bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilization of an Artificial Intelligence Program Using the Greulich-Pyle Method to Evaluate Bone Age in the Skeletal Maturation Stage
Authors: Kim Jihoon , Seo Hyejun , Park Soyoung , Lee Eungyung , Jeong Taesung , Nam Ok Hyung , Choi Sungchul , Shin Jonghyun
Published: February 2023

The purpose of this study was to measure bone age using an artificial intelligence program based on the Greulich-Pyle (GP) method to find out the bone age corresponding to each stage of cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) and the middle phalanx of the third finger (MP3). This study was conducted on 3,118 patients who visited pediatric dentistry at Kyung Hee University Dental Hospital and Pusan National University Dental Hospital from 2013 to 2021. The CVM stage was divided into 5 stages according to the classification by Baccetti, and the MP3 stage was divided into 5 stages according to the methods of Hägg and Taranger. Based on the GP method, bone age was evaluated using an artificial intelligence program. The pubertal growth spurt in the CVM stage was CVM II and III. The mean bone age in CVM II was 11.00 ± 1.81 years for males and 10.00 ± 1.49 years for females, and in CVM III, 13.00 ± 1.46 years for males and 12.00 ± 1.44 years for females (p < 0.0001). The pubertal growth spurt in the MP3 stage was MP3 - G stage. The bone age at the MP3 - G stage was 13.14 ± 1.07 years for males and 11.40 ± 1.09 years for females (p < 0.0001). Bone age evaluation using artificial intelligence is worth using in clinical practice, and it is expected that a faster and more accurate diagnosis will be possible.
VÉCU DES ÉTUDIANTES ET ÉTUDIANTS EN TRAVAIL SOCIAL DANS UNE UNIVERSITÉ CANADIENNE ET DANS LE CONTEXTE DE LA PANDÉMIE DE COVID-19
Authors: Labra Oscar , Ependa Augustin , Castro Carol , Bergheul Saïd , Bedoya Juan Pablo
Published: February 2023

La pandémie de la COVID-19 a bouleversé les rapports avec autrui dans le milieu universitaire suite à la mise en place des mesures sanitaires. Cette étude a pour but de mieux comprendre la réalité vécue et verbalisée par les étudiant.e.s des 1er et 2e cycles en travail social durant la pandémie de la COVID-19 et en confinement obligatoire. L’étude couvre le volet qualitatif d’un large sondage auprès de 621 participant.e.s et comprend une recherche quantitative auprès de 90 étudiant.e.s en travail social. Les résultats montrent une perception négative des étudiant.e.s en travail social sur le plan émotionnel, en raison des enseignements en mode virtuel et d’une surcharge de travail durant cette pandémie. Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent un besoin de soutien pour les étudiant.e.s pendant les périodes de confinement, une mise en garde à propos des méthodes d’enseignement, ainsi que des préoccupations quant à la façon dont l’enseignement virtuel affecte la qualité de la formation en travail social.
Development and evaluation of a live birth prediction model for evaluating human blastocysts from a retrospective study
Authors: Liu Hang , Zhang Zhuoran , Gu Yifan , Dai Changsheng , Shan Guanqiao , Song Haocong , Li Daniel , Chen Wenyuan , Lin Ge , Sun Yu
Published: February 2023

Background:

In infertility treatment, blastocyst morphological grading is commonly used in clinical practice for blastocyst evaluation and selection, but has shown limited predictive power on live birth outcomes of blastocysts. To improve live birth prediction, a number of artificial intelligence (AI) models have been established. Most existing AI models for blastocyst evaluation only used images for live birth prediction, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) achieved by these models has plateaued at ~0.65.

Methods:

This study proposed a multimodal blastocyst evaluation method using both blastocyst images and patient couple’s clinical features (e.g., maternal age, hormone profiles, endometrium thickness, and semen quality) to predict live birth outcomes of human blastocysts. To utilize the multimodal data, we developed a new AI model consisting of a convolutional neural network (CNN) to process blastocyst images and a multilayer perceptron to process patient couple’s clinical features. The data set used in this study consists of 17,580 blastocysts with known live birth outcomes, blastocyst images, and patient couple’s clinical features.

Results:

This study achieved an AUC of 0.77 for live birth prediction, which significantly outperforms related works in the literature. Sixteen out of 103 clinical features were identified to be predictors of live birth outcomes and helped improve live birth prediction. Among these features, maternal age, the day of blastocyst transfer, antral follicle count, retrieved oocyte number, and endometrium thickness measured before transfer are the top five features contributing to live birth prediction. Heatmaps showed that the CNN in the AI model mainly focuses on image regions of inner cell mass and trophectoderm (TE) for live birth prediction, and the contribution of TE-related features was greater in the CNN trained with the inclusion of patient couple's clinical features compared with the CNN trained with blastocyst images alone.

Conclusions:

The results suggest that the inclusion of patient couple’s clinical features along with blastocyst images increases live birth prediction accuracy.

