bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain-wide N2cG compensation permits glycoprotein-deleted rabies virus to trace neural circuits across multiple synapses
Authors: Luo Nengsong , Han Zengpeng , Kou Jiaxin , Cai Yuxiang , Yang Xin , Wang Jie , Lin Kunzhang , Xu Fuqiang
Published: January 2023

Rabies-viruses-based retrograde tracers can spread across multiple synapses in a retrograde direction in the nervous system of rodents and primates, making them powerful tools for determining the structure and function of the complicated neural circuits of the brain. However, they have some limitations, such as posing high risks to human health and the inability to retrograde trans-synaptic label inputs from genetically-defined starter neurons. Here, we established a new retrograde trans-multi-synaptic tracing method through brain-wide rabies virus glycoprotein (RVG) compensation, followed by glycoprotein-deleted rabies virus (RV-[Formula: see text]G) infection in specific brain regions. Furthermore, in combination with the avian tumor virus receptor A (TVA) controlled by a cell-type-specific promoter, we found that EnvA-pseudotyped RV-[Formula: see text]G can mediate efficient retrograde trans-multi-synaptic transduction from cell-type-specific starter neurons. This study provides new alternative methods for neuroscience researchers to analyze the input neural networks of rodents and nonhuman primates.
Clustering-based image segmentation for optimal image fusion using CT and MRI images
Authors: Thenmoezhi N. , Perumal B. , Lakshmi A.
Published: January 2023

As opposed to using many unrelated photographs to depict the same scene, image fusions combine multiple, similar images to generate a single, unified image with greater detail. Imaging sensors and the need for a wideband signal to transmit most source images limit their resolution. This study suggests new methods of fusing medical pictures from different modalities in order to increase image quality and, by extension, the accuracy with which brain tumors can be detected and identified. Improved convolutional neural network (ICNN) and region growth-based [Formula: see text]-means clustering (RKMC) are used in the suggested strategy to boost the quality of brain image fusions obtained from Computed tomography scanned image (CTSI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in this study. The first stages of this task consist of eliminating noise, segmenting images, extracting and selecting features, and fusing images. AMF (Adaptive Median Filtering) are first used to eliminate noise from MRI images and CTSI of the brain, improving the image quality. With the help of the RKMC algorithm, MRI image and CTSI scans can be segmented into their constituent pieces, which can then be seen either as grayscale images or as pictures of objects. The RKMC algorithm is able to adequately account for the possibility of tumors in white images. More useful image features can be extracted with the use of MPCA (Modified Principal Component Analysis). Afterward, features with the highest fitness values are chosen by using AFO (Adaptive Firefly Optimization). Image fusions of multimodal images are carried out using ICNN, which generates the image’s lower-, middle-, and higher-level contents. Incorporating important and relevant image characteristics from all viewpoints and perspectives improves feature training and testing. The results show that the proposed RKMC+ICNNs outperform the state-of-the-art approaches in terms of accuracy, PSNR, RMSE, and runtime.
Exploring Azadirachta indica Gum as the Sustainable Fuel in Combustion Process for the Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Potentials
Authors: Kanimozhi S. , Hariram M. , Ganesan V. , Muthuramkumar S. , Vivekanandhan S.
Published: January 2023

Azadirachta indica (Neem) gum was effectively used in the combustion process as the sustainable fuel for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using zinc nitrate as the metal precursor. Thermal degradation of gum intermediate, which contains uniformly distributed Zn ions in gum matrix, by means of exothermic combustion reaction results in the formation of ZnO nanoparticles at a relatively lower temperature of 220∘C. Further, the phase stabilization of ZnO nanoparticles was performed at 700∘C for 3 h in ambient condition, which also led to the complete removal of organic residues. FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDX and TEM characterization of the ZnO nanoparticles reveals its phase purity and organic-free nature with a size ranging between 40 and 60 nm. Its optical activities were studied by UV–Visible and photoluminescence studies and the UV–Visible analysis reveals its band gap energy as 3.17 eV. Further, the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles showed splendid germicidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive bacteria), Escherichia coli (gram-negative bacteria) and Candida albicans (fungal pathogen). In addition, the bio-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent antioxidant behavior with the 81% of free radical quenching while employing 100[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]g/mL nanoparticle concentration.
The Scientific Investigation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) Using Multimodal Ground-Based Observatories
Authors: Watters Wesley Andrés , Loeb Abraham , Laukien Frank , Cloete Richard , Delacroix Alex , Dobroshinsky Sergei , Horvath Benjamin , Kelderman Ezra , Little Sarah , Masson Eric , Mead Andrew , Randall Mitch , Schultz Forrest , Szenher Matthew , Vervelidou Foteini , White Abigail , Ahlström Angelique , Cleland Carol , Dockal Spencer , Donahue Natasha , Elowitz Mark , Ezell Carson , Gersznowicz Alex , Gold Nicholas , Hercz Michael G. , Keto Eric , Knuth Kevin H. , Lux Anthony , Melnick Gary J. , Moro-Martín Amaya , Martin-Torres Javier , Ribes Daniel Llusa , Sail Paul , Teodorani Massimo , Tedesco John Joseph , Tedesco Gerald Thomas , Tu Michelle , Zorzano Maria-Paz
Published: January 2023

Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) have resisted explanation and have received little formal scientific attention for 75 years. A primary objective of the Galileo Project is to build an integrated software and instrumentation system designed to conduct a multimodal census of aerial phenomena and to recognize anomalies. Here we present key motivations for the study of UAP and address historical objections to this research. We describe an approach for highlighting outlier events in the high-dimensional parameter space of our census measurements. We provide a detailed roadmap for deciding measurement requirements, as well as a science traceability matrix (STM) for connecting sought-after physical parameters to observables and instrument requirements. We also discuss potential strategies for deciding where to locate instruments for development, testing, and final deployment. Our instrument package is multimodal and multispectral, consisting of (1) wide-field cameras in multiple bands for targeting and tracking of aerial objects and deriving their positions and kinematics using triangulation; (2) narrow-field instruments including cameras for characterizing morphology, spectra, polarimetry, and photometry; (3) passive multistatic arrays of antennas and receivers for radar-derived range and kinematics; (4) radio spectrum analyzers to measure radio and microwave emissions; (5) microphones for sampling acoustic emissions in the infrasonic through ultrasonic frequency bands; and (6) environmental sensors for characterizing ambient conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind velocity), as well as quasistatic electric and magnetic fields, and energetic particles. The use of multispectral instruments and multiple sensor modalities will help to ensure that artifacts are recognized and that true detections are corroborated and verifiable. Data processing pipelines are being developed that apply state-of-the-art techniques for multi-sensor data fusion, hypothesis tracking, semi-supervised classification, and outlier detection.
Directive Explanations for Actionable Explainability in Machine Learning Applications
Authors: Singh Ronal , Miller Tim , Lyons Henrietta , Sonenberg Liz , Velloso Eduardo , Vetere Frank , Howe Piers , Dourish Paul
Published: January 2023

In this article, we show that explanations of decisions made by machine learning systems can be improved by not only explainingwhya decision was made but also explaininghowan individual could obtain their desired outcome. We formally define the concept ofdirective explanations(those that offer specific actions an individual could take to achieve their desired outcome), introduce two forms of directive explanations (directive-specific and directive-generic), and describe how these can be generated computationally. We investigate people’s preference for and perception toward directive explanations through two online studies, one quantitative and the other qualitative, each covering two domains (the credit scoring domain and the employee satisfaction domain). We find a significant preference for both forms of directive explanations compared to non-directive counterfactual explanations. However, we also find that preferences are affected by many aspects, including individual preferences and social factors. We conclude that deciding what type of explanation to provide requires information about the recipients and other contextual information. This reinforces the need for a human-centered and context-specific approach to explainable AI.
Spatio-temporal Graph Learning for Epidemic Prediction
Authors: Yu Shuo , Xia Feng , Li Shihao , Hou Mingliang , Sheng Quan Z.
Published: January 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed great challenges to public health services, government agencies, and policymakers, raising huge social conflicts between public health and economic resilience. Policies such as reopening or closure of business activities are formulated based on scientific projections of infection risks obtained from infection dynamics models. Though most parameters in epidemic prediction service models can be set with domain knowledge of COVID-19, a key parameter, namely, human mobility, is often challenging to estimate due to complex spatio-temporal correlations and social contexts under escalating COVID-19 facilities. Moreover, how to integrate the various implicit features to accurately predict infectious cases is still an open issue. To address this challenge, we formulate the problem as a spatio-temporal network representation problem and propose STEP, a Spatio-Temporal Epidemic Prediction framework, to estimate pandemic infection risk of a city by integrating various real-world conditions (e.g., City Risk Index, climate, and medical conditions) into graph-structured data. We also employ a multi-head attention mechanism in representation learning to extract implicit features for a given city. Extensive experiments have been conducted upon the real-world dataset for 51 states (50 states and Washington, D.C.) of the USA. Experimental results show that STEP can yield more accurate pandemic infection risk estimation than baseline methods. Moreover, STEP outperforms other methods in both short-term and long-term prediction.
Fine-Grained Text-to-Video Temporal Grounding from Coarse Boundary
Authors: Hao Jiachang , Sun Haifeng , Ren Pengfei , Zhong Yiming , Wang Jingyu , Qi Qi , Liao Jianxin
Published: January 2023

Text-to-video temporal grounding aims to locate a target video moment that semantically corresponds to the given sentence query in an untrimmed video. In this task, fully supervised works require text descriptions for each event along with its temporal segment coordinate for training, which is labor-consuming. Existing weakly supervised works require only video-sentence pairs but cannot achieve satisfactory performance. However, many available annotations in the form of coarse temporal boundaries for sentences are ignored and unexploited. These coarse boundaries are common in streaming media platform and can be collected in a mechanical manner. We propose a novel approach to perform fine-grained text-to-video temporal grounding from these coarse boundaries. We take dense video captioning as base task and leverage the trained captioning model to identify the relevance of each video frame to the sentence query according to the frame participation in event captioning. To quantify the frame participation in event captioning, we proposeevent activation sequence, a simple method that highlights the temporal regions which have high correlations to the text modality in videos. Experiments on modified ActivityNet Captions and a use case demonstrate the promising fine-grained performance of our approach.
Typed–Untyped Interactions: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Greenman Ben , Dimoulas Christos , Felleisen Matthias
Published: January 2023

