bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molar‐incisor hypomineralization in a cohort of individuals born with cleft lip and palate
Authors: Wanderley Lacerda Rosa Helena , Filgueiras Vitor Marques , Guedes Mendonça Alice Castro , Vieira Alexandre Rezende
Published: August 2023

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of molar‐incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in individuals born with cleft lip and or cleft palate.

Settings and Sample

Three hundred eighty‐six individuals born with cleft lip and/or palate before orthodontic treatment.

Methods

All the individuals were submitted to a clinical examination and intraoral standardized photos. The registration of MIH was taken by two orthodontists and analysed in association with the cleft type and laterality. The Kruskal–Wallis test and the regression test were used to compare the frequency of molars and incisors affected according to cleft type and laterality, sex and age.

Results

We found a frequency of 67.87% of MIH in the studied sample. The frequency varied from 25% (in individuals born with cleft palate) to 77% in individuals born with bilateral cleft lip and palate). The number of affected molars was statistically different depending on cleft type and laterality (P < .001‐ Kruskal–Wallis test). Differences were found between individuals born with unilateral cleft lip and palate and unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (P = .03), and with isolated cleft palate (P = .03), and between individuals born with bilateral cleft lip and palate and born with unilateral cleft lip and alveolus (P = .01), and cleft palate (P = .01). Sex (P = .21) and age (P = .36) had no influence on the frequency of MIH. A positive correlation was found between the number of molars affected and incisors affected (P < .001).

Conclusion

Individuals born with cleft lip and palate have a higher frequency of MIH, and the complexity of cleft type was associated with the number of affected molars.
Changes in the light environment: Short‐term responses of photosynthesis and metabolism in spinach
Authors: Darko Eva , Gondor Kinga O. , Kovács Viktória , Janda Tibor
Published: August 2023

Modification in the light environment can induce several changes even within a short time. In this article, light intensity and spectrum‐dependent changes in photosynthetic and metabolic processes were investigated in spinach leaves. Short‐term exposure of the youngest fully developed leaves provided an elevated CO2 assimilation capacity under red light compared with blue or white light, although the electron transport rate was lower. The stomatal opening was mainly stimulated by blue light. These spectrum‐induced changes also depended on light intensity. When white light was used to activate the photosynthesis, the white light showed a similar light response to blue light regarding the electron transport processes and red light in terms of stomatal opening. In contrast, concerning CO2 assimilation characteristics, the white light resembled blue light at low and red light at high light intensities. These results indicate that the photosynthetic processes strongly interact with the light intensity and spectral composition. Furthermore, changes in spectral composition modified the primary metabolic processes as well. Red light induced the sugar accumulation, while more organic acids that belong to the respiration pathway were produced under blue and white lights. These changes occurred even within a short (30 min) time frame. These results also draw attention to the importance of the light environment used during the measurements of the photosynthetic activity of plants and/or sample collections.
Frequent vascular access thrombosis in a patient with end stage kidney disease on hemodialysis
Authors: Kearney David , Leonberg‐Yoo Amanda , Cohen Raphael
Published: August 2023

Vascular access thrombosis (VAT) is common among patients receiving hemodialysis and leads to missed dialysis treatments, hospitalizations, catheter placement, and graft/fistula abandonment. This article reviews the association between hypercoagulability and VAT and the high prevalence of hypercoagulable states in end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD). This article reviews the role of antithrombotic and anticoagulant medications in preventing VAT. The article concludes by reviewing the unique challenges of using vitamin K antagonists in patients with ESKD.
An outbreak of anaphylactic transfusion reactions to group B plasma and platelets and its possible relationship to Alpha‐Gal syndrome
Authors: Gilstad Colleen W. , Conry‐Cantilena Kathleen , Zarpak Roya , Eder Anne F.
Published: August 2023

Background

Alpha‐gal syndrome (AGS) is a potentially life‐threatening acquired meat allergy associated with tick bites. The allergen Galactose‐α‐1,3‐Galactose is antigenically similar to the B blood group antigen. B blood group status offers some protection against development of the allergy. Although not preferred practice, transfusion of plasma and platelets from group B donors is believed to be safe for group O recipients.

Study Design and Methods

Anaphylactic transfusion reactions were reported for three patients in two Washington DC hospitals from Nov 2022 to February 2023. A chart review was performed for all three patients. Patients or family members were interviewed, and IgE levels to alpha‐gal were measured in two of the three patients.

Results

One reaction was acutely fatal. All reactions were to blood group B Plasma or Platelets in blood group O recipients. One patient had two prior anaphylactic reactions to group O RBCs and group B Plasma in a previous admission. All patients came from southern Maryland where AGS is an emerging problem. Two patients had histories of tick bites, previously unexplained gastrointestinal complaints, and abnormal elevated levels of IgE to alpha gal. Two patients had cat allergies.

