bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pectoral muscle mass is not a robust prognostic factor for survival after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation
Authors: Jenkins Freya Sophie , Minol Jan-Philipp , Akar Tarik , Yilmaz Esma , Immohr Moritz Benjamin , Dalyanoglu Ismail , Korbmacher Bernhard , Aissa Joel , Boeken Udo , Lichtenberg Artur , Akhyari Payam , Dalyanoglu Hannan
Published: February 2024

Background

Left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) are an established treatment for end-stage left ventricular heart failure. Parameters are needed to identify the most appropriate patients for LVADs. This study aimed to evaluate pectoral muscle mass and density as prognostic parameters.

Methods

This single-center study included all patients with LVAD implantation between January 2010 and October 2017 and a preoperative chest CT scan. Pectoral muscle mass was assessed using the Pectoralis Muscle Index (PMI, surface area indexed to height, cm2/m2) and pectoral muscle density by Hounsfield Units (HU). Overall mortality was analyzed with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and 1-year and 3-year mortality with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and Cox regression models.

Results

57 patients (89.5% male, mean age 57.8 years) were included. 64.9% of patients had end-stage left ventricular failure due to ischemic heart disease and 35.1% due to dilated cardiomyopathy. 49.2% of patients had preoperative INTERMACS profile of 1 or 2 and 33.3% received mechanical circulatory support prior to LVAD implantation. Total mean PMI was 4.7 cm2/m2 (± 1.6), overall HU of the major pectoral muscle was 39.0 (± 14.9) and of the minor pectoral muscle 37.1 (± 16.6). Mean follow-up was 2.8 years (± 0.2). Mortality rates were 37.5% at 1 year and 48.0% at 3 years. Neither PMI nor HU were significantly associated with overall mortality at 1-year or 3-year.

Conclusions

The results of our study do not confirm the association between higher pectoral muscle mass and better survival after LVAD implantation previously described in the literature.
Predicting the spatial variation in cost-efficiency for agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation programs in the U.S.
Authors: Cameron-Harp Micah V. , Hendricks Nathan P. , Potter Nicholas A.
Published: February 2024

Background

Two major factors that determine the efficiency of programs designed to mitigate greenhouse gases by encouraging voluntary changes in U.S. agricultural land management are the effect of land use changes on producers’ profitability and the net sequestration those changes create. In this work, we investigate how the interaction of these factors produces spatial heterogeneity in the cost-efficiency of voluntary programs incentivizing tillage reduction and cover-cropping practices. We map county-level predicted rates of adoption for each practice with the greenhouse gas mitigation or carbon sequestration benefits expected from their use. Then, we use these bivariate maps to describe how the cost efficiency of agricultural mitigation efforts is likely to vary spatially in the United States.

Results

Our results suggest the combination of high adoption rates and large reductions in net emissions make reduced tillage programs most cost efficient in the Chesapeake Bay watershed or the Upper Mississippi and Lower Missouri sub-basins of the Mississippi River. For programs aiming to reduce net emissions by incentivizing cover-cropping, we expect cost-efficiency to be greatest in the areas near the main stem of the Mississippi River within its Middle and Lower sections.

Conclusions

Many voluntary agricultural conservation programs offer the same incentives across the United States. Yet spatial variation in profitability and efficacy of conservation practices suggest that these uniform approaches are not cost-effective. Spatial targeting of voluntary agricultural conservation programs has the potential to increase the cost-efficiency of these programs due to regional heterogeneity in the profitability and greenhouse gas mitigation benefits of agricultural land management practices across the continental United States. We illustrate how predicted rates of adoption and greenhouse gas sequestration might be used to target regions where efforts to incentivize cover-cropping and reductions in tillage are most likely to be cost -effective.
Mixed-sex clusters on grass blades: breeding strategy of the ornate dog tick, Dermacentor reticulatus
Authors: Wężyk Dagmara , Romanek Wiktoria , Małaszewicz Wiktoria , Behnke Jerzy M. , Bajer Anna
Published: February 2024

Background

The ornate dog tick Dermacentor reticulatus is second only to the hard tick Ixodes ricinus in terms of importance as a vector of infectious organisms, especially of Babesia canis, the agent of canine babesiosis. Both the geographical range and local densities of D. reticulatus are steadily increasing in many regions of Europe. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that D. reticulatus possesses an efficient breeding strategy that allows for a rapid increase in tick numbers and densities through the formation of mixed-sex clusters/aggregations while questing in the environment.

Methods

An observational study was carried out in the spring of 2023, at three sites in two regions in Central and North-Eastern Poland, both characterised by high tick densities. At each site, a 400-m-long transect was inspected for questing ticks. All noted ticks were collected, and tick numbers and sexes per stem were recorded. Differences in tick distribution by site and sex were analysed statistically.

Results

A total of 371 D. reticulatus (219 females, 152 males) ticks were collected from 270 grass stems over a combined 1200 m of transect. The majority of grass stems (74.4%) were occupied by just a single individual, with two-tick clusters the second most common category. The maximum number of D. reticulatus individuals observed on a single grass stem was six.

Mixed-sex clusters were significantly more common than single-sex clusters at all three sites. With study sites combined, mixed-sex clusters accounted for 17.4% (95% confidence limit [95% CL] 13.9–21.6%) of observations, while for multiple males and multiple females, the values were 2.6% (95% CL: 1.4–4.7%) and 5.6% (95% CL: 3.7–8.3%), respectively.

