bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One in, one out: Generic circumscription within subtribe Manilkarinae (Sapotaceae)
Authors: Randriarisoa Aina , Naciri Yamama , Armstrong Kate , Boluda Carlos Galan , Dafreville Stephanie , Pouchon Charles , Gautier Laurent
Published: December 2022

Previous phylogenetic studies have demonstrated that the Manilkarinae are a monophyletic subtribe if Northia is excluded. The subtribe consists of four genera: Faucherea, Labourdonnaisia, Labramia and Manilkara. However, the same phylogenetic studies also raised taxonomic issues concerning unclear generic delimitations and unresolved relationships. The current study's aims are: to resolve these taxonomic issues using a molecular phylogeny based on hundreds of nuclear markers sequenced from a representative sampling of taxa across the four genera; to find relevant morphological characters allowing the distinction of the clades retrieved with the phylogeny; and finally to understand the evolutionary history of the subtribe by conducting a divergence time estimation and ancestral state reconstructions. Our phylogeny shows a well‐resolved backbone with four main lineages: the Labramia clade, the main clade of Manilkara, a clade in which all species of Labourdonnaisia and Faucherea are mixed, and a clade of three Pacific Manilkara species. The main clade of Manilkara is retrieved as sister to Labramia, and the Labourdonnaisia‐Faucherea clade is clearly assessed as sister to the three Pacific Manilkara species. As a consequence, Faucherea is synonymized with Labourdonnaisia, and the three Pacific Manilkara are considered to be a separate genus, for which the name Abebaia is resurrected. We provide emended descriptions for Labourdonnaisia and Abebaia as well as the necessary new combinations. The ancestral state reconstruction of flower characters shows that ancestral Manilkarinae were characterized by a hexamerous corolla, well‐developed dorsal appendages and staminodes, and a pubescent ovary. These character states have been retained in the main Manilkara clade, but surprisingly also in Abebaia, which appears as a cryptic genus. The lack of dorsal appendages and the reduction of staminodes observed in Labourdonnaisia appeared after the split from Abebaia. The increase in corolla merism observed mainly in the Mascarene Labourdonnaisia, which was used to separate it from Faucherea, appears to be a derived state, which evolved separately in a few species during the radiation of Labourdonnaisia on Madagascar and the Mascarenes. The glabrous ovary state observed in Labramia also constitutes a derived synapomorphic state in the genus.
microRNAs‐based diagnostic and therapeutic applications in liver fibrosis
Authors: Zhao Xingtao , Xue Xinyan , Cui Zhifu , Kwame Amevor Felix , Wan Yan , Fu Ke , Wang Cheng , Peng Cheng , Li Yunxia
Published: December 2022

Liver fibrosis is a process of over‐extracellular matrix (ECM) aggregation and angiogenesis, which develops into cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). With the increasing pressure of liver fibrosis, new therapeutics to cure this disease requires much attention. Exosome‐cargoed microRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging approaches in the precision of the liver fibrotic paradigm. In this review, we outlined the different types of hepatic cells derived miRNAs that drive intra‐/extra‐cellular interactive communication in liver fibrosis with different physiological and pathological processes. Specifically, we highlighted the possible mechanism of liver fibrosis pathogenesis associated with immune response and angiogenesis. In addition, potential clinical biomarkers and different stem cell transplant‐derived miRNAs‐based therapeutic strategies in liver fibrosis were summarized in this review. miRNAs‐based approaches might help researchers devise new candidates for the cell‐free treatment of liver fibrosis.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
First principle study of gravitational pressure and thermodynamics of FRW universe
Authors: Abdusattar Haximjan , Kong Shi-Bei , You Wen-Long , Zhang Hongsheng , Hu Ya-Peng
Published: December 2022

Abstract

We make a first principle study of gravitational pressure in cosmic thermo- dynamics. The pressure is directly derived from the unified first law, in fact the Einstein field equation in spherically symmetric spacetime. By using this pressure, we obtain the thermodynamics for the FRW universe, especially presenting the gravitational equation of state for the FRW spacetime itself, i.e. P = P (RA, T) for the first time. Furthermore, we study the Joule-Thomson expansion as an application of the thermodynamic equation of state to find the cooling-heating property of the FRW universe. We demonstrate that there is an inversion temperature for a FRW universe if its enthalpy ℋ is negative. These investigations shed insights on the evolution of our universe in view of thermodynamics.
Sexual dysfunction therapeutic approaches in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review
Authors: Giannopapas Vasileios , Kitsos Dimitrios , Tsogka Anthi , Tzartos John S. , Paraskevas Georgios , Tsivgoulis Georgios , Voumvourakis Konstantinos , Giannopoulos Sotirios , Bakalidou Daphne
Published: December 2022

Objective

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The most common clinical manifestations of MS are spasticity, pain, vesico-urethral disorders, cognitive impairments, chronic fatigue and sexual dysfunction. This review aims to explore the possible therapeutic options for managing sexual dysfunction in people with MS (PwMS).

Method

A thorough search of the PubMed Medline database was performed. Records were limited to clinical studies published between 01/01/2010 up to 01/01/2022. The results were screened by the authors in pairs.

