bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A scoping review of the clinical application of machine learning in data-driven population segmentation analysis
Authors: Liu Pinyan , Wang Ziwen , Liu Nan , Peres Marco Aurélio
Published: June 2023

Objective

Data-driven population segmentation is commonly used in clinical settings to separate the heterogeneous population into multiple relatively homogenous groups with similar healthcare features. In recent years, machine learning (ML) based segmentation algorithms have garnered interest for their potential to speed up and improve algorithm development across many phenotypes and healthcare situations. This study evaluates ML-based segmentation with respect to (1) the populations applied, (2) the segmentation details, and (3) the outcome evaluations.

Materials and Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were used following the PRISMA-ScR criteria. Peer-reviewed studies in the English language that used data-driven population segmentation analysis on structured data from January 2000 to October 2022 were included.

Results

We identified 6077 articles and included 79 for the final analysis. Data-driven population segmentation analysis was employed in various clinical settings. K-means clustering is the most prevalent unsupervised ML paradigm. The most common settings were healthcare institutions. The most common targeted population was the general population.

Discussion

Although all the studies did internal validation, only 11 papers (13.9%) did external validation, and 23 papers (29.1%) conducted methods comparison. The existing papers discussed little validating the robustness of ML modeling.

Conclusion

Existing ML applications on population segmentation need more evaluations regarding giving tailored, efficient integrated healthcare solutions compared to traditional segmentation analysis. Future ML applications in the field should emphasize methods’ comparisons and external validation and investigate approaches to evaluate individual consistency using different methods.
Lnc-TRTMFS promotes milk fat synthesis via the miR-132x/RAI14/mTOR pathway in BMECs
Authors: Jia Hongru , Wu Zhangqing , Tan Jianbing , Wu Silin , Yang Chaoqun , Raza Sayed Haidar Abbas , Wang Meng , Song Guibing , Shi Yujie , Zan Linsen , Yang Wucai
Published: June 2023

As an important index to evaluate the quality of milk, milk fat content directly determines the nutrition and flavor of milk. Recently, growing evidence has suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in bovine lactation, but little is known about the roles of lncRNAs in milk fat synthesis, particularly the underlying molecular processes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs in milk fat synthesis. Based on our previous lncRNA-seq data and bioinformatics analysis, we found that Lnc-TRTMFS (transcripts related to milk fat synthesis) was upregulated in the lactation period compared to the dry period. In this study, we found that knockdown of Lnc-TRTMFS significantly inhibited milk fat synthesis, resulting in a smaller amount of lipid droplets and lower cellular triacylglycerol levels, and significantly decreased the expression of genes related to adipogenesis. In contrast, overexpression of Lnc-TRTMFS significantly promoted milk fat synthesis in bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs). In addition, Bibiserv2 analysis showed that Lnc-TRTMFS could act as a molecular sponge for miR-132x, and retinoic acid induced protein 14 (RAI14) was a potential target of miR-132x, which was further confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assays, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and western blots. We also found that miR-132x significantly inhibited milk fat synthesis. Finally, rescue experiments showed that Lnc-TRTMFS could weaken the inhibitory effect of miR-132x on milk fat synthesis and rescue the expression of RAI14. Taken together, these results revealed that Lnc-TRTMFS regulated milk fat synthesis in BMECs via the miR-132x/RAI14/mTOR pathway.
Airfoil optimization using Design-by-Morphing
Authors: Sheikh Haris Moazam , Lee Sangjoon , Wang Jinge , Marcus Philip S
Published: June 2023

Design-by-Morphing (DbM) is a novel design methodology that creates a search space for topology optimization. Traditional design techniques often impose geometric constraints and, sometimes, the designer’s biases on the design space, which restricts the novelty of the designs and allows for only small local changes. On the contrary, we show in this paper that DbM does not impose such restrictions on the design space, thus allowing for a radical and expansive search space with only a few design parameters. We compare DbM with other methods in the case of design space generation for 2D airfoils and find that DbM can reconstruct the entire UIUC database with >99.5% accuracy. Furthermore, using a bi-objective genetic algorithm, we optimize the airfoil designs created by DbM to maximize both the lift-over-drag ratio, CLDmax, and stall angle tolerance, Δα, which results in a Pareto-front of innovative airfoils that exhibit substantial improvements in both objectives.
Split liability assessment in car accident using 3D convolutional neural network
Authors: Lee Sungjae , Lee Yong-Gu
Published: June 2023

In a car accident, negligence is evaluated through a process known as split liability assessment. This assessment involves reconstructing the accident scenario based on information gathered from sources such as dashcam footage. The final determination of negligence is made by simulating the information contained in the video. Therefore, accident cases for split liability assessment should be classified based on information affecting the negligence degree. While deep learning has recently been in the spotlight for video recognition using short video clips, no research has been conducted to extract meaningful information from long videos, which are necessary for split liability assessment. To address this issue, we propose a new task for analysing long videos by stacking the important information predicted through the 3D CNNs model. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach by proposing a split liability assessment method using dashcam footage.
Circulating proteome for pulmonary nodule malignancy
Authors: Khodayari Moez Elham , Warkentin Matthew T , Brhane Yonathan , Lam Stephen , Field John K , Liu Geoffrey , Zulueta Javier J , Valencia Karmele , Mesa-Guzman Miguel , Nialet Andrea Pasquier , Atkar-Khattra Sukhinder , Davies Michael P A , Grant Benjamin , Murison Kiera , Montuenga Luis M , Amos Christopher I , Robbins Hilary A , Johansson Mattias , Hung Rayjean J
Published: June 2023

Background

Although lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography is rolling out in many areas of the world, differentiating indeterminate pulmonary nodules remains a major challenge. We conducted one of the first systematic investigations of circulating protein markers to differentiate malignant from benign screen-detected pulmonary nodules.

