bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Распространение вариантов вируса SARS-COV-2, вызывающих озабоченность (VOC) на основе количества их геномов, депонированных в базу данных GISAID за неделю с 21.01.2023 г. по 27.01.2023 г.
Authors: Дмитриева Людмила , Краснов Ярослав , Чумачкова Елена , Осина Наталья , Зимирова Анастасия , Иванова Александра , Карнаухов Игорь , Караваева Татьяна , Щербакова Светлана , Кутырев Владимир
Published: January 2023

В обзоре представлена информация по циркулирующим в настоящее время вариантам вируса SARS-COV-2 вызывающих озабоченность (VOC), геномные последовательности которых размещены в международной базе данных GISAID за неделю с 21 по 27 января 2023 г.
Trigger Finger Due to Anomaly of Lumbrical Insertion
Authors: Khoury Ayman , Gannot Gil , Oron Amir
Published: January 2023

Case:

Trigger finger (TF), or stenosing synovitis, is a common condition that can usually be diagnosed by physical examination. We recently operated on a patient with TF who did not respond to conservative treatment. At surgery, we found an anomalous insertion of the fourth lumbrical muscle to the A1 pulley. This insertion was observed to cause mechanical narrowing of the pulley due to a pulling effect by the muscle, which was relieved by resection.

Conclusion:

Although rare, the operating surgeon should be aware that local anatomical anomalies, such as insertion of a lumbrical into the A1 pulley, can be a cause of trigger finger.
Does Club Convergence Matter in Health Outcomes? Evidence from Indian States
Authors: Nag Ajit , Privara Andrej , Gavurova Beata , Pradhan Jalandhar
Published: January 2023

Background

Population health is considered as a vital component for a nation's overall well-being and development. To achieve a sustainable level of human development, reduction in the level of health inequalities and an increase in interstate convergence in health indicators is necessary. Evaluation of the convergence patterns can aid the government in monitoring the health progress across the Indian states. This study investigates the progressive changes in the convergence and divergence patterns in health status across major states of India from 1990 to 2018.

Methods

Sigma plots (σ), kernel density plots, and Philips and Sul (2007) methods are used to test the convergence, divergence, and club convergence patterns in the health indicators at the state level.

Results

The result of the sigma convergence suggests that life expectancy at birth has converged across all states. After 2006, however, the infant mortality rate, neonatal mortality rate, and total fertility rate experienced a divergence pattern. Findings of the study indicates that life expectancy at birth is converging in the same direction across all states, falling into the same club (club one). However, considerable cross-state variations and evidence of clubs' convergence and divergence are observed in the domains of infant mortality rate, neonatal death rate, and total fertility rate. As suggested by the kernel density estimates, life expectancy at birth stratifies, polarizes, and becomes unimodal over the time period, although with a single stable state. A bimodal distribution was found for infant, neonatal, and total fertility rates.

Conclusions

Therefore, in order to reduce health variations and to improve health outcomes for each group of individuals, healthcare strategies must consider each club's transition path, while placing special attention to divergence states.
JEL Classification: C14, C22, I140, R10
Perceived social support and posttraumatic growth among couples coping with gynecological cancer: A cross-sectional survey
Authors: Zhou Lihua , Stenmarker Margaretha , Henricson Maria , Li Ziye , Dai Yu , Hong Jingfang , Browall Maria
Published: January 2023

Background

Perceived social support was considered to be an essential resource of individual’s positive consequences (e.g., posttraumatic growth, PTG) during times of stressful conditions. However, there is no evidence on the relationship between perceived social support and PTG at the couple-based level in cancer research. This study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived social support and posttraumatic growth among couples coping with gynecological cancer.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in China, from May 2019 to March 2020 in two comprehensive hospitals. A total of 126 couples, consisting of women diagnosed with gynecological cancer and their spouses, participated. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were used to collect data. Paired t-tests, pearson’s correlations and actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) were used to analyze data.

Results

The actor effects of perceived social support on posttraumatic growth were supported (r = 0.419, p < 0.001; r = 0.467, p < 0.001); however, the partner effects of perceived social support on posttraumatic growth were not supported (r = -0.119, p>0.05; r = 0.130, p>0.05). Perceived social support was positively correlated between women diagnosed with gynecological cancer and their spouses (r = 0.244, p < 0.01). Furthermore, spouses’ perceived social support was positively correlated with women’s posttraumatic growth (r = 0.213, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The actor effects of perceived social support on posttraumatic growth in couples coping with GC are supported. The findings also highlight that spouses’ perceived social support are positively correlated with women’s perceived social support and women’s PTG. Healthcare professionals should provide couple-based interventions that would increase couples’ identification and use of effective social support, and how to promote their PTG should be focused.
Field evaluations of four SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests during SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant wave in South Africa
Authors: Samsunder Natasha , Lustig Gila , Ngubane Slindile , Maseko Thando Glory , Rambaran Santhuri , Ngcapu Sinaye , Magini Stanley Nzuzo , lewis Lara , Cawood Cherie , Kharsany Ayesha BM , Karim Quarraisha Abdool , Karim Salim Abdool , Naidoo Kogieleum , Sivro Aida
Published: January 2023

