bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Function of RA patients tapering treatment: A Post-Hoc Analysis of the Randomized Controlled RETRO Trial
Authors: Stephan Marlene , Tascilar Koray , Yalcin-Mutlu Melek , Hagen Melanie , Haschka Judith , Reiser Michaela , Hartmann Fabian , Kleyer Arnd , Hueber Axel J. , Manger Bernhard , ¹ Camille Pinto Figueiredo , Cobra Jayme Fogagnolo , Tony Hans-Peter , Finzel Stephanie , Kleinert Stefan , Wendler Jörg , Schuch Florian , Ronneberger Monika , Feuchtenberg Martin , Fleck Martin , Manger Karin , Ochs Wolfgang , Schmitt-Haendle Matthias , Lorenz Hanns-Martin , Nuesslein Hubert , Alten Rieke , Henes Joerg C. , Krueger Klaus , Schett Georg , Rech Jürgen
Published: April 2023

Several studies have shown that tapering or stopping disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in sustained remission is feasible. However, tapering/stopping bears the risk of decline in physical function as some patients may relapse and face increased disease activity. Here we analysed the impact of tapering or stopping DMARD treatment on the physical function of RA patients. The study was a posthoc analysis of physical functional worsening for 282 patients with RA in sustained remission tapering and stopping DMARD treatment in the prospective randomized RETRO study. HAQ and DAS-28 scores were determined in baseline samples of patients continuing DMARD (arm 1), tapering their dose by 50% (arm 2), or stopping after tapering (arm 3). Patients were followed over 1 year, and HAQ and DAS-28 scores were evaluated every 3 months. The effect of treatment reduction strategy on functional worsening was assessed in a recurrent-event Cox regression model with a study-group (control, taper, taper/stop) as the predictor. 282 patients were analysed. In 58 patients, functional worsening was observed. The incidences suggest a higher probability of functional worsening in patients tapering and/or stopping DMARDs, which is likely due to higher relapse rates in these individuals. At the end of the study, however, functional worsening was similar among the groups.
Point estimates and survival curves show that functional decline after tapering or stopping DMARDs in RA patients with stable remission is small and related to relapses but to on overall functional decline.
Математическая модель течения COVID-19 и прогноз тяжести инфекции
Authors: Киселевская-Бабинина В Я , Kisselevskaya-Babinina V Ya , Романюха Алексей Алексеевич , Romanyukha Aleksei Alekseevich , Санникова Татьяна Евгеньевна , Sannikova Tat'yana Evgen'evna
Published: April 2023

Целью работы является разработка метода прогноза тяжести инфекции и выбора вида дыхательной поддержки пациентов с COVID-19. Решаются задачи классификации исходного состояния и течения болезни у пациентов с инфекцией COVID-19 и построения математической модели динамики состояний пациентов в отделении интенсивной терапии. В работе анализируются данные анамнеза, оценивается влияние сопутствующих хронических заболеваний и возраста пациента на тяжесть COVID-19 и эффективность терапии. Построена и исследована математическая модель динамики состояний пациентов с COVID-19. Получены оценки параметров модели для групп пациентов с разными хроническими заболеваниями. Уточнена структура индекса коморбидности, позволяющего оценить влияние сопутствующих хронических (коморбидных) заболеваний на тяжесть и исход COVID-19. Предложен подход к выбору эффективного метода поддержки дыхания у пациентов с тяжелыми формами инфекции COVID-19.
Явный численный алгоритм для уравнений негидростатической динамики жидкости на основе схемы КАБАРЕ
Authors: Головизнин Василий Михайлович , Goloviznin Vasilii Mikhailovich , Майоров Петр Александрович , Maiorov Petr Aleksandrovich , Майоров Павел Александрович , Maiorov Pavel Aleksandrovich , Соловьев Андрей Валерьевич , Solov'ev Andrei Valer'evich , Афанасьев Никита Александрович , Afanasiev Nikita Aleksandrovich
Published: April 2023

Предложена негидростатическая модель уравнений динамики стратифицированной слабосжимаемой жидкости со свободной поверхностью. Описана явная схема CABARET-NH (CABARET Non-Hydrostatic) численного решения построенной системы дифференциальных уравнений в смешенных эйлерово-лагранжевых координатах на основе балансно-характеристической схемы класса КАБАРЕ. Доказано свойство сбалансированности численной схемы. Приведены результаты расчетов задачи о колебании свободной поверхности.
Efficacy of lithotripsy for the treatment of urolithiasis
Authors:   Novosibirsk State Medical University, Novosibirsk, Russian Federation, Feofilov I.V. , Arbuzov I.A. ,   City Hospital No 9, Sevastopol, Russian Federation, Chernega V.S. ,   Sevastopol State University, Sevastopol, Russian Federation, Rakhimov S.A. ,   Sevastopol State University, Sevastopol, Russian Federation
Published: April 2023

