julilili42/papers huggingface dataset:
Predicting Postoperative Delirium in Older Patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study
2024-03-15

Abstract Background The number of elective surgeries for older individuals is on the rise globally. Machine learning may improve risk assessment with an impact on surgical planning and postoperative care. Preoperative cognitive assessment may facilitate early identification of postoperative delirium (POD). This study aims to estimate the predictive ability of machine learning models for POD using pre-and/or perioperative features, with a specific focus on adding neuropsychological assessments prior to surgery. Materials and Methods This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the multicenter PAWEL study and its PAWEL-R substudy, encompassing older patients (≥70 years) undergoing elective surgeries across five medical centers from July 2017 to April 2019. A total of 1624 patients were included, with POD diagnosis made before discharge. Data included demographics, clinical, surgical, and neuropsychological features collected pre- and perioperatively. Machine learning model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), with permutation testing for significance and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to identify effective neuropsychological assessments. Results In this cohort of 1624 patients, 52.3% (N=850) were male, with a mean [SD] age of 77.9 [4.9] years. Predicting POD before surgery using demographic, clinical, surgical, and neuropsychological features achieved an AUC of 0.79. Incorporating all pre- and perioperative features into the model yielded a slightly higher AUC of 0.82, with no significant difference observed ( P = .19). Notably, cognitive factors alone were not strong predictors (AUC=0.61). However, specific tests within neuropsychological assessments, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment memory subdomain and Trail Making Test Part B, were found to be crucial for prediction according to SHAP analysis. Conclusion and Relevance Preoperative risk prediction for POD can increase risk awareness in presurgical assessment and improve postoperative management in patients with a high risk for delirium. Highlights Analyzed 1624 older patients (≥70 years) undergoing elective surgeries across five medical centers from July 2017 to April 2019. Established machine learning model to predict postoperative delirium before surgery. Preoperative cognition enhances predictive performance, comparable to models incorporating all pre- and perioperative features. Montreal Cognitive Assessment memory subdomain and Trail Making Test Part B drive the cognition-based prediction. Perioperative surgical features, such as the duration of the surgery, are important predictors.
Moral submissiveness: social origin as a vulnerability for well-being on a warming planet
2024-03-15

In recent years, the emotional experience of climate change has been studied extensively from fields like psychology, theology, sociology, and philosophy. It is crucial to analyze these results for possible vulnerability with regard to well-being. While climate justice research raises awareness of the current (social) situation of the participants in relation to the experience of climate change, the research on climate emotions seems to overlook the participant’s former social situation – their family of origin. Previous studies on injustice have shown however that it is precisely the way people were educated on emotion work that has a significant impact on their experiences and sense of control in the situation. Given the importance of this sense of control for mental well-being, I argue consequently that social origin is a vulnerability for well-being in the (emotional) experience of climate change, perpetuating climate injustice, based on this combination of studies from different epochs. Therefore, in the interest to protect well-being on a warming planet, it is crucial to raise awareness of the impact of social origin.
Borderline decisions?: Lack of justification for automatic deception detection at EU borders
2024-03-15

Between 2016 and 2019, the European Union funded the development and testing of a system called “iBorderCtrl”, which aims to help detect illegal migration. Part of iBorderCtrl is an automatic deception detection system (ADDS): Using artificial intelligence, ADDS is designed to calculate the probability of deception by analyzing subtle facial expressions to support the decision-making of border guards. This text explains the operating principle of ADDS and its theoretical foundations. Against this background, possible deficits in the justification of the use of this system are pointed out. Finally, based on empirical findings, potential societal ramifications of an unjustified use of ADDS are discussed.
Off-Label Use of an External Hand Fixator for Craniomaxillofacial Fractures—An Anatomical Feasibility Study
2024-03-15

