bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rapid review of community engagement and informed consent processes for adaptive platform trials and alternative design trials for public health emergencies
Authors: Davies Alun , Ormel Ilja , Bernier Alexe , Harriss Eli , Mumba Noni , Gobat Nina , Schwartz Lisa , Cheah Phaik Yeong
Published: May 2023

Background: Public Health Emergencies (PHE) demand expeditious research responses to evaluate new or repurposed therapies and prevention strategies. Alternative Design Trials (ADTs) and Adaptive Platform Trials (APTs) have enabled efficient large-scale testing of biomedical interventions during recent PHEs. Design features of these trials may have implications for engagement and/or informed consent processes. We aimed to rapidly review evidence on engagement and informed consent for ADTs and APTs during PHE to consider what (if any) recommendations can inform practice.

Method: In 2022, we searched 8 prominent databases for relevant peer reviewed publications and guidelines for ADTs/APTs in PHE contexts. Articles were selected based on pre-identified inclusion and exclusion criteria. We reviewed protocols and informed consent documents for a sample of large platform trials and consulted with key informants from ADTs/APT trial teams. Data were extracted and summarised using narrative synthesis.

Results: Of the 49 articles included, 10 were guidance documents, 14 discussed engagement, 10 discussed informed consent, and 15 discussed both. Included articles addressed ADTs delivered during the West African Ebola epidemic and APTs delivered during COVID-19. PHE clinical research guidance documents highlight the value of ADTs/APTs and the importance of community engagement, but do not provide practice-specific guidance for engagement or informed consent. Engagement and consent practice for ADTs conducted during the West African Ebola epidemic have been well-documented. For COVID-19, engagement and consent practice was described for APTs primarily delivered in high income countries with well-developed health service structures. A key consideration is strong communication of the complexity of trial design in clear, accessible ways.

Conclusion: We highlight key considerations for best practice in community engagement and informed consent relevant to ADTs and APTs for PHEs which may helpfully be included in future guidance.

Protocol: The review protocol is published online at Prospero on 15/06/2022: registration number CRD42022334170.
Amino acid score of some products for younger school children nutrition
Authors: Vatan M. , Babienko V.
Published: May 2023

Introduction. Wholesome nutrition is one of the most important factors in shaping a person's somatic and mental health. Eating habits are formed in childhood and consolidated in adulthood. They can also have an impact on the development of future chronic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the work is to evaluate the amino acid score of the main food products of children of primary school age.

Material and methods. The research was carried out during 2016 - 2021. Food menus for 1000 of children aged 6-9 years old living in the South of Ukraine (cities Odessa and Mykolaiv, suburban villages and villages far from the regional centres). The study was carried out during the spring-summer (May-June) and autumn-winter (November-December). Field studies of the amino acid content in 24 products, which were included in the first two deciles in terms of frequency of consumption, were also conducted. The results. The distribution of food products was marked by a certain constancy and depended little on the season of the year. Most foods are a major source of carbohydrates. Only 8 out of 24 products were a source of protein and essential amino acids. The overall consumption of protein-rich foods by younger schoolchildren was low. Conclusion. Children 6-10 years old should consume protein in the amount of 0.95 g/kg/day. Our research shows that even such an understated standard of need may not be fulfilled under the current state of affairs. The main sources of protein for children of primary school age in Southern Ukraine are milk, cheese, chicken, river fish and legumes.  Dairy products, eggs and chicken have the highest value in terms of amino acid content, and pork has the lowest value. Legumes have a high amino acid content, but they are inferior to products of animal origin.
El arte de navegar: La aventura de la vela.
Authors: Llorca López Sergio
Published: May 2023

En su inicio, la navegación ha sido una de las artes más antiguas del ser humano y el origen de muchas otras técnicas y ciencias relacionadas. Hoy en día, es una actividad que, para las personas vinculadas con el mar, llega a ser un arte lleno de emoción e inspiración. Este artículo constituye una mezcla de experiencia personal y narrativa emocional de otros navegantes al describir sus más íntimos desvelos.
Estudio artístico del paisaje y sus raíces (segunda parte).
Authors: García del Moral y Mora Amalio
Published: May 2023

El campesino contempla la tierra, valorando con su mirada su flora y los animales domésticos visibles y los salvajes previsibles (rebaño o coto de caza) en función de su rendimiento útil para su provecho, tiene una visión interesada de la naturaleza. Este interés es distinto, pero indudablemente ajeno a cualquier goce estético como fin primordial, al que lleva al estudio de esta al botánico, al geólogo o al técnico agrónomo, por citar algunos ejemplos. Por tanto, se puede establecer que el paisaje, para que sea tal, necesita de una visión desinteresada para su goce. De aquí que sólo en periodos de saturación de cultura haya aparecido este tema crucial en la expresión artística.
Construções nominais no repertório multilíngue de aprendizes de PBL2: indícios de representações disssistêmicas
Authors: Nascimento João Paulo Da Silva , De Freitas Junior Roberto , Abrantes Antunes Soares Lia
Published: May 2023