Conclusions

Mixed-sex clusters of D. reticulatus ticks were significantly more common than single-sex clusters, which we hypothesise reflects an efficient, likely pheromone-mediated breeding strategy of this expansive tick species.

Graphical Abstract
Predicting the individual effects of team competition on college students’ academic performance in mobile edge computing
Authors: Zhang Huiling , Wu Huatao , Li Zhengde , Gong Wenwen , Yan Yan
Published: February 2024

Mobile edge computing (MEC) has revolutionized the way of teaching in universities. It enables more interactive and immersive experiences in the classroom, enhancing student engagement and learning outcomes. As an incentive mechanism based on social identity and contest theories, team competition has been adopted and shown its effectiveness in improving students’ participation and motivation in college classrooms. However, despite its potential benefit, there are still many unresolved issues: What type of students and teams benefit more from team competition? In what teaching context is team competition more effective? Which competition design methods better increase student academic performance? Mobile edge computing provides the ability to obtain the data of the teaching process and analyze the causal effect between team competition and students’ academic performance. In this paper, the authors first design a randomized field experiment among freshmen enrolled in college English courses. Then, the authors analyze the observation data collected from the online teaching platform, and predict individual treatment effects of academic performance in college English through linear and nonlinear machine learning models. Finally, by carefully investigating features of teams and individual students, the prediction error is reduced by up to 30%. In addition, through interpreting the predictive models, some valuable insights regarding the practice of team competition in college classrooms are discovered.
The association between team job crafting and work engagement among nurses: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Iida Mako , Sakuraya Asuka , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Imamura Kotaro , Sawada Utako , Akiyama Hiroto , Komase Yu , Miyamoto Yuki , Kawakami Norito
Published: February 2024

Background

Team-level job crafting has been put forward as a method to promote nurses' mental health. However, a longitudinal association is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the association between team job crafting at baseline and work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave at three-month and six-month follow-ups among Japanese hospital nurses. Also, whether an increase in the team job crafting during 3 or 6 months was associated with an increase in the work engagement during 3 or 6 months of individual nurses was examined.

Methods

A multilevel prospective cohort study was conducted. Data were collected from nurses of five hospitals in Japan at baseline (T1) and follow-ups at 3-months (T2) and 6-months (T3). A total of 2,478 nurses were included. The team job crafting scale for nurses and its three subscales were measured for the independent variables. Ward-means were used as ward-level variables. The dependent variables were work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was used to examine the multilevel association. The study protocol was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (ID = UMIN000047810) (May 22, 2022).

Results

A total of 460 nurses completed the T1 survey (response rate = 18.6%), and data from 391 nurses nested in 30 wards were included in the analyses. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) at T1 were 0.02 for work engagement and 0.07 for team job crafting. The HLM revealed that ward-level team job crafting at T1 was not significantly associated with work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, and intention to leave at T2 or T3. The ward-level change (T3-T1) of “crafting for the task considering the team’s growth” (subscale for team job crafting) was significantly and positively associated with the change (T3-T1) in work engagement.

Conclusions

Ward-level team job crafting at baseline did not predict nurses' work engagement, work performance, psychological distress, or intention to leave at a three-month or six-month follow-up. The impact of ward-level team job crafting may attenuate over several months.
Development and validation of a clinic-radiological model to predict tumor spread through air spaces in stage I lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Gao Zhaisong , An Pingping , Li Runze , Wu Fengyu , Sun Yuhui , Wu Jie , Yang Guangjie , Wang Zhenguang
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Tumor spread through air spaces (STAS) is associated with poor prognosis and impacts surgical options. We aimed to develop a user-friendly model based on 2-[18F] FDG PET/CT to predict STAS in stage I lung adenocarcinoma (LAC).

Materials and methods

A total of 466 stage I LAC patients who underwent 2-[18F] FDG PET/CT examination and resection surgery were retrospectively enrolled. They were split into a training cohort (n = 232, 20.3% STAS-positive), a validation cohort (n = 122, 27.0% STAS-positive), and a test cohort (n = 112, 29.5% STAS-positive) according to chronological order. Some commonly used clinical data, visualized CT features, and SUVmax were analyzed to identify independent predictors of STAS. A prediction model was built using the independent predictors and validated using the three chronologically separated cohorts. Model performance was assessed using ROC curves and calculations of AUC.

Results

The differences in age (P = 0.009), lesion density subtype (P < 0.001), spiculation sign (P < 0.001), bronchus truncation sign (P = 0.001), and SUVmax (P < 0.001) between the positive and negative groups were statistically significant. Age ≥ 56 years [OR(95%CI):3.310(1.150–9.530), P = 0.027], lesion density subtype (P = 0.004) and SUVmax ≥ 2.5 g/ml [OR(95%CI):3.268(1.021–1.356), P = 0.005] were the independent factors predicting STAS. Logistic regression was used to build the A-D-S (Age-Density-SUVmax) prediction model, and the AUCs were 0.808, 0.786 and 0.806 in the training, validation, and test cohorts, respectively.