Methods

Based on 4 international low-dose computed tomography screening studies, we assayed 1078 protein markers using prediagnostic blood samples from 1253 participants based on a nested case-control design. Protein markers were measured using proximity extension assays, and data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, random forest, and penalized regressions. Protein burden scores (PBSs) for overall nodule malignancy and imminent tumors were estimated.

Results

We identified 36 potentially informative circulating protein markers differentiating malignant from benign nodules, representing a tightly connected biological network. Ten markers were found to be particularly relevant for imminent lung cancer diagnoses within 1 year. Increases in PBSs for overall nodule malignancy and imminent tumors by 1 standard deviation were associated with odds ratios of 2.29 (95% confidence interval: 1.95 to 2.72) and 2.81 (95% confidence interval: 2.27 to 3.54) for nodule malignancy overall and within 1 year of diagnosis, respectively. Both PBSs for overall nodule malignancy and for imminent tumors were substantially higher for those with malignant nodules than for those with benign nodules, even when limited to Lung Computed Tomography Screening Reporting and Data System (LungRADS) category 4 (P < .001).

Conclusions

Circulating protein markers can help differentiate malignant from benign pulmonary nodules. Validation with an independent computed tomographic screening study will be required before clinical implementation.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors: existing and emerging differences
Authors: Johnston Stephen , Emde Anna , Barrios Carlos , Srock Stefanie , Neven Patrick , Martin Miguel , Cameron David , Janni Wolfgang , Gnant Michael
Published: June 2023

The cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitors palbociclib, ribociclib, and abemaciclib are standard-of-care therapy for hormone receptor-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer, based on randomized trials showing improved progression-free survival for all 3 drugs and overall survival for ribociclib and abemaciclib. Results in early breast cancer are discordant, with sustained improvement in invasive disease-free survival demonstrated for abemaciclib but not other CDK4/6 inhibitors to date. We review nonclinical studies exploring mechanistic differences between the drugs, the impact of continuous dosing on treatment effect, and translational research into potential resistance mechanisms and prognostic and predictive markers. We focus particularly on how emerging findings may help us understand similarities and differences between the available CDK4/6 inhibitors. Even at late-stage clinical development, there remains much to learn about how agents in this class exert their varying effects.
Reconstruction of cultural memory through digital storytelling: A case study of Shanghai Memory project
Authors: Fu Yaming , Mahony Simon , Liu Wei
Published: June 2023

This article analyses how digital storytelling (DS) is applied to a digital humanities (DH) research project. It considers the purpose of storytelling and illustrates its use to help to democratize the wider project by including diverse voices and helping to reconstruct cultural memory. How can DS be used as a critical research method to help develop a robust methodology in DH research, particularly for organizing historical and cultural resources to form a story world and addressing biases in the established archival collections? This initiative is the latest phase of the Shanghai Memory project, adding an important additional dimension to the established showcase, A Journey from Wukang Road. Wukang Road, with many historical buildings going back to the colonial era, has important cultural significance as part of the former French Concession. Originally known as Rue de Ferguson, the name was changed in 1943, at the time of the Japanese occupation, seemingly as part of anti-colonial sentiment while China was being encouraged to resist her occupiers. Participation in the storytelling project is facilitated by user generated content and promotion in the Shanghai Library. The aim is to present a clearer storyline about the evolution of Wukang Road, explore its historical context, use the stories and reflections of the ordinary people to balance that of the elites, importantly encouraging inclusion of the vernacular Shanghainese dialect as part of wider movements to protect local languages.
High-precision photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic characterization of HD 180347
Authors: Trust Otto , Mashonkina Lyudmila , Jurua Edward , De Cat Peter , Tsymbal Vadim , Joshi Santosh
Published: June 2023