Discussion

AGS is an emerging problem which may have implications for blood transfusion practice. Avoidance of blood group B antigen containing components may be prudent in non‐blood group B patients with established AGS. Investigation for AGS should be considered in the evaluation of anaphylactic transfusion reactions.
Read Range Investigation of RFID Tag on Human Chest
Authors: Nabil Salem Ba-Saleh Ammar , Dewan Raimi , Ayop Osman , Ibrahim Amirudin
Published: August 2023

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology for automatic identification, tracking, and monitoring of human is in great demand by the healthcare industry. The existence of passive tag with proximity to human body in general, represents an intrinsic challenge because of the high losses of body tissues A commercial passive ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tag with 860 MHz-960 MHz operating frequency range is modelled to study and analyze the effect on the read range parameter by placing the RFID tag in proximity to human body model (the chest) with respect to the placement of pocket position of any shirt The body model of the chest is consisting of three layers which are skin, fat and muscle. The commercial RFID tag that has been used for this study was INLAY-9662. The measurement is done on the commercial tag prior to modelling and simulation in the CST. Furthermore, the simulation was carried on two conditions: (1) in free-space, and (2) in proximity to human body. In addition, 1 mm, 3 mm and 10 mm have been set as the gap between the modelled tag and the chest model to examine the impacted read range at different distances. The results obtained have shown some variations when the distances are varied from the human chest. The read range were achieved at 0.5 m, 1.3 m and 2.4 m for 1 mm, 3 mm and 10 mm respectively. This study has shown the capabilities of human body to reduce the efficiency of the read range whenever RFID tags are placed in proximity to human body.
3D Image Reconstruction Capability of Peripheral On-chip ECT Sensor
Authors: Gooi Wen Pin , Pei Ling Leow , Pusppanathan Jaysuman , Xian Feng Hor , Mohammad Din Shahrulnizahani
Published: August 2023

The miniaturisation of electrical tomography sensors such as EIT has become popular recently and these miniaturised sensors were investigated for 2D and 3D imaging of cells in EIT. Nevertheless, research on miniaturisation of ECT sensor also existed which were based on peripheral electrode sensor which had electrodes arranged on the surface around the sensing chamber. However, the study on the miniature peripheral ECT sensor was limited to 2D image reconstruction and detection of presents of samples in the sensing chamber only and lacked the works on the 3D imaging capability. Therefore, this article investigates the 3D image reconstruction capability of peripheral on-chip ECT sensor through simulation approach by simulating a cube phantom at several test positions in the sensing chamber. Eventually, the 3D and 2D images were reconstructed and the 3D imaging capability of the sensor was characterised qualitatively based on visual inspection of the reconstructed image. The simulation results revealed that the 3D imaging capability of peripheral on-chip ECT sensor was limited to the region where electrodes were present only. However, the 2D reconstructed image results showed that the sensor was able to locate the positions of test phantom in the sensing chamber accurately.
Trajectory Tracking of a Quadcopter UAV using PID Controller
Authors: Baharuddin A'dilah , Mohd Basri Mohd Ariffanan
Published: August 2023

UAVs or Drones are aircraft with no onboard pilot to control the flight. They are introduced in a few categories such as single-rotor, multi-rotors, fixed-wing, and hybrid VTOL. As for multirotor drones, quadcopters are the most well-known either commercially or in the research field. Due to its advantages, a quadcopter has been chosen to perform various tasks across various fields such as entertainment, military, meteorological reconnaissance, civil and emergency responses. As the demand for quadcopters has diverged, the required features of quadcopters have also diverged. One of the current features required by quadcopters is the ability to track trajectories. However, due to its nature of non-linearity, under-actuated and unstable, controlling quadcopter for an accurate and stable performance is quite a challenge. Despite the various proposed methods throughout the past decades, PID controller is still used as either the main controller or the base controller in most cases of industrial control, including quadcopter, mainly due to its simplicity and robustness. However, to design a proper PID controller for quadcopter system is a challenge as it defies the control inputs of four with its six degree-of-freedom form, in which six inputs are required to be controlled to ensure a stable and accurate flight. This paper derived a mathematically model of a quadcopter with Newton-Euler’s equation. Some assumptions on the body and structure of the quadcopter are taken into account to make the modelling possible. Then, a manually tuned PID controller is designed to achieve the objective of controlling the operation and stability of the quadcopter during its flight. The designed controller is tested with five different trajectories which are circular, square, lemniscate, zigzag, and spiral. The results show the proposed controller successfully tracks the desired trajectories, which prove PID controller can be used to control a quadcopter.
Substrate Comparison on Multiband Reflector Performance for Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRSs)
Authors: Taufiqqurrachman  , A. Rahim Mohamad Kamal , Samsuri Noor Asmawati , Yusuf Nur Wijayanto
Published: August 2023

This paper presents the substrate comparison on the multiband reflector performance at X-band frequency for an Intelligent Reflecting Surface (IRS). Functioning as a multiband reflector, the proposed reflector is using a circular multi-ring resonator on several substrates such as RO5880, F4BMX220, RO4003C, and FR4, with slightly different substrate thicknesses based on the available market, that can be operated at X-band frequency. The simulated results have shown in the graph of S-parameters and reflection phase among the substrates. In addition, the bandwidth of the proposed reflector is calculated based on the simulation results. Also, the incident wave angle effect against the proposed reflector is shifted along the horizontal axis. For the overall simulation results, the reflector that uses a RO5880 substrate has slightly better results and a wider bandwidth than the F4BMX220 substrate.
Supervisory Control of Solar-Wind-Biomass-Fuel Cell Energy System for Optimal Performance
Authors: Modu Babangida , Abdullah Md Pauzi , Bukar Abba Lawan , Mustapha Musa
Published: August 2023