Results

The search identified 36 records. After screening, 9 records met the inclusion–exclusion criteria and were assessed. The pharmacological approaches investigated the effectiveness of sildenafil, tadalafil and onabotulinumtoxinA. Of the interventional studies the non-pharmacological investigated, the effectiveness of aquatic exercises, the application of pelvic floor exercises,the combination of pelvic floor exercises and mindfulness technique, the combination of pelvic floor exercises and electro muscular stimulation with electromyograph biofeedback, the application of yoga techniques and the efficacy of assistive devices like the clitoral vacuum suction device and the vibration device.

Conclusion

The management of sexual dysfunction in PwMS needs to be further investigated. A team of healthcare professionals should be involved in the management of SD in order to address not only the primary (MS-related) SD symptoms but the secondary and tertiary as well. The main limitations that were identified in the existing literature were related to MS disease features, sample characteristics and evaluation tools and batteries.
Intergenerational mobility measurement with latent transition matrices
Authors: Bavaro Michele , Tullio Federico
Published: December 2022

We propose a multivariate approach for the estimation of intergenerational transition matrices. Our methodology is grounded on the assumption that individuals’ social status is unobservable and must be estimated. In this framework, parents and offspring are clustered on the basis of the observed levels of income and occupational categories, thus avoiding any discretionary rule in the definition of class boundaries. The resulting transition matrix is a function of the posterior probabilities of parents and young adults of belonging to each class. Estimation is carried out via maximum likelihood by means of an expectation-maximization algorithm. We illustrate the proposed method using National Longitudinal Survey Data from the United States in the period 1978-2006.
Factors associated with successful reintegration for male offenders: a systematic narrative review with implicit causal model
Authors: Mathlin Georgina , Freestone Mark , Jones Hannah
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This systematic review explored factors associated with successful reintegration into the community for male offenders and investigated which factors may be causally related to reintegration.

Methods

Database searches were conducted in November 2021; a narrative synthesis and associated causal model with directed acyclic graph (DAG) was used to analyse the factors of reintegration.

Results

Thirty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Risk-Need-Responsivity–based interventions had the strongest evidence for reducing post-release offending. Fourteen good-quality studies met the inclusion criteria. The DAG shows six exposure variables (prison visits, witnessing victimisation, recovery perception, risk assessment, in-prison treatment, and pre-prison health) which link to several post-release outcomes (criminal justice outcomes, drug use, mental health, housing, and reintegration barriers) and confounding variables (demographics, offending history, prior reintegration barriers, substance misuse and attitudes).

Conclusions

The review identified factors that may be causally related to reintegration for male offenders and warrant further empirical investigation.
A comparison between similarity matrices for principal component analysis to assess population stratification in sequenced genetic data sets
Authors: Lee Sanghun , Hahn Georg , Hecker Julian , Lutz Sharon M , Mullin Kristina ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), Hide Winston , Bertram Lars , DeMeo Dawn L , Tanzi Rudolph E , Lange Christoph , Prokopenko Dmitry
Published: December 2022

Genetic similarity matrices are commonly used to assess population substructure (PS) in genetic studies. Through simulation studies and by the application to whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data, we evaluate the performance of three genetic similarity matrices: the unweighted and weighted Jaccard similarity matrices and the genetic relationship matrix. We describe different scenarios that can create numerical pitfalls and lead to incorrect conclusions in some instances. We consider scenarios in which PS is assessed based on loci that are located across the genome (‘globally’) and based on loci from a specific genomic region (‘locally’). We also compare scenarios in which PS is evaluated based on loci from different minor allele frequency bins: common (>5%), low-frequency (5–0.5%) and rare (<0.5%) single-nucleotide variations (SNVs). Overall, we observe that all approaches provide the best clustering performance when computed based on rare SNVs. The performance of the similarity matrices is very similar for common and low-frequency variants, but for rare variants, the unweighted Jaccard matrix provides preferable clustering features. Based on visual inspection and in terms of standard clustering metrics, its clusters are the densest and the best separated in the principal component analysis of variants with rare SNVs compared with the other methods and different allele frequency cutoffs. In an application, we assessed the role of rare variants on local and global PS, using WGS data from multiethnic Alzheimer’s disease data sets and European or East Asian populations from the 1000 Genome Project.
Removing Watermarks For Image Processing Networks Via Referenced Subspace Attention
Authors: Xue Yuliang , Zhu Yuhao , Zhu Zhiying , Li Sheng , Qian Zhenxing , Zhang Xinpeng
Published: December 2022

