bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome due to topical corticosteroids after skin graft surgery for giant nevus: A case report
Authors: Katsura Minori , Sato Takeshi , Morita Kumiko , Ishii Tomohiro , Kishi Kazuo , Hasegawa Tomonobu
Published: January 2022

Iatrogenic Cushing syndrome (ICS) may be caused by exposure to corticosteroid therapy. We report a case of ICS caused by topical corticosteroids applied to the skin after skin graft surgery. We presume that the development of ICS, in this case, was attributed to a combination of skin barrier disruption, usage of high‐potency corticosteroids, broad application area/ large quantity of the corticosteroid, and the extended treatment period. Patients may be at risk for ICS after extensive skin graft surgery if large amounts of very potent topical corticosteroids are applied for an extended period to prevent scar formation or relieve itching.
Evaluation of reference genes for RT‐qPCR gene expression analysis inArabidopsis thalianaexposed to elevated temperatures
Authors: Škiljaica A. , Jagić M. , Vuk T. , Leljak Levanić D. , Bauer N. , Markulin L.
Published: January 2022

Increases in environmental temperature are directly linked to the issue of climate change and are known to significantly disrupt plant growth and development. Studies of gene expression in plants commonly include RT‐qPCR but the reliability of the method depends on the use of suitable reference genes for data normalization. Despite this, no reference genes have been validated specifically for experiments inArabidopsis thalianaemploying treatments with elevated temperature.

Here, ten genes were selected for expression stability analysis based on the screening of available literature and microarray data from temperature‐treatedA. thaliana. Expression levels of candidate reference genes were measured in 12‐day‐old seedlings, rosette leaves and flower buds of 5‐week‐oldA. thalianaplants exposed to five different temperatures (22°C, 27°C, 32°C, 37°C and 42°C) and their expression stabilities were assessed using four statistical algorithms (BestKeeper, geNorm, NormFinder and comparative ΔCqmethod).

This study provides reliable reference genes for use inA. thalianaRT‐qPCR expression analyses employing elevated temperature treatments, namelyOGIOandPUX7in seedlings,UBC21andPUX7in leaves,TIP41andUBC21in buds, andTIP41andUBC21in all three tissues combined.

Orthologues of these genes can be of potential use in less studied plants, especially agricultural species heavily affected by climate change.
Implications of Blockchain-Powered Marketplace of Preowned Virtual Goods
Authors: Tan Yinliang (Ricky)
Published: January 2022

The first‐sale doctrine, which protects consumers’ rights to resell purchased products, has been recognized by the US Supreme Court since 1908. In recent years, consumers have begun to purchase an increasing amount of virtual goods, which renders the first‐sale doctrine unclear. There are two main challenges leading to the uncertainty of the first‐sale doctrine in the digital age: lack of proper technology, and economic implications for developers and consumers. The advent of the blockchain solves the technology challenge, as it can track provenance and establish the chain of custody. In this study, we construct an analytical model to investigate the economic impact of trading preowned virtual items. Specifically, our model captures the decentralized nature of blockchain technology by allowing consumer‐to‐consumer trading, and considers the possibility that consumers prefer preowned virtual items over new ones because preowned items may be upgraded between purchase and resale. Lawmakers seek to strike a balance between the interests of virtual item developers and individual consumers. We show that, surprisingly, the introduction of a blockchain‐based preowned virtual item transaction can actually benefit both developer and consumer. The main intuition is that the developer can adjust the price when forward‐looking consumers incorporate the expected future transaction into their purchase decision. Our analysis also reveals that developers are more willing to embrace the secondary market when they can take a cut during the transaction. Our results provide important policy implications to the burgeoning debate of the first‐sale doctrine in the new digital world.
Nitrogen nutrition modifies the susceptibility of Arabidopsis thaliana to the necrotrophic fungus, Alternaria brassicicola
Authors: Barrit Thibault , Porcher Alexis , Cukier Caroline , Satour Pascale , Guillemette Thomas , Limami Anis M. , Teulat Béatrice , Campion Claire , Planchet Elisabeth
Published: January 2022

The impact of the form of nitrogen (N) source (nitrate versus ammonium) on the susceptibility to Alternaria brassicicola, a necrotrophic fungus, has been examined in Arabidopsis thaliana at the rosette stage. Nitrate nutrition was found to increase fungal lesions considerably. There was a similar induction of defence gene expression following infection under both N nutritions, except for the phytoalexin deficient 3 gene, which was overexpressed with nitrate. Nitrate also led to a greater nitric oxide production occurring in planta during the saprophytic growth and lower nitrate reductase (NIA1) expression 7 days after inoculation. This suggests that nitrate reductase‐dependent nitric oxide production had a dual role, whereby, despite its known role in the generic response to pathogens, it affected plant metabolism, and this facilitated fungal infection. In ammonium‐grown plants, infection with A. brassicicola induced a stronger gene expression of ammonium transporters and significantly reduced the initially high ammonium content in the leaves. There was a significant interaction between N source and inoculation (presence versus absence of the fungus) on the total amino acid content, while N nutrition reconfigured the spectrum of major amino acids. Typically, a higher content of total amino acid, mainly due to a stronger increase in asparagine and glutamine, is observed under ammonium nutrition while, in nitrate‐fed plants, glutamate was the only amino acid which content increased significantly after fungal inoculation. N nutrition thus appears to control fungal infection via a complex set of signalling and nutritional events, shedding light on how nitrate availability can modulate disease susceptibility.
No evidence for a modulating effect of continuous transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on markers of noradrenergic activity
Authors: D'Agostini Martina , Burger Andreas M. , Villca Ponce Gustavo , Claes Stephan , von Leupoldt Andreas , Van Diest Ilse
Published: January 2022

