bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the professional intention of medical and related students
Authors: Gong Zheng , Li Wen , Bu Huimin , He Mingyu , Hou Hongjian , Ma Tongtong , Hu Xide , Fu Lu , Adu-Amankwaah Joseph , Sun Hong
Published: September 2021

Background

The outbreak of COVID-19 has led to increased workload and infection risks among medical staff. This situation may influence current medical and health-related students’ decision on the choices of their future careers. Hence, this study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on their future career intentions.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional observational study that included medical and health-related students from three universities between October 2020 and January 2021. The study questionnaire was divided into two main sections: Section 1, which comprised students’ basic information. And section 2 focused mainly on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on students’ professional intentions. The chi-squared χ2 test was used to compare the responses before and after the pandemic outbreak among Chinese and non-Chinese students.

Results

In overall, 1253 students completed the questionnaires. The responses showed that the number of students who preferred clinical medicine, public health, pharmacy and oral medicine increased significantly after the pandemic outbreak. In contrast, the number of students who chose nursing and medical technology decreased significantly. The change mainly occurred in Chinese students, predominantly females. Half of students (50.35%) were more willing to engage in medical and health work after completing their current program. Also, 36.39% of students felt that knowledge was too limited in the pandemic’s face and would like to continue studying after graduation to gain more knowledge. Due to the pandemic, 34.18% of students would like a future workplace near their hometown, and 19.63% preferred to work in urban areas.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 outbreak impacted current medical and health-related students’ career planning on their future workplaces and employment time choices. Additionally, the pandemic influenced the intention of Chinese students in choosing their future careers. This study provided the basis for the policymaking, specialty setting of colleges and supplied the medical health department’s talent reserve information.
Prediction of lung emphysema in COPD by spirometry and clinical symptoms: results from COSYCONET
Authors: Kellerer Christina , Jörres Rudolf A. , Schneider Antonius , Alter Peter , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Jobst Bertram , Biederer Jürgen , Bals Robert , Watz Henrik , Behr Jürgen , Kauffmann-Guerrero Diego , Lutter Johanna , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Magnussen Helgo , Trudzinski Franziska C. , Welte Tobias , Vogelmeier Claus F. , Kahnert Kathrin
Published: September 2021

Background

Lung emphysema is an important phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and CT scanning is strongly recommended to establish the diagnosis. This study aimed to identify criteria by which physicians with limited technical resources can improve the diagnosis of emphysema.

Methods

We studied 436 COPD patients with prospective CT scans from the COSYCONET cohort. All items of the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale, as well as data from spirometry and CO diffusing capacity, were used to construct binary decision trees. The importance of parameters was checked by the Random Forest and AdaBoost machine learning algorithms.

Results

When relying on questionnaires only, items CAT 1 & 7 and SGRQ 8 & 12 sub-item 3 were most important for the emphysema- versus airway-dominated phenotype, and among the spirometric measures FEV1/FVC. The combination of CAT item 1 (≤ 2) with mMRC (> 1) and FEV1/FVC, could raise the odds for emphysema by factor 7.7. About 50% of patients showed combinations of values that did not markedly alter the likelihood for the phenotypes, and these could be easily identified in the trees. Inclusion of CO diffusing capacity revealed the transfer coefficient as dominant measure. The results of machine learning were consistent with those of the single trees.

Conclusions

Selected items (cough, sleep, breathlessness, chest condition, slow walking) from comprehensive COPD questionnaires in combination with FEV1/FVC could raise or lower the likelihood for lung emphysema in patients with COPD. The simple, parsimonious approach proposed by us might help if diagnostic resources regarding respiratory diseases are limited.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT01245933, registered 18 November 2010, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT01245933.
Optimizing operational parameters for the enzymatic production of furandicarboxylic acid building block
Authors: Sánchez-Ruiz María Isabel , Martínez Angel T. , Serrano Ana
Published: September 2021

Background

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a precursor for green plastics due to its structural similarity to terephthalic acid, a common precursor of oil-derived polymers, and its potential production from sugars obtained from plant biomass. Hydroxymethylfurfural oxidase (HMFO) has been reported as a promising biocatalyst for FDCA production since it can convert bio-based 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) into FDCA building block. This three-step oxidation reaction occurs through the diformylfuran and 2,5-formylfurancarboxylic acid (FFCA) intermediates. Several efforts have been made for the development of HMFO variants that increase FDCA yields by improving their activities over the reaction intermediates. However, there is still limited insight into how operational conditions can influence these enzymatic reactions. The setup of optimal reaction conditions would enable to understand potential problems hampering the effective industrial production of this bioplastic precursor using HMFO as biocatalyst.

