bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Total hip arthroplasty versus hemiarthroplasty in the treatment of active elderly patients over 75 years with displaced femoral neck fractures:a retrospective study
Authors: Luo Santong , Qin Wupeng , Yu Lizhi , Luo Raoshan , Liang Weiming
Published: May 2023

Backgroud: Femoral neck fractures are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality for older adults. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hemiarthroplasty (HA) are widely used in elderly patients with displaced femoral neck fractures (DFNF), but there is still controversy refer to the optimal chose for the management of DFNF in active elderly patients.
Methods：This is a retrospective cohort study that incorporates medical record review with an outcomes management database. 73 patients who underwent HA and 66 patients who underwent THA were identiﬁed from January 2015 to December 2017. Data of age, gender, BMI, comorbidity status, operation time, blood loss, hospitalization time, in-hospital complication were collected and analyzed. Follow-up clinical and radiographic examinations were performed at approximately five years,and hip complications,Harris Hip Score and EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) were assessed.
Results: Preoperative general data of sex, age, BMI and charlson comorbidity score of THA group(n=55) has no statistically significant difference with that of HA group. Patients treated by THA had significantly longer operation time (105.5 vs 76.7 minutes;P＜0.001),more blood loss (524.1 vs 350.1ml;P＜0.001) and longer hospitalization time (15.8 vs 13.8 days;P＜0.001).There was no significant differences between two groups in complications(32.7% vs 25.8%,P=0.432). No patients died during the hospitalization. After five years,only 33 patients in the THA group and 34 patents in the HA group were still alive,and the fraction surviving were not statistically significant between two groups(60.0% vs 54.8%,P> 0.05). The differences in hip function in favor of THA appeared to increase after the five-year follow-up, and the difference was significant in terms of the total Harris hip score(81.3 vs 73.1, P＜0.001) as well as in the dimensions of pain(38.9 vs 35.9, P=0.033), function(33.7 vs 29.2, P=0.001),absence of deformity(4.0 vs 3.9, P=0.023) and range of motion(4.6 vs 4.2, P=0.008). There was no significant differences between groups in hip dislocation rate(6.1% vs 0.0%, P=0.239). The erosion rate of hip joint in the THA group was significantly lower than that of the HA group(0.0% vs 26.5%, P=0.002). The health-related quality of life, according to EQ-5D index score, was found to be higher(0.69 vs 0.63, P= 0.001) in the THA group than the HA group after five years.
Conclusion: THA may be a preferred management option for active elderly patients over 75 years.The more extensive surgery of THA is not associated with higher in-hospital complication rate or mortality rate. These patients can benefit from THA in terms of hip function and quality of life.
Trial registration: No.
Malaria Transmission Intensity and Parasitemia during the Three-Dose RTS,S/AS01 Vaccination Series do not Reduce Magnitude of Antibody Response nor Efficacy Against the First Case of Malaria
Authors: Bell Griffin J , Gyaase Stephaney , Goel Varun , Adu Bright , Mensah Benedicta , Essone Paulin , Dosoo David , Osei Musah , Niare Karamoko , Wiru Kenneth , Brandt Katerina , Emch Michael , Ghansah Anita , Asante Kwaku Poku , Mvalo Tisungane , Agnandji Selidhi Todagbe , Juliano Jonathan J , Bailey Jeffrey A
Published: May 2023

Background: RTS,S/AS01 has been recommended by WHO for widespread implementation in medium to high malaria transmission settings. Previous analyses have noted lower vaccine efficacies in higher transmission settings, possibly due to the more rapid development of naturally acquired immunity in the control group.
Methods: To investigate a reduced immune response to vaccination as a potential mechanism behind lower efficacy in high transmission areas, we examine initial vaccine antibody (anti-CSP IgG) response and vaccine efficacy against the first case of malaria to exclude the delayed malaria effect using data from three study areas (Kintampo, Ghana; Lilongwe, Malawi; Lambaréné, Gabon) from the 2009-2014 phase III trial (NCT00866619). Our key exposures are parasitemia during the vaccination series and malaria transmission intensity. We calculate vaccine efficacy (one minus hazard ratio) using a cox-proportional hazards model and allowing for the time-varying effect of RTS,S/AS01.
Results: We find that antibody responses to the primary three-dose vaccination series were higher in Ghana than in Malawi and Gabon, but that neither antibody levels nor vaccine efficacy against the first case of malaria varied by transmission intensity or parasitemia during the primary vaccination series.
Conclusions: We find that vaccine efficacy is unrelated to infections during vaccination. Contributing to a conflicting literature, our results suggest that vaccine efficacy is also unrelated to infections before vaccination, meaning that delayed malaria is likely the main reason for lower efficacy in high transmission settings, not reduced immune responses. This may be reassuring for implementation in high transmission settings, though further studies are needed.
Three stilbenes from pigeon pea with promising anti-MRSA biofilm formation activities
Authors: Li Bai-Lin , Chen Jia-Yan , Hu Juan-Juan , Fan Yu-Wen , Ao Zhuo-Yi , Zhang Wei-Jie , Lian Xin , Liang Hui-Jun , Li Qian-Ran , Guan Xiao-Xian , Wu Jie-Wei , Yuan Jie , Jiang Dong-Xu
Published: May 2023