Deep neural network model extraction attack is the process of retraining a surrogate model based on the outputs of a target model with a given set of inputs. Such attacks are hard to defend for the sake of model owners’ interest. Recently, some work propose model watermarking scheme for image processing networks, which is able to prove the intellectual property of deep models even after the model extraction attack. This scheme makes sure that, once the target model (an image processing network) is watermarked, we can extract the watermark from the output of the surrogate model. In this paper, we propose a new model extraction attack scheme to fight against the latest method. Instead of directly using the output images of a target model, we propose to use their reconstructed versions for model retraining, where an asymmetrical UNet is proposed for image reconstruction. To thoroughly remove the watermarking traces, we propose and incorporate a referenced subspace attention module in the asymmetrical UNet, which removes the watermark by projecting the outputs of the target model into the subspaces of the reference image. Various experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our attack.
Wing morphology is related to niche specialization and interaction networks in stenodermatine bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)
Authors: García-Herrera Leidy Viviana , Ramírez-Fráncel Leidy Azucena , Guevara Giovany , Lim Burton K , Losada-Prado Sergio
Published: December 2022

Plant–animal interactions constitute some of the most important ecological processes for the maintenance of tropical forests. Bats are the only group of mammals capable of true flight and have been recognized as important dispersers of pioneer and secondary successional plant species. Although progress has been made in the study of Neotropical bats, morphological variation of the wing and its influence on niche separation between species is unknown. We evaluated relationships among habitat structures of selected Colombian tropical dry forest patches, the diet through interaction networks, and wing morphology of 11 species of bats in the Stenodermatinae subfamily (297 individuals) using geometric morphometry in a phylogenetic context. The results indicate that the phylogenetic signal for wing size is greater than for wing shape, thus providing some evidence for evolutionary convergence. Wing shape variation was associated primarily with the distal anatomical tip of the third finger and the joint between the humerus and the radius and ulna. Species with wide, short wings, as in the genus Artibeus had generalist diets and less nested positions within the interaction networks. In contrast, species with elongated and pointed wings, such as Sturnira and Platyrrhinus, had specialized diets and more nested positions within the interaction networks. We argue that wing shape variation may play an important role as a source of interspecific variation leading to food specialization within tropical bat communities.
A rare form of male pseudohermaphroditism—Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome
Authors: Ramzan Raazia , Khan Naveed Ali , Khalique Abdul , Aziz Munira Abdul
Published: December 2022

Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome (PMDS) is a rare disorder of defective sexual development in males. It is characterized by aberrant synthesis or inadequate action of Mullerian inhibiting factor resulting in derivatives of Mullerian duct, i.e. uterus, fallopian tube and upper vagina, to persist in a phenotypic male with 46XY karyotype. Here, we report a 19-year-old male with bilateral undescended testes. Further evaluation revealed that the patient had both his testes placed intra-abdominally along with a rudimentary uterus.
Linear active disturbance rejection control of heavy-haul train operation based on an interval type-2 fuzzy logic system model
Authors: Fu Yating , Rao Wenxuan , Yang Hui
Published: December 2022

The heavy-haul train (HHT) has large capacity and high efficiency, which represents the level of freight and makes the amelioration of control performance a trend in various countries. Improving the model reliability and increasing the anti-disturbance ability of the operation controller are two main ways to improve the operation control accuracy of HHTs. Herein, to describe the large nonlinear system more precisely, an interval type-2 fuzzy logic system (IT2FLS) is introduced to obtain a dynamic model. Then, a linear active disturbance rejection controller (LADRC) is designed to achieve precise operational control. In addition, the ‘bandwidth method’ is combined with the sparrow search algorithm (SSA) to solve the difficulty of controller parameters adjustment. Afterwards, the stability analysis of the closed-loop control system is given. The simulation experiments are conducted based on data collected from HXD1 locomotives driven by excellent drivers. Results show that the speed tracking error is no more than 0.5 km/h, and demonstrate that the proposed method significantly improves the operational performance of HHTs.
Phylodynamics and migration data help describe HIV transmission dynamics in internally displaced people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Authors: Kovalenko Ganna , Yakovleva Anna , Smyrnov Pavlo , Redlinger Matthew , Tymets Olga , Korobchuk Anna , Kolodiazieva Anna , Podolina Anna , Cherniavska Svitlana , Skaathun Britt , Smith Laramie R. , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Wertheim Joel O. , Friedman Samuel R. , Bortz Eric , Goodfellow Ian , Meredith Luke , Vasylyeva Tetyana I.
Published: December 2022

Internally-displaced persons are often excluded from HIV molecular epidemiology surveillance due to structural, behavioral, and social barriers in access to treatment. We test a novel field-based molecular epidemiology framework to study HIV transmission dynamics in a hard-to-reach and highly-stigmatized group, internally-displaced people who inject drugs (IDPWID). We inform the framework by Nanopore generated HIVpolsequences and IDPWID migration history. In June-September 2020, we recruited 164 IDPWID in Odesa, Ukraine, and obtained 34 HIV sequences from HIV-infected participants. We aligned them to publicly-available sequences (N=359) from Odesa and IDPWID regions of origin and identified 7 phylogenetic clusters with at least 1 IDPWID. Using times to the most recent common ancestors of the identified clusters and times of IDPWID relocation to Odesa, we infer potential post-displacement transmission window when infections likely to happen to be between 10 and 21 months, not exceeding 4 years. Phylogeographic analysis of the sequence data show that local people in Odesa disproportionally transmit HIV to the IDPWID community. Rapid transmissions post-displacement in the IDPWID community might be associated with slow progression along the HIV continuum of care: only 63% of IDPWID were aware of their status, 40% of those were in antiviral treatment, and 43% of those were virally suppressed. Such HIV molecular epidemiology investigations are feasible in transient and hard-to-reach communities and can help indicate best times for HIV preventive interventions. Our findings highlight the need to rapidly integrate Ukrainian IDPWID into prevention and treatment services following the dramatic escalation of the war in 2022.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

