bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The feasibility of a randomized controlled crossover trial to assess the effect of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on the health of elite wheelchair athletes
Authors: Hertig-Godeschalk Anneke , Glisic Marija , Ruettimann Belinda , Valido Ezra , Capossela Simona , Stoyanov Jivko , Flueck Joelle L.
Published: June 2023

Background

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems represent a health burden in Para athletes and can ultimately reduce athletic performance. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a randomized controlled crossover trial (RCCT) assessing the effects of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on the health of Swiss elite wheelchair athletes.

Methods

The RCCT was conducted between March 2021 and October 2021. Athletes were randomized to receive either a daily probiotic (3 g of probiotic preparation, including eight bacterial strains), or a daily prebiotic (5 g of oat bran) supplementation first. After the first supplementation phase (4 weeks), a washout period (4 weeks) and the second crossover supplementation phase (4 weeks) followed. Data were collected at four study visits (every 4 weeks) and included 3-day training and nutrition diaries, the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) questionnaire, stool samples, and fasting blood samples. The study assessed the feasibility criteria such as recruitment rate, retention rate, success of data collection, adherence to the protocol, willingness to participate, and safety.

Results

This pilot study met the majority of the predefined minimum requirements for the feasibility criteria. Out of 43 invited elite wheelchair athletes, 14 (33%) consented (mean (standard deviation) age: 34 (9) years, eight females, 11 with a spinal cord injury). The desired sample size was not reached, but the achieved recruitment rate was modest, especially considering the population studied. All participating athletes completed the study. With the exception of one missing stool sample and two missing diaries, data were successfully collected for all athletes at all four visits. Most athletes adhered to the daily intake protocol for at least 80% of the days, both for probiotics (n = 12, 86%) and prebiotics (n = 11, 79%). Ten (71%) athletes would be willing to participate in a similar study again. No serious adverse events occurred.

Conclusion

Despite the limited number of elite wheelchair athletes in Switzerland and the modest recruitment rate, the implementation of a RCCT in elite wheelchair athletes is feasible. The data collected in this study provide essential information for the design of the subsequent study which will include a larger cohort of physically active wheelchair users.

Trial registration

Swiss Ethics Committee for Northwest/Central Switzerland (EKNZ), 2020–02337). ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04659408.
Challenges of managing hypertension in Pakistan - a review
Authors: Elahi Adil , Ali Arzina Aziz , Khan Aamir Hameed , Samad Zainab , Shahab Hunaina , Aziz Namra , Almas Aysha
Published: June 2023

Background

This review aims to describe existing evidence on the state of hypertension in Pakistan, including the prevalence, associated risk factors, preventive strategies, and challenges in the management of hypertension.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted electronically using PubMed and Google Scholar. Using specific screening methodology, 55 articles were selected to be included.

Results

We found from this extensive review that several small studies report high prevalence of hypertension but there is a lack of population based prevalence of hypertension in Pakistan. Lifestyle risk factors such as obesity, unhealthy diet, decreased physical activity, low socioeconomic status, and lack of access to care were the main associated factors with hypertension. Lack of blood pressure monitoring practices and medication non-adherence were also linked to uncontrolled hypertension in Pakistan and were more evident in primary care setups. The evidence presented is essential for delineating the burden of the disease, hence allowing for better management of this underserved population.

Conclusion

There is a need for updated surveys to depict the true prevalence and management of hypertension in Pakistan. Cost-effective implementation strategies and policies at the national level are needed for both prevention and control of hypertension.
Interactional effects of depressive symptoms and physical function on daily physical activity in ambulatory patients receiving hemodialysis
Authors: Matsunaga Yusuke , Suzuki Yuta , Yamamoto Shohei , Imamura Keigo , Yoshikoshi Shun , Harada Manae , Kutsuna Toshiki , Kamiya Kentaro , Yoshida Atsushi , Ichikura Kanako , Fukase Yuko , Murayama Norio , Tagaya Hirokuni , Matsunaga Atsuhiko
Published: June 2023

Background

Clarification of the factors associated with decreased physical activity is crucial for effective disease management in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Although evidence suggests that physical activity may be associated with physical function or depressive symptoms, limited studies have demonstrated these factors to be independently associated with the former in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to examine whether physical function and depressive symptoms were independently or interactively associated with daily physical activity in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Methods

This cross-sectional study analyzed 157 clinically stable outpatients (median age: 68 years) receiving hemodialysis. Physical activity (steps/day) was measured using an accelerometer for four consecutive non-dialysis days. Physical function was evaluated by calculating usual walking speed along a 10-m walkway. The 10-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies for Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms.

Results

The hierarchical multiple regression model (Model 2), constructed by adding physical function to Model 1 (clinical characteristics), showed a significant increase in coefficient of determination (R2), compared to Model 1 (ΔR2 = 0.15, P < 0.01). There was no significant increase in R2 between Models 2 and 3, where depressive symptoms were added to Model 2. The interaction term of physical function with depressive symptoms in Model 4 indicated an increase in R2 (ΔR2 = 0.01, P = 0.03), compared with Model 3. The simple slope analysis demonstrated that the difference in physical activity between patients with or without depressive symptoms at higher levels of physical function was greater than that at its lower levels.