Cajaninstilbene acid (CSA), Longistylin A (LLA) and Longistylin C (LLC) are three characteristic stilbenes isolated from pigeon pea, exhibiting antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and even methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The results showed that LLA had the highest antibacterial activity against the tested strains following by LLC and CSA. Besides, the results implied that these stilbenes effectively inhibited the levels of adhesion and virulence genes and downregulate the production of ɑ-hemolysin. This study showed that stilbenes from pigeon pea have anti-Staphylococcus potential, and they also inhibited bacterial proliferation, biofilm formation, and key gene expressions related to adhesion and virulence of MRSA. It is the first time that the anti-S. aureus and MRSA activities of the three stilbenes has been systematically reported. These current findings provide insight into the anti-MRSA mechanism of stilbenes from pigeon pea, indicating these compounds may be used as antimicrobial agents or additives for food with health functions, and contribute to the development as well as application of pigeon pea in food science.
Safety of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in children with chronic kidney disease: a national population study of South Korea
Authors: Choe Young June , Ahn Yo-Han , Kwak Eunsun , Jo Eunseo , Kim Jinseob , Choe Seung-Ah
Published: May 2023

Background
In South Korea, COVID-19 vaccination has been recommended to children since October 2021, targeting all teenagers aged 12–15 years, with emphasis on high-risk group including chronic kidney disease (CKD) pediatric patients. In this study, we aimed to assess the rate of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination in children with CKD in South Korea, using national cohort data.
Methods
We retrieved the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency-COVID19-National Health Insurance Service (K-COV-N) cohort data linked to the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) data, to calculate rate of purpura and other hemorrhagic conditions, Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), myocarditis and/or pericarditis, and anaphylaxis incidence in children with CKD, after BNT162b2 vaccination.
Results
Among the 2,078 children with CKD, 69.2% (n = 1,437) had received BNT-162b2 vaccine. Guillain-Barré syndrome and anaphylaxis or anaphylactic shock did not occur during observed period. Purpura and hemorrhagic conditions were more frequent in the unvaccinated group (5/641 vs 1/1,437) while myocarditis/pericarditis was observed only in vaccinated group (0/641 vs 3/1437). The difference in the risk of any of these two events between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups was insignificant.
Conclusions
In this national cohort study of children with CKD in Korea, we found no evidence of increased risk of adverse events following BNT162b2 vaccination. Our results provide the safety profiles of COVID-19 vaccine for patients with CKD.
Low-Temperature Catalytic Oxidation of Glycerol to Glyceric Acid over Zr@MCM-41 Supported Pt Catalyst
Authors: Ke Yi-Hu , Xu Huanhuan , Qin Hongyu , Wang Xue , Liu Hai , Yuan Hong
Published: May 2023

A series of mesoporous Zr@MCM-41 zeolite with different Si/Zr molar ratios were prepared with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as template. And then Pt nanoparticles were successfully loaded onto the Zr@MCM-41 by colloid-deposition method. These catalysts were evaluated for catalytic oxidation of glycerol to glyceric acid at low-temperature. The results showed that the molar ratios of Si/Zr affected oxidizing of the primary OH group, in turn affects the catalytic activity and selectivity. The Pt/Zr@MCM-41-100 catalyst showed the best catalytic activity with the conversion of glycerol and selectivity for glyceric acid reached 50.7% and 65.0%, respectively. A combination of multi-characterizations by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2adsorption and desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy. The result confirmed that the catalytic activity of Pt/Zr@MCM-41-100 was related to the support structure, the dispersion of the Pt nanoparticles and the interaction between Pt nanoparticles and the support. Meanwhile, we investigated the stability of Pt/Zr@MCM-41-100 catalyst and analyzed the deactivation reasons by charaterization.
Identification of a Novel Serological Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Autoantibody Biomarker Panel With Diagnostic and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Mowoe Metoboroghene O. , Ali Hisham , Nqada Joshua , Bernon Marc , Gandhi Karan , Burmeister Sean , Kotze Urda , Kahn Miriam , Kloppers Christo , Nel Andrew , Dharshan Suba , Azween Zafira , Smith Muneerah , Townsend Paul , Jonas Eduard , Blackburn Jonathan M.
Published: May 2023

