bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Танец как память. Опыт Ирландии
Authors: Глазовская А.А.
Published: March 2024

Поскольку память имеет комплексный характер, присуща человеку в разных формах и видах, в данной работе предметом рассмотрения станет танец. Задачей исследования является стремление показать, что танец может выступать в качестве одного из средств передачи информации о прошлом. Память о прошлом может передаваться следующим поколениям в форме хореографической постановки, становясь своеобразным живым уроком истории, который каждый участник проживает через свое тело. Это резонирует с идеей Пола Коннертона (1989) о том, что образы прошлого запоминаются посредством ритуальных выступлений, которые «хранятся» в телесной памяти. Одновременно танец, благодаря свободе художественной интерпретации, становится действенным методом проживания и переживания прошлого. Среди сюжетов-событий, которые важны для ирландского контекста, можно выделить две основные группы. Первые — это события масштабного политического и общенационального уровня. Среди ключевых для ирландской истории и культуры факторов нужно назвать опыт Великого Голода, массовую эмиграцию середины XIX века, годы британской оккупации, влияние католических доктрин на все сферы жизни (в том числе и рекреационную). Травмирующий опыт прошлого оставляет отпечаток на, казалось бы, не связанной непосредственно с ними танцевальной культуре, а иногда и становится консолидирующим фактором для самих ирландцев. Вторая группа событий, хотя касается непосредственно мира танца, при ближайшем рассмотрении подтверждает, что и они являлись продуктом определенной исторической эпохи. Анализ современных художественных интерпретаций моментов прошлого в виде хореографических постановок также оказывается методом их актуализации.
От исторической памяти к спортивной практике: репродукция доспехов и вооружения средневековой Европы в материальной культуре движения исторических средневековых боев
Authors: Семирханова Е.К.
Published: March 2024

Статья посвящена одному из феноменов в рамках движения медиевальной исторической реконструкции, а именно историческим средневековым боям (ИСБ) — полноконтактной спортивной дисциплине и сформировавшемуся вокруг неё сообществу. ИСБ предполагают спортивные состязания с использованием копий доспехов и вооружения XIV–XV вв. Опираясь на собственный полевой опыт включенного наблюдения с 2017 г., автор даёт краткую характеристику явления и фокусирует свое внимание на особенностях материальной культуры исследуемого комьюнити. При описании современного бойцовского снаряжения затрагиваются такие сюжеты, как особенности использования для актуальных спортивных нужд реплик европейского средневекового вооружения, инновации в технологиях изготовления доспехов и практические потребности реконструкторов, влияющие на внутреннюю эволюцию их «мира вещей». Автор приходит к выводу, что сложившийся характер материальной культуры ИСБ испытал на себе влияние многих факторов, включая выработанные в сообществе представления о его ценностях, различия между оригинальной средневековой техникой боя и реалиями современных соревнований, личные мотивации бойцов и актуальные для XXI в. стандарты безопасности. В свою очередь, анализ хабитуальных привычек членов ИСБ-комьюнити позволяет автору сделать ряд пунктирных замечаний о специфическом подходе ИСБ к артефактам прошлого и исторической памяти, требующих дальнейшей теоретической разработки. Тем более, что на сегодняшний день данная тема не получила широкого освещения в исследовательской литературе.
The article is devoted to the phenomenon within the movement of medieval historical reenactment — historical medieval battles (HMB) — a full-contact sports discipline and the community that has developed around it. HMB involves sport combats using copies of armour and weapons of the 14th–15th centuries. To date HMB has not received wide coverage in the research literature. Using their own field experience of participant observation since 2017, the author gives a brief description of the phenomenon and touches on various aspects of the material culture of the community under study: the use of replicas of European medieval weapons for actual sports needs, practical settings and innovations in manufacturing technologies that affect the independent internal evolution of the HMB «world of objects». The material culture has been influenced by many factors, including the values developed by the reenactors community, the differences between the original medieval combat technique and the realities of our time, the personal motivations of fighters and the 21st century safety standards. The analysis of the HMB community customs allows to make a number of preliminary remarks about the specific HMB approach to historical memory and artefacts of the past, which require further theoretical development.
Clinical study on the difference in intestinal microecology between patients with preeclampsia and pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy
Authors: Xie Fan , Zhang Huan , Peng Min , Jiang TingTing
Published: March 2024

Objective: To explore the difference in intestinal microecology between patients with preeclampsia and pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy.

Methods: From January 2020 to January 2022, clinical data, including blood routine, lipid profile, and renal function indicators, were gathered from a cohort consisting of 5 cases of preeclampsia and 34 cases of non-preeclampsia. The non-preeclampsia group was further categorized into 6 cases in the First trimester, 13 cases in the Second trimester, and 15 cases in the Third trimester. The data collection took place at the Obstetrics Department of the Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province. Additionally, fecal samples were obtained from each subject for 16S rDNA gene sequencing and subsequent analysis. The clinical data and composition characteristics of the gut microbiota in each group were analyzed, and the correlation between gut microbiota and clinical data was analyzed by the Spearman correlation analysis method.