Background: The lack of resources limits the treatment of craniomaxillofacial fractures (CMF) in low-income countries (LIC). Therefore, Barton bandages and/or interdental wiring are considered in these regions. Fracture reduction is maintained by permanent occlusion for 6 weeks, which often leads to limited compliance and dissatisfying results. The aim of this cadaver-based study is to evaluate the feasibility of the use of an external face fixator (EFF) for the treatment of CMF, its biomechanical values and to define the optimal pin insertion points and angles. Materials and Methods: An AO hand fixator was used. CMF of types Le Fort 1–3 with split fractures of the hard palate were treated with EFF on 13 anatomical specimens. Fractures were created using a chisel, and pins were placed in specific anatomical regions. The maximal pull-out force [N] of pins was analysed by a tensile force gauge, and Fmax of the mandibular pins was evaluated. Computer tomography scans were performed on the healthy, fractured and EFF-treated skulls. Results: The pull-out forces for the single pins were mandibular pins (n = 15, median 488.0 N), supraorbital pins (n = 15, median 455.0 N), zygomatic pins (n = 14, median 269.1 N), medial hard palate pins (n = 12, median 208.4 N) and lateral hard palate pins (n = 8, median 49.6 N). Conclusions: The results indicate that the operation technique is feasible, and the stability of the EFF is sufficient for maintaining the reduction. The required pins can safely be inserted into the described areas with good reduction results. Using EFF offers a feasible alternative to the non-surgical treatment of CMF in LIC.
Simultaneous and Dynamic Super-Resolution Imaging of Two Proteins inArabidopsis thalianausing dual-color sptPALM
2024-03-15

ABSTRACT Super-resolution microscopy techniques have revolutionized cell biology by providing insights into the dynamics of single molecules and nanoscale organization within living cells. However, the application of dynamic live-cell methods in plants has been limited by the lack of suitable fluorophores for simultaneous visualization of multiple proteins. To address this challenge, we implemented a two-color sptPALM approach using codon-optimized photoactivatable fluorescent proteins PA-GFP and PATagRFP. Recently, we showed their individual usability in single-color experiments in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana cells. Here, we now demonstrate the suitability of these fluorophores and their combined use for dual-color sptPALM for the simultaneous observation of two different protein fusions in the same plant cell.
Lack of NO-GC in periostin + myofibroblasts amplifies cardiac remodeling following Ang II infusion
2024-03-15

<p class="first" dir="auto" id="d5984679e198">Myocardial fibrosis is triggered, among other pathologies, by hypertension in conjunction with high angiotensin II (Ang II) levels. It is defined by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagen and by the expression of matricellular proteins such as periostin (Postn). Cardiac myofibroblasts (CMF), a highly proliferative and secretory cell type not found in healthy hearts, are believed to be the main source of ECM proteins. As a result, CMF contribute to increased muscle stiffness, an important feature of fibrosis, to heart failure progression and mortality. The nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway is thought to have anti-fibrotic effects in the heart, but the role of this cascade in CMF is poorly understood. <p dir="auto" id="d5984679e200">We generated PostniCre-based CMF-specific NO-GC knockout (cKO) and littermate control (CTR) mice and subjected them to an Ang II-induced model of cardiac fibrosis. Compared to CTR, deficiency of NO-GC in CMFs resulted in increased myocardial collagen deposition and a larger cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes. In addition, non-invasive echocardiography revealed global abnormalities in cardiac structure and function, i.e. a decrease in ejection fraction and fractional shortening, as well as local changes in muscle deformation in the cKO. Compared to CTR, CMFs from Ang II-treated cKO hearts showed an accelerated proliferation rate, which was reversed by 8-Br-cGMP. Interestingly, neither CMF stiffness nor cell migration or intracellular Ca2+ signals were dependent on the NO-GC status. <p dir="auto" id="d5984679e202">To conclude, endogenous NO-GC activity limits both the secretory and proliferative behavior of CMF and thus the extent of Ang II-induced myocardial damage and dysfunction.
Epigenetic control of microglial immune responses
2024-03-16