We report the analysis of high-precision space-based photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic observations of HD 180347. The high-quality light curves from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) under sectors 14, 15, and 26 were used. By visual inspection of the light curves and the Fourier transforms, only low-frequency signals (less than 1 d−1) were detected. After using wavelet, autocorrelation, and composite spectrum analyses, HD 180347 is classified as a rotational variable with a period of about 4.1 ± 0.2 d. In reference to the observation limit of TESS, no pulsations were detected. For the spectroscopic analysis, we used data collected with the High Efficiency and Resolution Mercator Échelle Spectrograph (HERMES). We determined the spectral type of this star and obtained atmospheric parameters such as the effective temperature, the surface gravity, and the projected rotational, microturbulent, and radial velocities. We performed a detailed chemical abundance analysis. The LTE abundances were derived for 25 chemical elements. For 13 of them, including Ca, Sc, Sr, Zr, and Ba, which are important for the characterization of chemical peculiarities, we also present the non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) abundances. NLTE improves the accuracy of the derived abundances and confirms that Ca and Sc are depleted in HD 180347 relative to their solar abundances, while the heavy elements beyond Sr are enhanced, by more than 0.7 dex. Based on the spectral class and the element abundance pattern, we classify this star as Am (kA1hA8mA8).
The probability of identifying the cosmic web environment of galaxies around clusters motivated by the Weave Wide Field Cluster Survey
Authors: Cornwell Daniel J , Aragón-Salamanca Alfonso , Kuchner Ulrike , Gray Meghan E , Pearce Frazer R , Knebe Alexander
Published: June 2023

Upcoming wide-field spectroscopic surveys will observe galaxies in a range of cosmic web environments in and around galaxy clusters. In this paper, we test and quantify how successfully we will be able to identify the environment of individual galaxies in the vicinity of massive galaxy clusters, reaching out to ∼5R200 into the clusters’ infall region. We focus on the WEAVE Wide Field Cluster Survey (WWFCS), but the methods we develop can be easily generalized to any similar spectroscopic survey. Using numerical simulations of a large sample of massive galaxy clusters from thethreehundred project, we produce mock observations that take into account the selection effects and observational constraints imposed by the WWFCS. We then compare the ‘true’ environment of each galaxy derived from the simulations (cluster core, filament, and neither core nor filament, ‘NCF’) with the one derived from the observational data, where only galaxy sky positions and spectroscopic redshifts will be available. We find that, while cluster core galaxy samples can be built with a high level of completeness and moderate contamination, the filament and NCF galaxy samples will be significantly contaminated and incomplete due to projection effects exacerbated by the galaxies’ peculiar velocities. We conclude that, in the infall regions surrounding massive galaxy clusters, associating galaxies with the correct cosmic web environment is highly uncertain. However, with large enough spectroscopic samples like the ones the WWFCS will provide (thousands of galaxies per cluster, out to 5R200), and the correct statistical treatment that takes into account the probabilities we provide here, we expect we will be able to extract robust and well-quantified conclusions on the relationship between galaxy properties and their environment.
Extravillous trophoblast cell-derived exosomes induce vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis via a mechanism associated with miR-143-3p
Authors: Liu Hanbo , Chen Miaojuan , Ning Fen , Ye Yixin , Lu Qinsheng , Lu Shenjiao , Duan Yaoyun , Gan Xiaowen , Zhao Mingguang , Guo Kaimin , Lash Gendie E
Published: June 2023

The remodeling of uterine spiral arteries is a complex process requiring the dynamic action of various cell types. During early pregnancy, extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells differentiate and invade the vascular wall, replacing the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Several in vitro studies have shown that EVT cells play an important role in promoting VSMC apoptosis, however, the mechanism underlying this process is not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrated that EVT-conditioned media and EVT-derived exosomes could induce VSMC apoptosis. Through data mining and experimental verification, it was demonstrated that the EVT exosome miR-143-3p induced VSMC apoptosis in both VSMCs and a chorionic plate artery (CPA) model. Furthermore, FAS ligand was also expressed on the EVT exosomes and may play a co-ordinated role in apoptosis induction. These data clearly demonstrated that VSMC apoptosis is mediated by EVT-derived exosomes and their cargo of miR-143-3p as well as their cell surface presentation of FASL. This finding increases our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of VSMC apoptosis during spiral artery remodeling.
Mapinsights: deep exploration of quality issues and error profiles in high-throughput sequence data
Authors: Das Subrata , Biswas Nidhan K , Basu Analabha
Published: June 2023

High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has revolutionized science by enabling super-fast detection of genomic variants at base-pair resolution. Consequently, it poses the challenging problem of identification of technical artifacts, i.e. hidden non-random error patterns. Understanding the properties of sequencing artifacts holds the key in separating true variants from false positives. Here, we develop Mapinsights, a toolkit that performs quality control (QC) analysis of sequence alignment files, capable of detecting outliers based on sequencing artifacts of HTS data at a deeper resolution compared with existing methods. Mapinsights performs a cluster analysis based on novel and existing QC features derived from the sequence alignment for outlier detection. We applied Mapinsights on community standard open-source datasets and identified various quality issues including technical errors related to sequencing cycles, sequencing chemistry, sequencing libraries and across various orthogonal sequencing platforms. Mapinsights also enables identification of anomalies related to sequencing depth. A logistic regression-based model built on the features of Mapinsights shows high accuracy in detecting ‘low-confidence’ variant sites. Quantitative estimates and probabilistic arguments provided by Mapinsights can be utilized in identifying errors, bias and outlier samples, and also aid in improving the authenticity of variant calls.
The urine-to-plasma urea concentration ratio is associated with eGFR and eGFR decline over time in a population cohort
Authors: Petrovic Dusan , Bankir Lise , Ponte Belén , Pruijm Menno , Corre Tanguy , Ghobril Jean-Pierre , Bouatou Yassine , Ackermann Daniel , Vogt Bruno , Bochud Murielle
Published: June 2023

Background

Evaluation of renal function and of factors associated with its decline are important public health issues. Besides markers of glomerular function [e.g. glomerular filtration rate (GFR)], those of tubular functions are rarely evaluated. Urea, the most abundant urinary solute, is markedly concentrated in urine when compared with plasma. We explored the urine-to-plasma ratio of urea concentrations (U/P urea ratio) as a marker of tubular functions.

