bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection and genomic characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli harboring tet(X4) in black kites (Milvus migrans) in Pakistan
Authors: Mansoor Muhammad Hassan , Lu Xiaoyu , Woksepp Hanna , Sattar Amna , Humak Farwa , Ali Jabir , Li Ruichao , Bonnedahl Jonas , Mohsin Mashkoor
Published: April 2024

The emergence of plasmid-mediated tigecycline resistance gene tet(X4) among clinically relevant bacteria has promoted significant concerns, as tigecycline is considered a last-resort drug against serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. We herein focused on the isolation and molecular characterization of tet(X4)-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in wild bird populations with anthropogenic interaction in Faisalabad, Pakistan. A total of 150 birds including black kites (Milvus migrans) and house crows (Corvus splendens) were screened for the presence of tigecycline resistance K. pneumoniae and E. coli. We found two K. pneumoniae and one E. coli isolate carrying tet(X4) originating from black kites. A combination of short- and long-read sequencing strategies showed that tet(X4) was located on a broad host range IncFII plasmid family in K. pneumoniae isolates whereas on an IncFII-IncFIB hybrid plasmid in E. coli. We also found an integrative and conjugative element ICEKp2 in K. pneumoniae isolate KP8336. We demonstrate the first description of tet(X4) gene in the WHO critical-priority pathogen K. pneumoniae among wild birds. The convergence of tet(X4) and virulence associated ICEKp2 in a wild bird with known anthropogenic contact should be further investigated to evaluate the potential epidemiological implications. The potential risk of global transmission of tet(X4)-positive K. pneumoniae and E. coli warrant comprehensive evaluation and emphasizes the need for effective mitigation strategies to reduce anthropogenic-driven dissemination of AMR in the environment.
Integrative analysis in head and neck cancer reveals distinct role of miRNome and methylome as tumour epigenetic drivers
Authors: Mandić Katarina , Milutin Gašperov Nina , Božinović Ksenija , Dediol Emil , Krasić Jure , Sinčić Nino , Grce Magdalena , Sabol Ivan , Barešić Anja
Published: April 2024

Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide, with the relatively low 5-year survival rate, mainly because it is diagnosed at a late stage. Infection with HPV is a well known aetiology, which affects the nature of these cancers and patients’ survival. Besides, it is considered that the main driving force for this type of cancer could be epigenetics. In this study we aimed to find potential epigenetic biomarkers, by integrating miRNome, methylome, and transcriptome analyses. From the fresh head and neck cancer tissue samples, we chose a group for miRNome, methylome and transcriptome profiling, in comparison to adequate control samples. Bioinformatics analyses are performed in R v4.2.2. Count normalisation and group differential expression for mRNA and the previously obtained miRNA count data was performed with DESeq2 v1.36. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed and visualised using gProfiler2 v0.2.1 Identification of miRNA targets was performed by querying in miRTarBase using multiMiR v1.18.0. Annotation of CpG sites merging into islands was obtained from RnBeads.hg19 v1.28.0. package. For the integrative analysis we performed kmeans clustering using stats v4.2.2 package, using 8–12 clusters and nstart 100. We found that transcriptome analysis divides samples into cancers and controls clusters, with no relation to HPV status or cancer anatomical location. Differentially expressed genes (n = 2781) were predominantly associated with signalling pathways of tumour progression. We identified a cluster of genes under the control of the transcription factor E2F that are significantly underexpressed in cancer tissue, as well as T cell immunity genes and genes related to regulation of transcription. Among overexpressed genes in tumours we found those that belong to cell cycle regulation and vasculature. A small number of genes were found significantly differentially expressed in HPV-positive versus HPV-negative tumours (for example NEFH, ZFR2, TAF7L, ZNF541, and TYMS). In this comprehensive study on an overlapping set of samples where the integration of miRNome, methylome and transcriptome analysis were performed for head and neck cancer, we demonstrated that the majority of genes were associated exclusively with miRNome or methylome and, to a lesser extent, under the control of both epigenetic mechanisms.
Apigetrin ameliorates doxorubicin prompted testicular damage: biochemical, spermatological and histological based study
Authors: Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Yaqoob Saba , Hamza Ali , David Mehwish , Afsar Tayyaba , Husain Fohad Mabood , Amor Houda , Razak Suhail
Published: April 2024