Results: In comparison to pregnant women without preeclampsia, preeclampsia patients exhibited a statistically significant elevation in blood routine parameters (WBC, N, L, and PLT count), a rise in lipid-related indicators (TC, TG, and LDL-C levels), a reduction in HDL-C levels, and an increase in renal function-related indicators (Cr, BUN, UA and Pro levels). Compared with non-preeclampsia pregnant women, preeclampsia women exhibited an augmented diversity of gut microbiota. Differences in gut microbiota composition between the two groups were observed at the gate and genus levels. Moreover, there are significant differences in the composition of gut microbiota between the preeclampsia group and the third-trimester group in terms of genus and species, and this difference is mainly caused by Prevotella and s_ Bacteroides_ Uniformis and Ruminococcus_ bromii. In addition, actinobacteria, bifidobacterium at the genus level, and Ruminococcus_bromii at the species level are positively correlated with clinically relevant indicators (excluding HDL-C).

Conclusion: There are significant differences in gut microbiota between preeclampsia pregnant women and late pregnancy pregnant without preeclampsia, including Prevotella and Bacteroides_ Uniformis, and Ruminococcus_ bromii. In addition, these differential bacteria are correlated with most clinical indicators. However, additional comprehensive analysis is required to ascertain the functional correlation between these bacteria and clinical indicators.
3D gait analysis in children using wearable sensors: feasibility of predicting joint kinematics and kinetics with personalized machine learning models and inertial measurement units
Authors: Mohammadi Moghadam Shima , Ortega Auriol Pablo , Yeung Ted , Choisne Julie
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Children’s walking patterns evolve with age, exhibiting less repetitiveness at a young age and more variability than adults. Three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) is crucial for understanding and treating lower limb movement disorders in children, traditionally performed using Optical Motion Capture (OMC). Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) offer a cost-effective alternative to OMC, although challenges like drift errors persist. Machine learning (ML) models can mitigate these issues in adults, prompting an investigation into their applicability to a heterogeneous pediatric population. This study aimed at 1) quantifying personalized and generalized ML models’ performance for predicting gait time series in typically developed (TD) children using IMUs data, 2) Comparing random forest (RF) and convolutional neural networks (CNN) models’ performance, 3) Finding the optimal number of IMUs required for accurate predictions.

Methodology: Seventeen TD children, aged 6 to 15, participated in data collection involving OMC, force plates, and IMU sensors. Joint kinematics and kinetics (targets) were computed from OMC and force plates’ data using OpenSim. Tsfresh, a Python package, extracted features from raw IMU data. Each target’s ten most important features were input in the development of personalized and generalized RF and CNN models. This procedure was initially conducted with 7 IMUs placed on all lower limb segments and then performed using only two IMUs on the feet.

Results: Findings suggested that the RF and CNN models demonstrated comparable performance. RF predicted joint kinematics with a 9.5% and 19.9% NRMSE for personalized and generalized models, respectively, and joint kinetics with an NRMSE of 10.7% for personalized and 15.2% for generalized models in TD children. Personalized models provided accurate estimations from IMU data in children, while generalized models lacked accuracy due to the limited dataset. Furthermore, reducing the number of IMUs from 7 to 2 did not affect the results, and the performance remained consistent.

Discussion: This study proposed a promising personalized approach for gait time series prediction in children, involving an RF model and two IMUs on the feet.
Correlation of caecal microbiome endotoxins genes and intestinal immune cells in Eimeria tenella infection based on bioinformatics
Authors: Han Mingzheng , Li Jiale , Wu Yijin , Liao Jianzhao
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The infection with Eimeria tenella (ET) can elicit expression of various intestinal immune cells, incite inflammation, disrupt intestinal homeostasis, and facilitate co-infection with diverse bacteria. However, the reciprocal interaction between intestinal immune cells and intestinal flora in the progression of ET-infection remains unclear.

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between cecal microbial endotoxin (CME)-related genes and intestinal immunity in ET-infection, with subsequent identification of hub potential biomarker and immunotherapy target.

Methods

Differential expression genes (DEGs) within ET-infection and hub genes related to CME were identified through GSE39602 dataset based on bioinformatic methods and Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Moreover, immune infiltration was analyzed by CIBERSORT method. Subsequently, comprehensive functional enrichment analyses employing Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis along with Gene Ontology (GO), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and gene set variation analysis (GSVA) were performed.

Results

A total of 1089 DEGs and 25 hub genes were identified and CXCR4 was ultimately identified as a essential CME related potential biomarker and immunotherapy target in the ET-infection. Furthermore, activated natural killer cells, M0 macrophages, M2 macrophages, and T regulatory cells were identified as expressed intestinal immune cells. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that both DEGs and hub genes were significantly enriched in immune-related signaling pathways.