Funding:

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Research Chairs Program.
Association between obesity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in Korean adults without cardiovascular disease
Authors: Lee Heashoon
Published: February 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in Korean adults without cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods: The subjects were 3,634 adults, and data were extracted from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES Ⅶ-3). A complex sampling design analysis was applied to reflect the stratified and clustered weights. The data were analyzed using the complex sample Rao-Scott chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis (in SPSS for Windows version 26.0). Obesity, according to body mass index (BMI), was defined as obesity (BMI=25-29.9 kg/m²), high obesity (BMI=30-34.9 kg/m²), and super-high obesity (BMI≥35 kg/m²), and abdominal obesity (AO) was defined as a waist circumference (WC) ≥90 cm in males and WC ≥85 cm in females.Results: The odds ratios for moderate CVD risk (hs-CRP; 1-3 mg/dL) were 2.21, 4.16, and 7.13 in the obesity, high obesity, and super-high obesity groups, respectively, compared to the normal BMI group. The odds ratio for moderate CVD risk was 2.18 in males with AO and 1.88 in females with AO. The odds ratios for high CVD risk (hs-CRP>3mg/L) were 4.40 and 17.55 in the high obesity and super-high obesity groups, respectively, compared to the normal BMI group.Conclusion: This study provides evidence that early detection and prevention programs for CVD should include obesity-related interventions aiming to modulate hs-CRP.
Study of Genetic Improvement and Susceptibility in Relation to the Infestations of the Leaf Roller and Capsule Borer Antigastra catalaunalis (Duponchel)
Authors: Thakur Shobhram , Nayak M. K. , Ratan Shiv , Shyam Manisha , . Yogranjan
Published: February 2023

One hundred twenty  nine   accession of sesame with susceptible (TC-25) and resistance check (SI-250) were screened under natural infestation condition during two consecutive seasons of 2019 and 2020 to identify the source of resistance against leaf roller and capsule borer (Antigastra catalaunalis Dup.) at AICRP on oilseeds sesame center of JNKVV,  College of Agriculture, Tikamgarh (M.P.). The sesame accession were categorized as highly resistant (HR), resistant (R), moderately resistant (MR), susceptible (S) and highly susceptible (HS) based on the cumulative score (0-9) and grade (1-9) of the individual accsession. Among 131 accession viz., In pooled analysis, leaf damage ranged from 0.0 to 40.0 against 40.0 and 0.0 per cent  on susceptible and resistant checks, Flower damage ranged from 0.0 to 29.6 against 15.85 and 1.3 per cent  on susceptible and resistant checks , respectively, while capsules damage ranged from 0.0 to 17.15 per cent  against 3.05 and 0.4 % on susceptible and resistant checks, respectively. In pooled analysis none of the accession were found free from infestation of A. catalaunalis. Based on the cumulative scoring ,twenty one accession namely EC-334961-1, Annand local, IS-653-A, NIL-16426, IC-14331, NIC-8282, IS-387, G-13, EC-334955, NIC-8062, G-8, SI-1925, EC-35000, G-19, IS-90, GRT-83138, EC-303423-C, NIC-17362-A, ES-310420, IS-178-C, SI-250 and forty one accession namely S-0481, ES-75, TILO/Hana, EC-335001-A, S-003116, NIC-16114-B, BS-61, EC-164966, KMR-90, EC-335003, IS-722-2-84-I, NIC-17477-I, 43994, Oct.-81, Ec-182832, NIC-8033, G-2, G-6, NIC-9835, IS-77, GRT-8327, S-0619, ES-131-I-84, IC-152485, IS-449, IS-150-3-84, ES-64, IC-30884 ,GRT-8359, S-0281, IS-712, GRT-83128, NIC-16218, KJS-21, NIC-14730, Juland Sahame, SI-1865-1-B, GSM-21, IS-346, S-01159-C, GRT-8336. With resistance check, SI -250 (RC) were rated as highly resistant and resistance these could be a possible source of resistance and used in breeding programs to develop resistant varieties. These germplasm lines might be exploited in the hybridization programs for development of the resistant cultivars.
Antibiogram of Staphylococcus Species Isolated from Some Abattoirs in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Deidei Hope Barine , Aleruchi Owhonka , Stephenson Danagogo Lawson , Igoni Gote Yirabari
Published: February 2023

Foodborne contamination especially by Staphylococcus species is of concern as many isolates of the genus have been reported for their multidrugs resistance. The study was aimed at determining the antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus species isolated from abattoir. A total of 100 samples were collected from five different surfaces; bucket swab, butchers hand swab, table swab, knife swab and meat swab from four abattoirs in of Rivers State, Nigeria. The samples were transported aseptically to laboratory for immediate analysis. The samples were cultured on mannitol agar (MSA) using standard microbiology technique to isolate Staphylococcus species. Hemolysis test was carried out and susceptibilities of isolates against a panel of 10 antibiotics were determined using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, and the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index of the isolates were determined. Out of the 43 isolates of Staphylococcus from the abattoirs, 51.1% were coagulase positive while 48.9% were coagulase negative. 18.6% of the Staphylococcus species produced beta hemolysis and 16.28% showed alpha hemolytic activity. Staphylococcus species produced resistance to amoxicillin (88.4%), zinnacef (88.4%), ampiclox (88.4%), receptrin (60.5%), streptomycin (37.2%), septrin (37.2%), erythromycin (34.5%), and gentamicin (39.5%), ciprofloxacin (20.9%) and perfloxacin (16.8%). The multidrug resistance index (MAR index) showed that 2.35% of the isolates showed complete resistance to all the 10 antibiotics tested with MAR index of 1, 4.6% recorded MAR index of 0.1, 4.6% recorded MAR index of 0.2. Majority of the isolates of Staphylococcus species associated with meat and materials or equipment (such as bucket, knife) used in abattoir and the hands of butcher are multidrug resistance and is of great medical concern hence there is need to regulate the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.
As Superbugs Flourish, Bacteriophage Therapy Recaptures Researchers’ Interest
Authors: Cahan Eli
Published: February 2023