Methods

We evaluated the relationship of the U/P urea ratio with eGFR at baseline in 1043 participants (48 ± 17 years) from the Swiss Kidney Project on Genes in Hypertension (SKIPOGH) population-based cohort, using mixed regression. In 898 participants, we assessed the relation between U/P urea ratio and renal function decline between two study waves 3 years apart. We studied U/P ratios for osmolarity, Na, K and uric acid for comparison.

Results

In a transversal study at baseline, estimated GFR (eGFR) was positively associated with U/P-urea ratio [βscaled = 0.08, 95% CI (0.04; 0.13)] but not with the U/P ratio of osmolarity. Considering separately participants with renal function >90 or ≤90 mL/min × 1.73 m2, this association was observed only in those with reduced renal function. In the longitudinal study, eGFR declined at a mean rate of 1.2 mL/min per year. A significant association was observed between baseline U/P urea ratio and eGFR decline [βscaled = 0.08, 95% CI (0.01; 0.15)]. A lower baseline U/P urea ratio was associated with a greater eGFR decline.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence that the U/P urea ratio is an early marker of kidney function decline in the general adult population. Urea is easy to measure with well-standardized techniques and at low cost. Thus, the U/P urea ratio could become an easily available tubular marker for evaluating renal function decline.
Non-planar dielectrics derived thermal and electrostatic field inhomogeneity for boosted weather-adaptive energy harvesting
Authors: Zhou Yi , Ding Tianpeng , Cheng Yin , Huang Yi , Wang Wu , Yang Jianmin , Xie Lin , Ho Ghim Wei , He Jiaqing
Published: June 2023

Weather-adaptive energy harvesting of omnipresent waste heat and rain droplets, though promising in the field of environmental energy sustainability, is still far from practice due to its low electrical output owing to dielectric structure irrationality and unscalability. Here we present atypical upcycling of ambient heat and raindrop energy via an all-in-one non-planar energy harvester, simultaneously increasing solar pyroelectricity and droplet-based triboelectricity by two-fold, in contrast to conventional counterparts. The delivered non-planar dielectric with high transmittance confines the solar irradiance onto a focal hotspot, offering transverse thermal field propagation towards boosted inhomogeneous polarization with a generated power density of 6.1 mW m−2 at 0.2 sun. Moreover, the enlarged lateral surface area of curved architecture promotes droplet spreading/separation, thus travelling the electrostatic field towards increased triboelectricity. These enhanced pyroelectric and triboelectric outputs, upgraded with advanced manufacturing, demonstrate applicability in adaptive sustainable energy harvesting on sunny, cloudy, night, and rainy days. Our findings highlight a facile yet efficient strategy, not only for weather-adaptive environmental energy recovery but also in providing key insights for spatial thermal/electrostatic field manipulation in thermoelectrics and ferroelectrics.
Prediction in cultured cortical neural networks
Authors: Lamberti Martina , Tripathi Shiven , van Putten Michel J A M , Marzen Sarah , le Feber Joost
Published: June 2023

Theory suggest that networks of neurons may predict their input. Prediction may underlie most aspects of information processing and is believed to be involved in motor and cognitive control and decision-making. Retinal cells have been shown to be capable of predicting visual stimuli, and there is some evidence for prediction of input in the visual cortex and hippocampus. However, there is no proof that the ability to predict is a generic feature of neural networks. We investigated whether random in vitro neuronal networks can predict stimulation, and how prediction is related to short- and long-term memory. To answer these questions, we applied two different stimulation modalities. Focal electrical stimulation has been shown to induce long-term memory traces, whereas global optogenetic stimulation did not. We used mutual information to quantify how much activity recorded from these networks reduces the uncertainty of upcoming stimuli (prediction) or recent past stimuli (short-term memory). Cortical neural networks did predict future stimuli, with the majority of all predictive information provided by the immediate network response to the stimulus. Interestingly, prediction strongly depended on short-term memory of recent sensory inputs during focal as well as global stimulation. However, prediction required less short-term memory during focal stimulation. Furthermore, the dependency on short-term memory decreased during 20 h of focal stimulation, when long-term connectivity changes were induced. These changes are fundamental for long-term memory formation, suggesting that besides short-term memory the formation of long-term memory traces may play a role in efficient prediction.
Memory and Markets
Authors: Kovbasyuk Sergey , Spagnolo Giancarlo
Published: June 2023