Conclusions

Physical function was a strong and independent factor associated with physical activity, but no independent relationship between depressive symptoms and the physical activity was observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis. In contrast, physical function and depressive symptoms were interactively associated with daily physical activity in patients undergoing hemodialysis who were capable of walking independently. Our findings suggested that a two-step screening, primarily based on physical function and then depressive symptoms, can be useful to identify factors associated with physical inactivity in hemodialysis patients.
Aging and leukemic evolution of hematopoietic stem cells under various stress conditions
Authors: Kurosawa Shuhei , Iwama Atsushi
Published: June 2023

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have self-renewal capacity and differentiation potential into all lineages of blood cells throughout the lifetime of an organism. The function of HSCs gradually changes during aging. To date, various stress factors influencing HSC aging have been identified. The increased production of reactive oxygen species and DNA damage responses are causatively attributed to HSC aging. The increased apolarity is a prominent feature of aged HSCs, whereas it is less obvious in young HSCs. The bone marrow (BM) microenvironment niche is a crucial factor for HSC aging. Mesenchymal stem cells show skewed differentiation during aging, which leads to decreased bone formation and increased adipogenesis. The accumulation of adipocytes confers negative effects on hematopoiesis. Loss of sympathetic nerve fibers or adrenoreceptor β3 signaling induces premature HSC and niche aging. Epigenetic regulators such as polycomb group proteins and the sirtuin family of proteins act to prevent premature aging. Targeting these factors, several rejuvenation strategies for aged HSCs have been employed in mice. However, we still do not know whether these strategies can be extrapolated to human HSCs. Aging is frequently accompanied by the development of clonal hematopoiesis, which is called age-related clonal hematopoiesis (ARCH) or clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP). Most ARCH/CHIP mutations occur in genes encoding epigenetic regulators including DNMT3A, TET2, and ASXL1, which suggests the relevance of epigenetic drift during the aging process. ARCH/CHIP is a strong risk factor for subsequent hematologic cancer. Notably, it also has an impact on the development of non-malignant disorders such as coronary heart disease. Further studies are warranted to decipher the complete picture of molecular crosstalk that regulates HSC aging.
Lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome diagnosis in a young female presenting with multiple non-specific symptoms
Authors: Jnani Jack
Published: June 2023

A female in her 30s with no known past medical conditions presented to North Shore University Hospital with three weeks of intermittent fevers, fatigue, and malaise. She also reports generalized body pain, myalgias, ear pain, throat pain, and joint pain. She denies rash. She also reports nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and a 10-pound weight loss in one week. She had a miscarriage at 16 weeks of gestation. She met systemic inflammatory syndrome criteria on admission as she was febrile to 102.9 Fahrenheit, tachycardic to 120 beats per minute, tachypneic to 22 breaths/minute, and had leukopenia with white blood cell count of 2,470 per cubic milliliter. Labs were significant for pancytopenia, elevated transaminases, low C3 complement level, double stranded DNA > 1000 IU/mL, anti-nuclear factor positive 1:1280, and positive antiphospholipid serology. She was treated with steroids and hydroxychloroquine and was started on warfarin.
Collaborative care model versus usual care for people with musculoskeletal conditions and co-existing anxiety and depression: protocol for a feasibility mixed-methods randomised controlled trial
Authors: Teixeira Maria Joao Cardoso , Tehrany Rokhsaneh , Jaggi Anju , Ahmed Refah , Dove Lucy , Ramanuj Parashar
Published: June 2023

Background

In the UK 17.8 million people have musculoskeletal pathophysiology, which becomes universal with age. Levels of discomfort and incapability correlate with symptoms of anxiety and depression. People with sufficient symptoms who seek care can benefit from collaborative diagnosis and treatment of mental and physical health organised by a case manager. This paper presents the protocol for a feasibility trial of collaborative care in an orthopaedic setting.

Aims

To determine the feasibility and acceptability of providing collaborative care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions and co-existing symptoms of anxiety and depression identified on a screening tool in a physical and occupational therapy out-patient setting.

Method

A two-arm parallel-group randomised controlled trial will recruit 40 adult out-patients with at least moderate anxiety and depression, who have been referred for physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Participants will be allocated on a 1:1 ratio to collaborative care or to usual care. Co-primary outcomes will be key feasibility indicators collected at baseline and at 6 months. A qualitative study will be conducted post-intervention to explore the acceptability and potential improvements to the collaborative care model.

Results

This study will investigate the use of the collaborative care model for patients with musculoskeletal and co-existing moderate or severe levels of anxiety or depression.