Background: Rapid antigen tests detecting SARS-CoV-2 are being increasingly used across the globe and were shown to be a useful tool in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this prospective study was to characterise the performance of four SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen tests in a South African setting.
Methods: Rapid antigen test evaluations were performed through drive-through testing centres in Durban, South Africa from July-December 2021. Two evaluation studies were performed: nasal Panbio COVID-19 Ag Rapid Test Device (Abbott) was evaluated in parallel with the nasopharyngeal Espline SARS-CoV-2 Ag test (Fujirebio, nasopharyngeal); followed by the evaluation of nasal RightSign COVID-19 Antigen Rapid test Cassette (Hangzhou Biotest Biotech) in parallel with the nasopharyngeal STANDARD Q COVID-19 Ag test (SD Biosensor). The Abbott RealTime SARS-CoV-2 assay was used as a reference test.
Results: Evaluation of Panbio and Espline Ag tests was performed on 494 samples (31% positivity) while the evaluation of Standard Q and RightTest Ag tests was performed on 539 samples (13.17 % positivity). The overall sensitivity for all four tests ranged between 60-72% with excellent specificity values (>98%). Sensitivity increased to >80% in all tests in samples with Ct value <20. All four tests performed best in samples from patients presenting within the first week of symptom onset.
Conclusions: All four evaluated tests detected a majority of the cases within the first week of symptom onset with high viral load and could be a valuable diagnostic tool for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
Engineering Climate-Resilient Rice Using a Nanobiostimulant-based “Stress Training” Strategy
Authors: Chen Si , Pan Zhengyan , Zhao Weichen , Zhou Yanlian , Rui Yukui , Jiang Cong , Wang Yi , White Jason , Zhao Lijuan
Published: January 2023

Under a changing climate, cultivating climate-resilient crops will be critical to maintaining food security. Here, we propose the application of ROS-generating nanoparticles as nanobiostimulants to trigger stress/immune responses, and subsequently increase the stress resilience of plants. We established three regimens of AgNPs-based “stress training”: seed priming (SP), leaf priming (LP), and combined seed- and leaf- priming (SLP). Trained rice seedlings were then exposed to either rice blast fungus (M. oryzae.) or chilling stress (10 ºC). The results show that all “stress training” regimes, particularly SLP significantly enhanced the resistance of rice against the fungal pathogen (lesion size reduced by 82% relative to un-trained control). SLP training also significantly enhanced rice tolerance to cold stress. Under cold conditions, SLP training significantly increased leaf biomass by 35% compared to controls. The mechanisms for the enhanced resilience were investigated with metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling, which show that “stress training” induced considerable metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming in rice leaves. AgNPs-boosted ROS activated stress signaling pathways by oxidative post-translational modifications of stress related kinases, hormones, and transcriptional factors (TFs). These signaling pathways subsequently modulated the expression of defense genes, including specialized metabolites (SMs) biosynthesis genes, cell membrane lipid metabolism genes, and pathogen-plant interaction genes. These AgNPs-triggered metabolic and transcriptional reprogramming enable rice plants to mount a more rapid and intense response to future stresses. This nanobiostimulant-based strategy for increasing the stress resilience of crops will increase yield vigor against a changing climate and will contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing agrochemical use.
Evaluation of reporting quality of cohort studies using real-world data based on RECORD
Authors: Zhao Ran , Zhang Wen , Zhang Zedan , He Chang , Xu Rong , Tang Xudong , Wang Bin
Published: January 2023

Objective: Real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) have been paid more and more attention in recent years. We aimed to evaluate the reporting quality of cohort studies using real-world data (RWD) published between 2013 to 2021 and analyze the possible factors.
Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search in Medline and Embase through the OVID interface for cohort studies published from 2013 to 2021 on April 29, 2022. The evaluation was based on the REporting of studies Conducted using Observational Routinely-collected health Data (RECORD) statement. Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the possible factors, including the release of RECORD, journal IFs, and article citations.
Results: 187 articles were finally included. The mean±SD of the percentage of adequately reported items in the 187 articles was 44.7±14.3 with a range of 11.1% to 87%. Of 23 items, the adequate reporting rate of 10 items reached 50%, and the reporting rate of some vital items was inadequate. The reporting of only two items significantly improved after the release of RECORD and there was no significant improvement in the overall report quality. The journal IFs and citations were respectively related to 6 areas and significantly higher in high-reporting quality articles.
Conclusion: The reporting of cohort studies using RWD was generally inadequate and has not improved in recent years. We encourage researchers to endorse relevant guidelines when utilizing RWD for research.
Performance assessment of vegetable based additive enriched cutting fluid for eco-friendly machining environment
Authors: Palanisamy Dhanabal , Mani Kalayarasan , Thangaraju Kavin , Chenrayan Venkatesh , Shahapurkar Kiran , Murthy Hanabe Chowdappa Ananda , Manivannan Chandru
Published: January 2023