Conclusions

STAS was more likely to occur in older patients, in solid lesions and higher SUVmax in stage I LAC. The PET/CT-based A-D-S prediction model is easy to use and has a high level of reliability in diagnosing.
Mitral valve repair for infective endocarditis after esophageal reconstruction: a case report
Authors: Tsushima Shingo , Iba Yutaka , Nakajima Tomohiro , Nakazawa Junji , Shibata Tsuyoshi , Ohkawa Akihito , Hosaka Itaru , Arihara Ayaka , Kawaharada Nobuyoshi
Published: February 2024

Background

In patients with retrosternal neo-esophageal conduit after right thoracotomy, the approach to cardiac surgery could be challenging. Particularly, in patients with infective endocarditis, there is a risk of injury to the conduit through standard median sternotomy. Moreover, right lung adhesions could be predicted. Herein, we present a case of successful mitral valve repair in a patient with infective endocarditis through a redo right thoracotomy after esophageal reconstruction.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old male patient was diagnosed with infective endocarditis and a large anterior mitral leaflet vegetation after a previous esophageal reconstruction via right thoracotomy for esophageal cancer. Due to the retrosternal esophageal reconstruction, we performed a mitral valve repair through a redo right thoracotomy. After resecting the vegetation, the defect was closed with a fresh autologous pericardial patch. Mitral valve annuloplasty was performed. Postoperatively, antibiotics controlled the infection. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 30.

Conclusions

Successful mitral valve repair was performed for infective endocarditis through a redo right thoracotomy after esophageal reconstruction.
Novel homozygous CARD11 variants in two patients with combined immunodeficiency and atopic skin disease
Authors: Meshaal Safa , El Hawary Rabab , Abd Elaziz Dalia , Eldash Alia , Darwish Rania , Erfan Aya , Lotfy Sohilla , Saad Mai M. , Chohayeb Engy , Alkady Radwa , Boutros Jeannette , Galal Nermeen , Elmarsafy Aisha
Published: February 2024

Background

Caspase recruitment domain family, member 11 (CARD11) is an important protein which plays a fundamental role in the activation of NF-κβ pathway in lymphocytes. CARD11 deficiency can be inherited in either autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive forms and present with different phenotypes including combined immunodeficiency, atopic dermatitis, and other variable manifestations. The present report describes clinical phenotypes and immunological defects of two unrelated patients with missense homozygous variants in CARD11 presenting with combined immunodeficiency (CID) and atopic skin disease resembling that reported in dominant negative CARD11 deficiency. The patients underwent next generation sequencing, immunophenotyping of T and B subsets by flow cytometry, T cell stimulation, and evaluation of CARD11 expression.

Results

Both patients had features suggesting CID including repeated pneumoniae with ICU admissions, chronic diarrhea, and itchy atopic skin disease. Patient-1 has homozygous missense variant in the C terminal domain (c.2839G > A, p.Glu947Lys), and patient-2 has homozygous variant in the inhibitory domain (c.1073C > G, p.Pro568Arg). Both have profound defects in Tregs with normal recent thymic emigrants, memory, and naïve CD4+ T cells. However, in response to stimulation, T cells failed to upregulate the expression of CD25. CARD11 expression by flow cytometry was decreased rather than abolished as previously described in patients with autosomal recessive CARD11 deficiency. B cells showed marked deficiency of switched memory and increase in transitional B cells.

Conclusion

Missense variants causing CARD11 deficiency may affect the protein function rather than the expression and can result in a phenotype combining the atopic skin disease and the features of CID.
Effect of cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) in treatment of premature ejaculation: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Delpasand Hadi , Mazaheri Azadeh , Kheradmand Ali , Ghorbani Mahdi , Abedi Amir Reza , Khosroabadi Mohsen
Published: February 2024

Background

Premature ejaculation is one of the most common male sexual dysfunction, affecting approximately 30% of men. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and at the same time the safety of the cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) device in treatment of premature ejaculation disorder.

Methods

Based on a randomized clinical trial, two groups were included in the study, so that the first group was treated with sertraline along with an ATANG (AT-9 model) CES, and the second group with sertraline and inactive the CES device (as the placebo group). The state of premature ejaculation after treatment (using the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) questionnaire) was evaluated and compared for both groups.

Results

In the intervention and placebo groups, the average score of the PEDT questionnaire before the intervention did not differ significantly between the two groups (p-value equal to 0.93). However, the average score of the PEDT questionnaire after the intervention for CES group and placebo group was 10.28 ± 1.93 and 13.23 ± 3.05, respectively, which demonstrated a significant decrease in the intervention group (p-value equal to 0.01).

Conclusion

The use of CES device as a complementary treatment along with routine drug treatment (sertraline) is associated with a significant improvement in the condition of premature ejaculation of patients.

Trial registration

Name of the registry: IRCT Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.

Trial registration number: IRCT20210621051657N1.

Date of registration: December 11, 2022.

URL of trial registry record: https://en.irct.ir/trial/57201.
Nanotechnology-based strategies overcoming the challenges of retinoblastoma: a comprehensive overview and future perspectives
Authors: Hatem Shymaa , Mohammed Donia , Ezzat Nermeen
Published: February 2024

Background

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a rare type of pediatric ocular cancer with difficulty in treatment and detection owing to alterations in tumor suppressor genes and the lack of focused, efficient, and cost-effective treatments.