Conclusions

The results will provide important evidence to determine a future trial.
The Modern, the Untimely, and the Planetary
Authors: Banerjee Prathama
Published: June 2023

This essay is a critical homage to Ranajit Guha, who passed away recently in his hundredth year. Through a rereading of Guha's bilingual oeuvre—including his later writings in Bengali—the essay explores Guha's rethinking of time as he started with Marxism, moved to a critique of historicism, then to a disavowal of history, on to postcolonial criticism, and ultimately to a cosmopolitical stance. It suggests that Guha's most important contribution to global critical theory is not his historiographical achievements but his unique phenomenology of time. Mobilizing both modern and nonmodern semiotic, grammatological, and aesthetic traditions, Guha reconceived time as a function of the limits and possibilities of human language and argued that common lives and subaltern subjects could not be accessed without admitting to the heterogenous temporal constitution—“time-knots” as he would call them—of the contemporary. Thinking with Guha helps us make the general argument that emancipatory politics demands a radical reopening of the question of time and a stepping aside of the framework of modernity—an argument that other erstwhile Subaltern Studies authors such as Dipesh Chakrabarty and Partha Chatterjee have recently made. The essay understands Guha's century-long political and intellectual journey as a metonym for our times, marked by an agonistic and unpredictable interplay of multiple pasts, losses, emergences, and futures.
The dynamics behind diversity in suboscine songs
Authors: Amador Ana , Mindlin Gabriel B.
Published: June 2023

Vocal behavior plays a crucial evolutionary role. In the case of birds, song is critically important in courtship, male–male competition and other key behaviors linked to reproduction. However, under natural conditions, a variety of avian species live in close proximity and share an ‘acoustic landscape’. Therefore, they need to be able to differentiate their calls or songs from those of other species and also from those of other individuals of the same species. To do this efficiently, birds display a remarkable diversity of sounds. For example, in the case of vocal learners, such as oscine passerines (i.e. songbirds), complex sequences and subtle acoustic effects are produced through the generation of complex neuromuscular instructions driving the vocal organ, which is remarkably conserved across approximately 4000 oscine species. By contrast, the majority of the sister clade of oscines, the suboscine passerines, are thought not to be vocal learners. Despite this, different suboscine species can generate a rich variety of songs and quite subtle acoustic effects. In the last few years, different suboscine species have been shown to possess morphological adaptations that allow them to produce a diversity of acoustic characteristics. Here, we briefly review the mechanisms of sound production in birds, before considering three suboscine species in more detail. The examples discussed in this Review, integrating biological experiments and biomechanical modeling using non-linear dynamical systems, illustrate how a morphological adaptation can produce complex acoustic properties without the need for complex neuromuscular control.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with twin pregnancies based on gestational weight gain: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Xiaoyin , Yan Mei , Xu Zhou , Zhuang Lin
Published: June 2023

Objective: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies based on the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines of gestational weight gain (GWG).

Methods: PubMED, SCOPUS, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched up to 30th July 2022. All studies evaluating maternal and/or neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies based on the IOM guidelines of gestational weight gain were included.

Results: Twenty two studies were included. Mothers with twin pregnancies experiencing inadequate GWG showed higher incidence of gestational diabetes with the risk ratio (RR) 1.22 95% CI (0.95,1.57), p=0.0005, i2= 69% and premature rupture of membrane (PROM) with RR 1.14 95% CI (0.99, 1.30), p=0.07; i2=0% that coincided with higher rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age (SGA) and admission to NICU in neonates. Mothers with excessive GWG had higher risk of developing gestational hypertension with RR 1.59 95% CI (1.22, 2.07), p=0.0006, i2=75% and extremely preterm delivery (<32 weeks).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of this review, GWG was found to be a predictable risk factor for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes of twin pregnancies.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.7529

How to cite this: Wang X, Yan M, Xu Z, Zhuang L. Maternal and neonatal outcomes in women with twin pregnancies based on gestational weight gain: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(4):1166-1177. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.4.7529

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Molecular investigation of nematodes isolated from three economical fish species taken from Çanakkale (Türkiye) fish market
Authors: Aldık Ruhay , Çakır Fikret , Tonguç Yayıntaş Özlem
Published: June 2023

This study was based on the molecular identification of endoparasites sampled from three economically valuable fish species caught from the waters of the Canakkale (Türkiye). Subjected samples in the study were from chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus Houttuyn, 1782), anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus Linnaeus, 1758), and bogue (Boops boops Linnaeus, 1758) without gender discrimination. The nematode parasites obtained from the samples were sent to molecular diagnostic laboratories in alcohol and the results were interpreted. As a result of the study, Anisakis typica (Diesing, 1860) Baylis, 1920 and Anisakis pegreffii Campana-Rouget and Biocca, 1955 were isolated from the chub mackerel fish and Anisakis pegreffii species were also isolated from anchovy and bogue. This parasite was the most isolated nematode parasite among all nematodes.
Growth parameters with traditional and artificial neural networks methods of big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810)
Authors: Benzer Semra , Benzer Recep
Published: June 2023