Although transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is thought to increase central noradrenergic activity, findings supporting such mechanism are scarce and inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate whether taVNS modulates indirect markers of phasic and tonic noradrenergic activity. Sixty‐six healthy participants performed a novelty auditory oddball task twice on separate days: once while receiving taVNS (left cymba concha), once during sham (left earlobe) stimulation. To maximize potential effects, the stimulation was delivered continuously (frequency: 25 Hz; width: 250 μs) at an intensity individually calibrated to the maximal level below pain threshold. The stimulation was administered 10 min before the oddball task and maintained throughout the session. Event‐related pupil dilation (ERPD) to target stimuli and pre‐stimulus baseline pupil size were assessed during the oddball task as markers of phasic and tonic noradrenergic activity, respectively. Prior to and at the end of stimulation, tonic pupil size at rest, cortisol, and salivary alpha‐amylase were assessed as markers of tonic noradrenergic activity. Finally, we explored the effect of taVNS on cardiac vagal activity, respiratory rate, and salivary flow rate. Results showed a greater ERPD to both target and novelty compared to standard stimuli in the oddball task. In contrast to our hypotheses, taVNS did not impact any of the tested markers. Our findings strongly suggest that continuous stimulation of the cymba concha with the tested stimulation parameters is ineffective to increase noradrenergic activity via a vagal pathway.
Antibody responses to inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Murt Ahmet , Altiparmak Mehmet R. , Ozbey Dogukan , Yalin Serkan F. , Sert Yadigar Serap , Karaali Ridvan , Kocazeybek Bekir , Saltoglu Nese , Pekpak Meltem , Ataman Muveddet R.
Published: January 2022

Introduction

As end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients generally have reduced responses to the vaccines, effectiveness of newly developed SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines in ESRD are also matters of curiosity. We aimed to investigate the humoral responses of our peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients to the inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine.

Methods

Humoral immune responses of 23 PD patients who received two doses of the inactivated SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine were investigated with a commercial test that measures IgG antibodies towards receptor binding domain of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein. Seropositivity rates, antibody titers, and ESRD related clinical data were compared with 51 hemodialysis (HD) patients and 29 healthy volunteers.

Results

Seropositivity of PD patients with the inactivated vaccine was 95.6%. Both the rate of seropositivity and SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibody levels in PD patients were not different from the healthy controls (p = 0.85 and 0.19, respectively). While seropositivity rates were not different for PD or HD patients (p = 0.09), the magnitude of humoral responses was significantly higher in PD patients (p = 0.0001). There were no vaccine‐related serious adverse events. In the 3‐months clinical follow‐up, none of the patients experienced SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Conclusion

Two doses of the inactivated vaccine generate adequate humoral immune response in PD patients without any serious adverse events.
Prevalence of carbapenemase‐producing organisms among hospitalized solid organ transplant recipients, five US hospitals, 2019–2020
Authors: Chan June L. , Nazarian Elizabeth , Musser Kimberlee A. , Snavely Emily A. , Fung Monica , Doernberg Sarah B. , Pouch Stephanie M. , Leekha Surbhi , Anesi Judith A. , Kodiyanplakkal Rosy Priya L. , Turbett Sarah E. , Spalding Walters Maroya , Epstein Lauren
Published: January 2022

Background

Passive reporting to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified carbapenemase‐producing organisms (CPOs) among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients, potentially representing an emerging source of spread. We analyzed CPO prevalence in wards where SOT recipients receive inpatient care to inform public health action to prevent transmission.

Methods

From September 2019 to June 2020, five US hospitals conducted consecutive point prevalence surveys (PPS) of all consenting patients admitted to transplant units, regardless of transplant status. We used the Cepheid Xpert Carba‐R assay to identify carbapenemase genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaIMP, blaOXA‐48) from rectal swabs. Laboratory‐developed molecular tests were used to retrospectively test for a wider range of blaIMP and blaOXA variants.

Results

In total, 154 patients were screened and 92 (60%) were SOT recipients. CPOs were detected among 7 (8%) SOT recipients, from two of five screened hospitals: four blaKPC, one blaNDM, and two blaOXA‐23. CPOs were detected in two (3%) of 62 non‐transplant patients. In three of five participating hospitals, CPOs were not identified among any patients admitted to transplant units.

