bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the impact of malaria infection on indicators of iron and vitamin A status: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Authors: Sandalinas Fanny , Filteau Suzanne , Joy Edward J. M. , Segovia de la Revilla Lucia , MacDougall Amy , Hopkins Heidi
Published: March 2022

Inflammation and infections such as malaria affect estimates of micronutrient status. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and the Cochrane library were searched to identify studies reporting mean concentrations of ferritin, hepcidin, retinol or retinol binding protein in individuals with asymptomatic or clinical malaria and healthy controls. Study quality was assessed using the US National Institute of Health tool. Random effects meta-analyses were used to generate summary mean differences. In total, forty-four studies were included. Mean ferritin concentrations were elevated by: 28·2 µg/l (95 % CI 15·6, 40·9) in children with asymptomatic malaria; 28·5 µg/l (95 % CI 8·1, 48·8) in adults with asymptomatic malaria; and 366 µg/l (95 % CI 162, 570) in children with clinical malaria compared with individuals without malaria infection. Mean hepcidin concentrations were elevated by 1·52 nmol/l (95 % CI 0·92, 2·11) in children with asymptomatic malaria. Mean retinol concentrations were reduced by: 0·11 µmol/l (95 % CI −0·22, −0·01) in children with asymptomatic malaria; 0·43 µmol/l (95 % CI −0·71, −0·16) in children with clinical malaria and 0·73 µmol/l (95 % CI −1·11, −0·36) in adults with clinical malaria. Most of these results were stable in sensitivity analyses. In children with clinical malaria and pregnant women, difference in ferritin concentrations were greater in areas with higher transmission intensity. We conclude that biomarkers of iron and vitamin A status should be statistically adjusted for malaria and the severity of infection. Several studies analysing asymptomatic infections reported elevated ferritin concentrations without noticeable elevation of inflammation markers, indicating a need to adjust for malaria status in addition to inflammation adjustments.
Towards a Spatial Archaeology of Crafting Landscapes
Authors: Erb-Satullo Nathaniel L.
Published: March 2022

Discussions of spatial relationships are persistent features of research on the organization of craft production. Despite the centrality of spatial issues, the correspondence between spatial patterning and economic organization remains relatively under-theorized, especially around questions of power and control. Drawing from the literature on craft ecology, specialization and landscape archaeology, I develop an approach that considers spatial scales of patterning, the power projection of elites and institutions and the articulation between elements of the crafting landscape. This approach recognizes the complex sets of factors affecting spatial patterning and ultimately produces a more robust understanding of how ancient economic systems were organized. These ideas are explored through a case study on Late Bronze and Early Iron Age metal production in the Caucasus, clarifying the organizational logics of the metal economy and highlighting how this industry differed in significant ways from other contemporary metal-producing regions in the ancient Near East.
Sex and Gender Equity in Prehospital Electrocardiogram Acquisition
Authors: McDonald Neil , Little Nicola , Grierson Rob , Weldon Erin
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Research in cardiac care has identified significant gender-based differences across many outcomes. Women with heart disease are less likely both to be diagnosed and to receive standard care. Gender-based disparities in the prehospital setting are under-researched, but they were found to exist within rates of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition within one urban Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agency.

Study Objective:

This study evaluates the quality improvement (QI) initiative that was implemented in that agency to raise overall rates of 12-lead ECG acquisition and reduce the gap in acquisition rates between men and women.

Methods:

This QI project included two interventions: revised indications for 12-lead acquisition, and training that highlighted sex- and gender-based differences relevant to patient care. To evaluate this project, a retrospective database review identified all patient contacts that potentially involved cardiac assessment over 18 months. The primary outcome was the rate of 12-lead acquisition among patients with qualifying complaints. This was assessed by mean rates of acquisition in before and after periods, as well as segmented regression in an interrupted time series. Secondary outcomes included differences in rates of 12-lead acquisition, both overall and in individual complaint categories, each compared between men/women and before/after the interventions.

Results:

Among patients with qualifying complaints, the mean rate of 12-lead acquisition in the lead-in period was 22.5% (95% CI, 21.8% - 23.2%) with no discernible trend. The protocol change and training were each associated with a significant absolute level increase in the acquisition rate: 2.09% (95% CI, 0.21% - 4.0%; P = .03) and 3.2% (95% CI, 1.18% - 5.22%; P = .003), respectively. When compared by gender and time period, women received fewer 12-leads than men overall, and more 12-leads were acquired after the interventions than before. There were also significant interactions between gender and period, both overall (2.8%; 95% CI, 1.9% - 3.6%; P < .0001) and in all complaint categories except falls and heart problems.