The investigation focuses on determining the effects of canola oil based cutting fluid with three different volume percentages of boric acid additives on the machining forces and surface roughness while turning hardened AISI 1018 mild steel. Experiments were carried out under Taguchi’s design of experiments concept. The minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) technique was followed to minimize the cutting fluid consumption. The homogeneity of the additives dispersed in the fluid has been validated through zeta potential study. Machining forces and surface roughness were considered as chief machining objectives. The hybrid mathematical model Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) – Artificial Neural Network (ANN) has been implemented to assess the performance of the developed cutting fluid. The results explored that the canola oil cutting fluid with 5 wt. % of boric acid additive exhibited lesser cutting forces and surface roughness. The negligible error percentage of 0.66% between GRA and ANN prediction has been recorded
Expression of G protein coupled receptor 87 (GPR87) in end stage renal disease and associated tumours
Authors: Nagy Anetta , Hegedus Boglarka , Kuronya Zsofia , Biro* Krisztina , Beothe Tamas
Published: January 2023

End stage renal disease (ESRD) and acquired cystic renal disease (ACRD) are characterized by structural remodelling through chronic inflammation and by frequent development of cancers. So-called eosinophilic-vacuolated and chromophobe-like renal cell carcinoma develop exclusively in ACRD kidney. Previous Affymetrix array analysis detected GPR87 as one of the highly expressed genes in ESRD/ACRD kidneys. Experimental and clinical studies suggested a correlation between activation of GPR87 signalling and proliferation and migration of tumour cells. In this study we have analysed normal and ESRD/ACRD kidneys and related tumours for GPR87 expression by PCR, RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry revealed a strong GPR87 expression in proliferating epithelial cells in ESRD/ACRD kidneys and as well as in cells of eosinophilic- vacuolated and chromophobe-like renal cell carcinoma. Our study suggests that GPR87 signalling play an important role in structural remodelling of ESRD/ACRD kidney and development of ACRD-associated tumours with unique histology.
Synergistic interaction of ellagic acid with diabetes on hepatic tissue, and the expression profile of insulin like growth factor-1 and Klotho genes
Authors: Elbandrawy Manal , Sweef Osama , Mohamed Tarek M
Published: January 2023

Diabetes type 2 is a notable disease in many countries linked to a high risk of morbidity from liver disease. Liver diseases represent a major public health challenge in individuals diagnosed by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ellagic acid (EA) derived from strawberry has hypoglycemic effect and can maintain liver functions. Current study aimed to detect the therapeutic and protective effects of EA on hepatic enzymes, lipid profile, inflammatory cytokines, and the expressions of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and klotho genes in T2DM. 50 adult male rats were divided for 5 equally groups (control, EA only, diabetic-control, co-treated, and post-treated). Rats were intraperitoneally injected by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were treated orally with EA. Liver enzymes, lipid profile, inflammatory markers and expressions of IGF-1 and klotho genes were detected. EA reduced blood sugar, lipid profile, and inflammation, and improved hepatic injury caused by diabetes. Both IGF-1 and klotho genes were down-regulated in diabetic group, but, their expressions were overexpressed in treated groups. EA can be used as a diet supplement in diabetic individuals for improving of chronic effects of T2DM in liver.
Reactivity of 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone and ability of its derivatives to modulate PKC isoforms
Authors: Isca Vera M. S. , Bangay Gabrielle , Princiotto Salvatore , Saraíva Lucília , Santos Daniel J. V. A. , García-Sosa Alfonso T. , RIJO Patrícia
Published: January 2023

Protein kinase C is a family of kinases that play important roles in carcinogenesis . Medicinal plants from Plectranthus spp. (Lamiaceae) are a well-known source of interesting abietanes, such as the 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (Roy). The aim of this study was to extract and isolate Roy from P. grandidentatus Gürke and compare two extraction methods (the CO2 supercritical extraction and the ultrasound-assisted acetonic extraction). The aim is to designing new royleanone derivatives focused on PKC modulation for breast cancer therapy by molecular modeling. The concentration of Roy in the extracts was determined by HPLC-DAD. Supercritical extraction method afforded an extraction yield of 3.6% w/w, with the presence of 40.69 μg·mg-1 of Roy (yield of 0.14%), while ultrasound-assisted acetonic extraction afforded 2.3% w/w, with the presence of 52.67 μg·mg-1 of Roy (yield of 0.11%). The reactivity of Roy was investigated to synthetize new ester derivatives through Roy benzoylation, affording two different products, Roy-12-Bz and RoyBz. Similarly, from Roy acetylation, Roy-12-Ac and RoyAc were successfully prepared. Thus, a reactivity study pointed to the 12-OH position as the most reactive site for the esterification. It afforded ester derivatives, using mild conditions, with overall good yields (33–86%). For both positions’ derivatization, high temperature (50 °C), excess of reagents, and higher reaction time are recommended. Moreover, some royleanones were evaluated as PKC-α, βI, δ, ε and ζ activators. DeRoy displayed the most promising results with increased PKC activity for all the isoforms comparing to PMA and ARA. The results suggest that slightly changes in the royleanones structures’ may have a great impact in the selectivity towards each PKC isoform. New ester hit derivatives are currently in preparation based on this reactivity report, to be further evaluated as PKC modulators.
Association of Plasma Aflatoxin With Persistent Detection of Oncogenic Human Papillomaviruses in Cervical Samples From Kenyan Women Enrolled in a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Tong Yan , Tonui Philip , Orang’o Omenge , Zhang Jianjun , Maina Titus , Muthoka Kapten , Groopman John , Smith Joshua , Madeen Erin , Ermel Aaron , Loehrer Patrick , Brown Darron
Published: January 2023

