bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of a national-scale targeted point-of-care symptomatic Lateral Flow Testing on trends in COVID-19 infections, hospitalisations and deaths during the second epidemic wave in Austria (REAP3)
Authors: Reitzinger Stephanie , Czypionka Thomas , Lammel Oliver , Panovska-Griffiths Jasmina , Leber Werner
Published: July 2022

BackgroundIn October 2020, amidst the second COVID-19 epidemic wave and before the second-national lockdown, Austria introduced a policy of population-wide point-of-care lateral flow antigen testing (POC-LFT). This study explores the impact of this policy by quantifying the association between trends in POC-LFT-activity with trends in PCR-positivity (as a proxy for symptomatic infection), hospitalisations and deaths related to COVID-19 between October 22 and December 06, 2020. MethodsWe stratified 94 Austrian districts according to POC-LFT-activity (number of POC-LFTs performed per 100,000 inhabitants over the study period), into three population cohorts: (i) high(N=24), (ii) medium(N=45) and (iii) low(N=25). Across the cohorts we a) compared trends in POC-LFT-activity with PCR-positivity, hospital admissions and deaths related to COVD-19; b) compared the epidemic growth rate before and after the epidemic peak; and c) calculated the Pearson correlation coefficients between PCR-positivity with COVID-19 hospitalisations and with COVID -19 related deaths. ResultsThe trend in POC-LFT activity was similar to PCR-positivity and hospitalisations trends across high, medum and low POC-LFT activity cohorts, with association with deaths only present in cohorts with high POC-LFT activity. Compared to the low POC-LFT-activity cohort, the high-activity cohort had steeper pre-peak daily increase in PCR-positivity (2.24 more cases per day, per district and per 100,000 inhabitants; 95% CI: 2.0-2.7; p<0.001) and hospitalisations (0.10; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.18; p<0.15), and 6 days earlier peak of PCR-positivity. Th high-activity cohort also had steeper daily reduction in the post-peak trend in PCR-positivity (-3.6; 95% CI: -4.8, -2.3; p<0.001) and hospitalisations (-0.2; 95% CI: -0.32, -0.08; p<0.05). PCR-positivity was positively correlated to both hospitalisations and deaths, but with lags of 6 and 14 days respectively. ConclusionsHigh POC-LFT-use was associated with increased and earlier case finding during the second Austrian COVID-19 epidemic wave, and early and significant reduction in cases and hospitalisations during the second national lockdown. A national policy promoting symptomatic POC-LFT in primary care, can capture trends in PCR-positivity and hospitalisations. Symptomatic POC-LFT delivered at scale and combined with immediate self-quarantining and contact tracing can thus be a proxy for epidemic status, and hence a useful tool that can replace large-scale PCR testing.
Expanding the speech and language phenotype in Koolen-de Vries syndrome: late onset and periodic stuttering a novel feature
Authors: John Miya St , Reyk Olivia van , Koolen David , de Vries Bert , Amor David , Morgan Angela
Published: July 2022

Speech and language impairment is core in Koolen-de Vries syndrome (KdVS), yet only one study has examined this empirically. Here we define speech, language, and functional/adaptive behaviour in KdVS; while deeply characterising the medical/neurodevelopmental phenotype in the largest cohort to date. Speech, language, literacy, and social skills were assessed using standardised measures, alongside an in-depth health and medical questionnaire. 81 individuals with KdVS were recruited (35 female, mean age 9 y 10mo), 56 of whom harboured the typical 500–650 kb 17q21.31 deletion. The core medical phenotype was intellectual disability (largely moderate), eye anomalies/vision disturbances, dental problems, sleep disturbance, musculo-skeletal abnormalities, and cardiac defects. Most were verbal (62/81, 76.5%), while minimally-verbal communicators used alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) successfully in spite of speech production delays. Speech was characterised by apraxia (39/61, 63.9%) and dysarthria (28/61, 45.9%) in verbal participants. Stuttering was described in 36/47 (76.6%) verbal participants and followed a unique trajectory of late onset and fluctuating presence. Receptive and expressive language abilities were commensurate, but literacy skills remained a relative weakness. Social competence, successful behavioural/emotional control, and coping skills were areas of relative strength, while communication difficulties impacted daily living skills as an area of comparative difficulty. Notably, KdVS individuals make communication gains beyond childhood and should continue to access targeted therapies throughout development, including early AAC implementation, motor speech therapy, language/literacy intervention, as well as strategies implemented to successfully navigate activities of daily living that rely on effective communication.
Direct numerical simulations and acoustic analyses of flapping-uvula-induced flow evolutions within normal and constricted pharynx
Authors: Xi Jinxiang , Wang Junshi , Si Xiuhua April , Dong Haibo
Published: July 2022

Snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are often associated with uvula vibrations and pharynx constrictions. However, successful treatment of snoring or accurate diagnosis of OSA has been proven challenging. This study aimed to identify acoustic indexes that were sensitive to underlying airway structural or kinematic variations. Six physiologically realistic models were developed that consisted of three pharynx constriction levels (M1-3) and two uvula-flapping kinematics (K1-2). Direct numerical simulations (DNS) were performed to resolve spatial and temporal flow dynamics and an immersed boundary method was used to approximate the uvula vibrations. Time-varying acoustic pressures at six points in the pharynx were analyzed using different algorithms in frequency- or frequency-time domains. Signature flow structures formed near the uvula for different uvula motions and in the pharynx for different pharyngeal constriction levels. The fast Fourier transform (FFT) showed that the acoustic energy was mainly distributed in four peaks (flapping frequency and three harmonics) with descending magnitudes. Their amplitudes and distribution patterns differed among the six models but were not substantial. The continuous wavelet transforms (CWT) showed clearly separated acoustic cycles (in both frequency and time) in the uvula-induced flows and revealed a cascading bifurcation pattern in the input-output semblance map. Specifically, the multifractal spectrum was sensitive to uvula flapping kinematics but not pharynx constrictions. By contrast, the input-output cross-correlation and Hilbert phase space showed high sensitivity to pharynx constrictions but low sensitivity to uvula kinematics. The frequency-time analyses of DNS-predicted pressures offered insight into the acoustics signals that were not apparent in original signals and could be used individually or in combination in diagnosis or treatment planning for snoring/OSA patients.
Deep convolutional neural networks for filtering out normal frames in reviewing wireless capsule endoscopy videos
Authors: Amoli Ehsan Roodgar , Arabalibeik Hossein , Soleimani Hossein Asl , Mahmoudi Tahereh
Published: July 2022

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) has provided us with the ability to non-invasively visualize the gastrointestinal (GI) tract with high quality. This work presents an assistant diagnostic system to accelerate the costly and time-consuming process of manually evaluating captured videos. Due to the fact that the major portion of WCE frames is Normal, a diagnostic model with a high negative predictive value (NPV) is desired and is highly demanded by gastroenterologists. In this study, we have proposed six deep convolutional neural networks (DCNNs) to satisfy the need for high classification accuracy and high NPV. The proposed architectures consist of a convolutional part coming from some well-known trained networks and a specifically designed classifier part. VG_BFCG exhibited the best classification performance (test_acc:0.967, NPV: 0.989). As a contribution, we realized that the proposed architectures could avoid mislabeling new pathologies not included in the training dataset, which implies the generalization of NPV. These new pathologies are the most common GI pathologies in patients including Ulcer, Erosion, Polyp, Blood, Erythematous, and Lymphoid hyperplasia, which are presented to the proposed networks in order to assess the generalization accuracy of the Normal class. DN_BFCG exhibited the best generalization accuracy (>0.99) for all new pathologies proving that the decision boundary obtained for Normal class is robust and generalizable.
The prevalence, hospitalization outcomes and risk factors of euthyroid sick syndrome in patients with diabetic ketosis/ketoacidosis
Authors: DENG XIAOYI , Yi Min , Li Wangen , Ye Huiyu , Chen Zhishan , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: July 2022

Background: To investigate the prevalence of euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) and to evaluate the outcomes and risk factors associated with ESS among hospitalized patients with diabetic ketosis (DK) or diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).Methods: Laboratory and clinical data of 396 adult hospitalized DK/DKA patients with or without ESS were collected and analyzed. Spearman linear analysis and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate correlated factors of thyroid hormones and risk factors of ESS.Results: Most of the individuals were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (359/396, 90.7%). The prevalence of ESS was 57.8% (229/396). Patients in ESS group were older and had a longer course of diabetes. Levels of thyroid hormones, serum lipids, and parameters reflecting acidosis were significantly decreased in ESS group. The proportion of patients with infection, acute renal injury and DKA was significantly higher in ESS group than in control group, accompanied by longer hospitalization stay and higher hospitalization costs. Free triiodothyronine was positively correlated with albumin, eGFR, parameters reflecting acidosis and lipid profiles (All P < 0.001), and was negatively correlated with age, onset age, 24-hour urine albumin, hsCRP and WBC count (All P < 0.001). Hypoalbuminemia, low level of carbon dioxide combining power, high level of HbA1c and WBC, and co-infection were shown to be risk factors for ESS (OR = 0.866, 0.933, 1.112, 1.146, 1.929, respectively; All P < 0.05).Conclusions: The prevalence of ESS was high in adult DK/DKA patients. Patients with ESS had inferior clinical and socioeconomic outcomes. Early recognition and management of patients with ESS may be necessary to improve outcome.
Energy simulation modelling for water-energy-food nexus system: A systematic review
Authors: Vahabzadeh Masoud , Afshar Abbas , Molajou Amir
Published: July 2022

Recently, research literature and policy settings have increasingly emphasized the necessity of water-energy-food (WEF) interaction to evaluate a nexus system thoroughly and, as a result, make comprehensive decisions. This study thoroughly evaluated energy subsystem simulations, focusing on the role of energy within the WEF nexus system. The energy model using the WEF nexus approach, on the other hand, has not yet been reviewed. Multidimensional insights will be provided for the proper usage of energy models in the context of the WEF nexus model through examinations of energy subsystem simulation models inside the WEF nexus approach from previous research. This study provides a systematic review of 459 articles regarding energy simulation modelling issues relating to the WEF nexus system. The energy subsystem simulation in the WEF nexus system is modelled in both online (one-way) and offline modes (Two-way). The review highlighted that the energy simulation in the WEF nexus system simulation struggles to represent its system boundary compatible with the water and food subsystems. Additionally, the return flow from cooling towers and energy consumption of different crops did not address comprehensively to make a holistic decision within the WEF nexus system.
Predicting Difficulty Level of Surgical Removal of Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Using Deep Learning Approaches
Authors: Elborolosy Samir Ali , Salem Walid S , Hamed Mohammed Omran , Sayed Arwa Saad , Helmy Bahaa El-din , Elngar Ahmed A.
Published: July 2022