The literature presents many strategies for enforcing the integrity of types when typed code interacts with untyped code. This article presents a uniform evaluation framework that characterizes the differences among some major existing semantics for typed–untyped interaction. Type system designers can use this framework to analyze the guarantees of their own dynamic semantics.
Methanol Synthesis from CO2 and H2O Using a Solid Phosphate Electrolyzer at 240 °C and 28 Bar
Authors: Christensen E. , Berg R. W. , Krüger R. , Bjerrum N. J.
Published: January 2023

It has been demonstrated that it is possible to produce methanol in one step in reasonable amounts by electrolysis of CO2 and H2O gasses dissolved under 28 bar and at 240 °C in contact with an electrolyte consisting of solid CsH2PO4 with additions of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) acting as a binder. The cathode was designed as a sandwich with a layer of a copper methanol catalyst and a porous platinum electrode. The anode consisted of porous ruthenium metal covered by a layer of RuO2. The system was operated with current densities of up to ca. 100 mA cm−2 with a voltage of less than 2 volts producing methanol with a Faradaic efficiency of up to ca. 7%. There seems to be nothing against recirculating the rest of reactant gases to improve the conversion. The question is of course whether the present approach can compete with a more traditional conversion starting with electrochemical produced hydrogen.
Effect of Chemical Inhomogeneity on the Dielectric and Impedance Behaviors of Bismuth Sodium Titanate Based Relaxors
Authors: Li Yujing , Rao Rongrong , Wang Yiyi , Du Huiling , Shi Jing , Liu Xiao
Published: January 2023

Different levels of Nb2O5 substitution in 0.66(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3−0.06BaTiO3−0.28(Bi0.2Sr0.7)TiO3 (BS-xNb) lead-free relaxors were prepared to investigate the effect of chemical heterogeneity on the dielectric and impedance behaviors. X-ray diffraction reveals that the secondary phase gradually increases in number and intensity as the dopant increases. The substitution of less Nb5+ for Ti4+ leads to reduced electronic conductivity and dielectric loss, which is attributed to the inhibition of oxygen vacancies and associated electron. It is found that more valence electron defects are generated to cause charge leakage by introducing excess Nb2O5. Moreover, the addition of Nb2O5 doping enhances the disorder and facilitates the transition of the nonergodic to ergodic relaxor phase. The ferroelectric ergodic long-range order is further disrupted and promotes the formation of local defect fields and high-temperature polar nanoregions. These effects enhance the relaxation behavior with decreased remnant polarization and form a broadly flat dielectric platform. Meanwhile, BS-2Nb exhibits attractively high recoverable energy storage density and efficiency at a relatively low electric field with stability against frequency and temperature. Combined with the complex impedance characteristics, the leakage contribution of the chemical inhomogeneity introduced by excess Nb2O5 is presented, demonstrating the significance of regulating the dielectric performance of bismuth sodium titanate-based relaxors.
Molecular predictors of resistance training outcomes in young untrained female adults
Authors: Smith Morgan A. , Sexton Casey L. , Smith Kristen A. , Osburn Shelby C. , Godwin Joshua S. , Beausejour Jonathan P. , Ruple Bradley A. , Goodlett Michael D. , Edison Joseph L. , Fruge Andrew D. , Robinson Austin T. , Gladden L. Bruce , Young Kaelin C. , Roberts Michael D.
Published: January 2023

This study continues to delineate muscle biology differences between lower and higher responders to resistance training and is unique in that a female population was interrogated. As has been reported in prior studies, increases in satellite cell numbers are related to positive responses to resistance training. Satellite cell responsivity, rather than changes in muscle ribosome content per milligrams of tissue, may be a more important factor in delineating resistance-training responses in women.
Traditional Herbal Remedies in the Management of Metabolic Disorders in Ethiopia: A Systematic Review of Ethnobotanical Studies and Pharmacological Activities
Authors: Tola Mekdes Alemu , Ibrahim Fozia , Melak Haregua , Tafesse Temesgen , Alemayehu Mekdelawit , Nigussie Gashaw
Published: January 2023

