Augmentative and Alternative Communication with Automated Just-in-Time Cloze Phrase Response Options for Social Participation from Children on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Holyfield Christine , O’Neill Zimmerman Tara , MacNeil Stephen , Sammarco Caldwell Nicolette , Patel Parth , Griffen Brenna , Lorah Elizabeth , Dragut Eduard , Vucetic Slobodan
Published: October 2024

Introduction: Social participation for emerging symbolic communicators on the autism spectrum is often restricted. This is due in part to the time and effort required for both children and partners to use traditional augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) technologies during fast-paced social routines. Innovations in artificial intelligence provide the potential for context-aware AAC technology that can provide just-in-time communication options based on linguistic input from partners to minimize the time and effort needed to use AAC technologies for social participation. Methods: This preliminary study used an alternating treatment design to compare the effects of a context-aware AAC prototype with automated cloze phrase response options to traditional AAC for supporting three young children who were emerging symbolic communicators on the autism spectrum in participating within a social routine. Results: Visual analysis and effect size estimates suggest the context-aware AAC condition resulted in increases in linguistic participation, vocal approximations, and visual attention for all three children. Conclusion: While this study was only an initial exploration and results are preliminary, context-aware AAC technologies have the potential to enhance participation and communication outcomes for young emerging symbolic communicators on the autism spectrum and more research is needed.
CAR-Macrophage Therapy Alleviates Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Wang Jiawan , Du Heng , Xie Wanrun , Bi Jinmiao , Zhang Hao , Liu Xu , Wang Yuhan , Zhang Shaolong , Lei Anhua , He Chuting , Yuan Hailong , Zhang Jiahe , Li Yujing , Xu Pengfei , Liu Siqi , Zhou Yanan , Shen Jianghua , Wu Jingdong , Cai Yihong , Yang Chaofan , Li Zeya , Liang Yingxin , Zhao Yang , Zhang Jin , Song Moshi
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Given the growing acknowledgment of the detrimental effects of excessive myocardial fibrosis on pathological remodeling after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R), targeting the modulation of myocardial fibrosis may offer protective and therapeutic advantages. However, effective clinical interventions and therapies that target myocardial fibrosis remain limited. As a promising chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) cell therapy, whether CAR macrophages (CAR-Ms) can be used to treat I/R remains unclear.

METHODS:

The expression of FAP (fibroblast activation protein) was studied in mouse hearts after I/R. FAP CAR-Ms were generated to target FAP-expressing cardiac fibroblasts in mouse hearts after I/R. The phagocytosis activity of FAP CAR-Ms was tested in vitro. The efficacy and safety of FAP CAR-Ms in treating I/R were evaluated in vivo.

RESULTS:

FAP was significantly upregulated in activated cardiac fibroblasts as early as 3 days after I/R. Upon demonstrating their ability to engulf FAP-overexpressing fibroblasts, we intravenously administered FAP CAR-Ms to mice at 3 days after I/R and found that FAP CAR-Ms significantly improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial fibrosis in mice after I/R. No toxicities associated with FAP CAR-Ms were detected in the heart or other organs at 2 weeks after I/R. Finally, we found that FAP CAR-Ms conferred long-term cardioprotection against I/R.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our proof-of-concept study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of FAP CAR-Ms in alleviating myocardial I/R and potentially opens new avenues for the treatment of a range of heart diseases that include a fibrotic phenotype.
Cost-Effectiveness of Salt Substitution and Antihypertensive Drug Treatment in Chinese Prehypertensive Adults
Authors: Sun Zhijia , Zhang Haijun , Ding Yinqi , Yu Canqing , Sun Dianjianyi , Pang Yuanjie , Pei Pei , Yang Ling , Chen Yiping , Du Huaidong , Hu Weijie , Avery Daniel , Chen Junshi , Chen Zhengming , Li Liming , Lv Jun ,   on behalf of the China Kadoorie Biobank Collaborative Group†
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Recent guidelines recommend antihypertensive drug treatment for prehypertensive individuals with blood pressure between 130/80 and 139/89 mm Hg. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of 3 interventions in Chinese prehypertensive adults: salt substitution, antihypertensive drug treatment, and their combination.

METHODS:

We developed a Markov cohort model to estimate cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, costs, and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) over a lifetime. Data from the China Kadoorie Biobank informed the simulation. Costs and utilities were drawn from published sources. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of salt substitution alone, antihypertensive drug treatment alone, and a combination of the 2, focusing on the overall prehypertensive population, those at high CVD risk, and different starting ages (40, 50, 60, and 70 years). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were calculated per QALY gained.