This work presents three automated pre-trained models to predict the difficulty of extracting the mandibular third molar using a dataset of 2414 panoramic radiography images based on pre-processed (shifted and rotated) from left and right mandibular third molar instances. In this research, we employed the four distinct architectural models, namely VGG-16, VGG-19, MobileNetV2, and ResNet50 to identify the difficulty of removing a mandibular third molar. We categorized the dataset into four categories of complexity to help in categorization (Normal, Easy, Medium, and difficult). As a result, VGG-16, VGG-19, MobileNetV2 and ResNet50 had prediction accuracies of 81%, 82%, 79% and 44%, respectively. Findings affirmed that the proposed deep learning model using VGG-19 could be a good tool to predict the difficulty of extracting a mandibular third molar using a panoramic radiographic image.
Disentangling genetic variation and heterosis pattern for sexual compatibility and key nut traits within self, single and double hybrid crosses of kola [Cola nitida (Vent) Schott and Endl.]
Authors: Nyadanu Daniel , Lowor Samuel Tetteh , Pobee Prince , Dogbatse Jerome Agbesi , Akpertey Abraham , Brarko-Marfo Micheal
Published: July 2022

Sexual incompatibility among kola genotypes accounted for over 50% yield loss. Compatible and high yielding varieties are being searched to develop commercial orchards. The objective of this study was to identify self-compatible and compatible partners of kola genotypes from self, single and double hybrid crosses and assess heterosis pattern in resulting hybrids for sexual compatibility and key nut yield and quality traits. Three field gene banks of kola (JX1, GX1, MX2) and one advanced germplasm (Bunso progeny) of C. nitida in Ghana were then assessed for sexual compatibility, nut yield and nut quality. Data were collected on pod set, pseudo-pod set, pod weight, number of nuts per pod, nut weight, brix, potential alcohol and nut firmness. Crosses resulted in significant (P < 0.001) differential pod set within Bunso progeny, JX1, GX1 and MX2 crosses; while pseudo-pod set differed only within JX1 and MX2 crosses (P < 0.001). Very large prevalence of mid-parent, heterobeltiosis, and economic heterosis was observed for sexual compatibility, outturn and brix for the single and double hybrid crosses. Heterosis was prominent among the double hybrid crosses as compared to the single hybrid crosses indicating that recurrent selection of compatible kola varieties from advanced generations of kola could be rewarding. The top five crosses with best heterosis for sexual compatibility and an appreciable positive heterosis for outturn and brix were B1/11 × B1/71 × B1/157 × B1/149, B1/11 × B1/71 × B1/296 × B1/177, GX1/46 × GX1/33 × B1/212 × B1/236, JX1/90 × JX1/51 and JX1/51 × JX1/36. These materials could serve as sources of beneficial alleles for improving Ghanaian kola hybrids and populations for yield and sexual compatibility.
Efficient synthesis of novel 4-benzoyl-7-thioxo-4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H- pyrimido[5,4-e][1,3]oxazine-2,5(3H)-diones via one-pot three-component reaction under thermal and microwave conditions
Authors: Asadi Sara , Mehrabi Hossein
Published: July 2022

Concise and attractive synthesis of a new class of 4-benzoyl-7-thioxo-4,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2H-pyrimido[5,4-e][1,3]oxazine-2,5(3H)-diones was attained with impressive yields, by means of a convenient and elegant condensation reaction between thiobarbituric acid and aryl glyoxals in the presence of N-methyl urea in EtOH under reflux and microwave conditions. Some specific merits of the current procedure, including availability of the starting materials, low reaction time, high reaction yield, operational simplicity, no harmful by-products, and the isolated product is in pure form. Structures of all the freshly synthesized products have been deduced by their FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and elemental analysis.
Measurements of three-dimensional changes in the position of unopposed molars for a short period: A retrospective observational study based on cone- beam computed tomography
Authors: Wang Anqi , Cao Jie , Zhang Haoyun , Zhang Bo , Yang Gang , Hu Wenjie , DDS Kwok‑Hung Chung
Published: July 2022

Background
To investigate the spatial changes of unopposed molars after extraction of their antagonists using data from cone beam computed tomography.
Methods
A total of 59 patients with 68 unopposed molars were included in this study. Three-dimensional models reconstructed from the cone beam computed tomography data before and after loss of the antagonist were superimposed to measure the spatial changes. The overeruption and tipping of target teeth were calculated by coordinate values.
Results
The result of overeruption over the study period (9.2 ± 4.3 months) was expressed by two values: the mean overeruption of molar cups (0.432 mm) and the maximum overeruption of cusps (0.753 mm), which were statistically significant compared to the baseline level (p༜0.001). The average tipping was 1.717 degrees in the buccal direction.
Conclusions
Unopposed molars displayed overeruption throughout the study period (9.2 ± 4.3 months), which indicated that the clinicians should pay attention to the possibilities of overeruption and make appropriate interventions in their clinical practice. The establishment of three-dimensional measuring methods using cone beam computed tomography data would help analyzing spatial changes.
Finite Element Analysis of Proximal Femur Bionic Nail (PFBN), Froximal Femoral Anti-rotation Intramedullary Nail and InterTan for Treatment of Reverse Obliquity Intertrochanteric Fractures
Authors: Xiong Chen , Zhang Lijia , Wang Yanhua , Chen Wei , Zhang Xiaomeng , Yu Kai , Ju Jiabao , Chen Xiaofeng , Ji Yun , Zhang Yingze , Zhang Dianying
Published: July 2022