In many environments, including credit and online markets, records about participants are collected, published, and erased after some time. We study the effects of erasing past records in a dynamic market where the quality of sellers follows a Markov process, and buyers leave feedback about sellers to an information intermediary. When the average quality of sellers is low, unlimited records lead to a market breakdown in the long run. We consider the information design problem and characterize information policies that can sustain trade and that maximize social welfare. These policies hide some information from the market in order to foster socially desirable experimentation. We show that these outcomes can be implemented by appropriately deleting past records. Crucially, positive and negative records play opposite roles with different intensities and must have different lengths: negative records must be deleted sufficiently late, and positive ones sufficiently early.
Countrywide monitoring of absorbed dose rate in air due to outdoor natural gamma radiation in India
Authors: Mitra Pratip , Mishra Manish K , Reddy Gade Priyanka , Srivastava Saurabh , Salunkhe Sandip S , Kumari Anisha , Gavas Sanjay G , Ninawe Pruthviraj R , Thekkinkattil Mukundan , Garg Saurabh , Kumar Aerattukkara Vinod
Published: June 2023

The Indian Environmental Radiation Monitoring Network continuously monitors, throughout India, the absorbed dose rate in air due to outdoor natural gamma radiation, by using Geiger–Mueller detector-based standalone environmental radiation monitors. The network consists of 546 monitors spread across 91 monitoring locations distributed all over the country. In this paper, the countrywide long-term monitoring results are summarised. The measured mean dose rate of the monitoring locations followed a log-normal distribution and ranged from 50 to 535 nGy.h−1 with a median value of 91 nGy.h−1. Due to outdoor natural gamma radiation, the average annual effective dose was estimated to be 0.11 mSv.y−1.
DNA Sequences Are as Useful as Protein Sequences for Inferring Deep Phylogenies
Authors: Kapli Paschalia , Kotari Ioanna , Telford Maximilian J , Goldman Nick , Yang Ziheng
Published: June 2023

Inference of deep phylogenies has almost exclusively used protein rather than DNA sequences based on the perception that protein sequences are less prone to homoplasy and saturation or to issues of compositional heterogeneity than DNA sequences. Here, we analyze a model of codon evolution under an idealized genetic code and demonstrate that those perceptions may be misconceptions. We conduct a simulation study to assess the utility of protein versus DNA sequences for inferring deep phylogenies, with protein-coding data generated under models of heterogeneous substitution processes across sites in the sequence and among lineages on the tree, and then analyzed using nucleotide, amino acid, and codon models. Analysis of DNA sequences under nucleotide-substitution models (possibly with the third codon positions excluded) recovered the correct tree at least as often as analysis of the corresponding protein sequences under modern amino acid models. We also applied the different data-analysis strategies to an empirical dataset to infer the metazoan phylogeny. Our results from both simulated and real data suggest that DNA sequences may be as useful as proteins for inferring deep phylogenies and should not be excluded from such analyses. Analysis of DNA data under nucleotide models has a major computational advantage over protein-data analysis, potentially making it feasible to use advanced models that account for among-site and among-lineage heterogeneity in the nucleotide-substitution process in inference of deep phylogenies.
Effects of branched-chain amino acids to lysine ratios in corn distillers dried grains with solubles containing diets on growth performance, plasma nitrogen profile, carcass traits, and economic analysis in growing–finishing pigs
Authors: Hong Jinsu , Clizer David , Cline Paul , Samuel Ryan
Published: June 2023

A study was conducted to identify the effects of standardized ileal digestible (SID) branched-chain amino acids (BCAA):lysine (Lys) ratios on the growth performance, plasma nitrogen (N) profile, carcass traits, and economic analysis of growing–finishing pigs fed diets with high corn distillers dried grains with solubles (cDDGS) inclusions. A total of 1,140 pigs (initial body weight [BW] = 28.7 ± 2.0 kg) were housed in 45 pens of 25 or 26 pigs and fed one of five diets in a randomized complete block design. Experimental diets were fed in four phases based on BW. Dietary treatments were a corn–soybean meal (SBM) based diet (PC), a corn–SBM-cDDGS-based diet (NC) with SID BCAA:Lys ratio of PIC (2020) recommendation and NC diets with SID BCAA:Lys ratios targeted for the 73% SID Val:Lys, 60% SID Ile:Lys, and 144% SID Leu:Lys during the growing phases (25 to 80 kg, Grow), targeted for the 78% SID Val:Lys, 70% SID Ile:Lys, and 160% to 170% SID Leu:Lys during the finishing phases (80 to 120 kg, finish), and both during the growing and finishing phases (Grow–Finish). One pig from each pen was bled at the end of 7 and 13 wk. After the 11-wk-feeding trial, pigs were sent to a commercial abattoir to investigate carcass traits. Pigs fed the Finish diet had a greater overall average daily gain (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the other cDDGS diets. Dietary treatments did not affect the hot carcass weight. However, feeding the Finish diet increased (P < 0.05) the iodine value of pork belly samples and decreased (P < 0.05) carcass yield. The plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) concentration at the end of the growing phase and plasma concentrations of Leu and Val were greater (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the Finish diet compared to the other cDDGS diets. Feeding pigs the cDDGS diets with different BCAA:Lys ratios had no difference in income over feed cost and income over feed and facility costs compared to the corn–SBM diet. Therefore, feeding pigs cDDGS diets with SID BCAA:Lys ratios adjusted for the previously determined finishing phase (from 80 to 120 kg of BW) recommendations by SBM inclusion supported growth performance and economic benefits equal to the corn–SBM diet.
Phylogeny of the microcormorants, with the description of a new genus
Authors: Kennedy Martyn , Salis Alexander T , Seneviratne Sampath S , Rathnayake Dilini , Nupen Lisa J , Ryan Peter G , Volponi Stefano , Lubbe Pascale , Rawlence Nicolas J , Spencer Hamish G
Published: June 2023