This literature review aims to analyze the efficacy of different variants of lithotripsy as a main surgical method for the management of urolithiasis. We have conducted a large-scale search of both Russian and foreign publications and clarified the main parameters used to determine treatment efficacy. We have provided a rationale for the implementation of some integral parameter that will encompass no only the effectiveness of calculi fragmentation (number of procedures/operations, structure and size of calculi, complications, etc.), but also patients' quality of life after lithotripsy and the financial component of inpatient treatment.
Operando safety diagnosis for Li-ion battery via MHz band electromagnetics
Authors: Ishigaki Masanori , Ishikawa Keisuke , Usuki Tsukasa , Komagata Shogo , Kondo Hiroki , Sasaki Tsuyoshi
Published: April 2023

A nondestructive, simple detecting method of internal Li-metal plating in the Lithium-ion battery (LiB) is essential for diagnosing the safety of battery systems for realising the long-life use of the LiB. We show a direct Li-metal detection technology that is dependent on the electromagnetic response of the battery at a high-frequency (MHz). By the unique response of the high-frequency electromagnetics based on the Maxwell’s law, a negative correlation is observed between the real-part impedance and the internal Li-metal plating deposited on the anode surface by the partial electrochemical potential overstress. This finding makes the diagnostic process much simpler than conventional methods such as data-driven analytical approach, because this finding measures a direct response from the electronic behaves to the metal deposition, rather than symptoms from the ionic behaves. The sufficient decrease in the real-part impedance was confirmed only in the Li-metal plated commercial batteries (LFP-18650, 1500 mAh, representatively) that are degraded by repeated rapid charging. Notably, this finding can be assembled as a battery monitoring sensor that diagnoses the growth of Li-metal plating during real-field operation. This finding is expected to contribute to the solutions for the new global environmental challenges by supporting the safe and long-term use of LiBs both in the classification process and its reuse.
Mobility Census for monitoring rapid urban development
Authors: Xiu Gezhi , Wang Jianying , Gross Thilo , Kwan Mei-Po , Peng Xia , Liu Yu
Published: April 2023

Monitoring urban structure and development requires high-quality data at high spatiotemporal resolution. In comparison to the accelerating and aggregating human culture in ever-larger cities and an increased pace of urban development, traditional censuses are out-of-pace. An alternative is offered by the analysis of other big-data sources, such as human mobility data. However, these often noisy and unstructured big data pose new challenges. Here we propose a method to extract meaningful explanatory variables and classifications from such data. Using movement data from Beijing, which is produced as a byproduct of mobile communication, we show that meaningful features can be extracted, revealing for example the emergence and absorption of subcenters. This method allows the analysis of urban dynamics at a high spatial resolution (here, 500m) and near real-time frequency, which is especially suitable for tracing event-driven mobility changes and their impact on urban structures.
Mix active control feedback of a continuously rotating shaft's nonlinear oscillations through simultaneous resonance
Authors: Amer Y. A. , El-Sayed A. T. , EL-Sayed M. A.
Published: April 2023

In our consideration, mix active controller negative velocity and acceleration feedback are presented to eliminate the vibration of the nonlinear oscillations of a continuous rotating shaft at one of the worst simultaneous resonance cases Ω=ω1,ω2=ω1 . The system presented by two degree of freedom containing the third order of nonlinear terms and multi external forces. The multiple scale method used to obtain the approximate solution of the vibrating system. The frequency response equation is used to investigated the stability of controlled system. We examined at the system numerically to compare the time histories before and after adding a negative velocity and acceleration feedback controller. We analyzed the performance of several selected parameters of the studied system for response curves. Finally, the numerical solution and the approximate solution obtained from the multiple scale are in good agreement.
Differential expression of inflammatory cytokines in helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis
Authors: YANG XINGTANG , NIU PEIQIN , LI XIAOFENG , SUN MINGMING , WEI WEI , CHEN YANQING , ZHENG JIAYI
Published: April 2023

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is well known for its ability to cause gastric inflammation, gastritis and gastric cancer. H. pylori lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces the expression of various inflammatory cytokines, different from those produced by LPS of other gram-negative bacteria. The differential expression of various cytokines in gastritis determines the extent of infection and progression to gastric cancer. This study investigated Il-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-18, and TNF-a gene and protein to gain insights into the differences in H. pylori-infected gastritis from non-infected gastritis. The genes were quantified using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The proteins were quantified using immunohistochemical staining and ELISA methods. Gastric samples were obtained from patients with gastritis and were divided into three groups; 1) normal, 2) gastritis only, and 3) gastritis with H. pylori infection. A statistically significant difference was observed in the expression of cytokines in gastritis samples infected with H. pylori. Among patients suffering from gastritis with H. pylori infection, the IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 levels were lower, whereas IL-12, IL-18, and TNF-a were higher.
A novel fractional order Grey prediction modeland its application to Chinese carbon emissions
Authors: Li Hui , Wu Zixuan , Qian Shuqu , Duan Huiming
Published: April 2023