Background:Reverse intertrochanteric fracture is an unstable type of fracture. Current guidelines recommend intramedullary fixation, but there are still complications such as screw removal, hip varus, nail withdrawal, and nail fracture. The objective of this study was to use finite element analysis to compare the biomechanical properties of the novel proximal femoral bionic intramedullary nail (PFBN), proximal femoral anti-rotation intramedullary nail (PFNA) and combined compression interlocking intramedullary nail (InterTan) in the treatment of reverse obliquity intertrochanteric fractures [AO/OTA 31-A3.1]. Methods:The three-dimensional models of PFBN, PFNA, InterTan and the A3.1 intertrochanteric fracture model were established by using modeling software such as Mimics and Unigraphics. Different force loads were implemented using ANSYS software to compare finite element biomechanical parameters, such as maximum stress in the implant and maximum stress and displacement at the proximal femur. Results: In this finite element study, we found that the distribution trend of maximum femoral stress and displacement in the femoral model of the three internal fixation groups was similar, but the maximum stress and maximum displacement were the lowest in the PFBN group, and the maximum stress of the internal fixation implant in PFBN group was lower than that in the PFNA group and the InterTan group. The maximum stress and displacement of the femur in the PFNA group were 403.71MPa and 14.274mm, the maximum stress and displacement in the InterTan group were 362.72MPa and 10.678mm, and the maximum stress and displacement in the PFBN group were 186.23MPa and 9.7068mm.In the internal fixation implant model, the maximum stress of the PFNA group was 1445MPa, the maximum stress of the InterTan group was 919.62 MPa, and the maximum stress of the PFBN group was the lowest, 911.77MPa. Conclusion:Compared with PFNA and InterTan, PFBN designed by the lever - fulcrum - reconstruction theory can provide better biomechanical stability. It is a feasible choice for the future treatment of reverse intertrochanteric fracture.
Meshless Optical Mode Solving using Scalable Deep Deconvolutional Neural Network
Authors: Alagappan G. , Png C. E.
Published: July 2022

Optical mode solving is of paramount importance in photonic design and discovery. In this paper we propose a deep deconvolutional neural network architecture for a meshless, and resolution scalable optical mode calculations. The solution is arbitrary in wavelengths and applicable for a wide range of photonic materials and dimensions. The deconvolutional model consists of two stages: the first stage projects the photonic geometrical parameters to a vector in a higher dimensional space, and the second stage deconvolves the vector into a mode image with the help of a series of scaling blocks. Scaling blocks can be further added or subtracted as per desired resolution in the final mode image and can be trained effectively using a transfer learning approach. Being a deep learning model, it is light, portable, and capable of rapidly disseminating edge computing ready solutions. Without the loss of generality, we illustrate the method for an optical channel waveguide, and readily generalizable for wide range photonic components including photonic crystals, optical cavities and metasurfaces.
Complete genome sequence analysis of a new potyvirus isolated from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis
Authors: Zhang Boxin , Li Qiannan , Hu Jingyu , Zhang Lei , Dong Xian , Ji Pengzhang , Dong Jiahong
Published: July 2022

The complete genomic sequence of a new potyvirus was determined from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Its genomic RNA consists of 9571 nucleotides (nt) excluding the 3’ -terminal poly (A) tail, containing the typical open reading frame (ORF) of potyviruses and encoding a putative large polyprotein of 3061 amino acids. The virus shares 54.20-59.60% nt sequence identities and 51.80-57.90% amino acid sequence identities with other potyviruses. Proteolytic cleavage sites and conserved motifs of the potyviruses were identified in the polyprotein and within individual proteins. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the virus was most closely related to lily yellow mosaic virus. The results suggest that the virus should be classified as a novel species within the genus Potyvirus, which we tentatively name “Paris yunnanensis mosaic chlorotic virus” (PyMNV).11Note: Nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the GenBank databases under the accession number no.ON871824.
Sensitivity analysis in water resources models to improve projects resilience
Authors: González-Cebollada César , Grassa Nicolás
Published: July 2022