Generating electricity through a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) plays a crucial role in achieving the sustainable development goal of affordable and clean energy (SDG 7). However, designing an optimal HRES is challenging due to the fluctuating demand and intermittent nature of renewable energy sources (RES). In recent times, hybrid hydrogen-battery energy storage technologies have garnered significant attention as they offer a pathway to a sustainable HRES with zero net emissions. This research paper introduces a rule-based algorithm and a metaheuristic optimization technique called Levy Flight Algorithm (LFA) for the energy management strategy (EMS) of an independent HRES. The EMS aims to establish a sequence for power delivery among the different components within the microgrid. The LFA is employed to optimize this EMS. To account for the variability and unpredictability of renewable energy sources, the proposed EMS is evaluated across four scenarios: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. These scenarios are derived from a stochastic model of RES. The results of the evaluation demonstrate that the energy management strategy implemented to control the HRES has successfully established an environmentally friendly energy system.
A detailed mathematical model of the human atrial cardiomyocyte: integration of electrophysiology and cardiomechanics
Authors: Mazhar Fazeelat , Bartolucci Chiara , Regazzoni Francesco , Paci Michelangelo , Dedè Luca , Quarteroni Alfio , Corsi Cristiana , Severi Stefano
Published: August 2023

Mechano‐electric regulations (MER) play an important role in the maintenance of cardiac performance. Mechano‐calcium and mechano‐electric feedback (MCF and MEF) pathways adjust the cardiomyocyte contractile force according to mechanical perturbations and affects electro‐mechanical coupling. MER integrates all these regulations in one unit resulting in a complex phenomenon. Computational modelling is a useful tool to accelerate the mechanistic understanding of complex experimental phenomena. We have developed a novel model that integrates the MER loop for human atrial cardiomyocytes with proper consideration of feedforward and feedback pathways. The model couples a modified version of the action potential (AP) Koivumäki model with the contraction model by Quarteroni group. The model simulates iso‐sarcometric and isometric twitches and the feedback effects on AP and Ca2+‐handling. The model showed a biphasic response of Ca2+ transient (CaT) peak to increasing pacing rates and highlights the possible mechanisms involved. The model has shown a shift of the threshold for AP and CaT alternans from 4.6 to 4 Hz under post‐operative atrial fibrillation, induced by depressed SERCA activity. The alternans incidence was dependent on a chain of mechanisms including RyRs availability time, MCF coupling, CaMKII phosphorylation, and the stretch levels. As a result, the model predicted a 10% slowdown of conduction velocity for a 20% stretch, suggesting a role of stretch in creation of substrate formation for atrial fibrillation. Overall, we conclude that the developed model provides a physiological CaT followed by a physiological twitch. This model can open pathways for the future studies of human atrial electromechanics.

image

Key points

With the availability of human atrial cellular data, interest in atrial‐specific model integration has been enhanced.

We have developed a detailed mathematical model of human atrial cardiomyocytes including the mechano‐electric regulatory loop. The model has gone through calibration and evaluation phases against a wide collection of available human in‐vitro data.

The usefulness of the model for analysing clinical problems has been preliminaryly tested by simulating the increased incidence of Ca2+ transient and action potential alternans at high rates in post‐operative atrial fibrillation condition.

The model determines the possible role of mechano‐electric feedback in alternans incidence, which can increase vulnerability to atrial arrhythmias by varying stretch levels.

We found that our physiologically accurate description of Ca2+ handling can reproduce many experimental phenomena and can help to gain insights into the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
The hypoxic ventilatory response and hypoxic burden are predictors of the magnitude of ventilatory long‐term facilitation in humans
Authors: Panza Gino S. , Kissane Dylan M. , Puri Shipra , Mateika Jason H.
Published: August 2023

Mild intermittent hypoxia initiates progressive augmentation (PA) and ventilatory long‐term facilitation (vLTF) in humans. The magnitude of these forms of plasticity might be influenced by anthropometric and physiological variables, as well as protocol elements. However, the impact of many of these variables on the magnitude of respiratory plasticity has not been established in humans. A meta‐analysis was completed using anthropometric and physiological variables obtained from 124 participants that completed one of three intermittent hypoxia protocols. Simple correlations between the aggregate variables and the magnitude of PA and vLTF standardized to baseline was completed. Thereafter, the variables correlated to PA or vLTF were input into a multilinear regression equation. Baseline measures of the hypoxic ventilatory response was the sole predictor of PA (R = 0.370, P = 0.012). Similarly, this variable along with the hypoxic burden predicted the magnitude of vLTF (R = 0.546, P < 0.006 for both variables). In addition, the magnitude of PA was strongly correlated to vLTF (R = 0.617, P < 0.001). Anthropometric measures do not predict the magnitude of PA and vLTF in humans. Alternatively, the hypoxic ventilatory response was the sole predictor of PA, and in combination with the hypoxic burden, predicted the magnitude of vLTF. These influences should be considered in the design of mild intermittent hypoxia protocol studies in humans. Moreover, the strong correlation between PA and vLTF suggests that a common mechanistic pathway may have a role in the initiation of these forms of plasticity.

image

Key points

Mild intermittent hypoxia initiates progressive augmentation (PA) and ventilatory long‐term facilitation (vLTF) in humans.