As human displacement is on the rise globally, it is crucial to develop ways in which infectious disease transmission can be monitored in displaced populations. We tested a new molecular epidemiology framework that relies on molecular epidemiology methods and portable HIV sequencing from samples collected from a hard-to-reach population of internally-displaced people who inject drugs (IDPWID). We show that by phylogenetically identifying potential HIV transmission clusters, estimating times of the clusters’ origin, and referencing these times against the time of IDPWID’s arrival to a new region, we can estimate an approximate window during an IDPWID’s displacement journey when HIV transmissions are likely to happen. Further analysis indicated that HIV is primarily transmitted from local populations to IDPWID.
Same-day testing with initiation of antiretroviral therapy or tuberculosis treatment versus standard care for persons presenting with tuberculosis symptoms at HIV diagnosis: A randomized unblinded trial
Authors: Dorvil Nancy , Rivera Vanessa R. , Riviere Cynthia , Berman Richard , Severe Patrice , Bang Heejung , Lavoile Kerlyne , Devieux Jessy G. , Faustin Mikerlyne , Saintyl Giovanni , Mendicuti Maria Duran , Pierre Samuel , Apollon Alexandra , Dumond Emelyne , Forestal Guyrlaine Pierre-Louise , Rouzier Vanessa , Marcelin Adias , McNairy Margaret L. , Walsh Kathleen F. , Dupnik Kathryn , Reif Lindsey K. , Byrne Anthony L. , Bousleiman Stephanie , Orvis Eli , Joseph Patrice , Cremieux Pierre-Yves , Pape Jean William , Koenig Serena P.
Published: December 2022

Background

Same-day HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is being widely implemented. However, the optimal timing of ART among patients with tuberculosis (TB) symptoms is unknown. We hypothesized that same-day treatment would be superior to standard care in this population.

Methods and Findings

We conducted an open-label randomized trial among adults with TB symptoms at initial HIV diagnosis at GHESKIO in Haiti. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to same-day treatment (same-day TB testing with same-day treatment [TB medication if TB; ART if no TB]) vs. standard care. In both groups, ART was initiated two weeks after TB treatment. The primary outcome was retention in care with 48-week HIV-1 RNA <200 copies/mL, with intention to treat analysis. From November 6, 2017 to January 16, 2020, 500 participants were randomized (250/group). Baseline TB was diagnosed in 40 (16.0%) in the standard and 48 (19.2%) in the same-day group; all initiated TB treatment. In the standard group, 245 (98.0%) initiated ART at median of 9 days; 6 (2.4%) died, 229 (91.6%) were retained, and 220 (88.0%) received 48-week HIV-1 RNA testing; 168 had <200 copies/mL (among randomized: 67.2%; among tested: 76.4%). In the same-day group, 249 (99.6%) initiated ART at median of 0 days; 9 (3.6%) died, 218 (87.2%) were retained, and 211 (84.4%) received 48-week HIV-1 RNA; 152 had <200 copies/mL (among randomized: 60.8%; among tested: 72.0%). There was no difference between groups in the primary outcome (60.8% vs. 67.2%; risk difference: -0.06; 95% CI: -0.15, 0.02; p=0.14). The main limitation of this study is that it was conducted at a single urban clinic, and the generalizability to other settings is uncertain.

Conclusions

In patients with TB symptoms at HIV diagnosis, same-day treatment is not associated with superior retention and viral suppression. A short delay in ART initiation, which facilitates more feasible TB testing, does not compromise outcomes.

Trial Registration

This study is registered withClinicalTrials.govNCT03154320
Leveraging intelligent optimization for automated, cardiac-sparing accelerated partial breast treatment planning
Authors: Pogue Joel , Cardenas Carlos , Cao Yanan , Popple Richard , Soike Michael , Boggs Drexel , Stanley Dennis , Harms Joseph
Published: December 2022

Background

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) yields similar rates of recurrence and cosmetic outcomes as compared to whole breast radiation therapy (RT) when patients and treatment techniques are appropriately selected. APBI combined with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a promising technique for precisely delivering high levels of radiation while avoiding uninvolved breast tissue. Here we investigate the feasibility of automatically generating high quality APBI plans in the Ethos adaptive workspace with a specific emphasis on sparing the heart.

Methods

Nine patients (10 target volumes) were utilized to iteratively tune an Ethos APBI planning template for automatic plan generation. Twenty patients previously treated on a TrueBeam Edge accelerator were then automatically replanned using this template without manual intervention or reoptimization. The unbiased validation cohort Ethos plans were benchmarked via adherence to planning objectives, a comparison of DVH and quality indices against the clinical Edge plans, and qualitative reviews by two board-certified radiation oncologists.