Conclusions

Longitudinal surveillance in transplant units, as well as PPS in areas with diverse CPO epidemiology, may inform the utility of routine screening in SOT units to prevent the spread of CPOs.
An observational thoracic radiographic study of aortic remodeling in dogs with confirmed systemic hypertension
Authors: Holland Merrilee , Hudson Judith , Hofmeister Erik
Published: January 2022

Sustained systemic hypertension (SH) has been shown to cause target organ damage to various tissues in dogs and cats, including the aorta. Aortic dilatation occurs most commonly secondary to SH in people and develops prior to an aortic aneurysm. Our hypothesis was that blinded reviewers could be trained to recognize variable alterations of aortic shape and size on thoracic radiographs of canine patients with SH. A retrospective, observational, cross‐sectional study was performed with three blinded reviewers evaluating thoracic radiographic images of 21 dogs with normal blood pressure compared to 145 dogs with system hypertension. Lateral radiographs showed variable aortic undulation and disproportionate enlargement of a portion of the aorta between the ascending and proximal descending aorta compared to the descending aorta just cranial to the diaphragm. On orthogonal projections, the aortic arch to proximal descending aorta bowed laterally similar to changes reported in people with the formation of an aortic “knob.” After completing a training module, reviewers of the thoracic images had a 74% agreement with Fleiss’ Kappa of 0.50 indicating moderate agreement recognizing SH changes to the thoracic aorta. The more experienced blinded reviewers had accuracies of 85% and 80% for identifying systemic hypertension, slightly better than the less experienced reviewer at 76%. The ratio of thoracic cavity width to aortic knob width was significantly different between the groups (median ratio 3.4 SH vs 4.1 normal). Evidence of target organ damage (TOD) to the thoracic aorta may prompt earlier recognition and treatment for systemic hypertension.
Attosecond coherent electron motion in Auger-Meitner decay
Authors: Li Siqi , Driver Taran , Rosenberger Philipp , Champenois Elio G. , Duris Joseph , Al-Haddad Andre , Averbukh Vitali , Barnard Jonathan C. T. , Berrah Nora , Bostedt Christoph , Bucksbaum Philip H. , Coffee Ryan N. , DiMauro Louis F. , Fang Li , Garratt Douglas , Gatton Averell , Guo Zhaoheng , Hartmann Gregor , Haxton Daniel , Helml Wolfram , Huang Zhirong , LaForge Aaron C. , Kamalov Andrei , Knurr Jonas , Lin Ming-Fu , Lutman Alberto A. , MacArthur James P. , Marangos Jon P. , Nantel Megan , Natan Adi , Obaid Razib , O’Neal Jordan T. , Shivaram Niranjan H. , Schori Aviad , Walter Peter , Wang Anna Li , Wolf Thomas J. A. , Zhang Zhen , Kling Matthias F. , Marinelli Agostino , Cryan James P.
Published: January 2022

In quantum systems, coherent superpositions of electronic states evolve on ultrafast time scales (few femtoseconds to attoseconds; 1 attosecond = 0.001 femtoseconds = 10−18seconds), leading to a time-dependent charge density. Here we performed time-resolved measurements using attosecond soft x-ray pulses produced by a free-electron laser, to track the evolution of a coherent core-hole excitation in nitric oxide. Using an additional circularly polarized infrared laser pulse, we created a clock to time-resolve the electron dynamics and demonstrated control of the coherent electron motion by tuning the photon energy of the x-ray pulse. Core-excited states offer a fundamental test bed for studying coherent electron dynamics in highly excited and strongly correlated matter.
On the relative temperatures of Earth’s volcanic hotspots and mid-ocean ridges
Authors: Bao Xiyuan , Lithgow-Bertelloni Carolina R. , Jackson Matthew G. , Romanowicz Barbara
Published: January 2022

Hotspot cool down

Deep-seated mantle plumes are responsible for volcanic island chains such as Hawai’i. Upwelling from the deep interior requires that the plumes are hotter than the surrounding mantle to make it all the way up to the surface. However, Bao
et al
. found that some of these “hotspots” are surprisingly cool. The temperature is actually low enough to challenge a deep mantle origin for some hotspots. In these specific cases, deep plumes may be entrained and cooled or possibly originate in the upper mantle instead. —BG
Deciphering Egypt’s Great Pyramid
The Red Sea Scrolls
Pierre Tallet and Mark Lehner
Thames and Hudson, 2022. 320 pp.
Authors: Robinson Andrew
Published: January 2022

An ancient archive offers new insights into the construction of a man-made wonder
Archaeal nitrification without oxygen
Authors: Martens-Habbena Willm , Qin Wei
Published: January 2022

The single-cell organism can self-produce oxygen for ammonia oxidation
Lessons learned from leading NIH
Authors: Collins Francis S.
Published: January 2022

Having just stepped down from serving three presidents over 12 years as director of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have led this noble enterprise and to work with amazing people. Astounding progress has been made on many fronts, including advances that I never dreamed that I would see in my lifetime—let alone during my time as NIH director.
Looking ahead, looking back
Authors: Thorp H. Holden
Published: January 2022