Carbon emissions have attracted widespread attention and become one of the most important research topics in the international arena. An objective and accurate prediction of carbon emissions can provide a theoretical basis for the Chinese government to set carbon reduction targets and policies, and also help China to explore a suitable carbon reduction pathway. Considering that the main source of carbon emissions is energy combustion, and the energy mix is constantly changing, new information is better able to characterize future trends. In this paper, a novel fractional-order grey multivariate forecasting model is established to analyze and forecast China's carbon emissions, reflecting the principle of new information priority. The model adds fractional order cumulative sequences to the traditional integer order cumulative sequences, uses the Gamma function to represent the fractional order sequences and the time response equation, and uses the particle swarm algorithm to find the optimal order of the cumulative. Finally, the modeling steps of the model are given. Then the new model is analyzed for its effectiveness from three different perspectives using 21 years of Chinese carbon emission data. The results of the three Cases show that the newly established particle swarm optimization fractional order model outperforms the original grey prediction model and the other three classical grey prediction models. It has stable characteristics for both simulation and prediction, and also shows high accuracy, and all three cases fully illustrate the effectiveness of the new model. Finally, this model is applied to forecast China's carbon emissions from 2022–2026, analyze the forecast results and make relevant recommendations.
Tomatidine improves liver fibrosis by promoting autophagy in hepatic stellate cells through the ERK/MAPK-mTOR-ULK1 pathway
Authors: hu xue , Shen Haotian , Tang Bin , Deng Fengmei
Published: April 2023

Liver fibrosis is caused by various liver diseases and eventually develops into liver cancer. Tomatidine (TD), an aglycone of α-tomatidine, is a major glycoalkaloid found in immature tomato fruits, leaves, and stems. In this study, we investigated that tomatidine may promote autophagy in hepatic stellate cells through the ERK/MAPK-mTOR-ULK1 signaling pathway to improve liver fibrosis and combined experimental validation and molecular docking to reveal the underlying mechanism. First, we found that tomatidine could inhibit the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and the expression of fibrosis-related proteins α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen type I 1 gene (COL1A1) in LX2 cells. Tomatidine was found to promote the expression of autophagy-related proteins. Next, we performed a network pharmacology screen and found that among the targets of tomatidine and the common targets of tomatidine and liver fibrosis, no target related to autophagy was found in the current database. However, pharmacological studies of tomatidine have confirmed the existence of pro-autophagy pharmacological effects. Therefore, we used molecular docking to verify that tomatidine had good binding and affinity with autophagy-related targets. Further network pharmacological analysis showed that the MAPK signaling pathway may be involved in the biological process of tomatidine against hepatic stellate cells. We further verified the ERK/MAPK-mTOR-ULK1 pathway and found that tomatidine could promote autophagy in LX-2 cells by inhibiting the expression of P-ERK and P-mTOR and activating the expression of P-ULK1. Finally, molecular docking was performed to reveal the binding of tomatidine to the active sites of ERK, MAPK, mTOR, and ULK1.
The relationship between fear, loneliness, and depression among university students: A structural equation model
Authors: shindi Yousef Abdelqader Abu , Al-Bahrani Muna Abdullah , Alkharusi Hussain Ali
Published: April 2023

The aim of this study was to test the causal relationship among fear of Covid-19, loneliness, and depression from Covid-19. The study sample consisted of 605 undergraduate students recruited from a public university. They completed three scales: fear of Covid-19, depression from Covid-19, and loneliness. The results revealed a good fit index for the proposed path model. The fear of Covid-19 predicted two types of loneliness emotional and social negatively. A positive association between depression and emotional as well as social loneliness was found. A total of 43% of the variance in depression was explained by loneliness. Depression was potentially a mediating factor between a fear of pandemic and the feeling of loneliness. A counseling intervention can be designed based on these results.
Honokiol Prevents Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction in Mice with Severe Acute Pancreatitis and Inhibits the JAK/STAT1 Pathway and Acetylation of HMGB1
Authors: Li Jie , Gao Lei , Li Yijie , feng dianxu , Chen Yafeng
Published: April 2023

Objective:
To investigate the effect of honokiol (HON) and the role of HMGB1 on the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in a mouse model.
Methods :
Thirty mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control (CON), SAP, SAP and normal saline (SAP+NS), SAP and ethyl pyruvate (SAP+EP), or SAP+HON. Samples of the pancreas, intestine, and blood were collected 12 h after model induction for examination of pathologic changes, alterations of immune function, and abnormalities of HMGB1-related pathways using microscopy, ELISA, and western blotting.
Results :
Mice with SAP had inflammatory injury of the pancreas, bleeding of intestinal tissues, and cells with disrupted histology, but mice in the SAP+HON group had significantly fewer pathological changes. Mice with SAP also had significant increases in the serum levels of amylase (AMY), lipase, HMGB1, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), diamine oxidase (DAO), endotoxin 1 (ET-1), and procalcitonin (PCT), but mice in the SAP+HON group did not have these abnormalities. Studies of Caco-2 cells indicated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the levels of occludin and claudin-1, increased tight junction-permeability, and decreased the level of junctional adhesion molecule C (JAM-C), but HON treatment blocked these effects. Studies of macrophages indicated that LPS led to low nuclear levels of HMGB1, but HON treatment increased the nuclear level of HMGB1. HON treatment also inhibited the expression of JAK1, JAK2, and STAT1 and increased the acetylation of HMGB1.
Conclusion :
HON prevents intestinal barrier dysfunction in SAP by inhibiting HMGB1 acetylation and the JAK/STAT1 pathway.
Selective Knowledge Sharing for Privacy-Preserving Federated Distillation without A Good Teacher
Authors: Zhang Jun , Shao Jiawei , Wu Fangzhao
Published: April 2023