Este estudo busca evidências sobre representações do conhecimento multilíngue, a partir da análise de usos da construção nominal [(ESP) N (X)] do PB, na escrita de aprendizes anglófonos. Averiguamos não apenas ocorrências compatíveis com os padrões construcionais do PB, como também aquelas com alguma inconformidade relativa ao uso de itens gramaticais no slot (ESP). Aderimos aos postulados da Gramática de Construções Diassistêmica, para a qual o constructicon multilíngue molda-se a partir de relações idio e diaconstrucionais. Apostamos na hipótese de que as diferentes representações da construção nominal na escrita desse grupo de aprendizes refletem tanto a emergência de link diassistêmico, quanto a manutenção de aspectos línguo-específicos em nível mais subjacente. Essa hipótese se revelou a partir da observação de dados analisados em estudos anteriores em que foram identificados usos convergentes da construção nominal e usos comprometidos por apagamentos, preenchimentos impróprios e combinações discordantes de especificadores. Para testar tal proposição, empenhamos análises quali-quantitativas de 312 ocorrências de [(ESP) N (X)] as quais foram realizadas à luz de variáveis morfossintáticas e semânticas, indicadas como relevantes na literatura revisada. Os resultados demonstram que a rede construcional multilíngue dos participantes da pesquisa comporta a formação de pelo menos uma diaconstrução e idioconstruções subjacentes aos usos observados.
A Brief Review on Natural Photosensitizer Based Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells For Photoelectric Conversion
Authors: Chaudhary Sakshi , A Archana , Kumar Vishal , Kumar Sachin
Published: May 2023

The main purpose of this brief review article is to provide the simple and short knowledge of dye sensitized solar cell technology from the working principles to the commercial application. This paper explains the role of the sensitizer, construction of Dye sensitized solar cell (DSCC) and preparation of electrodes. In DSCC, dye is used instead of metal. Natural dyes are extracted by various parts of plant like fruits, seeds, flower and leaves. Green Parts of plant contain chlorophyll and coloured parts like flower, buds, etc. contain anthocyanin. Both chlorophyll and anthocyanin absorb electromagnetic radiation. Selection of efficient dye plays a key role in enhancement of efficiency of the cell.
Innovative Study of Photogalvanics in Solar Energy Transformation and Performance Analysis: Alizarin Cyanine Green, EDTA and Sodium Stearate System
Authors: Genwa K R , Prasad Hari
Published: May 2023

A systematic analysis of experimentally, solar parameters of photogalvanics has been studied for performance analysis using the D-R-S (Dye-Reductant–Surfactant) system as alizarin cyanine green–EDTA- sodium stearate system. A H shaped photogalvanic system was used under investigation for innovative results. Different scientific instruments were used in methodology set up i.e., microammeter, digital pH meter, and light source (200 W Philips bulb), multi-meter, calomel electrode (saturated), Pt electrode, and circuit key. The photogalvanic parameters were studied using H cell glass tubes as PP (Photo-Potential), PC (Photo-Current), CF (Conversion Efficiency), FF (Fill-Factor) & PA (Performance Analysis). The experimental results are as follows: 733.0 mV, 477.0 mA, 1.7984%, 0.2640 and 180.0 minutes. The observed electrical outputs are better than previously published electrical outputs with respect to alizarin cyanine green, EDTA, and sodium stearate system.
Development and Application of Newly Synthesized Tamarind 2-Hydroxy-2-Methyl Butyric Acid (THMBA) Resin for Elimination of Hazardous Metal Ions from Industrial Effluents
Authors: A Anju , Prakash Chandra , Choudhary Ganesh Kumar , Kumari Sarita , Choudhary Mukesh , Chowdhary Vimla
Published: May 2023

The newly synthesized Tamarind 2-Hydroxy-2-Methyl Butyric Acid (THMBA) resin for elimination of hazardous waste metal ions was developed from industrial effluents. The Tamarin kernel powder (TKP) has been studied for their good metal sorption properties and found to have potential for waste management. In the laboratory, chemically produced Tamarind-2-hydroxy-2-methyl butyric acid (THMBA) resin derivative has been employed for the elimination of Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ions in aqueous solution of effluents of arid region of Rajasthan, with special emphasis in and around Pali district. These groups of ion exchanger constitute new category of newly reformed ion exchange resin for the retraction of ions of harmful metal. It was further diagnosed by computing thermal and FT-IR spectral analysis, ion exchange capacity etc. The estimation of ‘Kd’ values of these unsafe metal ions was also done at various values of pH.
Hearing Education in Agriculture: Re-Evaluating Interest, Needs, and Growth
Authors: Hancock Garrett Taylor , McKibben Jason D. , Byrd A. Preston , Lindner James R. , Clemons Christopher A.
Published: May 2023

Highlights

Agricultural mechanic student’s perceptions of noise levels are above recommended exposure limit.

Direct and indirect exposure to decibel levels in a laboratory setting aids in shaping student perceptions.

Student perceptions can be affected by changes in course instruction.