Conclusion:

This QI project resulted in an increase in 12-leads acquired. Pre-existing gaps in rates of acquisition between men and women were reduced but did not disappear. On-going research is examining the reasons behind these differences from the perspective of prehospital providers.
A Model for Positive Corona Inception From Charged Ellipsoidal Thundercloud Hydrometeors
Authors: Peeters S. A. , Mirpour S. , Köhn C. , Nijdam S.
Published: March 2022

Lightning is observed to incept in thundercloud electric fields below the threshold value Ek for discharge initiation. To explain this, the local enhancement of the electric field by hydrometeors is considered. The conditions for the onset of positive corona discharges are studied in air for ellipsoidal geometries. A hydrometeor is simulated as an individual charged conductor in zero ambient field; there is only a field generated by the charge on the hydrometeor surface. By doing so, the feasibility of corona inception from ellipsoidal hydrometeors can be formulated based on the self‐sustaining condition of electron avalanches. For hydrometeor dimensions of a few millimeters and typical thundercloud pressure, values above 2.4 Ek are found for the onset electric field at the tip of the ellipsoid. From simulations the required ambient electric field for corona onset from an uncharged hydrometeor can then be derived. This results in values between 0.07 Ek and 0.8 Ek for semiaxes aspect ratios between 0.01 and 1. The charge required on the hydrometeor surface for corona onset for typical pressures is minimum for semiaxes aspect ratios increasing from 0.12 to 0.22 for decreasing hydrometeor volume from 42 to 4.2 mm3. For representative simulated hydrometeors, onset charges are between 495 and 2,430 pC. For a hydrometeor volume of 4.2 mm3 results are comparable to measured precipitation charges for aspect ratios between 0.16 and 0.32. From the results it is concluded that corona onset from ellipsoidal hydrometeors of a realistic volume can be achieved in thundercloud conditions for certain aspect ratios.
Response of Flow and Saltating Particle Characteristics to Bed Roughness and Particle Spatial Density
Authors: Zhao Chenwei , Ouro Pablo , Stoesser Thorsten , Dey Subhasish , Fang Hongwei
Published: March 2022

With the goal to explore the effects of natural bed roughness on bedload transport, numerical simulations of flow and particle saltation are carried out with varying bed roughness and particle spatial density. A combination of Eulerian and Lagrangian point‐particle methods is applied to solve the equations of motion of the fluid and the particles within the large‐eddy simulation framework. Flows over smooth and rough beds with four particle densities are considered. As the bed roughness increases, there is a leftward shift of the double‐averaged streamwise velocity profiles against dimensionless vertical distance, which is scaled with the bed roughness height, an upward shift of the peak values of double‐averaged Reynolds stresses, and a fragmentation and disappearance of coherent structures in the form of high‐speed and low‐speed near‐bed streaks. These observations are consistent with those of previous studies. As the bed roughness increases, the mean resting time of saltating particles increases, however the particles' saltation length, velocity, and angular velocity decrease, while their saltation height remains almost unchanged. Saltation height, saltation length, particle angular velocity, and resting time exhibit linear, gamma, normal, and exponential distributions, respectively. Further, as the bed roughness increases, the kurtosis and skewness of some particle parameters vary, and the particle velocity shifts from a symmetrical normal to an asymmetrical gamma distribution.
Liquid biopsy and non-small cell lung cancer: are we looking at the tip of the iceberg?
Authors: Bonanno Laura , Dal Maso Alessandro , Pavan Alberto , Zulato Elisabetta , Calvetti Lorenzo , Pasello Giulia , Guarneri Valentina , Conte PierFranco , Indraccolo Stefano
Published: March 2022

The possibility to analyse the tumour genetic material shed in the blood is undoubtedly one of the main achievements of translational research in the latest years. In the modern clinical management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer, molecular characterisation plays an essential role. In parallel, immunotherapy is widely employed, but reliable predictive markers are not available yet. Liquid biopsy has the potential to face the two issues and to increase its role in advanced NSCLC in the next future. The aim of this review is to summarise the main clinical applications of liquid biopsy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer, underlining both its potential and limitations from a clinically driven perspective.
Bone marrow-independent adventitial macrophage progenitor cells contribute to angiogenesis
Authors: Kleefeldt Florian , Upcin Berin , Bömmel Heike , Schulz Christian , Eckner Georg , Allmanritter Jan , Bauer Jochen , Braunger Barbara , Rueckschloss Uwe , Ergün Süleyman
Published: March 2022

Pathological angiogenesis promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and atherosclerotic plaque rupture. Macrophages are key players in these processes. However, whether these macrophages differentiate from bone marrow-derived monocytes or from local vascular wall-resident stem and progenitor cells (VW-SCs) is an unresolved issue of angiogenesis. To answer this question, we analyzed vascular sprouting and alterations in aortic cell populations in mouse aortic ring assays (ARA). ARA culture leads to the generation of large numbers of macrophages, especially within the aortic adventitia. Using immunohistochemical fate-mapping and genetic in vivo-labeling approaches we show that 60% of these macrophages differentiate from bone marrow-independent Ly6c+/Sca-1+ adventitial progenitor cells. Analysis of the NCX−/− mouse model that genetically lacks embryonic circulation and yolk sac perfusion indicates that at least some of those progenitor cells arise yolk sac-independent. Macrophages represent the main source of VEGF in ARA that vice versa promotes the generation of additional macrophages thereby creating a pro-angiogenetic feedforward loop. Additionally, macrophage-derived VEGF activates CD34+ progenitor cells within the adventitial vasculogenic zone to differentiate into CD31+ endothelial cells. Consequently, depletion of macrophages and VEGFR2 antagonism drastically reduce vascular sprouting activity in ARA. In summary, we show that angiogenic activation induces differentiation of macrophages from bone marrow-derived as well as from bone marrow-independent VW-SCs. The latter ones are at least partially yolk sac-independent, too. Those VW-SC-derived macrophages critically contribute to angiogenesis, making them an attractive target to interfere with pathological angiogenesis in cancer and atherosclerosis as well as with regenerative angiogenesis in ischemic cardiovascular disorders.
Participant experiences of genome sequencing for rare diseases in the 100,000 Genomes Project: a mixed methods study
Authors: Peter Michelle , Hammond Jennifer , Sanderson Saskia C. , Gurasashvili Jana , Hunter Amy , Searle Beverly , Patch Christine , Chitty Lyn S. , Hill Melissa , Lewis Celine
Published: March 2022