The first editorial of the year is generally an invitation to look forward. Often, we announce new initiatives at the
Science
family of journals or changes to our policies. This year, I want to look forward in a different way—by looking back.
Science
has a history that includes shame in addition to accomplishment. In 2021, we began to explore and acknowledge some of that regretful past, and we’ll continue this examination in 2022.
What the Lieber verdict means for the China Initiative
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: January 2022

Jury finds Harvard University chemist guilty of lying about ties to China
Russia begins work on national permafrost monitoring system
Authors: Dobrovidova Olga
Published: January 2022

Data could improve climate models and provide warnings for infrastructure vulnerable to thawing soil
Identification of Putative β-Galactosidase Genes in the Genome of
Lactobacillus helveticus
OSU-PECh-4A
Authors: García-Cano Israel , Escobar-Zepeda Alejandra , Ruiz-Ramírez Silvette , Rocha-Mendoza Diana , Jiménez-Flores Rafael
Published: January 2022

The
Lactobacillus helveticus
OSU-PECh-4A strain, from the Ohio State University Parker Chair collection, produces exceptional β-galactosidase activity using acid whey as a culture medium, compared with a commercial broth. The strain has a genome sequence of 1,834,843 bp, and its GC content is 36.69%. Using InterProScan v5.50-84.0 software, four genes with putative β-galactosidase function were found.
Draft Genome Sequences of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus cek-R1, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei cek-R2, and Lentilactobacillus otakiensis cek-R3, Isolated from a Beetroot Product
Authors: Kaszab Eszter , Laczkó Levente , Bali Krisztina , Fidrus Eszter , Bányai Krisztián , Kardos Gábor
Published: January 2022

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) participate in fermentation processes and have probiotic potential. The genomes of three LAB strains,
Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus
cek-R1,
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei
subsp. paracasei cek-R2, and
Lentilactobacillus otakiensis
cek-R3, isolated from a beetroot product, were characterized. The results contribute to our understanding of the beneficial properties of LAB.
Metagenomic Exploration of Koumiss from Kazakhstan
Authors: Bogoyavlenskiy Andrey , Alexyuk Madina , Alexyuk Pavel , Amanbayeva Makhabbat , Anarkulova Elmira , Imangazy Anar , Bektuganova Aliya , Berezin Vladimir
Published: January 2022

Here, we report a metagenomic analysis of koumiss from Kazakhstan. In this study, shotgun metagenomic sequencing of the RNA and DNA viral community was performed.
Supplemental Material: Influence of hydrostratigraphy on the distribution of groundwater arsenic in the transboundary Ganges River aquifer system, India and Bangladesh
Authors: Chakraborty Madhumita , al. et
Published: January 2022

Details of methodologies and data used for the study along with ancillary figures.
Erythema nodosum leprosum (type 2 reaction) in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: George Rohith , D'Souza Sydney , Masoodi Ibrahim
Published: January 2022

Being a region endemic for leprosy, clinical practitioners in India often encounter myriad manifestations and diverse complications of the disease. However, the masking of the obvious clinical presentations due to the coexistence of a closely resembling unrelated disorder, a ‘mimicker’, would indeed pose a serious diagnostic predicament unless a high degree of clinical suspicion is maintained. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease is a chronic infectious disease caused byMycobacterium lepraecomplex that involves the skin and peripheral nerves. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) also known as von Recklinghausen’s disease is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder that presents with skin changes and benign peripheral nerve sheath tumours called neurofibromas. Here, we present the case of a 35-year-old man with NF1 who presented with type 2 lepra reaction (erythema nodosum leprosum, ENL) and the skin biopsy unmasked ENL nodule among the group of NF1 nodules.
Abdominal cyst of unclear aetiology: gastrointestinal stromal tumour or reactivation of abdominal tuberculosis
Authors: Saxena Damini , Duncan Robert A , Faust Robert R , Campagna Anthony
Published: January 2022

Differential diagnosis of a new abdominal mass is broad and includes infection, malignancy and other inflammatory processes. Definitive diagnosis may be challenging without invasive biopsy, as history, physical exam and imaging may be non-specific. A 69-year-old man with a history of abdominal tuberculosis presented with a new painful abdominal cyst consistent with reactivation of tuberculosis versus new malignancy. Investigations revealed 4+ acid-fast bacilli from the aspirate suggestive of tuberculosis, but no improvement was noted on antituberculous therapy. Core needle biopsy noted c-KIT-positive spindle cells, diagnostic for a gastrointestinal stromal tumour, while cultures grew non-tuberculous mycobacteria.
Acute limb ischaemia due to vasospasm: a rare presentation
Authors: Al Yacoub Raed , Patel Jaymin , Solanky Neha , Radhakrishnan Nila S
Published: January 2022

