bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of sputum cultures in diagnosis and surgical outcome prediction of bacterial empyema
Authors: Liu Chia-Chi , Cheng Ya-Fu , Chen Yi-Ling , Cheng Ching-Yuan , Huang Chang-Lun , Hung Wei-Heng , Wang Bing-Yen 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background:
Thoracic empyema is a serious infectious disease worldwide. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is strongly recommended as a treatment, and pleural fluid and tissue cultures can be obtained intraoperatively. The combination of a pleural peels tissue culture and a pleural fluid culture improves the positive culture rate. We aimed to investigate the role of sputum cultures to determine the optimal management for improving surgical outcome.
Methods:
This retrospective study identified 1197 patients with phase II or III thoracic empyema from our institution. Patients who underwent decortication of the pleura from April 2011 to May 2022 with a positive pleural culture were included.
Results:
There were 225 empyema patients with either a positive pleural fluid culture or a positive pleural peel tissue culture. Of these, 76 patients had positive sputum culture findings during hospitalization. The most common species of pathogens were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (44%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (16%) in the sputum cultures and Streptococcus spp. (20%) and Staphylococcus aureus(11%) in the pleural cultures. There were 30 patients who had a common pathogen in a sputum culture and in the pleural fluid/tissue culture. Poor outcome measures were found in these patients, including the longer use of antibiotics preoperatively (19.03±37.66 days versus 9.59±27.09 days, p=0.006) and a higher mortality rate during hospitalization (40.0% versus 17.4%, p=0.002).
Conclusions:
The sputum culture plays an essential role in diagnosis of bacterial empyema and in prediction of surgical outcome. Obtaining the sputum specimen promptly through proper methods helps to improve the survival of empyema patients.
Calorimetric evidence for two phase transitions in Ba1-xKxFe2As2 with fermion pairing and quadrupling states
Authors: Shipulin Ilya , Stegani Nadia , Maccari Ilaria , Kihou Kunihiro , Lee Chul-Ho , Li Yongwei , Hühne Ruben , Klauss Hans-Henning , Putti Marina , Caglieris Federico , Babaev Egor , Grinenko Vadim 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Materials that break multiple symmetries allow, under certain conditions, the formation of four-fermion condensates above the superconducting critical temperature (Tc). Such states can be stabilized by phase fluctuations. Recently a fermionic quadrupling condensate that breaks the Z2 time-reversal symmetry was reported in Ba1-xKxFe2As2 [V. Grinenko et al., Nat. Phys. 17, 1254 (2021)]. However, the related anomaly was not resolved in the specific heat measurements. Resolving two anomalies at Tc and the Z2 transition temperature (TcZ2 > Tc) is key evidence for the existence of two distinct electronic phases. In a broader
context, the lack of an additional anomaly in the specific heat at TcZ2 is a common unsolved problem for most superconductors with broken time-reversal symmetry, even in the conventional case where TcZ2 < Tc. Here, we report on detecting two anomalies in the specific heat of Ba1-xKxFe2As2 at zero magnetic field. The anomaly at the higher temperature is accompanied by the appearance of a spontaneous Nernst effect, indicating broken Z2 symmetry. The second anomaly at the lower temperature coincides with the transition to a zero resistance state, indicating superconductivity that breaks the U(1) gauge symmetry. Our data provide the first example of the appearance of a specific heat anomaly above the superconducting phase transition associated with the broken time-reversal symmetry due to the formation of the novel fermion order.