Conclusion

CXCR4 was identified as a pivotal CME-related potential biomarker and immunotherapy target for expression of intestinal immune cells during ET-infection. These findings have significant implications in elucidating the intricate interplay among ET-infection, CME, and intestinal immunity.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a focus on post-dissection care for the vascular medicine clinician
Authors: Martinez Katherine A. , Gudenkauf Brent , Ratchford Elizabeth V. , Kim Esther S. H. , Sharma Garima
Published: March 2024

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon condition which is increasingly recognized as a cause of significant morbidity. SCAD can cause acute coronary syndrome and myocardial infarction (MI), as well as sudden cardiac death. It presents similarly to atherosclerotic MI although typically in patients with few or no atherosclerotic risk factors, and particularly in women. As more patients are recognized to have this condition, there is a great need for clinician familiarity with diagnostic criteria, as well as with contemporary treatment approaches, and with appropriate patient-centered counseling, including genetic testing, exercise recommendations, and psychological care. The standard of care for patients with SCAD is rapidly evolving. This review therefore summarizes the diagnosis of SCAD, epidemiology, modern treatment, cardiac rehabilitation and preconception counseling, and the current approach to genetic testing, exercise recommendations, and psychological care, all of which are crucial to the vascular medicine specialist.
Automatic and interpretable prediction of the site of origin in outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias: machine learning integrating electrocardiograms and clinical data
Authors: Bocanegra-Pérez Álvaro J. , Piella Gemma , Sebastian Rafael , Jimenez-Perez Guillermo , Falasconi Giulio , Saglietto Andrea , Soto-Iglesias David , Berruezo Antonio , Penela Diego , Camara Oscar
Published: March 2024

The treatment of outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (OTVA) through radiofrequency ablation requires the precise identification of the site of origin (SOO). Pinpointing the SOO enhances the likelihood of a successful procedure, reducing intervention times and recurrence rates. Current clinical methods to identify the SOO are based on qualitative analysis of pre-operative electrocardiograms (ECG), heavily relying on physician’s expertise. Although computational models and machine learning (ML) approaches have been proposed to assist OTVA procedures, they either consume substantial time, lack interpretability or do not use clinical information. Here, we propose an alternative strategy for automatically predicting the ventricular origin of OTVA patients using ML. Our objective was to classify ventricular (left/right) origin in the outflow tracts (LVOT and RVOT, respectively), integrating ECG and clinical data from each patient. Extending beyond differentiating ventricle origin, we explored specific SOO characterization. Utilizing four databases, we also trained supervised learning models on the QRS complexes of the ECGs, clinical data, and their combinations. The best model achieved an accuracy of 89%, highlighting the significance of precordial leads V1-V4, especially in the R/S transition and initiation of the QRS complex in V2. Unsupervised analysis revealed that some origins tended to group closer than others, e.g., right coronary cusp (RCC) with a less sparse group than the aortic cusp origins, suggesting identifiable patterns for specific SOOs.
Sentiment analysis of COP9-related tweets: a comparative study of pre-trained models and traditional techniques
Authors: Elmitwalli Sherif , Mehegan John
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Sentiment analysis has become a crucial area of research in natural language processing in recent years. The study aims to compare the performance of various sentiment analysis techniques, including lexicon-based, machine learning, Bi-LSTM, BERT, and GPT-3 approaches, using two commonly used datasets, IMDB reviews and Sentiment140. The objective is to identify the best-performing technique for an exemplar dataset, tweets associated with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Ninth Conference of the Parties in 2021 (COP9).

Methods

A two-stage evaluation was conducted. In the first stage, various techniques were compared on standard sentiment analysis datasets using standard evaluation metrics such as accuracy, F1-score, and precision. In the second stage, the best-performing techniques from the first stage were applied to partially annotated COP9 conference-related tweets.

Results

In the first stage, BERT achieved the highest F1-scores (0.9380 for IMDB and 0.8114 for Sentiment 140), followed by GPT-3 (0.9119 and 0.7913) and Bi-LSTM (0.8971 and 0.7778). In the second stage, GPT-3 performed the best for sentiment analysis on partially annotated COP9 conference-related tweets, with an F1-score of 0.8812.

Discussion

The study demonstrates the effectiveness of pre-trained models like BERT and GPT-3 for sentiment analysis tasks, outperforming traditional techniques on standard datasets. Moreover, the better performance of GPT-3 on the partially annotated COP9 tweets highlights its ability to generalize well to domain-specific data with limited annotations. This provides researchers and practitioners with a viable option of using pre-trained models for sentiment analysis in scenarios with limited or no annotated data across different domains.
Exploring the effectiveness of a novel memory training program for students with learning disabilities in the United Arab Emirates: investigating the role of gender differences
Authors: Alghazo Emad , Abo Hamza Eid , Bedewy Dalia
Published: March 2024

Introduction

The present research aims to investigate the efficacy of a newly developed memory training strategy on improving the memory capabilities of students with learning impairments.