RESULTS:

Salt substitution at age 40 years is the only cost-effective strategy for prehypertensive individuals, with an ICER of $6413.62/QALY. For those at high CVD risk, the combination intervention starting at age 40 years is most cost-effective, with an ICER of $2913.30/QALY. Interventions initiated at younger ages yielded greater CVD reductions and lower ICERs. For example, a combined intervention at age 40 years reduces CVD events by 5.3% with an ICER of $2913.30/QALY, compared with 4.9% and $32 635.33/QALY at age 70 years. These results were consistent across sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS:

In China, replacing usual salt with a salt substitute is more cost-effective than treating prehypertensive individuals over the age of 40 years with antihypertensive drugs. Furthermore, starting intervention at a younger age in prehypertensive adults can result in even greater cost savings.
Dissociation of White Matter Bundles in Different Recovery Measures in Poststroke Aphasia
Authors: Osa García Alberto , Brambati Simona Maria , Brisebois Amélie , Houzé Bérengère , Bedetti Christophe , Desautels Alex , Marcotte Karine
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Poststroke aphasia (PSA) recovery shows high variability across individuals and at different time points. Although diffusion biomarkers from the ventral and dorsal streams have demonstrated strong predictive power for language outcomes, it is still unclear how these biomarkers relate to the various stages of PSA recovery. In this study, we aim to compare diffusion metrics and language measures as predictors of language recovery in a longitudinal cohort of participants with PSA.

METHODS:

Participants were recruited at a stroke unit at the emergency room, and underwent diffusion magnetic resonance imaging scanning and language assessment within 3 days (acute phase) after stroke, with behavioral follow-ups at subacute (10±3 days) and chronic phases (>6 months). We conducted regression analyses on language performance (cross-sectional), Δscores between all time points (acute-subacute, subacute-chronic, acute-chronic), and relative Δscores between all time points (Δscore/language baseline score), with acute diffusion metrics from language-related white matter tracts, lesion size, language baseline scores, and demographic data as predictors.

RESULTS:

Thirty-nine participants presenting PSA were recruited, and 24 participants (mean age, 73 years; 8 women) completed the 3-time point assessment in total. The best prediction model of performance scores used axial diffusivity from the left arcuate fasciculus in both the subacute (
R
2
=0.785) and chronic stages (
R
2
=0.626). Moreover, the prediction of ∆scores depended on axial diffusivity from the left inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus in the subacute stage (
R
2
=0.5) and depended additionally on axial diffusivity from the right inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus in the chronic stage (
R
2
=0.68). The prediction of mediation analyses showed that the lesion load of the left arcuate fasciculus mediated the relationship between axial diffusivity from the left arcuate fasciculus and chronic language performance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Language performance at subacute and chronic time points could be predicted by the integrity of the left arcuate fasciculus, whereas Δscores in the subacute and chronic phases depended on the left inferior frontal-occipital fasciculus, showing a dissociation of the white matter pathways about language outcomes. These results suggest a functional differentiation of the dual-stream components in PSA recovery.
Plasma Phenylacetylglutamine Levels and Prognosis of Ischemic Stroke: A Multicenter Prospective Study Based on the CATIS Trial
Authors: He Yu , Yang Pinni , Shi Mengyao , Zhong Chongke , Peng Hao , Guo Daoxia , Chang Xinyue , Liu Yi , Chen Jing , Wang Aili , Zhang Yonghong , He Jiang , Xu Tan , Zhu Zhengbao
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND:

Phenylacetylglutamine is implicated in platelet clotting and thrombosis, but its prognostic value in ischemic stroke remains unclear. We aimed to explore the associations of plasma phenylacetylglutamine levels with adverse outcomes after ischemic stroke in a multicenter prognostic cohort study.

METHODS:

Our multicenter prognostic cohort study included 3564 Chinese patients with ischemic stroke from the CATIS (China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke). All patients were followed up at 3 months after ischemic stroke onset. The primary outcome was the composite outcome of death or major disability (modified Rankin Scale score, 3–6) at 3 months after ischemic stroke.

RESULTS:

During 3 months of follow-up, 877 participants experienced the primary outcome. After multivariate adjustment, each 500 ng/mL increase of phenylacetylglutamine was associated with a 7% (
P
=0.012), 6% (
P
=0.016), and 6% (
P
=0.028) increased risk of the primary outcome, major disability, and death, respectively. The odds ratios or hazard ratios in the highest versus the lowest quartile of plasma phenylacetylglutamine were 1.62 ([95% CI, 1.18–2.23];
P
trend
=0.001) for the primary outcome, 1.62 ([95% CI, 1.16–2.24];
P
trend
=0.001) for major disability, and 2.59 ([95% CI, 1.19–5.60];
P
trend
=0.025) for death, respectively. There was a significantly worse shift in the distribution of modified Rankin Scale score at 3 months with higher phenylacetylglutamine quartiles (
P
trend
=0.003). Multiple-adjusted spline regression model showed a linear relationship between phenylacetylglutamine and primary outcome (
P
value for linearity<0.001). The addition of plasma phenylacetylglutamine to conventional risk factors significantly improved the risk reclassification for the primary outcome (net reclassification improvement, 19.34%;
P
<0.001; integrated discrimination improvement, 0.23%;
P
=0.019).