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective, commonly prescribed, potent anti-neoplastic drug that damages the testicular tissues and leads to infertility. Apigetrin (APG) is an important flavonoid that shows diverse biological activities. The present research was designed to evaluate the alleviative role of APG against DOX-induced testicular damages in rats. Forty-eight adult male albino rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups, control, DOX administered (3 mgkg−1), DOX + APG co-administered (3 mgkg−1 of DOX; 15 mgkg−1 of APG), and APG administered group (15 mgkg−1). Results of the current study indicated that DOX treatment significantly reduced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GSR), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), while increasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). DOX treatment also reduced the sperm count, viability, and motility. Moreover, DOX significantly increased the sperm morphological anomalies and reduced the levels of plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The administration of DOX significantly increased the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3, as well as the levels of inflammatory markers. Additionally, DOX treatment significantly downregulated the expressions of steroidogenic enzymes (StAR, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) and Bcl-2. Furthermore, DOX administration provoked significant histopathological abnormalities in the testicular tissues. However, APG supplementation significantly reversed all the testicular damages due to its androgenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory nature. Therefore, it is concluded that APG may prove a promising therapeutic agent to treat DOX-induced testicular damages.
Reliability-based design optimization for a vertical-type breakwater with multiple limit-state equations under Korean marine environments varying from sea to sea
Authors: Cho Yong Jun
Published: April 2024

In this study, as part of basic research aimed at enhancing the accuracy of load and resistance coefficients to ensure their suitability for practical design and promoting the application of underutilized reliability-based design in Korea, the author conducts optimal design based on the reliability analysis of a vertical-type breakwater in the seas off of Haeundae, Yeosu, Mokpo, Gunsan, and Incheon—representative ports in Korea. In doing so, the author utilized the double-loop approach, which simultaneously addresses a reliability problem nested within an optimization process, employing the Polak–He optimization algorithm. To mitigate the substantial numerical effort required by the double-loop approach based on the Polak–He optimization algorithm, which necessitates the gradients of both cost and constraint functions, the subset simulation method was employed. In this process, the author deliberately refrained from using design waves of a specific return period and linear probabilistic models such as the Gaussian distribution, especially concerning wave and lift forces, often viewed as barriers to the widespread application of reliability-based design in Korea. Instead, the author focused on characterizing the uncertainties associated with the wave force, lift force, and overturning moment—variables that significantly impact the integrity of vertical-type breakwaters—by developing probabilistic models for these random variables directly from long-term in situ wave data. These models capture the varied characteristics of the Korean marine environment from sea to sea. In this way, the need for additional assumptions concerning the interrelationship between significant wave and maximum wave heights, along with the wave period, can be eliminated. Following Occam's razor principle, which suggests that explanations constructed with the smallest possible set of assumptions are superior, the reliability-based design optimization of a vertical-type breakwater presented in this study demonstrates promise in terms of simplicity and practicality. The limit state of the vertical-type breakwater was defined to encompass sliding, overturning, and collapse failures, and the strong interrelations between the wave force, lift force, and overturning moment were described using the Nataf joint distribution. As anticipated, simulation results show that solely considering sliding failure, as in the current reliability-based design platform in Korea, leads to an underestimated failure probability. Furthermore, ensuring a consistent failure probability for vertical-type breakwaters using design waves with a specific return period, as in past studies, is not feasible. In contrast, this study demonstrated that breakwaters optimally designed to meet the reliability index requirement of β = 3.5–4 consistently maintain a target failure probability in all sea areas.
Associations between life’s essential 8 and sarcopenia in US adults: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Long Feng , Zou Su , Dong Youhai
Published: April 2024

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is closely associated with sarcopenia. We aimed to examine the relationship between Life’s Essential 8 (LE8) and the incidence of sarcopenia among adults in the United States. In this study, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2013 to 2018 and included 5999 adult participants. LE8 score was categorized into low (< 49), moderate (49–79), and high CVH (≥ 79) groups and consisted of health behavior score and health factor score based on American Heart Association definitions. Sarcopenia was defined according to The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Sarcopenia Project. Multivariate logistic regressions, restricted cubic spline regressions, and subgroup analyses were used to assess the association between LE8 and sarcopenia. LE8 and its subscales score were negatively associated with the incidence of sarcopenia in US adults.
Beliefs and behaviors associated with the first named heat wave in Seville Spain 2022
Authors: Metzger Aaron , Baharav Yuval , Nichols Lilly , Finke Megan , Saunders Breahnna , Mitchell Peter , Wellenius Gregory A. , Baughman McLeod Kathy , Shickman Kurt
Published: April 2024

Heat waves pose a substantial and increasing risk to public health. Heat health early warning systems (HHEWSs) and response plans are increasingly being adopted to alert people to the health risks posed by days of extreme heat and recommend protective behaviors. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of HHEWSs remains limited. We examined the impact of heat wave naming on heat-related beliefs and behaviors to ascertain the potential effectiveness of heat wave naming as a heat health risk communication and management tool. Specifically, we surveyed members of the public exposed to the proMETEO Sevilla HHEWS messaging campaign which in the summer of 2022 applied a name to heat waves considered to pose the greatest risk to public health. During the heat season we evaluated, the proMETEO Sevilla HHEWS campaign applied a name to one heat wave, heat wave “Zoe”. Our analysis of the post-survey of 2022 adults indicated that the 6% of participants who recalled the name Zoe unaided reported greater engagement in heat wave safety behaviors and more positive beliefs about naming heat waves and their local governments’ heat wave response. These results provide initial evidence for potential utility in naming heat waves as part of HHEWSs and HAPs.
Construction of power network security risk assessment model based on LSA-SVM algorithm in the background of smart grid
Authors: Qi Haojin , Zhu Wan , Ye Mingda , Hu Yichen , Wang Yong
Published: April 2024