Methods

Involving thirty male and female students with learning challenges, the study divided participants into experimental and control groups, with the former undergoing a novel memory training program. Memory was evaluated before and after a 3-month training period using a recall assessment technique developed from prior studies.

Results

Findings indicated statistically significant differences in memory scores between the experimental and control groups on the novel memory scale (total score) and its aspects (Auditory, Visual, and Visual kinesthetic memory), with improvements noted only in the experimental group. Gender did not significantly impact the scores, and there was no significant interaction between gender and group on training outcomes, suggesting the training's universal applicability.

Discussion

The study demonstrates that a novel memory training course can significantly enhance memory functions in students with learning impairments, irrespective of gender. These results offer promising directions for integrating cognitive training into educational strategies to support students facing learning challenges.
METS-IR and all-cause mortality in Korean over 60 years old: Korean genome and epidemiology study-health examinees (KoGES-HEXA) cohorts
Authors: Ryu Ha Eun , Jung Dong Hyuk , Heo Seok-Jae , Park Byoungjin , Lee Yong Jae
Published: March 2024

Background

The metabolic score for insulin resistance index (METS-IR) is a novel non insulin-based marker that indicates the risk for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, METS-IR has not been investigated in relation to all–cause mortality. We investigated the longitudinal effect of METS-IR on all–cause mortality in a significantly large cohort of Korean adults over 60 years old.

Methods

Data were assessed from 30,164 Korean participants over 60 years of age from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Health Examinees (KoGES-HEXA) cohort data, linked with the death certificate database of the National Statistical Office. The participants were grouped into three according to METS-IR tertiles. We used multivariate Cox proportional-hazard regression models to prospectively assess hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) over an 11-year postbaseline period.

Results

During the mean 11.7 years of follow-up, 2,821 individuals expired. The HRs of mortality for METS-IR tertiles were 1.16 (95% CI, 1.01–1.34) in T3 after adjustment for metabolic parameters, but the T2 did not show statistical significance towards increases for incident mortality respectively. In subgroup analysis depending on the cause of mortality, higher METS-IR was associated with cancer mortality (HR, 1.23, 95% CI, 1.01–1.51) but not with cardiovascular mortality (HR, 1.14, 95% CI, 0.83–1.57) after adjustment for the same confounding variables.

Conclusion

The METS-IR may be a useful predictive marker for all-cause mortality and cancer mortality, but not for cardiovascular mortality in subjects over 60 years of age. This implies that early detection and intervention strategies for metabolic syndrome could potentially benefit this identified group.
Multifactor and multi-objective coupling design of hydrogen circulation pump
Authors: Zhai Huanle , Li Wei , Li Jiwei , Shen Chaoping , Ji Leilei , Xu Yuanfeng
Published: March 2024

The hydrogen circulation pump (HCP) is an important power component of the hydrogen fuel system, used to recover the unconsumed hydrogen from the anode and transport it back to the inlet of the battery stack to improve the hydrogen utilization efficiency. In this paper, to determine the optimal parameter configuration of the HCP, a multifactor and multi-objective optimization design method is proposed, and the influences of various design parameters on the performance of the HCP are analyzed based on the verified overset grid simulation method. The research results show that the proposed coupling design method can effectively achieve the optimal parameter configuration of the HCP, with diameter-to-pitch ratio κ = 1.47, rotor blade number Z = 3, and helix angle φ = 60°, which is validated using another model with significant performance advantages. In the process of studying the influence of design parameters, it is found that the average flow rate of the HCP is directly proportional to the diameter-to-pitch ratio and the blade number, gradually decreases in the range of helix angle from 0° to 22.5°, and increases in the range of helix angle from 22.5° to 60°. The flow pulsation value and pressure pulsation value of the HCP are less affected by the diameter-to-pitch ratio, decrease with the increase of the blade number, and show a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase of the helix angle.
The effects of flavonoid supplementation on the mental health of postpartum parents
Authors: Colombage Rebecca Logan , Holden Sean , Lamport Daniel Joseph , Barfoot Katie Louise
Published: March 2024

Introduction

During the postpartum period, parents face psychological challenges and consequently, changes in mood and associated mood disorders have become increasingly prevalent in the 6-months following birth. Dietary flavonoids have been found to benefit mood and are therefore an appealing non-pharmacological option for potentially treating mood disorders in the postpartum. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a two-week dietary flavonoid intervention would improve mothers’ and fathers’ mental health in the immediate 6-month postpartum period.

Method

The study employed a randomised, parallel groups, controlled design to explore the effects of a flavonoid intervention vs. control group on several outcomes, including mood (PANAS), postpartum depression (EPDS), postpartum anxiety (PSAS-RSF-C) and quality of life (WHOQOL). Sixty participants (mothers n = 40, fathers n = 20) in the 6-month post-partum period were randomised to either a “flavonoid” or “control” condition. The flavonoid group were asked to add two flavonoid-rich foods (approximate flavonoid intake 218 mg/day) into their daily diet whilst controls (n = 23) were asked to continue with their usual diet for two-weeks (ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04990622).