Results

In this work, several parameters affecting the performance of Methylovorus sp HMFO oxidizing HMF have been analyzed for the wild-type enzyme, and its V367R and W466F single variants, V367R/W466F double variant, and I73V/H74Y/G356H/V367R/T414K/A419Y/A435E/W466F (8BxHMFO) octuple variant. Our results show how the oxidation of HMF by HMFO enzymes is highly influenced by pH, with different optimal pH values for the different improved variants. Moreover, the enzymes are not stable at high hydrogen peroxide concentrations and their activity is inhibited by the FFCA intermediate in a pH-dependent way. These limitations can be efficiently overcome with the addition of catalase to the reaction medium, which removes the hydrogen peroxide formed during the oxidations, and the controlled dosage of the substrate to limit the amount of FFCA accumulated in the reaction. The different behavior of wild-type HMFO and its variants against pH, hydrogen peroxide and FFCA highlights the importance of considering each variant as an individual enzyme with its own operational conditions for an eventual industrial FDCA production.

Conclusions

This work provides information of those parameters that condition a high production of FDCA by HMFO. Unraveling these factors allowed to increase the FDCA yields by using the most stable enzymes at their optimal pH for HMF oxidation, removing the peroxide with catalase, and avoiding FFCA accumulation by controlling substrate and/or enzyme concentration. These above findings will be useful when planning a future scale-up of these conversions and will provide new viewpoints for the design of HMFO variants that render a more effective performance during HMF conversion into FDCA.
Role of glutamine and its metabolite ammonia in crosstalk of cancer-associated fibroblasts and cancer cells
Authors: Li Xiao , Zhu Hongming , Sun Weixuan , Yang Xingru , Nie Qing , Fang Xuedong
Published: September 2021

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the most abundant cells in the tumor microenvironment, play an indispensable role in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and metabolism. The limitations of traditional treatments can be partly attributed to the lack of understanding of the role of the tumor stroma. For this reason, CAF targeting is gradually gaining attention, and many studies are trying to overcome the limitations of tumor treatment with CAF as a breakthrough. Glutamine (GLN) has been called a “nitrogen reservoir” for cancer cells because of its role in supporting anabolic processes such as fuel proliferation and nucleotide synthesis, but ammonia is a byproduct of the metabolism of GLN and other nitrogenous compounds. Moreover, in some studies, GLN has been reported as a fundamental nitrogen source that can support tumor biomass. In this review, we discuss the latest findings on the role of GLN and ammonia in the crosstalk between CAFs and cancer cells as well as the potential therapeutic implications of nitrogen metabolism.
Association between abnormal body mass index and pregnancy outcomes in patients following frozen embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Jiaqi , He Yichen , Wu Yiqing , Zhang Dan , Huang Hefeng
Published: September 2021

Background

There has been increasing interest in the relationship between body mass index(BMI) and pregnancy outcomes, especially in women undergoing frozen embryo transfer(FET). Several observational studies have been published, but so far with conflicting results.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinicaltrails.gov and Web of Science databases were searched based on established search strategy from inception through January 2021.

Results

Twelve studies were eligible. In women following FET, high BMI (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2) was associated with an impaired live birth rate (LBR, OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82–0.96, P = 0.002), but wasn’t associated with the implantation rate or the clinical pregnancy rate. Subgroup analysis revealed higher LBR for women didn’t complicated by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.85–1.08, P = 0.46) and women with blastocyst transferred (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.68–1.16, P = 0.40). LBR did not differ between the low BMI group (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and the normal weight group.

Conclusions

Our study showed that high BMI in women is negatively associated with LBR in FET cycles, whereas low BMI isn’t. The results of subgroup analysis implied a need for women with a high BMI to get individualized weight management and treatment. Further evidence is still required to optimize preconception health and develop Nutritional and exercise guidelines.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: microRNA-193-3p attenuates
myocardial injury of mice with sepsis via STAT3/HMGB1 axis
Authors: Pan Jianyuan , Alexan Buse , Dennis Dorn , Bettina Chiristine , Christoph Laeuf Ilona Mariya , Tang Yongqin
Published: September 2021

Objective

Little is known regarding the functional role of microRNA-193-3p
(miR-193-3p) in sepsis. Hence, the aim of the present study was to investigate the
effect of miR-193-3p on myocardial injury in mice with sepsis and its mechanism
through the regulation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3
(STAT3).

Methods

The mice model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture
(CLP), septic mice were injected with miR-193-3p agomir, miR-193-3p antagomir or
siRNA-STAT3. The expression of miR-193-3p, STAT3 and HMGB1 in the myocardial tissue
of septic mice were detected. Cardiac ultrasound, hemodynamics, myocardial injury
markers, inflammatory factors and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in septic mice were
measured.

Results

MiR-193-3p expression was reduced while STAT3 expression was increased
in septic mice. Down-regulated STAT3 or up-regulated miR-193-3p improved cardiac
function, attenuated myocardial injury, inflammation and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in
septic mice. Knockdown STAT3 reversed the role of inhibited miR-193-3p for mice with
sepsis. miR-193-3p targeted STAT3, thereby inhibiting HMGB1 expression.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that miR-193-3p targets STAT3 expression to
reduce HMGB1 expression, thereby reducing septic myocardial damage. MiR-193-3p might
be a potential candidate marker and therapeutic target for sepsis.
Genome-wide identification of endogenous viral sequences in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)
Authors: Boutanaev Alexander M. , Nemchinov Lev G.
Published: September 2021