Background
Cervical cancer is common among Kenyan women and is caused by oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV). Identification of factors that increase HR-HPV persistence is critically important. Kenyan women exposed to aflatoxin have an increased risk of cervical HR-HPV detection. This analysis was performed to examine associations between aflatoxin and HR-HPV persistence.
Methods
Kenyan women were enrolled in a prospective study. The analytical cohort for this analysis included 67 HIV-uninfected women (mean age 34 years) who completed at least two of three annual study visits and had an available blood sample. Plasma aflatoxin was detected using ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Annual cervical swabs were tested for HPV (Roche Linear Array). Ordinal logistic regression models were fitted to examine associations of aflatoxin and HPV persistence.
Results
Aflatoxin was detected in 59.7% of women and was associated with higher risk of persistent detection of any HPV type (OR = 3.03, 95%CI = 1.08–8.55, P = 0.036), HR-HPV types (OR = 3.63, 95%CI = 1.30-10.13, P = 0.014), and HR-HPV types not included in the 9-valent HPV vaccine (OR = 4.46, 95%CI = 1.13–17.58, P = 0.032).
Conclusions
Aflatoxin detection was associated with increased risk of HR-HPV persistence in Kenyan women. Further studies are needed to determine if aflatoxin synergistically interacts with HR-HPV to increase cervical cancer risk.
A New Partnership with Indigenous Peoples? An Analysis of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report
Authors: Carmona Rosario , Reed Graeme , Thorsell Stefan , MacDonald Joanna Petrasek , Dorough Dalee Sambo , Rai Tunga Bhadra , Sanago Gideon
Published: January 2023

Indigenous Peoples have been emphatic: the climate crisis will not be solved by the same paradigm that caused it. Their advocacy, coupled with a growing acknowledgement of Indigenous knowledge systems' contributions to climate action and transformative change, has drawn international attention, including from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Nevertheless, many barriers to effective, rights-based recognition remain, reinforcing Indigenous Peoples' marginalisation in climate science and politics. Based on a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, this article assesses how the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) recognises and promotes the role of Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge systems in climate governance. Through a content analysis of the Working Groups I, II and III Reports, we found a growing number of references to Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge systems. Despite this growth, we also found that the IPCC continues to reproduce a reductionist approach to Indigenous Peoples' knowledge and rights which risks promoting harmful stereotypes that increase inequity. Reversing this weakness requires a greater reflexivity and concrete actions to overcome the unequal structures that limit Indigenous Peoples' participation at all levels. Among these actions we propose: i) ensuring consistent references to Indigenous Peoples across all reports; ii) avoiding the characterization of Indigenous Peoples as vulnerable and focusing on embedding a strengths-based approach; iii) ensuring Indigenous knowledge systems are fully understood and applied ethically and equitably; and iii) including Indigenous Peoples, as authors and contributors, and their solutions in all proposed working topics. Combined, these actions will assist the IPCC in approving their partnership with Indigenous Peoples, including in preparation for the seventh assessment cycle.
Multi-omics reveals azacitidine partially restores the hematopoiesis-supportive functions in mesenchymal stromal cells from patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Xu Ruohao , Geng Suxia , Zeng Lingji , Deng Chengxin , Huang Xin , Li Minming , Wu Ping , Lai Peilong , Weng Jianyu , Du Xin
Published: January 2023

Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) including azacitidine (AZA) represent the only FDA-approved first-line treatments for patients with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). However, the mechanism by which HMAs produce therapeutic responses (e.g., hematological improvement) remains unclear. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) play a crucial role in regulating the self-renewal, survival and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Recently, the identified sensitivity of patient-derived MSCs to HMAs underlines a critical yet unexplored role of MSCs in regulating post-HMA efficacies. By utilizing high-throughput approaches including targeted exon sequencing, DNA methylation profiling, and RNA sequencing, our present study aims to delineate the modifications and consequences of AZA on CMML-MSCs. Demonstrated by integrated multi-omics analysis, our results reveal that cytogenetically independent CMML-MSCs exhibit strikingly high amenability to AZA. Through selectively de-methylating/methylating CpGs of 1395 sensitive genes, AZA re-activates HSPC-supportive signatures and enhances the protective effect of CMML-MSCs on healthy HSPCs. Along with the reconstitution of the dysregulated methylome/transcriptome, AZA partially restored the impaired functions of CMML-MSCs to support healthy hematopoiesis in long-term co-culture conditions. Our findings suggested a niche-dependent mechanism of post-HMA recovery of normal hematopoiesis. Identifying AZA-sensitive genes and functions may be of particular value in developing niche-targeting strategies in treating myeloid malignancies.
Cerium and samarium blocked antioxidant enzymes in wheat plants
Authors: Haghighi Amirhossein Kazemzadeh , Rezayian Maryam , Niknam Vahid , Ganjali Mohammad Reza , Mirmasoumi Masoud
Published: January 2023