In this mixed methods study, a survey and in-depth interviews were used to explore whether decision regret and the psychological impact of receiving genome sequencing (GS) results differed between parents and patients, and between those who received a genetic diagnosis and those who did not. Participants (n = 77) completed a survey that included the Decisional Regret Scale (DRS) and an adaptation of the Multidimensional Impact of Cancer Risk Assessment (MICRA) at least 12 months after consenting for GS for rare disease diagnosis in the 100,000 Genomes Project. Survey participants were invited to take part in an interview and 39 agreed; 12 with a diagnosis, 5 with variants of uncertain significance, and 19 with no pathogenic findings identified. Both survey and interview findings indicated that decision regret was low. DRS scores revealed no differences in levels of regret between parents and patients, or between those with a diagnosis and those without. Though MICRA scores indicated minimal evidence of negative psychological impacts of receiving GS results, subscale analysis revealed greater distress and uncertainty for parents compared to patients. Receiving a diagnosis was found not to influence MICRA scores, supporting interview findings of both positive and negative emotional and psychological impacts irrespective of a genetic diagnosis. Our findings have implications for policy and practice as GS is integrated into the UK and worldwide; notably, that expectation-setting is critical when offering GS, and that post-test counselling is important regardless of the GS result received, with parents perhaps needing additional emotional support.
Superlinear scaling of riverine biogeochemical function with watershed size
Authors: Wollheim Wilfred M. , Harms Tamara K. , Robison Andrew L. , Koenig Lauren E. , Helton Ashley M. , Song Chao , Bowden William B. , Finlay Jacques C.
Published: March 2022

River networks regulate carbon and nutrient exchange between continents, atmosphere, and oceans. However, contributions of riverine processing are poorly constrained at continental scales. Scaling relationships of cumulative biogeochemical function with watershed size (allometric scaling) provide an approach for quantifying the contributions of fluvial networks in the Earth system. Here we show that allometric scaling of cumulative riverine function with watershed area ranges from linear to superlinear, with scaling exponents constrained by network shape, hydrological conditions, and biogeochemical process rates. Allometric scaling is superlinear for processes that are largely independent of substrate concentration (e.g., gross primary production) due to superlinear scaling of river network surface area with watershed area. Allometric scaling for typically substrate-limited processes (e.g., denitrification) is linear in river networks with high biogeochemical activity or low river discharge but becomes increasingly superlinear under lower biogeochemical activity or high discharge, conditions that are widely prevalent in river networks. The frequent occurrence of superlinear scaling indicates that biogeochemical activity in large rivers contributes disproportionately to the function of river networks in the Earth system.
Deep learning shows declining groundwater levels in Germany until 2100 due to climate change
Authors: Wunsch Andreas , Liesch Tanja , Broda Stefan
Published: March 2022

In this study we investigate how climate change will directly influence the groundwater resources in Germany during the 21st century. We apply a machine learning groundwater level prediction approach based on convolutional neural networks to 118 sites well distributed over Germany to assess the groundwater level development under different RCP scenarios (2.6, 4.5, 8.5). We consider only direct meteorological inputs, while highly uncertain anthropogenic factors such as groundwater extractions are excluded. While less pronounced and fewer significant trends can be found under RCP2.6 and RCP4.5, we detect significantly declining trends of groundwater levels for most of the sites under RCP8.5, revealing a spatial pattern of stronger decreases, especially in the northern and eastern part of Germany, emphasizing already existing decreasing trends in these regions. We can further show an increased variability and longer periods of low groundwater levels during the annual cycle towards the end of the century.
Sirtuin-1 sensitive lysine-136 acetylation drives phase separation and pathological aggregation of TDP-43
Authors: Garcia Morato Jorge , Hans Friederike , von Zweydorf Felix , Feederle Regina , Elsässer Simon J. , Skodras Angelos A. , Gloeckner Christian Johannes , Buratti Emanuele , Neumann Manuela , Kahle Philipp J.
Published: March 2022

Trans-activation response DNA-binding protein of 43  kDa (TDP-43) regulates RNA processing and forms neuropathological aggregates in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Investigating TDP-43 post-translational modifications, we discovered that K84 acetylation reduced nuclear import whereas K136 acetylation impaired RNA binding and splicing capabilities of TDP-43. Such failure of RNA interaction triggered TDP-43 phase separation mediated by the C-terminal low complexity domain, leading to the formation of insoluble aggregates with pathologically phosphorylated and ubiquitinated TDP-43. Introduction of acetyl-lysine at the identified sites via amber suppression confirmed the results from site-directed mutagenesis. K84-acetylated TDP-43 showed cytoplasmic mislocalization, and the aggregation propensity of K136-acetylated TDP-43 was confirmed. We generated antibodies selective for TDP-43 acetylated at these lysines, and found that sirtuin-1 can potently deacetylate K136-acetylated TDP-43 and reduce its aggregation propensity. Thus, distinct lysine acetylations modulate nuclear import, RNA binding and phase separation of TDP-43, suggesting regulatory mechanisms for TDP-43 pathogenesis.
Antiferroelectric negative capacitance from a structural phase transition in zirconia
Authors: Hoffmann Michael , Wang Zheng , Tasneem Nujhat , Zubair Ahmad , Ravindran Prasanna Venkatesan , Tian Mengkun , Gaskell Anthony Arthur , Triyoso Dina , Consiglio Steven , Tapily Kandabara , Clark Robert , Hur Jae , Pentapati Sai Surya Kiran , Lim Sung Kyu , Dopita Milan , Yu Shimeng , Chern Winston , Kacher Josh , Reyes-Lillo Sebastian E. , Antoniadis Dimitri , Ravichandran Jayakanth , Slesazeck Stefan , Mikolajick Thomas , Khan Asif Islam
Published: March 2022