A 30-year-old woman with active intravenous drug use presented with pain, blue discolouration, paresthesia and lack of grip strength of left hand for 1 week. Physical examination revealed blue discolouration, decreased sensation and cold to touch in the left hand. She had no palpable radial pulse. She admitted Heroin use only but the urine drug screen was also positive for amphetamine. CT angiogram of the left upper extremity was concerning for acute ischaemia due to arterial occlusion. The initial plan was for amputation. However, to salvage the limb with thrombolysis, an interventional radiology angiogram was performed. The angiogram demonstrated diffuse arterial spasm and response to nitroglycerin. She was treated with nitroglycerin drip and transitioned to a calcium channel blocker. She did improve significantly. To ensure no embolic sequelae, the patient was discharged with a month of oral anticoagulation.
Time trends, associations and prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma: an analysis of observational data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Authors: Sun Yi , Chen Aiming , Zou Minjie , Zhang Yichi , Jin Ling , Li Yi , Zheng Danying , Jin Guangming , Congdon Nathan
Published: January 2022

Objective

To estimate global prevalence of blindness and vision loss caused by glaucoma, and to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic factors on it.

Design

A population-based observational study.

Setting

The prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 database. The Human Development Index (HDI), inequality-adjusted HDI and other socioeconomic data were acquired from international open databases.

Main outcome measures

The prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma by age, gender, subregion and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) levels. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to explore the associations between the prevalence and socioeconomic indicators.

Results

The overall age-standardised prevalence of blindness and vision loss due to glaucoma worldwide was 81.5 per 100 000 in 1990 and 75.6 per 100 000 in 2017. In 2017, men had a higher age-standardised prevalence than women (6.07% vs 5.42%), and the worldwide prevalence increased with age, from 0.5 per 100 000 in the 45–49 year age group to 112.9 per 100 000 among those 70+. Eastern Mediterranean and African regions had the highest prevalence during the whole period, while the Americas region had the lowest prevalence. The prevalence was highest in low-SDI and low-income regions while lowest in high-SDI and high-income regions over the past 27 years. Multiple linear regression showed cataract surgery rate (β=−0.01, p=0.009), refractive error prevalence (β=−0.03, p=0.024) and expected years of schooling (β= -8.33, p=0.035) were associated with lower prevalence, while gross national income per capita (β=0.002, p<0.001) was associated with higher prevalence.

Conclusions

Lower socioeconomic levels and worse access to eyecare services are associated with higher prevalence of glaucoma-related blindness and vision loss. These findings provide evidence for policy-makers that investments in these areas may reduce the burden of the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Assessing geographical and economic inequalities in caesarean section rates between the districts of Bihar, India: a secondary analysis of the National Family Health Survey
Authors: Shukla Minal , Mohan Monali , van Duinen Alex , Gadgil Anita , Bakker Juul , Bhushan Pranav , Roy Nobhojit
Published: January 2022

Background

In Bihar, one of the most populous and poorest states in India, caesarean sections have increased over the last decade. However, an aggregated caesarean section rate at the state level may conceal inequities at the district level.

Objectives

The primary aim of this study was to analyse the inequalities in the geographical and socioeconomic distribution of caesarean sections between the districts of Bihar. The secondary aim was to compare the contribution of free-for-service government-funded public facilities and fee-for-service private facilities to the caesarean section rate.

Setting

Bihar, with a population in the 2011 census of approximately 104 million people, has a low GDP per capita (US$610), compared with other Indian states. The state has the highest crude birth rate (26.1 per 1000 population) in India, with one baby born every two seconds. Bihar is divided into 38 administrative districts, 101 subdivisions and 534 blocks. Each district has a district (Sadar) hospital, and six districts also have one or more medical college hospitals.

Methods

This retrospective secondary data analysis was based on open-source national datasets from the 2015 and 2019 National Family Health Surveys, with respective sample sizes of 45 812 and 42 843 women aged 15–49 years.

Participants

Secondary data analysis of pregnant women delivering in public and private institutions.

Results

The caesarean section rate increased from 6.2% in 2015 to 9.7% in 2019 in Bihar. Districts with a lower proportion of poor population had higher caesarean section rates (R2=0.45) among all institutional births, with 10.3% in private and 2.9% in public facilities. Access to private caesarean sections decreased (R2=0.46) for districts with poorer populations.

Conclusion

Marked inequalities exist in access to caesarean sections. The public sector needs to be strengthened to improve access to obstetric services for those who need it most.
Characteristics of anatomical difficulty for cryoballoon ablation: insights from CT
Authors: Hayashi Takahiro , Murakami Masato , Saito Shigeru , Iwasaki Kiyotaka
Published: January 2022

Background

The limited availability of balloon sizes for cryoballoon leads to anatomical limitations for pulmonary vein (PV) isolation. We conducted a comprehensive systematic analysis on procedural success rate, atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence rate and complications of cryoballoon ablation in association with the anatomy of the left atrium and PV based on preprocedural CT to gain insights into proper treatments of patients with AF using cryoballoon.

Method

A systematic search of literature databases, including PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library, from the inception of each database through February 2021 was conducted. Search keywords included ‘atrial fibrillation’, ‘cryoballoon ablation’ and ‘anatomy’.