Background. MetS are common throughout the world, including Ethiopia. These have traditionally been treated using medicinal plants, particularly in rural areas where they are freely accessible. This systematic review tried to investigate the treatment of MetS with Ethiopian medicinal herbs and made recommendations for more validation research. A careful analysis of the literature was also conducted on the therapeutic effects of these and other Ethiopian medicinal plants with hepatoprotective and antihypertensive activities. Methods. The relevant keywords “Ethnomedicinal + hypertension,” “Ethnopharmacological + hypertension,” “Ethnomedicinal + hepatitis, jaundices, and liver disease,” “Ethnopharmacological + hepatic disorder,” and “Ethnomedicinal + weight loss” were used to search for relevant articles in the major electronic scientific databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search strategy included all articles with descriptions that were accessible until April 30, 2022. The study’s subjects, methods, or year of publication were no restrictions in the search. The outcomes were compiled using descriptive statistics. Results. Fifty‐four (54) studies were examined in the review that satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the treatment of MetS in Ethiopia. The most often used ethnobotanical plant species for the treatment of hypertension and hepatic disorders were Moringa stenopetala and Croton macrostachyus. Both hepatic and hypertensive disorders were treated more frequently with leaves (52% and 39%, respectively) than with roots (20% and 13%, respectively). Some intriguing studies came from an ethnobotanical investigation into medicinal herbs’ hepatoprotective and antihypertensive properties. The most often investigated medicinal plant for its antihypertensive effects is Moringa stenopetala. Conclusion. The study revealed that Ethiopians often use anti‐MetS herbal remedies. We advocate the experimental validation of the commonly used medicinal plants with the identification of active compounds and the development of effective alternative drugs for the treatment of MetS.
Specific Blood RNA Profiles in Individuals with Acute Spinal Cord Injury as Compared with Trauma Controls
Authors: Chen Qing , Wang Longqing , Wu Hao , Ye Cheng , Xie Dong , Zhao Qi , Zhu Qi , Xu Chenhui , Yang Lili
Published: January 2023

Background. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is known to cause a more robust systemic inflammatory response than general trauma without CNS injury, inducing severe secondary organ damage, especially the lung and liver. Related studies are principally focused on the mechanisms underlying repair and regeneration in the injured spinal cord tissue. However, the specific mechanism of secondary injury after acute SCI is widely overlooked, compared with general trauma. Methods. Two datasets of GSE151371 and GSE45376 related to the blood samples and spinal cord after acute SCI were selected to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). In GSE151371, functional enrichment analysis on specific DEGs of blood samples was performed. And the top 15 specific hub genes were identified from intersectional genes between the specific upregulated DEGs of blood samples in GSE151371 and the upregulated DEGs of the spinal cord in GSE45376. The specific functional enrichment analysis and the drug candidates of the hub genes and the miRNAs-targeted hub genes were also analyzed and predicted. Results. DEGs were identified, and a total of 64 specific genes were the intersection of upregulated genes of the spinal cord in GSE45376 and upregulated genes of human blood samples in GSE151371. The top 15 hub genes including HP, LCN2, DLGAP5, CEP55, HMMR, CDKN3, PRTN3, SKA3, MPO, LTF, CDC25C, MMP9, NEIL3, NUSAP1, and CD163 were calculated from the 64 specific genes. Functional enrichment analysis of the top 15 hub genes revealed inflammation-related pathways. The predicted miRNAs-targeted hub genes and drug candidates of hub genes were also performed to put forward reasonable treatment strategies. Conclusion. The specific hub genes of acute SCI as compared with trauma without CNS injury were identified. The functional enrichment analysis of hub genes showed a specific immune response. Several predicted drugs of hub genes were also obtained. The hub genes and the predicted miRNAs may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets and require further validation.
Experimental Study on the Production and Mechanical Behavior of Compressed Lime-Cement-Stabilized Interlock Soil Blocks
Authors: Befikadu Zewudie Besukal
Published: January 2023

Compressed stabilized soil block is a sustainable building material primarily made up of stabilized damp soil compressed under pressure. Soil properties and the type of the stabilizer used in producing compressed soil blocks have a significant impact on the quality and behavior of the soil blocks. This study presents the physical and mechanical behavior of lime-cement-stabilized compressed interlock soil blocks produced from two types of natural soil. The two types of soil have different index properties and mineral oxide compositions. Lime-cement combination and cement standalone was used as a binder in the production of test sample blocks depending on the index properties of the soil. 2%lime + 6%cement, 3%lime + 8%cement, and 4%lime + 10%cement were used for the soil block produced from silty clay soil of medium plasticity index. On the other hand, 6%, 8%, and 10% cement by dry mass of soil were used to stabilize silty sand soil. The behaviors of the blocks, such as dry density, the initial rate of water absorption, saturated absorption of water, compressive strength, and stress-strain relation, were examined. The result shows that the compressed soil blocks produced from lime-cement-stabilized silty clay soil has a low rate of initial water absorption and a low dry unit weight when compared to cement-stabilized sandy soil blocks. Soil blocks produced from cement-stabilized silty sand soil attain greater compressive strength by more than 50% of the compressive strength of silty clay soil blocks stabilized by a combination of lime and cement at 60 days after production. The initial tangent modulus of the soil blocks produced using a manual compressing machine from a clay soil stabilized by the lime-cement proportions of 2%L + 6%C, 3%L + 8%C, and 4%L + 10%C is about 1,700 MPa–2,300 MPa with a dry density greater than 1,660 kg/m3.
Osthole Inhibits M1 Macrophage Polarization and Attenuates Osteolysis in a Mouse Skull Model
Authors: Wang Feifei , Yang Peiming , Wan Tianhao , Liu Cong , Zhu Yujuan , Chen Xuzhuo , Liu Huanyan
Published: January 2023