While federated learning is promising for privacy-preserving collaborative learning without revealing local data, it remains vulnerable to white-box attacks and struggles to adapt to heterogeneous clients. Federated distillation (FD), built upon knowledge distillation--an effective technique for transferring knowledge from a teacher model to student models--emerges as an alternative paradigm, which provides enhanced privacy guarantees and addresses model heterogeneity. Nevertheless, challenges arise due to variations in local data distributions and the absence of a well-trained teacher model, which leads to misleading and ambiguous knowledge sharing that significantly degrades model performance. To address these issues, this paper proposes a selective knowledge sharing mechanism for FD, termed Selective-FD. It includes client-side selectors and a server-side selector to accurately and precisely identify knowledge from local and ensemble predictions, respectively. Empirical studies, backed by theoretical insights, demonstrate that our approach enhances the generalization capabilities of the FD framework and consistently outperforms baseline methods. This study presents a promising direction for effective knowledge transfer in privacy-preserving collaborative learning.
An unilateral rapidly growing amyloid goiter associated with osteopetrosis: a Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Jeladharan Reshma , Singh Abhijeet , Jat Bhinyaram , Phulware Ravi Hari
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Amyloid goiter of the thyroid is a rare disorder characterized by the deposition of amyloid proteins within the thyroid gland, leading to its enlargement and functional impairment. The exact cause of amyloid goiter remains unknown, but it is associated with multiple myeloma, systemic amyloidosis, and familial Mediterranean fever. Diagnosis is made through imaging studies and histological examination of thyroid tissue. Treatment options include observation, thyroid hormone replacement therapy, and surgical resection, depending on the extent of thyroid enlargement and functional impairment. Prognosis is generally favorable, but it depends on the underlying cause of amyloid deposition and the extent of thyroid involvement.
Case Presentation: We report a case of a 37-year-old previously healthy male who presented with a history of progressively enlarging painless neck swelling for 2-3 months. The patient was euthyroid and denied any associated symptoms. The patient subsequently underwent an uneventful hemithyroidectomy along with an unremarkable postoperative period. Histopathology examination and special stains revealed the diagnosis of amyloid goiter.
Conclusions: A strong index of suspicion is necessary in patients with an enlarged thyroid gland and a concurrent history of chronic inflammatory processes or plasma cell dyscrasia because amyloid goitre is a rare condition. The present case is unique and unusual since there is no record in the literature of an amyloid goitre being associated with osteopetrosis in a patient. To get a conclusive diagnosis and to get rid of symptoms, a thyroidectomy is required. For the diagnosis of this uncommon entity, a histopathological study is crucial. Every effort should be taken to determine the full scope of the illness, and plasma cell dyscrasia should be ruled out in people who were previously healthy.
Co-infection of Covid-19 and Malaria among staff and students of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State.
Authors: Ogwudire Chukwunonyerem Chika , Madubuike Mercy Ngozi , Etoruom Christiana Ekele , Anyadoh-Nwadike Sylva Onyinyechi , Okoro Chinyere Ihuarulam
Published: April 2023

Background: COVID-19 and malaria syndemic poses colossal challenge in prompt diagnosis and effective management of both infections especially in tropical regions. Therefore, this survey was conducted in order to ascertain the seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies and malaria parasite in a university located in the south-eastern part of Nigeria, shortly after the waves of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Method: A total of 600 participants (400 students and 200 staff) who had provided informed consent, were randomly selected from the School of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology Owerri. Questionnaires were administered to collect data on respondents’ demographics and clinical history. Then, blood samples were aseptically collected by needle prick and tested for COVID-19 and malaria using the SARS-COV-2 IgM/IgG antibody test kit and the malaria test kit (Malaria Pf (HRP2) respectively.
Results: Malaria and COVID-19 co-infection rates observed among the staff and students in this survey were 5% and 1.8% respectively. Out of the 200 staff tested in this study, 45(22.5%) were IgG positive, 0(0%) were positive for IgM while 10(5%) tested positive to malaria parasite. Although, all IgG positives were junior staff. Then, amongst the 400 students tested, 37(9.25%) tested positive for IgG while none (0%) were IgM positive but, 62(15.5%) were positive for Plasmodium falciparum infection. The interrelated symptoms of malaria and COVID-19 mostly observed in our respondents were fever, headache and fatigue.
Conclusion: Results from this study further explained that the level of co-infection prevalence varies directly with the level of malaria prevalence and vice versa.
Nonlinear Enhanced Coupled Feedback Control for Bridge Crane with Uncertain Disturbances: Theoretical and Experimental Investigations
Authors: WANG TIANLEI , LIN CHENGMIN , LI RENXING , QIU JIONGZHI , HE YUEBANG , ZHOU ZHIHENG , QIU GUANGFAN
Published: April 2023