In water resources planning, it is usual to develop water resources models to evaluate the feasibility of new projects. Typically, simulation results are based on system performance criteria, and they are sensitive to some data whose future values are uncertain. Water supplies, for example, must be estimated taking into account the climate change and future basin evapotranspiration (linked to land uses and to climate). Future water demands are uncertain too: for example, future irrigation water demand will depend on economic factors, climate (rain and temperatures) and irrigation systems efficiencies. This work shows the importance of sensitivity analyses of the results of water resources models to better understand the resilience of projects. A “static analysis”, with single estimations of future water supplies and future water demands, does not show a clear image of the future system performance. To understand future projects’ resilience it is necessary to perform a “dynamic analysis”, evaluating a set of different scenarios, with different water supplies and demands within realistic ranges to get a holistic view of the system performance. The results can be summarised in 2D or 3D graphs, helping decision makers to find the best ideas in terms of costs, impacts and systems resilience. As a study case, a real dam project (Yesa dam enlargement, Spain) is evaluated with Aquatool software in a dynamic analysis. The results let us determine the system performance under uncertain future scenarios, the degree of resilience of the project and an alternative way to guarantee water demand.
Highly Efficient and Durable Antimicrobial Nanocomposite Textiles
Authors: Novi Vinni Thekkudan , Gonzalez Andrew , Brockgreitens John , Abbas Abdennour
Published: July 2022

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) cause millions of hospitalizations and cost billions of dollars every year. A potential solution to address this problem is to develop antimicrobial textile for healthcare fabrics (hospital bedding, gowns, lab coats, etc.). Metal nanoparticle-coated textile has been proven to possess antimicrobial properties but have not been adopted by healthcare facilities due to risks of leaching and subsequent loss of function, toxicity, and environmental pollution. This work presents the development and testing of antimicrobial zinc nanocomposite textiles, fabricated using a novel Crescoating process. In this process, zinc nanoparticles are grown in situ within the bulk of different natural and synthetic fabrics to form safe and durable nanocomposites. The zinc nanocomposite textiles show unprecedented microbial reduction of 99.99% (4 log10) to 99.9999% (6 log10) within 24 hours on the most common Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and fungal pathogens. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activity remains intact even after 100 laundry cycles, demonstrating the high longevity and durability of the textile. Independent dermatological evaluation confirmed that the novel textile is non-irritating and hypoallergenic.
NCBP2 and TFRC are Novel Prognostic Biomarkers in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Bose Pinaki , Arora Rahul , Haynes Logan , Kumar Mehul , McNeil Reid , Ashkani Jahanshah , Nakoneshny Steven , Matthews T. Wayne , Chandarana Shamir , Hart Robert , Jones Steven , Dort Joseph , Itani Doha , Chanda Ayan
Published: July 2022

There are few prognostic biomarkers and targeted therapeutics currently in use for the clinical management of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and patient outcomes remain poor in this disease. A majority of mutations in OSCC are loss-of-function events in tumour suppressor genes that are refractory to conventional modes of targeting. Interestingly, the chromosomal segment 3q22-3q29 is amplified in many epithelial cancers, including OSCC. We hypothesized that some of the 468 genes located on 3q22-3q29 might be drivers of oral carcinogenesis and could be exploited as potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Our integrative analysis of copy number variation (CNV), gene expression and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), identified two candidate genes: NCBP2, TFRC, whose expression positively correlates with worse overall survival (OS) in HPV- OSCC patients. Expression of NCBP2 and TFRC is significantly higher in tumour cells compared to most normal human tissues. High NCBP2 and TFRC protein abundance is associated with worse overall, disease specific survival, and progression free interval in an in-house cohort of HPV(-) OSCC patients. Finally, due to lack of evidence for the role of NCBP2 in carcinogenesis, we tested if modulating NCBP2 levels in human OSCC cell lines affected their carcinogenic behavior. We found that NCBP2 depletion reduced OSCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. We thus propose both NCBP2 and TFRC as novel prognostic and potentially therapeutic biomarkers for HPV- OSCC.
Immune landscape and prognostic index for pancreatic cancer based on TCGA database and in vivo validation
Authors: Xu Pan-ling , Cheng Chien-shan , Dong Shu , Wang Ting , Li Ping
Published: July 2022

The immunotherapy efficacy on pancreatic cancer remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, it is still of necessity to further clarify the pancreatic immune cell infiltration and search for immune-related prognostic indicators. We analyzed the 135 pancreatic cancer patients’ data retrieved from the TCGA database for the immune cell infiltration, tumor microenvironment score and the correlation of the immune cells, followed by identification of prognostic immune clusters and genes clusters. The R language was used for the immune score calculation, and immune cells proportion related survival differences identification. The function of immune cells was verified through datasets in the GEO database and in vivo experiments. The results showed that M0 Macrophages had negative relations to CD8+ T cells and immune scores. There were differences in median survival in ICI clusters, gene clusters, and immune score groups (p < 0.05). M0 macrophages accounted for more than 9.8%, indicating a poor prognosis, while T cells accounted for more than 9.2%, indicating a good prognosis. In vivo results showed that M0 macrophages promote pancreatic cancer growth. Elimination of M0 macrophages may be a hopeful strategy against pancreatic cancer.
Temporal change with rock magnetic properties of volcanic ashes ejected during a one-year eruption event: A case study on the Aso Nakadake 2019–2020 eruption
Authors: Anai Chisato , Ohkura Takahiro , Yoshikawa Shin , Mochizuki Nobutatsu
Published: July 2022