The aptly named microcormorants (currently placed in the genus Microcarbo) form a morphologically diminutive and distinct clade sister to all other living cormorants and shags. However, the relationships within Microcarbo are largely speculative. Sequence data resolve these relationships unambiguously, with our phylogeny suggesting that the microcormorants separated from the other cormorants ~16 Mya and showing that the two African species [the reed (or long-tailed) cormorant, Microcarbo africanus, and the crowned cormorant, Microcarbo coronatus] are closely related sister taxa, forming a clade that diverged from the other microcormorants ~12 Mya. The deep split between the African microcormorants and the others is considerably older than many well-recognized generic splits within the cormorants (e.g. Leucocarbo and Phalacrocorax). Thus, we suggest that the African microcormorants warrant their own genus, and we erect Afrocarbo, with type species Pelecanus africanus. Within the reduced Microcarbo, we estimate that the little pied cormorant (Microcarbo melanoleucos of Australasia) separated from the sister pair of the Javanese and pygmy cormorants (respectively, Microcarbo niger from south/southeast Asia and Microcarbo pygmaeus from Europe) ~9 Mya and that the latter two species split ~2 Mya. Given the age of these splits, the microcormorants appear to represent another example of morphological conservatism in the Suliformes.
Characterization of Fungal Communities Associated with the Lenticel-Like Damage of ‘Hass’ Avocados in Two Geographical Locations in Colombia
Authors: Mosquera Sandra , Cataño Carolina , Saavedra Susan , Villegas-Escobar Valeska
Published: June 2023

Different postharvest diseases and disorders affect ‘Hass’ avocado fruits. Among them, lenticel-like damages, which compromise the fruit epidermis without affecting the mesocarp, are important causes of fruit rejection worldwide. However, lenticel-like damage etiology is still unclear. To better comprehend this disorder, we evaluated the level of the lenticel-like damage from Hass avocado fruits from two different growing regions in Colombia at different harvest seasons. We also characterized the fungal microbial communities associated with these fruits by Illumina MiSeq. We found that the level of lenticel-like damage varies with the farm and with the harvest season, and increases during cold storage. Fungal communities associated with Hass avocado fruits were influenced by the farm and the lenticel-like damage level. Regardless of the farm, Ascomycetes were increased four-fold compared with Basidiomycetes in severely damaged fruits, while in mildly damaged fruits the ratio was equal. In particular, severely damaged fruits from the more affected farm (El Sinaí) were enriched in Colletotrichum and Pseudocercospora, while fungi in mildly damaged fruits from the less affected farm (La Escondida) include Cladosporium, Vishniacozyma, Meira, and Symmetrospora. Altogether, our results suggests that fungal communities of Hass avocado exocarps influence the lenticel-like damage development and might be responsible for the damage differences between farms.
Improved Persistence of Bacteriophage Formulation with Nano N-Acetylcysteine–Zinc Sulfide and Tomato Bacterial Spot Disease Control
Authors: Choudhary Manoj , Pereira Jorge , Davidson Edwin B. , Colee James , Santra Swadeshmukul , Jones Jeffrey B. , Paret Mathews L.
Published: June 2023

Bacteriophages are biocontrol agents used to manage bacterial diseases. They have long been used against plant pathogenic bacteria; however, several factors impede their use as a reliable disease management strategy. Short-lived persistence on plant surfaces under field conditions results mainly from rapid degradation by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Currently, there are no effective commercial formulations that protect phages from UV. The phage ΦXp06-02-1, which lyses strains of the tomato bacterial spot pathogen Xanthomonas perforans, was mixed with different concentrations of the nanomaterial N-acetylcysteine surface-coated manganese-doped zinc sulfide (NAC-ZnS; 3.5 nm). In vitro, NAC-ZnS at 10,000 μg/ml formulated phage, when exposed to UV for 1 min, provided statistically equivalent plaque-forming unit (PFU) recovery as phages that were not exposed to UV. NAC-ZnS had no negative effect on the phage’s ability to lyse bacterial cells under in vitro conditions. NAC-ZnS reduced phage degradation over time in comparison with the nontreated control, whereas N-acetylcysteine–zinc oxide (NAC-ZnO) had no effect. In fluorescent light, without UV exposure, NAC-ZnO-formulated phages were more infective than NAC-ZnS-formulated phages. The nanomaterial–phage mixture did not cause any phytotoxicity when applied to tomato plants. Following exposure to sunlight, the NAC-ZnS formulation improved phage persistence in the phyllosphere by 15 times compared with nonformulated phages. NAC-ZnO-formulated phage populations were undetectable within 32 h, whereas NAC-ZnS-formulated phage populations were detected at 103 PFU/g. At 4 h of sunlight exposure, NAC-ZnS-formulated phages at 1,000 μg/ml significantly reduced tomato bacterial spot disease severity by 16.4% compared with nonformulated phages. These results suggest that NAC-ZnS can be used to improve the efficacy of phages for bacterial diseases.
Migrainous infarction
Authors: Johnson Emily , Grosel John
Published: June 2023