Genome-wide study of longitudinal brain imaging measures of multiple sclerosis progression across six clinical trials
Authors: Loomis Stephanie J. , Sadhu Nilanjana , Huang Yunfeng , Yang Chengran , Fisher Elizabeth , Gafson Arie R , Hughes Emily E. , Marshall Eric , Herman Ann , John Sally , Runz Heiko , Jia Xiaoming , Bhangale Tushar , Bronson Paola G. 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
While the genetics of MS risk susceptibility are well-described, the genetics of disease progression remain elusive. We therefore investigated the genetic determinants of MS progression on longitudinal brain MRI: change in brain volume (BV); and change in T2 lesion volume (T2LV), reflecting progressive tissue loss and increasing disease burden, respectively. We performed genome-wide association studies of change in BV (N=3,401) and change in T2LV (N=3,513) across six randomized clinical trials from Biogen and Roche/Genentech: ADVANCE, ASCEND, DECIDE, and OPERA I & II, and ORATORIO. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, ancestry, and treatment. Results were pooled for meta-analysis, and were evaluated for enrichment of MS risk variants. Variant colocalization and cell-specific expression analyses were performed using published cohorts. The strongest peaks were in PTPRD (rs77321193-C/A, p=3.9x10-7) for BV change, and NEDD4L (rs11398377-GC/G, p=9.3x10-8) for T2LV change. Evidence of colocalization was observed for NEDD4L, and both genes showed increased expression in neuronal and/or glial populations. No association between MS risk variants and MRI outcomes was observed. In this unique, precompetitive industry partnership, we report putative regions of interest in the neurodevelopmental gene PTPRD, and the ubiquitin ligase gene NEDD4L. These findings are distinct from known MS risk genetics, indicating an added role for genetic progression analyses and informing drug discovery.
Trial registry name and numbers:
ASCEND (NCT01416181), ADVANCE (NCT00906399), DECIDE (NCT01064401), OPERA1 (NCT 01247324), OPERA2 (NCT 01412333), ORATORIO (NCT 01194570)
Lyapunov Functions and Regions of Attraction for Spherically Constrained Relative Orbital Motion
Authors: Woodford Nathaniel , Harris Matthew 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
This paper considers the problem of a deputy spacecraft constrained to remain a fixed distance from another spacecraft. The relative dynamics of the deputy spacecraft are derived from a velocity-dependent potential function. A constant of motion is presented that aids in the development of multiple Lyapunov functions and stabilizing control laws. Through both numerical and analytical methods, estimates of the region of attraction are presented for each of the control laws. These regions of attraction serve as domains on which it is conclusively known that the equilibrium points are stabilizable. Lastly, a control law with a spatially maximal region of attraction is presented that can be used to track a time-varying trajectory.
Discovery of maslinic acid being a Nav1.7 inhibitor with analgesic efficacy in rodent pain models
Authors: Dai Shao-Xing , Osafo Raymond Kwaku , Wang Yan-Yan , Xiang Jia-Yao , Gao Jing-Yao , Liang Ji-Hao , Zhao San-Jun , Wang Gong-Wu , xu Min 
Published: March 2023

AbstractBackground Voltage gated sodium channels are essential for the generation of exceptional pain signals after peripheral nerve injury. Among them, voltage-gated sodium (Nav) subtype Nav1.7 is a powerful target for a broad range of pain conditions. Maslinic acid, one of the most common pentacyclic triterpenes widely distributed in medicinal plants, showed pharmacologic safety and potent pharmacological action. Herein, we present maslinic acid (MA) as an inhibitor of Nav1.7 with analgesic efficacy in rodent pain models. Methods We first explored the target of maslinic acid using the CMap method and patch clamp recording. Maslin acid and its inactive analogue (oleanolic acid as negative controls) was used to culture MCF-7 cells. Then, we performed RNA-seq of the cultured MCF-7 cells and analyzed the transcriptome data. The differential genes were identified and used as an input for CMap. The CMap result was further confirmed by patch clamp recording. Results The CMap result suggested that maslinic acid was an agonist of Nav channels. Further whole cell patch-clamp experiments revealed that maslinic acid inhibited the Nav1.7 channel with an IC50value of 6.1 µM. Conclusion Maslinic acid showed a potent analgesic effect in two rodent models of formaldehyde and acid-induced pain. Our findings show novel insights into the new target of maslinic acid in complex neurological disorders. Maslinic acid targeting Nav1.7 is a new analgesic lead.
Investigation of the factors influencing spinal manipulative therapy force transmission through the thorax: a cadaveric study
Authors: Mikhail Jérémie , Funabashi Martha , Sobczak Stéphane , Descarreaux Martin , Pagé Isabelle 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) clinical effects are believed to be linked with its force-time profile characteristics. Previous studies have revealed that the force measured at the patient-table interface is most commonly higher than the force applied at the clinician-table interface. The factors explaining this force amplification remains unclear.
Objective
To determine the difference between the force applied on cadaveric specimen’s thoracic spine and the resulting force measured by a force-sensing table as well as to evaluate the relationship between this difference of force and both the SMT force-time characteristics and the specimen characteristics.