Anti-swing control of bridge cranes has been widely studied to improve the efficiency of industrial transportation. However, in practice, the performance of bridge crane control methods is reduced by external disturbances and internal uncertainties. Therefore, an enhanced coupled nonlinear control strategy based on feedforward compensation has been proposed in this study. Appropriate composite signals were introduced to enhance the coupling between the system states and improve the transient performance of the controller. The design of the composite signal takes into account the characteristics of crane model. The unknown disturbance was then treated as a state variable, and the crane dynamic model was transformed accordingly. Finally, the state of the model was estimated by the extended state observer, and the disturbance estimate was compensated to improve the robustness of the control system. The stability of the controller was verified through a rigorous mathematical analysis. The simulation and experimental results verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Forest regeneration following land abandonment is driven by historic land use affecting plant diversity and soil carbon stocks (mountainous tropical Asia)
Authors: de Rouw Anneke , Bottinelli Nicolas , Huon Sylvain , Maeght Jean-Luc , Massalis Guillaume , Podwojewski Pascal , Soulileuth Bounsamay , Van Thiet Nguyen , Welzen Peter van
Published: April 2023

Context Farmland on steep slopes is increasingly abandoned because it is unsuitable for most forms of modern agriculture. Succession back to forest is often slow or inexistent due to over-exploitation. Observations and measurements in Dong Cao catchment 47.9 ha Vietnam, started under farming and continued after abandonment: 20 years of uninterrupted monitoring of soil, water, land use and vegetation were integrated in this study.Objective Our aim is to identify the specific combination of soil features and agricultural practices that are responsible for fast, slow or blocked succession. We differentiate between the recovery of forest structure, relatively easy, and recovery of the original species composition, more difficult.Methods Multivariate analysis of vegetation data produced plant communities in a gradient of complexity. Using classic statistics, we sought relationships between environmental variables, land use and vegetation.Results Forest recovery failed the first 10 years, then part of the catchment developed forest. Land use explained best the distribution of plant communities over the catchment, slope and soil features were less related. Cassava cropping seriously slowed down the succession to closed forest. During abandonment soil carbon stocks (0–15 cm depth) increased with about 3% per year.Conclusion Starting from weedy thickets (2002) we distinguished two successional pathways: a positive pathway towards increased resemblance with the original Lowland forest via broken forest to closed deciduous to closed evergreen forest; a negative pathway away from the original forest species composition to degraded shrub land and low grass. Livestock was related to the negative pathway.
On bifurcations, resonances and chaos control in nonlinear Leslie matrix models
Authors: Wikan Arild , Kristensen Ørjan
Published: April 2023

Leslie matrix models with nonzero nonlinear fecundity elements are under consideration. In one direction we prove by use of the general Deriso-Schnute recruitment function the supercritical nature of bifurcations in 2- and 3-age class models as well as a thorough analysis of 1:2 and 1:3 resonance phenomena. Results regarding stabilizing and destabilizing effects, the impact of coexisting attractors, as well as dynamical outcomes found in general n-age class models are also provided. In another direction we study, by use of a hybrid chaos control method, to what extent it is possible to advance or delay bifurcation points and thereby change the dynamics. Among our findings here is that it is indeed possible to reduce the size of parameter space where chaotic oscillations occur. However, we have not succeeded in changing the dynamics from being quasiperiodic to periodic (i.e. from a region where the dynamics is determined by a Neimark-Sacker bifurcation to a region where the dynamics is determined by a flip bifurcation) or vice versa.
Mathematics Subject Classification (2020) MSC code37 · MSC code39
A novel nomogram for predicting overall survival in peripheral T cell lymphoma patients
Authors: Wang Yi-Ting , Geng Hai-Li , Li Xiao-Fan , Chen Ping , Xu Shu-Juan , Zhang Shu-Xia , Weng Ping , Guo Jiang-Rui , Huang Mei-Juan , Wu Yong , Chen Yuan-Zhong
Published: April 2023

Background The prognosis of peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCLs) varies greatly. This study aimed at generating a prognostic nomogram based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs).Methods Firstly, we collected RNA transcripts from Gene Expression Omnibus and identified DEGs. Secondly we used univariate Cox regression, Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to screen the independent risk factors to construct nomogram in the training cohort. Thirdly, we evaluate its prediction accuracy via decision curves analysis (DCA), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration rate to confirm its performance on survival in training and validation cohort. Then we carried out subgroup analysis in training and validation to eliminate the effects of age, gender, and pathological subtype. Lastly, to verify feasibility of nomogram in practice, we applied immunohistochemistry to clinical samples and analyzed the relationship between IHC scores and prognosis.Results The 702 DEGs between 40 PTCLs and 20 non-tumor patients were identified. Then ANGPTL2, CPSF4, CLIC4 and OTUD6B were screened out as independent risk factors via univariate Cox regression and LASSO. The DCA, ROC, Harrell’s concordance index (c-index) and calibration rate showed nomogram predicting more accurately than any single specific transcript. The results showed PTCLs with higher nomogram-score had a longer survival, regardless of age, gender and pathological subtype. Finally, the high expression level of ANGPTL2, CPSF4 and OTUD6B related to poor prognosis. Higher expression of CLIC4 related to longer survival.Conclusion This nomogram showed the favorable clinical applicability, regardless of age, gender and pathological subtype.
How do patients and healthcare professionals experience foot examinations in diabetes care? – a randomised controlled study of digital foot examinations versus traditional foot examinations
Authors: Tang Ulla Hellstrand , Tranberg Roy , Sundberg Leif , Scandurra Isabella
Published: April 2023