Excessive bone resorption due to increased inflammatory factors is a common feature of inflammatory lytic bone diseases. This group of diseases is effectively treated with drugs. In recent years, many studies have reported that traditional Chinese medicine herbs have substantial effects on inflammation, osteoclast differentiation and maturation, and bone destruction. Herein, we investigated the effects of osthole (OST) on lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced macrophage polarization, inflammatory responses, and osteolysis. In vitro, we used immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays to confirm whether bone marrow-derived macrophages showed an increased expression of inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-6, iNOS, CCR7, and CD86, in the presence of LPS. However, we found that such expression was suppressed and that the M2 macrophage expression increased in the presence of OST. OST reduced LPS- and RANKL-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species production in the bone marrow-derived macrophages. Further, it potently suppressed osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast-specific gene expression by suppressing the P38/MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Consistent with the in vitro observations, OST greatly ameliorated LPS-induced bone resorption and modulated the ratio of macrophages at the site of osteolysis. Taken together, OST has great potential for use in the management of osteolytic diseases.
Modelling the Impact of Human Population and Its Associated Pressure on Forest Biomass and Forest-Dependent Wildlife Population
Authors: Fanuel Ibrahim M. , Kajunguri Damian , Moyo Francis
Published: January 2023

Mathematical models have been widely used to explain the system originating from human-nature interaction, investigate the impacts of various components, and forecast system behaviour. This paper provides a profound reference to the current state of the art regarding the application of mathematical models to study the impact of human population and population pressure on forest biomass and forest-dependent wildlife. The review focused on two aspects, namely, model formulation and model analysis. In model formulation, the review revealed that socioeconomic status influences forest resource consumption patterns, thus, stratification of the human population based on economic status is a critical phenomenon in modelling human-nature interactions; however, this component has not been featured in the reviewed models. Regarding model analysis, in most of the reviewed work, single parameter approach was utilized to perform uncertainty quantification of the model parameter; this approach has been proven to be inadequate in measuring the uncertainty and sensitivity of the parameter. Thus, the use of correlation or variance based methods, which are multidimensional parameter space methods are of significant importance. Generally, despite the limitations of many assumptions in mathematical modelling, it is revealed that mathematical models demonstrate the ability to handle complex systems originating from interactions between humans and nature.
Utilization of Nonpneumatic Antishock Garment and Associated Factors among Obstetric Care Providers in Public Hospitals of Sidama Region, Hawassa, Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Bekele Merkin , Fikre Rekiku , Alelign Yitateku , Geltore Teketel Ermias
Published: January 2023

Background. Nonpneumatic antishock garment is one of the newly emerging technology advances that reduce blood loss which is caused by obstetric hemorrhage and help women survive during delays to get definitive care. Over 80% of maternal mortality due to hemorrhagic shock may have been prevented if a nonpneumatic antishock garment had been utilized by an obstetric care provider. However, to the current knowledge, the utilization of nonpneumatic antishock garments is low and even no single study was conducted in the study area. Hence, we found that it is necessary to assess the magnitude and factors affecting the utilization of antishock garments among obstetric care providers in public hospitals of the Sidama region, Ethiopia, 2022. Methods. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed among 403 obstetric care providers from June 15 to July 15, 2022. A two-stage sampling technique was applied; the data was collected by 5 trained BSc midwives using pretested and structured self-administered questionnaires. Data was entered into EpiData Manager version 4.6 and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 software. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. Results. A total of 394 (97.8%) health professionals participated in this study. Overall, 30.71% (95% CI: 26.4%, 35%) of the obstetric care providers had utilized nonpneumatic antishock garments for the management of postpartum hemorrhage. Training on the antishock garment (

AOR
=
4.183

, 95% CI: 2.167, 8.075,

p
<
0.00

), tertiary hospital (

AOR
=
0.355

, 95% CI: 0.132, 0.952,

p
<
0.04

), having protocol in the facility (

AOR
=
2.758

, 95% CI: 1.269, 5.996), availability of NASG in the facility (

AOR
=
4.6

, 95% CI: 1.603, 13.24), good knowledge (

AOR
=
2.506

, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.984), and positive attitude (

AOR
=
2.381

, 95% CI: 1.189, 4.766) were significantly associated factors. Conclusion and Recommendation. We found that less than one-third of the study participants have used the antishock garment in the management of postpartum hemorrhage in the current study. In addition to enhancing in-service and ongoing professional development training, it is preferable to insure the availability and accessibility of antishock in the facilities in order to close the knowledge and attitude gap among obstetric care providers.
Statistical Inference of the Class of Nonparametric Tests for the Panel Count and Current Status Data from the Perspective of the Saddlepoint Approximation
Authors: Abd El-Raheem Abd El-Raheem M. , Hosny Mona , Abd-Elfattah Ehab F.
Published: January 2023

Many statisticians resort to using the asymptotic normal approximation method to carry out statistical inference for many statistical tests, especially nonparametric ones. In this article, the saddlepoint approximation method is proposed as an alternative to the asymptotic normal approximation method to carry out statistical inference for a number of nonparametric tests for an important type of data that appears frequently in many clinical studies such as cancer and tumorigenicity studies. In clinical trials, there are many strategies through which treatments are assigned to patients. Equal allocation of both treatments is a largely prevalent approach in clinical trials to eliminate experimental bias and increase power. Accordingly, the statistical analysis is carried out based on the truncated binomial design, which is one of the designs that achieve a perfect balance between the two treatments. To clarify the accuracy of the proposed approximation method, two sets of real data are analyzed, and for the same purpose, a comprehensive simulation study is carried out.
CD161 Characterizes an Inflamed Subset of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes Associated with Prolonged Survival in Human Papillomavirus–Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Wei Ye , Xu Tingting , Li Chong , Zhou Xin , Qian Wei , Shen Chunying , Wang Qifeng , Xing Xing , Ou Xiaomin , He Xiayun , Yin Hongmei , Hu Chaosu , Wang Yu , Ji Qinghai , Su Fengtao , Lu Xueguan
Published: January 2023