Main body of the abstract

The current review presents different approaches adopted for the treatment of RB. Recently, nanodrug delivery-based systems have shown significant reported advancements in RB treatment owing to their effectiveness in delivering their cargo to the site of tumor growth, where they may induce programmed tumor cell death. Among various nanoparticulate systems employed in RB treatment are organic nanoparticles, lipid-based nanocarriers, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic (metallic) nanocarriers (cerium oxide, iron oxide, gold and silver), and surface-tailored multifunctionalized nanocarriers.

Short conclusion

The current review article aims at demonstrating the superiority of nanotechnology-based formulations to traditional therapies for treatment of RB in order to enhance the bioavailability and targeting of drugs to posterior eye segment specifically, thus improving patient compliance and adherence to treatment by minimizing the number of dosing intervals and hence the likelihood of side effects.
Generative adversarial network-enhanced directional seismic wavefield decomposition and its application in reverse time migration
Authors: Sun Jiaxing , Yang Jidong , Huang Jianping , Yu Youcai , Tian Yiwei , Qin Shanyuan
Published: February 2024

Reverse time migration (RTM) is an accurate method for imaging complex geologic structures without imposing any dip limitations. However, a large amount of high-amplitude low-frequency noise, which is mainly generated by the crosscorrelation of source and receiver wavefields propagating in the same directions, seriously contaminates the image quality. The causal imaging condition with separated up- and downgoing wavefields is an effective approach to reduce these low-frequency artifacts. Explicit up- and downgoing wavefield decomposition based on the Hilbert transform is computationally expensive due to additional wavefield extrapolation and storage for the imaginary parts. Directionally propagating wavefields have distinctive kinematic patterns such as traveltime and wavefront curvature, which provide us an opportunity to implement the wavefield decomposition using the statistical neural network method. Using extrapolated wavefields as the input and the decomposed up-, down-, left-, and rightgoing wavefields as the labeled data, we train a pair of generative adversarial networks to predict the directional wavefields. The training data sets are generated using seismic full-waveform modeling and explicit wavefield decomposition based on the Hilbert transform. Then, the decomposed directional wavefields are incorporated into a novel imaging condition that depends on the subsurface dip angles to compute the reflectivity perpendicular to the reflectors. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our method can produce accurate directional wavefield decomposition results and high-quality reflectivity images without low-wavenumber artifacts.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents With Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Gunawardana Shamaali , Jayarajah Umesh , Ahmed Syed Faisal , Seneviratne Sumudu Nimali
Published: February 2024

Objective

To conduct a systematic review (SR) and meta-analysis (MA) on health-related quality-of-life (QoL) and associated factors among children/adolescents with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Method

Following registration in the PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews(reg no: CRD42022313389), Google Scholar, PubMed, LILACS, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched up to March 5, 2022, using predefined search strategy/MESH terms to identify original studies describing/assessing self-reported/parent-reported health-related QoL in patients with CAH ≤21 years. Methodological quality was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS), and heterogeneity by I2 statistics. MA assessed mean difference (MD) in QoL between children/adolescents with CAH and healthy children/adolescents.

Results

Among 1308 publications, the 12 studies eligible for the SR (CAH n = 781) showed NOS scales of 3 to 7/9, and the 6 eligible for MA (CAH n = 227) showed moderate-considerable heterogeneity. MA showed that parent-reported psychosocial QoL (MD 9.9 [−12.6,7.3], P ≤ .001) {consisting of school (MD 7.4[−12.2, −2.5], P = .003), emotional (MD 5.6 [−10.2, −0.9], P = .02) and social domains (MD 4.3 [−8.1, −0.5], P = .03), and self-reported school domain QoL (MD 8.5 [−15.9, −1.2], P = .02) was lower in children/adolescents with CAH while parent-reported and self-reported physical QoL were similar to controls.

Factors associated with lower QoL among children/ adolescents with CAH included poor disease control, poor medication compliance, and complications including hyperpigmentation, virilization, hypertension, hospital admission, and urinary incontinence.

Conclusion

Based on available data, children/adolescents with CAH had preserved physical QoL but impaired psychosocial QoL, especially in the school domain. Factors associated with lower QoL included poor disease control and disease/treatment-related complications. There is a need for further high-quality research that investigates the relationship between disease control, provision of psychosocial support, and improvement in QoL in children/adolescents with CAH.
Growth During Pubertal Induction in Girls With Turner Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
Authors: Nicholls Joshua , Harris Mark , Hughes Ian , Huynh Tony , McMahon Sarah K
Published: February 2024

Context

Patients with Turner syndrome (TS) often present with short stature and ovarian insufficiency. The optimal method of pubertal induction to maximize adult height (AH) is unknown.

Objective

To identify variables related to pubertal induction that are associated with growth and AH.

Methods

This retrospective cohort analysis of patients attending a specialized TS clinic at a quaternary children's hospital included patients with TS (n = 107) who attended the clinic between 2015 and 2021. Among them, 51 received estradiol for pubertal induction. Main outcome measures were changes in height SD score (ΔHeightSDS) during pubertal induction and AH. Age at pubertal induction, bone age delay, mid-parental height (MPH), growth hormone treatment, and karyotype were assessed as predictors of AH and ΔHeightSDS. Associations between karyotype and comorbidities were also assessed.