Many of the anthropometric and physiological variables that could impact the magnitude of these forms of plasticity are unknown.

Anthropometric and physiological variables were measured from a total of 124 participants that completed one of three distinct intermittent hypoxia protocols. The variables correlated to PA or vLTF were input into a multilinear regression analysis.

The hypoxic ventilatory response was the sole predictor of PA, while this variable in addition to the average hypoxic burden predicted the magnitude of vLTF. A strong correlation between PA and vLTF was also revealed.

These influences should be considered in the design of mild intermittent hypoxia protocol studies in humans. Moreover, the strong correlation between PA and vLTF suggests that a common mechanistic pathway may have a role in the initiation of these forms of plasticity.
La integración de la inteligencia artificial en la atención médica: desafíos éticos y de implementación
Authors: Garcia-Lopez Andrea , Girón-Luque Fernando , Rosselli Diego
Published: August 2023

El desarrollo de la inteligencia artificial (IA), así como la mejora evidente que han tenido las tecnologías digitales en el campo de la salud, obliga a plantearnos dos preguntas importantes que surgen al incorporar la IA como instrumento para una mejora en la calidad de atención. 1) ¿Podrá la IA reemplazar a los médicos? y 2) ¿Cuáles son las consideraciones éticas de la implementación de la IA en el campo de la salud? Concluimos que, con algunas pocas excepciones, por ahora la IA no parece que pueda sustituir al ser humano, pero sí lo puede complementar y extender su labor. Existen tres consideraciones éticas en el uso de la IA: el paciente debe estar informado del uso de estos sistemas; los profesionales de la salud deben conocer y aprender sobre la tecnología que se va a implementar, además asegurarse de que traerá un beneficio para el paciente, y, por último, se vuelve fundamental aplicar los principios básicos de la ética médica.
Analysis and Validation of a Flexible Limb/Cable Hybrid-Driven Parallel Continuum Manipulator
Authors: Kang Yezheng , Liang Zhenkun , Yan Tianyi , Duan Xuyang , Wang Hao , Seidelmann Joachim , Chen Genliang
Published: August 2023

Cable-driven parallel manipulators and parallel continuum manipulators have attracted increasing attention in pick-and-place manipulation, owing to their low inertia and high safety. In cable-driven parallel robots, cables are utilized to control a moving platform, whereas parallel continuum manipulators employ flexible limbs. By combing these two types of mechanisms, the authors propose a novel flexible limb/cable hybrid-driven parallel continuum manipulator (HDPCM). The flexible limbs, equipped with their ability to withstand pushing forces applied on the moving platform, are a critical component of the HDPCM. Meanwhile, the cables, with their proficiency to modulate the shape of the flexible limbs and endure some of the pulling force, reduce the possibility of large divergence in flexible limbs. This results in an improved reachable workspace and load capacity for the manipulator. To predict the configuration of the proposed manipulator, an efficient kinetostatics analysis is given, utilizing a discretization-based approach. Among the infinitely many solutions to the inverse problem, the configuration with minimal potential energy is selected as the optimal solution. Finally, a prototype is fabricated, and validation experiments are conducted, which demonstrate that the prototype exhibits acceptable positioning accuracy and passive compliance. Furthermore, the proposed manipulator is validated to possess relatively superior performance in the workspace and load capacity.
Multifidus Denervation After Radiofrequency Ablation of the Medial Nerve Alters the Biomechanics of the Spine—A Computational Study
Authors: Almalki Faris A. , Cortes Daniel H.
Published: August 2023

Radiofrequency ablation of the medial branch is commonly used to treat chronic low back pain involving facet joints, which accounts for 12% to 37% of the total cases of chronic low back pain. An adverse effect of this procedure is the denervation of the multifidus muscle, which may lead to its atrophy which can affect the spine and possibly disc degeneration. This study aims to quantify changes in joint angles and loading caused by multifidus denervation after radiofrequency ablation. AnyBody model of the torso was used to evaluate intervertebral joints in flexion, lateral bending, and torsion. Force-dependent kinematics was used to calculate joint angles and forces. These dependent variables were investigated in intact multifidus, unilateral, and bilateral ablations of L3L4, L4L5, and L5S1 joints. The results showed pronounced angular joint changes, especially in bilateral ablations in flexion, when compared with other cases. The same changes’ trend from intact to unilaterally then bilaterally ablated multifidus occurred in joint angles of lateral bending. Meanwhile, joint forces were not adversely affected. These results suggest that multifidus denervation after radiofrequency ablation affects spinal mechanics. Such changes may be associated with abnormal tissue deformations and stresses that can potentially alter their mechanobiology and homeostasis, thereby possibly affecting the health of the spine.
Sas3-mediated histone acetylation regulates effector gene activation in a fungal plant pathogen
Authors: Suarez-Fernandez Marta , Álvarez-Aragón Rocio , Pastor-Mediavilla Ana , Maestre-Guillén Alejandro , del Olmo Ivan , De Francesco Agustina , Meile Lukas , Sánchez-Vallet Andrea
Published: August 2023