Endogenous viral elements (EVEs) have been for the most part described in animals and to a less extent in plants. The endogenization was proposed to contribute toward evolution of living organisms via horizontal gene transfer of novel genetic material and resultant genetic diversity. During the last two decades, several full-length and fragmented EVEs of pararetroviral and non-retroviral nature have been identified in different plant genomes, both monocots and eudicots. Prior to this work, no EVEs have been reported in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), the most cultivated forage legume in the world. In this study, taking advantage of the most recent developments in the field of alfalfa research, we have assessed alfalfa genome on the presence of viral-related sequences. Our analysis revealed segmented EVEs resembling two dsDNA reverse-transcribing virus species: Soybean chlorotic mottle virus (family Caulimoviridae, genus Soymovirus) and Figwort mosaic virus (family Caulimoviridae, genus Caulimovirus). The EVEs appear to be stable constituents of the host genome and in that capacity could potentially acquire functional roles in alfalfa’s development and response to environmental stresses.
Stable transfection system for Babesia sp. Xinjiang
Authors: Wang Jinming , Wang Xiaoxing , Guan Guiquan , Yang Jifei , Liu Junlong , Liu Aihong , Li Youquan , Luo Jianxun , Yin Hong
Published: September 2021

Background

Stable transfection systems have been described in many protozoan parasites, including Plasmodium falciparum, Cryptosporidium parvum, Babesia bovis, Babesia ovata, and Babesia gibsoni. For Babesia sp. Xinjiang (Bxj), which is the causative pathogen of ovine babesiosis and mainly prevails across China, the platform of those techniques remains absent. Genetic manipulation techniques are powerful tools to enhance our knowledge on parasite biology, which may provide potential drug targets and diagnostic markers.

Methods

We evaluated the inhibition efficiency of blasticidin (BSD) and WR99210 to Bxj. Then, a plasmid was constructed bearing selectable marker BSD, green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, and rhoptry-associated protein-1 3′ terminator region (rap 3′ TR). The plasmid was integrated into the elongation factor-1 alpha (ef-1α) site of Bxj genome by cross-over homologous recombination technique. Twenty μg of plasmid was transfected into Bxj merozoites. Subsequently, drug selection was performed 24 h after transfection to generate transfected parasites.

Results

Transfected parasite lines, Bxj-c1, Bxj-c2, and Bxj-c3, were successfully obtained after transfection, drug selection, and colonization. Exogenous genes were integrated into the Bxj genome, which were confirmed by PCR amplification and sequencing. In addition, results of western blot (WB) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) revealed that GFP-BSD had expressed for 11 months.

Conclusions

In our present study, stable transfection system for Bxj was successfully developed. We anticipate that this platform will greatly facilitate basic research of Bxj.

Graphical abstract
Non-cancer-related pathogenic germline variants and expression consequences in ten-thousand cancer genomes
Authors: Wang Zishan , Fan Xiao , Shen Yufeng , Pagadala Meghana S , Signer Rebecca , Cygan Kamil J. , Fairbrother William G. , Carter Hannah , Chung Wendy K. , Huang Kuan-lin
Published: September 2021

Background

DNA sequencing is increasingly incorporated into the routine care of cancer patients, many of whom also carry inherited, moderate/high-penetrance variants associated with other diseases. Yet, the prevalence and consequence of such variants remain unclear.

Methods

We analyzed the germline genomes of 10,389 adult cancer cases in the TCGA cohort, identifying pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in autosomal-dominant genes, autosomal-recessive genes, and 59 medically actionable genes curated by the American College of Molecular Genetics (i.e., the ACMG 59 genes). We also analyzed variant- and gene-level expression consequences in carriers.

Results

The affected genes exhibited varying pan-ancestry and population-specific patterns, and overall, the European population showed the highest frequency of pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants. We further identified genes showing expression consequence supporting variant functionality, including altered gene expression, allelic specific expression, and mis-splicing determined by a massively parallel splicing assay.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that expression-altering variants are found in a substantial fraction of cases and illustrate the yield of genomic risk assessments for a wide range of diseases across diverse populations.
Quantitative ultrasound imaging of soft biological tissues: a primer for radiologists and medical physicists
Authors: Cloutier Guy , Destrempes François , Yu François , Tang An
Published: September 2021

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) aims at quantifying interactions between ultrasound and biological tissues. QUS techniques extract fundamental physical properties of tissues based on interactions between ultrasound waves and tissue microstructure. These techniques provide quantitative information on sub-resolution properties that are not visible on grayscale (B-mode) imaging. Quantitative data may be represented either as a global measurement or as parametric maps overlaid on B-mode images. Recently, major ultrasound manufacturers have released speed of sound, attenuation, and backscatter packages for tissue characterization and imaging. Established and emerging clinical applications are currently limited and include liver fibrosis staging, liver steatosis grading, and breast cancer characterization. On the other hand, most biological tissues have been studied using experimental QUS methods, and quantitative datasets are available in the literature. This educational review addresses the general topic of biological soft tissue characterization using QUS, with a focus on disseminating technical concepts for clinicians and specialized QUS materials for medical physicists. Advanced but simplified technical descriptions are also provided in separate subsections identified as such. To understand QUS methods, this article reviews types of ultrasound waves, basic concepts of ultrasound wave propagation, ultrasound image formation, point spread function, constructive and destructive wave interferences, radiofrequency data processing, and a summary of different imaging modes. For each major QUS technique, topics include: concept, illustrations, clinical examples, pitfalls, and future directions.
Approaches to modelling the shape of nanocrystals
Authors: Boukouvala Christina , Daniel Joshua , Ringe Emilie
Published: September 2021