This Medical News article discusses the resurgence of phage therapy research for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Effects of Electroacupuncture for Opioid-Induced Constipation in Patients With Cancer in China
Authors: Wang Weiming , Liu Yan , Yang Xiaofang , Sun Jianhua , Yue Zenghui , Lu Dianrong , Zhou Kehua , Sun Yuanjie , Hou Aihua , Zang Zhiwei , Jin Xiaoqing , Liu Chao , Wang Yuhang , Yu Jinna , Zhu Lili , Liu Zhishun
Published: February 2023

Importance

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is prevalent among patients treated with opioids for cancer pain. Safe and effective therapies for OIC in patients with cancer remain an unmet need.

Objective

To determine the efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) for OIC in patients with cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial was conducted at 6 tertiary hospitals in China among 100 adult patients with cancer who were screened for OIC and enrolled between May 1, 2019, and December 11, 2021.

Interventions

Patients were randomized to receive 24 sessions of EA or sham electroacupuncture (SA) over 8 weeks and then were followed up for 8 weeks after treatment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was the proportion of overall responders, defined as patients who had at least 3 spontaneous bowel movements (SBMs) per week and an increase of at least 1 SBM from baseline in the same week for at least 6 of the 8 weeks of the treatment period. All statistical analyses were based on the intention-to-treat principle.

Results

A total of 100 patients (mean [SD] age, 64.4 [10.5] years; 56 men [56.0%]) underwent randomization; 50 were randomly assigned to each group. Among them, 44 of 50 patients (88.0%) in the EA group and 42 of 50 patients (84.0%) in the SA group received at least 20 (≥83.3%) sessions of treatment. The proportion of overall responders at week 8 was 40.1% (95% CI, 26.1%-54.1%) in the EA group and 9.0% (95% CI, 0.5%-17.4%) in the SA group (difference between groups, 31.1 percentage points [95% CI, 14.8-47.6 percentage points]; P < .001). Compared with SA, EA provided greater relief for most OIC symptoms and improved quality of life among patients with OIC. Electroacupuncture had no effects on cancer pain and its opioid treatment dosage. Electroacupuncture-related adverse events were rare, and, if any, all were mild and transient.

Conclusions and Relevance

This randomized clinical trial found that 8-week EA treatment could increase weekly SBMs with a good safety profile and improve quality of life for the treatment of OIC. Electroacupuncture thus provided an alternative option for OIC in adult patients with cancer.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03797586
Characteristics of Maternal Mortality Missed by Vital Statistics in Hong Kong, 2000-2019
Authors: Cheung Ka Wang , Seto Mimi Tin-Yan , Wang Weilan , So Po Lam , Hui Annie S. Y. , Yu Florrie Nga-Yui , Chung Wai Hang , Shu Wendy , Yim Minnie , Au Tiffany Sin-Tung , Lo Tsz Kin , Ng Ernest Hung Yu
Published: February 2023

Importance

Reducing maternal mortality is a global objective. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is low in Hong Kong, China, but there has been no local confidential enquiry into maternal death, and underreporting is likely.

Objective

To determine the causes and timing of maternal death in Hong Kong and identify deaths and their causes that were missed by the Hong Kong vital statistics database.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study was conducted among all 8 public maternity hospitals in Hong Kong. Maternal deaths were identified using prespecified search criteria, including a registered delivery episode between 2000 to 2019 and a registered death episode within 365 days after delivery. Cases as reported by the vital statistics were then compared with the deaths found in the hospital-based cohort. Data were analyzed from June to July 2022.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The outcomes of interest were maternal mortality, defined as death during pregnancy or within 42 days after ending the pregnancy, and late maternal death, defined as death more than 42 days but less than 1 year after end of the pregnancy.

Results

A total of 173 maternal deaths (median [IQR] age at childbirth, 33 [29-36] years) were found, including 74 maternal mortality events (45 direct deaths and 29 indirect deaths) and 99 late maternal deaths. Of 173 maternal deaths, 66 women (38.2%) of individuals had preexisting medical conditions. For maternal mortality, the MMR ranged from 1.63 to 16.78 deaths per 100 000 live births. Suicide was the leading cause of direct death (15 of 45 deaths [33.3%]). Stroke and cancer deaths were the most common causes of indirect death (8 of 29 deaths [27.6%] each). A total of 63 individuals (85.1%) died during the postpartum period. In the theme-based approach analysis, the leading causes of death were suicide (15 of 74 deaths [20.3%]) and hypertensive disorders (10 of 74 deaths [13.5%]). The vital statistics in Hong Kong missed 67 maternal mortality events (90.5%). All suicides and amniotic fluid embolisms, 90.0% of hypertensive disorders, 50.0% of obstetric hemorrhages, and 96.6% of indirect deaths were missed by the vital statistics. The late maternal death ratio ranged from 0 to 16.36 deaths per 100 000 live births. The leading causes of late maternal death were cancer (40 of 99 deaths [40.4%]) and suicide (22 of 99 deaths [22.2%]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study of maternal mortality in Hong Kong, suicide and hypertensive disorder were the dominant causes of death. The current vital statistics methods were unable to capture most of the maternal mortality events found in this hospital-based cohort. Adding a pregnancy checkbox to death certificates and setting up a confidential enquiry into maternal death could be possible solutions to reveal the hidden deaths.
Enhancement of Valley Polarization in Monolayer WSe2 Coupled with Microsphere‐Cavity‐Array
Authors: Yan Yinzhou , Zhang Xiaohua , Li Xiaoze , Fang Honghua , Jiang Yijian , Zhao Chen
Published: February 2023