Results

AH was predicted by MPH (0.8 cm/cm, P = .0001) and bone age delay (−1.84 cm/year, P = .006). ΔHeightSDS was predicted by growth hormone dose (0.09 SDS/mg/m2/week; P = .017), bone age delay (−1.37 SDS/year; P = .003), and age at pubertal induction (0.44 SDS/year; P = .001). There was an interaction between bone age delay and pubertal induction age (P = .013), with the combination of younger age at pubertal induction and a less-delayed bone age associated with a lower ΔHeightSDS. Karyotype did not influence AH or ΔHeightSDS but did affect rates of other comorbidities.

Conclusion

Decisions around timing of pubertal induction in patients with TS should be tailored to the individual. The current approach to estrogen supplementation needs to be refined in order to facilitate pubertal induction in a physiological manner without compromising height.
Preoperative Anemia and Postoperative Outcomes in Cardiac Surgery: A Mediation Analysis Evaluating Intraoperative Transfusion Exposures
Authors: Warner Matthew A. , Hanson Andrew C. , Schulte Phillip J. , Sanz Juan Ripoll , Smith Mark M. , Kauss Marissa L. , Crestanello Juan A. , Kor Daryl J.
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND:

Preoperative anemia is associated with adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery, yet it remains unclear what proportion of this association is mediated through red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.

METHODS:

This is a historical observational cohort study of adults undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass at an academic medical center between May 1, 2008, and May 1, 2018. A mediation analysis framework was used to evaluate the associations between preoperative anemia and postoperative outcomes, including a primary outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI). Intraoperative RBC transfusions were evaluated as mediators of preoperative anemia and outcome relationships. The estimated total effect, average direct effect of preoperative anemia, and percent of the total effect mediated through transfusions are presented with 95% confidence intervals and P-values.

RESULTS:

A total of 4117 patients were included, including 1234 (30%) with preoperative anemia. Overall, 437 of 4117 (11%) patients went on to develop AKI, with a greater proportion of patients having preoperative anemia (219 of 1234 [18%] vs 218 of 2883 [8%]). In multivariable analyses, the presence of preoperative anemia was associated with increased postoperative AKI (6.4% [4.2%–8.7%] absolute difference in percent with AKI, P < .001), with incremental decreases in preoperative hemoglobin concentrations displaying greater AKI risk (eg, 11.9% [6.9%–17.5%] absolute increase in probability of AKI for preoperative hemoglobin of 9 g/dL compared to a reference of 14 g/dL, P < .001). The association between preoperative anemia and postoperative AKI was primarily due to direct effects of preoperative anemia (5.9% [3.6%–8.3%] absolute difference, P < .001) rather than mediated through intraoperative RBC transfusions (7.5% [−4.3% to 21.1%] of the total effect mediated by transfusions, P = .220). Preoperative anemia was also associated with longer hospital durations (1.07 [1.05–1.10] ratio of geometric mean length of stay, P < .001). Of this total effect, 38% (22%, 62%; P < .001) was estimated to be mediated through subsequent intraoperative RBC transfusion. Preoperative anemia was not associated with reoperation or vascular complications.

CONCLUSIONS:

Preoperative anemia was associated with higher odds of AKI and longer hospitalizations in cardiac surgery. The attributable effects of anemia and transfusion on postoperative complications are likely to differ across outcomes. Future studies are necessary to further evaluate mechanisms of anemia-associated postoperative organ injury and treatment strategies.
Μελέτη συσχέτισης ενσυναίσθησης και βίας σε ασθενείς με σχιζοφρένεια και αντικοινωνική διαταραχή προσωπικότητας
Authors: Τάσιος Κωνσταντίνος
Published: February 2024

Η έλλειψη γνωσιακών και συναισθηματικών χαρακτηριστικών της ενσυναίσθησης μπορεί να συσχετιστεί με βίαιη συμπεριφορά. Στόχος μας ήταν να εντοπίσουμε διαφορές στην ενσυναίσθηση μεταξύ τεσσάρων ομάδων σε ένα δείγμα 100 ανδρών συμμετεχόντων εκ των οποίων: (1) 27 βίαιοι παραβάτες με σχιζοφρένεια, (2) 23 μη βίαιοι ασθενείς με σχιζοφρένεια, (3) 25 ασθενείς με αντικοινωνική διαταραχή προσωπικότητας και (4) 25 άτομα από τον γενικό πληθυσμό, που σχημάτισαν την ομάδα ελέγχου. Τα συμπτώματα της σχιζοφρένειας ποσοτικοποιήθηκαν με την κλίμακα θετικού και αρνητικού συνδρόμου(PANSS). Η ενσυναίσθηση μετρήθηκε με το πηλίκο ενσυναίσθησης (EQ). Η θεωρία του νου αξιολογήθηκε χρησιμοποιώντας (α) τη δοκιμασία εσφαλμένης πεποίθησης πρώτης τάξης (β) τη δοκιμασία υπαινιγμού, (γ) τη δοκιμασία αναγνώρισης faux pas και (δ) τη δοκιμασία «διαβάζοντας το μυαλό στα μάτια» (αναθεωρημένη). Οι διαφορές που παρατηρήθηκαν μεταξύ των ομάδων αφορούσαν την ηλικία (οι μάρτυρες ήταν νεότεροι) και την εκπαίδευση (οι αντικοινωνικοί ήταν λιγότερο μορφωμένοι). Η βαθμολογία του πηλίκου ενσυναίσθησης (p < 0,001) και οι δοκιμασίες θεωρίας του νου (p < 0,001) ήταν διακριτές μεταξύ της ομάδας ελέγχου και των τριών άλλων ομάδων συμμετεχόντων, αλλά όχι ανάμεσα στις τρεις ομάδων ασθενών. Οι ασθενείς με αντικοινωνική διαταραχή προσωπικότητας, οι βίαιοι ψυχωτικοί παραβάτες και οι ψυχωτικοί μη βίαιοι ασθενείς δεν παρουσιάζουν αξιοσημείωτες διαφορές στις δοκιμασίες συναισθηματικής ή γνωσιακής ενσυναίσθησης, αλλά όλοι παρουσιάζουν ελλείμματα στην ενσυναίσθηση και τη θεωρία του νου σε σύγκριση με την ομάδα ελέγχου.
Czy sportowcy amatorzy prowadzą zdrowy styl życia? Kontekst pedagogiki zdrowia
Authors: Anyżewska Anna , Lewczuk Joanna
Published: February 2024