Crystalline materials with broken inversion symmetry can exhibit a spontaneous electric polarization, which originates from a microscopic electric dipole moment. Long-range polar or anti-polar order of such permanent dipoles gives rise to ferroelectricity or antiferroelectricity, respectively. However, the recently discovered antiferroelectrics of fluorite structure (HfO2 and ZrO2) are different: A non-polar phase transforms into a polar phase by spontaneous inversion symmetry breaking upon the application of an electric field. Here, we show that this structural transition in antiferroelectric ZrO2 gives rise to a negative capacitance, which is promising for overcoming the fundamental limits of energy efficiency in electronics. Our findings provide insight into the thermodynamically forbidden region of the antiferroelectric transition in ZrO2 and extend the concept of negative capacitance beyond ferroelectricity. This shows that negative capacitance is a more general phenomenon than previously thought and can be expected in a much broader range of materials exhibiting structural phase transitions.
An enhancer variant at 16q22.1 predisposes to hepatocellular carcinoma via regulating PRMT7 expression
Authors: Shen Ting , Ni Ting , Chen Jiaxuan , Chen Haitao , Ma Xiaopin , Cao Guangwen , Wu Tianzhi , Xie Haisheng , Zhou Bin , Wei Gang , Saiyin Hexige , Shen Suqin , Yu Peng , Xiao Qianyi , Liu Hui , Gao Yuzheng , Long Xidai , Yin Jianhua , Guo Yanfang , Wu Jiaxue , Wei Gong-Hong , Hou Jinlin , Jiang De-Ke
Published: March 2022

Most cancer causal variants are found in gene regulatory elements, e.g., enhancers. However, enhancer variants predisposing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unreported. Here we conduct a genome-wide survey of HCC-susceptible enhancer variants through a three-stage association study in 11,958 individuals and identify rs73613962 (T > G) within the intronic region of PRMT7 at 16q22.1 as a susceptibility locus of HCC (OR = 1.41, P = 6.02 × 10−10). An enhancer dual-luciferase assay indicates that the rs73613962-harboring region has allele-specific enhancer activity. CRISPR-Cas9/dCas9 experiments further support the enhancer activity of this region to regulate PRMT7 expression. Mechanistically, transcription factor HNF4A binds to this enhancer region, with preference to the risk allele G, to promote PRMT7 expression. PRMT7 upregulation contributes to in vitro, in vivo, and clinical HCC-associated phenotypes, possibly by affecting the p53 signaling pathway. This concept of HCC pathogenesis may open a promising window for HCC prevention/treatment.
Mercury evidence for combustion of organic-rich sediments during the end-Triassic crisis
Authors: Shen Jun , Yin Runsheng , Algeo Thomas J. , Svensen Henrik H. , Schoepfer Shane D.
Published: March 2022

The sources of isotopically light carbon released during the end-Triassic mass extinction remain in debate. Here, we use mercury (Hg) concentrations and isotopes from a pelagic Triassic–Jurassic boundary section (Katsuyama, Japan) to track changes in Hg cycling. Because of its location in the central Panthalassa, far from terrigenous runoff, Hg enrichments at Katsuyama record atmospheric Hg deposition. These enrichments are characterized by negative mass independent fractionation (MIF) of odd Hg isotopes, providing evidence of their derivation from terrestrial organic-rich sediments (Δ199Hg < 0‰) rather than from deep-Earth volcanic gases (Δ199Hg ~ 0‰). Our data thus provide evidence that combustion of sedimentary organic matter by igneous intrusions and/or wildfires played a significant role in the environmental perturbations accompanying the event. This process has a modern analog in anthropogenic combustion of fossil fuels from crustal reservoirs.
A large and diverse autosomal haplotype is associated with sex-linked colour polymorphism in the guppy
Authors: Paris Josephine R. , Whiting James R. , Daniel Mitchel J. , Ferrer Obiol Joan , Parsons Paul J. , van der Zee Mijke J. , Wheat Christopher W. , Hughes Kimberly A. , Fraser Bonnie A.
Published: March 2022