We investigated temporal changes in the magnetic properties of volcanic ash ejected from the Aso Nakadake volcano during a sequence of ash eruptions from 2019 to 2020. Titanium-rich titanomagnetite and titanium-poor titanomagnetite were the dominant magnetic minerals in the samples where titanium-rich titanomagnetite was more dominant. From the rock magnetic measurements, parameters such as the saturation remanent magnetization (Mrs), saturation magnetization (Ms), coercivity (Bc), and titanium content estimated from the Curie temperature (Tc) were extracted and checked for their temporal changes. The magnetic behavior of the magnetic minerals was confirmed by the increasing values of Mrs/Ms and Bc at several periods. The samples with higher values of Mrs/Ms and Bc included titanomagnetite with a low Tc (high titanium content). The clear increase in Mrs/Ms and Bc suggests that the ratio of the single-domain volume fraction increased, indicating that the titanomagnetite particles became finer in size. Interestingly, the periods of high Mrs/Ms and Bc were synchronized with observations of the volcanic glow. These results suggest that changes in the magnetic properties of volcanic ash reflect changes in physical and/or thermal conditions from the vent to the conduit.
Can Vibrotactile Stimulation and tDCS Help Inefficient BCI Users?
Authors: Won Kyungho , Kim Heegyu , Gwon Daeun , Ahn Minkyu , Nam Chang S. , Jun Sung Chan
Published: July 2022

Brain-computer interface (BCI) has helped people by enabling them to control a computer or machine through brain activity without actual body movement. Despite this advantage, BCI cannot be used widely because some people cannot achieve controllable performance. To solve this problem, researchers have proposed stimulation methods to modulate relevant brain activity to improve BCI performance. However, multiple studies have reported mixed results following stimulation, and comparative study of different stimulation modalities has been overlooked. Accordingly, this comparative study was designed to investigate vibrotactile stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation’s (tDCS) effects on brain activity modulation and motor imagery BCI performance among inefficient BCI users. We recruited 44 subjects and divided them into sham, vibrotactile stimulation, and tDCS groups, and low performers were selected from each stimulation group. We found that the BCI performance of low performers in the vibrotactile stimulation group increased significantly by 9.13% (p=0.0053), and while the tDCS group subjects’ performance increased by 5.13%, it was not significant. In contrast, sham group subjects showed no increased performance. In addition to BCI performance, pre-stimulus alpha band power and the phase locking value (PLVs) averaged over sensory motor areas showed significant increases in low performers following stimulation in the vibrotactile stimulation and tDCS groups, while sham stimulation group subjects and high performers across all groups showed no significant stimulation effects. Our findings suggest that stimulation effects may differ depending upon BCI efficiency, and inefficient BCI users have greater plasticity than efficient BCI users.
Effect of Stay-at-Home Orders and Other COVID-Related Policies on Trauma Hospitalization Rates and Disparities in the United States: A Statewide Time-Series Analysis
Authors: Strassle Paula D , Kinlaw Alan C , Ko Jamie S , Quintero Stephanie M , Bonilla Jackie , Ponder Madison , Nápoles Anna María , Schiro Sharon E
Published: July 2022

Background: To combat the coronavirus pandemic, states implemented several public health policies to reduce infection and transmission. Increasing evidence suggests that these prevention strategies also have had a profound impact on non-COVID healthcare utilization. The goal of this study was to determine the impact of a statewide Stay-at-Home and other COVID-related policies on trauma hospitalizations, stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and sex.Methods: We used the North Carolina Trauma Registry, a statewide registry of trauma hospitalizations to 18 hospitals across North Carolina, including all North Carolina trauma centers, to calculate weekly assault, self-inflicted, unintentional motor vehicle collision (MVC), and other unintentional injury hospitalization rates between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2020. Interrupted time-series design and segmented linear regression were used to estimate changes in hospitalizations rates after several COVID-related executive orders, overall and stratified by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Hospitalization rates were compared after 1) U.S. declaration of a public health emergency; 2) North Carolina statewide Stay-at-Home order; 3) Stay-at-Home order lifted with restrictions (Phase 2: Safer-at-Home); and 4) further lifting of restrictions (Phase 2.5: Safer-at-Home).Results. There were 70,478 trauma hospitalizations in North Carolina from 2019-2020. In 2020, median age was 53 years old and 59% were male. Assault hospitalization rates (per 1,000,000 NC residents) increased after the Stay-at-Home order, but only among Black/African American residents (incidence rate difference [IRD]=7.9; other racial/ethnic groups’ IRDs ranged 0.9 to 1.7) and 18-44 year-old males (IRD=11.9; other sex/age groups’ IRDs ranged -0.5 to 3.6). After major restrictions were lifted, assault rates returned to pre-COVID levels. Unintentional injury hospitalizations decreased after the public health emergency, especially among older adults, but returned to 2019 levels within several months. Conclusions: Statewide Stay-at-Home orders put Black/African American residents at higher risk for assault hospitalizations, exacerbating pre-existing disparities. Fear of COVID-19 may have also led to decreases in unintentional non-MVC hospitalization rates, particularly among older adults. Policy makers must anticipate possible negative effects and develop approaches for mitigating harms that may disproportionately affect already disadvantaged communities.
Insular Functional Connectivity in Migraine With Aura
Authors: Gollion Cédric , Lerebours Fleur , Nemmi Federico , Arribarat Germain , Bonneville Fabrice , Larrue Vincent , Péran Patrice
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Insula plays an integrating role in sensory, affective, emotional, cognitive and autonomic functions in migraine, especially in migraine with aura (MA). Insula is functionally divided into 3 subregions, the dorsoanterior, the ventroanterior and the posterior insula respectively related to cognition, emotion, and somatosensory functions. This study aimed at investigating functional connectivity of insula subregions in MA.Methods: Twenty-one interictal patients with MA were compared to 18 healthy controls (HC) and 12 interictal patients with migraine without aura (MO) and were scanned with functional MRI during the resting state. Functional coupling of the insula was comprehensively tested with 12 seeds located in the right and left, dorsal, middle, ventral, anterior and posterior insula, by using a seed-to-voxel analysis.Results: Seed-to-voxel analysis revealed, in MA, a strong functional coupling of the right and left antero-dorsal insula with clusters located in the upper cerebellum. The overlap of these cerebellar clusters corresponded to the vermis VI. These functional couplings were not correlated to duration of MA, frequency of MA attacks nor time since last MA attack, and were not found in MO.Discussion: The anterior insula and superior cerebellum, including vermis VI, are components of the central Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) network. As these regions are involved in the control of cardiovascular parasympathetic tone, we hypothesize that this connectivity may reflect the cardiovascular features of MA.Conclusion: The anterior dorsal insula is connected with vermis VI in MA patients in the resting state. This connectivity may reflect the cardiovascular features of MA.Trial registration: NCT02708797
Innate immunity gene Nod2 protects mice from orthotopic breast cancer
Authors: Gurses Serdar , Dziarski Alisha , Gupta Dipika
Published: July 2022