CONCLUSIONS:

Elevated plasma phenylacetylglutamine levels at baseline were associated with increased risks of adverse clinical outcomes at 3 months after ischemic stroke, suggesting that phenylacetylglutamine may be a promising prognostic biomarker for ischemic stroke. Further studies are needed to investigate whether phenylacetylglutamine is a stroke-specific biomarker.
Diffusion kurtosis imaging, MAP-MRI and NODDI selectively track gray matter myelin density in the primate cerebral cortex
Authors: Reveley Colin , Ye Frank Q. , Leopold David A.
Published: October 2024

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) has been widely used to model the trajectory of myelinated fiber bundles in the white matter. Increasingly, it is also used to evaluate the microstructure of the cerebral cortex gray matter. For example, in diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of the cortex, fractional anisotropy (FA) correlates strongly with the anisotropy of cellular anatomy, while radial diffusivity (RD) tracks the anisotropy of myelinated fibers. However, no DTI parameter shows specificity to gray matter myelin density. Here, we show that three higher-order diffusion parameters—the mean diffusion kurtosis (MK), the Neurite Density Index (NDI) from neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI), and the Non-Gaussian (NG) parameter from mean apparent propagator (MAP)-MRI—each track the laminar and regional myelin density of the primate cerebral cortex in fine detail. We carried out ultra-high-resolution, multi-shelled dMRI in ex-vivo marmoset monkey brains. We compared the spatial mapping of the MK, NDI, and ND diffusion parameters to the cortical myelin distribution of these brains, with the latter obtained in two ways: First, using histological sections finely co-registered to the MRI, and second using magnetization transfer ratio MRI scans (MTR), an established non-diffusion method for imaging myelin density. We found that, in contrast to DTI parameters, each of these higher-order diffusion measures captured the spatial variation of myelin density in the cortex. The demonstration that diffusion parameters exhibit both sensitivity and specificity for gray matter myelin density will allow dMRI to more effectively track human disease, in which myelinated and non-myelinated tissue compartments are affected differentially.
Psychometric Assessment of the Temporal Bisection Task with Discrete and Continuous Response Formats
Authors: Quan Ivan , Lagacé-Cusiac Rebekka , Grahn Jessica
Published: October 2024

The temporal bisection task has long been used to study time perception as well as measure individual differences in time perception ability. The task involves training participants on short and long reference durations before presenting intermediate durations and asking participants to classify them as ‘short’ or ‘long’. However, there is little information about how well the bisection task measures individual differences in timing ability. To bridge this gap, we assessed the psychometric properties of measures obtained from a classic temporal bisection task: Weber ratio and percent correct. Because measures with binary responses tend to require many trials to reach adequate reliability, we also assessed the psychometric properties of a modified bisection task which used a continuous response format. In this task, participants represented intermediate durations on a visual analogue scale. Estimation error was used as the outcome measure. Participants (n = 46) completed the classic and modified bisection tasks twice across two sessions approximately one week apart. The modified bisection task had excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability, while the classic task had fair to good internal consistency and good test–retest reliability. Overall, estimation error had the highest reliability, followed by percent correct, and then Weber ratio. In terms of validity, there was excellent convergent validity between the classic and modified bisection tasks. As an exploratory analysis, we assessed how the number of trials affected the reliability of each outcome measure across the two tasks. Based on this, we make recommendations on how to optimize reliability for both tasks in future research.
A fly in the ointment: the re-discovered holotype of ‘Trypeta’ cylindrica Walker, 1853 belongs to the genus Coelopacidia Enderlein (Diptera: Tephritidae), not Chyliza Fallén (Psilidae)
Authors: ROSS ANDREW J. , HANCOCK DAVID L. , MCALISTER ERICA , ZHOU JIALE
Published: October 2024

The ‘type’ of the fly species ‘Trypeta’ cylindrica Walker, 1853, from the William Saunders Collection, was misidentified and subsequently placed in the genus Chyliza Fallén (Psilidae). A specimen from the same collection with identical label data but belonging to Coelopacidia Enderlein (Tephritidae) is hereby identified as the correct holotype and the species should therefore be referred to as Coelopacidia cylindrica (Walker, 1853). Chyliza pallidipes Lamb, 1917 stat. rev. is taken out of synonymy and regarded as the valid name for the species previously treated as ‘Chyliza cylindrica’.