Unlike in the bulk, at the nanoscale shape dictates properties. The imperative to understand and predict nanocrystal shape led to the development, over several decades, of a large number of mathematical models and, later, their software implementations. In this review, the various mathematical approaches used to model crystal shapes are first overviewed, from the century-old Wulff construction to the year-old (2020) approach to describe supported twinned nanocrystals, together with a discussion and disambiguation of the terminology. Then, the multitude of published software implementations of these Wulff-based shape models are described in detail, describing their technical aspects, advantages and limitations. Finally, a discussion of the scientific applications of shape models to either predict shape or use shape to deduce thermodynamic and/or kinetic parameters is offered, followed by a conclusion. This review provides a guide for scientists looking to model crystal shape in a field where ever-increasingly complex crystal shapes and compositions are required to fulfil the exciting promises of nanotechnology.
Validation of a novel system to assess end-expiratory lung volume and alveolar recruitment in an ARDS model
Authors: Bitker Laurent , Carvalho Nadja Cristinne , Reidt Sascha , Schranz Christoph , Novotni Dominik , Orkisz Maciej , Davila Serrano Eduardo , Revelly Jean-Pierre , Richard Jean-Christophe
Published: September 2021

Background

Personalizing mechanical ventilation requires the development of reliable bedside monitoring techniques. The multiple-breaths nitrogen washin–washout (MBNW) technique is currently available to measure end-expiratory lung volume (EELVMBNW), but the precision of the technique may be poor, with percentage errors ranging from 28 to 57%. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the reliability of a novel MBNW bedside system using fast mainstream sensors to assess EELV in an experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) model, using computed tomography (CT) as the gold standard. The secondary aims of the study were: (1) to evaluate trending ability of the novel system to assess EELV; (2) to evaluate the reliability of estimated alveolar recruitment induced by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) changes computed from EELVMBNW, using CT as the gold standard.

Results

Seven pigs were studied in 6 experimental conditions: at baseline, after experimental ARDS and during a decremental PEEP trial at PEEP 16, 12, 6 and 2 cmH2O. EELV was computed at each PEEP step by both the MBNW technique (EELVMBNW) and CT (EELVCT). Repeatability was assessed by performing replicate measurements. Alveolar recruitment between two consecutive PEEP levels after lung injury was measured with CT (VrecCT), and computed from EELV measurements (VrecMBNW) as ΔEELV minus the product of ΔPEEP by static compliance.

EELVMBNW and EELVCT were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.97). An acceptable non-constant bias between methods was identified, slightly decreasing toward more negative values as EELV increased. The conversion equation between EELVMBNW and EELVCT was: EELVMBNW = 0.92 × EELVCT + 36. The 95% prediction interval of the bias amounted to ± 86 mL and the percentage error between both methods amounted to 13.7%.

The median least significant change between repeated measurements amounted to 8% [CI95%: 4–10%]. EELVMBNW adequately tracked EELVCT changes over time (concordance rate amounting to 100% [CI95%: 87%–100%] and angular bias amounting to − 2° ± 10°).

VrecMBNW and VrecCT were significantly correlated (R2 = 0.92). A non-constant bias between methods was identified, slightly increasing toward more positive values as Vrec increased.

Conclusions

We report a new bedside MBNW technique that reliably assesses EELV in an experimental ARDS model with high precision and excellent trending ability.
Prospective clinical implementation of optional implant treatment into pregraduate dental education—mini implants for retention and support of mandibular overdentures
Authors: Kämmerer Peer W. , Wolf Jens M. , Buttchereit Ingo , Frerich Bernhard , Ottl Peter
Published: September 2021

Background

The primary aim of the study was to evaluate mini implant (MDI) survival, prosthodontic maintenance, and patient-reported outcome measures after conducting an optional pregraduate academic course on patients with mandibular edentulism including fabrication of overdentures and MDI planning and placement as well as chair-side incorporation of the respective restauration. In a prospective clinical study, 20 patients received 80 MDIs that were restored with mandibular overdentures. All treatment steps including placement of 40 MDIs were conducted by undergraduate students under strict guidance of a consultant. Next to students’ perceptions after participation, survival of MDIs, and prosthodontic maintenance, patients’ perceptions as well as peri-implant parameters were assessed after 4 weeks and 3 and 12 months.

Results

Three MDIs fractured (two during insertion and one after 3 months; total survival 96.25%). Two overdentures fractured and a total of 23 cases of minor prosthodontic maintenance were required. Over time, patients’ satisfaction significantly increased. Besides, questionnaires showed a high rate of students’ positive perception and high self-confidence to include MDI therapy into own practice.