In this study, the growth parameters of big-scale sand smelt (Atherina boyeri Risso, 1810) in İznik Lake has been determined with traditional (length weight relationships (LWRs), von Bertalanffy (VB), condition factor (CF)) and modern approaches (Artificial Neural Networks - ANNs). A total of 635 specimens (44.84% female and 55.16% male) were collected from the local fisherman during the hunting season between April 2018 to April 2019. Mean fork length (FL) (mm, min-max), mean W (g, min-max) and mean CF (value, min-max) were estimated as 67.31 mm (40.10 - 97.77 mm), 2.57g (0.53 - 7.50 g), and 0.790 (0.170-1.520) for all individuals. The length-weight relationships were determined W=0.00001437L2.8602 for female, W=0.00001570L2.8266 for male and W=0.00001328L2.8717 for all individuals. The von Bertalanffy equations were determined Lt=136.218 [1-e(-0.240(t+0.51))] for female, Lt=155.042 [1-e(-0.185(t+0.73))] for male, and Lt=146.916 [1-e(-0.205(t+0.64))] for all individuals. The values in training (MSE (Mean Squared Error) 4.52559e-5, R (correlation coefficients) 9.09347e-1), verification (MSE 4.86111e-5, R 9.00931e-1) and test data (MSE 3.391999e-5, R 9.43465e-1) were found in calculations made with ANNs. It was determined that ANNs could be an alternative for evaluating growth estimation.
Feeding habits of two skate species, Raja miraletus Linnaeus, 1758 and Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae), around the Gökçeada Island (Northern Aegean Sea)
Authors: Cabbar Koray , Yığın Cahide Çiğdem
Published: June 2023

This study investigated the feeding habits of Raja miraletus Linnaeus, 1758 and Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758). For the purpose of this study, the specimens were obtained monthly from the commercial trawlers operating around the Gökçeada Island in the Northern Aegean Sea between February 2019 and February 2020. A total of 29 (24 female and 5 male) brown rays (Raja miraletus) and 36 (20 female and 16 male) longnosed skates (Dipturus oxyrinchus) were captured. The total lengths of the R. miraletus specimens ranged between 24.0 cm and 53.9 cm, while the D. oxyrinchus specimens measured between 17.1 cm and 85.0 cm. Total length-weight relationships of R. miraletus and D. oxyrinchus specimens, respectively; W=0.0002TL3.92 (R2=0.97) and W=0.0007TL3.43 (R2=0.97) were calculated. The analysis of the stomach content of the specimens showed that crustacea were the primary and the most important prey group for R. miraletus (IRI% = 67.09), followed by teleosts (IRI% = 1.00) and cephalopods (IRI% = 0.45). The D. oxyrinchus specimens were determined to primarily feed on crustacea (IRI% = 74.3), followed by teleosts (IRI% = 6.50) and nematoda (IRI% = 0.40).
Two different methods of sperm collection in European catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Tınkır Merve , Yılayaz Adil , Memiş Devrim
Published: June 2023

The European catfish (Silurus glanis L., 1758) is an important species for the aquaculture sector and the production of quality broodstock in artificial fertilization methods as well. One of the crucial steps determining the success of the reproduction of catfish is to obtain sufficient and good-quality sperm. The aim of this study is to compare two different methods used to obtain sperm from European catfish. The first method is surgery extraction of testicular sperm from taking testicles (CS) and the second method collection of sperm by stripping (SS). The fertilization rate was calculated as a percent for CS and SS groups and the highest fertilization rate was found in the SS group (81.87 ± 17.38%). According to the findings in the present study, it was concluded that it is not necessary to kill male European catfish to get sperm for fertilization.
Looking after your wellbeing in challenging times
Authors: Gujral Joel
Published: June 2023

Joel Gujral from mental health start-up MYNDUP offers advice for boosting wellbeing and productivity amid challenging circumstances
Manufacturing in the UL
Authors: Tyler Neil
Published: June 2023

With so much uncertainty to contend with, how are UK manufacturers looking to capitalise on the challenges of the coming years?
The economic contribution of third sector initiatives for older people: a systematic review and development of a framework for evaluation
Authors: Caló Francesca , Collins Marissa , Donaldson Cam , Roy Michael
Published: June 2023

An ageing population has placed strains on health and social care systems. Innovative solutions have been sought to inject capacity and capability in order to deliver services to older people more efficiently and effectively. Over the last two decades, governments have actively encouraged third sector organisations to deliver public services on the assumption that they exhibit higher levels of innovation, efficiency and responsiveness. The evidence base, particularly for whether they provide better value for money, remains poor. We present the results of a systematic literature review on the costs and outcomes of services for older people delivered by third sector organisations. We combine this evidence with a framework for analysing the benefits and costs of third sector-led initiatives, and test this out empirically with a group of initiatives delivered for older people in an urban context. We find that our method may hold considerable promise for the evaluation of third sector initiatives.
Una revisión del impacto emocional de la pérdida perinatal previa en un embarazo posterior.
Authors: De Gracia de Gregorio Marta
Published: June 2023