Results

Significant effects were found in the flavonoid group where mothers reported higher positive affect and lower postpartum depression after the two-week intervention relative to baseline. This finding is especially relevant as a clinical reduction in postpartum depression scores in the flavonoid group by an average 2.6 scoring points was observed, which equated to a reduction from “possible depression” at baseline to “little or no depression” at 2-weeks, which was not observed in the control group. Fathers’ data was not analysed due to non-compliance with the intervention.

Discussion

This study provides evidence for the benefits of a dietary flavonoid intervention for mood and mental health in new mothers, supporting the utility of non-pharmacological, self—administrable changes to the diet for improving positive mood outcomes and reducing symptoms of postpartum depression in mothers during an especially challenging time. Further research for the effect of dietary interventions on paternal mental health is needed.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier NCT04990622.
Identification of apolipoprotein B–reactive CDR3 motifs allows tracking of atherosclerosis-related memory CD4+T cells in multiple donors
Authors: Roy Payel , Suthahar Sujit Silas Armstrong , Makings Jeffrey , Ley Klaus
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a major pathological condition that underlies many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Its etiology involves breach of tolerance to self, leading to clonal expansion of autoreactive apolipoprotein B (APOB)–reactive CD4+T cells that correlates with clinical CVD. The T-cell receptor (TCR) sequences that mediate activation of APOB-specific CD4+T cells are unknown.

Methods

In a previous study, we had profiled the hypervariable complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) of CD4+T cells that respond to six immunodominant APOB epitopes in most donors. Here, we comprehensively analyze this dataset of 149,065 APOB-reactive and 199,211 non-reactive control CDR3s from six human leukocyte antigen–typed donors.

Results

We identified 672 highly expanded (frequency threshold > 1.39E-03) clones that were significantly enriched in the APOB-reactive group as compared to the controls (log10 odds ratio ≥1, Fisher’s test p < 0.01). Analysis of 114,755 naïve, 91,001 central memory (TCM) and 29,839 effector memory (TEM) CDR3 sequences from the same donors revealed that APOB+ clones can be traced to the complex repertoire of unenriched blood T cells. The fraction of APOB+ clones that overlapped with memory CDR3s ranged from 2.2% to 46% (average 16.4%). This was significantly higher than their overlap with the naïve pool, which ranged from 0.7% to 2% (average 1.36%). CDR3 motif analysis with the machine learning–based in-silico tool, GLIPHs (grouping of lymphocyte interactions by paratope hotspots), identified 532 APOB+ motifs. Analysis of naïve and memory CDR3 sequences with GLIPH revealed that ~40% (209 of 532) of these APOB+ motifs were enriched in the memory pool. Network analysis with Cytoscape revealed extensive sharing of the memory-affiliated APOB+ motifs across multiple donors. We identified six motifs that were present in TCM and TEM CDR3 sequences from >80% of the donors and were highly enriched in the APOB-reactive TCR repertoire.

Discussion

The identified APOB-reactive expanded CD4+T cell clones and conserved motifs can be used to annotate and track human atherosclerosis-related autoreactive CD4+T cells and measure their clonal expansion.
Innovations in conditioning and post-transplant maintenance in AML: genomically informed revelations on the graft-versus-leukemia effect
Authors: Murdock H. Moses , Ho Vincent T. , Garcia Jacqueline S.
Published: March 2024

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is the prototype of cancer genomics as it was the first published cancer genome. Large-scale next generation/massively parallel sequencing efforts have identified recurrent alterations that inform prognosis and have guided the development of targeted therapies. Despite changes in the frontline and relapsed standard of care stemming from the success of small molecules targeting FLT3, IDH1/2, and apoptotic pathways, allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) and the resulting graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect remains the only curative path for most patients. Advances in conditioning regimens, graft-vs-host disease prophylaxis, anti-infective agents, and supportive care have made this modality feasible, reducing transplant related mortality even among patients with advanced age or medical comorbidities. As such, relapse has emerged now as the most common cause of transplant failure. Relapse may occur after alloHSCT because residual disease clones persist after transplant, and develop immune escape from GVL, or such clones may proliferate rapidly early after alloHSCT, and outpace donor immune reconstitution, leading to relapse before any GVL effect could set in. To address this issue, genomically informed therapies are increasingly being incorporated into pre-transplant conditioning, or as post-transplant maintenance or pre-emptive therapy in the setting of mixed/falling donor chimerism or persistent detectable measurable residual disease (MRD). There is an urgent need to better understand how these emerging therapies modulate the two sides of the GVHD vs. GVL coin: 1) how molecularly or immunologically targeted therapies affect engraftment, GVHD potential, and function of the donor graft and 2) how these therapies affect the immunogenicity and sensitivity of leukemic clones to the GVL effect. By maximizing the synergistic action of molecularly targeted agents, immunomodulating agents, conventional chemotherapy, and the GVL effect, there is hope for improving outcomes for patients with this often-devastating disease.
T cell dysfunction in elderly ARDS patients based on miRNA and mRNA integration analysis
Authors: Mitsuyama Yumi , Matsumoto Hisatake , Togami Yuki , Oda Sayaka , Onishi Shinya , Yoshimura Jumpei , Murtatsu Arisa , Ito Hiroshi , Ogura Hiroshi , Okuzaki Daisuke , Oda Jun
Published: March 2024