Abstract. Safety in agricultural laboratories is of the highest concern for teachers and instructors. While there is a known safety concern with hearing in agriculture, a deficiency in the attitudes and perceptions relating to the output of decibels of tools in agricultural laboratory settings has been identified. This research focuses on hearing and noise levels in an agricultural mechanics laboratory by exposing students directly and indirectly to noise levels through project-based learning and informational posters throughout the laboratory. Pre- and post-course data are used to address students' perceptions of noise level outputs and willingness to wear hearing protection. Pre-course responses show a disconnect between perceptions of noise levels and the given threshold for wearing hearing protection. This perception gap closed over the semester as post-course responses show an increase in correct tool to threshold responses. The frequency of responses aligned with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's recommended hearing protection threshold also shows growth. While there is still a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed, we feel that the exposure provided through both direct and indirect instruction throughout the course can lead to knowledge gained and perceptions changed. Keywords: Agricultural mechanics, Attitudes, Perceptions, Safety.
Clinical and Polysomnographic Characteristics of Patients Complaining of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and/or Insomnia
Authors: Lee Sujin , Song Jooyeon , Joo Eun Yeon
Published: May 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate group differences in demographic, clinical, and polysomnographic characteristics based on the presence or absence of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and insomnia symptoms.Methods: In this retrospective study, patients were divided into five groups based on their Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Insomnia Severity Index scores. The participants’ demographics, sleep-related symptoms, questionnaires, and polysomnography findings were used in the analysis.Results: The study found that patients in the group with EDS were younger, were mostly males, and had higher body mass index (BMI) than other groups. They also reported obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. The patients in the group with both EDS and insomnia were younger and had a higher BMI than other groups. They reported higher levels of fatigue and depression, as well as insomnia, rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and restless legs syndrome symptoms. The patients in the group with only insomnia had a higher proportion of females, were older, and had a lower BMI than other groups. Most characteristics of the patients in the threshold insomnia group were similar to those of the patients in the EDS-insomnia group. The normal group had a higher proportion of males and a higher prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea; however, they reported lower sleep-related symptoms. Furthermore, the polysomnography showed differences among the five groups in total sleep time, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, total arousal index, and spontaneous arousal. Total apnea-hypopnea index was significantly lower in the insomnia group than that in other groups.Conclusions: This study demonstrated the clinical and polysomnographic characteristics of the five groups through self-reported questionnaires. The findings provided evidence to help assess patients’ sleep problems and the possibility of sleep disorders.
Pathological Gambling Disorder Associated With Modafinil Therapy in a Patient With Type 1 Narcolepsy
Authors: Shin Dong-Hyeon , Kim Hyun-Woo , Park Min-Gyu , Park Sang Jun , Cho Jae Wook
Published: May 2023

We report the case of a 22-year-old man with type 1 narcolepsy who experienced pathological gambling after modafinil therapy. The patient was administered with modafinil, which improved excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). However, he experienced heart palpitations and nervousness, eventually developing gambling addiction. After six months of modafinil therapy, he engaged in various online gambling activities, leading to significant financial loss and stress. Consequently, modafinil was replaced with pitolisant, which is a potent and selective antagonist/inverse agonist of histamine H3 receptor. One month after modafinil discontinuation, EDS symptoms were well controlled with pitolisant and gambling urge was resolved. Modafinil is prescribed as a first-line therapy for treating EDS symptoms in patients with narcolepsy. However, it may cause psychiatric side effects via the dopaminergic system. Alternatively, pitolisant could be used to avoid modafinil’s psychiatric side effects in patients with narcolepsy.
Vehicular visible light communications noise analysis and modeling
Authors: Qin Huanhuan , Liang Jingyuan , Ke Xizheng
Published: May 2023

Vehicular visible light communications (VVLC) is promising intelligent
transportation systems technology with the utilization of
light-emitting diodes. The main degrading factor for the performance
of VVLC systems is noise. Traditional VVLC systems noise modeling is
based on the additive white Gaussian noise assumption in the form of
shot and thermal noise. In this paper, to investigate both time
correlated and white noise components of the VVLC channel noise, we
propose a noise analysis based on Allan variance, which provides a
time-series analysis method to identify noise from the data. The
results show that white noise and random walk are observed in the VVLC
systems. We also propose a motion detection algorithm based on the
adaptive Gaussian mixture (GM) model to generate a double Gaussian
model of VVLC channel noise. We further present a study on the error
performance of a VVLC system considering channel noise to be a mixture
of Gaussian components. We derive the analytical expressions of
probability of error for binary phase-shift keying and quadrature
phase-shift keying constellations. It has been observed that, in the
presence of GM noise, the system performance degrades significantly
from the usual one expected in a Gaussian noise environment and
becomes a function of the mixing coefficients of the GM
distribution.
Towards real-time active imaging of greenhouse gases using tunable mid-infrared all-fiber lasers
Authors: Michaud Louis-Charles , Boilard Tommy , Magnan-Saucier Sébastien , Paradis Pascal , Talbot Lauris , Thiboult Antoine , Nadeau Daniel F. , Vallée Réal , Bernier Martin
Published: May 2023