Introducción. Se cree que volver a quedar embarazada después de una pérdida perinatal aliviará el dolor de los padres y borrará los recuerdos tristes. Sin embargo, el embarazo después de la pérdida perinatal se reconoce cada vez más como un período de tiempo psicológicamente estresante. Objetivo. Profundizar en cómo una experiencia estresante y potencialmente traumática podría marcar la salud emocional de las mujeres en un futuro embarazo. Método. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica a través de la base de datos PUBMED en el primer trimestre de 2023. Las palabras clave para la búsqueda fueron las siguientes: «pregnancy», «perinatal loss», «grief». Resultados. Los estudios revisados muestran una línea común en cuanto a la repercusión emocional de una pérdida perinatal previa en los posteriores embarazos. Los estudios muestran puntuaciones altas de ansiedad y depresión en un siguiente embarazo, tras una pérdida perinatal. También hay un aumento de visitas prenatales como una forma de afrontar la ansiedad de comprobar el bienestar fetal. En la formación del vínculo prenatal, las mujeres embarazadas tras la pérdida perinatal demoraron la formación del apego como un mecanismo de autoprotección emocional. Conclusiones. Una pérdida perinatal es una experiencia en la vida de la mujer que no deja indiferente a nivel psicológico. Es una experiencia vital con gran repercusión emocional y que afecta a los siguientes embarazos. Autores recomiendan a los sanitarios preguntar a las mujeres sobre sus pérdidas previas y cómo se sienten en el embarazo actual. Esta postura empática alienta una relación colaborativa entre sanitario y paciente.
SECAI – Sustainable Heating through Edge-Cloud-based AI Systems
Authors: Kortum Henrik , Hagen Simon , Eleks Marian , Rebstadt Jonas , Remark Florian , Lowin Maximilian , Wilson Cristina Mihale , Eberhardt Birgid , Roß Andree , Maihöfner Dominik , Hinz Oliver , Thomas Oliver
Published: June 2023

Etwa 18 % der CO2-Emissionen in Deutschland entstehen durch die Beheizung, Kühlung und Warmwasserbereitstellung von Gebäuden, wobei mehr als 75 % der deutschen Haushalte fossile Brennstoffe wie Erdgas und Erdöl nutzen. Der in dieser Arbeit vorgestellte SECAI (Sustainable heating through Edge-Cloud-based Artificial Intelligence Systems)-Ansatz verfolgt das Ziel, die Heizungssteuerung in Mehrfamilienhäusern und damit den CO2-Verbrauch durch den Einsatz von Informationstechnologien zu reduzieren.

Der SECAI-Ansatz betrachtet dabei das gesamte Ökosystem bestehend aus Sensoren, Einzelraumregelungen, Zentralheizung, Mietenden und Vermietenden. Dabei wird der Heizbedarf von Privatwohnungen KI-basiert analysiert, um darauf aufbauend optimierte und abgestimmte Heizpläne für Gebäudekomplexe und Wohnungen zu erstellen, die in der Lage sind, durch Edge-Cloud-Technologien, Sensorik und Federated Learning ad hoc und datenschutzkonform auf Änderungen im Nutzungsverhalten zu reagieren. Diese Informationen werden zudem für die KI-basierte Steuerung der zentralen Heizanlagen im Gebäude verwendet, in denen Wärme und Warmwasser für alle Wohnungen erzeugt wird. Hierfür betrachtet SECAI vier Ebenen. Diese reichen von Sensoren und Aktoren (Nano), über die Wohnung (Mikro) und das Gebäude (Meso) bis zu Gebäudekomplexen und gleicharten Gebäuden (Makro) und stehen bei der Beheizung in starker Abhängigkeit zueinander. Rund um die SECAI-Lösung entsteht dabei ein komplexes Ökosystem in dem Mietende, die Wohnungswirtschaft, Heizungshersteller und Anbieter von IoT-Lösungen mit Produkten und Diensten in Interaktion treten.
A model of colour appearance based on efficient coding of natural images
Authors: Troscianko Jolyon , Osorio Daniel
Published: June 2023

An object’s colour, brightness and pattern are all influenced by its surroundings, and a number of visual phenomena and “illusions” have been discovered that highlight these often dramatic effects. Explanations for these phenomena range from low-level neural mechanisms to high-level processes that incorporate contextual information or prior knowledge. Importantly, few of these phenomena can currently be accounted for in quantitative models of colour appearance. Here we ask to what extent colour appearance is predicted by a model based on the principle of coding efficiency. The model assumes that the image is encoded by noisy spatio-chromatic filters at one octave separations, which are either circularly symmetrical or oriented. Each spatial band’s lower threshold is set by the contrast sensitivity function, and the dynamic range of the band is a fixed multiple of this threshold, above which the response saturates. Filter outputs are then reweighted to give equal power in each channel for natural images. We demonstrate that the model fits human behavioural performance in psychophysics experiments, and also primate retinal ganglion responses. Next, we systematically test the model’s ability to qualitatively predict over 50 brightness and colour phenomena, with almost complete success. This implies that much of colour appearance is potentially attributable to simple mechanisms evolved for efficient coding of natural images, and is a well-founded basis for modelling the vision of humans and other animals.
Opponent learning with different representations in the cortico-basal ganglia pathways can develop obsession-compulsion cycle
Authors: Sato Reo , Shimomura Kanji , Morita Kenji
Published: June 2023