Background

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is respiratory failure that commonly occurs in critically ill patients, and the molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis and severity are poorly understood. We evaluated mRNA and miRNA in patients with ARDS and elucidated the pathogenesis of ARDS after performing mRNA and miRNA integration analysis.

Methods

In this single-center, prospective, observational clinical study of patients with ARDS, peripheral blood of each patient was collected within 24 hours of admission. Sequencing of mRNA and miRNA was performed using whole blood from the ARDS patients and healthy donors.

Results

Thirty-four ARDS patients were compared with 15 healthy donors. Compared with the healthy donors, 1233 mRNAs and 6 miRNAs were upregulated and 1580 mRNAs and 13 miRNAs were downregulated in the ARDS patients. For both mRNA and miRNA-targeted mRNA, canonical pathway analysis showed that programmed death-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) cancer immunotherapy pathway was most activated and the Th2 pathway was most suppressed. For mRNA, the Th1 pathway was most suppressed. miR-149-3p and several miRNAs were identified as upstream regulators.

Conclusion

miRNAs regulated the PD-1 and PD-L1 cancer immunotherapy pathway and Th2 pathway through miRNA interference action of mRNA. Integrated analysis of mRNAs and miRNAs showed that T cells were dysfunctional in ARDS patients.
Immune regulation and therapeutic application of T regulatory cells in liver diseases
Authors: Ajith Ananya , Merimi Makram , Arki Mandana Kazem , Hossein-khannazer Nikoo , Najar Mehdi , Vosough Massoud , Sokal Etienne Marc , Najimi Mustapha
Published: March 2024

CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a subset of the immunomodulatory cell population that can inhibit both innate and adaptive immunity by various regulatory mechanisms. In hepatic microenvironment, proliferation, plasticity, migration, and function of Tregs are interrelated to the remaining immune cells and their secreted cytokines and chemokines. In normal conditions, Tregs protect the liver from inflammatory and auto-immune responses, while disruption of this crosstalk between Tregs and other immune cells may result in the progression of chronic liver diseases and the development of hepatic malignancy. In this review, we analyze the deviance of this protective nature of Tregs in response to chronic inflammation and its involvement in inducing liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. We will also provide a detailed emphasis on the relevance of Tregs as an effective immunotherapeutic option for autoimmune diseases, liver transplantation, and chronic liver diseases including liver cancer.
Case report: Imported asymptomatic schistosomiasis among Belgian school travelers to Rwanda
Authors: Wallemacq Silvio , Anantharajah Ahalieyah , Baldin Pamela , Yombi Jean-Cyr , De Greef Julien , Belkhir Leïla
Published: March 2024

Schistosomiasis is common in many tropical regions and poses a risk for the local population and travelers. In travelers, most of schistosomiasis are described as acute. We report the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory characteristics associated with an outbreak of asymptomatic schistosomiasis among nonimmune Belgian school travelers in Rwanda. Schistosomiasis was diagnosed by serology in 12 out of the 15 (80%) travelers who swam in the lake nearly 2 years after a single exposure to freshwater at Kivu Lake, Rwanda. None showed signs of acute or chronic schistosomiasis. Eosinophilia was present in only 1 of them. Schistosoma mansoni eggs were not found in any infected patient. This report of an outbreak of asymptomatic schistosomiasis imported from Lake Kivu highlights the risk for travelers of acquiring the infection with only a short and single exposure, and provides strong arguments for routine serological screening for schistosomiasis in all individuals who have had any freshwater contact in endemic areas, irrespective of symptoms or laboratory findings.
Abnormal surges and the effects of the Seto Inland Sea circulation in Hiroshima Bay, Japan
Authors: Jeong Jae-Soon , Lee Han Soo , Mori Nobuhito
Published: March 2024