We report a tunable all-fiber laser emitting a maximum output power of 2.55 W around 3240 nm. The fiber laser cavity based on a fluoride fiber doped with dysprosium ions yields an efficiency of 42% according to the in-band launched pump power at 2825 nm. Due to a custom piezoelectric fiber Bragg grating (FBG) package, mechanical strains applied to the narrowband FBG used as the input cavity coupler allowed for fast tuning of the emission wavelength over a spectral range of 1.5 nm. This laser was deployed in the field in northern Québec (Canada) to assess its performances for remote sensing of methane in the presence of a significant amount of water vapor, i.e., over a hydroelectric reservoir. The preliminary results acquired during this field campaign confirm the great potential of the proposed approach for the development of a real-time active imaging system of greenhouse gases.
Mitigation of the small-scale self-focusing effect by a rotating laser beam in a high-power laser
Authors: Nie Hongbin , Wu Shijiang , Zhong Zheqiang , Zhang Bin
Published: May 2023

Intense lasers tend to produce nonlinear effects during propagating through the nonlinear media, which greatly limits the output power and beam quality of lasers. The approach against small-scale self-focusing (SSSF) of high-power lasers (HPLs) is proposed by using rotating beams generated by the coherent superposition of two vortex beams with opposite topological charges and frequency shift. The propagation model of rotating beams in the nonlinear medium is established, and the SSSF effects of the non-rotating and rotating beams are numerically simulated and comparatively analyzed. The results show that, compared with the non-rotating beam, the rotating beam can contribute to the reduction of the breakup integral and mid-high frequency components of the HPLs.
Physics-guided neural network for tissue optical properties estimation
Authors: Chong Kian Chee , Pramanik Manojit
Published: May 2023

Finding the optical properties of tissue is essential for various biomedical diagnostic/therapeutic applications such as monitoring of blood oxygenation, tissue metabolism, skin imaging, photodynamic therapy, low-level laser therapy, and photo-thermal therapy. Hence, the research for more accurate and versatile optical properties estimation techniques has always been a primary interest of researchers, especially in the field of bioimaging and bio-optics. In the past, most of the prediction methods were based on physics-based models such as the pronounced diffusion approximation method. In more recent years, with the advancement and growing popularity of machine learning techniques, most of the prediction methods are data-driven. While both methods have been proven to be useful, each of them suffers from several shortcomings that could be complemented by their counterparts. Thus, there is a need to bring the two domains together to obtain superior prediction accuracy and generalizability. In this work, we proposed a physics-guided neural network (PGNN) for tissue optical properties regression which integrates physics prior and constraint into the artificial neural network (ANN) model. With this method, we have demonstrated superior generalizability of PGNN compared to its pure ANN counterpart. The prediction accuracy and generalizability of the network were evaluated on single-layered tissue samples simulated with Monte Carlo simulation. Two different test datasets, the in-domain test dataset and out-domain dataset were used to evaluate in-domain generalizability and out-domain generalizability, respectively. The physics-guided neural network (PGNN) showed superior generalizability for both in-domain and out-domain prediction compared to pure ANN.
Computing aberration coefficients for plane-symmetric reflective systems: a Lie algebraic approach
Authors: Barion A. , Anthonissen M. J. H. , ten Thije Boonkkamp J. H. M. , IJzerman W. L.
Published: May 2023

We apply the Lie algebraic method to reflecting optical systems with plane-symmetric freeform mirrors. Using analytical ray-tracing equations, we construct an optical map. The expansion of this map gives us the aberration coefficients in terms of initial ray coordinates. The Lie algebraic method is applied to treat aberrations up to arbitrary order. The presented method provides a systematic and rigorous approach to the derivation, treatment, and composition of aberrations in plane-symmetric systems. We give the results for second- and third-order aberrations and apply them to three single-mirror examples.
Blinking of CdSe/Cd.33Zn.67S semiconductor nanoplatelets
Authors: Frazer Laszlo , Han Jiho , Kirkwood Nicholas , Funston Alison M.
Published: May 2023

Unstable photoluminescence quantum yield is important because it indicates changes in the transition rates between excited states. We synthesized 4.5 monolayer CdSe core,
Cd.33Zn.67S
gradient shell semiconductor nanoplatelets. The platelets exhibit a variety of blinking behaviors. Change points in the brightness of the platelets were investigated with frequentist and Bayesian techniques. We measured blinking power law constants ranging from 1.4 to 2.3. The brightness levels of blinking quantum particles are important because they are an accessible, if ambiguous, way to study surface photochemistry. Using histograms and a clustering algorithm, we determined that the number of brightness levels in the nanoplatelets is in the range of two to nine, with the lower end of that range appearing most likely and common. We conclude that the thickness and ensemble spectra are insufficient information to understand the evolving coupling between the excited states of platelets. Models of the interplay of excited state localization and reaction kinetics that span
10−10m
to
10−8m
and
10−10s
to
102s
are needed.
Ion irradiation of monolayer graphene-Nd:YAG hybrid waveguides: fabrication and laser
Authors: Ma Linan , Li Shiling , Wang Hailong , Zhou Shengqiang , Yang Tan
Published: May 2023