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has been suggested to be associated with impairment of model-based behavioral control. Meanwhile, recent work suggested shorter memory trace for negative than positive prediction errors (PEs) in OCD. We explored relations between these two suggestions through computational modeling. Based on the properties of cortico-basal ganglia pathways, we modeled human as an agent having a combination of successor representation (SR)-based system that enables model-based-like control and individual representation (IR)-based system that only hosts model-free control, with the two systems potentially learning from positive and negative PEs in different rates. We simulated the agent’s behavior in the environmental model used in the recent work that describes potential development of obsession-compulsion cycle. We found that the dual-system agent could develop enhanced obsession-compulsion cycle, similarly to the agent having memory trace imbalance in the recent work, if the SR- and IR-based systems learned mainly from positive and negative PEs, respectively. We then simulated the behavior of such an opponent SR+IR agent in the two-stage decision task, in comparison with the agent having only SR-based control. Fitting of the agents’ behavior by the model weighing model-based and model-free control developed in the original two-stage task study resulted in smaller weights of model-based control for the opponent SR+IR agent than for the SR-only agent. These results reconcile the previous suggestions about OCD, i.e., impaired model-based control and memory trace imbalance, raising a novel possibility that opponent learning in model(SR)-based and model-free controllers underlies obsession-compulsion. Our model cannot explain the behavior of OCD patients in punishment, rather than reward, contexts, but it could be resolved if opponent SR+IR learning operates also in the recently revealed non-canonical cortico-basal ganglia-dopamine circuit for threat/aversiveness, rather than reward, reinforcement learning, and the aversive SR + appetitive IR agent could actually develop obsession-compulsion if the environment is modeled differently.
Steroid hormone regulation of innate immunity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Keith Scott A.
Published: June 2023

Endocrine signaling networks control diverse biological processes and life history traits across metazoans. In both invertebrate and vertebrate taxa, steroid hormones regulate immune system function in response to intrinsic and environmental stimuli, such as microbial infection. The mechanisms of this endocrine-immune regulation are complex and constitute an ongoing research endeavor facilitated by genetically tractable animal models. The 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is the major steroid hormone in arthropods, primarily studied for its essential role in mediating developmental transitions and metamorphosis; 20E also modulates innate immunity in a variety of insect taxa. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of 20E-mediated innate immune responses. The prevalence of correlations between 20E-driven developmental transitions and innate immune activation are summarized across a range of holometabolous insects. Subsequent discussion focuses on studies conducted using the extensive genetic resources available in Drosophila that have begun to reveal the mechanisms underlying 20E regulation of immunity in the contexts of both development and bacterial infection. Lastly, I propose directions for future research into 20E regulation of immunity that will advance our knowledge of how interactive endocrine networks coordinate animals’ physiological responses to environmental microbes.
In vivo and in vitro characterization of a new Oya virus isolate from Culicoides spp. and its seroprevalence in domestic animals in Yunnan, China
Authors: Meng Jinxin , Wang Fei , He Yuwen , Li Nan , Yang Zhenxing , Yao Jun , Wang Shunlong , Xiong Guodian , Yuan Zhiming , Xia Han , Wang Jinglin
Published: June 2023

Biting midges are one of the most common hematophagous insects. They are capable of transmitting a wide range of arboviruses and have a significant impact on public health and veterinary medicine. Herein, from midge samples collected in 2013 in Yunnan, China, one sample induced a cell cytopathic effect (CPE) in BHK-21, MA104, and PK15 cell lines. Next-generation sequencing data, RACE and PCR determined the genome sequence of the sample and designated as an Oya virus (OYAV) isolate SZC50. Phylogenetic analysis of the sample revealed that it was cluster into viruses from species Orthobunyavirus catqueense. The open reading frames of S, M, and L segment of OYAV SZC50 were closest to those of OYAV SC0806. Moreover, 831 serum samples (736 pigs, 45 cattle, and 50 sheep) were gathered from 13 cities in Yunnan Province to detect neutralizing antibody of OYAV SZC50. A significant proportion of OYAV SZC50 antibody (more than 30%) was found in Yunnan pig populations, with the positive rate of OYAV SZC50 antibody in pigs from Malipo reaching 95%. To determine the pathogenicity of OYAV SZC50, we chose three animal models: specific pathogen-free Kunming mice, C57BL/6 mice lacking the interferon α/β receptor, and chicken embryos. At 5, 6, and 7 days post-infection, all adult and suckling C57BL/6 mice, and specific pathogen-free suckling Kunming mice were dead. Our finding was expanding the knowledge about the infection and pathogenic risk of the neglected virus in the Orthobunyavirus.
Lexical phylogenetics of the Tupí-Guaraní family: Language, archaeology, and the problem of chronology
Authors: Ferraz Gerardi Fabrício , Tresoldi Tiago , Coelho Aragon Carolina , Reichert Stanislav , de Souza Jonas Gregorio , Silva Noelli Francisco
Published: June 2023