Due to theintricate and interdependent nature of the smart grid, it has encountered an increasing number of security threats in recent years. Currently, conventional security measures such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and malicious detection technologies offer specific protection based on their unique perspectives. However, as the types and concealment of attacksincrease, these measures struggle to detect them promptly and respond accordingly. In order to meet the social demand for the accuracy and computation speed of the power network security risk evaluation model, the study develops a fusion power network security risk evaluation algorithm by fusing the flash search algorithm with the support vector machine. This algorithm is then used as the foundation for building an improved power network security risk evaluation model based on the fusion algorithm.The study's improved algorithm's accuracy is 96.2%, which is higher than the accuracy of the other comparative algorithms; its error rate is 3.8%, which is lower than the error rate of the other comparative algorithms; and its loss function curve convergence is quicker than that of the other algorithms.The risk evaluation model's accuracy is 97.8%, which is higher than the accuracy of other comparative models; the error rate is 1.9%, which is lower than the error rate of other comparative models; the computing time of the improved power network security risk evaluation model is 4.4 s, which is lower than the computing time of other comparative models; and its expert score is high. These findings are supported by empirical analysis of the improved power network security risk evaluation model proposed in the study. According to the study's findings, the fusion algorithm and the upgraded power network security risk evaluation model outperform other approaches in terms of accuracy and processing speed. This allows the study's maintenance staff to better meet the needs of the community by assisting them in identifying potential security hazards early on and taking the necessary preventative and remedial action to ensure the power system's continued safe operation.
Detection of pit and fissure sealant microleakage using quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology: an in vitro study
Authors: Nam Sang-Mi , Ku Hye-Min , Lee Eun-Song , Kim Baek-Il
Published: April 2024

This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology for detecting the presence and severity of microleakage of pit and fissure sealants. The areas of interest (AOIs) were 160 pits and fissures of 40 extracted permanent teeth. Fluorescent images were acquired using a QLF device, and the maximum fluorescence loss ΔFmax of each AOI was analyzed. After staining and cross-sectioning of the teeth, histological dye penetration was scored on a scale of 0 to 3. The relationship between ΔFmax and microleakage depth was analyzed, and the areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated. The │ΔFmax│ increased as microleakage depth increased. The ΔFmax values of microleakage areas showed a strong significant correlation with the histological scores of dye penetration (r = − 0.72, P = 0.001). AUC analysis showed a high diagnostic accuracy for microleakage depth (AUC = 0.83–0.91). The highest AUC of 0.91 was found when differentiating the outer half microleakage of the sealant (histological score 0 vs. 1–3). QLF technology is effective in assessing the presence and severity of microleakage, suggesting its potential for noninvasive detection and monitoring of sealant microleakage in clinical settings.
The changing epidemiology of pulmonary infection in children and adolescents with cystic fibrosis: an 18-year experience
Authors: Singh Jagdev , Hunt Sharon , Simonds Sharon , Boyton Christie , Middleton Anna , Elias Matthew , Towns Susan , Pandit Chetan , Robinson Paul , Fitzgerald Dominic A. , Selvadurai Hiran
Published: April 2024

The impact of evolving treatment regimens, airway clearance strategies, and antibiotic combinations on the incidence and prevalence of respiratory infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) in children and adolescents remains unclear. The incidence, prevalence, and prescription trends from 2002 to 2019 with 18,339 airway samples were analysed. Staphylococcus aureus [− 3.86% (95% CI − 5.28–2.43)] showed the largest annual decline in incidence, followed by Haemophilus influenzae [− 3.46% (95% CI − 4.95–1.96)] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [− 2.80%95% CI (− 4.26–1.34)]. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria and Burkholderia cepacia showed a non-significant increase in incidence. A similar pattern of change in prevalence was observed. No change in trend was observed in infants < 2 years of age. The mean age of the first isolation of S. aureus (p < 0.001), P. aeruginosa (p < 0.001), H. influenza (p < 0.001), Serratia marcescens (p = 0.006) and Aspergillus fumigatus (p = 0.02) have increased. Nebulised amikacin (+ 3.09 ± 2.24 prescription/year, p = 0.003) and colistin (+ 1.95 ± 0.3 prescriptions/year, p = 0.032) were increasingly prescribed, while tobramycin (− 8.46 ± 4.7 prescriptions/year, p < 0.001) showed a decrease in prescription. Dornase alfa and hypertonic saline nebulisation prescription increased by 16.74 ± 4.1 prescriptions/year and 24 ± 4.6 prescriptions/year (p < 0.001). There is a shift in CF among respiratory pathogens and prescriptions which reflects the evolution of cystic fibrosis treatment strategies over time.
Experimental test and mechanism analysis of soil crust erosion resistance of rammed earth Great Wall in rainy season
Authors: Liu Liang , Zhang Yun , Guo Lianjun , Cao Haiying , Dai Zhenwei , Zhao Zhiyong , Guo Ying , Li Dongdong , Zheng Lingling , Li Tianli
Published: April 2024