New biomarkers are urgently needed to detect pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) at an earlier stage and subsequently individualize treatment strategies. Here, we identified a clinically relevant autoantibody (Aab) biomarker combination for the differential diagnosis of PDAC using high-throughput protein microarray technology. We identified the serological Aab profiles of 93 PDAC, chronic pancreatitis (CP), other pancreatic (PC) and prostate cancers (PRC), non-ulcer dyspepsia patients (DYS), and healthy controls (HC) using microarray technology. Identified Aabs were validated in tumour tissue via western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. Subsequently, identified biomarkers were used to create a custom PDAC protein microarray and the clinical utility of the biomarker panel was tested in a cancer specificity cohort comprising 223 PDAC, PC, PRC, colorectal cancer (CRC), and HC samples. Combinatorial ROC curve analysis on the training cohort run on the CT100 + microarrays identified the most effective biomarker combination as CEACAM1-DPPA2-DPPA3-MAGEA4-SRC-TBPG-XAGE3 with an AUC = 85·0% (SE = 0·828, SP = 0·684). Additionally, differential expression analysis on the samples run on the IMMUNOME™ array identified 4 biomarkers (ALX1-GPA33-LIP1-SUB1) upregulated in PDAC against diseased and healthy controls. Subsequently, the specificity of our 11-biomarker panel was validated against other cancers (PDACvPC – AUC = 70·3%, PDACvCRC – AUC = 84·3%, PDACvPRC – AUC = 80·2%) and healthy controls (PDACvHC – AUC = 80·9%). We identified a clinically relevant and novel, 11-autoantibody PDAC biomarker panel that differentially diagnosed PDAC and anticipate that the oncogenic relevance of the recognized proteins could be a starting point for new therapies in the future.
A Review on Seismic Resilience of Timber Reinforced Structures
Authors: Negi Pranita , TOMAR ANSHU , Kanwar Varinder
Published: May 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
A rare Gollop-Wolfgang Syndrome linked to a mutation in Wnt11
Authors: Odrzywolski Adrian , Tüysüz Beyhan , Debeer Philippe , Souche Erika , Voet Arnout , Dimitrov Boyan Ivanov , Krzesińska Paulina , Vermeesch Joris Robert , Tylzanowski Przemko
Published: May 2023

Gollop-Wolfgang syndrome (GWS) is a rare congenital limb anomaly of unknown genetic background, characterized by a tibial aplasia, ipsilateral bifurcation of the thigh bone, and an ectrodactyly. A phenotypically similar condition is called Split-hand/foot malformation associated with aplasia of long bones (SHFLD). Several hotspots on chromosome 17 have been linked to SHFLD phenotype. Some of them, like duplications described within BHLHA9, are associated both with ectrodactyly and tibial aplasia. Nonetheless, no single mutation linking all known GWS patients has been identified yet.
We studied a three-generation family with four GWS-affected family members. Analysis of whole genome sequencing with a custom pipeline indicated that WNT11 c.1015G>A mutation could cause the observed phenotype. Further, in silico modeling and luciferase assay supported WNT11 c.1015G>A mutation effect on Wnt11 functionality.
Effectiveness and safety of 5% nicotinamide cream following cryosurgery in skin field cancerization: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Martins Ivanka Miranda de Castro , Miot Hélio Amante , Miola Anna Carolina
Published: May 2023

Individuals with multiple actinic keratoses (AKs) in the same area have an active skin field cancerization (SFC). The treatment of AKs and SFC reduces the recurrence of AKs and the appearance of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Recently, oral nicotinamide (NIC) was proposed as effective in the chemoprevention of SCC and AKs, but there have been no clinical trials with topical NIC as a treatment for AKs and SFC. Thus, we conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, self-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5% NIC cream in treating SFC after cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen (NL) for AKs. Subjects with between three and 10 AKs on the forearms received cryotherapy with NL on the AKs, and the forearms were randomized to receive: 5% NIC cream b.i.d. for 56 days or placebo cream (PLAC) at the same dosage, started 14 days after NL. The primary outcome was the percentage reduction in the AK count on D70. Secondary endpoints were the complete clearance and reduction of SFC activity at D70. The sample size was defined to detect a difference higher than 15% between the groups (power of 0.9, alpha of 0.05, and dropout estimate of 10%), which resulted in 40 forearms per group. After 70 days, there was a 61% (95% CI 50─72%) reduction in the AK count in NIC versus 56% (95% CI 44─68%) in PLAC (p = 0.698). Complete clearance was achieved in 21% (95% CI 7─37%) of NIC versus 17% (95% CI 4─31%) of PLAC (p = 0.440). An interim analysis was performed after the last evaluation of the 26th subject, and the difference between the groups did not reach 15%; thus, the study was discontinued due to futility. No adverse effects were reported. Our results suggest that in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses, the anti-inflammatory capacity of NIC is not sufficient to reduce SFC activity. The present study has limitations: it is monocentric with homogeneous subjects and a short duration between intervention and follow-up. Topical treatment with 5% NIC was safe in immunocompetent adults with AK and SFC; however, it was not superior to placebo in reducing AKs or SFC activity.
Splatter generated by oral surgery irrigation and its implication for infection control
Authors: Johnson Annika , Huang Boyen , Galina Isabella Christianson , Ngo Anh , Uppgaard Rachel
Published: May 2023

Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate the splatter contamination generated by rotary instrumentation and irrigation during simulations of surgical extractions. Specifically, comparisons of the splatters generated were made between traditional assistant-based irrigation and self-irrigating drills, and between saline and hydrogen peroxide irrigant.
Materials and Methods
A fluorescein solution was infiltrated into the irrigation system of high-speed drills, and the surgical extraction procedures were performed on manikins with typodont teeth. Filter papers were placed at the predetermined locations around the operatory to absorb the fluorescein splatters; these samples underwent photographic image analysis.
Results
The patient chest showed the largest area of splatters, followed by the assistant’s face shield. Procedures using the hydrogen peroxide irrigant generated a larger area of splatter than those using the saline irrigant. There was no difference between the splatters produced by assistant irrigation and self-irrigating drill procedures.
Conclusions
Clinicians should observe and disinfect the locations contaminated by splatters to prevent the spread of infection, since using alternative irrigant or irrigation methods did not reduce the formation of splatters.
Clinical Relevance:
Oral surgery drills with irrigation generate aerosols and splatters, which have potential to spread airborne pathogens. It is important to understand the patterns of splatters to mitigate contamination.
Newly isolated Lactobacillus paracasei strain modulates lung immunity and improves capacity to cope with influenza virus infection
Authors: Kim Seungil , Lee Sohyeon , Kim Tae-Young , Lee Su-Hyun , Kweon Mi-Na
Published: May 2023