Effector proteins are secreted by plant pathogens to enable host colonization. Typically, effector genes are tightly regulated, have very low expression levels in axenic conditions, and are strongly induced during host colonization. Chromatin remodeling contributes to the activation of effector genes
in planta
by still poorly known mechanisms. In this work, we investigated the role of histone acetylation in effector gene derepression in plant pathogens. We used
Zymoseptoria tritici
, a major pathogen of wheat, as a model to determine the role of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) in plant infection. We showed that effector gene activation is associated with chromatin remodeling, featuring increased acetylation levels of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) and 14 (H3K14) in effector loci. We functionally characterized the role of
Z. tritici
KATs and demonstrated their distinct contributions to growth, development, and infection. Sas3 is required for host colonization and pycnidia production and is involved in the acetylation of H3K9 and H3K14 in effector loci and, consequently, in effector gene activation during plant infection. We propose that Sas3-mediated histone acetylation is required for the spatiotemporal activation of effector genes and the virulence of
Z. tritici
.

IMPORTANCE

Pathogen infections require the production of effectors that enable host colonization. Effectors have diverse functions and are only expressed at certain stages of the infection cycle. Thus, effector genes are tightly regulated by several mechanisms, including chromatin remodeling. Here, we investigate the role of histone acetylation in effector gene activation in the fungal wheat pathogen
Zymoseptoria tritici
. We demonstrate that lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) are essential for the spatiotemporal regulation of effector genes. We show that the KAT Sas3 is involved in leaf symptom development and pycnidia formation. Importantly, our results indicate that Sas3 controls histone acetylation of effector loci and is a regulator of effector gene activation during stomatal penetration. Overall, our work demonstrates the key role of histone acetylation in regulating gene expression associated with plant infection.
Supplemental Material: Calcite-aragonite seas as a driver of echinoderm evolution? Experimental insight and deep-time decoupling
Authors: Cole Selina R. , al. et
Published: August 2023

Supplemental methods, Figures S1–S3, Tables S1–S3, and data files.
The Oldest Trace Fossils in Association with an Ediacara-Type Biota in the Upper Vendian of the South Urals
Authors: Kolesnikov A. V. , Desyatkin V. D. , Terekhova V. A. , Pan’kov V. N. , Maslov A. V.
Published: August 2023

Trace fossils and palaeopascichnids have been studied in the Basa Formation of the Vendian Asha Group of the South Urals (southwestern periphery of the Suleiman Anticline, Shubino quarry in Ust’-Katav, Chelyabinsk Region of Russia). The general morphology and preservation of ichnofossils have been shown to be similar to the Late Vendian–Early Cambrian subhorizontal bilobate burrows of Didymaulichnus. The paleontological remains have been found to be confined to extremely shallow deposition settings and located stratigraphically below the volcanic tuff layer with a zircon U–Pb isotopic age of 578 ± 7 Ma. Until now, the first occurrence of ichnofossils and the associated “Agronomic Revolution” were dated at ~560–550 Ma. According to our study results, mobile benthos and biological mixing of sediments could have occurred 20–30 Ma earlier. The hypothesis that the onset of the “First Agronomic Revolution” and the “Cambrian Explosion” were far from being close in time was confirmed.
Central vein stenosis: a rare cause of orbital congestion in a haemodialysis patient
Authors: Zahari Khalilah Mastura , Mohamad Hatta Nurul Sakinah , Ain Masnon Nurul , Ch'ng Li Shyan
Published: August 2023

We report a rare, potentially sight-threatening ocular complication due to central venous stenosis related to a previous site of haemodialysis catheter. A dialysis-dependent woman in her 60s presented with left eye redness for 1 month followed by a remarkably prominent vessel on the left upper eyelid for 2 weeks. Examinations found left eyelid oedema with prominent venous dilatation on the upper eyelid as well as left eye mild proptosis, conjunctiva injection with corkscrew vessels, raised intraocular pressure, and dilated and tortuous retina vessels. Central thoracic venogram showed total occlusion on the left brachiocephalic vein with retrograde reflux to the jugular vein. An endovascular percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty was performed for the left brachiocephalic vein stenosis, which resolved the orbital, facial and neck venous congestion. The patient remained asymptomatic after 1 year.
Application of algorithmic cytomorphological assessment and immunocytochemistry with the international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology on pericardial fluid cytology
Authors: Li Joshua J X , Cheung Wing , Ng Joanna K M , Tse Gary M
Published: August 2023

Aims

The international system for reporting serous fluid cytopathology (ISRSFC) set forth a five-tiered reporting system with comprehensive validation on pleural and peritoneal fluid cytology. An algorithmic approach for cytomorphological assessment and immunocytochemistry was also described in ISRSFC. Limited data on pericardial fluid are supportive but would benefit from further investigation.