Conclusions

The results are in accordance to those reported by postgraduate dentists. In accordance, therapy with MDI-retained mandibular overdentures seems to be feasible and successful at pregraduate level if the students receive guidance.
Bone regeneration of demineralized dentin matrix with platelet-rich fibrin and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 on the bone defects in rabbit calvaria
Authors: Kim Beom-Jin , Kim Seok-Kon , Lee Jae-Hoon
Published: September 2021

Background

This study was to evaluate the bone formation ability of demineralized dentin matrix (DDM) combined with platelet-rich fibrinogen (PRF) and DDM combined with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) to improve the osteoinductive ability of DDM.

Methods

After four bone defects with a diameter of 8mm were created in the calvarium of each rabbit, DDM was grafted into the first defect (experimental groups 1), a combination of DDM and PRF was grafted into the second defect (experimental groups 2), and DDM with absorbed rhBMP-2 was grafted into the third defect (experimental groups 3). The fourth defect was used as the control group. Twelve healthy male rabbits (New Zealand, white rabbits) weighing around 3.0–4.0 kg were used. Among 12 rabbits, 3 rabbits were sacrificed immediately after surgery and at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery, respectively. Histopathologic analysis and histomorphometric analysis were conducted to evaluate bone formation in each group.

Results

The PRF/DDM group did not show a significantly higher degree of new bone formation in calvarial bone defects than the DDM group at 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively in histopathological findings and histomorphometric results. On the other side, the rhBMP-2/DDM group showed higher degrees of new bone formation and calcification, and the lamellae of bone matrix, which are observed in mature bone tissue, were more distinctly visible in the rhBMP-2/DDM group. Moreover, the rhBMP-2/DDM group showed a significantly higher amount of new bone formation, compared to the DDM group at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively (P<0.05) in histomorphometric results.

Conclusion

The DDM has great potential as a carrier for the maintenance and sustained release of rhBMP-2, which has been recently receiving wide attention as a type of signaling molecules to promote bone formation.
Right ventricular perforation, pneumothorax, and a pneumatocele by a pacemaker lead: a case report
Authors: Iwata Shihoko , Hirose Ayana , Furui Ikue , Matsumoto Takako , Ozaki Makoto , Nagasaka Yasuko
Published: September 2021

Background

Perforation of the right ventricle by a pacemaker lead is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication. We present a patient who developed right ventricular perforation, pneumothorax, and a cyst and underwent partial lung resection.

Case presentation

A 94-year-old woman was diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome and underwent a dual-chamber permanent pacemaker implantation. The next day, pacing failed and chest radiography showed that the right ventricular lead was outside the cardiac silhouette. Computed tomography revealed that the lead had perforated the right ventricular apex, causing a left-sided pneumothorax and a cystic lesion at the site of pulmonary injury by the pacemaker lead. The patient underwent lung resection and a right ventricular lead extraction. Pathological analysis revealed the cystic lesion to be an acute pneumatocele.

Conclusions

Pneumothorax and pneumatocele associated with right ventricular pacemaker lead perforation is extremely rare. In our case, a radical surgical intervention provided an excellent outcome.
Emergence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Nepal
Authors: Pandey Kishor , Bastola Anup , Haiyan Gong , Pyakurel Uttam Raj , Pandey Basu Dev , Dumre Shyam Prakash
Published: September 2021

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in 70 countries worldwide. Nepal is considered non-endemic for CL and hence the control program is targeted to visceral leishmaniasis (VL) only. Here, we report the emergence of CL cases in different parts of Nepal.

Methods

We analyzed the CL and VL cases reported to Epidemiology and Diseases Control Division (EDCD), Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal through District Health Information System 2 (DHIS-2) and Early Warning and Reporting System (EWRS) during the past 4 years (2016–2019). Any laboratory-confirmed case was included in the study. Demographic and clinical details of each patient were transcribed into Excel sheets, verified with the case report forms and analyzed.

Results

VL has been reported in Nepal since 1980, but CL was reported very recently. From 2016 to 2019, 42 CL cases were reported from 26 different hospitals to EDCD which had been diagnosed on the basis of clinical presentation, and laboratory findings (demonstration of amastigotes in Giemsa-stained smears and rK39 test results). Majority of the patients (31.0%, 13/42) visited to the hospital within 1–6 months of onset of lesions. Facial region (38.1%, 16/42) was the common place where lesions were found ompared to other exposed parts of the body. CL was successfully treated with miltefosine for 28 days. The majority of CL patients did not have history of travel outside the endemic areas and there was no report of sandfly from these areas.