Nod2 is involved in innate immunity to bacteria, regulation of metabolism, and sensitivity to cancer. Nod2 polymorphism is associated with breast cancer, but the role of Nod2 in the development and progression of breast cancer is unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Nod2 protects mice from breast cancer using the 4T1 orthotopic model of mammary tumorigenesis. We demonstrate that Nod2−/− mice have higher incidence and larger tumors than WT mice. Detailed analysis of the tumor transcriptome showed that Nod2−/− mice had increased expression of genes that promote DNA replication and cell division and decreased expression of genes required for lipolysis, lipogenesis, and steroid biosynthesis compared with WT mice. Nod2−/− mice also had lower expression of genes required for adipogenesis and higher delipidation than WT mice. The tumors in Nod2−/− mice had decreased expression of genes associated with PPARα/γ signaling, increased activation of STAT3, decreased activation of STAT5, and no change in the activation of ERK compared with WT mice. Thus, we demonstrate that Nod2 protects mice from the 4T1 orthotopic breast tumor, and that tumors in Nod2−/− mice have higher DNA replication, cell cycling and delipidation than WT mice.
Impacts of domestication on the legume-rhizobium mutualism
Authors: Millar Niall , Piovia-Scott Jonah , Porter Stephanie
Published: July 2022

Aims
Domestication has improved plant traits to facilitate human use, but can have unintended consequences for traits that are not the target of selection. Disruption in the mycorrhizal mutualism has already been observed in domesticated plants, but little is known about whether the legume-rhizobia mutualism can be similarly disrupted, despite the ecological importance of symbiotic nitrogen fixation. We aim to identify differences in the outcome of this mutualism between wild and domesticated legumes, in terms of reaction norms across varying nitrogen levels.
Methods
In a series of greenhouse experiments, we characterise rhizobial symbiosis traits in chickpeas, lentils, peas, peanuts, and soybeans across six levels of nitrogen fertilisation to characterise whether and how symbiosis traits differ across continuous variation in soil conditions for wild and domesticated lineages.
Results
Our reaction norm characterisations reveal that at lower levels of nitrogen fertilisation, wild soybeans receive a greater benefit from rhizobia than do domesticated soybeans. Additionally, domesticated chickpeas abandon symbiosis at a lower level of nitrogen fertilizer than do wild chickpeas. However, other crops we tested express symbiosis trait reaction norms that are indistinguishable from those of their wild relatives.
Conclusions
Differences are evident between the mutualism reaction norms of domesticated and wild chickpea and soybean, but not lentil, pea, or peanut. This indicates that mutualism disruption is a possible, but not necessary, consequence of domestication.
Survival Analysis and Associated Factors of Technique Failure in Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis: A Single-Center Study
Authors: Yu Jin , Zhu Lingli , Tong Mengli , Yu Dongrong , Ni Jun
Published: July 2022