Tupí-Guaraní is one of the largest branches of the Tupían language family, but despite its relevance there is no consensus about its origins in terms of age, homeland, and expansion. Linguistic classifications vary significantly, with archaeological studies suggesting incompatible date ranges while ethnographic literature confirms the close similarities as a result of continuous inter-family contact. To investigate this issue, we use a linguistic database of cognate data, employing Bayesian phylogenetic methods to infer a dated tree and to build a phylogeographic expansion model. Results suggest that the branch originated around 2500 BP in the area of the upper course of the Tapajós-Xingu basins, with a split between Southern and Northern varieties beginning around 1750 BP. We analyse the difficulties in reconciling archaeological and linguistic data for this group, stressing the importance of developing an interdisciplinary unified model that incorporates evidence from both disciplines.
Development of “Yima Nkqo,” a community-based, peer group intervention to support treatment initiation for young adults with HIV in South Africa
Authors: Nardell Maria F. , Sindelo Siyaxolisa , Rousseau Elzette , Siko Nomakaziwe , Fuzile Pamela , Julies Robin , Bassett Ingrid V. , Mellins Claude A. , Bekker Linda-Gail , Butler Lisa M. , Katz Ingrid T.
Published: June 2023

Aims

Half of young adults diagnosed with HIV in South Africa start antiretroviral therapy (ART). We developed and field tested a facilitator-guided peer support group called Yima Nkqo (“Standing Tall” in isiXhosa) to promote treatment initiation for young adults newly diagnosed with HIV in communities around Cape Town.

Methods

Following an adapted version of the UK Medical Research Council’s framework for developing complex interventions, we 1) identified evidence on previous interventions to improve ART uptake in sub-Saharan Africa; 2) collected and analyzed qualitative data on the acceptability of our proposed intervention; 3) proposed a theoretical understanding of the process of behavior change; and 4) developed an intervention manual and feedback tools. During field-testing, participant feedback on intervention acceptability, and team feedback on consistency of content delivery and facilitation quality, were analyzed using an iterative, rapid-feedback evaluation approach. In-depth written and verbal summaries were shared in weekly team meetings. Team members interpreted feedback, identified areas for improvement, and proposed suggestions for intervention modifications.

Results

Based on our formative research, we developed three, 90-minute sessions with content including HIV and ART education, reflection on personal resources and strengths, practice disclosing one’s status, strategies to overcome stressors, and goal setting to start treatment. A lay facilitator was trained to deliver intervention content. Two field testing groups (five and four participants, respectively) completed the intervention. Participants highlighted that strengths of Yima Nkqo included peer support, motivation, and education about HIV and ART. Team feedback to the facilitator ensured optimal consistency of intervention content delivery.

Conclusions

Iteratively developed in collaboration with youth and healthcare providers, Yima Nkqo is a promising new intervention to improve treatment uptake among young adults with HIV in South Africa. The next phase will be a pilot randomized controlled trial of Yima Nkqo (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04568460).
Model based on COVID-19 evidence to predict and improve pandemic control
Authors: González Rafael I. , Moya Pablo S. , Bringa Eduardo M. , Bacigalupe Gonzalo , Ramírez-Santana Muriel , Kiwi Miguel
Published: June 2023

Based on the extensive data accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, we put forward simple to implement indicators, that should alert authorities and provide early warnings of an impending sanitary crisis. In fact, Testing, Tracing, and Isolation (TTI) in conjunction with disciplined social distancing and vaccination were expected to achieve negligible COVID-19 contagion levels; however, they proved to be insufficient, and their implementation has led to controversial social, economic and ethical challenges. This paper focuses on the development of simple indicators, based on the experience gained by COVID-19 data, which provide a sort of yellow light as to when an epidemic might expand, despite some short term decrements. We show that if case growth is not stopped during the 7 to 14 days after onset, the growth risk increases considerably, and warrants immediate attention. Our model examines not only the COVID contagion propagation speed, but also how it accelerates as a function of time. We identify trends that emerge under the various policies that were applied, as well as their differences among countries. The data for all countries was obtained from ourworldindata.org. Our main conclusion is that if the reduction spread is lost during one, or at most two weeks, urgent measures should be implemented to avoid scenarios in which the epidemic gains strong impetus.
Impact of highly deleterious non-synonymous polymorphisms on GRIN2A protein’s structure and function
Authors: Ahammad Ishtiaque , Jamal Tabassum Binte , Bhattacharjee Arittra , Chowdhury Zeshan Mahmud , Rahman Suparna , Hassan Md Rakibul , Hossain Mohammad Uzzal , Das Keshob Chandra , Keya Chaman Ara , Salimullah Md
Published: June 2023

GRIN2A is a gene that encodes NMDA receptors found in the central nervous system and plays a pivotal role in excitatory synaptic transmission, plasticity and excitotoxicity in the mammalian central nervous system. Changes in this gene have been associated with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders such as epilepsy. Previous studies on GRIN2A suggest that non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) can alter the protein’s structure and function. To gain a better understanding of the impact of potentially deleterious variants of GRIN2A, a range of bioinformatics tools were employed in this study. Out of 1320 nsSNPs retrieved from the NCBI database, initially 16 were predicted as deleterious by 9 tools. Further assessment of their domain association, conservation profile, homology models, interatomic interaction, and Molecular Dynamic Simulation revealed that the variant I463S is likely to be the most deleterious for the structure and function of the protein. Despite the limitations of computational algorithms, our analyses have provided insights that can be a valuable resource for further in vitro and in vivo research on GRIN2A-associated diseases.
Disease parameters following ocular herpes simplex virus type 1 infection are similar in male and female BALB/C mice
Authors: Kolb Aaron W. , Ferguson Sarah A. , Larsen Inna V. , Brandt Curtis R.
Published: June 2023