This work was conducted to study positive and negative impacts on two cultivars (Arta and Baharan) in wheat plant. Symbols of stress such as proline, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes, which may be complicated in the suppression responses of plants, were also studied. Wheat plants were exposed to 0, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10000 and 15000 µМ of cerium (Ce) and samarium (Sm) for 21 days. The growth enhanced in plants treated with lesser Ce and Sm concentration (2500 µМ) and declinded in plants treated with upper concentrations as compared to untreated plants. Thus, Ce and Sm had hormesis effect on growth in wheat plants. According to plant’s growth parameter patterns, Arta cultivar had more sensitive to Sm than to Ce, whereas Baharan cultivar had sensitive to Ce than to Sm. Our results indicated impact of Ce and Sm on proline accumulation depended on the dosage of Ce and Sm. It was observed that Ce and Sm accumulated in wheat plants at higher exposure doses. Increment of MDA content by Ce and Sm treatments showed that these metals caused oxidative stress in wheat plants. Ce and Sm blocked enzymatic antioxidant system (superoxide dismutases, peroxidase and polyphenol peroxidase) in wheat. In wheat plants treated with lower Ce and Sm concentrations higher amounts of non-enzymatic antioxidant metabolites were detected. Thus, we showed the potential negative impact of unsuitable utilization of REEs in plants and suggested growth and interruption in physiological and biochemical mechanisms as a possible factor to recognize the underlying toxicological processes.
Checklist of digenean fauna infecting fishes of Kerala region, India
Authors: Prasadan P. K. , Veettil Nisha Puthiya , Janardhanan Jithila Puthiyakandy , Chacko Sherin
Published: January 2023

A checklist of digenetic trematodes of fishes (both freshwater, brackish and marine) from Kerala is prepared on the basis of scientific articles published during the period from 1970 to 2022. To date, 94 species (72 adults and 22 metacercariae) belonging to 26 families and 62 genera were documented. The largest Family reported here is Hemiuridae under which ten genera and 23 species have been documented. For each parasite species, information is provided on the host(s), developmental stage(s), site(s) of infection, geographical locality (-ies) and the published source(s). Available illustrations have also been presented. ‘Keys to the Trematoda’ Volumes 1 to 3 are followed for presenting taxonomic status. The checklist forms the first complete listing of digenetic trematodes infecting marine, brackish and freshwater fishes of Kerala region, India. The current effort fills the demand for a checklist on diverse trematode fauna parasitizing fishes of Kerala which will be helpful to future researchers working on fish parasites.
Biomarker-based risk model to predict persistent multiple organ dysfunctions after congenital heart surgery – A prospective observational cohort study.
Authors: Benscoter Alexis L. , Alten Jeffrey A. , Atreya Mihir R. , Cooper David S. , Byrnes Jonathan W. , Nelson David P. , Ollberding Nicholas J. , Wong Hector R.
Published: January 2023

Background: Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is an important cause of post-operative morbidity and mortality for children undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Dysregulated inflammation is widely regarded as a key contributor to bypass-related MODS pathobiology, with considerable overlap of pathways associated with septic shock. The pediatric sepsis biomarker risk model (PERSEVERE) is comprised of seven protein biomarkers of inflammation, and reliably predicts baseline risk of mortality and organ dysfunction among critically ill children with septic shock. We aimed to determine if PERSEVERE biomarkers and clinical data could be combined to derive a new model to assess the risk of persistent CPB-related MODS in the early post-operative period.
Methods: This study included 306 patients <18 years old admitted to a pediatric cardiac ICU after surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for congenital heart disease. Persistent MODS, defined as dysfunction of two or more organ systems on postoperative day 5, was the primary outcome. PERSEVERE biomarkers were collected 4 and 12 hours after CPB. Classification and Regression Tree methodology was used to derive a model to assess the risk of persistent MODS.
Results: The optimal model containing interleukin-8 (IL-8), chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3), and age as predictor variables, had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.86 (0.81-0.91) for differentiating those with or without persistent MODS, and a negative predictive value of 99% (95-100). Ten-fold cross-validation of the model yielded a corrected AUROC of 0.75.
Conclusions: We present a novel risk prediction model to assess the risk for development of multiple organ dysfunction after pediatric cardiac surgery requiring CPB. Pending prospective validation, our model may facilitate identification of a high-risk cohort to direct interventions and studies aimed at improving outcomes via mitigation of post-operative organ dysfunction.
Clinical Trial Registration Number: This study does not meet criteria for a clinical trial per the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform as no intervention was performed.
Implementation of a novel emergency department pain coach educator program: First year experience and evaluation
Authors: LeLaurin Jennifer H , Montague Magda , Salloum Ramzi G , Shiekh Sophia S , Hendry Phyllis
Published: January 2023