Male colour patterns of the Trinidadian guppy (Poecilia reticulata) are typified by extreme variation governed by both natural and sexual selection. Since guppy colour patterns are often inherited faithfully from fathers to sons, it has been hypothesised that many of the colour trait genes must be physically linked to sex determining loci as a ‘supergene’ on the sex chromosome. Here, we phenotype and genotype four guppy ‘Iso-Y lines’, where colour was inherited along the patriline for 40 generations. Using an unbiased phenotyping method, we confirm the breeding design was successful in creating four distinct colour patterns. We find that genetic differentiation among the Iso-Y lines is repeatedly associated with a diverse haplotype on an autosome (LG1), not the sex chromosome (LG12). Moreover, the LG1 haplotype exhibits elevated linkage disequilibrium and evidence of sex-specific diversity in the natural source population. We hypothesise that colour pattern polymorphism is driven by Y-autosome epistasis.
The flavonoid corylin exhibits lifespan extension properties in mouse
Authors: Wang Tong-Hong , Tseng Wei-Che , Leu Yann-Lii , Chen Chi-Yuan , Lee Wen-Chih , Chi Ying-Chih , Cheng Shu-Fang , Lai Chun-Yu , Kuo Chen-Hsin , Yang Shu-Ling , Yang Sien-Hung , Shen Jiann-Jong , Feng Chun-Hao , Wu Chih-Ching , Hwang Tsong-Long , Wang Chia-Jen , Wang Shu-Huei , Chen Chin-Chuan
Published: March 2022

In the long history of traditional Chinese medicine, single herbs and complex formulas have been suggested to increase lifespan. However, the identification of single molecules responsible for lifespan extension has been challenging. Here, we collected a list of traditional Chinese medicines with potential longevity properties from pharmacopeias. By utilizing the mother enrichment program, we systematically screened these traditional Chinese medicines and identified a single herb, Psoralea corylifolia, that increases lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Next, twenty-two pure compounds were isolated from Psoralea corylifolia. One of the compounds, corylin, was found to extend the replicative lifespan in yeast by targeting the Gtr1 protein. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, RNA sequencing data showed that corylin ameliorates cellular senescence. We also examined an in vivo mammalian model, and found that corylin extends lifespan in mice fed a high-fat diet. Taken together, these findings suggest that corylin may promote longevity.
Predictors of adherence to public health behaviors for fighting COVID-19 derived from longitudinal data
Authors: Schumpe Birga M. , Van Lissa Caspar J. , Bélanger Jocelyn J. , Ruggeri Kai , Mierau Jochen , Nisa Claudia F. , Molinario Erica , Gelfand Michele J. , Stroebe Wolfgang , Agostini Maximilian , Gützkow Ben , Jeronimus Bertus F. , Kreienkamp Jannis , Kutlaca Maja , Lemay Edward P. , Reitsema Anne Margit , vanDellen Michelle R. , Abakoumkin Georgios , Abdul Khaiyom Jamilah Hanum , Ahmedi Vjollca , Akkas Handan , Almenara Carlos A. , Atta Mohsin , Bagci Sabahat Cigdem , Basel Sima , Berisha Kida Edona , Bernardo Allan B. I. , Buttrick Nicholas R. , Chobthamkit Phatthanakit , Choi Hoon-Seok , Cristea Mioara , Csaba Sara , Damnjanović Kaja , Danyliuk Ivan , Dash Arobindu , Di Santo Daniela , Douglas Karen M. , Enea Violeta , Faller Daiane , Fitzsimons Gavan J. , Gheorghiu Alexandra , Gómez Ángel , Hamaidia Ali , Han Qing , Helmy Mai , Hudiyana Joevarian , Jiang Ding-Yu , Jovanović Veljko , Kamenov Zeljka , Kende Anna , Keng Shian-Ling , Kieu Tra Thi Thanh , Koc Yasin , Kovyazina Kamila , Kozytska Inna , Krause Joshua , Kruglanski Arie W. , Kurapov Anton , Lantos Nóra Anna , Lesmana Cokorda Bagus J. , Louis Winnifred R. , Lueders Adrian , Malik Najma Iqbal , Martinez Anton P. , McCabe Kira O. , Mehulić Jasmina , Milla Mirra Noor , Mohammed Idris , Moyano Manuel , Muhammad Hayat , Mula Silvana , Muluk Hamdi , Myroniuk Solomiia , Najafi Reza , Nyúl Boglárka , O’Keefe Paul A. , Olivas Osuna Jose Javier , Osin Evgeny N. , Park Joonha , Pica Gennaro , Pierro Antonio , Rees Jonas H. , Resta Elena , Rullo Marika , Ryan Michelle K. , Samekin Adil , Santtila Pekka , Sasin Edyta , Selim Heyla A. , Stanton Michael Vicente , Sultana Samiah , Sutton Robbie M. , Tseliou Eleftheria , Utsugi Akira , van Breen Jolien A. , Van Veen Kees , Vázquez Alexandra , Wollast Robin , Yeung Victoria Wai-Lan , Zand Somayeh , Žeželj Iris Lav , Zheng Bang , Zick Andreas , Zúñiga Claudia , Leander N. Pontus
Published: March 2022