Background: Digital solutions in healthcare can facilitate and improve care. However, the experiences and usefulness of using either digital foot examinations or traditional foot examinations need to be evaluated.
The aims of the study were to evaluate:
1) the differences in patient experiences, having their foot examined supported by the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) as compared with having their foot examined in traditional practice,
2) how healthcare professionals (HCP), by using the CDSS, experienced the routine compared with performing the foot examination as in traditional practice.
Methods
Of a total of 141 patients, 100 patients with diabetes were single-blind digitally randomised to one of two parallel arms: having their foot examined by an HCP using a CDSS (n=47) or having their foot examined as in traditional practice (n=53) at the Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden. Patients filled in a modified version of the National Patient Survey (NPS) and the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey (OPUS) at study end. Two HCPs, working at a Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics, answered surveys regarding the interaction between the patient and the CPO.
Results: Patients, aged 65±14 years, perceived a high level of satisfaction with the service at the department, regardless of the method used. No significant differences between groups were found when evaluated by 27 questions in the NPS or the OPUS, with scores of 67.17±12.18 vs. 66.35±16.52 (p=0.78) for the intervention and control group respectively. One hundred per cent of the patients were risk classified in the intervention group compared with 2% in the control group.
Conclusions: Patients perceived a high level of satisfaction with the services at the DPO, regardless of the method used for the foot examination. All the patients were risk classified in the intervention group. The HCPs found that, by using the CDSS, the foot examination was structured and followed clinical guidelines. Furthermore, the documentation in the electronic health record was thorough, even though further improvements, such as integration with co-existing health record systems, were requested.
Trial registration: Clinical Trials NCT03088566, Registered 23 March 2017, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03088566?cond=d-foot&draw=2&rank=3
Assessing non-native invasive Orthoptera in Europe
Authors: Kulessa Anna K. , Kouba Antonín , Renault David , Soto Ismael , Haubrock Phillip J.
Published: April 2023

Orthoptera encompasses 29,000 species. Due to their ability to migrate long-distances through hitchhiking or active dispersal but also due to their wide dietary spectrum, several orthoptera species can pose a phytosanitary threat. Despite information being scarce and contrasting among sources, we compiled literature on non-native Orthoptera species in Europe for this scoping review. We identified 41 relevant species, 35 are non-native (non-native to Europe n = 8, partly native to Europe n = 21, native range unknown/no information available n = 6), two arguably invasive species to Europe due to proven impacts, two are questionable and another two cryptogenic. Of these, 23 species are considered established. The two invasive orthopterans were the Moroccan LocustDociostaurus maroccanusand the Desert LocustSchistocerca gregaria, which are invasive in several European countries. Non-native orthopterans can react very positively to climate warming, resulting in expanding geographical distributions. Furthermore, the number of invasive orthopterans in Europe is likely higher due to a paucity of assessments, increasing introduction rates, and observable impacts on agriculture as well as native species. While e.g., the Migratory LocustLocusta migratoriacauses large-scale damage to crops by forming swarms, the southern oak bush cricketMeconema meridionalehas a negative impact on native species, but neither species is listed as invasive. Besides this, there are other non-native Orthoptera species that could become invasive given increasing reproduction rates due to suitable conditions. Globalization and rising temperatures due to global warming are both increasing introduction rates and concomitantly the availability of suitable locations for reproduction, successful establishments, and finally swarm building. This will increase the probability of damages to agriculture, thus the economy and native biodiversity, eventually endangering human well-being. It is therefore important to monitor and study the invasiveness and impacts of non-native Orthoptera species to develop efficient management or preventive mitigation strategies.
Perpetuating Wage Inequality: Evidence from Salary History Bans
Authors: Bessen James , Denk Erich , Meng Chen
Published: April 2023

Pay gaps for women and minorities have persisted after accounting for observable differences. Why? If employers can access applicants’ salary histories while bargaining over wages, they can take advantage of past inequities, perpetuating inequality. Recently, a dozen US states have banned employer access to salary histories. We analyze the effects of these salary history bans (SHBs) on private employer wage posting and pay. We develop a theoretical model of firms’ choices between posting wages and bargaining, drawing out the implications of SHBs on wages for different groups of jobs. We then implement a comprehensive causal analysis in a difference-in-differences design. The results show that following SHBs, private employers posted wages more often and increased pay for job changers, particularly for women (6.2%) and non-whites (5.8%). There is also no evidence of adverse selection of workers overall or adverse employer reactions in the short run. Bargaining behavior and the use of salary histories appear to account for much of the persistence of residual wage gaps.
High-Resolution Soil Moisture—A European Airborne Campaign Using NASA Goddard’s Scanning L-Band Active Passive (SLAP)
Authors: Kim Edward , Wu Albert , Izadkhah Hessam , Abraham Saji
Published: April 2023