Background: The modulation of immune responses by probiotics is crucial for local and systemic immunity. Recent studies have suggested a correlation between gut microbiota and lung immunity, known as the gut–lung axis. However, the evidence and mechanisms underlying this axis remain elusive.
Results: In this study, we screened various Lactobacillus (L.) strains for their ability to augment type Ⅰ interferon (IFN-Ⅰ) signaling using an IFNα/β reporter cell line. We identified L. paracasei (MI29) from the feces of healthy volunteers, which showed enhanced IFN-Ⅰ signaling in vitro. Oral administration of the MI29 strain to wild-type B6 mice for 2 weeks resulted in increased expression of IFN-stimulated genes and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs. We found that MI29-treated mice had significantly increased numbers of CD11c+PDCA-1+ plasmacytoid dendritic cells and Ly6Chi monocytes in the lungs compared with control groups. Pre-treatment with MI29 for 2 weeks resulted in less weight loss and lower viral loads in the lung after a sub-lethal dose of influenza virus infection. Interestingly, IFNAR1-/- mice did not show enhanced viral resistance in response to oral MI29 administration. Furthermore, metabolic profiles of MI29-treated mice revealed changes in fatty acid metabolism, with MI29-derived fatty acids contributing to host defense in a Gpr40/120dependent manner.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that the newly isolated MI29 strain can activate host defense immunity and prevent infections caused by the influenza virus through the gut–lung axis.
The Effect of Gamma Linolenic Acid on the Expression of c-Fos and Inflammatory Factors on the Formalin Induced Pain
Authors: rahimi kaveh , Nourishirazi Arman , Delaviz Hamidreza , Ghotbeddin Zohreh
Published: May 2023

Background
The sensation of pain as a pathological entity has always been discussed. The current study was conducted to determine the analgesic effect of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) in the formalin test.
Methods
The formalin was injected into the right hind paw in rats. The pain behaviors were determined as a numerical score for 60 minutes after the injection of formalin. The spinal cord was removed to evaluate the protein expression of c-Fos. Also, the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured in the skin.
Results
The attenuation of nociceptive response persisted after GLA injection in formalin treated rats. Formalin injection also enhanced the levels of cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-1β in the hind paw, which could be repressed by GLA. Also, western blot analysis showed that formalin increase c-Fos protein in the spinal cord, which could be suppressed by GLA. The molecular analysis targeting c-Fos and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1b also showed an effect of GLA, which matched the results of the behavioral data analysis.
Conclusion
Our results demonstrated that pretreatment, with GLA, produced antinociceptive effects in the formalin test and may be effective for pain relief.
Regional Flow Index may predict weaning outcomes in patients under prolonged mechanical ventilation
Authors: Wang Pu , Chang Mei-Yun , Hsia Hai-Yen , Dai Meng , Liu Yifan , Hsu Yeong-Loing , Fu Feng , Zhao Zhanqi
Published: May 2023

Background Regional flow index based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT) may estimate patients' regional inspiratory efforts. The aim of the study was to explore its value in predicting weaning outcomes.Method A total of 26 patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation were analyzed retrospectively. They received spontaneous breathing trials (SBT) in automatic tube compensation (ATC) mode for two hours. The global flow index was calculated by fitting the airway flow and time waveform. Regional flow index was calculated by substituting the airway flow with the derivative of regional impedance measured with EIT. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive effectiveness of the EIT-based regional flow index.Results Weaning was successful in 19 patients but failed in 7. The global flow index calculated with EIT-based impedance and ventilator-recorded airway flow was significantly correlated (r = 0.436, P = 0.024). The regional flow index of the dorsal region group (1.97 ± 1.55) is higher than that of the ventral region (1.21 ± 1.30) at the end of the first hour during ATC (P = 0.01). The dorsal flow index at the beginning of SBT was greater in patients who were successfully weaned (P = 0.02). The area under the curve of this parameter was 0.797, and the sensitivity and specificity for predicting weaning success were 73.7% and 85.7%, respectively.Conclusion The dorsal flow index may assess the patient’s respiratory efforts during SBT. The EIT-based regional flow index may be used to predict the success of weaning.
Synchronous power and signal transmission method for inductive wireless power transmission system by modifying compensation capacitance
Authors: Li Shixi , Lu Yimin , Dou Huanpeng , Ge Xin
Published: May 2023