Background: The ongoing opioid epidemic and rising number of patients with chronic pain have highlighted the need for alternative and integrative pain management approaches. A number of evidence-based nonpharmacologic pain management strategies are available; however, these approaches remain underutilized due to barriers such as time limitations, cost, and lack of clinician training. The aim of this work was to implement a nonpharmacologic pain coach educator program that addresses these barriers. We report an evaluation of the first year of program implementation in the emergency department of a large safety-net hospital.
Methods:We implemented a multimodal pain coach educator program that included education on pain neuroscience and over-the-counter analgesic options, demonstration of integrative techniques, and nonpharmacologic toolkits for home use. Implementation strategies included electronic health record tools, training and promotion, clinical champions, and clinician recognition. We used the RE-AIM framework to guide evaluation of the first year of program implementation using data from the electronic health record, quantitative and qualitative program records, and patient-reported outcomes.
Results:In the first year of program implementation 550 pain coach educator sessions were conducted. Upon immediate session completion, 61% of patients felt the program was helpful, 39% were unsure at the time, and none reported session was not helpful. Clinician feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Program cost per patient was $344.35. Adaptations to first year intervention and implementation strategies included modifications of session delivery timing for accommodation of clinical workflows, additions to program content to align with patient characteristics, and changes to patient identification strategies in response to the coronavirus 19 pandemic.
Conclusions:The PAMI pain coach educator program provides a model for nonpharmacologic pain management programs which can be scaled up and adapted for other settings. This work demonstrates the importance of intervention and implementation strategy adaptations to enhance program reach and effectiveness.
Cloning, Expression and Purification of Eimeria maxima gametocyte antigen-EmGam56 for control of Poultry Coccidiosis
Authors: Ramalingam Vijayashanthi , Muthusamy Raman , Borah Kasturi , Palavesam Azhahianambi , Gopal Dhinakarraj
Published: January 2023

Poultry coccidiosis is an important devitalizing enteric protozoan disease caused by a group of obligatory intracellular apicomplexan parasites of the Genus Eimeria contributing to major economic loss in commercial poultry worldwide. As the current method of chemotherapeutic control using Ionophores in feed had led to development of drug resistant isolates, the need for development of prophylactic vaccines is the most viable alternate and eco-friendly control strategy as on date. Of the several candidate vaccines, the EmGam 56 is one of the most promising candidates which protect the birds against E.maxima, E.tenella and E.acervulina, the three most pathogenic coccidian species infecting commercial chicken.EmGam56 is a major wall forming component of macrogametocyte of E.maxima and a candidate with high immunogenicity and low virulence. Based on the above, the present study was planned and carried out for the generation of E.coli expressed recombinant gametocyte antigen-EmGam56 using pET 28(a+) as cloning vector and BL21 DE3 (pLysS) as expression vector in a Bio-fermentor (New Brunswick™ Scientific BioFlo 310). The recombinant protein was purified by conventional (Ammonium sulfate) and by automatic purification system (AKTA prime) in Ni-NTA column for a planned immunization trial with experimental chickens.
A novel terahertz metamaterial absorber based on split-relief design for the application of refractive index sensing
Authors: Abdulkarim Yadgar I. , Muhammadsharif Fahmi F. , Appasani Bhargav , Bakır Mehmet , Karaaslan Muharrem , Rezaei Pejman , Khatami Seyed Amin , Daraei Omid Mohsen , Zamzam Pouria , Dong Jian
Published: January 2023

Metamaterial (MM)-based designs have tremendous applications in terahertz (THz) frequency regimes. THz metamaterial absorbers are a subclass of metamaterial-based designs that can absorb the incident THz electromagnetic radiations in the THz band. In this paper, four different designs of THz metamaterial absorbers are proposed which are based on split-relief (SR) design. The designs consist of a sun-shaped, SR sun-shaped, star-shaped and SR star-shaped resonators coated on top of a dielectric substrate. The resonance frequencies of the designs were found to be 0.70, 1.04, 0.41 THz and 0.60 THz, respectively. Results showed that the resonance frequency was independent on the incident and polarization angles, making a unique metamaterial absorber. The proposed absorbers were used to sense the thickness of the analyte and its refractive index. The thickness of the analyte can be sensed with a sensitivity of 73 GHz/um for the Sun design, 238 GHz/um for the SRSun design, 45.2 GHz/um for the Star design, and 133.4 GHz/um for the SRStar design. Similarly, the refractive index of the analyte can be sensed with a sensitivity of 1.581 THz/RIU for the Sun design, 4.053 THz/RIU for the SRSun design, 1.077 THz/RIU for the Star design, and 2.067 THz/RIU for the SRStar design when the analyte thickness was fixed at 3 μm. Further, the resonance mechanism has been explained with the help of electric and magnetic field distributions. Due to their high sensitivity, these designs can have profound applications in biomedical sensing.
An optofluidic antenna for enhancing the sensitivity of single-emitter measurements
Authors: Morales-Inostroza Luis , Folz Julian , Kühnemuth Ralf , Felekyan Suren , Wieser Franz-Ferdinand , Seidel Claus A.M. , Götzinger Stephan , Sandoghdar Vahid
Published: January 2023