Results

85% (17/20) of automated validation cohort plans met all planning objectives; three plans did not achieve the contralateral lung V150cGy objective, but all other objectives were achieved. Compared to the Eclipse generated plans, the proposed Ethos template generated plans with greater evaluation planning target volume (PTV_Eval) V100% coverage (p= 0.01), significantly decreased heart V1500cGy (p< 0.001), and increased contralateral breast V500cGy, skin D0.01cc, and RTOG conformity index (p= 0.03,p= 0.03, andp= 0.01, respectively). However, only the reduction in heart dose was significant after correcting for multiple testing. Physicist-selected plans were deemed clinically acceptable without modification for 75% and 90% of plans by physicians A and B, respectively. Physicians A and B scored at least one automatically generated plan as clinically acceptable for 100% and 95% of planning intents, respectively.

Conclusions

Standard left- and right-sided planning templates automatically generated APBI plans of comparable quality to manually generated plans treated on a stereotactic linear accelerator, with a significant reduction in heart dose compared to Eclipse generated plans. The methods presented in this work elucidate an approach for generating automated, cardiac-sparing APBI treatment plans for daily adaptive RT with high efficiency.
Lung cancer mortality in the wake of the changing smoking epidemic: a descriptive study of the global burden in 2020 and 2040
Authors: Wéber András , Morgan Eileen , Vignat Jerome , Laversanne Mathieu , Pizzato Margherita , Rumgay Harriet , Singh Deependra , Nagy Péter , Kenessey István , Soerjomataram Isabelle , Bray Freddie
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in 2020, responsible for almost one in five (18.0%) deaths. This paper provides an overview of the descriptive epidemiology of lung cancer on the basis of national mortality estimates for 2020 from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and in the context of recent tobacco control policies.

Methods

Age-standardized mortality rates per 100,000 person-years of lung cancer for 185 countries by sex were obtained from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database and stratified by Human Development Index (HDI). Lung cancer deaths were projected to 2040 based on demographic changes alongside scenarios of annually increasing, stable or decreasing rates from the baseline year of 2020.

Results

Lung cancer mortality rates exhibited marked variations by geography and sex. Low HDI countries, many of them within sub-Saharan Africa, tend to have low levels of mortality and an upward trend in lung cancer deaths is predicted for both sexes until 2040 according to demographic projections, irrespective of trends in rates. In very high HDI countries, including Europe, Northern America and Australia/New Zealand, there are broadly decreasing trends in men whereas in women, rates are still increasing or reaching a plateau.

Conclusion

The current and future burden of lung cancer in a country or region largely depends on the present trajectory of the smoking epidemic in its constituent populations, with distinct gender differences in smoking patterns, both in transitioning and transitioned countries. Further elevations in lung cancer mortality are expected worldwide, raising important social and political questions, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Strengths and limitations of this study

Strengths

This study

presents a detailed profile of the present LC burden in men and women worldwide according to national levels of human development.

applies a simple projection to estimate the future lung cancer mortality burden in 2040.

discusses the results in the context of key risk factors for lung cancer, particularly the continually evolving smoking epidemic.

Limitations

This study

is hampered by the limited availability of local cause of death information from national vital registration sources, particularly in transitioning countries.
Inhibition and Disassembly of Tau Aggregates by Engineered Graphene Quantum Dots
Authors: Zhu Runyao , Makwana Kamlesh M. , Zhang Youwen , Rajewski Benjamin H. , Del Valle Juan R. , Wang Yichun
Published: December 2022

Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases resulting in cognitive dysfunction, executive dysfunction, and motor disturbance. The primary pathological feature of tauopathies is the presence of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain composed of tau protein aggregates. Although numerous small molecules are known to inhibit tau aggregation, it is still challenging to use them for therapeutic applications due to their limitations in specific targeting and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), one of graphene nanoparticles, can penetrate the BBB and are amenable to functionalization for targeted delivery. Moreover, these nanoscale biomimetic particles can self-assemble or assemble with various biomolecules including proteins. In this paper, for the first time, we showed that GQDs interacted with tau proteinsviaelectrostatic and π-π stacking interactions to inhibit the fibrillization of monomeric tau and to trigger the disaggregation of tau filaments.In vitrothioflavin T assays demonstrated that negatively charged GQDs with larger sizes inhibited tau aggregation more efficiently, while positively charged ones were more effective in the disassembly of tau fibrils. Moreover, GQDs blocked the seeding activity of tau fibrils in a cellular propagation assay. Overall, our studies indicate GQDs with engineered properties can efficiently inhibit and disassemble pathological aggregation of tau proteins, which supports their future developments as a potential treatment for tauopathies.
Integrating end-to-end learning with deep geometrical potentials forab initioRNA structure prediction
Authors: Li Yang , Zhang Chengxin , Feng Chenjie , Freddolino Peter L. , Zhang Yang
Published: December 2022