To synchronize the power forward transmission and signal reverse transmission of inductive wireless power transmission (IWPT) system, a signal reverse transmission method by modifying the compensation capacitance is proposed. Firstly, an equivalent circuit of signal reverse transmission circuit was established for the four basic compensation topologies of IWPT system, the relationship between the secondary-side compensation capacitance and the primary-side input impedance was analyzed. The analysis results indicate that the variable-capacitance method is more suitable for topology structures where the secondary coil and compensation capacitor are connected in series. Then, a variable-capacitance modulation method by detecting the phase angle of the input impedance of the primary side for series-series (SS) systems was proposed, and its impact on power transmission was analyzed. To improve the readability of the data at the receiving side, a data frame structure was designed. This structure is easy to identify the starting bit of the data, making it unnecessary for the signal demodulation at the receiving side to start working before the signal modulation at the sending side. Finally, the effectiveness of the method was verified by simulation and experiment. The results show that this method can successfully modulate and demodulate signals when the load and mutual inductance change. The data readability is improved, and the method has little impact on power transmission.
Analysis of risk factors for early surgical site infection after lumbar spinal surgery in elderly patients
Authors: He GuoYu , Xing ZeJun
Published: May 2023

Background
To explore the risk factors of early surgical site infection (SSI) after posterior lumbar interbody fusion in elderly patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.
Methods
A retrospective study was carried out. The elderly patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative diseases of lumbar spine from January 2019 to December 2021 were included in this study. 18 patients with early postoperative SSI were included into the infection group, and 54 patients without SSI were randomly selected as the control group by the ratio of 1:3 during the same period according to age, gender and diagnosis. First, univariate analysis was performed on the general data, perioperative data and laboratory indexes in both groups. Then, indexes that were statistically significant in univariate analysis and closely related to SSI were incorporated into multiple Logistic regression to determine the risk factors associated with postoperative SSI. Finally, Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was conducted for quantitative variables belonging to risk factors.
Results
Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in surgical duration, preoperative lymphocyte count, postoperative neutrophil count, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, lymphocyte percentage, the neutrophil/lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) and serum albumin concentration between the infected and non-infected groups (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes, surgical duration, and postoperative neutrophil percentage were risk factors for SSI in elderly patients with lumbar degenerative disease undergoing posterior interbody fusion and internal fixation (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of surgical duration was 0.680, and the cut-off value was 177.5min. AUC of postoperative neutrophil percentage was 0.841 and the cut-off value was 78.85%.
Conclusions
For elderly patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion, we need to pay more attention to diabetes mellitus, longer surgical duration and postoperative percentage of neutrophis, which are more likely to be associated with increased early SSI.
The prognostic relevance of temporal muscle thickness compared to functional scales in patients with high-grade glioma
Authors: Klingenschmid Julia , Krigers Aleksandrs , Schön Victoria , Pinggera Daniel , Kerschbaumer Johannes , Grams Astrid E. , Thomé Claudius , Freyschlag Christian F.
Published: May 2023

Background: GBM research is constantly assessing potential valuable prognostic biomarkers to better understand the disease and prognosticate future outcomes. Measuring temporalis muscle thickness (TMT) has appeared to be a promising new surrogate marker for skeletal muscle mass and sarcopenia, which further indicates frailty and predicts overall survival (OS). The aim of this study was to determine its usefulness as a prognostic marker in patients with high-grade glioma compared to functional status scales.
Methods: TMT was measured in preoperative axial T1 weighted contrast enhanced magnetic resonance images in 277 patients who received surgical treatment of newly diagnosed WHO III and IV gliomas in our institution between 2015 and 2020. Clinical frailty scale (CFS) and Karnofsky performance score (KPS) were assessed preoperatively and during a follow-up visit.
Results: Female gender has shown significant correlation with TMT, while TMT did not correlate with preoperative and follow-up functional scores, age, WHO classification, IDH mutation, MGMT promotor methylation, EGFR and ATRX expression or 1p/19q co-deletion. No significant prognostic value of TMT could be shown in 6, 12 and 24 months OS, while changes in CFS and KPS proved to have a significant impact.
Conclusions: Only female gender, but no other clinical, histological or molecular marker showed any interrelation with TMT. Functional scores outclass measuring TMT as a reliable prognostic factor for predicting OS in patients with high-grade glioma.
Effective methylation triage of a screening population with HPV infection and/or abnormal cytology results in China
Authors: Zhou Guan-Nan , Gu Yuan-Yuan , Wang Qing , Ding Jing-Xin , Hua Ke-Qin
Published: May 2023