W ostatnich latach zwiększa się zainteresowanie prozdrowotnym stylem życia. Prawidłowe zachowania zdrowotne sportowców amatorów mają szczególne znaczenie. Celem pracy było zweryfikowanie hipotezy badawczej, zakładającej, że sportowcy amatorzy, jako grupa potencjalnie wpisująca się w ramy zdrowego stylu życia, charakteryzują się prawidłowym nasileniem zachowań zdrowotnych oraz interesują się tematyką zdrowego stylu życia. Przyjęta w pracy hipoteza badawcza została tylko częściowo potwierdzona. Sportowcy amatorzy deklarowali zainteresowanie zdrowym stylem życia (92% kobiet i 75% mężczyzn), jednak poziom zachowań zdrowotnych należałoby uznać za niewystarczający. Wysokim poziomem zachowań zdrowotnych charakteryzowało się jedynie 29% kobiet i 25% mężczyzn. Stwierdzone niewystarczające nasilenie zachowań prozdrowotnych sportowców amatorów potwierdza zasadność prowadzenia badań oraz podejmowania działań edukacyjnych w tym zakresie.
The importance of teaching arts subjects in early years in our evolving technological world
Authors: Don-Daniel Kasia
Published: February 2024

Kasia Don-Daniel, from Suffolk Artlink, discusses the importance of young children learning arts subjects in their earliest years, and chats to some partners about the intersection of art and technology in early years education.
In Defense of Elizabeth Cook-Lynn: Readings in Courage and Love
Authors: Denetdale Jennifer R.
Published: February 2024

Abstract: In this narrative, I share the lifeline that Cook-Lynn's writings offered to me as I navigated the academy. Crucial lessons from Cook-Lynn include reflections on what it means to be an Indigenous feminist scholar in the twenty-first century and how we reaffirm our responsibilities to our respective Indigenous nations and communities.
We Must Keep the Plot Moving
Authors: Foxworth Raymond
Published: February 2024

Abstract: I share my story on the significance of Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, both as a scholar and a friend and mentor. I share a few personal stories exemplifying her dedication to Native students and discuss Cook-Lynn as one of the most important political writers of our time. Finally, I end discussing our responsibility as Native scholars, and that is to keep the plot moving.
Design of a polarization-multiplexed, high-resolution, near-field focusing metasurface lens
Authors: Hao Honggang , Cai Zhonglyu , Tang Pan , Li Bao
Published: February 2024

To meet the requirements of integrated and high-resolution focusing devices for passive millimeter-wave (PMMW) imaging systems, a polarization-multiplexed high-resolution near-field focusing metasurface lens is proposed. Metasurface units consist of two dielectric layers and three metal layers and are designed with a multiarm windmill structure. This design allows the units to independently control the electromagnetic response of incident x-polarized and y-polarized waves while maintaining a thickness of only 0.16λ (2 mm). The metasurface lens that can achieve dual-channel near-field focusing was designed by combining the focusing principle of the metasurface lens and phase superposition principle based on the above design. The lens consists of 30×30 units and has a size of 120×120mm2. According to the simulation results, the lens is able to focus the y-polarized waves of 24 GHz at z=50mm plane with a focal spot size of 0.68λ (8.5 mm), and the focusing beam efficiency is 35.2%. Similarly, the x-polarized waves of 24 GHz are focused at z=70mm plane with a focal spot size of 0.72λ (9 mm), and the focusing beam efficiency is 40.7%. The proposed metasurface lens is promising for applications in PMMW imaging systems, medical sensors, automotive millimeter-wave radar, and other related fields, owing to the characteristics of high resolution, compact size, and multifunctionality.
Extraction of moiré fringes’ phase information based on the Morlet wavelet
Authors: Cao Zi-Mu , Chen Yun-Yun , Jiang Jian , Cao Zao-Lou , Tu Bing
Published: February 2024