A summer 2021 European airborne field campaign—the Land surface Interactions with the Atmosphere over the Iberian Semi-arid Environment (LIAISE) campaign—presented an opportunity to explore passive soil moisture sensing with footprints as small as 100x200m, contributing a key measurement to LIAISE and providing a valuable opportunity to gain detailed insight into the water/energy/carbon exchanges at such plot-scale resolution over a 17 x 5 km area.
NASA Goddard’s Scanning L-band Active Passive (SLAP) sensor—an airborne simulator of the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite—made nine soil moisture flights near Lleida, Spain during 15—29 July. Soil moisture imagery and histograms demonstrate sensitivity to spatial and temporal patterns spanning irrigated and non-irrigated areas and their response to both irrigation and precipitation events followed by drydowns.
Comparisons with point-scale ground truth at two sites–one within the irrigated zone and one in the non-irrigated zone–are good. Soil moisture differences are within the error bars of the ground truth values and within one standard deviation of the SLAP moisture values except for the afternoon flight of July 24. The overly dry retrieved values of that flight were likely the result of the extremely dry surface conditions and the simplified uniform ancillary data values used for this analysis. Future analyses using higher-fidelity ancillary data will explore these differences.
Diverse arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species associated with indigenous trees in a natural forest
Authors: Beyene Belay Berza , Kebede Jemal Yimer , Pagano Marcela claudio , Tuji Fassil Assefa
Published: April 2023

In terrestrial ecosystems, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) helps land plants in nutrient uptake and protect them against abiotic and abiotic stresses. It is important to study the AMF-plant relationship to fully realize the beneficial potential to support establishment, growth and maintenance of mycorrhizal plants in different ecosystems. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the diversity, abundance and population densities of AMF and quantify root colonization of the indigenous trees in Munessa forest. To this end, composite soil samples and fine roots were collected from seven dominant indigenous trees within 10 m x10 m plots in the forest. AMF spores were extracted for taxonomic identification and root colonization with AMF structures was determined for each trees. A total of 39 AMF species (morphotypes) belonging to 10 genera were recovered.Glomuswas the most dominant genus followed byAcaulospora. The highest genus richness was recorded fromCroton macrostachyus(9). Mean AMF spore density was significantly different (p < 0.05) among indigenous trees, ranging from 860 spores/100 g of dry soil underAlbizia shimperianato 2830 spores/100 g of dry soil underPouteria adolfiifriedericii. The highest root hyphal colonization was observed inMillettia ferruginea(71%) andPodocarpus falcatus(64%), respectively.Albizia shimperianawas the least colonized tree (44%). AMF spore density was positively correlated with soil available phosphorus (p < 0.05). Extensive studies are required to select AMF inocula for plant growth promotion and recruitment of tree seedlings for plantation and, restoration of forest vegetation and rehabilitation of degraded and dry lands.
Longitudinal Analysis of the Impacts of Urogenital Schistosomiasis on the Gut microbiota of Adolescents in Nigeria
Authors: Ajibola Olumide , Penumutchu Swathi , Gulumbe Bashar , Aminu Uzairu , Belenky Peter
Published: April 2023

The gut microbiome is important for many host physiological processes and helminths and these interactions may lead to microbial changes. We carried out a longitudinal study of the impacts of S. haematobium infection on the gut microbiome of adolescents (11-15 years) in northern Nigeria pre and post praziquantel treatment. Using 16S sequencing a total of 267 DNA from faecal samples of infected versus uninfected adolescents were amplified and sequenced on an Illumina Miseq. We assessed the diversity of the taxa using alpha diversity metrices and observed that using Shannon index we obtained significant differences when we compared infected samples at 3, 9 and 12 months to baseline uninfected controls (P= <0.0001, P=0.0342 and P=0.0003 respectively). Microbial community composition analysis revealed that there were only significant differences at 3, 9 and 12 months (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.001 and P=0.001, respectively). We also demonstrated that the effects of the infection on the gut was more significant than praziquantel. Overall, our data suggests that S. haematobium, a non-gut resident parasite has indirect interactions with the gut. The bacterial taxa changes we have identified opens up the opportunity to investigate their role in human health, especially in urogenital schistosomiasis endemic communities.
Microbial community composition of food waste before anaerobic digestion
Authors: Tang Linjie , O’Dwyer Jack , Kimyon Önder , Manefield Michael J
Published: April 2023