Rammed earth is a kind of cleaning material, widely used in all kinds of buildings in the world. The Great Wall of ancient China is a typical world cultural site built from rammed earth. The rammed earth Great Wall of Shanhaiguan is close to Bohai Bay, which has suffered from long-term erosion by rain, causing a series of problems such as soil loss, collapse and gully flushing. The protection materials of the rammed earth site have always puzzled scholars. However, during the rainy season, it was found that some of the walls at Xiaowan Gouge and Nantuzhuang Gouge in the Shanhaiguan Great Wall had unwashed traces, the soil surface of the walls was intact, and the anti-erosion ability of the walls was significantly higher than that of other places. In order to explore the reasons for its strong anti-erosion ability in the natural state of rammed earth wall, guide the protection of rammed earth Great Wall, and carry out different experimental tests to explore its anti-erosion reasons and internal mechanisms. Firstly, the characteristics of rammed soil were understood through the composition test of rammed soil, and the indoor and outdoor erosion test was carried out to determine that the anti-erosion reason was the protection of gray-green soil crust. The property and composition of soil crust were determined through the immersion test and genome sequencing. Finally, the protection mechanism of soil crust was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy.
Factors associated with hematological adverse reactions of drugs authorized via the centralized procedure
Authors: Stević Ivana , Janković Slobodan M. , Georgiev Andrijana Milošević , Marinković Valentina , Lakić Dragana
Published: April 2024

Serious hematological adverse drug reactions (HADRs) may lead to or prolong hospitalization and even cause death. The aim of this study was to determine the regulatory factors associated with HADRs caused by drugs that were authorized up to July 2023 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and to evaluate the frequency of HADRs. Using a cross-sectional approach, the type and frequency of HADRs were collected from the Summaries of Product Characteristics of Drugs Authorized by the EMA and analyzed within proprietary, nonproprietary, and biosimilar/biological frameworks. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to investigate the associations of generic status, biosimilar status, conditional approval, exceptional circumstances, accelerated assessment, orphan drug status, years on the market, administration route, and inclusion on the Essential Medicines List (EML) with HADRs. In total, 54.78% of proprietary drugs were associated with HADRs at any frequency, while anemia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia were observed in approximately 36% of the patients. The predictors of any HADR, anemia, and thrombocytopenia of any frequency are generic status, biosimilar status, and inclusion on the EML, while the only protective factor is the administration route. Biosimilars and their originator biologicals have similar frequencies of HADRs; the only exception is somatropin. Knowledge of the regulatory factors associated with HADRs could help clinicians address monitoring issues when new drugs are introduced for the treatment of patients.
The air conditioning in the nose of mammals depends on their mass and on their maximal running speed
Authors: Rigaut Clément , Giaprakis Alice , Deruyver Laura , Goole Jonathan , Lambert Pierre , Haut Benoît
Published: April 2024

The nose of the mammals is responsible for filtering, humidifying, and heating the air before entering the lower respiratory tract. This conditioning avoids, notably, dehydration of the bronchial and alveolar mucosa. However, since this conditioning is not perfect, exercising in cold air can induce lung inflammation, both for human and non-human mammals. This work aims to compare the air conditioning in the noses of various mammals during inspiration. We build our study on computational fluid dynamics simulations of the heat exchanges in the lumen of the upper respiratory tract of these mammals. These simulations show that the efficiency of the air conditioning in the nose during inspiration does not relate only to the mass m of the mammal but also to its maximal running speed v. More precisely, the results allow establishing a scaling law relating the efficiency of air conditioning in the nose of mammals to the ratio $$v/\log _{10}(m)$$

v
/

log
10

(
m
)

. The simulations also correlate the resistance to the flow in the nose to the efficiency of this air conditioning. The obtained scaling law allows predicting the air temperature at the top of the trachea during inspiration for nasal-breathing mammals, and thus notably for humans of various ages.
An effective antibiofilm strategy based on bacteriophages armed with silver nanoparticles
Authors: Szymczak Mateusz , Pankowski Jarosław A. , Kwiatek Agnieszka , Grygorcewicz Bartłomiej , Karczewska-Golec Joanna , Sadowska Kamila , Golec Piotr
Published: April 2024