Results

Overall, 243 articles were identified. After screening, 16 articles comprising 1396 patients were included (3, 5 and 8 for acute success, AF recurrence and complications, respectively). Regarding acute success and AF recurrences, thinner width of the left lateral ridge, higher PV ovality, PV ostium-bifurcation distance, shorter distance from the non-coronary cusp to inferior PVs, shallower angle of right PVs against the atrial septum and larger right superior PV (RSPV) were associated with poor outcomes. Regarding complications, shorter distance between the RSPV ostium and the right phrenic nerve, larger RSPV-left atrium angle, larger RSPV area and smaller right carina width were associated with incidences of phrenic nerve injury.

Conclusion

This study elucidated several key anatomical features of PVs possibly affecting acute success, AF recurrence and complications in patients with AF using cryoballoon ablation. CT analysis has helped to describe benefits and anatomical limitations for cryoballoon ablation.
Prognostic factors in children with acute fulminant myocarditis receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Sun Mingwei , Zong Qing , Ye Li Fen , Fan Yong , Yang Lijun , Lin Ru
Published: January 2022

Background

Pediatric acute fulminant myocarditis (AFM) is a very dangerous disease that may lead to acute heart failure or even sudden death. Previous reports have identified some prognostic factors in adult AFM; however, there is no such research on children with AFM on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). This study aimed to find relevant prognostic factors for predicting adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed in an affiliated university children’s hospital with consecutive patients receiving VA-ECMO for AFM from July 2010 to November 2020. These children were classified into a survivor group (n=33) and a non-survivor group (n=8). Patient demographics, clinical events, laboratory findings, and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed.

Results

Peak serum creatinine (SCr) and peak creatine kinase isoenzyme MB during ECMO had joint predictive value for in-hospital mortality (p=0.011, AUC=0.962). Based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, peak SCr level during ECMO support was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR=1.035, 95% CI 1.006 to 1.064, p=0.017, AUC=0.936, with optimal cut-off value of 78 μmol/L).

Conclusion

Tissue hypoperfusion and consequent end-organ damage ultimately hampered the outcomes. The need for left atrial decompression indicated a sicker patient on ECMO and introduced additional risk for complications. Earlier and more cautious deployment would likely be associated with decreased risk of complications and mortality.
The effect of sea surface temperature on the structure and connectivity of species landings interaction networks in a multispecies recreational fishery
Authors: Blincow Kayla M. , Semmens Brice X.
Published: January 2022

Multispecies fisheries, particularly those that routinely adapt the timing, location, and methods of fishing to prioritize fishery targets, present a challenge to traditional single-species management approaches. Efforts to develop robust management for multispecies fisheries require an understanding of how priorities drive the network of interactions between catch of different species, especially given the added challenges presented by climate change. Using 35 years of landings data from a southern California recreational fishery, we leveraged empirical dynamic modelling methods to construct causal interaction networks among the main species targeted by the fishery. We found strong evidence for dependencies among species landings time series driven by apparent hierarchical catch preference within the fishery. In addition, by parsing the landings time series into anomalously cool, normal, and anomalously warm regimes (the last reflecting ocean temperatures anticipated by 2040), we found that network complexity was highest during warm periods. Our findings suggest that as ocean temperatures continue to rise, so too will the risk of unintended consequences from single-species management in this multispecies fishery.
Sedimentation associated with glaciovolcanism: a review
Authors: Smellie John Laidlaw
Published: January 2022

Three discrete categories of sedimentary deposits are associated with glaciovolcanism: englacial cavity, jökulhlaup and lahar. Englacial cavity deposits are found in water-filled chambers in the lee of active glaciovolcanoes or at a locus of enhanced geothermal heat flux. The cavities provide a depocentre for the accumulation of debris, either abundant fresh juvenile debris with sparse dropstones (associated with active glaciovolcanism) or polymict basal glacial debris in which dropstones are abundant (associated with geothermal hot spots). Described examples are uncommon. By contrast, volcanogenic jökulhlaup deposits are abundant, mainly in Iceland, where they form extensive sandar sequences associated with ice-
covered
volcanoes. Jökulhlaups form as a result of the sudden subglacial discharge of stored meltwater. Analogous deposits known as glaciovolcanic sheet-like sequences represent the ultra-proximal lateral equivalents deposited under the ice. Glaciovolcanic lahars are associated with ice-
capped
volcanoes. They form as a result of explosive eruptions through relatively thin ice or following dome collapse, and they trigger mainly supraglacial rather than subglacial meltwater escape. Sediment transport and depositional processes are similar in jökulhaups and lahars and are dominated by debris flow and hyperconcentrated or supercritical flow modes during the main flood stage, although the proportions of the principal lithofacies are different.
Where is the transparency of the new ACM violations database?
Authors: Strohmayer Angelika
Published: January 2022

The
Interactions
website (interactions.acm.org) hosts a stable of bloggers who share insights and observations on HCI, often challenging current practices. Each issue we'll publish selected posts from some of the leading and emerging voices in the field.
STM Images of Alkane and Alkanols on Graphite
Authors: Claypool Christopher
Published: January 2022