Human papillomavirus (HPV)–driven oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPSCC) is distinct from tobacco- or alcohol-associated OPSCC and has a unique immune landscape. Studies have supported the heterogeneity of T cells, accompanied by a broad repertoire of T-cell responses, within tumors driven by HPV infection. However, the phenotype and function of these HPV-related T cells remain unclear. Using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, pharmacologic inhibition, and immunofluorescence staining, we explored the prognostic implication of HPV-related T cells and further validated our findings in two independent cohorts. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) within OPSCC displayed a spectrum of transcriptional signatures. Among which, we identified CD161 receptor, encoded by KLRB1, as a potential marker to distinguish the CTL subsets in HPV-positive OPSCC with a divergent evolutionary trajectory. In-depth analysis revealed that CD161+ CTLs exhibited a more robust immune response over the CD161− counterparts and a T cell–inflamed phenotype that could be further reinvigorated by immune-checkpoint blockade. Despite the high expression of exhaustion markers, reinforcement of CD161+ CTL reactivity was expected to boost immune responses, considering their functional reversibility. We further confirmed that the high level of intratumoral CD161+ CTLs associated with a favorable treatment response and prolonged overall survival. Therefore, our research not only provides an insight into the immune landscape of HPV-driven OPSCC but also sheds light on a special subset of CTLs with prognostic and therapeutic significance.
P. gingivalisInfection Upregulates PD-L1 Expression on Dendritic Cells, Suppresses CD8+ T-cell Responses, and Aggravates Oral Cancer
Authors: Ren Junling , Han Xiao , Lohner Hannah , Hoyle Rosalie G. , Li Jiong , Liang Shuang , Wang Huizhi
Published: January 2023

Accumulating evidence shows that PD-L1 expression on dendritic cells (DC) is critical for cancer immunotherapy and that Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) colonization aggravates the progression of upper gastrointestinal cancers. However, the effects of Pg infection on PD-L1 expression on DCs and related immune consequences in the infection milieu of oral cancer remain unexplored. Here, we found that Pg infection robustly enhanced PD-L1 expression on DCs in a gingipain-dependent manner in cultured cell and systemic infection assays. Pg infection suppressed antigen-specific CD8+ T cells through upregulation of PD-L1 expression on ovalbumin (OVA)-pulsed DCs. This suppression was manifested by decreased IFNγ, perforin, granzyme B, and CD107a. Further analysis showed that Pg drastically reduced CD8+ T cells’ ability to lyse OVA-pulsed target cells. Additionally, Pg infection increased the phosphorylation of Akt and STAT3, leading to a significant increase in PD-L1 expression. This was substantiated by using siRNA, overexpression plasmids, and pharmacologic inhibitors. Consistent with the in vitro observations, in a syngeneic mouse oral cancer model, Pg infection significantly enhanced PD-L1 expression on DCs from intratumoral tissues and cervical lymph nodes and exacerbated oral cancer progression, whereas a Pg lysine-specific, gingipain-defective mutant failed to do so. These influences of Pg were largely diminished when tumor cells were pretreated with antibiotics or a STAT3 inhibitor. Therefore, we demonstrated that Pg infection upregulates PD-L1 expression on DCs through Akt-STAT3 signaling, suppresses CD8+ T-cell cytotoxicity, and aggravates oral cancer growth, suggesting targeting Pg, and/or its mediated signaling, could be a therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy.
CYP1B1 Genetic Variants (rs10916 and rs2855658) Are Associated with Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Zhang Fan , Fu Chuanyi , Deng Yidong , Zhang Mao , Peng Hao , Li Wenan , Zhong Jian , Zhou Qing , Huang Li , Xiao Shuli , Zhao Jiannong
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Ischemic stroke (IS) is an extremely complex disease caused by the combined action of multiple environmental and genetic factors. CYP1B1 is a member of the cytochrome P450 protein family, and it is an important human drug-metabolizing enzymes. We aimed to explore the association between CYP1B1 genetic variants and IS risk in Chinese Han population. Methods: We recruited 1,150 participants to conduct a “case-control” study. The assessment of association between candidate CYP1B1 genetic variants (rs2855658, rs10916, rs162560, rs2567206) and IS risk was performed by SNPStats online software. In addition, false-positive report probability analysis was used to detect whether the positive findings were just chance or noteworthy observations. Finally, the interaction of candidate SNPs in IS risk was evaluated by multifactor dimensionality reduction. Results: The results showed that CYP1B1-rs2855658 was a risk factor for IS among ≥60-year-old (dominant: p = 0.034; overdominant: p = 0.026), smoking (heterozygote: p = 0.009; dominant: p = 0.004; overdominant: p = 0.012; log-additive: p = 0.003), and drinking participants (homozygous: p = 0.036; dominant: p = 0.019; recessive: p = 0.012; log-additive: p = 0.006). CYP1B1-rs10916 also was a risk factor for IS patients among ≥60-year-old (heterozygote: p = 0.047; overdominant: p = 0.048), smoking (dominant: p = 0.050; overdominant: p = 0.049), and drinking participants (dominant: p = 0.019; overdominant: p = 0.038; log-additive: p = 0.013). Conclusion: CYP1B1-rs10916 and CYP1B1-rs2855658 can increase the IS risk in Chinese Han population who are ≥60 years old, smoking, or drinking alcohol.
Variability among Physicians in Risk Stratification for People with Diabetes during Ramadan Fasting
Authors: Afandi Bachar , Hassanein Mohamed , Shaikh Shehla , Ibrahim Gamal , Alarouj Monira
Published: January 2023