Conclusion

These evidences highlight that the Government of Nepal need to pay more efforts on CL and include it in differential diagnosis by clinicians, and plan for an active surveillance when the country is targeting leishmaniasis elimination by the year 2025 with the decreasing number of VL cases.
The Norwegian PROMIS-29: psychometric validation in the general population for Norway
Authors: Garratt Andrew M. , Coste Joël , Rouquette Alexandra , Valderas José M.
Published: September 2021

Background

The Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System profile instruments include “high information” items drawn from large item banks following the application of modern psychometric criteria. The shortest adult profile, PROMIS-29, looks set to replace existing short-form instruments in research and clinical practice. The objective of this study was to undertake the first psychometric evaluation of the Norwegian PROMIS-29, following a postal survey of a random sample of 12,790 Norwegians identified through the National Registry of the Norwegian Tax Administration. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess structural validity. Fit to the Rasch partial credit model and differential item functioning (DIF) were assessed in relation to age, gender, and education. PROMIS-29 scores were compared to those for the EQ-5D-5L and the Self-assessed Comorbidity Questionnaire (SCQ), for purposes of assessing validity based on a priori hypotheses.

Results

There were 3200 (25.9%) respondents with a mean age (SD) of 51 (20.7, range 18 to 97 years) and 55% were female. The PROMIS-29 showed satisfactory structural validity and acceptable fit to Rasch model including unidimensionality, and measurement invariance across age and education levels. One pain interference item had uniform DIF for gender but splitting gave satisfactory fit. Domain reliability estimates ranged from 0.85 to 0.95. Correlations between PROMIS-29 domain, SCQ and EQ-5D scores were largely as expected, the largest being for scores assessing very similar aspects of health.

Conclusions

The Norwegian version of the PROMIS-29 is a reliable and valid generic self-reported measure of health in the Norwegian general population. The instrument is recommended for further application, but the analysis should be replicated and responsiveness to change assessed in future studies before it can be recommended for clinical and health services evaluation in Norway.
Correlation of self-compassion and spiritual well-being with drug craving in people with substance use disorders
Authors: Shahin Mahmoud Abdel Hameed , Hamed Shaimaa Abdelbaset , Taha Samah Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Background

Globally, drug abuse is a serious and exacerbating phenomenon, not only in terms of its prevalence and its impact on individuals, families, professional and social aspects but also because of its economic and medical repercussions. Cravings, the main feature of addiction, are the drivers of continued drug abuse and a return to addiction after recovery. This research aimed to explore the relationship between self-compassion and spiritual well-being with drug cravings. This research used a descriptive correlational study design. The study sample consisted of all accessible addiction patients who had visited the outpatient clinics or were admitted to the Addiction Unit of the Psychiatry Department at Mansoura University Hospital during a 3-month period from October to December 2020. Patients were asked to respond to questionnaires assessing self-compassion, spiritual well-being, and drug craving.

Results

The results showed that the majority of the participants had a moderate level of self-compassion and spiritual well-being. However, drug cravings were negatively related to both self-compassion and spiritual well-being.

Conclusions

People with drug addiction consistently need programs to increase their self-compassion and spiritual well-being to overcome the intensity of cravings. Improving feelings of self-compassion and spiritual well-being has a positive effect in reducing craving for substance abuse among drug-addict patients.
The challenges of modern computing and new opportunities for optics
Authors: Li Chong , Zhang Xiang , Li Jingwei , Fang Tao , Dong Xiaowen
Published: September 2021

In recent years, the explosive development of artificial intelligence implementing by artificial neural networks (ANNs) creates inconceivable demands for computing hardware. However, conventional computing hardware based on electronic transistor and von Neumann architecture cannot satisfy such an inconceivable demand due to the unsustainability of Moore’s Law and the failure of Dennard’s scaling rules. Fortunately, analog optical computing offers an alternative way to release unprecedented computational capability to accelerate varies computing drained tasks. In this article, the challenges of the modern computing technologies and potential solutions are briefly explained in Chapter 1. In Chapter 2, the latest research progresses of analog optical computing are separated into three directions: vector/matrix manipulation, reservoir computing and photonic Ising machine. Each direction has been explicitly summarized and discussed. The last chapter explains the prospects and the new challenges of analog optical computing.
The effect of isolated Bacillus ureolytic bacteria in improving the bio-healing of concrete cracks
Authors: Mokhtar Gehad , Ahmed Ahmed Abd-El-Azim , Reyad Amany M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Reinforcement corrosion and the concrete strength reduction are critical problems that resulted from crack creation in concrete. Very expensive and hazardous technologies based on chemical materials have been provided for repairing the cracks. Recently, crack repair using bio-catalysis precipitating bacteria has been developed as a viable and ecofriendly alternative technique. The main target of this study was to select and identify bacterial isolates with high urease activity to use in filling the cracks by the precipitation of CaCO3.

Results

Two endospore-forming and alkali-resistant ureolytic bacteria were combined with concrete to tolerate the mechanical stresses generated by mixing. The two isolates designated as (B1 and B2) were selected and identified as Bacillus wiedmannii strain FSL W8-0169 and Bacillus paramycoides strain MCCC 1A04098, respectively, using 16SrDNA gene sequencing. Both bacterial species completely heal cracks in fully destructed concrete and significant enhancement in compressive strength was illustrated. The calcite filling of cracks and CaCO3 crystals that were screened using a scanning electron microscope may explain the crack healing and the enhancement in concrete strength.