The extraction of phase information is crucial in moiré tomography for achieving accurate results. In this paper, a method for extracting phase information of moiré fringes based on the Morlet continuous wavelet transform is introduced. A detailed exposition of the theoretical deduction and algorithmic procedure of this method is provided. And then, to validate the feasibility and applicability of this approach, four flow fields are conducted as test objects for experiments. Based on that, the phase results provided by the Morlet continuous wavelet transform are compared with those obtained by the reported techniques such as Fourier transform and Gabor wavelet transform. It is evident that Morlet continuous wavelet transform demonstrates superior accuracy and smoothness, which proves the reliability of this method. In summary, the method presented in this study probably offers an effective method with broad applications.
Far-zone analytical expressions for electromagnetic waves produced by a uniform-current loop placed in a uniaxial dielectric-magnetic material
Authors: Hayat Aamir , Nighat Huma , Shah Muzamil , Tighezza Ammar M.
Published: February 2024

We investigate the radiation generated by a current loop situated within an unbounded uniaxial dielectric-magnetic material characterized by a uniform current distribution. We employ dyadic Green functions in the frequency domain to derive closed-form expressions for the far-field radiation. Our analytical findings distinguish between two scenarios: one in which the loop’s axis aligns parallel to the optic axis and another where it is perpendicular to the optic axis. In cases where the loop’s axis parallel’s the optic axis, only magnetically extraordinary wave is emitted as a consequence. However, when the loop’s axis is perpendicular to the optic axis, both electrically and magnetically extraordinary waves are emitted. Our results demonstrate a pronounced dependence of the radiation pattern on the loop’s size, as observed for various loop radii.
On-chip spiking neural networks based on add-drop ring microresonators and electrically reconfigurable phase-change material photonic switches
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Jiang Ning , Zhang Yiqun , Li Anran , Xiong Huanhuan , Hu Gang , Cao Yongsheng , Qiu Kun
Published: February 2024

We propose and numerically demonstrate a photonic computing primitive designed for integrated spiking neural networks (SNNs) based on add-drop ring microresonators (ADRMRs) and electrically reconfigurable phase-change material (PCM) photonic switches. In this neuromorphic system, the passive silicon-based ADRMR, equipped with a power-tunable auxiliary light, effectively demonstrates nonlinearity-induced dual neural dynamics encompassing spiking response and synaptic plasticity that can generate single-wavelength optical neural spikes with synaptic weight. By cascading these ADRMRs with different resonant wavelengths, weighted multiple-wavelength spikes can be feasibly output from the ADRMR-based hardware arrays when external wavelength-addressable optical pulses are injected; subsequently, the cumulative power of these weighted output spikes is utilized to ascertain the activation status of the reconfigurable PCM photonic switches. Moreover, the reconfigurable mechanism driving the interconversion of the PCMs between the resonant-bonded crystalline states and the covalent-bonded amorphous states is achieved through precise thermal modulation. Drawing from the thermal properties, an innovative thermodynamic leaky integrate-and-firing (TLIF) neuron system is proposed. With the TLIF neuron system as the fundamental unit, a fully connected SNN is constructed to complete a classic deep learning task: the recognition of handwritten digit patterns. The simulation results reveal that the exemplary SNN can effectively recognize 10 numbers directly in the optical domain by employing the surrogate gradient algorithm. The theoretical verification of our architecture paves a whole new path for integrated photonic SNNs, with the potential to advance the field of neuromorphic photonic systems and enable more efficient spiking information processing.
Mathematical model of oxygen, nutrient, and drug transport in tuberculosis granulomas
Authors: Datta Meenal , Kennedy McCarthy , Siri Saeed , Via Laura E. , Baish James W. , Xu Lei , Dartois Véronique , Barry Clifton E. , Jain Rakesh K.
Published: February 2024

Physiological abnormalities in pulmonary granulomas–pathological hallmarks of tuberculosis (TB)–compromise the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and drugs. In prior studies, we demonstrated mathematically and experimentally that hypoxia and necrosis emerge in the granuloma microenvironment (GME) as a direct result of limited oxygen availability. Building on our initial model of avascular oxygen diffusion, here we explore additional aspects of oxygen transport, including the roles of granuloma vasculature, transcapillary transport, plasma dilution, and interstitial convection, followed by cellular metabolism. Approximate analytical solutions are provided for oxygen and glucose concentration, interstitial fluid velocity, interstitial fluid pressure, and the thickness of the convective zone. These predictions are in agreement with prior experimental results from rabbit TB granulomas and from rat carcinoma models, which share similar transport limitations. Additional drug delivery predictions for anti-TB-agents (rifampicin and clofazimine) strikingly match recent spatially-resolved experimental results from a mouse model of TB. Finally, an approach to improve molecular transport in granulomas by modulating interstitial hydraulic conductivity is tested in silico.
An Epigenomic fingerprint of human cancers by landscape interrogation of super enhancers at the constituent level
Authors: Liu Xiang , Gillis Nancy , Jiang Chang , McCofie Anthony , Shaw Timothy I. , Tan Aik-Choon , Zhao Bo , Wan Lixin , Duckett Derek R. , Teng Mingxiang
Published: February 2024