Summary Microglia, the major population of brain‐resident macrophages, are now recognized as a heterogeneous population comprising several cell subtypes with different (so far mostly supposed) functions in health and disease. A number of studies have performed molecular characterization of these different microglial activation states over the last years making use of “omics” technologies, that is transcriptomics, proteomics and, less frequently, epigenomics profiling. These approaches offer the possibility to identify disease mechanisms, discover novel diagnostic biomarkers, and develop new therapeutic strategies. Here, we focus on epigenetic profiling as a means to understand microglial immune responses beyond what other omics methods can offer, that is, revealing past and present molecular responses, gene regulatory networks and potential future response trajectories, and defining cell subtype‐specific disease relevance through mapping non‐coding genetic variants. We review the current knowledge in the field regarding epigenetic regulation of microglial identity and function, provide an exemplary analysis that demonstrates the advantages of performing joint transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of single microglial cells and discuss how comprehensive epigenetic analyses may enhance our understanding of microglial pathophysiology.
Sediment Freeze‐On and Transport Near the Onset of a Fast‐Flowing Glacier in East Antarctica
2024-03-16

Abstract Understanding the material properties and physical conditions of basal ice is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of Antarctic ice‐sheet dynamics. Yet, direct data are sparse and difficult to acquire. Here, we employ ultra‐wideband radar to map high‐backscatter zones near the glacier bed within East Antarctica's Jutulstraumen drainage basin. Our backscatter analysis reveals that the basal ice in an area of ∼10,000 km 2 is composed of along‐flow oriented sediment‐laden basal ice units connected to the basal substrate, extending up to several hundred meters thick. Three‐dimensional thermomechanical modeling supports that these units form via basal freeze‐on of subglacial water that originated from further upstream. Our findings suggest that basal freeze‐on, and the entrainment and transport of subglacial material play a significant role in an accurate representation of material, physical, and rheological properties of the Antarctic ice sheet's basal ice, ultimately enhancing the accuracy and reliability of ice‐sheet modeling.
Finger counting, finger number gesturing, and basic numerical skills: A cross-sectional study in 3- to 5-year-olds
2024-03-16

Recent evidence suggests that using finger-based strategies is beneficial for the acquisition of basic numerical skills. There are basically two finger-based strategies to be distinguished: (a) finger counting (i.e., extending single fingers successively) and (b) finger number gesturing (i.e., extending fingers simultaneously to represent magnitudes). In this study, we investigated both spontaneous and prompted finger counting and finger number gesturing as well as their contribution to basic numerical skills in 3- to 5-year-olds (N = 156). Results revealed that only 6% of children spontaneously used their fingers for counting when asked to name a specific number of animals, whereas 59% applied finger number gesturing to show their age. This indicates that the spontaneous use of finger-based strategies depends heavily on the specific context. Moreover, children performed significantly better in prompted finger counting than in finger number gesturing, suggesting that both strategies build on each other. Finally, both prompted finger counting and finger number gesturing significantly and individually predicted counting, cardinal number knowledge, and basic arithmetic. These results indicate that finger counting and finger number gesturing follow and positively relate to numerical development.
Dynamics of Plasmodium species and genotype diversity in adults with asymptomatic infection in Gabon
2024-03-16

Our results reveal complex intra-host dynamics of P. falciparum genotypes and Plasmodium species and underscore the importance of serial sampling in clinical trials for antimalarial drugs with asymptomatically P. falciparum-infected individuals. This might allow a more accurate identification of genotypes in multiple infections, impacting the assessment of drug efficacy.
Genome‐Wide Association Study of Atorvastatin Pharmacokinetics: Associations With SLCO1B1, UGT1A3, and LPP
2024-03-17