Conclusions

Bacillus wiedmannii strain FSL W8-0169 and Bacillus paramycoides strain MCCC 1A04098 can be inserted with the concrete to improve the compressive strength and the self-healing of cracks. The two ureolytic bacterial strains can be used to protect water buildings from exposure to frequent cracks.
Piperidine nucleus in the field of drug discovery
Authors: Abdelshaheed Mennatallah Mahmoud , Fawzy Iten Mamdouh , El-Subbagh Hussein Ibrahim , Youssef Khairia Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Background

Piperidine is an essential heterocyclic system and a pivotal cornerstone in the production of drugs. Piperidine byproducts showed several important pharmacophoric features and are being utilized in different therapeutic applications.

Main text

Piperidine derivatives are being utilized in different ways as anticancer, antiviral, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antifungal, antihypertension, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, antipsychotic and/or anticoagulant agents.

Conclusions

This review article sheds a light on the most recent studies proving the importance of piperidine nucleus in the field of drug discovery.
A multilevel dataset of microplastic abundance in the world’s upper ocean and the Laurentian Great Lakes
Authors: Isobe Atsuhiko , Azuma Takafumi , Cordova Muhammad Reza , Cózar Andrés , Galgani Francois , Hagita Ryuichi , Kanhai La Daana , Imai Keiri , Iwasaki Shinsuke , Kako Shin’ichro , Kozlovskii Nikolai , Lusher Amy L. , Mason Sherri A. , Michida Yutaka , Mituhasi Takahisa , Morii Yasuhiro , Mukai Tohru , Popova Anna , Shimizu Kenichi , Tokai Tadashi , Uchida Keiichi , Yagi Mitsuharu , Zhang Weiwei
Published: September 2021

A total of 8218 pelagic microplastic samples from the world’s oceans were synthesized to create a dataset composed of raw, calibrated, processed, and gridded data which are made available to the public. The raw microplastic abundance data were obtained by different research projects using surface net tows or continuous seawater intake. Fibrous microplastics were removed from the calibrated dataset. Microplastic abundance which fluctuates due to vertical mixing under different oceanic conditions was standardized. An optimum interpolation method was used to create the gridded data; in total, there were 24.4 trillion pieces (8.2 × 104 ~ 57.8 × 104tons) of microplastics in the world’s upper oceans.
Least-squares reverse time migration using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Zhang Wei , Gao Jinghuai , Yang Tao , Jiang Xiudi , Sun Wenbo
Published: September 2021

Least-squares reverse time migration (LSRTM) has the potential to reconstruct a high-resolution image of subsurface reflectivity. However, the current data-domain LSRTM approach, which iteratively updates the subsurface reflectivity by minimizing the data residuals, is a computationally expensive task. To alleviate this problem and improve imaging quality, we have developed an LSRTM approach using convolutional neural networks (CNNs), which is referred to as CNN-LSRTM. Specifically, the LSRTM problem can be implemented via a gradient-like iterative scheme, in which the updating component in each iteration is learned via a CNN model. To make the most of the observation data and migration velocity model at hand, we use the common-source reverse time migration (RTM) image, the stacked RTM image, and the migration velocity model rather than only the stacked RTM image as the input data of CNN. We have successfully trained the constructed CNN model on the training data sets with a total of 5000 randomly layered and fault models. Based on the well-trained CNN model, we have proved that our approach can efficiently recover the high-resolution reflection image for the layered, fault, and overthrust models. Through a marine field data experiment, we can determine the benefit of our constructed CNN model in terms of its computational efficiency. In addition, we analyze the influence of input data of the constructed CNN model on the reconstruction quality of the reflection image.
Distinct Lipidomic Signatures in People Living With HIV: Combined Analysis of ACTG 5260s and MACS/WIHS
Authors: Jao Jennifer , Balmert Lauren C , Sun Shan , McComsey Grace A , Brown Todd T , Tien Phyllis C , Currier Judith S , Stein James H , Qiu Yunping , LeRoith Derek , Kurland Irwin J
Published: September 2021

Context

Disentangling contributions of HIV from antiretroviral therapy (ART) and understanding the effects of different ART on metabolic complications in persons living with HIV (PLHIV) has been challenging.

Objective

We assessed the effect of untreated HIV infection as well as different antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the metabolome/lipidome.

Methods

Widely targeted plasma metabolomic and lipidomic profiling was performed on HIV-seronegative individuals and people living with HIV (PLHIV) before and after initiating ART (tenofovir/emtricitabine plus atazanavir/ritonavir [ATV/r] or darunavir/ritonavir [DRV/r] or raltegravir [RAL]). Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis was used to assess metabolites/lipid subspecies that discriminated between groups. Graphical lasso estimated group-specific metabolite/lipid subspecies networks associated with the Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Correlations between inflammatory markers and metabolites/lipid subspecies were visualized using heat maps.