Many single-molecule investigations are performed in fluidic environments, e.g., to avoid unwanted consequences of contact with surfaces. Diffusion of molecules in this arrangement limits the observation time and the number of collected photons, thus, compromising studies of processes with fast or slow dynamics. Here, we introduce a planar optofluidic antenna (OFA), which enhances the fluorescence signal from molecules by about 5 times per passage, leads to about 7-fold more frequent returns to the observation volume, and significantly lengthens the diffusion time within one passage. We use single-molecule multi-parameter fluorescence detection (sm-MFD), fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) and Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements to characterize our OFAs. The antenna advantages are showcased by examining both the slow (ms) and fast (50μs) dynamics of DNA four-way (Holliday) junctions with real-time resolution. The FRET trajectories provide evidence for the absence of an intermediate conformational state and introduce an upper bound for its lifetime. The ease of implementation and compatibility with various microscopy modalities make OFAs broadly applicable to a diverse range of studies.
Bayesian optimization of hydrogen plasma treatment in silicon quantum dot multilayer and application to solar cells
Authors: Kumagai Fuga , Gotoh Kazuhiro , Miyamoto Satoru , Kato Shinya , Kutsukake Kentaro , Usami Noritaka , Kurokawa Yasuyoshi
Published: January 2023

Silicon quantum dot multilayer (Si-QDML) is a promising material for a light-absorber of all silicon tandem solar cells due to tunable bandgap energy in a wide range depending on the silicon quantum dot (Si-QD) size, which is possible to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit. Since solar cell performance is degenerated by carrier recombination through dangling bonds (DBs) in Si-QDML, hydrogen termination of DBs is crucial. Hydrogen plasma treatment (HPT) is one of the methods to introduce hydrogen into Si-QDML. However, HPT has a large number of process parameters. In this study, we employed Bayesian optimization (BO) for the efficient survey of HPT process parameters. Photosensitivity (PS) was adopted as the indicator to be maximized in BO. PS (σp/σd) was calculated as the ratio of photo conductivity (σp) and dark conductivity (σd) of Si-QDML, which allowed the evaluation of important electrical characteristics in solar cells easily without fabricating process-intensive devices. 40-period layers for Si-QDML were prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method and post-annealing onto quartz substrates. Ten samples were prepared by HPT under random conditions as initial data for BO. By repeating calculations and experiments, the PS was successfully improved from 22.7 to 347.2 with a small number of experiments. In addition, Si-QD solar cells were fabricated with optimized HPT process parameters; open-circuit voltage (VOC) and fill factor (FF) values of 689 mV and 0.67, respectively, were achieved. These values are the highest for this type of device, which were achieved through an unprecedented attempt to combine HPT and BO. These results prove that BO is effective in accelerating the optimization of practical process parameters in a multidimensional parameter space, even for novel indicators such as PS.
Nonlocal response of the planar metal layer
Authors: Burda Milan , Richter Ivan , Kwiecien Pavel
Published: January 2023

Nonlocal interactions of plasmonic nanostructures are currently being intensively investigated. It is generally accepted that nonlocal interactions are most pronounced on structures with nanometer unit sizes and affect the shape of spectral functions of characterizing quantities in the resonance region. Numerical analysis of nonlocal phenomena is very complicated and it is advantageous to use it for the analysis of geometrically more complex structures. For some simple structures it is possible to find analytical solutions which can then be used, among other purposes, to build semi-analytical approaches for the analysis of some more complex structures. This article is focused on the efficient description of nonlocal manifestations of a planar metal layer using a hydrodynamic model. This model is further extended to the more general case of two adjacent nonlocal layers (bilayers). The results for both single layer and bilayer case are presented and discussed in detail. Also, one of the here presented important technical results are the transfer matrices for the nonzero normal component of the current densities at the interfaces of the metal layer.
An AI-based algorithm for the automatic evaluation of image quality in canine thoracic radiographs
Authors: Banzato Tommaso , Wodzinski Marek , Burti Silvia , Vettore Eleonora , Muller Henning , Zotti Alessandro
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to develop and test an artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm for detecting common technical errors in canine thoracic radiography. The algorithm was trained using a database of thoracic radiographs from three veterinary clinics in Italy, which were evaluated for image quality by three experienced veterinary diagnostic imagers. The algorithm was designed to classify the images as correct or having one or more of the following errors: rotation, underexposure, overexposure, incorrect limb positioning, incorrect neck positioning, blurriness, cut-off, or the presence of foreign objects, or medical devices. The algorithm was able to correctly identify errors in thoracic radiographs with an overall accuracy of 81.5% in latero-lateral and 75.7% in sagittal images. The most accurately identified errors were limb mispositioning and underexposure both in latero-lateral and sagittal images. The accuracy of the developed model in the classification of technically correct radiographs was fair in latero-lateral and good in sagittal images. The authors conclude that their AI-based algorithm is a promising tool for improving the accuracy of radiographic interpretation by identifying technical errors in canine thoracic radiographs.
Lower central incisors location of severe skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion
Authors: Zhang Jieni , Liang Yuqi , Chen Rui , Chen Si , Lin Jiuxiang , Han Bing , Liu Xiaomo
Published: January 2023