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (ML‐TMDCs) possess degenerate levels with antiparallel spins in K and K′ valleys, providing the intrinsic valley polarization, which attracts great interest for potential applications on quantum information technology and on‐chip nanophotonics. Unfortunately, it is difficult to distinguish the degree of valley polarization (DoP) near room temperature due to the intensive phonon‐assisted intervalley scattering and the long‐range electron‐hole exchange interaction in ML‐TMDCs, limiting their practical applications. In this study, a novel design is proposed for great promotion of DoP in ML‐WSe2 with a microsphere cavity array, introducing Purcell effect and nanofocusing effect into the system. The radiative decay rate is dramatically enhanced owing to Purcell effect in microcavity in weak coupling regime, thus locking more polarized excitons in the corresponding valley under certain circularly‐polarized pumping. In addition, the nanofocusing effect contributes to increasing the number of charged excitons by suppressing the bright to dark exciton conversion. The present work achieves a great DoP of ML‐WSe2 with a simple configuration and promises broad applications from valleytronic devices to chiral optics in the future.
Mobile Trions in Electrically Tunable 2D Hybrid Perovskites
Authors: Ziegler Jonas D. , Cho Yeongsu , Terres Sophia , Menahem Matan , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Yaffe Omer , Berkelbach Timothy C. , Chernikov Alexey
Published: February 2023

2D hybrid perovskites are currently in the spotlight of material research for light‐harvesting and ‐emitting applications. It remains extremely challenging, however, to externally control their optical response due to the difficulties of introducing electrical doping. Here, an approach of interfacing ultrathin sheets of perovskites with few‐layer graphene and hexagonal boron nitride into gate‐tunable, hybrid heterostructures, is demonstrated. It allows for bipolar, continuous tuning of light emission and absorption in 2D perovskites by electrically injecting carriers to densities as high as 1012 cm−2. This reveals the emergence of both negatively and positively charged excitons, or trions, with binding energies up to 46 meV, among the highest measured for 2D systems. Trions are shown to dominate light emission and propagate with mobilities reaching 200 cm2 V−1 s−1 at elevated temperatures. The findings introduce the physics of interacting mixtures of optical and electrical excitations to the broad family of 2D inorganic–organic nanostructures. The presented strategy to electrically control the optical response of 2D perovskites highlights it as a promising material platform toward electrically modulated light‐emitters, externally guided charged exciton currents, and exciton transistors based on layered, hybrid semiconductors.
Effect of pH on the Electrochemical Behavior and Nitrogen Reduction Reaction Activity of Ti2N Nitride MXene
Authors: Johnson Denis , Djire Abdoulaye
Published: February 2023

Nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is used to convert nitrogen (N2) to ammonia (NH3) at ambient conditions. In general, acidic electrolytes are used to provide protons (H+), however, this leads to low selectivity due to H2 formation via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Recently, it is shown that Ti2N MXene is active and selective for NRR in acidic electrolyte, and operates through a Mars‐van Krevelen (MvK) mechanism. However, the effect of pH on its catalytic performance is not well understood. Here, experiments are performed in varying pH values and relations are developed between pH and performance. The findings of this study indicate that the lowest NRR onset occurs within pH 2 systems exhibiting a nonlinear trend. However, as pH decreases, overpotential decreases, and kinetics increase due to H+ participation. FE values are found to increase as pH increased. These findings will be extended to other materials to design optimal electrolytic systems for NRR.
The New Zealand bracken fern rhizome, Pteridium esculentum (G.Forst): a toxic food plant of pre‐European Māori
Authors: Leach Foss , Davidson Janet , Burtenshaw Michael , Harris Graham , Tomlin Tony , Davis Paul
Published: February 2023