In a genome‐wide association study of atorvastatin pharmacokinetics in 158 healthy volunteers, the SLCO1B1 c.521T&gt;C (rs4149056) variant associated with increased area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC 0–∞ ) of atorvastatin ( P = 1.2 × 10 −10 ), 2‐hydroxy atorvastatin ( P = 4.0 × 10 −8 ), and 4‐hydroxy atorvastatin ( P = 2.9 × 10 −8 ). An intronic LPP variant, rs1975991, associated with reduced atorvastatin lactone AUC 0–∞ ( P = 3.8 × 10 −8 ). Three UGT1A variants linked with UGT1A3*2 associated with increased 2‐hydroxy atorvastatin lactone AUC 0–∞ ( P = 3.9 × 10 −8 ). Furthermore, a candidate gene analysis including 243 participants suggested that increased function SLCO1B1 variants and decreased activity CYP3A4 variants affect atorvastatin pharmacokinetics. Compared with individuals with normal function SLCO1B1 genotype, atorvastatin AUC 0–∞ was 145% (90% confidence interval: 98‐203%; P = 5.6 × 10 −11 ) larger in individuals with poor function, 24% (9‐41%; P = 0.0053) larger in those with decreased function, and 41% (16‐59%; P = 0.016) smaller in those with highly increased function SLCO1B1 genotype. Individuals with intermediate metabolizer CYP3A4 genotype ( CYP3A4*2 or CYP3A4*22 heterozygotes) had 33% (14‐55%; P = 0.022) larger atorvastatin AUC 0–∞ than those with normal metabolizer genotype. UGT1A3*2 heterozygotes had 16% (5‐25%; P = 0.017) smaller and LPP rs1975991 homozygotes had 34% (22‐44%; P = 4.8 × 10 −5 ) smaller atorvastatin AUC 0‐∞ than noncarriers. These data demonstrate that genetic variation in SLCO1B1 , UGT1A3 , LPP , and CYP3A4 affects atorvastatin pharmacokinetics. This is the first study to suggest that LPP rs1975991 may reduce atorvastatin exposure. [Correction added on 6 April, after first online publication: An incomplete sentence (“= 0.017) smaller in heterozygotes for UGT1A3*2 and 34% (22%, 44%; P × 10 −5 ) smaller in homozygotes for LPP noncarriers.”) has been corrected in this version.]
Sulfate affinity controls phosphate sorption and the proto-transformation of schwertmannite
2024-03-17

Schwertmannite is a metastable sulfate-rich ferric iron Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxide and a common mineral in acid mine drainage sites and acid sulfate soils. Schwertmannite is also used as a sorbent in various industrial applications, including phosphate removal in water treatment and environmental remediation. Phosphate sorption to schwertmannite, however, is complex and likely involves ligand exchange for inner- and outer-spherically coordinated sulfate groups, both on the surface and in the tunnel structure of the mineral. Here, we investigated phosphate sorption, concomitant sulfate release and their impact on the structure of schwertmannite as a function of pH and phosphate concentration. Kinetic and equilibrium batch experiments with synthetic schwertmannite were carried out at pH 3, 6, and 8, and the solid-phase was analyzed using a combination of microscopic, spectroscopic, and X-ray diffraction techniques. We found a strong correlation between phosphate sorption and sulfate release, with both following a two-step sorption model. The kinetics of phosphate sorption and sulfate release were faster at higher pH levels. Maximum phosphate sorption was found at pH 6 (1.7 mmol PO43− g−1), which decreased to 1.5 and 1.2 mmol PO43− g−1 at pH 3 and 8, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed a shift from inner- to outer-spherical coordination of sulfate with increasing pH. 57Fe-Mössbauer analyses of schwertmannite demonstrated an initial transformation of schwertmannite at neutral to alkaline pH, characterized by a rise in a partially ordered sextet area. This change was interpreted as an increase in crystallinity resulting from the transition from Fe-SO4 to FeO domains. The emerging phase differed from the original schwertmannite, but did not represent a complete change to a new crystalline phase, thus indicating a proto-transformation of schwertmannite. This pH-induced proto-transformation was inhibited in the presence of phosphate. We concluded that the phosphate sorption rate and maximum as well as the proto-transformation of schwertmannite were strongly affected by the mineral's affinity for sulfate. Sorption to schwertmannite should primarily be regarded as a competitive exchange reaction between the sorbing oxyanion and the bound sulfate. As a result, the highest phosphate sorption occurred at circumneutral pH, in stark contrast to non-sulfate-containing Fe(III) (oxyhydr)oxides, where phosphate sorption is highest at acidic pH. Our findings are important for a fundamental understanding of the sorption properties of schwertmannite in phosphate-rich environments as they point towards the central role of sulfate coordination for phosphate immobilization.
Robust and Seamless Integration of Thiol‐Ene‐Epoxy Thermosets with Thermoplastics and Glass as Hybrid Microfluidic Devices Suitable for Drug Studies
2024-03-17