Super enhancers (SE), large genomic elements that activate transcription and drive cell identity, have been found with cancer-specific gene regulation in human cancers. Recent studies reported the importance of understanding the cooperation and function of SE internal components, i.e., the constituent enhancers (CE). However, there are no pan-cancer studies to identify cancer-specific SE signatures at the constituent level. Here, by revisiting pan-cancer SE activities with H3K27Ac ChIP-seq datasets, we report fingerprint SE signatures for 28 cancer types in the NCI-60 cell panel. We implement a mixture model to discriminate active CEs from inactive CEs by taking into consideration ChIP-seq variabilities between cancer samples and across CEs. We demonstrate that the model-based estimation of CE states provides improved functional interpretation of SE-associated regulation. We identify cancer-specific CEs by balancing their active prevalence with their capability of encoding cancer type identities. We further demonstrate that cancer-specific CEs have the strongest per-base enhancer activities in independent enhancer sequencing assays, suggesting their importance in understanding critical SE signatures. We summarize fingerprint SEs based on the cancer-specific statuses of their component CEs and build an easy-to-use R package to facilitate the query, exploration, and visualization of fingerprint SEs across cancers.
Identification of integrated proteomics and transcriptomics signature of alcohol-associated liver disease using machine learning
Authors: Listopad Stanislav , Magnan Christophe , Day Le Z. , Asghar Aliya , Stolz Andrew , Tayek John A. , Liu Zhang-Xu , Jacobs Jon M. , Morgan Timothy R. , Norden-Krichmar Trina M.
Published: February 2024

Distinguishing between alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) and alcohol-associated cirrhosis (AC) remains a diagnostic challenge. In this study, we used machine learning with transcriptomics and proteomics data from liver tissue and peripheral mononuclear blood cells (PBMCs) to classify patients with alcohol-associated liver disease. The conditions in the study were AH, AC, and healthy controls. We processed 98 PBMC RNAseq samples, 55 PBMC proteomic samples, 48 liver RNAseq samples, and 53 liver proteomic samples. First, we built separate classification and feature selection pipelines for transcriptomics and proteomics data. The liver tissue models were validated in independent liver tissue datasets. Next, we built integrated gene and protein expression models that allowed us to identify combined gene-protein biomarker panels. For liver tissue, we attained 90% nested-cross validation accuracy in our dataset and 82% accuracy in the independent validation dataset using transcriptomic data. We attained 100% nested-cross validation accuracy in our dataset and 61% accuracy in the independent validation dataset using proteomic data. For PBMCs, we attained 83% and 89% accuracy with transcriptomic and proteomic data, respectively. The integration of the two data types resulted in improved classification accuracy for PBMCs, but not liver tissue. We also identified the following gene-protein matches within the gene-protein biomarker panels: CLEC4M-CLC4M, GSTA1-GSTA2 for liver tissue and SELENBP1-SBP1 for PBMCs. In this study, machine learning models had high classification accuracy for both transcriptomics and proteomics data, across liver tissue and PBMCs. The integration of transcriptomics and proteomics into a multi-omics model yielded improvement in classification accuracy for the PBMC data. The set of integrated gene-protein biomarkers for PBMCs show promise toward developing a liquid biopsy for alcohol-associated liver disease.
Agomelatine prevented depression in the chronic restraint stress model through enhanced catalase activity and halted oxidative stress
Authors: Xu Jiaxi , Zhu Cheng , Jin Piaopiao , Sun Wangdi , Yu Enyan
Published: February 2024

Background

Agomelatine (AGO) is an antidepressant with unique pharmacological effects; however, its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we examined agomelatine’s effects on catalase activity, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Methods

Chronic restraint stress (CRS) model mice were established over 4 weeks, and AGO 50 mg/kg was administered to different groups alongside a deferasirox (DFX) 10 mg/kg gavage treatment. Behavioral tests were performed to assess the effect of AGO on the remission of depression-like behaviors. Meanwhile, the expression of CAT, the oxidative stress signaling pathway and inflammatory protein markers were assessed using ELISA, qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Four weeks of AGO treatment significantly improved depression-like behavior in mice through the activation of catalase in the hippocampus and serum of the model mice, increased superoxide dismutase expression, reduced malondialdehyde expression, and reduced oxidative stress damage. Deferasirox was found to offset this therapeutic effect partially. In addition, the inflammatory pathway (including nuclear factor-κB and nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor, alpha) was not significantly altered.

Conclusions

AGO can exert antidepressant effects by altering oxidative stress by modulating catalase activity.
Numerical study of forces acting on the drum cutting coal with gangue
Authors: Liu Hongmei , Zhang Han
Published: February 2024

A coal model containing gangue was established by discrete elements to study the forces occurring when a shearer cuts coal, and a rigid-flexible coupled shearer section model was established in RecurDyn; the drum cutting process was simulated through bidirectional coupling. The dynamic distribution of the force chain was obtained when cutter teeth cut the coal rock. During the cutting process, the coal rock failure is caused by normal and tangential forces, with the latter having a major role. The ratio of the average tangential force to normal force was 1.34~1.79. When the rock is in the middle of the coal seam, the force (including normal and tangential forces) on the rock is the highest. Moreover, the force on the rock-coal interface is greater than that on the coal-rock interface. The results show that the force on the coal decreases with the increases in rotation speed. In contrast, the number of broken bonds increases. Further, the number of broken bonds and the force of coal increased nonlinearly with traction speed. Finally, the increase of tooth mounting angle decreased the force on the coal rock and the number of broken bonds, followed by an increase. As such, this study provides a reference for further theoretical research on forces in coal cutting.