The present paper examines longitudinally how subjective perceptions about COVID-19, one’s community, and the government predict adherence to public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus. Using an international survey (N = 3040), we test how infection risk perception, trust in the governmental response and communications about COVID-19, conspiracy beliefs, social norms on distancing, tightness of culture, and community punishment predict various containment-related attitudes and behavior. Autoregressive analyses indicate that, at the personal level, personal hygiene behavior was predicted by personal infection risk perception. At social level, social distancing behaviors such as abstaining from face-to-face contact were predicted by perceived social norms. Support for behavioral mandates was predicted by confidence in the government and cultural tightness, whereas support for anti-lockdown protests was predicted by (lower) perceived clarity of communication about the virus. Results are discussed in light of policy implications and creating effective interventions.
Efficacy of antimicrobial and anti-viral coated air filters to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens
Authors: Watson Rowan , Oldfield Morwenna , Bryant Jack A. , Riordan Lily , Hill Harriet J. , Watts Julie A. , Alexander Morgan R. , Cox Michael J. , Stamataki Zania , Scurr David J. , de Cogan Felicity
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the real need for mechanisms to control the spread of airborne respiratory pathogens. Thus, preventing the spread of disease from pathogens has come to the forefront of the public consciousness. This has brought an increasing demand for novel technologies to prioritise clean air. In this study we report on the efficacy of novel biocide treated filters and their antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses. The antimicrobial filters reported here are shown to kill pathogens, such as Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and MRSA in under 15 min and to destroy SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in under 30 s following contact with the filter. Through air flow rate testing, light microscopy and SEM, the filters are shown to maintain their structure and filtration function. Further to this, the filters are shown to be extremely durable and to maintain antimicrobial activity throughout the operational lifetime of the product. Lastly, the filters have been tested in field trials onboard the UK rail network, showing excellent efficacy in reducing the burden of microbial species colonising the air conditioning system.
Detection of germline variants in Brazilian breast cancer patients using multigene panel testing
Authors: Guindalini Rodrigo Santa Cruz , Viana Danilo Vilela , Kitajima João Paulo Fumio Whitaker , Rocha Vinícius Marques , López Rossana Verónica Mendoza , Zheng Yonglan , Freitas Érika , Monteiro Fabiola Paoli Mendes , Valim André , Schlesinger David , Kok Fernando , Olopade Olufunmilayo I. , Folgueira Maria Aparecida Azevedo Koike
Published: March 2022

Genetic diversity of germline variants in breast cancer (BC) predisposition genes is unexplored in miscegenated populations, such those living in Latin America. We evaluated 1663 Brazilian BC patients, who underwent hereditary multigene panel testing (20–38 cancer susceptibility genes), to determine the spectrum and prevalence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants and variants of uncertain significance (VUS). Associations between P/LP variants and BC risk were estimated in a case–control analysis of BC patients and 18,919 Brazilian reference controls (RC). In total, 335 (20.1%) participants carried germline P/LP variants: 167 (10.0%) inBRCA1/2, 122 (7.3%) in BC actionable non-BRCA genes and 47 (2.8%) in candidate genes or other cancer predisposition genes. Overall, 354 distinctive P/LP variants were identified in 23 genes. The most commonly mutated genes were:BRCA1(27.4%),BRCA2(20.3%),TP53(10.5%), monoallelicMUTYH(9.9%),ATM(8.8%),CHEK2(6.2%) andPALB2(5.1%). The Brazilian variantTP53R337H (c.1010G>A, p.Arg337His), detected in 1.6% of BC patients and 0.1% of RC, was strongly associated with risk of BC, OR = 17.4 (95% CI: 9.4–32.1; p < 0.0001); monoallelicMUTYHvariants c.1187G>A and c.536A>G, detected in 1.2% (0.9% RC) and 0.8% (0.4% RC) of the patients, respectively, were not associated with the odds of BC, the former with OR = 1.4 (95% CI: 0.8–2.4; p = 0.29) and the latter with OR = 1.9 (95% CI: 0.9–3.9; p = 0.09). The overall VUS rate was 46.1% for the entire patient population. Concluding, the use of multigene panel testing almost doubled the identification of germline P/LP variants in clinically actionable predisposition genes in BC patients. In Brazil, special attention should be given toTP53P/LP variants.
Speed-up and slow-down of a quantum particle
Authors: de la Cal X. Gutiérrez , Pons M. , Sokolovski D.
Published: March 2022

We study non-relativistic propagation of Gaussian wave packets in one-dimensional Eckart potential, a barrier, or a well. In the picture used, the transmitted wave packet results from interference between the copies of the freely propagating state with different spatial shifts (delays), $$x'$$

x
′

, induced by the scattering potential. The Uncertainty Principle precludes relating the particle’s final position to the delay experienced in the potential, except in the classical limit. Beyond this limit, even defining an effective range of the delay is shown to be an impracticable task, owing to the oscillatory nature of the corresponding amplitude distribution. Our examples include the classically allowed case, semiclassical tunnelling, delays induced in the presence of a virtual state, and scattering by a low barrier. The properties of the amplitude distribution of the delays, and its pole representation are studied in detail.
Near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning-based technique to predict quality-related parameters in instant tea
Authors: Bai Xiaoli , Zhang Lei , Kang Chaoyan , Quan Bingyan , Zheng Yu , Zhang Xianglong , Song Jia , Xia Ting , Wang Min
Published: March 2022

The traditional method for analyzing the content of instant tea has disadvantages such as complicated operation and being time-consuming. In this study, a method for the rapid determination of instant tea components by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was established and optimized. The NIR spectra of 118 instant tea samples were used to evaluate the modeling and prediction performance of a combination of binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO) with support vector regression (SVR), BPSO with partial least squares (PLS), and SVR and PLS without BPSO. Under optimal conditions, Rp for moisture, caffeine, tea polyphenols, and tea polysaccharides were 0.9678, 0.9757, 0.7569, and 0.8185, respectively. The values of SEP were less than 0.9302, and absolute values of Bias were less than 0.3667. These findings indicate that machine learning can be used to optimize the detection model of instant tea components based on NIR methods to improve prediction accuracy.
Serum catestatin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Simac Petra , Perkovic Dijana , Bozic Ivona , Matijas Marijana , Gugo Katarina , Martinovic Dinko , Bozic Josko
Published: March 2022