Hybrid waveguides consisting of two-dimensional layered materials pad on the surface of optical waveguides suffer from a nonuniform and loose contact between the two-dimensional material and the waveguide, which can reduce the efficiency of the pulsed laser. Here, we present high-performance passively Q-switched pulsed lasers in three distinct structures of monolayer graphene-Nd:YAG hybrid waveguides irradiated by energetic ions. The ion irradiation enables the monolayer graphene a tight contact and strong coupling with the waveguide. As a result, Q-switched pulsed lasers with narrow pulse width and high repetition rate are obtained in three designed hybrid waveguides. The narrowest pulse width is 43.6 ns, provided by the ion-irradiated Y-branch hybrid waveguide. This study paves the way toward developing on-chip laser sources based on hybrid waveguides by using ion irradiation.
Projected feature assisted coarse to fine point cloud registration method for large-size 3D measurement
Authors: Sun Jiankun , Yang Zhihui , Li Fanfei , Hao Qun , Zhang Shaohui
Published: May 2023

Fringe projection profilometry has gained significant interest due to its high precision, enhanced resolution, and simplified design. Typically, the spatial and perspective measurement capability is restricted by the lenses of the camera and projector in accordance with the principles of geometric optics. Therefore, large-size object measurement requires data acquisition from multiple perspectives, followed by point cloud splicing. Current point cloud registration methods usually rely on 2D feature textures, 3D structural elements, or supplementary tools, which will increase costs or limit the scope of the application. To address large-size 3D measurement more efficiently, we propose a low-cost and feasible method that combines active projection textures, color channel multiplexing, image feature matching and coarse-to-fine point registration strategies. Using a composite structured light with red speckle patterns for larger areas and blue sinusoidal fringe patterns for smaller ones, projected onto the surface, which allows us to accomplish simultaneous 3D reconstruction and point cloud registration. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective for the 3D measurement of large-size and weak-textured objects.
High-speed silicon-integrated photonic radio frequency switch based on optical switching
Authors: Yue Hengsong , Sun Haozhe , Chu Tao
Published: May 2023

Photonic radio frequency (RF) switches are promising to replace conventional electronic RF switches in modern RF communication systems owing to their high switching speed and immunity to electromagnetic interference. However, existing photonic RF switches are generally based on frequency or polarization filtering. Thus, they require more light sources and filters to increase the number of switching channels, consequently limiting scalability. We propose a silicon-integrated photonic RF switch based on optical switching. RF signals are first modulated into the optical domain and switched through phase control of the phase shifters in the optical switch. Switching is not related to the frequency or polarization of the optical carriers, thus reducing the number of light sources required. Experimental results demonstrate 10-GHz switching of two RF signals with frequencies of 20 GHz and 30 GHz. The proposed photonic RF switch can be further expanded to form a large switch matrix, possibly contributing to the development of large-scale RF communication systems.
Single-cell transcriptome analyses reveal critical roles of RNA splicing during leukemia progression
Authors: Wu Baohong , Chen Xuelan , Pan Xiangyu , Deng Xintong , Li Shujun , Wang Zhongwang , Wang Jian , Liao Dan , Xu Jing , Chen Mei , Zhao Chengjian , Xue Zhihong , Wang Yuan , Niu Ting , Lin Jingwen , Chen Lu , Liu Yu , Chen Chong
Published: May 2023

Leukemogenesis is proposed to be a multistep process by which normal hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are transformed into full-blown leukemic cells, the details of which are not fully understood. Here, we performed serial single-cell transcriptome analyses of preleukemic and leukemic cells (PLCs) and constructed the cellular and molecular transformation trajectory in a Myc-driven acute myeloid leukemia (AML) model in mice, which represented the transformation course in patients. We found that the Myc targets were gradually up-regulated along the trajectory. Among them were splicing factors, which showed stage-specific prognosis for AML patients. Furthermore, we dissected the detailed gene network of a tipping point for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) to generate initiating PLCs, which was characterized by dramatically increased splicing factors and unusual RNA velocity. In the late stage, PLCs acquired explosive heterogeneity through RNA alternative splicing. Among them, the Hsp90aa1hi subpopulation was conserved in both human and mouse AML and associated with poor prognosis. Exon 4 skipping of Tmem134 was identified in these cells. While the exon skipping product Tmem134β promoted the cell cycle, full-length Tmem134α delayed tumorigenesis. Our study emphasized the critical roles of RNA splicing in the full process of leukemogenesis.
Chikungunya virus infection in Aedes aegypti is modulated by L-cysteine, taurine, hypotaurine and glutathione metabolism
Authors: Kumar Ankit , Shrinet Jatin , Sunil Sujatha
Published: May 2023

Background

Blood meal and infections cause redox imbalance and oxidative damage in mosquitoes which triggers the mosquito’s system to produce antioxidants in response to increased oxidative stress. Important pathways activated owing to redox imbalance include taurine, hypotaurine and glutathione metabolism. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of these pathways during chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Methodology

Using a dietary L-cysteine supplement system, we upregulated these pathways and evaluated oxidative damage and oxidative stress response upon CHIKV infection using protein carbonylation and GST assays. Further, using a dsRNA based approach, we silenced some of the genes involved in synthesis and transport of taurine and hypotaurine and then evaluated the impact of these genes on CHIKV infection and redox biology in the mosquitoes.