Objective:
This study aimed to investigate the association between patient clinical characteristics and technique failure in peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis (PDRP). The risk factors associated with technique failure-related peritonitis and the effect of technique failure on patient survival were also assessed.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed patients with PDRP between January 1, 2010, and February 1, 2016. Relevant demographic, biochemical, and clinical data were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine technique failure-related peritonitis predictors. Patients were divided into the technique failure (F group) and non-technique failure (NF group) groups. The median follow-up was 96 months (IQR, 76–112). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to investigate post-peritonitis survival of the technique failure-related peritonitis cohort. Landmark analysis was also used to determine the survival rate of the technique failure-related peritonitis cohort.
Results
A total of 165 patients with 272 cases of PDRP were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified that peritoneal dialysis (PD) duration (OR = 1.2 [1.04,1.39], P = 0.014) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (OR = 0.27 [0.09,0.79], P = 0.017) were independent predictors for technique failure in PDRP. Furthermore, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was a protective factor (OR = 0.24 [0.07,0.81], P = 0.004). Compared to gram-positive peritonitis, gram-negative (OR = 4.14 [1.42,12.08], P = 0.009) and culture-negative (OR = 3.72 [1.002,13.82], P = 0.049) peritonitis had higher risks of technique failure. According to Kaplan–Meier analysis, patients experiencing technique failure-related peritonitis had lower post-peritonitis survival (log-rank = 20.346, P < 0.0001). Similar mortality was observed among patients with and without technique failure-related peritonitis during the first 3 years after recovery; however, beyond 3 years, patients with technique failure experienced higher mortality rates.
Conclusions
PD duration, NLR, gram-negative, and culture-negative peritonitis were independent risk factors for technique failure, while HDL was a protective factor. Technique failure-related peritonitis had adverse effects on post-peritonitis survival.
Hormone Replacement Therapy is associated with improved cognition and larger brain volumes in at risk APOE4 women: results from the European Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease (EPAD) cohort
Authors: Saleh Rasha , Hornberger Michael , Ritchie Craig W , Minihane Anne Marie
Published: July 2022

Background:The risk of dementia is higher in women than men. The metabolic consequences of estrogen decline during menopause accelerates neuropathology in women. The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the prevention of cognitive decline has shown conflicting results. Here we investigate the modulating role of APOE genotype and age at HRT initiation on the heterogeneity in cognitive response to HRT. Methods: The analysis used baseline data from participants in the European Prevention of Alzheimer’s Dementia (EPAD) cohort (total n= 1906, women= 1178, 61.8%). Analysis of covariate (ANCOVA) models were employed to test the independent and interactive impact of APOE genotype and HRT on select cognitive tests, such as MMSE, RBANS, dot counting, Four Mountain Test (FMT) and the supermarket trolley test (SMT), together with volumes of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions by MRI. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the impact of age of HRT initiation according to APOE4 carrier status on these cognitive and MRI outcomes. Results: APOE4 HRT users had the highest RBANS delayed memory index score (P-APOE*HRT interaction = 0.009) compared to APOE4 non-users and to non-APOE4 carriers, with 6-10% larger entorhinal (left) and amygdala (right and left) volumes (P-interaction= 0.002, 0.003, and 0.005 respectively). Earlier introduction of HRT was associated with larger right (standardized β= -0.555, p=0.035) and left hippocampal volumes (standardized β= -0.577, p=0.028) only in APOE4 carriers. Conclusion:HRT introduction is associated with improved delayed memory and larger entorhinal and amygdala volumes in APOE4 carriers only. This may represent an effective targeted strategy to mitigate the higher life-time risk of AD in this large at-risk population subgroup. Confirmation of findings in a fit for purpose RCT with prospective recruitment based on APOE genotype is needed to establish causality.
Structural Isomer Switching in Silver Nanoparticles due to Air Exposure
Authors: Vernieres Jerome , Tarrat Nathalie , Lethbridge Sean , Watchorn-Rokutan Erica , Stock Sarah , Slater Thomas , Loffreda David , Palmer Richard
Published: July 2022

Silver clusters up to 1000 atoms in size, on an amorphous carbon film, have been exposed to ambient air and investigated by atomic resolution imaging in the aberration-corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (ac-STEM). Ordered structures comprise more than half the population, the rest are amorphous. Of ordered isomer structures the most common is the icosahedron. The results contrast with the published behaviour of silver clusters protected from atmospheric exposure, where the predominant ordered isomer is face-centred cubic. We propose that the formation of surface oxide or sulphide species resulting from air exposure can account for this isomer switching. This interpretation is consistent with density functional theory calculations based on silver nanoclusters, in the size range 147-201 atoms, on which methanethiol molecules are adsorbed. An understanding of the effects of ambient exposure on the atomic structure and therefore functional properties of nanoparticles is highly relevant to their real-world performance and applications.
Drug addiction mutations unveil a repressive methylation ceiling in EZH2-mutant lymphoma
Authors: Kwok Hui Si , Freedy Allyson , Siegenfeld Allison , Morriss Julia , Waterbury Amanda , Kissler Stephen , Liau Brian
Published: July 2022

Drug addiction, a phenomenon where cancer cells paradoxically depend on continuous drug treatment for survival, has uncovered cell signaling mechanisms and cancer co-dependencies. Here, we discover mutations that confer drug addiction to inhibitors of the transcriptional repressor Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Drug addiction is mediated by hypermorphic mutations in the CXC domain of the catalytic subunit EZH2, which maintain H3K27me3 levels even in the presence of PRC2 inhibitors. Drug discontinuation leads to overspreading of H3K27me3, surpassing a repressive methylation ceiling compatible with lymphoma cell survival. Exploiting this vulnerability, we show that inhibition of SETD2 induces H3K27me3 spreading and blocks lymphoma growth. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that fundamental constraints on chromatin landscapes can yield biphasic dependencies in epigenetic signaling in cancer cells. More broadly, we highlight how approaches to identify drug addiction mutations can be leveraged to discover cancer vulnerabilities and cell signaling thresholds.