Anaerobic digestion is widely used to process and recover value from food waste. Commercial food waste anaerobic digestion facilities seek improvements in process efficiency to enable higher throughput. There is limited information on the composition of microbial communities in food waste prior to digestion, limiting rational exploitation of the catalytic potential of microorganisms in pretreatment processes. To address this knowledge gap, bacterial and fungal communities in food waste samples from a commercial anaerobic digestion facility were characterised over three months. The abundance of 16S rRNA bacterial genes was approximately five orders of magnitude higher than the abundance of the fungal intergenic spacer (ITS) sequence, suggesting the numerical dominance of bacteria over fungi in food waste before anaerobic digestion. Evidence for the mass proliferation of bacteria in food waste during storage prior to anaerobic digestion is presented. The composition of the bacterial community shows variation over time, but lineages within the Lactobacillaceae family are consistently dominant. Nitrogen content and pH are correlated to community variation. These findings form a foundation for understanding the microbial ecology of food waste and provide opportunities to further improve the throughput of anaerobic digestion.
Deep Generative Models of Protein Structure: A Method to Uncover Distant Relationships Across a Continuous Fold Space
Authors: Mura Cameron , Draizen Eli , Veretnik Stella , Bourne Philip
Published: April 2023

Our views of fold space implicitly rest upon many assumptions that impact how we analyze, interpret and understand biological systems—from protein structure comparison and classification to function prediction and evolutionary analyses. For instance, is there an optimal granularity at which to view protein structural similarities (e.g., architecture, topology or some other level)? If so, how does it vary with the type of question being asked? Similarly, the discrete/continuous dichotomy of fold space is central in structural bioinformatics, but remains unresolved. Discrete views of fold space bin ‘similar’ folds into distinct, non-overlapping groups; unfortunately, such binning may inherently miss many remote relationships. While hierarchical databases like CATH, SCOP and ECOD represent major steps forward in protein classification, a scalable, objective and conceptually flexible method, with less reliance on assumptions and heuristics, could enable a more systematic and nuanced exploration of fold space, particularly as regards evolutionarily-distant relationships. Building upon a recent ‘Urfold’ model of protein structure, we have developed a new approach to analyze protein structure relationships. Termed ‘DeepUrfold’, this method is rooted in deep generative modeling via variational Bayesian inference, and we find it to be useful for comparative analysis across the protein universe. Critically, DeepUrfold leverages its deep generative model’s embeddings, which represent a distilled, lower-dimensional space of a given protein and its amalgamation of sequence, structure and biophysical properties. Notably, DeepUrfold is structure-guided, versus being purely structure-based, and its architecture allows each trained model to learn protein features (structural and otherwise) that, in a sense, ‘define’ different superfamilies. Deploying DeepUrfold with CATH suggests a new, mostly-continuous view of fold space—a view that extends beyond simple 3D structural/geometric similarity, towards the realm of integrated sequence↔structure↔function properties. We find that such an approach can quantitatively represent and detect evolutionarily-remote relationships that evade existing methods.
Cognitive decline as the main manifestation of diabetic striatal disease but without involuntary movements: a case report
Authors: He Li , YiRan Cheng , Wei Tang , YiBin HU , GeHui Jia , Tong Wu , KangFeng Wang
Published: April 2023

Diabetic striatopathy (DS) is a rare central nervous system complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized mainly by non-ketotic hyperglycemia and lateralized involuntary movements. Patients with diabetic striatopathy manifested solely by subacute cognitive decline were rarely reported. In this paper, we report a patient with DS who presented solely with subacute cognitive decline without involuntary movements, and cranial CT showed bilateral high density in the basal ganglia. In contrast, SWI showed microhemorrhages in the right caudate nucleus head. After one week of treatment, including glycemic control, the patient showed significant improvement in cognitive function, while a repeat cranial CT showed improved hyperdensity in the right basal ganglia region. 1 month later, at telephone follow-up, the patient's symptoms did not recur.
Type III CRISPR-Cas effectors act as protein-assisted ribozymes during RNA cleavage
Authors: Taylor David , Schwartz Evan , Bravo Jack , Ahsan Mohd , Macias Luis , McCafferty Caitlyn , Dangerfield Tyler , Walker Jada , Brodbelt Jennifer , Palermo Giulia , Fineran Peter , Fagerlund Robert
Published: April 2023

CRISPR-Cas systems are an adaptive immune system in bacteria and archaea that utilize CRISPR RNA-guided surveillance complexes to target complementary RNA or DNA for destruction. Target RNA cleavage at regular intervals is characteristic of type III effector complexes; however, the mechanism has remained enigmatic. Here, we determine the structures of the Synechocystis type III-Dv complex, an evolutionary intermediate in type III effectors, in pre- and post-cleavage states, which show metal ion coordination in the active sites. Using structural, biochemical, and quantum/classical molecular dynamics simulation, we reveal the structure and dynamics of the three catalytic sites, where a 2’-OH of the ribose on the target RNA acts as a nucleophile for in line self-cleavage of the upstream scissile phosphate. Strikingly, the arrangement at the catalytic residues of most type III complexes resembles the active site of ribozymes, including the hammerhead, pistol, and Varkud satellite ribozymes. Thus, type III CRISPR-Cas complexes function as protein-assisted ribozymes, and their programmable nature has important implications for how these complexes could be repurposed for applications.