Conclusions

We report that CHIKV infection exerts oxidative stress in the A. aegypti, leading to oxidative damage and as a response, an elevated GST activity was observed. It was also observed that dietary L-cysteine treatment restricted CHIKV infection in A. aegypti mosquitoes. This L-cysteine mediated CHIKV inhibition was coincided by enhanced GST activity that further resulted in reduced oxidative damage during the infection. We also report that silencing of genes involved in synthesis of taurine and hypotaurine modulates CHIKV infection and redox biology of Aedes mosquitoes during the infection.
Open ocean and coastal strains of the N2-fixing cyanobacterium UCYN-A have distinct transcriptomes
Authors: Muñoz-Marín María del Carmen , Magasin Jonathan D. , Zehr Jonathan P.
Published: May 2023

Decades of research on marine N2 fixation focused on Trichodesmium, which are generally free-living cyanobacteria, but in recent years the endosymbiotic cyanobacterium Candidatus Atelocyanobacterium thalassa (UCYN-A) has received increasing attention. However, few studies have shed light on the influence of the host versus the habitat on UCYN-A N2 fixation and overall metabolism. Here we compared transcriptomes from natural populations of UCYN-A from oligotrophic open-ocean versus nutrient-rich coastal waters, using a microarray that targets the full genomes of UCYN-A1 and UCYN-A2 and known genes for UCYN-A3. We found that UCYN-A2, usually regarded as adapted to coastal environments, was transcriptionally very active in the open ocean and appeared to be less impacted by habitat change than UCYN-A1. Moreover, for genes with 24 h periodic expression we observed strong but inverse correlations among UCYN-A1, A2, and A3 to oxygen and chlorophyll, which suggests distinct host-symbiont relationships. Across habitats and sublineages, genes for N2 fixation and energy production had high transcript levels, and, intriguingly, were among the minority of genes that kept the same schedule of diel expression. This might indicate different regulatory mechanisms for genes that are critical to the symbiosis for the exchange of nitrogen for carbon from the host. Our results underscore the importance of N2 fixation in UCYN-A symbioses across habitats, with consequences for community interactions and global biogeochemical cycles.
Mitochondrial decline in the ageing old world primate retina: Little evidence for difference between the centre and periphery
Authors: Kam Jaimie Hoh , Shinhmar Harpreet , Powner Michael Barry , Hayes Matthew John , Aboelnour Asmaa , Jeffery Glen
Published: May 2023

Mitochondrial decline is a key feature of ageing. The retina has more mitochondria than any other tissue and ages rapidly. To understand human retinal ageing it is critical to examine old world primates that have similar visual systems to humans, and do so across central and peripheral regions, as there is evidence for early central decline. Hence, we examine mitochondrial metrics in young and ageing Macaca fascicularis retinae. In spite of reduced ATP with age, primate mitochondrial complex activity did not decline. But mitochondrial membrane potentials were reduced significantly, and concomitantly, mitochondrial membrane permeability increased. The mitochondrial marker Tom20 declined significantly, consistent with reduced mitochondria number, while VDAC, a voltage dependent anion channel and diffusion pore associated with apoptosis increased significantly. In spite of these clear age-related changes, there was almost no evidence for regional differences between the centre and the periphery in these mitochondrial metrics. Primate cones do not die with age, but many showed marked structural decline with vacuous spaces in proximal inner segments normally occupied by endoplasmic reticulum (ER), that regulate mitochondrial autophagy. In many peripheral cones, ER was displaced by the nucleus that transposed across the outer limiting membrane and could become embedded in mitochondrial populations. These data are consistent with significant changes in retinal mitochondria in old world primate ageing but provide little if any evidence that aged central mitochondria suffer more than those in the periphery.
Evaluating the effects of radiation and acoustically-stimulated microbubble therapy in an in vivo breast cancer model
Authors: Sharma Deepa , Tarapacki Christine M. , Kandavel Harini , Panchalingam Mailoan , Kim Hyunjung Christina , Cartar Holliday , Kaffas Ahmed El , Czarnota Gregory J.
Published: May 2023

Ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) cause localized vascular effects and sensitize tumors to radiation therapy (XRT). We investigated acoustic parameter optimization for combining USMB and XRT. We treated breast cancer xenograft tumors with 500 kHz pulsed ultrasound at varying pressures (570 or 740 kPa), durations (1 to 10 minutes), and microbubble concentrations (0.01 to 1% (v/v)). Radiation therapy (2 Gy) was administered immediately or after a 6-hour delay. Histological staining of tumors 24 hours after treatment detected changes in cell morphology, cell death, and microvascular density. Significant cell death resulted at 570 kPa after a 1-minute exposure with 1% (v/v) microbubbles with or without XRT. However, significant microvascular disruption required higher ultrasound pressure and exposure duration greater than 5 minutes. Introducing a 6-hour delay between treatments (USMB and XRT) showed a similar tumor effect with no further improvement in response as compared to when XRT was delivered immediately after USMB.
Systematic induced resistance in Solanum lycopersicum (L.) against vascular wilt pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici) by Citrullus colocynthis and Trichoderma viride
Authors: Ponsankar Athirstam , Senthil-Nathan Sengottayan , Vasantha-Srinivasan Prabhakaran , Pandiyan Raghuraman , Karthi Sengodan , Kalaivani Kandaswamy , Chellappandian Muthiah , Narayanaswamy Radhakrishnan , Thanigaivel Annamalai , Patcharin Krutmuang , Mahboob Shahid , Al-Ghanim Khalid Abdullah
Published: May 2023

The antifungal effects ofCitrullus colocynthisextract (Hexane, chloroform, methanol, and water) were testedin vitroonFusarium oxysporumf. sp.lycopersici(Sacc.) W. C. Snyder & H. N. Hans (FOL), the causal agent of Fusarium wilt. Of these, methanol and water extract at 10% showed the highest inhibition of mycelial growth ofFOLby 12.32 and 23.61 mm respectively. The antifungal compounds were identified through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The methanol extract was compatible with the biocontrol agentTrichoderma viride. The antagonistic fungi were mass-cultured under laboratory conditions using sorghum seeds. BothT.virideandC.colocynthismethanol extract was also tested alone and together againstFOLunder bothin vitroandin vivoconditions. The combination ofT.virideandC.colocynthisshowed the highest percentage of antifungal activity (82.92%) againstFOLunderin vitroconditions. This study revealed that induced systemic resistance (ISR) in enhancing the disease resistance in tomato plants against Fusarium wilt disease. The combined treatment ofT.virideandC.colocynthissignificantly reduced the disease incidence and index by 21.92 and 27.02% in greenhouse conditions, respectively. Further, the induction of defense enzymes, such as peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), β-1,3-glucanase, and chitinase were studied. The accumulation of defense enzyme was greater in plants treated with a combination ofT.virideandC.colocynthiscompared to the control. Reduction of wilt disease in tomato plants due to the involvement of defense-related enzymes is presumed through this experiment.
The burden of chronic diseases, disease-stratified exploration and gender-differentiated healthcare utilisation among patients in Bangladesh
Authors: Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Gow Jeff , Mosharaf Md Parvez , Kundu Satyajit , Rahman Md. Ashfikur , Dukhi Natisha , Shahajalal Md , Mistry Sabuj Kanti , Alam Khorshed
Published: May 2023

Background

Chronic diseases are considered one of the major causes of illness, disability, and death worldwide. Chronic illness leads to a huge health and economic burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study examined disease-stratified healthcare utilisation (HCU) among Bangladesh patients with chronic diseases from a gender perspective.

Methods

Data from the nationally representative Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2016–2017 consisting of 12,005 patients with diagnosed chronic diseases was used. Gender differentiated chronic disease stratified-analytical exploration was performed to identify the potential factors to higher or lower utilisation of healthcare services. Logistic regression with step-by-step adjustment for independent confounding factors was the method used.

Results

The five most prevalent chronic diseases among patients were gastric/ulcer (Male/Female, M/F: 16.77%/16.40%), arthritis/rheumatism (M/F: 13.70%/ 13.86%), respiratory diseases/asthma/bronchitis (M/F: 12.09% / 12.55%), chronic heart disease (M/F: 8.30% / 7.41%), and blood pressure (M/F: 8.20% / 8.87%). Eighty-six percent of patients with chronic diseases utilised health care services during the previous 30 days. Although most patients received outpatient healthcare services, a substantial difference in HCU among employed male (53%) and female (8%) patients were observed. Chronic heart disease patients were more likely to utilise health care than other disease types, which held true for both genders while the magnitude of HCU was significantly higher in males (OR = 2.22; 95% CI:1.51–3.26) than their female counterparts (OR = 1.44; 1.02–2.04). A similar association was observed among patients with diabetes and respiratory diseases.

Conclusion

A burden of chronic diseases was observed in Bangladesh. Patients with chronic heart disease utilised more healthcare services than patients experiencing other chronic diseases. The distribution of HCU varied by patient’s gender as well as their employment status. Risk-pooling mechanisms and access to free or low-cost healthcare services among the most disadvantaged people in society might enhance reaching universal health coverage.
Association between smoking behavior and serum uric acid among the adults: Findings from a national cross-sectional study
Authors: Jang Yun Seo , Nerobkova Nataliya , Yun Il , Kim Hyunkyu , Park Eun-Cheol
Published: May 2023

Background

Gout incidence is increasing worldwide; appropriate management of serum uric acid levels and a healthy lifestyle may help its prevention. The popularity of electronic cigarettes and the resultant emergence of dual smokers is increasing. Despite many studies on the effects of various health behaviors on serum uric acid levels, the association between smoking and serum uric acid levels remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between smoking and serum uric acid levels.