Introduction: A novel clinical calculator was developed to assist physicians in classifying the risk for individuals with diabetes planning to observe fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. The aim of this study was to evaluate the necessity to use this approach. Methods: A survey with twenty-six clinical scenario questions was developed. All cases were pre-scored using the proposed Diabetes and Ramadan Risk Calculator. The survey was sent to 350 reputable practicing physicians with considerable expertise in managing patients with diabetes. The survey sought expert opinion on patients’ risk classification during Ramadan fasting. Quantitative methods were used for data analysis. Results: Responses of 312 participants were valid for analysis. There was a wide variation in evaluating patients’ risk, particularly in moderate-risk cases. Overall, responses to case scenarios were classified correctly with 33–85% variation in correct response. Geographical and inter-specialty differences were noted. Conclusion: There is a broad variation among physicians on how to estimate the risk for patients with diabetes planning to fast during the month of Ramadan. A practical method using many variables might help physicians in the decision making.
Taste Alteration in External Auditory Canal Cholesteatoma: Indicator of Impending N VII Affection
Authors: Matosevic Lilia , Friedrich Hergen , Negoias Simona , Dür Cilgia , Caversaccio Marco , Dubach Patrick
Published: January 2023

Introduction: External auditory canal cholesteatoma (EACC) is a rare disease, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1:1,000 adult and 1.6:1,000 pediatric otologic patients. Systematic studies of chronic ear disease and taste alteration prior to surgery are rare; in fact, there are no such studies for EACCs. Therefore, we describe chorda tympani nerve (CTN) dysfunction and the related clinical consequences in EACC patients. Methods/Study Design: Between 1992 and 2021, we retrospectively analyzed the symptoms, signs, and radiological and intraoperative descriptions of CTN involvement in 73 patients. Liquid taste tests and, since 2009, Taste StripsTM as well as an olfactory screening test (Smell DiskettesTM) have been performed for all symptomatic patients and, when feasible, all other EACC patients. Level of Evidence: 4. Results: Ten of 73 patients complained subjectively of dysfunction, and 8 showed abnormal taste test results. Four patients complained of olfactory dysfunction (3 cases with pathological taste tests). Gustatory dysfunction was most frequent in radiogenic EACC cases (n = 4), followed by postoperative EACC (n = 3). Two postoperative patients were asymptomatic despite abnormal test results. Rarely, patients with idiopathic (n = 2) and posttraumatic (n = 1) EACC showed acute taste dysfunction that was confirmed in each with abnormal test results. Discussion/Conclusion: CTN dysfunction often developed asymptomatically in chronic ears, except for idiopathic and posttraumatic EACCs under previous healthy middle ear conditions. Taste disturbance is not a cardinal symptom of EACC, but objective testing suggests that up to one out of 10 EACC patients with advanced disease may experience regional gustatory dysfunction prior to surgery. Especially in context of a new and acute presentation, regional taste dysfunction may alert the clinician of potential progressive EACC invasion and danger to the facial nerve.
Utility of TRPS1 in Malignant Effusion Cytology
Authors: Tjendra Youley , Millan Nicolas , Velez Torres Jaylou M. , Zuo Yiqin , Garcia-Buitrago Monica , Jorda Merce , Gomez-Fernandez Carmen R.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Identifying metastatic breast carcinoma (mBC) in malignant effusion cytology (MEC) specimens is critical, as this will determine the patient’s prognosis and therapeutic management. Overlapping cytomorphologic features of breast carcinoma (BC) with other neoplastic entities makes the use of sensitive and specific markers highly desirable. Recent studies have reported trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) as a sensitive and specific marker for primary BC and mBC. We aimed to investigate TRPS1 expression in MEC of mBC and its most common diagnostic mimickers. Materials and Methods: A retrospective search from the pathology archives identified 82 MEC. TRPS1 expression in mBC was analyzed, and the results were compared to those in metastatic carcinoma of Müllerian origin (mMC) and metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma (mPAC). TRPS1 immunoperoxidase was performed on cytospin or cell block preparations, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Nuclear expression for TRPS1 was evaluated and scored as positive (≥1% of tumor cells) or negative. Nuclear TRPS1 expression was seen in 100% (30/30) mBC, 72% (18/25) mMC, and 7% (2/27) mPAC. This resulted in sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive values of 100%, 61%, 60%, and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: TRPS1 is a sensitive marker for mBC and can be reliably performed on cytology specimens. TRPS1 expression was also identified in a significant proportion of mMC, creating a potential diagnostic pitfall. Therefore, caution should be exercised when evaluating MEC of mBC with TRPS1. Consequently, a combination of immunoperoxidase panels should be employed in this setting.
Palliative Care Across the Life Span for Children With Heart Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Blume Elizabeth D. , Kirsch Roxanne , Cousino Melissa K. , Walter Jennifer K. , Steiner Jill M. , Miller Thomas A. , Machado Desiree , Peyton Christine , Bacha Emile , Morell Emily ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplantation Committee of the Council on Lifelong Congenital Heart Disease and Heart Health in the Young
Published: January 2023