The emerging antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria is a key problem in modern medicine that has led to a search for novel therapeutic strategies. A potential approach for managing such bacteria involves the use of their natural killers, namely lytic bacteriophages. Another effective method involves the use of metal nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties. However, the use of lytic phages armed with nanoparticles as an effective antimicrobial strategy, particularly with respect to biofilms, remains unexplored. Here, we show that T7 phages armed with silver nanoparticles exhibit greater efficacy in terms of controlling bacterial biofilm, compared with phages or nanoparticles alone. We initially identified a novel silver nanoparticle-binding peptide, then constructed T7 phages that successfully displayed the peptide on the outer surface of the viral head. These recombinant, AgNP-binding phages could effectively eradicate bacterial biofilm, even when used at low concentrations. Additionally, when used at concentrations that could eradicate bacterial biofilm, T7 phages armed with silver nanoparticles were not toxic to eukaryotic cells. Our results show that the novel combination of lytic phages with phage-bound silver nanoparticles is an effective, synergistic and safe strategy for the treatment of bacterial biofilms.
Initiation and continuation of pharmacological therapies in patients hospitalized for heart failure in Japan
Authors: Okami Suguru , Lecomte Coralie , Raad Hanaya , Aguila Mireia , Mohrova Zuzana , Takeichi Makiko , Tsuchiya Takanori , Ohlmeier Christoph , Evers Thomas , Michel Alexander
Published: April 2024

Currently, the utilization patterns of medications for heart failure (HF) after worsening HF events remain unelucidated in Japan. Here, we conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating the changes in HF drug utilization patterns in 6 months before and after hospitalizations for HF. The adherence to newly initiated HF medications was evaluated based on the proportion of days covered (PDC) and persistence as continuous treatment episodes among new users. The study included 9091 patients hospitalized for HF between January 2016 and September 2019, including 2735 (30.1%) patients who were newly prescribed at least one HF medication after hospitalization. Despite increases in the use of foundational HF therapy (beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists), 35.6% and 7.6% of patients were treated with the HF foundational monotherapy or diuretics alone after hospitalization, respectively. The mean PDC of newly initiated HF medications ranged from 0.57 for thiazide diuretics to 0.77 for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Continuous use of HF medications during the first year after initiation was observed in 30–60% of patients. The mean PDC and one-year continuous HF medication use were consistently lower in patients aged ≥ 75 years and in patients with a history of HF hospitalization for all HF medication classes except for tolvaptan and digoxin. Despite the guideline recommendations of HF pharmacotherapy, both treatment and adherence were suboptimal after HF hospitalization, especially in vulnerable populations such as older patients and those with prior HF hospitalizations.
Tailoring of novel morpholine-sulphonamide linked thiazole moieties as dual targeting DHFR/DNA gyrase inhibitors: synthesis, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, and DFT with molecular modelling studies
Authors: Abdou Moaz M. , Eliwa Essam M. , Abdel Reheim M. A. M. , Abu-Rayyan Ahmed , Abd El-Gilil Shimaa M. , Abu-Elghait Mohammed , Sharaf Mohamed H. , Kalaba Mohamed H. , Halawa Ahmed H. , Elgammal Walid E.
Published: April 2024

Herein, the chemical synthesis of new thiazole-based benzenesulfonamide-linked morpholine 4a,b–7via late-stage thiazolation of the corresponding thiosemicarbazone 3 is reported.
A simplified lateral flow immunosensor for the assay of carcinoembryonic antigen in low-resource settings
Authors: Tsogka Ioanna , Mermiga Electra , Pagkali Varvara , Kokkinos Christos , Economou Anastasios
Published: April 2024

A colorimetric lateral flow immunosensor is developed and validated for assay of carcinoembryonic antigen in serum at the point-of-care (POC) or in resource-limited settings.
Porphyrin-based covalent organic frameworks from design, synthesis to biological applications
Authors: Li Xin-Gui , Li Junjian , Chen JinFeng , Rao Liangmei , Zheng Libin , Yu Fei , Tang Yijing , Zheng Jie , Ma Jie
Published: April 2024

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) constitute a class of highly functional porous materials composed of lightweight elements interconnected by covalent bonds, characterized by structural order, high crystallinity, and large specific surface area.
The Association Between Tinnitus Sensation–Level Loudness and Sleep Quality in Patients With Subjective Consecutive Tinnitus: A Mediation Analysis
Authors: Ding Zhiwei , Zhang Chi , Wang Fangyuan , Wu Xiedong , Chen Tingting , Wang Li , Jiang Yuke , Han Dongyi , Shen Weidong
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

So far, there have been no in-depth analyses of the connection between tinnitus sensation–level loudness and sleep quality. Accordingly, the present study was formulated as a mediation analysis focused on exploring this relationship.

Method:

Overall, 1,255 adults with consecutive subjective tinnitus who had sought outpatient treatment were enrolled in the present study.