Migrainous infarction is a rare neurologic condition that stems from an ordinary migraine with aura, and can cause ischemic stroke in young women. The pathophysiology of migrainous infarction is not entirely understood. An aura that is similar to previous auras but lasts longer than 60 minutes, along with evidence of acute ischemia on MRI, are diagnostic of migrainous infarction. Treatment aimed at minimizing migraine with aura is the most important preventive measure clinicians can take to help patients avoid this complication of migraine.
Diagnostic Yield of Combined Lumbar Puncture and Brain MRI in Critically Ill Patients With Unexplained Acute Encephalopathy: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Nothem Meghan E. , Salazar Alan G. , Nanchal Rahul S. , Bergl Paul A.
Published: June 2023

IMPORTANCE:

Critically ill patients frequently experience acute encephalopathy, often colloquially termed “altered mental status” (AMS); however, there are no consensus guidelines or criteria about performing lumbar puncture (LP) and advanced neuroimaging in medical ICU patients with unexplained encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVES:

We sought to characterize the yield of combined LP and brain MRI (bMRI) in such patients as determined by both the frequency of abnormal results and the therapeutic efficacy of these investigations, that is, how often results changed management.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:

Retrospective cohort study of medical ICU patients admitted to a tertiary academic center between 2012 and 2018 who had documented diagnoses of “AMS” and/or synonymous terms, no clear etiology of encephalopathy, and had undergone both LP and bMRI.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:

The primary outcome was the frequency of abnormal diagnostic testing results determined objectively for LP using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings and subjectively for bMRI through team agreement on imaging findings deemed significant through retrospective chart review. We subjectively determined the frequency of therapeutic efficacy. Finally, we analyzed the effect of other clinical variables on the likelihood of discovering abnormal CSF and bMRI findings through chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS:

One hundred four patients met inclusion criteria. Fifty patients (48.1%) had an abnormal CSF profile or definitive microbiological or cytological data by LP, 44 patients (42.3%) had bMRI with significant abnormal findings, and 74 patients (71.2%) had abnormal results on at least one of these investigations. Few clinical variables were associated with the abnormal findings in either investigation. We judged 24.0% (25/104) of bMRI and 26.0% (27/104) of LPs to have therapeutic efficacy with moderate interobserver reliability.

CONCLUSIONS:

Determining when to perform combined LP and bMRI in ICU patients with unexplained acute encephalopathy must rely on clinical judgment. These investigations have a reasonable yield in this selected population.
Comparison of clinical outcomes among total knee arthroplasties using posterior-stabilized, cruciate-retaining, bi-cruciate substituting, bi-cruciate retaining designs: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Sun Kaibo , Wu Yuangang , Wu Limin , Shen Bin
Published: June 2023

Backgrounds:

Despite the advent of innovative knee prosthesis design, a consistent first-option knee implant design in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remained unsettled. This study aimed to compare the clinical effects among posterior-stabilized (PS), cruciate-retaining (CR), bi-cruciate substituting (BCS), and bi-cruciate retaining designs for primary TKA.

Methods:

Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies from inception up to July 30, 2021. The primary outcomes were the range of knee motion (ROM), and the secondary outcomes were the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and complication and revision rates. Confidence in evidence was assessed using Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis. The Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed for synthesis.

Results:

A total of 15 RCTs and 18 cohort studies involving 3520 knees were included. The heterogeneity and inconsistency were acceptable. There was a significant difference in ROM at the early follow-up when PS was compared with CR (mean difference [MD] = 3.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07, 7.18) and BCS was compared with CR (MD = 9.69, 95% CI 2.18, 17.51). But at the long-term follow-up, there was no significant difference in ROM in any one knee implant compared with the others. No significant increase was found in the PROMs and complication and revision rates at the final follow-up time.

Conclusions:

At early follow-up after TKA, PS and BCS knee implants significantly outperform the CR knee implant in ROM. But in the long run, the available evidence suggests different knee prostheses could make no difference in clinical outcomes after TKA with extended follow-up.
Description and Initial Evaluation of a Postdischarge Intervention to Support Transition of Care in Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Authors: Beyraghi Narges , Cuperfain Ari B. , Ghazavi Yasaman , Kaduri Pamela , Ling Sara
Published: June 2023

Objectives:

This paper describes an interdisciplinary outpatient service developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to support and ensure continuity of care for patients with substance use and concurrent mental health disorders.

Methods:

This service provides 2 weeks of intensive mental health and addiction support to patients recently discharged from the hospital. Here we describe the formation of the service, data on service utilization, and initial qualitative evaluation of the patient experience with this service.