Methods

Consecutive pericardial fluid cytology over a 4-year period was reviewed by multiple board-certified pathologists according to the ISRSFC. Cytomorphology and immunocytochemistry were assessed sequentially, with respective diagnostic performances computed and compared. Literature review was performed.

Results

In total 358 specimens, including 53 with immunocytochemistry available, were reviewed. There were 137 benign and 221 malignant (MAL) cases. The risks of malignancy were 23.5% non-diagnostic (ND), 29.2% negative for malignancy (NFM), 56.0% atypia of undetermined significance (AUS), 82.6% suspicious for malignancy (SFM) and 99.2% (MAL) for cytomorphological assessment, improving to 23.5% (ND), 29.1% (NFM), 56.8% (AUS), 78.9% (SFM) and 99.3% (MAL) incorporating immunocytochemistry. Ten cases (2.8%) received a change in diagnosis after review of immunocytochemistry. All revisions of diagnostic category were appropriate upgrades/downgrades referenced against clinical information. Cytomorphological typing was accurate for adenocarcinoma (n=81/83, 97.6%), while other carcinomas and lymphomas required immunocytochemistry. Certain subcategories within AUS and SFM pertaining to bland indeterminate epithelial cells or mucinous material were not seen for pericardial fluid.

Conclusions

The ISRSFC shows robust diagnostic performance for pericardial fluid cytology. For pericardial effusion, disease composition and applicable cytological subcategories differ from its peritoneal and pleural counterparts. Incorporating immunocytochemistry by an algorithmic approach improves diagnostic accuracy. Cytomorphology is accurate for identifying adenocarcinomas, but further typing necessitates immunocytochemistry is necessary.
Monitoring website marketing among leading e-cigarette brands and vendors in California: content analysis
Authors: Donaldson Scott I , Beard Trista , Dormanesh Allison , Pérez Cindy , Escobedo Patricia , Unger Jennifer B , Wipfli Heather Lynn , Galimov Artur , Allem Jon-Patrick
Published: August 2023

Background

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) brands and vendors use websites to promote pro-tobacco messages that may increase susceptibility to use e-cigarettes among never users or help sustain continued e-cigarette use among current users. E-cigarette website marketing is lightly regulated, and little is known about promotional strategies used on e-cigarette companies’ websites. This study conducted a content analysis of website marketing from leading e-cigarette companies selling products in California.

Methods

This study identified 20 e-cigarette vendors and 6 e-cigarette brands that had products available for purchase online in California. Two coders visited 26 websites between 06 February 2022 and 17 April 2022. Websites were coded for marketing themes, promotional and interactive content, availability of flavoured e-cigarette products, presence of health warnings, and reference to tobacco control policies.

Results

Marketing themes related to physical health benefits of e-cigarette use were found on 50.0% of the websites. 57.7% of the websites had sales/discounts/coupons. 65.4% of the websites had fruit-flavoured disposable e-cigarettes, while 73.1% of the websites had fruit-flavoured e-liquids available for purchase. 69.2% of the websites allowed users to sign up for email newsletters, and 88.9% of such websites did not require users to create an age-verified account to receive email newsletters.

Conclusions

Findings from this study can be used to inform statewide regulations of promotional communications found on e-cigarette companies’ websites and encourage enforcement of age-verification procedures. This may help reduce susceptibility to use, or continued use of, e-cigarette products among price-sensitive populations, such as adolescents and young adults.
Amplitude-assisted tagging of longitudinally polarised bosons using wide neural networks
Authors: Grossi Michele , Incudini Massimiliano , Pellen Mathieu , Pelliccioli Giovanni
Published: August 2023

Extracting longitudinal modes of weak bosons in LHC processes is essential to understand the electroweak-symmetry-breaking mechanism. To that end, we propose a general method, based on wide neural networks, to properly model longitudinal-boson signals and hence enable the event-by-event tagging of longitudinal bosons. It combines experimentally accessible kinematic information and genuine theoretical inputs provided by amplitudes in perturbation theory. As an application we consider the production of a Z boson in association with a jet at the LHC, both at leading order and in the presence of parton-shower effects. The devised neural networks are able to extract reliably the longitudinal contribution to the unpolarised process. The proposed method is very general and can be systematically extended to other processes and problems.
A-polynomials of fillings of the Whitehead sister
Authors: Howie Joshua A. , Mathews Daniel V. , Purcell Jessica S. , Thompson Em K.
Published: August 2023

Knots obtained by Dehn filling the Whitehead sister include some of the smallest volume twisted torus knots. Here, using results on A-polynomials of Dehn fillings, we give formulas to compute the A-polynomials of these knots. Our methods also apply to more general Dehn fillings of the Whitehead sister.
Effect of external electric field on the electronic structure of MoSe2/Arsenene heterojunction
Authors: Wang Jia Xin , Liu Gui Li , Wei Lin , Zhang Guo Ying
Published: August 2023