Background The S5-methylation test, as an alternative classifier to cytology and HPV16/18 genotyping to triage cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions, has not been widely validated in Asian countries. Herein, we compared S5 methylation to HPV16/18 and cytology to detect cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) in a screening population who with either HPV infection or abnormal cytology results or both of them, derived from a multi-central clinical trial of 2246 Chinese participants. We matched all ≥ HSIL + cases (n = 468) with ≤LSIL controls (n = 468) to analyze the effectiveness of methylation. Methylation of S5 was quantified by pyrosequencing, blinded to cytology, histological and initial HPV results.Results The S5 methylation could distinguish women with ≥ HSIL + from women with ≤LSIL at a high area under the curve (AUC) of 0.80 (95% CI 0.74–0.85). The sensitivity of S5 methylation (at 2.85 cutoff) for ≥ HSIL + was 76.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 71.7–79.2) was higher than HPV16/18 sensitivity (64.9%, 95% CI 58.3–71.7, P = 0.039) or cytology (48.9%, 95% CI 42.8–53.2, P < 0.001). At this cutoff, the specificity of S5 for ≥ HSIL + was (79.9%, 95% CI 76.2–84.9), higher than HPV16/18 (44.8%, 95% CI 40.1–49.4, P < 0.001) and cytology (54.6%, 95%CI 50.7–57.9, P < 0.001). In addition, S5 methylation could provide predictive information about progression in specific population in follow-up period.Conclusion S5 methylation classifier with high sensitivity and specificity exceeded HPV16/18 or cytology for detecting women with ≥ HSIL + in a screening Chinese population with HPV infection and/or abnormal cytology results. Furthermore, S5 methylation is a potential classifier for predicting progression.
WITHDRAWN: Lanternfish Diaphus spp. specimens of a DNA barcoding survey of the mesopelagic micronekton communities of the New Caledonia and Wallis-and-Futuna EEZ
Authors: Borsa Philippe , Lagrange Damien , Millet Laurent , Vourey Elodie
Published: May 2023

This document includes 25 plates of annotated photographs of lanternfish Diaphus spp. specimens collected during cruises ESSCHA, NECTAlis, PUFFAlis and WALLAlis of R.V. Alis in the Coral Sea, the Fiji Basin, and the Pacific Ocean around Wallis-and-Futuna Islands. Specimens were grouped by operational taxonomic unit, defined (OTU) as the cluster to which they belonged in a phylogenetic tree of sequences of a portion of the CO1 gene. Species assignment was initially based on the morphological identification of reference specimens, i.e., particularly-well preserved specimens that exhibit the diagnostic characters mentioned in diagnoses and identification keys from the published literature. In several instances, the same species was represented by distinct OTUs.
Sensorimotor Behavior in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Unaffected Biological Parents
Authors: Bojanek Erin K. , Kelly Shannon E. , Schmitt Lauren M. , White Stormi P. , Sweeney John A. , Sprenger Andreas , Unruh Kathryn E. , Mosconi Matthew W.
Published: May 2023

Background: Sensorimotor impairments are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and evident in unaffected first-degree relatives, suggesting that they may serve as important endophenotypes associated with inherited risk. We tested the familiality of sensorimotor impairments in ASD across multiple motor behaviors and effector systems and in relation to parental broader autism phenotypic (BAP) characteristics.
Methods: Fifty-eight autistic individuals (probands), 109 parents, and 89 control participants completed tests of manual motor and oculomotor control. Sensorimotor tests varied in their involvement of rapid, feedforward control and sustained, sensory feedback control processes. Subgroup analyses compared families with at least one parent showing BAP traits (BAP+) and those in which neither parent showed BAP traits (BAP-).
Results: Probands with BAP- parents (BAP- probands) showed rapid manual motor and oculomotor deficits, while BAP+ probands showed sustained motor impairments compared to controls. BAP- parents showed impaired rapid oculomotor and sustained manual motor abilities relative to BAP+ parents and controls. Atypical rapid oculomotor impairments also were familial.
Limitations: Larger samples of ASD families including greater samples of probands with BAP+ parents are needed. Genetic studies also are needed to link sensorimotor endophenotype findings directly to genes.
Conclusions: Results indicate rapid sensorimotor behaviors are selectively impacted in BAP- probands and their parents and may reflect familial liabilities for ASD that are independent of familial autistic traits. Sustained sensorimotor behaviors were affected in BAP+ probands and BAP- parents reflecting familial traits that may only confer risk when combined with parental autistic trait liabilities. These findings provide new evidence that rapid and sustained sensorimotor alterations represent strong but separate familial pathways of ASD risk that demonstrate unique interactions with mechanisms related to parental autistic traits.
High-pressure polymorphs of ferroan dolomite: Possible host structures for carbon in the lower mantle
Authors: Martirosyan Naira S. , Efthimiopoulos Ilias , Jahn Sandro , Lobanov Sergey S. , Wirth Richard , Reichmann Hans-Josef , Koch-Müller Monika
Published: May 2023

In this study, we investigated four different ferroan dolomite samples using in situ Raman spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) at pressures up to 48 GPa and room temperature. Our results show that the transition from Dolomite-I (Dol-I) to Dolomite-II (Dol-II) occurs above 13–16 GPa, and the transition pressure depends on the composition of the solid solution. Compression above 32–35 GPa results in the appearance of Dolomite-IIIc (Dol-IIIc) or Dolomite-IIIb (Dol-IIIb). In the high-pressure XRD study, we found that the XRD patterns of Ca0.97(Mg0.77Fe0.23Mn0.03)(CO3)2 (xFe = 0.23, Ank23) can be indexed as Dol-IIIc at 44 GPa, while the rhombohedral Dol-IIIb structure matches better with the XRD patterns of the xFe = 0.40 (Ank40) and 0.64 (Ank64) solid solutions. Additionally, in the Raman spectra of the Fe-richest sample (Ank64), we observed an abrupt frequency downshift of the CO3-stretching vibrations between 40–42 GPa, which may reflect a pressure-induced Fe2+ spin transition.