The Seto Inland Sea (SIS) is the largest semienclosed coastal sea in Japan and has three connections with the outer seas. When a typhoon approached the SIS in September 2011, spatial variations of sea level elevation were observed across the SIS. Additionally, an unusual sea level rise (abnormal surge) occurred in Hiroshima Bay approximately 8 days after the typhoon passed, with the Itsukushima Shrine in the bay flooded by the surge. To understand the mechanism of the abnormal surge in the bay and the relationship between sea level variations and circulation in the SIS, we investigated the 2011 event by applying a high-resolution numerical ocean circulation model using SCHISM with bias correction for sea surface heights (SSHs) at the open boundary. The overall easterly throughflow due to the west-high east-low SSH pattern in the SIS and temporary SSH disturbances due to typhoons were well reproduced in the model results. Among the three connections, the Bungo Channel mainly determined the overall net flux into the SIS and contributed significantly to sea level variations within the SIS. Additionally, the Kii Channel played more crucial roles in shaping the circulation and local sea level variations. The Kanmon Strait exhibited minor impacts. The abnormal tide in Hiroshima Bay was mainly attributed to seawater flux input from the outer seas, in conjunction with the subtidal internal seiche with the bay. The results will help us to further understand the physical processes of the ocean and establish evidence-based safety plans for reducing natural hazard damage.
Team performance during vacuum-assisted vaginal delivery: video review of obstetric multidisciplinary teams
Authors: Brogaard L. , Rosvig L. , Hjorth-Hansen K. R. , Hvidman L. , Hinshaw K. , Kierkegaard O. , Uldbjerg N. , Manser T.
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Vacuum extraction is generally considered an operator-dependent task, with most attention directed toward the obstetrician’s technical abilities (1–3). Little is known about the effect of the team and non-technical skills on clinical outcomes in vacuum-assisted delivery. This study aimed to investigate whether the non-technical skills of obstetricians were correlated with their level of clinical performance via the analysis of video recordings of teams conducting actual vacuum extractions.

Methods

We installed between two or three video cameras in each delivery room at Aarhus University Hospital and Horsens Regional Hospital and obtained 60 videos of teams managing vacuum extraction. Appropriate consent was obtained. Two raters carefully reviewed the videos and assessed the teams’ non-technical skills using the Assessment of Obstetric Team Performance (AOTP) checklist, rating all items on a Likert scale score from 1 to 5 (1 = poor; 3 = average; and 5 = excellent). This resulted in a total score ranging from 18 to 90. Two different raters independently assessed the teams’ clinical performance (adherence to clinical guidelines) using the TeamOBS-Vacuum-Assisted Delivery (VAD) checklist, rating each item (0 = not done, 1 = done incorrectly; and 2 = done correctly). This resulted in a total score with the following ranges (low clinical performance: 0–59; average: 60–84; and high: 85–100). Interrater agreement was analyzed using intraclass correlation (ICC), and the risk of high or low clinical performance was analyzed on a logit scale to meet the assumption of normality.

Results

Teams that received excellent non-technical scores had an 81% probability of achieving high clinical performance, whereas this probability was only 12% among teams with average non-technical scores (p < 0.001). Teams with a high clinical performance often had excellent behavior in the non-technical items of “team interaction,” “anticipation,” “avoidance fixation,” and “focused communication.” Teams with a low or average clinical performance often neglected to consider analgesia, had delayed abandonment of the attempted vaginal delivery and insufficient use of appropriate fetal monitoring. Interrater reliability was high for both rater-teams, with an ICC for the non-technical skills of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–0.88) and 0.84 for the clinical performance (95% CI: 0.74–0.90).

Conclusion

Although assisted vaginal delivery by vacuum extraction is generally considered to be an operator-dependent task, our findings suggest that teamwork and effective team interaction play crucial roles in achieving high clinical performance. Teamwork helped the consultant anticipate the next step, avoid fixation, ensure adequate analgesia, and maintain thorough fetal monitoring during delivery.
Safely balancing a double-edged blade: identifying and mitigating emerging biosecurity risks in precision medicine
Authors: DiEuliis Diane , Giordano James J.
Published: March 2024

Tools and methods of precision medicine are developing rapidly, through both iterative discoveries enabled by innovations in biomedical research (e.g., genome editing, synthetic biology, bioengineered devices). These are strengthened by advancements in information technology and the increasing body of data—as assimilated, analyzed, and made accessible—and affectable—through current and emerging cyber—and systems- technologies. Taken together, these approaches afford ever greater volume and availability of individual and collective human data. Machine learning and/or artificial intelligence approaches are broadening this dual use risk; and in the aftermath of COVID-19, there is growing incentive and impetus to gather more biological data from individuals and their environments on a routine basis. By engaging these data—and the interventions that are based upon them, precision medicine offer promise of highly individualized treatments for disease and injury, optimization of structure and function, and concomitantly, the potential for (mis) using data to incur harm. This double-edged blade of benefit and risk obligates the need to safeguard human data from purloinment, through systems, guidelines and policies of a novel discipline, cyberbiosecurity, which, as coupled to ethical precepts, aims to protect human privacy, agency, and safety in ways that remain apace with scientific and technological advances in biomedicine. Herein, current capabilities and trajectories precision medicine are described as relevant to their dual use potential, and approaches to biodata security (viz.- cyberbiosecurity) are proposed and discussed.
Immersive virtual reality-based learning as a supplement for biomedical engineering labs: challenges faced and lessons learned
Authors: Tandon Ishita , Maldonado Vitali , Wilkerson Megan , Walls Amanda , Rao Raj R. , Elsaadany Mostafa
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Immersive virtual reality (VR) based laboratory demonstrations have been gaining traction in STEM education as they can provide virtual hands-on experience. VR can also facilitate experiential and visual learning and enhanced retention. However, several optimizations of the implementation, in-depth analyses of advantages and trade-offs of the technology, and assessment of receptivity of modern techniques in STEM education are required to ensure better utilization of VR-based labs.