Results:

Direct effects of tinnitus sensation–level loudness on sleep quality were not statistically significant (95% confidence intervals [CI] include zero), as measured by the point estimate, −0.016. However, the 95% CI for indirect effects did not include zero when assessing the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores, the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, and self-reported tinnitus annoyance.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that tinnitus sensation–level loudness does not directly have an effect on sleep quality. However, it indirectly impacts sleep quality, mediated by SAS scores, SDS scores, the impact of tinnitus on life measured using the VAS, and self-reported tinnitus annoyance. As such, alleviating anxiety and depression in patients with tinnitus may result in reductions in their insomnia even if there is no reduction in tinnitus loudness. Importantly, otolaryngologists and other clinicians treating tinnitus should refer patients with tinnitus suffering from insomnia with comorbid depression or anxiety for appropriate psychological and/or psychiatric treatment.
LPNet: A remote sensing scene classification method based on large kernel convolution and parameter fusion
Authors: Wang Guowei , Shi Furong , Wang Xinyu , Xu Haixia , Yuan Liming , Wen Xianbin
Published: April 2024

Remote sensing scene images contain numerous feature targets with unrelated semantic information, so how to extract to the local key information and semantic features of the image becomes the key to achieving accurate classification. Existing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) mostly concentrate on the global representation of an image and lose the shallow features. To overcome these issues, this paper proposes LPNet for remote sensing scene image classification. First, LPNet employs LKConv to extract the semantic features in the image, while using standard convolution to extract local key information in the image. Additionally, the LPNet applies a shortcut residual concatenation branch to reuse features. Then, parameter fusion combines parameters from previous branches, improving the capacity of the model to obtain a more comprehensive and rich feature representation of the image. Finally, considering the relationship between the classification ability of the model and the depth of feature extraction, the Feature Mixture (FM) Block is used to deepen the model for feature extraction. Comparative experiments on four publicly available datasets show that LPNet provides comparable results to other state‐of‐the‐art methods. The effectiveness of LPNet is further demonstrated by visualizing the effective receptive fields (ERFs).
On the anti‐intercept features of noise radars
Authors: Galati Gaspare , Pavan Gabriele
Published: April 2024

Robustness against Electronic Warfare/Electronic Defence attacks represents an important advantage of Noise Radar Technology (NRT). An evaluation of the related Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and of Intercept (LPI) is presented for Continuous Emission Noise Radar (CE‐NR) waveforms with different operational parameters, that is, “tailored”, and with various “degrees of randomness”. In this frame, three different noise radar waveforms, a phase Noise (APCN) and two “tailored” noise waveforms (FMeth and COSPAR), are compared by time–frequency analysis. Using a correlator (i.e. a two antennas) receiver, assuming a complete knowledge of the band (B) and duration (T) of the coherent emission of these waveforms, it will be shown that the LPD features of a CE‐NR do not significantly differ from those of any CE radar transmitting deterministic waveforms. However, in real operations, B and T are unknown; hence, assuming an instantaneous bandwidth estimation will show that the duration T can be estimated only for some specific “tailored” waveforms (of course, not to be operationally used). The effect of “tailoring” is analysed with prospects for future work. Finally, some limitations in the classification of these radar signals are analysed.
Sequential Paired Electrochemical Transformation of Styrene Oxide via Anodic Meinwald Rearrangement and Cathodic Nitro­methylation in an Electrochemical Flow Reactor with Catalytic Electrical Input
Authors: Sato Eisuke , Suga Seiji , Nagamine Kanon , Sasaki Chika , Kunimoto Shumpei , Mitsudo Koichi
Published: April 2024

Paired electrosynthesis, which utilize both anodic and cathodic events in electrolysis, enables attractive transformations with higher current efficiency than conventional electrosynthesis. The electrochemical flow technique has been widely employed to ensure stable reaction conditions and mitigate issues stemming from mass transfer. In this study, the electrochemical Meinwald rearrangement of styrene oxides was investigated, yielding aldehydes as intermediates, followed by the nitromethylation of aldehydes to produce β-nitro alcohols. These reactions were achieved with catalytic electrical input, enabling the conversion of various styrene oxides into the corresponding β-nitro alcohols.
Plastia em Z modificada do ligamento patelar com reforço de tendão quadricipital no tratamento da patela baixa
Authors: Costa Tiago António Almeida Orange , Bernardes Francisco , Miradouro José , Pereira Joana , Barreira Pedro , Carvalho João
Published: April 2024

A patela baixa é uma patologia do joelho pouco frequente, mas limitante devido à rigidez articular e dor localizada na região anterior do joelho. Pode decorrer após trauma, imobilização prolongada ou intervenção cirúrgica local. O achado patológico marcante é o encurtamento e o aumento na espessura do ligamento patelar. Foram descritas várias técnicas cirúrgicas para o seu tratamento, não existindo nenhum tratamento padronizado. Descrevemos o caso de uma doente de 73 anos de idade que apresentava rigidez do joelho, deficit funcional importante e patela baixa após artroplastia total do joelho. Foi submetida a um procedimento cirúrgico de partes moles recentemente descrito, com excelente evolução funcional, melhorando de um Lysholm Knee Score de 16 para 81 pontos, permitindo a mobilização e regresso às atividades de vida diárias precocemente.
Prenatal Detection of Cleidocranial Dysplasia: A Case Report Highlighting the Importance of Exploring Insignificant Ultrasound Signs
Authors: Roy Prasanna , Dey Shankar
Published: April 2024