The two species of bracken fern, Pteridium esculentum and Pteridium aquilinum, are well known to produce neoplastic lesions and thiamine deficiency when consumed by mammals, with severe consequences to health. New Zealand Pre‐European Māori are known to have consumed rhizomes of P. esculentum as food with little or no recorded consequences to health. Processing methods by Māori prior to consumption may have helped to detoxify this food. We carried out LDH toxicity tests on rhizomes that had been pre‐processed before simulated digestion to test this possibility. We tested rhizomes harvested each month of the year, different components of the rhizome, both raw and roasted rhizomes, rhizomes stored for up to 12 months, and rhizomes leached for up to 24 hours. All specimens remained equally toxic within experimental error. We carried out a detailed analysis of nutrients in bracken rhizome and compared this with kūmara, Ipomoea batatas, another important food plant for pre‐European Māori, and found that bracken rhizome has c. 70% of the caloric value of kūmara. A cost/benefit analysis of the two plants suggested that the reward for effort is greatest for kūmara by a modest amount. Analysis of historic ethnographic observations relating to bracken rhizome from AD 1769 to the 1840s provides complex and contradictory evidence of the role of bracken rhizome in the Māori economic system. Although there is clear evidence that Māori greatly favoured chewing rhizomes, this fondness may result from the presence of one or more plant secondary metabolites (PSM), such as ecdysone, which are known to be addictive. Our analysis of the evidence favours the plant being essentially a famine food, filling in the period between planting and harvest of kūmara, known as the ‘hungry gap’ between October and April in the southern hemisphere. However, it would also have provided an important source of food for travellers, as fern‐lands are widespread. Our analysis of archaeological information did not produce unequivocal direct evidence of bracken rhizome consumption. However, the presence of extreme tooth wear and a unique pattern of first molar dislocation, attributed to the use of teeth to strip starch from rhizomes, has been shown to be present at all periods of New Zealand prehistory. This is contrary to the finding of some other researchers.
Amine‐catalyzed Synthesis of Fluorine‐containing Polymers through Halogen Bonding
Authors: Kanbara Tadashi , Arase Mizuki , Tanaka Miyu , Yamaguchi Airi , Tagami Koto , Yajima Tomoko
Published: February 2023

Fluorine‐containing polymers are one of the most useful materials among various polymers. In this study, we have developed synthesis methods for fluorine‐containing polymers through sequential and chain polymerization based on the generation of perfluoroalkyl radicals by photoirradiation halogen bonding of perfluoroalkyl iodide and amines. In sequential polymerization, fluoroalkyl‐alkyl‐alternating polymers were synthesized by the polyaddition of diene and diiodoperfluoroalkane. In chain polymerization, polymers with perfluoroalkyl terminals were synthesized by polymerization of general‐purpose monomers, with perfluoroalkyl iodide as the initiating species. Block polymers were also synthesized by successive chain polymerization to the polyaddition product.
Life of p: A consonant older than speech
Authors: Lameira Adriano R. , Moran Steven
Published: February 2023

Which sounds composed the first spoken languages? Archetypal sounds are not phylogenetically or archeologically recoverable, but comparative linguistics and primatology provide an alternative approach. Labial articulations are the most common speech sound, being virtually universal across the world's languages. Of all labials, the plosive ‘p’ sound, as in ‘Pablo Picasso’, transcribed /p/, is the most predominant voiceless sound globally and one of the first sounds to emerge in human infant canonical babbling. Global omnipresence and ontogenetic precocity imply that /p/‐like sounds could predate the first major linguistic diversification event(s) in humans. Indeed, great ape vocal data support this view, namely, the only cultural sound shared across all great ape genera is articulatorily homologous to a rolling or trilled /p/, the ‘raspberry’. /p/‐like labial sounds represent an ‘articulatory attractor’ among living hominids and are likely among the oldest phonological features to have ever emerged in linguistic systems.
Efficacy of stem cell secretome loaded in hyaluronate sponge for topical treatment of psoriasis
Authors: Carrillo Daniela , Edwards Natalie , Arancibia‐Altamirano David , Otárola Fabiola , Villarroel Cynthia , Prieto Catalina P , Villamizar‐Sarmiento María Gabriela , Sauma Daniela , Valenzuela Fernando , Lattus José , Oyarzun‐Ampuero Felipe , Palma Verónica
Published: February 2023

Psoriasis vulgaris is an inflammatory disease characterized by distinctive skin lesions and dysregulated angiogenesis. Recent research uses stem cell secretion products (CM); a set of bioactive factors with therapeutic properties that regulate several cellular processes, including tissue repair and angiogenesis. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of CM of Wharton's gelatin MSC (hWJCM) in a treatment based on the bioactivation of a hyaluronic acid matrix (HA hWJCM) in a psoriasiform‐like dermatitis (PD) mouse model. A preclinical study was conducted on PD mice. The effect of hWJCM, Clobetasol (Clob) gold standard, HA Ctrl, and HA hWJCM was tested topically evaluating severity of PD, mice weight as well as skin, liver, and spleen appearance. Treatment with either hWJCM, HA Ctrl or HA hWJCM, resulted in significant improvement of the PD phenotype. Moreover, treatment with HA hWJCM reduced the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), aberrant angiogenesis, and discomfort associated with the disease, leading to total recovery of body weight. We suggest that the topical application of HA hWJCM can be an effective noninvasive therapeutic solution for psoriasis, in addition to other skin diseases, laying the groundwork for future studies in human patients.
Advances in medical treatment of breast cancer in 2022
Authors: Zhai Jingtong , Wu Yun , Ma Fei , Kaklamani Virginia , Xu Binghe
Published: February 2023