Methods
Twenty-five SMTs with different force-time profiles were delivered by an apparatus at the T7 vertebra of 9 human cadaveric specimens lying prone on a treatment table instrumented with a force plate. The difference between the force applied by the apparatus and the resulting force measured by the force plate was calculated (Fdiff). Difference in force was also expressed as the percentage of the applied force (Fdiff%). Kinematics markers were inserted into T6 to T8 spinous and transverse processes to evaluate vertebral displacements during SMT thrusts. Mixed-effects linear models were conducted to evaluate the variance in Fdiff and Fdiff% explained by SMT characteristics (peak force, thrust duration and rate of force), T6 to T8 relative and total displacements, and specimens’ characteristics (BMI, height, weight, kyphosis angle, thoracic thickness).
Results
Sixty percent of the trials showed lower force measured at the force plate than the one applied at T7. Fdiff¸ was significantly predicted (R2marginal = 0.54) by peak force, thrust duration, thoracic thickness and T6-T7 relative displacement in the z-axis. Fdiff% was significantly predicted (R2marginal = 0.56) by rate of force application, thoracic thickness and T6 total displacements. For both dependant variables, thoracic thickness showed the highest R2marginal out of all predictors.
Conclusion
Difference in force between the clinician-patient and the patient-table interfaces is influenced by SMT force-time characteristics and by the thoracic thickness. How these differences in force are associated with vertebral displacements remains unclear. Future investigations should measure SMT force-time profiles at both interfaces and normalization with thoracic thickness should be considered when measuring force at the patient-table interface.
Comparative chloroplast genomics reveals the phylogeny and the adaptive evolution of Begonia in China
Authors: Xiong Chao , Huang Yang , Li Zhenglong , Wu Lan , Liu Zhiguo , Zhu Wenjun , Li Jianhui , Xu Ran , Hong Xin 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Background
The Begonia species are common shade plants that are mostly found in southwest China. They have not been well studied despite their medicinal and decorative uses because gene penetration, decreased adaptability, and restricted availability are all caused by frequent interspecific hybridization.
Result
To understand the patterns of mutation in the chloroplast genomes of different species of Begonia, as well as their evolutionary relationship, we collected seven Begonia species in China and sequenced their chloroplast genomes. Begonia species exhibit a quadripartite structure of chloroplast genomes (157,634 − 169,694 bp), consisting of two pairs of inverted repeats (IR: 26,529 − 37,674 bp), a large single copy (LSC: 75,477 − 86,500 bp), and a small single copy (SSC: 17,861 − 18,367 bp). 128–142 genes (comprising 82–93 protein-coding genes, 8 ribosomal RNAs, and 36–43 transfer RNAs) are found in the chloroplast genomes. Based on comparative analyses, this taxon has a relatively similar genome structure. A total of ten substantially divergent DNA regions (rpl32, trnS-GCU, trnT-UGU-trnL-UAA, atpF-atpH, ycf4-cemA, rps19-trnG-UCC, trnD-GUC-trnY-GUA, trnC-GCA-petN, trnE-UUC-trnT-GGU and petD-rpoA) are found in the seventeen chloroplast genomes. These regions are suitable for species identification and phylogeographic analysis. Phylogenetic analysis shows that Begonia species that were suited to comparable environments grouped in a small clade and that all Begonia species formed one big clade in the phylogenetic tree, supporting the genus' monophyly. In addition, positive selection sites are discovered in eight genes (rpoC1, rpoB, psbE, psbK, petA, rps12, rpl2 and rpl22), the majority of which are involved in protein production and photosynthesis.
Conclusion
Using these genome resources, we can resolve deep-level phylogenetic relationships between Begonia species and their families, leading to a better understanding of evolutionary processes. In addition to enhancing species identification and phylogenetic resolution, these results demonstrate the utility of complete chloroplast genomes in phylogenetically and taxonomically challenging plant groupings.