RNAs are fundamental in living cells and perform critical functions determined by the tertiary architectures. However, accurate modeling of 3D RNA structure remains a challenging problem. Here we present a novel method, DRfold, to predict RNA tertiary structures by simultaneous learning of local frame rotations and geometric restraints from experimentally solved RNA structures, where the learned knowledge is converted into a hybrid energy potential to guide subsequent RNA structure constructions. The method significantly outperforms previous approaches by >75.6% in TM-score on a nonredundant dataset containing recently released structures. Detailed analyses showed that the major contribution to the improvements arise from the deep end-to-end learning supervised with the atom coordinates and the composite energy function integrating complementary information from geometry restraints and end-to-end learning models. The open-source DRfold program allows large-scale application of high-resolution RNA structure modeling and can be further improved with future release of RNA structure databases.
Concrete made from waste paper sludge (WPS): a sustainable material
Authors: Kore Sudarshan Dattatraya , Rajput Babalu , Agarwal Anil , Pawar Amol
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The growing quantity of waste is a worrying reality that has resulted in environmental sustainability challenges. Waste paper sludge (WPS) in large quantities from paper mill industry are produced every year. Their disposal in landfills, in general, pollutes the environment. Cement manufacture also contributes to global warming by emitting carbon dioxide. As a result, a novel use of industrial wastes as a supplemental cementitious ingredient in concrete formulation can help to mitigate the environmental problem. This paper aims to study the possibility of usage of WPS as partial replacements of cement for sustainable development of concrete.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims at testing the mechanical properties of concrete that has been mixed with WPS. Between 5% and 20% of the weight of cement, WPS was used to substitute it. The water binder ratios of 0.55, 0.50, 0.45 and 0.42 were all considered for an experiment to better understand the impact of WPS on concrete. In terms of workability, density, water absorption (WA), compressive strength (CS) and flexural strength (FS), concrete mixtures were created, tested and compared to traditional concrete mixes.

Findings

According to the findings, the initial and final setting times of the concrete mixtures were both significantly delayed, and the workability and density of the concrete mixtures were both significantly lowered at all water binder ratios and replacement levels. Both compressive and FS of concrete made with WSP declined significantly at all water binder ratio. Substitution of cement by WPS enhanced the WA of all the concrete mixes. The mechanical performance of concrete mixtures that were made with a replacement level of 5% exhibited noticeable improvements. Whereas the more is the replacement levels the more the loss in the mechanical properties were noted. The ideal replacement levels for the WPS are up to 5% only.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the ecological and sustainable effects of using WPS in construction materials.
Effect of vacuum application on the physical, rheological and sensory characteristics of an artisanal ice cream
Authors: Lomolino Giovanna , De Iseppi Alberto , Bravo Stefano , Vegro Mara , Marangon Matteo , Crapisi Antonella , Curioni Andrea
Published: December 2022

Four milk‐based ice cream samples were produced by heating (65°C) the ingredients at different pressures (0.5, 1.0 bar) and times (5, 30 min). Overrun, melting behaviour, particle size, viscosity and sensory analysis were conducted for each time/temperature combination. The 5‐min vacuum application resulted in a reduction of overrun and air bubbles size, whereas ice cream viscosity increased. Opposite outcomes were found for the sample treated with vacuum for 30 min, which also showed a significant fat globule size reduction (<3.0 μm). Sensory analysis revealed that the use of vacuum improved sweetness, milky and creamy sensations regardless the treatment times.
BmTBP upregulates the transcription of BmSuc1 in silkworm (Bombyx mori) by binding to BmTfΙΙA‐S
Authors: Zhang Xinwei , Yang Liangli , Gan Quan , Jiang Song , Liang Dan , Gao Junshan , Meng Yan
Published: December 2022

The BmSuc1 gene, which encodes a novel animal‐type β‐fructofuranosidase (EC 3.2.1.26), was first cloned and identified in silkworm (Bombyx mori). As an essential sucrase, the activity of BmSUC1 is unaffected by alkaloidal sugar mimics in mulberry leaves. This enzyme may also directly regulate the degree of sucrose hydrolysis in the silkworm midgut. In addition, BmSUC1 is involved in the synthesis of sericin 1 in the silk gland tissue. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of BmSuc1 transcription remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the BmSuc1 promoter activity using a dual‐luciferase reporter assay and identified 4 regions that are critical for transcriptional activation. The gene encoding a predicted transcription factor (TATA‐box‐binding protein; BmTBP) capable of binding to the core promoter regions was cloned. A quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated the gene was highly expressed in the midgut. Downregulating BmTBP expression via RNA interference decreased the expression of BmSuc1 at the transcript and protein levels. An electrophoretic mobility shift analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation indicated that BmTBP can bind to the TATA‐box cis‐regulatory element in the BmSuc1 promoter. Furthermore, a bioinformatics‐based analysis and a far‐western blot revealed the interaction between BmTBP and another transcription factor (BmTfIIA‐S). The luciferase reporter gene assay results confirmed that the BmTBP–BmTfIIA‐S complex increases the BmSuc1 promoter activity. Considered together, these findings suggest that BmTBP regulates BmSuc1 expression through its interaction with BmTfIIA‐S.
AI‐based runoff simulation based on remote sensing observations: A case study of two river basins in the United States and Canada
Authors: Parisouj Peiman , Mohammadzadeh Khani Hadi , Islam Md Feroz , Jun Changhyun , Bateni Sayed M. , Kim Dongkyun
Published: December 2022