We further investigated two samples with xFe = 0.19 (Ank19) and 0.23 (Ank23) at high pressure and high temperatures, up to at least 2600 K. The experiments revealed that the unquenchable Dol-IIIc structure could be a stable high-pressure/high-temperature polymorph in ferroan dolomite up to at least 2600 K.
A Study on the Direction of Community Plan in Daegu City
Authors:   Korea Urban & Real Estate Association, Jang Jae-Il
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study is to present the direction of planning so that the community plan of Daegu City can be effectively established and utilized. To this end, a literature study was conducted on the existing community plan of Daegu City, and the following items were suggested as a result of the review. First, the community plans within the urban master plan and the basic plan for urban adjustment, which are currently operated individually, must be operated consistently as a system. Second, the hierarchy of neighborhood areas is divided into three stages: large, medium, and small. In the large area, regional development directions and adjustment standards of zoning system are dealt with, and in the small and medium area, plans related to public facilities are dealt with. Third, the large community plan is established by the metropolitan city along with the urban master plan, and the small and medium community plans are established and operated by basic local governments. Fourth, road plans are established within the small neighborhood area, and other public facilities are reviewed first in the large or medium neighborhood area.
SCS-CN methodology further modified
Authors: Verma Sangeeta , Verma Ravindra Kumar
Published: May 2023

This paper further modifies soil conservation service curve number (SCS-CN) based on the concept of adjusting the rainfall in accordance with rain duration and considering the initial abstraction (Ia) as a fraction of rainfall for runoff estimation. The former yields Model M3 and its explicit form with constant parameter λ = 0.2 is designated as Model M4. Model M5 couples both the concepts and thus all these models are the advanced versions. The applicability of all the five models is tested using a large number of rainfall-runoff events (25,502) derived from 53 U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service watersheds. Models M3–M5 performed better than Models M1 and M2. Model performance is evaluated by employing six statistical measures, namely, root mean square error, mean absolute error, normalized root mean square error, Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient (%), percent bias, RSR, n(t), and several grading criteria. Results show Model M5 to have performed the best of all in both calibration and validation largely due to its incorporating the impact of rain duration and allowing Ia to vary with rainfall, which is close to reality and not accounted for in any other models considered in this study.
Ambient air quality and health risks as objective indicators to estimate effectiveness of air protection in cities included into the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Zaitseva N.V. , May I.V. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: May 2023

It is important to estimate effectiveness and results achieved by measures implemented within the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project as regards public health in cities included into it. The aim of this study was to analyze changes in levels of ambient air pollution and airborne health risks in cities included into the ‘Clean Air’ Federal project in dynamics over 2020–2022 and to estimate whether the measures aimed at reduction of emissions were adequate to risk rates and factors. The study relied on analyzing the results of field observations over ambient air quality within social and hygienic mon-itoring. Monitoring covered priority chemicals that made 95 % contributions to impermissible health risks according to dis-persion calculations. Risk assessment was performed as per standard algorithms and indicators. Adequacy of air protection and correctness of its orientation were estimated in Norilsk as an example city. The study established that levels of harmful chemicals in ambient were higher than hygienic standards over the analyzed period in all the cities participating in the project. We did not detect any significant reduction in ambient air pollution; there were no positive trends in health risks rates either. In 2022, a risk of respiratory diseases under chronic exposure was ranked as high (hazard index or HI 10.5÷43) in Chelyabinsk, Mednogorsk, Norilsk, Krasnoyarsk, Lipetsk, and Chita; it was ranked as ‘alerting’ in Bratsk, Chita, Novokuznetsk, Magnitogorsk, and Omsk (HI 4.0÷5.8), A permissible risk was identified over the analyzed period only in Cherepovets (HI<3). So far, reductions in emissions of pollutants declared by economic entities have not ensured absence of impermissible health risks in 11 out of 12 cities. Ungrounded orientation to a 20 % reduction in emissions of all the economic entities included in the experiment and failure to consider risk indicators when setting quotas for emissions can lead to absence of any substantial effects for public health in the analyzed cities. In some cases, this may even result in excessive spending on activities that do not have any significant influence on a sanitary-hygienic situation.
Parameters for health risk assessment associated with chronic exposure to hydrogen sulphide in ambient air
Authors:   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation, Shur P.Z. , Chetverkina K.V. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation,   Perm State Medical University Named After Academician E.A. Wagner, 26 Petropavlovskaya Str., Perm, 614000, Russian Federation, the Department of Public Health and Healthcare No. 2 with the course of health informatization, Khasanova А.А. ,   Federal Scientific Center for Medical and Preventive Health Risk Management Technologies, 82 Monastyrskaya Str., Perm, 614045, Russian Federation
Published: May 2023