The links of 137 to the fine structure constant, Planck length, Coulomb and gravitational constants, and mass ratios of elementary particles
Authors: Tang Jau , Tang Brian 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
In this work, we present a theory to explain the origin of the value of the fine structure constant. Based on gauge invariance, Einstein’s mass-energy relation, and spacetime quantization, we obtain its ideal value of 1/137 for a “bare” Dirac electron in lattice spacetime and obtain an estimate of its radius, electrons’ Coulomb-gravitational force ratio 𝐹𝐶⁄𝐹𝐺 = 3 × (137𝜋)16, and the mass ratios of an electron to other particles such as a proton, Higgs boson, W/Z bosons, and quarks. With the proposed quantized spacetime, singularity divergence, and vacuum catastrophe problems in continuum quantum field theory can be avoided. The simplicity of these formulae implies intricate links of the magic 137 not only to electromagnetism but also to the other three types in nature.
Dynamic interplay between sortilin and syndecan-1 drives a metabolic switch during prostate cancer progression
Authors: Lazniewska Joanna , Li Ka Lok , Johnson Ian , Sorvina Alexandra , Logan Jessica , Martini Carmela , Moore Courtney , Ung Ben , Karageorgos Litsa , Prabhakaran Sarita , Heatlie Jessica , Brooks Robert , Hickey Shane , Huzzell Chelsea , Warnock Nicholas , Ward Mark , Mohammed Bashir , Tewari Prerna , Martin Cara , O'Toole Sharon , Edgerton Laura Bogue , Bates Mark , Moretti Paul , Pitson Stuart , Selemidis Stavros , Butler Lisa , O'Leary John , Brooks Douglas 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression relies on the programming of glucose and lipid metabolism, and this involves alterations in androgen receptor expression and signalling. Defining the molecular mechanism that underpins this metabolic programming will have direct significance for patients with PCa who have a poor prognosis. Here we show that there is a dynamic balance between sortilin and syndecan-1, that reports on different metabolic phenotypes. Using tissue microarrays, we demonstrated by immunohistochemistry that sortilin was highly expressed in low-grade cancer, while syndecan-1 was upregulated in high-grade disease. Mechanistic studies in prostate cell lines (selected to match the biomarker phenotypes in tissue from PCa patients) revealed that in androgen-sensitive LNCaP cells, sortilin enhanced glucose metabolism by regulating GLUT1 and GLUT4, while binding progranulin and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to limit lipid metabolism. In contrast, in androgen-insensitive PC3 cells, syndecan-1 was upregulated, interacted with LPL and colocalised with β3 integrin to promote lipid metabolism. In addition, androgen-deprived LNCaP cells had decreased expression of sortilin and reduced glucose-metabolism, but increased syndecan-1 expression, facilitating interactions with LPL and possibly β3 integrin. We report a hitherto unappreciated molecular mechanism for PCa, which has significance for disease progression and how androgen-deprivation therapy may promote castration-resistant PCa.
Occurrence of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and its association with atherogenic indices in Mexican women from San Luis Potosi, a preliminary study
Authors: Fernández-Macías Juan Carlos , Ochoa-Martínez Angeles C. , Pérez-López Amairani Lizbeth , Pérez-López Annette Aylin , Pérez-Maldonado Iván Nelinho 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Some genetic variants (polymorphisms) of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) enzyme are considered a susceptibility factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and levels of well-recognized atherogenic indices in a female population from San Luis Potosi, Mexico. A total of 340 women participated in the study, and MTHFR C677T genotypification was assessed using a RT-PCR assay. Also, Framingham risk score (FRS), Castelli risk index (CRI), and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were estimated. The allelic frequency detected was 0.43 for the MTHFR 677T-allele in the enrolled women. Besides, the mean value of AIP was significantly higher (p<0.05) for individuals with the mutant genotype (TT; 0.29 ± 0.20) contrasted to AIP values detected in people with the wild-type genotype (CC; 0.15 ± 0.20) and heterozygous genotype (CT; 0.16 ± 0.20). Similar findings were observed for CRI through MTHFR C677T genotypes (4.40 ± 1.80; 3.90 ± 1.30; and 3.60 ± 0.90; for CC, CT, and TT, respectively). No significant changes were detected for FRS values across MTHFR C677T genotypes. Lastly, significant statistical associations were identified between the TT genotype and the AIP values (odds ratio: 2.15; 95% CI: 1.95-4.95; p= 0.01). No significant associations were detected between MTHFR C677T genotypes and FRS and CRI indices values. The results found in this research agree with data that support an increased CVDs risk in MTHFR 677T-allele carriers in the human population, as AIP is considered a reliable CVDs risk biomarker.