Breast cancer has replaced lung cancer as the most common malignancy worldwide. The 5‐year survival rate of breast cancer has reached 90%. Systemic treatment of breast cancer has developed into a mature system including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy and immunotherapy. This article summarizes the annual progress of breast cancer chemotherapy, targeted therapy, endocrine therapy and immunotherapy in 2022, providing valuable information for future research to better guide individualized treatment of breast cancer, thereby improving the prognosis and quality of life of breast cancer patients.
Simulation of Continuous Phase Flow in Small‐Scale Vortex Devices: Model Applicability Assessment
Authors: Chen Zhenyu , Zhao Bingtao , Feng Shaobo , Su Yaxin
Published: February 2023

To investigate the applicability of flow models used for numerical simulation of vortex devices, reorganization group k‐ε, Reynolds stress model, delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES), and large eddy simulation were evaluated for small‐scale vortex reactors/separators. Their comprehensive performances were compared in terms of the assessment indicators including root mean squares error, coefficient of determination R2, and convergence time. It was found that considering the balance of techno‐economics, DDES is the better option with relatively high prediction accuracy (RMSE = 0.5577 and R2 = 0.9591) and low computational cost (∼500 s) under a specified computational platform. The results can provide a positive reference for the selection and improvement of the flow models used for vortex devices.
DNA‐Methyltransferasen und AdoMet‐Analoga als Werkzeuge für die Molekularbiologie und Biotechnologie
Authors: Cornelissen Nicolas V. , Hoffmann Arne , Rentmeister Andrea
Published: February 2023

DNA‐Methyltransferasen waren lange Zeit vor allem für die molekularbiologische Grundlagenforschung interessant, da sie sowohl in Pro‐ als auch in Eukaryoten wichtige Prozesse regulieren. Seit der Entwicklung von synthetischen Analoga des Cofaktors S‐Adenosyl‐L‐methionin, ist es möglich, nicht nur Methylgruppen, sondern auch zahlreiche funktionelle Gruppen sequenzspezifisch auf DNA zu übertragen. Einige DNA‐Methyltransferasen weisen aufgrund ihrer Struktur eine bemerkenswerte Promiskuität bezüglich des Cofaktors auf, so dass die Markierung von DNA mit guter Effizienz gelingen kann. In diesem Übersichtsartikel stellen wir die wichtigen Entwicklungen in diesem Bereich zusammen und diskutieren interessante aktuelle und potentielle Anwendungsmöglichkeiten in der Molekularbiologie und Biotechnologie.
Wall Layer Formation in Continuously Operated Tubular Reactors for Free‐Radical Polymerizations
Authors: Welzel Stefan , Zander Christian , Nieken Ulrich
Published: February 2023

Polymer fouling is a major problem for the operation of continuous reactors. Therefore, it is important to understand and quantitatively describe the mechanisms leading to formation of fouling deposits. In this work, a CFD model for the radical polymerization of N‐vinylpyrrolidone is presented, where the reaction kinetics, a viscosity model, and a transport model for polymer moments are determined from independent experiments. The model is compared to experimental obtained residence time distributions in capillary reactors over a wide range of concentrations. Model predictions are in good agreement with experimental findings.
TET2 and LILRB1 mutations are frequent in Epstein–Barr virus‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma especially in elderly patients
Authors: Cho Junhun , Kim Eojin , Yoon Sang Eun , Kim Seok Jin , Kim Won Seog
Published: February 2023

Background

Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) harboring Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) primarily occurs in patients who have underlying immunodeficiency or in elderly patients but is also reported in young, immunocompetent patients. The authors investigated the pathologic differences in EBV‐positive DLBCL in these three groups of patients.

Methods

In total, 57 patients with EBV‐positive DLBCL were included in the study; of these, 16 patients had associated immunodeficiency, 10 were young (younger than 50 years), and 31 were elderly (aged 50 years or older). Immunostaining for CD8, CD68, PD‐L1, and EBV nuclear antigen 2, and panel‐based next‐generation sequencing was performed on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded blocks.

Results

Immunohistochemistry revealed EBV nuclear antigen 2 positivity in 21 of the 49 patients. The degree of CD8‐positive and CD68‐positive immune cell infiltration and PD‐L1 expression did not differ significantly in each group. Extranodal site involvement was more common in young patients (p = .021). In mutational analysis, the genes with the highest mutation frequency were PCLO (n = 14), TET2 (n = 10), and LILRB1 (n = 10). For the TET2 gene, all 10 mutations were found in elderly patients (p = .007). Compared with a validation cohort, both TET2 and LILRB1 showed a higher mutation frequency in EBV‐positive patients than in EBV‐negative patients.

Conclusions

EBV‐positive DLBCL occurring in three different age and immune status groups showed similar pathologic characteristics. Notably, a high frequency of TET2 and LILRB1 mutations was characteristic of this disease in elderly patients. Further studies are needed to determine the role of TET2 and LILRB1 mutations in the development of EBV‐positive DLBCL along with immune senescence.

Plain Language Summary

Epstein–Barr virus‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma occurring in three different groups (immunodeficiency‐associated, young, and elderly) showed similar pathologic characteristics.