Results

Of 435 participants, 218 were PLHIV. Compared to HIV-seronegative individuals, ART-naive PLHIV exhibited higher levels of saturated triacylglycerols/triglycerides (TAGs) and 3-hydroxy-kynurenine, lower levels of unsaturated TAGs and N-acetyl-tryptophan, and a sparser and less heterogeneous network of metabolites/lipid subspecies associated with HOMA-IR. PLHIV on RAL vs ATV/r or DRV/r had lower saturated and unsaturated TAGs. Positive correlations were found between medium-long chain acylcarnitines (C14-C6 ACs), palmitate, and HOMA-IR for RAL but not ATV/r or DRV/r. Stronger correlations were seen for TAGs with interleukin 6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after RAL vs ATV/r or DRV/r initiation; these correlations were absent in ART-naive PLHIV.

Conclusion

Alterations in the metabolome/lipidome suggest increased lipogenesis for ART-naive PLHIV vs HIV-seronegative individuals, increased TAG turnover for RAL vs ATV/r or DRV/r, and increased inflammation associated with this altered metabolome/lipidome after initiating ART. Future studies are needed to understand cardiometabolic consequences of lipogenesis and inflammation in PLHIV.
Current approaches to fate mapping and lineage tracing using image data
Authors: Wolf Steffen , Wan Yinan , McDole Katie
Published: September 2021

Visualizing, tracking and reconstructing cell lineages in developing embryos has been an ongoing effort for well over a century. Recent advances in light microscopy, labelling strategies and computational methods to analyse complex image datasets have enabled detailed investigations into the fates of cells. Combined with powerful new advances in genomics and single-cell transcriptomics, the field of developmental biology is able to describe the formation of the embryo like never before. In this Review, we discuss some of the different strategies and applications to lineage tracing in live-imaging data and outline software methodologies that can be applied to various cell-tracking challenges.
Fission yeast TOR complex 1 phosphorylates Psk1 through an evolutionarily conserved interaction mediated by the TOS motif
Authors: Morozumi Yuichi , Hishinuma Ai , Furusawa Suguru , Sofyantoro Fajar , Tatebe Hisashi , Shiozaki Kazuhiro
Published: September 2021

TOR complex 1 (TORC1) is a multi-subunit protein kinase complex that controls cellular growth in response to environmental cues. The regulatory subunits of mammalian TORC1 (mTORC1) include RAPTOR (also known as RPTOR), which recruits mTORC1 substrates, such as S6K1 (also known as RPS6KB1) and 4EBP1 (EIF4EBP1), by interacting with their TOR signaling (TOS) motif. Despite the evolutionary conservation of TORC1, no TOS motif has been described in lower eukaryotes. In the present study, we show that the fission yeast S6 kinase Psk1 contains a TOS motif that interacts with Mip1, a RAPTOR ortholog. The TOS motif in Psk1 resembles those in mammals, including the conserved phenylalanine and aspartic acid residues essential for the Mip1 interaction and TORC1-dependent phosphorylation of Psk1. The binding of the TOS motif to Mip1 is dependent on Mip1 Tyr-533, whose equivalent in RAPTOR is known to interact with the TOS motif in their co-crystals. Furthermore, we utilized the mip1-Y533A mutation to screen the known TORC1 substrates in fission yeast and successfully identified Atg13 as a novel TOS-motif-containing substrate. These results strongly suggest that the TOS motif represents an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of the substrate recognition by TORC1.
A Video-Enhanced, Electronic Modality for Preparticipation Examination of Young Athletes
Authors: Parizher Gary , Phelan Dermot M. , Ayers Colby , Goodwin Russell , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: September 2021

We developed a video-enhanced preparticipation evaluation symptom questionnaire (the V-PPE), intended to help screen athletes for heart disease. We now report results of a pilot quality improvement study evaluating V-PPE's performance. In a prospective before-and-after study, approximately 5700 high-school athletes were prompted to voluntarily fill out the V-PPE questionnaire. We compared symptom frequencies on standard PPE to those on V-PPE. Of 5700 athletes, 46 (0.8%), 117 (2.0%), 33 (0.6%), and 101 (1.8%) reported syncope, angina, palpitations, and dyspnea, respectively on routine screening. Four hundred and ninety-two (8.6%) voluntarily filled out the V-PPE. Athletes were more likely to report palpitations on V-PPE than PPE, but not angina, dyspnea, syncope, or at least one symptom. Symptom frequencies on electronic PPE questionnaires are lower than recent reports suggest. Embedded videos can alter screening yield. More research is necessary to evaluate the predictive value of the V-PPE for clinically relevant cardiac pathology.
Disparities and Inequities in Youth Sports
Authors: Kuhn Andrew W. , Grusky Alan Z. , Cash Carsen R. , Churchwell Andre L. , Diamond Alex B.
Published: September 2021

Participation in youth sports can have a positive, lasting impact on a child’s general health and physical well-being. Unfortunately, some youth populations are unable to participate and/or reap the benefits of sports because of existing inequities. Youth from lower socioeconomic status and ethnic minority children have been found to participate in sports less. These disparities are unfortunately pervasive and likely the result of multiple barriers, including financial and time constraints, limited resources and the inability to access facilities both in and out of school, and lack of familial support. There also exist inequities with regard to sports injury management, including knowledge, access to athletic trainers, and care. This article provides a review of the numerous disparities and inequities in youth sports. Compiling and understanding these data may help develop a framework to make youth sports more equitable and beneficial for all.