Data‐driven techniques are used extensively for hydrologic time‐series prediction. We created various data‐driven models (DDMs) based on machine learning: long short‐term memory (LSTM), support vector regression (SVR), extreme learning machines, and an artificial neural network with backpropagation, to define the optimal approach to predicting streamflow time series in the Carson River (California, USA) and Montmorency (Canada) catchments. The moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) snow‐coverage dataset was applied to improve the streamflow estimate. In addition to the DDMs, the conceptual snowmelt runoff model was applied to simulate and forecast daily streamflow. The four main predictor variables, namely snow‐coverage (S‐C), precipitation (P), maximum temperature (Tmax), and minimum temperature (Tmin), and their corresponding values for each river basin, were obtained from National Climatic Data Center and National Snow and Ice Data Center to develop the model. The most relevant predictor variable was chosen using the support vector machine‐recursive feature elimination feature selection approach. The results show that incorporating the MODIS snow‐coverage dataset improves the models' prediction accuracies in the snowmelt‐dominated basin. SVR and LSTM exhibited the best performances (root mean square error = 8.63 and 9.80) using monthly and daily snowmelt time series, respectively. In summary, machine learning is a reliable method to forecast runoff as it can be employed in global climate forecasts that require high‐volume data processing.
Altered profile of plasma phospholipids in woman with recurrent pregnancy loss and recurrent implantation failure treated with lipid emulsion therapy
Authors: Canella Paula Renata Bueno Campos , Vinces Salvador Sánchez , Silva Álex Aparecido Rosini , Sanches Pedro Henrique Godoy , Barini Ricardo , Porcari Andréia de Melo , Razolli Daniela Soares , Carvalho Patrícia de Oliveira
Published: December 2022

Background

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) and Recurrent Implantation Failure (RIF) are highly heterogeneous condition and many of the mechanisms involved still require elucidation. The aim was to analyze the lipidomic profile in plasma of women with RPL and RIF before and after receiving the Lipid Emulsion Therapy (LET) containing 10% fish oil (SMOFlipid® 20%).

Methods

This study included twenty‐six women with RPL or RIF from immunological or inflammatory causes, with elevated natural killer cell levels and divided into a Pregnancy Loss or a Live Birth group according to the outcome. The women received intravenous LET and sample collecting was done before the first, third and fifth dose of LET in the pregnant women. Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐QTOF MS) and multivariate statistical methods were performed to evaluate the profile of phospholipids present in the women's plasma.

Results

An increase of phosphatidylcholines (PC) 40:8 and 36:5 levels with predominance of n6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was observed in plasma lipids of the Pregnancy Loss Group compared to Live Birth Group. We also observed an increase in the relative abundance of n3 PUFA‐PC species (42:10 and 36:6) and LysoPC 15:0 with the long term use of LET.

Conclusion

The greater availability of n3 PUFA in plasma of the pregnant women stemming from LET use can be considered advantageous regarding the alteration of the phospholipid profile and its postulated anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory role.
Role of pontine sub‐laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (SLD) in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, cataplexy, and emotion
Authors: Fan Fang‐Fang , Vetrivelan Ramalingam , Yang Yi , Guo Zhen‐Ni , Lu Jun
Published: December 2022

Pontine sub‐laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (SLD) is crucial for REM sleep. However, the necessary role of SLD for REM sleep, cataplexy that resembles REM sleep, and emotion memory by REM sleep has remained unclear. To address these questions, we focally ablated SLD neurons using adenoviral diphtheria‐toxin (DTA) approach and found that SLD lesions completely eliminated REM sleep accompanied by wake increase, significantly reduced baseline cataplexy amounts by 40% and reward (sucrose) induced cataplexy amounts by 70% and altered cataplexy EEG Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) from REM sleep‐like to wake‐like in orexin null (OXKO) mice. We then used OXKO animals with absence of REM sleep and OXKO controls and examined elimination of REM sleep in anxiety and fear extinction. Our resulted showed that REM sleep elimination significantly increased anxiety‐like behaviors in open field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPM) and defensive aggression and impaired fear extinction. The data indicate that in OXKO mice the SLD is the sole generator for REM sleep; (2) the SLD selectively mediates REM sleep cataplexy (R‐cataplexy) that merges with wake cataplexy (W‐cataplexy); (3) REM sleep enhances positive emotion (sucrose induced cataplexy) response, reduces negative emotion state (anxiety), and promotes fear extinction.
Inflammatory profile of apical periodontitis exacerbated by cigarette smoke inhalation: Histological and immunohistochemical analysis in rats
Authors: Vasques Ana Maria Veiga , da Silva Ana Claudia Rodrigues , Bueno Carlos Roberto Emerenciano , Cury Marina Tolomei Sandoval , Ervolino Edilson , Cintra Luciano Tavares Angelo , Dezan Junior Eloi
Published: December 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cigarette smoke inhalation (CSI) on inflammation, pro‐inflammatory mediators and haematological parameters in rats with induced apical periodontitis (AP).