Cleidocranial dysplasia is a rare autosomal dominant skeletal disorder characterized by clavicular hypoplasia, delayed closure of fontanels, dental abnormalities, and other skeletal anomalies. This case report presents the prenatal detection of cleidocranial dysplasia by exploring a subtle abnormality during routine prenatal ultrasound examination, subsequent genetic confirmation, and postabortal X-ray analysis. The aim is to emphasize the importance of taking into account any apparently insignificant ultrasound finding to diagnose a fetal genetic abnormality.
Intrinsic tensile ductility in strain hardening multiprincipal element metallic glass
Authors: Zhang Zhibo , Zhang Shan , Wang Qing , Lu Anliang , Chen Zhaoqi , Yang Ziyin , Luan Junhua , Su Rui , Guan Pengfei , Yang Yong
Published: April 2024

Traditional metallic glasses (MGs), based on one or two principal elements, are notoriously known for their lack of tensile ductility at room temperature. Here, we developed a multiprincipal element MG (MPEMG), which exhibits a gigapascal yield strength, significant strain hardening that almost doubles its yield strength, and 2% uniform tensile ductility at room temperature. These remarkable properties stem from the heterogeneous amorphous structure of our MPEMG, which is composed of atoms with significant size mismatch but similar atomic fractions. In sharp contrast to traditional MGs, shear banding in our glass triggers local elemental segregation and subsequent ordering, which transforms shear softening to hardening, hence resulting in shear-band self-halting and extensive plastic flows. Our findings reveal a promising pathway to design stronger, more ductile glasses that can be applied in a wide range of technological fields.
Tradeoffs among root functional traits for phosphorus acquisition in 13 soybean genotypes contrasting in mycorrhizal colonization
Authors: Fang Yizeng , Lu Luwen , Chen Kang , Wang Xiurong
Published: April 2024

Background and Aims

Plants have adapted to acquire phosphorus (P) primarily through advantageous root morphologies, responsive physiological pathways and associations with mycorrhizal fungi. Yet, to date, little information exists on how variation in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization is coordinated with root morphological and physiological traits to enhance P acquisition.

Methods

Thirteen root functional traits associated with P acquisition were characterized at full bloom stage in pot cultures under low soil P availability conditions for 13 soybean genotypes contrasting in AM colonization.

Key Results

Significant variation in root functional traits was observed in response to low P stress among the 13 tested soybean genotypes contrasting in AM colonization. Genotypes with low AM colonization exhibited greater root proliferation but with less advantageous root physiological characteristics for P acquisition. In contrast, genotypes with high AM colonization exhibited less root growth but higher phosphatase activities and carboxylate content in the rhizosheath. Root dry weights, and contents of carbon and P were positively correlated with root morphological traits of different root orders and whole root systems, and were negatively correlated with AM colonization of fine roots and whole root systems, as well as rhizosheath phosphatase activities and carboxylate contents. These results taken in combination with a significant positive correlation between plant P content and root morphological traits indicate that root morphological traits play a primary role in soybean P acquisition.

Conclusions

The results suggest that efficient P acquisition involves tradeoffs among carbon allocation to root proliferation, mycorrhizal symbiosis or P-mobilizing exudation. Complementarity and complexity in the selection of P acquisition strategies was notable among soybean genotypes contrasting in AM colonization, which is closely related to plant C budgeting.
Changes in Chlamydia trachomatis risk before and after union formation and separation among women of reproductive age
Authors: Metsä-Simola Niina S , Einiö Elina K , Martikainen Pekka T
Published: April 2024

Background

Not having an established relationship is associated with an elevated risk of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection, but this might reflect selection into and out of unions. Although union formation and union separation are common events in reproductive age, little is known about changes in CT risk before and after these transitions.

Methods

We linked Finnish Population Register data to the National Register of Infectious Diseases and used fixed-effects linear probability models that account for all time-invariant confounders to examine changes in women’s 6-month CT risk 3 years before and 3 years after entry into first cohabitation (n = 293 554), non-marital separation (n = 201 647) or marital separation (n = 92 232) during 2005–14.

Results

From 3 years to 1 year before first union formation, the 6-month risk of CT increased slightly, peaking at 1.27% immediately prior to union formation (95% confidence interval 1.22–1.31). It declined sharply following union formation, being only 0.40% (0.34–0.46) 6–12 months after union formation with little changes thereafter. Among women separating from non-marital unions, the risk increased from 0.50% (0.42–0.57) to 1.45% (1.40–1.49) around the time of separation and decreased following separation. The pattern of findings was relatively similar for marital separation, although the observed risks and changes were smaller in magnitude.