A Summary Report to The Electrochemical Society for the 1997 Edward G. Weston Summer Research Fellowship.
Undergraduates’ lived experience of project-/problem-based learning in introductory biology
Authors: Webster Audrey , Metcalf Alana , Kelly Lauren , Bisesi Ave , Marnik-Said Miranda , Colbeck Carol , Marine Robert , Vinces Marcelo , Campbell Amy , Allen Taylor
Published: January 2022

Recommendations for enhancing scientific literacy, inclusivity, and the ecosystem for innovation call for transitioning from teacher-centered to learner-centered science classrooms, particularly at the introductory undergraduate level. Yet little is documented about the challenges that undergraduates perceive in such classrooms and the students’ ways of navigating them. Via mixed methods, we studied undergraduates’ lived experience in one form of learner-centered teaching, hybrid project-/problem-based learning (PBL), in introductory organismal biology at a baccalaureate institution. Prominent in qualitative analyses of student interviews and written reflections were undergraduates’ initial expectation of and longing for an emphasis on facts and transmission of them. The prominence diminished from semester’s middle to end, as students came to value developing ideas, solving problems collaboratively, and engaging in deep ways of learning. Collaboration and personal resources such as belief in self emerged as supports for these shifts. Quantitative analyses corroborated that PBL students transformed as learners, moving toward informed views on the nature of science, advancing in multivariable causal reasoning, and more frequently adopting deep approaches for learning than students in lecture-based sections. The qualitative and quantitative findings portray the PBL classroom as an intercultural experience in which culture shock yields over time to acceptance in a way supported by students’ internal resources and peer collaboration. The findings have value to those seeking to implement PBL and other complex-learning approaches in a manner responsive to the lived experience of the learner.
Comparison of Outcomes among Chronic Kidney Disease V Patients with COVID-19 at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Bautista Maria Fe , Danguilan Romina , Arakama Mel-Hatra , Perez Roxan
Published: January 2022

Background. There is very little published data on outcomes of COVID-19 among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We compared the outcomes of COVID-19 in a tertiary care renal hospital among CKD V patients on hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and dialysis initiation, in terms of duration of hospitalization, in-patient mortality, and 30-day mortality. Methods. A total of 436 CKD V patients, on either HD, PD, or dialysis initiation, with COVID-19 who were admitted at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI) from March 13, 2020, to August 31, 2020, were included. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed. Comparison of probability of mortality by group was performed using Log-Rank test.pvalues ≤0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results. Among 436 CKD V patients, 298 (68%) were on HD, 103 (24%) were on PD, and 35 (8%) required dialysis initiation. Overall in-hospital mortality was 34%; 38% were on HD, 20% on PD, and 37% on dialysis initiation. Total 30-day mortality was 27%; 32% were on HD, 26% on PD, and 16% on dialysis initiation. Median follow-up was 24 days. Among the 137 deaths recorded, total median time to death was 10 days; 8.5 days, 15.5 days, and 9 days for HD, PD, and dialysis initiation groups, respectively. Probability of mortality was significantly higher in HD patients versus PD patients (p<0.00001) and in the dialysis initiation group compared to PD patients (p=0.0234). Mortality probability, however, was not significantly different in HD patients versus the dialysis initiation group (p=0.63). Conclusion. Among CKD V patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the NKTI, those on HD and on dialysis initiation had significantly higher in-hospital and 30-day mortality, compared to patients on PD.
Multifeature Contrast Enhancement Algorithm for Digital Media Images Based on the Diffusion Equation
Authors: Wang Jijun , Yuan Yi , Li Guoxiang
Published: January 2022

This paper studies the processing of digital media images using a diffusion equation to increase the contrast of the image by stretching or extending the distribution of luminance data of the image to obtain clearer information of digital media images. In this paper, the image enhancement algorithm of nonlinear diffusion filtering is used to add a velocity term to the diffusion function using a coupled denoising model, which makes the diffusion of the original model smooth, and the interferogram is solved numerically with the help of numerical simulation to verify the denoising processing effect before and after the model correction. To meet the real-time applications in the field of video surveillance, this paper focuses on the optimization of the algorithm program, including software pipeline optimization, operation unit balancing, single instruction multiple data optimization, arithmetic operation optimization, and onchip storage optimization. These optimizations enable the nonlinear diffusion filter-based image enhancement algorithm to achieve high processing efficiency on the C674xDSP, with a processing speed of 25 posts per second for

640
×
480

size video images. Finally, the significance means a value of super pixel blocks is calculated in superpixel units, and the image is segmented into objects and backgrounds by combining with the Otsu threshold segmentation algorithm to mention the image. In this paper, the proposed algorithm experiments with several sets of Kor Kor resolution remote sensing images, respectively, and the Markov random field model and fully convolutional network (FCN) algorithm are used as the comparison algorithm. By comparing the experimental results qualitatively and quantitatively, it is shown that the algorithm in this paper has an obvious practical effect on contrast enhancement of digital media images and has certain practicality and superiority.
Identifying Differentially Expressed tRNA-Derived Small Fragments as a Biomarker for the Progression and Metastasis of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Chen Hui , Xu Zhiying , Cai Hua , Peng Ya , Yang Li , Wang Zhen
Published: January 2022