Results:

Patients accessing this service had high rates of treatment engagement, with an average of 5.6 visits per patient, and were most commonly receiving treatment for alcohol (68.0%), stimulant (47.7%), and opioid (37.3%) use disorders. Patients reported positive experiences with the service, valuing the high frequency and low-barrier contact.

Conclusions:

Interdisciplinary teams providing brief and intensive interdisciplinary support to patients with substance use disorders after inpatient hospitalizations are feasible and well-received by patients.

Objectifs:

Cet article décrit un service ambulatoire interdisciplinaire mis en place pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 pour soutenir et assurer la continuité des soins pour les patients souffrant de toxicomanie et de troubles mentaux concomitants.

Méthodes:

Ce service offre deux semaines de soutien intensif en matière de santé mentale et d’addiction à des patients récemment sortis de hôpital. Nous décrivons ici la création du service, des données sur l’utilisation du service et l'évaluation qualitative initiale de l’expérience des patients avec ce service.

Résultats:

Les patients qui accèdent à ce service ont des taux élevés d’engagement dans le traitement, avec une moyenne de 5,6 visites par patient et reçoivent le plus souvent un traitement pour un trouble lié à l’usage d’alcool (68,0%), de stimulants (47,7%) et d’opioïdes (37,3%). Les patients ont fait part d’expériences positives avec le service, appréciant la fréquence élevée et les contacts à faibles barrières.

Conclusions:

Les équipes interdisciplinaires fournissant un soutien interdisciplinaire bref et intensif aux patients souffrant de troubles liés à l’utilisation de substances psychoactives après une hospitalisation sont réalisables et bien accueillies par les patients.
Efficacy, tolerability, and endometrial safety of ospemifene compared with current therapies for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy: a systematic literature review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Simon James A. , Ferenczy Alex , Black Denise , Castonguay Alex , Royer Catherine , Marouf Rafik , Beauchemin Catherine
Published: June 2023

Importance

Ospemifene is a novel selective estrogen receptor modulator developed for the treatment of moderate to severe postmenopausal vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA).

Objective

The aim of the study is to perform a systematic literature review (SLR) and network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the efficacy and safety of ospemifene compared with other therapies used in the treatment of VVA in North America and Europe.

Evidence Review

Electronic database searches were conducted in November 2021 in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Randomized or nonrandomized controlled trials targeting postmenopausal women with moderate to severe dyspareunia and/or vaginal dryness and involving ospemifene or at least one VVA local treatment were considered. Efficacy data included changes from baseline in superficial and parabasal cells, vaginal pH, and the most bothersome symptom of vaginal dryness or dyspareunia, as required for regulatory approval. Endometrial outcomes were endometrial thickness and histologic classifications, including endometrial polyp, hyperplasia, and cancer. For efficacy and safety outcomes, a Bayesian NMA was performed. Endometrial outcomes were compared in descriptive analyses.

Findings

A total of 44 controlled trials met the eligibility criteria (N = 12,637 participants). Network meta-analysis results showed that ospemifene was not statistically different from other active therapies in most efficacy and safety results. For all treatments, including ospemifene, the posttreatment endometrial thickness values (up to 52 wk of treatment) were under the recognized clinical threshold value of 4 mm for significant risk of endometrial pathology. Specifically, for women treated with ospemifene, endometrial thickness ranged between 2.1 and 2.3 mm at baseline and 2.5 and 3.2 mm after treatment. No cases of endometrial carcinoma or hyperplasia were observed in ospemifene trials, nor polyps with atypical hyperplasia or cancer after up to 52 weeks of treatment.

Conclusions and Relevance

Ospemifene is an efficacious, well-tolerated, and safe therapeutic option for postmenopausal women with moderate to severe symptoms of VVA. Efficacy and safety outcomes with ospemifene are similar to other VVA therapies in North America and Europe.
The association between menopausal hormone therapy and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Aldhaleei Wafa A. , Bhagavathula Akshaya S. , Wallace Michael B. , DeVault Kenneth R. , Faubion Stephanie S.
Published: June 2023

Importance and Objective

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition associated with several risk factors, but little is known about the association between hormone therapy (HT) and GERD in postmenopausal women.

Evidence Review

We investigated the association between ever or current menopausal HT use and GERD using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Studies published between 2008 and August 31, 2022, were pooled using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model, and outcomes were reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with a corresponding 95% CI.

Findings

The pooled analysis of five studies found a significant direct association between estrogen use and GERD (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.66; I
2 = 97.6%), and progestogen use and GERD (two studies: aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.15-1.64; I
2 = 0.0%). The use of combined HT was also associated with GERD (1.16; 95% CI, 1.00-1.33; I
2 = 87.9%). Overall, HT use was associated with 29% higher odds for GERD (aOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.17-1.42; I
2 = 94.8%). The large number of pooled participants, differences in study design, geography, patient characteristics, and outcome assessment resulted in significant high heterogeneity.

Conclusions and Relevance

There is a significant association between ever or current HT use and GERD. However, the results should be interpreted with caution, given the small number of included studies and high heterogeneity. This warrants careful evaluation of GERD risk factors when prescribing HT to reduce the risk of potential GERD complications.