Catestatin (CST) is an important peptide that influences various inflammatory diseases. Our goal was to investigate CST concentrations in patients with RA compared to healthy subjects. This cross-sectional observational study included 80 patients with RA and 80 healthy control subjects. Demographic characteristics and laboratory parameters were recorded. Serum CST levels were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum CST levels were significantly higher in RA patients than in the control group (10.53 ± 3.90 vs 5.24 ± 2.37 ng/mL, p < 0.001). In RA patients, there was a statistically significant correlation between CST and patient age (r = 0.418, p < 0.001) and both DAS28 (r = 0.469, p < 0.001) and HAQ scores (r = 0.483, p < 0.001). There was a statistically significant correlation between serum CST levels and RA duration (r = 0.583, p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that serum CST levels retained a significant association with RA duration (β ± SE, 0.13 ± 0.04, p = 0.002) and DAS28 score (0.94 ± 0.45, p = 0.039) after model adjustment for age, body mass index (BMI) and HAQ score, with serum CST levels as a dependent variable. These findings imply that CST is possibly associated with RA complex pathophysiology and disease activity. However, future larger multicentric longitudinal studies are necessary to define the role of CST in RA.
Effectiveness of behavioral sleep interventions on children’s and mothers’ sleep quality and maternal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Park Jeongok , Kim Soo Yeon , Lee Kyoungjin
Published: March 2022

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of behavioral sleep interventions (BSIs) on the number of child night awakenings, and maternal sleep quality and depression. The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA) using PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases and retrieved studies published until April 2021. We calculated the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for child sleep problems, and the mean differences (MD) and 95% CI for the number of child night awakenings, and maternal sleep quality and depression. Ten studies of 1628 initial searched were included in the final analysis. Two of the 10 studies were divided into two subgroups by participants and intervention type; thus, 12 subgroups were included in the meta-analysis. BSIs significantly reduced child sleep problems (OR 0.51; 95% CI 0.37–0.69) and improved maternal sleep quality (MD − 1.30; 95% CI − 1.82 to − 0.77) in the intervention group. There were no significant differences in the number of child night awakenings and maternal depression between the two groups. More RCTs to examine the effect of BSIs considering children’s age, duration of intervention, and outcome measuring time points are needed.
Abrupt upwelling and CO2 outgassing episodes in the north-eastern Arabian Sea since mid-Holocene
Authors: Azharuddin Syed , Govil Pawan , Chalk Thomas B. , Shekhar Mayank , Foster Gavin L. , Mishra Ravi
Published: March 2022

Identifying the causes and consequences of natural variations in ocean acidification and atmospheric CO2 due to complex earth processes has been a major challenge for climate scientists in the past few decades. Recent developments in the boron isotope (δ11B) based seawater pH and pCO2 (or pCO2sw) proxy have been pivotal in understanding the various oceanic processes involved in air-sea CO2 exchange. Here we present the first foraminifera-based δ11B record from the north-eastern Arabian Sea (NEAS) covering the mid-late Holocene (~ 8–1 ka). Our record suggests that the region was overall a moderate to strong CO2 sink during the last 7.7 kyr. The region behaved as a significant CO2 source during two short intervals around 5.5–4 ka and 2.8–2.5 ka. The decreased pH and increased CO2 outgassing during those abrupt episodes are associated with the increased upwelling in the area. The upwelled waters may have increased the nutrient content of the surface water through either increased supply or weaker export production. This new dataset from the coastal NEAS suggests that, as a potential result of changes in the strength of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation, the region experienced short episodes of high CO2 outgassing and pre-industrial ocean acidification comparable to or even greater than that experienced during the last ~ 200 years.
The biomechanical significance of the elongated rodent incisor root in the mandible during incision
Authors: Morris Philip J. R. , Cox Philip G. , Cobb Samuel N. F.
Published: March 2022

Rodents are characterised by a distinctive masticatory apparatus which includes a single pair of enlarged and continually growing incisors. This morphology, termed diprotodonty, has also independently evolved in a number of other mammals, including the aye-aye. This study examined the functional significance of the internal “root” of the elongated rodent-like incisor. The mandibles of four rodents and an aye-aye were modelled to exhibit incrementally shorter incisor roots. Finite element analysis was used to predict stress and strain patterns across the jaw to determine whether the length of the incisor root contributes to the resistance of mechanical forces encountered in the mandible during incision. It was found that von Mises stresses increase in the region of the mandible local to where the incisor is removed, but that the stress distribution across the wider mandible is only minimally affected. Thus, the long internal incisor appears to play a small role in resisting bending forces close to the incisor alveolus, and may act with the arch-like mandibular shape to strengthen the mandible in this region. However, the impact across the whole mandible is relatively limited, suggesting the highly elongate incisor in diprotodont mammals may be principally driven by other factors such as rapid incisor wear.
An imputation approach using subdistribution weights for deep survival analysis with competing events
Authors: Gorgi Zadeh Shekoufeh , Behning Charlotte , Schmid Matthias
Published: March 2022