Objectives. The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one key step for the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Up until now, the underlying mechanism of EMT in CRC is still unpromising. Thus, it is essential to have a better understanding of its carcinogenesis. The transfer RNA-derived small fragments (tsRNAs) are a new group of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs), including tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs) and tRNA-derived fragments (tRFs), which have been observed to play an important role in many cancers. However, the relationship between tRFs and EMT in CRC is still unknown. Herein, we aimed to investigate the involvement of tRFs in EMT and its contribution to CRC development. Methods. We identified the differentially expressed tsRNAs in colorectal cancer cell line HT29 treated with TGF-β compared with control cells by using high-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). QRT-PCR was conducted to validate the differentially expressed fragments in 68 CRC tumor samples (22 women and 46 men) and adjacent nontumor samples. The association of the expression of tRFs with CRC metastasis and clinical stage was analyzed. Meanwhile, the correlation between tRF expression and overall survival (OS) was also analyzed. TargetScan and miRanda and multiple bioinformatic approaches were used to predict the possible target genes of tsRNAs and analyze possible functions of the tRFs. Results. A series of differentially expressed tsRNAs were identified in TGF-β-treated HT29 cells compared with control cells. tRF-phe-GAA-031 and tRF-VAL-TCA-002 were found to be significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared to adjacent nontumor tissues. They were significantly correlated with distant metastasis and clinical stage. We compared the differences between tumor samples and nontumor tissues from the ROC curves. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was up to 0.7554 (95% confidence interval: 0.6739 to 0.8369,

p
<
0.0001

) for tRF-Phe-GAA-031 and up to 0.7313 (95% confidence interval: 0.6474 to 0.8151,

p
<
0.0001

) for tRF-VAL-TCA-002. For OS analysis, higher tRF-phe-GAA-031 and tRF-VAL-TCA-002 expressions were associated with shorter survival for CRC patients. Conclusion. A series of differentially expressed tsRNAs are identified in the EMT process of CRC. And tRF-phe-GAA-031 and tRF-VAL-TCA-002 are higher expressed in CRC tissues, and they might play an important role in the metastasis of CRC. Meanwhile, they may be potential biomarkers and intervention targets in the clinical treatment of CRC.
A Q‐Learning‐Based Parameters Adaptive Algorithm for Formation Tracking Control of Multi‐Mobile Robot Systems
Authors: Zhang Chen , Qin Wen , Fan Ming-Can , Wang Ting , Shen Mou-Quan
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes an adaptive formation tracking control algorithm optimized by Q‐learning scheme for multiple mobile robots. In order to handle the model uncertainties and external disturbances, a desired linear extended state observer is designed to develop an adaptive formation tracking control strategy. Then an adaptive method of sliding mode control parameters optimized by Q‐learning scheme is employed, which can avoid the complex parameter tuning process. Furthermore, the stability of the closed‐loop control system is rigorously proved by means of matrix properties of graph theory and Lyapunov theory, and the formation tracking errors can be guaranteed to be uniformly ultimately bounded. Finally, simulations are presented to show the proposed algorithm has the advantages of faster convergence rate, higher tracking accuracy, and better steady‐state performance.
Methodology and Application of Safety Evaluation of Reinforced Concrete Girder Bridges during Earthquakes
Authors: Sun Guangjun , Yuan Zhijie , Wu Bingyan , Zhao Fu
Published: January 2022

The actual earthquake resistance performance and the seismic damage state of bridges during future earthquakes are important issues that need to be resolved. Using an expressway reinforced concrete (RC) girder bridge in a high seismic intensity area of China as the research object, the damage correlation between different structural components of the bridge is analyzed, and the key components that determine the structural safety state of the bridge are determined. Then, the safety evaluation indexes of the bridge pier and bearing are researched, and a two-stage seismic safety evaluation methodology for RC girder bridges is proposed. The first stage is a rapid and general evaluation using empirical statistical methods, and the second stage is a precise evaluation obtained by calculating the damage index of the components. Subsequently, the seismic damage prediction matrix is presented. Considering the modification of the bridge span number, service life, and skew angle, a seismic safety evaluation from a typical single bridge to a group of bridges of the same type is implemented. Finally, an actual expressway bridge in China is presented as a numerical example to illustrate the application of the method. The research results show that damage to the key components, including bearings, piers, and abutments, is the deciding factor of the bridge damage state. The seismic damage states of piers and bearings can be conveniently assessed according to the pier top displacement angle and bearing shear deformation during earthquakes. According to the suggested standard of RC girder bridge seismic damage, the seismic safety evaluation of the whole bridge structure can be obtained using the seismic safety evaluation of individual key components of the bridge structure. According to the evaluation results of individual bridges and considering the modification of influencing factors, an earthquake performance evaluation of a group of bridges of the same type can be obtained. The two-stage seismic safety evaluation methodology proposed in this study is effective and efficient.