Sex related differences in the incidence or severity of infection have been described for multiple viruses. With herpes simplex viruses, the best example is HSV-2 genital infection where women have a higher incidence of infection and can have more severe infections than men. HSV-1 causes several types of infections including skin and mucosal ulcers, keratitis, and encephalitis in humans that do not appear to have a strong biological sex component. Given that mouse strains differ in their MHC loci it is important to determine if sex differences occur in multiple strains of mice. Our goal was to answer two questions: Are virus related sex differences present in BALB/C mice and does virulence of the viral strain have an effect? We generated a panel of recombinant HSV-1 viruses with differing virulence phenotypes and characterized multiple clinical correlates of ocular infection in BALB/c mice. We found no sex-specific differences in blepharitis, corneal clouding, neurovirulence, and viral titers in eye washes. Sex differences in neovascularization, weight loss and eyewash titers were observed for some recombinants, but these were not consistent across the phenotypes tested for any recombinant virus. Considering these findings, we conclude that there are no significant sex specific ocular pathologies in the parameters measured, regardless of the virulence phenotype following ocular infection in BALB/c mice, suggesting that the use of both sexes is not necessary for the bulk of ocular infection studies.
Evaluation of data processing pipelines on real-world electronic health records data for the purpose of measuring patient similarity
Authors: Pikoula Maria , Kallis Constantinos , Madjiheurem Sephora , Quint Jennifer K. , Bafadhel Mona , Denaxas Spiros
Published: June 2023

Background

The ever-growing size, breadth, and availability of patient data allows for a wide variety of clinical features to serve as inputs for phenotype discovery using cluster analysis. Data of mixed types in particular are not straightforward to combine into a single feature vector, and techniques used to address this can be biased towards certain data types in ways that are not immediately obvious or intended. In this context, the process of constructing clinically meaningful patient representations from complex datasets has not been systematically evaluated.

Aims

Our aim was to a) outline and b) implement an analytical framework to evaluate distinct methods of constructing patient representations from routine electronic health record data for the purpose of measuring patient similarity. We applied the analysis on a patient cohort diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Methods

Using data from the CALIBER data resource, we extracted clinically relevant features for a cohort of patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We used four different data processing pipelines to construct lower dimensional patient representations from which we calculated patient similarity scores. We described the resulting representations, ranked the influence of each individual feature on patient similarity and evaluated the effect of different pipelines on clustering outcomes. Experts evaluated the resulting representations by rating the clinical relevance of similar patient suggestions with regard to a reference patient.

Results

Each of the four pipelines resulted in similarity scores primarily driven by a unique set of features. It was demonstrated that data transformations according to each pipeline prior to clustering can result in a variation of clustering results of over 40%. The most appropriate pipeline was selected on the basis of feature ranking and clinical expertise. There was moderate agreement between clinicians as measured by Cohen’s kappa coefficient.

Conclusions

Data transformation has downstream and unforeseen consequences in cluster analysis. Rather than viewing this process as a black box, we have shown ways to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate and select the appropriate preprocessing pipeline.
Magnetic resonance imaging using a nonuniform Bo (NuBo) field-cycling magnet
Authors: Selvaganesan Kartiga , Wan Yuqing , Ha Yonghyun , Wu Baosong , Hancock Kasey , Galiana Gigi , Constable R. Todd
Published: June 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful noninvasive diagnostic tool with superior soft tissue contrast. However, access to MRI is limited since current systems depend on homogeneous, high field strength main magnets (B0-fields), with strong switchable gradients which are expensive to install and maintain. In this work we propose a new approach to MRI where imaging is performed in an inhomogeneous field using radiofrequency spatial encoding, thereby eliminating the need for uniform B0-fields and conventional cylindrical gradient coils. The proposed technology uses an innovative data acquisition and reconstruction approach by integrating developments in field cycling, parallel imaging and non-Fourier based algebraic reconstruction. The scanner uses field cycling to image in an inhomogeneous B0-field; in this way magnetization is maximized during the high field polarization phase, and B0 inhomogeneity effects are minimized by using a low field during image acquisition. In addition to presenting the concept, this work provides experimental verification of a long-lived spin echo signal, spatially varying resolution, as well as both simulated and experimental 2D images. Our initial design creates an open MR system that can be installed in a patient examination table for body imaging (e.g., breast or liver) or built into a wall for weighted-spine imaging. The proposed system introduces a new class of inexpensive, open, silent MRIs that could be housed in doctor’s offices much like ultrasound is today, making MRI more widely accessible.