In this paper, the effects of the thermostability, band structure, and the external electric field on the electronic structure of MoSe2/Arsenene heterojunction are calculated based on the density functional theory. The calculation results show that the MoSe2/Arsenene heterojunction is a type-II heterojunction with a bandgap of 0.89[Formula: see text]eV. When MoSe2 and arsenene combine by van der Waals force, the electrons are transferred from MoSe2 to arsenene, the holes are transferred from arsenene to MoSe2, with the direction of the internal electric field from MoSe2 to arsenene. The MoSe2/Arsenene heterojunction with valence band top and conduction band bottom contributed by arsenene and MoSe2, respectively, shows excellent thermostability at room temperature. The external electric field can effectively modulate the electronic structure of heterojunction. When the electric field is negative, electrons are transferred from MoSe2 to arsenene and holes from arsenene to MoSe2. The Fermi level of arsenene moves down while that of MoSe2 moves up. When the electric field is positive, the direction of electron and hole transfer are opposite to that when the electric field is negative. The Fermi energy level of arsenene and MoSe2 also move in the opposite direction.
The Multiplier and Cohomology of Lie Superalgebras
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Wende
Published: August 2023

Suppose that [Formula: see text] is a Lie superalgebra over a field [Formula: see text] of characteristic different from 2 and 3. In this paper, the so-called 5-sequence of cohomology for a central extension of [Formula: see text] is constructed and is proved to be exact. Moreover, the multiplier of [Formula: see text] is proved to be isomorphic to the second cohomology group with coefficients in the trivial module of [Formula: see text]. Finally, an upper bound of the superdimension of the second cohomology group is given in the situation when [Formula: see text] is nilpotent and finite-dimensional.
On the Grothendieck Ring of the Sequence of Walled Brauer Algebras
Authors: Wang Pei , Li Yanbo
Published: August 2023

In this paper, we provide a diagrammatic approach to study the branching rules for cell modules on a sequence of walled Brauer algebras. This approach also allows us to calculate the structure constants of multiplication over the Grothendieck ring of the sequence.
Yet More Elementary Proof of Matrix-Tree Theorem for Signed Graphs
Authors: Li Shu , Wang Jianfeng
Published: August 2023

A signed graph [Formula: see text] is a graph [Formula: see text] with vertex set [Formula: see text] and edge set [Formula: see text], together with a function [Formula: see text] assigning a positive or negative sign to each edge. In this paper, we present a more elementary proof for the matrix-tree theorem of signed graphs, which is based on the relations between the incidence matrices and the Laplcians of signed graphs. As an application, we also obtain the results of Monfared and Mallik about the matrix-tree theorem of graphs for signless Laplacians.
Multi-objective Feature Attribution Explanation For Explainable Machine Learning
Authors: Wang Ziming , Huang Changwu , Li Yun , Yao Xin
Published: August 2023

The feature attribution-based explanation (FAE) methods, which indicate how much each input feature contributes to the model’s output for a given data point, are one of the most popular categories of explainable machine learning techniques. Although various metrics have been proposed to evaluate the explanation quality, no single metric could capture different aspects of the explanations. Different conclusions might be drawn using different metrics. Moreover, during the processes of generating explanations, existing FAE methods either do not consider any evaluation metric or only consider the faithfulness of the explanation, failing to consider multiple metrics simultaneously. To address this issue, we formulate the problem of creating FAE explainable models as a multi-objective learning problem that considers multiple explanation quality metrics simultaneously. We first reveal conflicts between various explanation quality metrics, including faithfulness, sensitivity, and complexity. Then, we define the considered multi-objective explanation problem and propose a multi-objective feature attribution explanation (MOFAE) framework to address this newly defined problem. Subsequently, we instantiate the framework by simultaneously considering the explanation’s faithfulness, sensitivity, and complexity. Experimental results comparing with six state-of-the-art FAE methods on eight datasets demonstrate that our method can optimize multiple conflicting metrics simultaneously and can provide explanations with higher faithfulness, lower sensitivity, and lower complexity than the compared methods. Moreover, the results have shown that our method has better diversity, i.e., it provides various explanations that achieve different tradeoffs between multiple conflicting explanation quality metrics. Therefore, it can provide tailored explanations to different stakeholders based on their specific requirements.
The Effect of Interocular Contrast Differences on the Appearance of Augmented Reality Imagery
Authors: Wang Minqi , Ding Jian , Levi Dennis M. , Cooper Emily A.
Published: August 2023

Augmented reality (AR) devices seek to create compelling visual experiences that merge virtual imagery with the natural world. These devices often rely on wearable near-eye display systems that can optically overlay digital images to the left and right eyes of the user separately. Ideally, the two eyes should be shown images with minimal radiometric differences (e.g., the same overall luminance, contrast, and color in both eyes), but achieving this binocular equality can be challenging in wearable systems with stringent demands on weight and size. Basic vision research has shown that a spectrum of potentially detrimental perceptual effects can be elicited by imagery with radiometric differences between the eyes, but it is not clear whether and how these findings apply to the experience of modern AR devices. In this work, we first develop a testing paradigm for assessing multiple aspects of visual appearance at once, and characterize five key perceptual factors when participants viewed stimuli with interocular contrast differences. In a second experiment, we simulate optical see-through AR imagery using conventional desktop LCD monitors and use the same paradigm to evaluate the multi-faceted perceptual implications when the AR display luminance differs between the two eyes. We also include simulations of monocular AR systems (i.e., systems in which only one eye sees the displayed image). Our results suggest that interocular contrast differences can drive several potentially detrimental perceptual effects in binocular AR systems, such as binocular luster, rivalry, and spurious depth differences. In addition, monocular AR displays tend to have more artifacts than binocular displays with a large contrast difference in the two eyes. A better understanding of the range and likelihood of these perceptual phenomena can help inform design choices that support high-quality user experiences in AR.
Uterine leiomyomata and keloids fibrosis origins: a mini-review of fibroproliferative diseases
Authors: Hampton Gabrielle , Kim Jeewoo , Edwards Todd L. , Hellwege Jacklyn N. , Velez Edwards Digna R.
Published: August 2023