With the popularity of deep neural networks (DNNs) in recent years, many researchers have proposed DNNs for the analysis of survival data (time-to-event data). These networks learn the distribution of survival times directly from the predictor variables without making strong assumptions on the underlying stochastic process. In survival analysis, it is common to observe several types of events, also called competing events. The occurrences of these competing events are usually not independent of one another and have to be incorporated in the modeling process in addition to censoring. In classical survival analysis, a popular method to incorporate competing events is the subdistribution hazard model, which is usually fitted using weighted Cox regression. In the DNN framework, only few architectures have been proposed to model the distribution of time to a specific event in a competing events situation. These architectures are characterized by a separate subnetwork/pathway per event, leading to large networks with huge amounts of parameters that may become difficult to train. In this work, we propose a novel imputation strategy for data preprocessing that incorporates weights derived from a time-discrete version of the classical subdistribution hazard model. With this, it is no longer necessary to add multiple subnetworks to the DNN to handle competing events. Our experiments on synthetic and real-world datasets show that DNNs with multiple subnetworks per event can simply be replaced by a DNN designed for a single-event analysis without loss in accuracy.
A LexAop > UAS > QUAS trimeric plasmid to generate inducible and interconvertible Drosophila overexpression transgenes
Authors: Wendler Franz , Park Sangbin , Hill Claire , Galasso Alessia , Chang Kathleen R. , Awan Iman , Sudarikova Yulia , Bustamante-Sequeiros Mar , Liu Sichen , Sung Ethan Y-H. , Aisa-Bonoko Gabrielle , Kim Seung K. , Baena-Lopez Luis A.
Published: March 2022

The existence of three independent binary systems for conditional gene expression (Gal4/UAS; LexA/LexAop; QF/QUAS) has greatly expanded versatile genetic analyses in the Drosophila melanogaster; however, the experimental application of these tools is limited by the need to generate multiple collections of noninterchangeable transgenic fly strains for each inducible gene expression system. To address this practical limitation, we developed a modular vector that contains the regulatory elements from all three binary systems, enabling Gal4-, LexA- or QF-dependent expression of transgenes. Our methods also incorporate DNA elements that facilitate independent site-specific recombination and elimination of regulatory UAS, LexAop or QUAS modules with spatial and temporal control, thus offering unprecedented possibilities and logistical advantages for in vivo genetic modulation and efficient interconversion of overexpression transgenic fly lines.
Structural connectivity of the sensorimotor network within the non-lesioned hemisphere of children with perinatal stroke
Authors: Craig Brandon T. , Kinney-Lang Eli , Hilderley Alicia J. , Carlson Helen L. , Kirton Adam
Published: March 2022

Perinatal stroke occurs early in life and often leads to a permanent, disabling weakness to one side of the body. To test the hypothesis that non-lesioned hemisphere sensorimotor network structural connectivity in children with perinatal stroke is different from controls, we used diffusion imaging and graph theory to explore structural topology between these populations. Children underwent diffusion and anatomical 3T MRI. Whole-brain tractography was constrained using a brain atlas creating an adjacency matrix containing connectivity values. Graph theory metrics including betweenness centrality, clustering coefficient, and both neighbourhood and hierarchical complexity of sensorimotor nodes were compared to controls. Relationships between these connectivity metrics and validated sensorimotor assessments were explored. Eighty-five participants included 27 with venous stroke (mean age = 11.5 ± 3.7 years), 26 with arterial stroke (mean age = 12.7 ± 4.0 years), and 32 controls (mean age = 13.3 ± 3.6 years). Non-lesioned primary motor (M1), somatosensory (S1) and supplementary motor (SMA) areas demonstrated lower betweenness centrality and higher clustering coefficient in stroke groups. Clustering coefficient of M1, S1, and SMA were inversely associated with clinical motor function. Hemispheric betweenness centrality and clustering coefficient were higher in stroke groups compared to controls. Hierarchical and average neighbourhood complexity across the hemisphere were lower in stroke groups. Developmental plasticity alters the connectivity of key nodes within the sensorimotor network of the non-lesioned hemisphere following perinatal stroke and contributes to clinical disability.
Low prevalence of spectacle use in the Hungarian Roma population indicates unmet health needs
Authors: Losonczy Gergely , Piko Peter , Klevering B. Jeroen , Kosa Zsigmond , Sandor Janos , Adany Roza
Published: March 2022

The Roma population is the largest transnational ethnic minority group in Europe, often facing socioeconomic inequalities and various health problems. In the present study, we investigated visual acuity and its influencing factors along with spectacle use of the Roma population in comparison with the general population in Hungary. A cross-sectional survey was carried out including 832 participants aged 20–64 years. We recorded the uncorrected visual acuity along with anthropometric, demographic, socioeconomic and health-related data of each individual. Although the average uncorrected visual acuity was somewhat higher, the use of a visual aid was significantly less frequent in the Roma population, especially in the group with a visual acuity below 0.5 in both eyes (14.3% vs. 77.1%, p < 0.001). Age, abdominal obesity and disturbances of carbohydrate metabolism had a negative impact on visual acuity in both populations; however, the latter was a much stronger risk factor in the Roma population (OR 5.789, 95% CI 2.239–14.964, p < 0.001) than in the general population (OR 2.075, 95% CI 1.097–3.926, p = 0.025). Our results show serious unmet health needs within the Roma population, which calls for public health programs to improve poor primary care indicators on regular eye examination and much more rigorous diabetes control.