Objective: To systematically explore the angle and stability of lower central incisors in alveolar bone in severe skeletal Class III patients.
Materials and methods: 198 severe skeletal class Ⅲ patients (ANB ≤-4°) who underwent combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment were divided into three groups based on the mandibular plane angle (SN-MP). Pre-treatment lateral cephalograms were analyzed and compared among the three groups. We also measured11samples’ Cone-beam computed tomography images to invalidate the reliability of the cephalometric analysis.
Results: ANOVA test showed no statistically differences in the angle between long axis of the mandibular union and long axis of the lower central incisor (MIA) among the low angle, normal angle and high angle groups (P＞0.05), while significant differences were found in the angle between the axis of the lower incisor and the mandibular plane (IMPA) among the three groups (P< 0.001). The mean of IMPA decreases with the increase of SN-MP in the 198 severe skeletal Class Ⅲ patients. The mean of MIA in the low angle and normal angle group were 3.70° and 3.52° respectively, while the value (2.33°) was smaller in the high angle group. Paired-samples t Testshowed no statistically differences were found in MP-SN、FH-MP and MIA between the cephalometric measurements and CBCT measurements (P＞0.05).
Conclusions: In severe skeletal Class Ⅲ patients, long axis of the lower central incisors are highly consistent with the long axis of the mandibular union, which was more obvious in the high angle subjects. MIA reflects the physiological inclination of the lower centralincisors better than IMPA.
Videogame training increases clinical well-being, attention and hippocampal-prefrontal functional connectivity in schizophrenia
Authors: Becker Maxi , Fischer Djo , Gallinat Jürgen , Kühn Simone
Published: January 2023

Recent research revealed that videogame training boosts neuronal plasticity emerging in a range of cognitive improvements accompanied by structural and functional brain changes in healthy subjects. A reduction of neuronal plasticity has been suggested in patients with schizophrenia as a pathobiological model of cognitive deficits as well as positive and negative symptoms. Here we test whether videogame related improvements regarding cognition and neuronal plasticity can be transferred to this patient group and even reduce symptoms. Therefore, we conducted a training study in which patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls were randomly assigned to train with a 3D or 2D platformer videogame or read an E-book (active control) for 8 weeks, 30 minutes a day. After training, we observed significant increases in sustained attention (MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery) in both video gaming groups compared to the active control group in patients and healthy subjects which was significantly correlated with increased functional connectivity in a predefined hippocampal-prefrontal network. Most importantly, we observed significant improvements in negative symptoms (PANSSneg), general psychopathology (PANSSgen) and perceived mental health recovery (RAS) in patients trained with videogames compared to E-book reading. There was no significant difference in neuronal plasticity (cognition, functional connectivity) between patients and healthy controls. No outcome differences were observed for the 3D versus 2D version of the videogame training. Of note, critical and difficult-to-treat symptoms of schizophrenia namely cognitive deficits, negative symptoms and perceived mental health recovery improved the most. Hence, bringing to bear the core properties of videogames like fostering initiative, goal setting, decision making, in combination with joy and gratification, may constitute a closer to real life training as compared to current psychiatric treatment settings. Further research is needed to explore videogame training as possible adjunctive treatment options in complex mental disorders.
Random Forest Classification of Pichavaram Mangroves through the Integration of Selected Parameters of SAR and Optical Datasets
Authors: Cherian Sandra Maria , K Rajitha
Published: January 2023

Mapping of mangrove forests is a very difficult task due to its complexity in physical characteristics. However, its protection and maintenance area necessity, as they are an ecological hotspot. Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR) data integrated with optical data has been widely used for wetland application for better classification results. This study assess the applicability of dual polarimetric C-band data (Sentinel-1) in mangroveforest mapping together with Sentinel-2 optical data. Along with that the significance of commonly used spectral indices and SAR parametersare also examined. It was performed by running a separability analysis using Jeffries-Matusita (JM) distance and a multicollinearity analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation. Google Earth Engine platform was used for preprocessing and Random Forest (RF) classification of data.The result generated from multi-season data collected over a year indicated that selection of significant features for classification improved theclassification accuracy of both the optical and the SAR data. The overall accuracy of the optical image and the SAR image increased by 7.0% and 5.0%, respectively. Moreover, integration of feature subsetted fromoptical and SAR data again resulted in a rise in accuracy compared to classification results of SAR and optical data alone. JM distance and correlation analysis identified 23 - 33 features as significant for classification among initial 63 features of optical and SAR data, by reducing data dimensionality. This paper comprehensively discusses the importance of selecting suitable features for the classification of mangrove forests.