Aim:

This summary from the American Heart Association provides guidance for the provision of primary and subspecialty palliative care in pediatric congenital and acquired heart disease.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from January 2010 to December 2021. Seminal articles published before January 2010 were also included in the review. Human subject studies and systematic reviews published in English in PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the Cochrane Collaboration were included.

Structure:

Although survival for pediatric congenital and acquired heart disease has tremendously improved in recent decades, morbidity and mortality risks remain for a subset of young people with heart disease, necessitating a role for palliative care. This scientific statement provides an evidence-based approach to the provision of primary and specialty palliative care for children with heart disease. Primary and specialty palliative care specific to pediatric heart disease is defined, and triggers for palliative care are outlined. Palliative care training in pediatric cardiology; diversity, equity, and inclusion considerations; and future research directions are discussed.
Energeia in the Magna Moralia
Authors: Wolt Daniel
Published: January 2023

There is no clear consensus among scholars about the authenticity of the Magna Moralia. Here I present a new case for thinking that the work was composed by a later Peripatetic, and is not, either directly or indirectly, the work of Aristotle. My argument rests on an analysis of the author’s usage of ἐνέργεια, which is a fruitful way to investigate the date of the work: the term was apparently coined by Aristotle but in later antiquity came to be used in ways inconsistent with Aristotle’s own usage. I argue that in several passages from the Magna Moralia the term is used in this distinctively late sense and that it is not plausible to think that this innovation could have occured in Aristotle’s own lifetime or shortly thereafter.
The Realism of Discourse: Critical Reflections on the Work of Kevin Schilbrack
Authors: Rasmussen Filip
Published: January 2023

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of scholars who have argued that “religion” is a specifically modern category which first emerged in Western Europe in the seventeenth century and was further developed, and extended to the rest of the world, in the context of colonialism. This, in turn, has led to a discussion of what these studies mean for the study of religion. In this article, I examine an influential answer to this question as it emerges in the work of Kevin Schilbrack, who argues in favour of a critical realist position. I argue, however, that Schilbrack misrepresents the nature of one of the other main theoretical approaches on offer, namely the discursive study of religion. This is a problem because of the relational nature of Schilbrack’s project, in that he argues for his own position based on the problems he identifies in other alternatives.
Phylogeny of the Ficus sarmentosa complex (Moraceae) uncovered an omitted species and the rank elevation of F. pubigera var. maliformis
Authors: ZHANG ZHEN , CHEN YI-JIA , MEI LI , ZOU LU , ZHANG MEI-JIAO , LI HONG-QING , ZHANG DE-SHUN
Published: January 2023

The common breakdown of one-to-one obligate mutualism renders that the hybridization and introgression are relatively universal in the evolutionary history of Ficus, which makes Ficus a difficult taxon taxonomically. The Ficus sarmentosa complex includes 10 species and 10 varieties, and multiple taxonomical issues exist so far due to overlapping and plastic morphological traits together with frequent gene flow. To explore the evolutionary history and taxonomy of the F. sarmentosa complex, three nuclear loci and comprehensive sampling were implemented. The phylogenetic result supported the species statuses of F. pumila, F. howii, F. dinganensis, F. pubigera, and F. anserina. Whereas, the phylogenetic relationships between the varieties and three allies of F. sarmentosa still remain unclear based on the current data. Besides, F. pubigera var. maliformis was elevated as the species ranks and then was named F. yunnanensis. At last, an omitted species was uncovered in the complex and then described with named F. muricata.
Cattleya porphyrascens, a new species (Laeliinae) of the genus Cattleya is described for Minas Gerais State, Brazil
Authors: MENEZES EULER DA LUZ FERNANDES
Published: January 2023

A new species of Orchidaceae of the genus Cattleya is described, illustrated, and compared to similar species in morphological and ecological aspects. The new taxon was encountered in the municipality of Diamantina, in the Sempre Vivas National Park, Minas Gerais State (Espinhaço Meridional Complex), Brazil. Cattleya porphyrascens is classified in the Parviflorae series, which comprises more than 50 species. The new species is a saxicolous and cespitose herb evidencing considerable size plasticity (from 6 to 12 cm tall), with flowers varying from 1.5 to 3 cm in diameter. The flowers are almost entirely purple-violet, except for the white fauce of the labellum, which is strongly trilobed, with the middle lobe semi-curved downwards and backwards. It is similar to Cattleya haroldoi and Cattleya vandenbergii, but differs in relevant aspects, as described in the diagnosis.