Methodology

Thirty‐two 3‐month‐old male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups (n = 8): C—Control; S—rats with CSI; AP—rats with AP; and SAP—rats with CSI + AP. Animals in groups S and SAP inhaled cigarette smoke by remaining inside a smoking chamber for 8 min, three times daily, for 50 days. After 20 days of smoke inhalation, animals in AP and SAP groups had the pulps of the lower right first molar exposed to oral environment for 30 days to induce AP. In these subsequent 30 days, animals in group S and SAP continued with CSI. On Day 50, animals were euthanized and mandibles were histologically processed to assess inflammatory infiltrate, immunohistochemical interleukins (IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNF‐α), and blood samples collected for laboratory analysis. The Mann–Whitney test was performed for non‐parametric data and the pairwise analyses of Student's t‐test for parametric data, with a significance level of p < .050.

Results

Inflammatory infiltrate was moderate in AP group and more severe in the SAP (p = .010). The interleukins IL‐6, IL‐1β and TNF‐α were higher in SAP group (p < .001) when compared to the AP group. A greater number of red blood cells (p = .010), haemoglobin (p = .007) and neutrophils (p = .014) were observed in the SAP group in comparison with the AP group.

Conclusion

Cigarette smoke inhalation induced a more severe inflammatory infiltrate, with increased levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and changes in haematological parameters in rats with induced AP. Thus, CSI aggravated AP, exacerbating the inflammatory response.
Attitudinal stance toward translanguaging in Saudi Arabia: A mixed method case study
Authors: Alharbi Majed Abdullah , Alqefari Abdulrahman Nasser
Published: December 2022

With the global demand to engage in a reflexive critique of using English‐only as a medium of instruction, teachers of English in higher education need to find ways to support and scaffold students in the process of learning, and translanguaging (TL), as defined by García and Lin, could be a useful tool for this purpose. Teaching English in Saudi higher education is a worthwhile context to investigate the pervasive practices of TL due to the immense variety of Englishes spoken, varying Arabic dialects spoken in the classes, and the fact that English students are seen as emerging bilingual/cultural students. This study aims to unpack teachers’ attitudes toward TL in Saudi Arabia as well as the ideological underpinnings of those attitudes in order to gauge the openness of teachers to this potentially useful practice. We sought to understand how TL is used as a practice and theory that empowers English language students while tapping into their available resources in the process of learning. Data were collected through a survey and then followed by semi‐structured interviews of five university English language professors. Findings of the current study, especially the interviews, suggested that teachers of English in the Saudi context realize that incorporating more than one cultural, dialectal, and linguistic code in the classroom is a natural, humanistic phenomenon. Results also showed that participants in the present study were ambivalent about its use for ideological, institutional, and pedagogical reasons. The study concludes that TL is viewed favorably by English as a foreign language teachers when both teachers and students share common linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The study implies that teachers and stakeholders can embrace a rhetoric of differences in their classrooms rather than a unitary, one‐sided way of meaning‐making.
Development of a patient classification system for critical care nursing based on nursing intensity
Authors: Ko Yukyung , Park Bohyun , Lee Hanju , Kim Donghwan
Published: December 2022

Aim

This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable new intensive care unit nursing classification tool, including direct and indirect nursing activities, by measuring the nursing intensity provided to patients.

Background

Prior tools primarily examine patients' medical records or disease severity/interactions, systematically failing to reflect comorbidity risk factors.

Design

The Delphi technique was used to test the content validity of the Korean Patient Classification System on Nursing Intensity for Critical Care Nurses (KPCSNIC).

Methods

Data were collected from four hospitals in two provinces from 26 December 2017 to 30 January 2018. To verify construct validity, staff nurses classified 365 patients, comparing differences by medical department and type of stay. To verify interrater reliability, data collectors and the head nurses of three intensive care units classified 87 patients.

Results

The KPCSNIC had 8 categories, 44 nursing activities and 105 criteria. Reliability was high (r = .84). Construct validity was verified by revealing differences according to medical department and type of patient. Using total scores, four KPCSNIC groups were identified.

Conclusion

The KPCSNIC developed in this study can support staffing for nursing intensity by providing more specific evaluation criteria. Moreover, it reflects nursing intensity, including direct and indirect nursing activities.
Adverse event reports of anaphylaxis after Comirnaty and Vaxzevria COVID‐19 vaccinations, Western Australia, 22 February to 30 June 2021
Authors: Shivarev Alexander , Phillips Anastasia , Brophy‐Williams Sam , Ford Tim , Richmond Peter , Effler Paul , McLean‐Tooke Andrew
Published: December 2022

Within the first 4 months of the Western Australian COVID‐19 immunisation programme, 49 suspected anaphylaxis cases were reported to the vaccine safety surveillance system. Twelve reports met Brighton Collaboration case definition, corresponding to rates of 15.9 and 17.7 per million doses of Vaxzevria and Comirnaty administered respectively.