Methods

In this study, total sample of 27,013 participants (11,924 men and 15,089 women) were analyzed. This study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2020) and grouped adults into dual smokers, single smokers, ex-smokers, and non-smokers. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between smoking behavior and serum uric acid levels.

Results

Compared to male non-smokers, male dual smokers had significantly higher serum uric acid level (odds ratio [OR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08–1.88). In female, serum uric acid level was higher among single smokers than non-smokers (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.25–2.25). Higher serum uric acid levels were more likely to be present in male dual smokers with a > 20 pack-year smoking habit (OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.06–3.18).

Conclusion

Dual smoking may contribute to high serum uric acid levels in adults. Thus, serum uric acid levels should be properly managed through smoking cessation.
A preliminary assessment of spatial variation of water quality of Ratuwa river
Authors: Shrestha Arun Kumar , Rai Manisha , Pokhrel Jeny , Karki Sailendra , Poudel Daya , Karki Sohan , Niroula Swastika , Koirala Ram Prasad , Shrestha Ganesh Kumar , Shah Buddha Ram
Published: May 2023

This work helps to identify the source of pollution in water and characterize the water quality which is essential to water management for sustainable development. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to evaluate the spatial distribution of the water quality of Ratuwa river and its tributaries. The water samples were collected from six discrete sampling locations and fifteen parameters were tested using respective well-calibrated equipment and standard APHA methods. The physicochemical analysis, water quality index, and correlation matrix method were employed to evaluate the spatial variation of the water quality of Ratuwa river. Turbidity was the most polluting factor in river water. The results showed the spatial variation of the water quality index (WQI) from 39.3 to 70.5, which fell in the range of “good” to “poor” water quality status. None of the water samples was either “excellent” or “unsuitable for drinking.” The water quality was “Poor” upstream and downstream of Ratuwa river due to the high value of turbidity. Chaju river was found to have unpolluted whereas Dipeni river was slightly polluted due to domestic and municipal wastes. Hence, the deterioration of water quality can be attributed to natural and anthropogenic sources.
Analyzing the innovation ability of listed companies in the core area of the Huaihai economic zone
Authors: Liu Qin-Xia
Published: May 2023

The strategic position of the core area of the Huaihai Economic Zone is very important. The evaluation and analysis of the listed companies’ innovation ability in this core area effectively reflect the level of innovation ability of regional enterprises and uncover the differences and influencing factors of the enterprise innovation ability level across different cities and industries; this would provide a reference for further improving the enterprise innovation ability level in the Huaihai Economic Zone. Given this context, data are collected from the CSMAR database on 37 listed companies in eight cities in the Huaihai Economic Zone core area from 2017 to 2021, and an innovation ability evaluation index is constructed from the innovation input and innovation output dimensions of listed companies. The results show that the innovation ability of listed companies in the region is weak; the main reason for the lack of innovation ability of listed companies is the lack of capital investment and talent investment; the innovation primacy of Xuzhou listed enterprises is not high. Finally, in view of the improvement of the innovation ability of listed enterprises in the core field, corresponding suggestions are put forward from the aspects of increasing innovation investment, optimizing the innovation environment and improving the innovation leading force in Xuzhou.
A CT-based transfer learning approach to predict NSCLC recurrence: The added-value of peritumoral region
Authors: Bove Samantha , Fanizzi Annarita , Fadda Federico , Comes Maria Colomba , Catino Annamaria , Cirillo Angelo , Cristofaro Cristian , Montrone Michele , Nardone Annalisa , Pizzutilo Pamela , Tufaro Antonio , Galetta Domenico , Massafra Raffaella
Published: May 2023

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of all new lung cancer diagnoses and presents a high recurrence rate after surgery. Thus, an accurate prediction of recurrence risk in NSCLC patients at diagnosis could be essential to designate risk patients to more aggressive medical treatments. In this manuscript, we apply a transfer learning approach to predict recurrence in NSCLC patients, exploiting only data acquired during its screening phase. Particularly, we used a public radiogenomic dataset of NSCLC patients having a primary tumor CT image and clinical information. Starting from the CT slice containing the tumor with maximum area, we considered three different dilatation sizes to identify three Regions of Interest (ROIs): CROP (without dilation), CROP 10 and CROP 20. Then, from each ROI, we extracted radiomic features by means of different pre-trained CNNs. The latter have been combined with clinical information; thus, we trained a Support Vector Machine classifier to predict the NSCLC recurrence. The classification performances of the devised models were finally evaluated on both the hold-out training and hold-out test sets, in which the original sample has been previously divided. The experimental results showed that the model obtained analyzing CROP 20 images, which are the ROIs containing more peritumoral area, achieved the best performances on both the hold-out training set, with an AUC of 0.73, an Accuracy of 0.61, a Sensitivity of 0.63, and a Specificity of 0.60, and on the hold-out test set, with an AUC value of 0.83, an Accuracy value of 0.79, a Sensitivity value of 0.80, and a Specificity value of 0.78. The proposed model represents a promising procedure for early predicting recurrence risk in NSCLC patients.