The frequency of TET2 and LILRB1 mutations was high in elderly patients with Epstein–Barr virus‐positive diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma.
Historic trends and sources of year‐over‐year stability in Montana winter wheat yields
Authors: Lachowiec Jennifer , Berg James E. , Liang Meng , Correr Fernando H.
Published: February 2023

Producers desire cultivars that consistently perform with high yields and end‐use qualities. Unlike easily recognized average yield improvements, yield stability over time is less examined, especially when considering the role of breeding relative to other factors like management and changing climatic conditions. Our study system was a 70‐year historical dataset from which we estimated the year‐over‐year stability of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars released by Montana's Agricultural Experimental Station. We examined yield stability within six locations representing diverse growing conditions across Montana and found no evidence that breeding has improved stability, that stability may be decreasing over time at one location, and that the year‐over‐year stability of a cultivar is sensitive to location. We examined the role of climatic conditions, including temperature, and rainfall to understand if increased climatic variability was masking improved patterns of stability. However, the lack of impact of breeding remained. These findings suggest that Montana's winter wheat may benefit from selective breeding for increased stability within locations.
From rivers to ocean basins: The role of ocean barriers and philopatry in the genetic structuring of a cosmopolitan coastal predator
Authors: Devloo‐Delva Floriaan , Burridge Christopher P. , Kyne Peter M. , Brunnschweiler Juerg M. , Chapman Demian D. , Charvet Patricia , Chen Xiao , Cliff Geremy , Daly Ryan , Drymon J. Marcus , Espinoza Mario , Fernando Daniel , Barcia Laura Garcia , Glaus Kerstin , González‐Garza Blanca I. , Grant Michael I. , Gunasekera Rasanthi M. , Hernandez Sebastian , Hyodo Susumu , Jabado Rima W. , Jaquemet Sébastien , Johnson Grant , Ketchum James T. , Magalon Hélène , Marthick James R. , Mollen Frederik H. , Mona Stefano , Naylor Gavin J. P. , Nevill John E. G. , Phillips Nicole M. , Pillans Richard D. , Postaire Bautisse D. , Smoothey Amy F. , Tachihara Katsunori , Tillet Bree J. , Valerio‐Vargas Jorge A. , Feutry Pierre
Published: February 2023

The Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) faces varying levels of exploitation around the world due to its coastal distribution. Information regarding population connectivity is crucial to evaluate its conservation status and local fishing impacts. In this study, we sampled 922 putative Bull Sharks from 19 locations in the first global assessment of population structure of this cosmopolitan species. Using a recently developed DNA‐capture approach (DArTcap), samples were genotyped for 3400 nuclear markers. Additionally, full mitochondrial genomes of 384 Indo‐Pacific samples were sequenced. Reproductive isolation was found between and across ocean basins (eastern Pacific, western Atlantic, eastern Atlantic, Indo‐West Pacific) with distinct island populations in Japan and Fiji. Bull Sharks appear to maintain gene flow using shallow coastal waters as dispersal corridors, whereas large oceanic distances and historical land‐bridges act as barriers. Females tend to return to the same area for reproduction, making them more susceptible to local threats and an important focus for management actions. Given these behaviors, the exploitation of Bull Sharks from insular populations, such as Japan and Fiji, may instigate local decline that cannot readily be replenished by immigration, which can in turn affect ecosystem dynamics and functions. These data also supported the development of a genetic panel to ascertain the population of origin, which will be useful in monitoring the trade of fisheries products and assessing population‐level impacts of this harvest.
Movement ecology of exotic nilgai antelope: A threat to the re‐emergence of cattle fever ticks in the southern USA
Authors: Sliwa Kathryn M. , Baumgardt Jeremy A. , DeYoung Randy W. , Ortega‐S J. Alfonso , Hewitt David G. , Goolsby John A. , Lohmeyer Kimberly H.
Published: February 2023

Wildlife plays an important role in the emergence of livestock diseases, and their movements can complicate disease management efforts. One of the most significant vector‐borne diseases of livestock worldwide is bovine babesiosis, spread by cattle fever ticks (CFTs; Rhipicephalus [=Boophilus] microplus and Rhipicephalus [=Boophilus] annulatus). Although CFTs were eradicated from the United States by 1943, bovine babesiosis and CFTs are prevalent in México. Recently, management of CFTs in the Texas–México region has been complicated by the presence of free‐ranging, exotic nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Nilgai are abundant in this region and are competent hosts for CFTs. The goal of this study was to better understand nilgai movements and space use to inform CFT treatment strategies. We analyzed hourly locations from 40 GPS‐collared nilgai in Cameron County, TX, USA, from April 2019 to September 2020. We assigned each nilgai a movement behavior using the net squared displacement metric. We estimated nilgai home range sizes at different temporal scales (monthly, seasonally, and overall) using Brownian bridge movement models. We observed movement patterns consistent with residency (52.5%), seasonal movers (17.5%), dispersal (5%), and unclassified (25%). Resident nilgai had an average maximum axial distance of 7.8 km, while two young females made separate dispersal movements of about 40 km within a year. Overall, nilgai had large and highly variable home ranges: annual median home range estimate for females was 563 ha (range = 105–1545 ha), and for males, it was 937 ha (range = 221–1602 ha). Peak nilgai movements occurred during crepuscular hours, and median hourly movement for females was 57 m/h, and for males, it was 66 m/h. Nilgai home ranges and long‐distance movements have the potential to overlap multiple ranches, as the typical ranch size in South Texas ranges from 250 to 6000 ha. Resident nilgai were more likely to maintain local infestations of CFT. Dispersal events took place during peak tick season, demonstrating the potential for nilgai to aid in the spread of CFT. Understanding these behaviors will help the CFT Eradication Program develop more efficacious treatment strategies to treat infestations in nilgai.
Plant‐derived peptides for the improvement of Alzheimer's disease: Production, functions, and mechanisms
Authors: Lin Like , Li Cong , Li Tingting , Zheng Jingyi , Shu Yu , Zhang Jingjing , Shen Yehua , Ren Difeng
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with an insidious onset that seriously affects human health. Plant‐derived peptides have been found to hinder the development of AD pathologies, which is an excellent candidate for preventing AD. However, due to the excessively complicated pathogenesis of AD and the fact that most studies on the activity of plant‐derived peptides are single and not deep enough, which restricted the development and application of plant‐derived AD‐prevention peptides (PADPs). This review summarized the currently available means of obtaining PADPs, in vitro and in vivo AD‐prevention activity validation protocols, molecular pathways of PADPs, the structure–activity relationship between plant‐derived peptides and AD‐prevention activity, and some perspectives of current advanced technologies. This paper will help to develop the foundation for the production and exploitation of PADPs.
An unrestricted MIDAS ordered logit model with applications to credit ratings
Authors: Jiang Cuixia , Zhao Tingting , Xu Qifa , Hu Dan
Published: February 2023