Housing inventory projection method for natural hazard modeling applications
Authors: Williams Caroline Jeanne , Davidson Rachel , Nozick Linda , Millea Meghan , Kruse Jamie , Trainor Joseph 
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Today’s regional natural hazards loss models rarely incorporate changes in a region’s built environment over time, and thus likely misestimate a region’s natural hazard risk. Of the existing natural hazard loss models that incorporate changes in the built environment, none are developed at an adequately granular spatiotemporal scale that is appropriate for regional (multi-county) natural hazards loss modeling. This work presents the new Housing Inventory Projection (HIP) method for estimating regional changes in a region’s housing inventory for natural hazards loss modeling purposes. The method is divided into two modules: (1) the Regional Annual County-Level Housing (REACH) module, which estimates the annual number of housing units per county over a multi-county region and multi-decadal projection period, and (2) the Single-family Location Estimation (SLE) module, which estimates the likely location of future single-family housing units across a subcounty grid space. While the HIP method is modular and can be applied over a range of spatiotemporal scales, we present a case study that estimates the number of single-family houses per 1 km2 grid cell in the state of North Carolina for each year from 2020 to 2049. We then used these projections to estimate how a future housing stock would experience a Hurricane Florence-type event. Future housing projections suggest that between 2020 and 2049, nearly 2,900 new houses will be built, each year, in areas that experienced at least two feet of flooding following Hurricane Florence.
Optimization of machining parameters in drilling of aluminium matrix composite (Al7050-12wt.% ZrO2) using Taguchi technique
Authors: Rai Anjani Kumar , V Alagarsamy S , Hossain Ismail , Kannan Sathish , A.H. Seikh , A Iqbal 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
This study focused on optimizing the drilling variables for minimizing the surface roughness (Ra) of Al7050 alloy based composite using Taguchi technique. The stir casting route was adopted to synthesis the Al7050 matrix composite with addition of 12 wt. % ZrO2 particles as reinforcement. The different process parameters such as spindle speed (v), feed (f), and depth of cut (d) were chosen as the input parameters, while the Ra was considered as the output response. Based on the parameters selection, the drilling process was carried out on Taguchi L16 orthogonal design. The SN (signal-to-noise) ratio and ANOVA (analysis of variance) were applied to yield the optimal setting of parameters and their impact contribution on Ra for the drilled composite. The SN ratio results identified that the minimum value of Ra was achieved at 1600 rpm of spindle speed, 0.12 mm/rev of feed and 1.0 mm of depth of cut. ANOVA result observed that the most noteworthy parameter for Ra was feed (62.24%), followed by spindle speed (26.24%). The contour graphs revealed that the Ra value drastically reduced when an increase in depth of cut (d) and decrease in feed (f). The regression model has been formulated to establishing the relationship of drilling parameters on Ra.
Translatome analysis of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex-1 patient-derived neural progenitor cells reveal rapamycin-dependent and independent alterations
Authors: Aksoylu Inci , Martin Pauline , Robert Francis , Szkop Krzysztof , Redmond Nicholas , Chen Shan , Beauchamp Roberta , Nobeli Irene , Pelletier Jerry , Larsson Ola , Ramesh Vijaya 
Published: March 2023

Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an inherited neurocutaneous disorder caused by mutations in TSC1 or TSC2 genes, with patients often exhibiting neurodevelopmental (ND) manifestations termed TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The hamartin-tuberin (TSC1-TSC2) protein complex inactivates mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling, leading to increased protein synthesis via inactivation of translational repressor eIF4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). In TSC1-null neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we previously reported early ND phenotypic changes, including increased proliferation/altered neurite outgrowth, which were unaffected by mTORC1-inhibitor rapamycin. Here, using polysome-profiling to quantify translational efficiencies at a transcriptome-wide level, we observed numerous TSC1-dependent alterations in NPCs, largely recapitulated in post-mortem brains from ASD donors. Although rapamycin partially reversed TSC1-associated alterations, most neural activity/synaptic- or ASD-related genes remained insensitive but were inhibited by third-generation bi-steric, mTORC1-selective inhibitor RMC-6272, which also reversed altered ND phenotypes. Together these data reveal potential implications for treatment of TAND.