Diseases such as uterine leiomyomata (fibroids and benign tumors of the uterus) and keloids (raised scars) may share common etiology. Fibroids and keloids can co-occur in individuals, and both are highly heritable, suggesting they may share common genetic risk factors. Fibroproliferative diseases are common and characterized by scarring and overgrowth of connective tissue, impacting multiple organ systems. These conditions both have racial disparities in prevalence, with the highest prevalence observed among individuals of African ancestry. Several fibroproliferative diseases are more severe and common in populations of sub-Saharan Africa. This mini-review aims to provide a broad overview of the current knowledge of the evolutionary origins and causes of fibroproliferative diseases. We also discuss current hypotheses proposing that the increased prevalence of these diseases in African-derived populations is due to the selection for profibrotic alleles that are protective against helminth infections and provide examples from knowledge of uterine fibroid and keloid research.
Mitochondrial microproteins: critical regulators of protein import, energy production, stress response pathways, and programmed cell death
Authors: Kamradt Michael L. , Makarewich Catherine A.
Published: August 2023

Mitochondria rely upon the coordination of protein import, protein translation, and proper functioning of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes I–V to sustain the activities of life for an organism. Each process is dependent upon the function of profoundly large protein complexes found in the mitochondria [translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (TOMM) complex, translocase of the inner mitochondrial membrane (TIMM) complex, OXPHOS complexes, mitoribosomes]. These massive protein complexes, in some instances more than one megadalton, are built up from numerous protein subunits of varying sizes, including many proteins that are ≤100–150 amino acids. However, these small proteins, termed microproteins, not only act as cogs in large molecular machines but also have important steps in inhibiting or promoting the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, coordinate responses to cellular stress, and even act as hormones. This review focuses on microproteins that occupy the mitochondria and are critical for its function. Although the microprotein field is relatively new, researchers have long recognized the existence of these mitochondrial proteins as critical components of virtually all aspects of mitochondrial biology. Thus, recent studies estimating that hundreds of new microproteins of unknown function exist and are missing from current genome annotations suggests that the mitochondrial “microproteome” is a rich area for future biological investigation.
Ozanimod differentially preserves human cerebrovascular endothelial barrier proteins and attenuates matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity following in vitro acute ischemic injury
Authors: Wendt Trevor S. , Gonzales Rayna J.
Published: August 2023

We have identified a potential novel mechanism by which ozanimod, a selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) agonist, attenuates hypoxia plus glucose deprivation (HGD)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity and disruptions in integral human brain endothelial cell barrier proteins. Our results suggest that ischemic-like injury elicits increased MMP-9 activity and alterations of barrier integrity proteins in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and that ozanimod via S1PR1 attenuates these HGD-induced responses, adding to its therapeutic potential in cerebrovascular protection during the acute phase of ischemic stroke.
Nebulized caffeine alleviates airway hyperresponsiveness in a murine asthma model
Authors: Loube Jeffrey M. , Gidner Sarah , Venezia Jarrett , Ryan Hurley , Neptune Enid R. , Mitzner Wayne , Dalesio Nicholas M.
Published: August 2023

For decades, coffee has been shown to improve symptoms in patients with asthma. One component, theophylline, is conventionally used to treat asthma, whereas the dosage required for orally administered caffeine has yielded modest improvement. We sought to determine whether aerosolization of caffeine directly to the lungs of susceptible A/J mice challenged with methacholine would alter pulmonary function via forced oscillation technique. We found nebulized caffeine yielded a consistent improvement on murine AHR.
Investigating the role of platelets and platelet-derived transforming growth factor-β in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Chong Deborah L. W. , Mikolasch Theresia A. , Sahota Jagdeep , Rebeyrol Carine , Garthwaite Helen S. , Booth Helen L. , Heightman Melissa , Denneny Emma K. , José Ricardo J. , Khawaja Akif A. , Duckworth Anna , Labelle Myriam , Scotton Chris J. , Porter Joanna C.
Published: August 2023

Platelets are a rich source of profibrotic TGFβ; however, the role of platelets in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is unclear. We identified that patients with IPF have significantly more platelets, neutrophils, and active TGFβ in their airways than control patients. Using an animal model of IPF, we demonstrated that platelet-derived TGFβ does not significantly drive lung fibrosis or inflammation. Our findings offer a better understanding of platelets in both human and animal studies of IPF.