The ordered logit (OLogit) model is a regression model for an ordinal dependent variable. For a conventional time series OLogit model, both the dependent variable and the independent variables are required to be observed at the same frequency. However, this requirement is violated under the circumstance of mixed frequency data. To this end, we introduce the unrestricted MIDAS (U‐MIDAS) method into the OLogit model and develop a novel U‐MIDAS‐OLogit model, in which high‐frequency covariates are used to predict a low‐frequency outcome with ordinal categories. The U‐MIDAS‐OLogit model enlarges the application of OLogit and enables to produce timely forecast. To verify its effectiveness, we conduct extensive Monte Carlo simulations. The numerical results show that the U‐MIDAS‐OLogit model is superior to several typical OLogit models in terms of prediction performance. We then apply the U‐MIDAS‐OLogit model to predict credit ratings of listed companies in China and the US, respectively. The empirical results also confirm its promising in practical applications.
Longitudinal changes in pelvic organ support among primiparas with postpartum pelvic organ prolapse: A follow‐up magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Zhao Yujiao , Zhang Cheng , Cui Can , Zhang Xiaodong , Zhao Qian , Shen Wen
Published: February 2023

Objective

To quantify morphological changes of pelvic floor in primiparas with postpartum pelvic organ prolapse (POP) during the early postpartum period.

Methods

A total of 309 primiparas underwent pelvic floor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 weeks postpartum. Those primiparas diagnosed with postpartum POP by MRI criterion were followed up at 3 and 6 months postpartum. Normal primiparas were enrolled in the control group. The puborectal hiatus line, muscular pelvic floor relaxation line, levator hiatus area, iliococcygeus angle, levator plate angle, uterus‐pubococcygeal line, and bladder‐pubococcygeal line were assessed on MRI. Longitudinal changes in pelvic floor measurements between the two groups were compared by repeated‐measures analysis of variance.

Results

Compared with the control group, enlarged puborectal hiatus line, levator hiatus area, and RICA and decreased uterus‐pubococcygeal line were observed at rest in the POP group (all P < 0.05). All of the pelvic floor measurements were significantly different in the POP group compared with the control group at the maximum Valsalva maneuver (all P < 0.05). All of the pelvic floor measurements showed no significant change over time in both the POP and control groups (all P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Postpartum POP accompanied by poor pelvic floor support will persist in the early postpartum period.
The effect of family support on self‐reported adherence to ART among adolescents perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda: A mediation analysis
Authors: Nabunya Proscovia , Samuel Kizito , Ssewamala Fred M.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

This study examined the mechanisms through which family support affects self‐reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda.

Methods

Longitudinal data from 702 adolescent boys and girls (10−16 years) were analyzed. Structural equation models were conducted to assess the direct, indirect, and total effects of family support on adherence.

Results

Results showed a significant indirect effect of family support on adherence (β = .112, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.052–0.173, p < .001). Specific indirect effects of family support through saving attitudes (β = .058, 95% CI: 0.008–0.108, p = .024), and communication with the guardian (β = .056, 95% CI: 0.012–0.100), p = .013), as well as the total effect of family support on adherence (β = .146 (95% CI: 0.032–0.259, p = .012), were statistically significant. Mediation contributed 76.7% of the total effects.

Conclusion

Findings support strategies to help promote family support and strengthen open communication between adolescents living with HIV and their caregivers.
On event studies and distributed‐lags in two‐way fixed effects models: Identification, equivalence, and generalization
Authors: Schmidheiny Kurt , Siegloch Sebastian
Published: February 2023

We discuss three important properties of panel data event study designs. First, assuming constant treatment effects before and/or after some event time, also known as binning, is a natural restriction, which identifies dynamic treatment effects in the absence of never‐treated units. Second, event study designs with binned endpoints and distributed‐lag models are numerically identical. Third, classic dummy variable event study designs can be generalized to models that account for multiple treatments of different signs and varying intensities. We demonstrate the practical relevance of our methodological points in an application studying the effects of unemployment benefit duration on job search effort.