High levels of chemical pollution in ambient air due to industrial emissions can facilitate development of functional disorders in various organs and systems. They are a significant component to be considered when assessing health risks under expo-sure to combined multi-factorial pollution. However, the issue of methodical approaches to assessing possible effects on health under exposure to combinations of chemicals has not been studied enough as regards public health risk assessment. Given that, we suggest a trend to develop the methodology that involves revising and substantiating indicators applied in health risk assessment. This should be done as new research data on influence exerted by chemicals on health (including exposure to levels higher than reference ones) become available. We have substantiated a system of quantitative indicators (including additional reference concentrations) for health risk assessment under chronic exposure to hydrogen sulphide in ambient air (including its elevated levels). Points of departure and modifying factors were established by analyzing studies on effects produced on health by hydrogen sulphide. On their basis, we developed parameters for non-carcinogenic health risk assessment. The reference concentration equaled 0.002 mg/m3 (the critical systems were respiratory organs and the nervous system). The additional reference concentration for risk assessment under elevated exposure to hydrogen sulphide was substantiated as equal 0.07 mg/m3 (impaired development being the critical system in the case). The suggested system of quantitative indicators enhances and specifies parameters for health risk assessment. This makes it possible to perform more adequate assessment of health risks under combined exposure to chemicals in ambient air including those contained in levels higher than reference ones. The suggested system of quantitative indicators was tested properly; as a result, the system was established to give an opportunity to obtain more comprehensive and accurate results of health risk assessment under combined exposure to chemical pollutants.
Hygienic assessment to identify absence of harm to adults in a western Siberia region when nickel is introduced with foods
Authors:   Omsk State Medical University, 12 Lenina Str., Omsk, 644099, Russian Federation, Brusentsova А.V. , Turchaninov D.V. ,   Omsk State Medical University, 12 Lenina Str., Omsk, 644099, Russian Federation, Sokhoshko I.А. ,   Omsk State Medical University, 12 Lenina Str., Omsk, 644099, Russian Federation, Yunatskaya Т.А. ,   Omsk State Medical University, 12 Lenina Str., Omsk, 644099, Russian Federation
Published: May 2023

In this study, nickel intake with foods was estimated in adults living in the Omsk region. The estimation was based on analyzing how frequently variable foods were consumed by a representative sample (n = 421, 2020). The median of average daily nickel intake with foods equaled 0.13 mg/day (0.100; 0.179). The level between 0.088 and 0.196 mg/day was suggested as a statistical standard of nickel intake with foods for adults living in Western Siberia. We did not establish any significant differences in nickel intake with foods between men and women and between all the age groups. In all the analyzed age groups, a major contribution to nickel intake with foods was made by vegetables (29.1 %), fruits (16.3 %), and drinks (16.9 %). As for specific food products, we identified several major sources of the metal including tea (20.8 %), fresh apples (13.9 %), chocolate bars and chocolate sweets (11.8 %), and fresh tomatoes (9.7 %). We established significant differences in the structure of nickel intake with foods among the analyzed population in the Omsk region and people living in the central Europe. In the Omsk region, a much greater contribution was made by plant-based foods (65.0 % in the Omsk region and 49.0 % in the central Europe) and contributions made by drinks and animal-based foods were substantially lower. These results highlight the necessity to investigate specific regional diets to identify risk groups and territories with elevated health risks. Nickel intake with foods was considered tentative optimal for the analyzed population.
Strains and virulence genes of salmonella with multidrug resistance isolated from chicken carcasses (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Authors:   Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Pham Xuan Da , Hong Hao Le Thi ,   National Institute for Food Control, 65 Fam Tan Duat Str., Hanoi, Vietnam, Thanh Huyen Tran Thi ,   Vinmec Research Institute of Stem cell and Gene Technology, Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi, Vietnam, Le Long Thanh ,   National Institute for Food Control, 65 Fam Tan Duat Str., Hanoi, Vietnam, Le Hoa Vinh Le ,   National Institute for Food Control, 65 Fam Tan Duat Str., Hanoi, Vietnam, Thi Ninh Hanh ,   National Institute for Food Control, 65 Fam Tan Duat Str., Hanoi, Vietnam, Tran Minh Le ,   High School for Gifted Students, Hanoi University of Science, 182 Luong The Vinh Str., Hanoi, Vietnam, Trung Nguyen Thanh ,   National Institute for Food Control, 65 Fam Tan Duat Str., Hanoi, Vietnam
Published: May 2023

Salmonella enterica is one of dangerous food-borne pathogens listed by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Vietnam, poultry is one of the most widely eaten meats and is reported as a common source of S. enterica contamination. The aim of this study was to examine multi-resistant Salmonella strains, to identify susceptibility to antibiotics by using 15 different types of medications and to perform sequencing to analyze antibiotic resistance genes, genotypes, multi-locus sequence-based typing (MLST), and plasmids. The result of the antibiotic susceptibility test indicated that phenotypic resistance to 9–11 types of antimicrobials was confirmed in all strains. Among 06 sequenced strains, we identified 43 genes associated with antibiotic resistance: strains carrying a range of genes that are associated with aminoglycoside resistance (aac(3), aac(6), ant(3), aph(3), aph(6), aadA); all strains carried blaCTX-M-55 or blaCTX-M-65 gene, which were resistant to the 3rd generation antibiotics; there were also frequently observed sul1, sul2, sul3, tet (A), qnrS1, floR, dfrA14 or dfrA27 genes in sequenced isolates. Besides, the genome sequencing also indicated that all strains carried pathogenicity islands SPI 1, SPI 2, and SPI 3 thereby creating many potential triggers of the disease. Additionally, some carried C63PI, SPI 9, SPI 13, SPI 14, and plus some plasmids such as Col156, IncHI2, IncHI2A, IncFIB, Col (MGD2).