Methods

In this study, we developed VR-based demonstrations for a biomolecular engineering laboratory and assessed their effectiveness using surveys containing free responses and 5-point Likert scale-based questions. Insta360 Pro2 camera and Meta Quest 2 headsets were used in combination with an in-person lab. A cohort of 53 students watched the experimental demonstration on VR headsets in the lab after a brief lab overview in person and then performed the experiments in the lab.

Results

Only 28.29% of students reported experiencing some form of discomfort after using the advanced VR equipment as opposed to 63.63% of students from the previous cohort. About 40% of the students reported that VR eliminated or reduced auditory and visual distractions from the environment, the length of the videos was appropriate, and they received enough information to understand the tasks.

Discussion

The traditional lab method was found to be more suitable for explaining background information and lab concepts while the VR was found to be suitable for demonstrating lab procedures and tasks. Analyzing open-ended questions revealed several factors and recommendations to overcome the potential challenges and pitfalls of integrating VR with traditional modes of learning. This study provides key insights to help optimize the implementation of immersive VR to effectively supplement in-person learning experiences.
Association between cognitive function and body composition in older adults: data from NHANES (1999–2002)
Authors: Chen Lianghua , Zou Liling , Chen Jingwen , Wang Yixiao , Liu Dandan , Yin Lianjun , Chen Junqi , Li Haihong
Published: March 2024

Aim

To investigate the association between cognitive function and body composition in older adults.

Methods

We collected data on 2080 older adults (>60 years of age) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 1999–2000 and 2001–2002. Candidate variables included: demographic data (sex, age, race, education level, marital status, poverty-to-income ratio), alcohol consumption, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, total bone mineral density, and total fat mass. A logistic regression model was established to analyze the association between cognitive function and body composition in older adults. In addition, stratified logics regression analysis was performed by sex and age.

Results

Bone mineral density significantly affects cognitive function in older adults (p<0.01). When examining the data according to sex, this correlation is present for women (p < 0.01). For men, though, it is not significant (p = 0.081). Stratified by age, total bone mineral density was significantly correlated with cognitive function in 60–70 and 70–80 years old people, but not in older adults older than 80 years(for 60–70 years old, p = 0.019; for 70–80 years old, p = 0.022). There was no significant correlation between total bone mineral density and cognitive function (p = 0.575).

Conclusion

The decrease of total bone mineral density was significantly correlated with cognitive decline in the older adults, especially among women and older people in the 60 to 80 age group. There was no connection between total fat mass, total percent fat, total lean mass, appendicular lean mass, appendicular lean mass /BMI and cognitive function in the older adults.
Case report: A novel mutation of glial fibrillary acidic protein gene causing juvenile-onset Alexander disease
Authors: Romano Carmela , Morena Emanuele , Petrucci Simona , Diamant Selene , Marconi Martina , Travaglini Lorena , Zanni Ginevra , Piane Maria , Salvetti Marco , Romano Silvia , Ristori Giovanni
Published: March 2024

Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant (AD) disease with different clinical phenotypes according to the age of onset. It is caused by mutations in the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) gene, which causes GFAP accumulation in astrocytes. A wide spectrum of mutations has been described. For some variants, genotype–phenotype correlations have been described, although variable expressivity has also been reported in late-onset cases among members of the same family. We present the case of a 19-year-old girl who developed gait ataxia and subtle involuntary movements, preceded by a history of enuresis and severe scoliosis. Her mother has been affected by ataxia since her childhood, which was then complicated by pyramidal signs and heavily worsened through the years. Beyond her mother, no other known relatives suffered from neurologic syndromes. The scenario was further complicated by a complex brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pattern in both mother and daughter. However, the similar clinical phenotype made an inherited cause highly probable. Both AD and autosomal recessive (AR) ataxic syndromes were considered, lacking a part of the proband’s pedigree, but no causative genetic alterations were found. Considering the strong suspicion for an inherited condition, we performed clinical exome sequencing (CES), which analyzes more than 4,500 genes associated with diseases. CES evidenced the new heterozygous missense variant c.260 T > A in exon 1 of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene (NM_002055.4), which causes the valine to aspartate amino acid substitution at codon 87 (p. Val87Asp) in the GFAP. The same heterozygous variant was detected in her mother. This mutation has never been described before in the literature. This case should raise awareness for this rare and under-recognized disease in juvenile–adult cases.