Conclusions

Our results based on longitudinal data and individual fixed-effects models indicate that the period immediately after separation may be causally associated with an elevated risk of CT. This suggests that recently separated women should be identified as a high-risk group for CT.
Full waveform inversion and Lagrange multipliers
Authors: Gholami Ali , Aghazade Kamal
Published: April 2024

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is an effective method for imaging subsurface properties using sparsely recorded data. It involves solving a wave propagation problem to estimate model parameters that accurately reproduce the data. Recent trends in FWI have seen a renewed interest in extended methodologies, among which source extension methods leveraging reconstructed wavefields to solve penalty or augmented Lagrangian (AL) formulations have emerged as robust algorithms, even for inaccurate initial models. Despite their demonstrated robustness on synthetic data, challenges remain, such as the lack of a clear physical interpretation and reliance on difficult-to-compute least-squares (LS) wavefields. Moreover, the literature lacks a general and through comparison of these source extension methods with each other and with the standard FWI. This paper is divided into three critical parts. In the first, a novel formulation of these methods is explored within a unified Lagrangian framework. This novel perspective permits the introduction of alternative algorithms that use LS multipliers instead of wavefields. These multiplier-oriented variants appear as regularizations of the standard FWI, are suitable to the time domain, offer tangible physical interpretations, and foster enhanced convergence efficiency. The second part of the paper delves into understanding the underlying mechanisms of these techniques. This is achieved by solving the associated non-linear equations using iterative linearization and inverse scattering methods. The paper provides insight into the role and significance of Lagrange multipliers in enhancing the linearization of the equations. It explains how different methods estimate multipliers or make approximations to increase computing efficiency. Additionally, it presents a new physical understanding of the Lagrange multiplier used in the AL method, highlighting how important it is for improving algorithm performance when compared to penalty methods. In the final section, the paper presents numerical examples that compare different methods within a unified iterative algorithm, utilizing benchmark Marmousi and 2004 BP salt models.
Clinical mutations in the TERT and TERC genes coding for telomerase components induced oxidative stress, DNA damage at telomeres and cell apoptosis besides decreased telomerase activity
Authors: Fernández-Varas Beatriz , Manguan-García Cristina , Rodriguez-Centeno Javier , Mendoza-Lupiáñez Lucía , Calatayud Joaquin , Perona Rosario , Martín-Martínez Mercedes , Gutierrez-Rodriguez Marta , Benítez-Buelga Carlos , Sastre Leandro
Published: April 2024

Telomeres are nucleoprotein structures at the end of chromosomes that maintain their integrity. Mutations in genes coding for proteins involved in telomere protection and elongation produce diseases such as dyskeratosis congenita or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis known as telomeropathies. These diseases are characterized by premature telomere shortening, increased DNA damage and oxidative stress. Genetic diagnosis of telomeropathy patients has identified mutations in the genes TERT and TERC coding for telomerase components but the functional consequences of many of these mutations still have to be experimentally demonstrated. The activity of twelve TERT and five TERC mutants, five of them identified in Spanish patients, has been analyzed. TERT and TERC mutants were expressed in VA-13 human cells that express low telomerase levels and the activity induced was analyzed. The production of reactive oxygen species, DNA oxidation and TRF2 association at telomeres, DNA damage response and cell apoptosis were determined. Most mutations presented decreased telomerase activity, as compared to wild-type TERT and TERC. In addition, the expression of several TERT and TERC mutants induced oxidative stress, DNA oxidation, DNA damage, decreased recruitment of the shelterin component TRF2 to telomeres and increased apoptosis. These observations might indicate that the increase in DNA damage and oxidative stress observed in cells from telomeropathy patients is dependent on their TERT or TERC mutations. Therefore, analysis of the effect of TERT and TERC mutations of unknown function on DNA damage and oxidative stress could be of great utility to determine the possible pathogenicity of these variants.
The use of artificial intelligence to optimize medication alerts generated by clinical decision support systems: a scoping review
Authors: Graafsma Jetske , Murphy Rachel M , van de Garde Ewoudt M W , Karapinar-Çarkit Fatma , Derijks Hieronymus J , Hoge Rien H L , Klopotowska Joanna E , van den Bemt Patricia M L A
Published: April 2024

Objective

Current Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSSs) generate medication alerts that are of limited clinical value, causing alert fatigue. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based methods may help in optimizing medication alerts. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review on the current state of the use of AI to optimize medication alerts in a hospital setting. Specifically, we aimed to identify the applied AI methods used together with their performance measures and main outcome measures.

Materials and Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library database on May 25, 2023 for studies of any quantitative design, in which the use of AI-based methods was investigated to optimize medication alerts generated by CDSSs in a hospital setting. The screening process was supported by ASReview software.

Results

Out of 5625 citations screened for eligibility, 10 studies were included. Three studies (30%) reported on both statistical performance and clinical outcomes. The most often reported performance measure was positive predictive value ranging from 9% to 100%. Regarding main outcome measures, alerts optimized using AI-based methods resulted in a decreased alert burden, increased identification of inappropriate or atypical prescriptions, and enabled prediction of user responses. In only 2 studies the AI-based alerts were implemented in hospital practice, and none of the studies conducted external validation.

Discussion and Conclusion

AI-based methods can be used to optimize medication alerts in a hospital setting. However, reporting on models’ development and validation should be improved, and external validation and implementation in hospital practice should be encouraged.