Abstract Facile, durable and biocompatible integration of hybrid Lab‐on‐a‐Chip devices has remained an important challenge in microengineering. Here, the robust and seamless integration of off‐stoichiometry thiol‐ene‐epoxy (OSTE+) thermosets with a diverse range of thermoplastic and glass materials is demonstrated. While direct bonding offers sturdy proprieties for the majority of the material hybrids (up to 1.5 MPa), further surface priming enhances the bonding strength for those of lower surface energy (up to seven‐fold). Using microfluidic devices with a unique configuration of chambers and microchannels down to 100 μm, the impact of various bonding methods on their fluidic functionality is further shown. To investigate the utility of hybrid devices for pharmacological and toxicological studies, both pristine and primed devices are benchmarked against polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) with regard to cell biocompatibility and drug absorption. While being on par with PDMS in terms of cell viability, pristine OSTE+ devices show an 11‐fold lower absorption of hydrophobic drug molecules. Although surface priming enhances the bonding strength, it compromises other criteria in device performance and biological applications. Combined, results demonstrate a novel integration approach for facile manufacturing of hybrid microfluidic devices using a material toolbox suitable for cell and pharmaceutical studies.
Spectral waveform analysis dissociates human cortical alpha rhythms
2024-03-17

The non-sinusoidal waveform of neuronal oscillations reflects the physiological properties of underlying circuit interactions and may serve as an informative biomarker of healthy and diseased human brain function. However, little is known about which brain rhythms can be dissociated based on their waveform and methods to comprehensively characterize waveforms are missing. Here, we introduce a novel spectral waveform analysis (SWA) that provides a complete waveform description, is noise-resistant, and allows to reconstruct time-domain waveforms. We applied this framework to human magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings during rest and identified several distinct and previously unknown cortical alpha waveforms that were temporally stable and specific for individual subjects. Our findings suggest at least four distinct alpha rhythms in human sensorimotor, occipital, temporal, and parietal cortex. SWA provides a powerful new framework to characterize the waveform of neural oscillations in the healthy and diseased human brain.
In Vivo Detection of Metabolic Fluctuations in Real Time Using the NanoBiT Technology Based on PII Signalling Protein Interactions
2024-03-17

New protein-fragment complementation assays (PCA) have successfully been developed to characterize protein–protein interactions in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the NanoBiT technology, employing fragment complementation of NanoLuc luciferase, stands out for its high sensitivity, wide dynamic range, and straightforward read out. Previously, we explored the in vitro protein interaction dynamics of the PII signalling protein using NanoBiT, revealing significant modulation of luminescence signals generated by the interaction between PII and its receptor protein NAGK by 2-oxoglutarate levels. In the current work, we investigated this technology in vivo, to find out whether recombinantly expressed NanoBiT constructs using the NanoLuc large fragment fused to PII and PII-interaction partners NAGK or PipX-fused to the NanoLuc Small BiT are capable of detecting the metabolic fluctuations in Escherichia coli. Therefore, we devised an assay capable of capturing the metabolic responses of E. coli cells, demonstrating real-time metabolic perturbation upon nitrogen upshift or depletion treatments. In particular, the PII-NAGK NanoBitT sensor pair reported these changes in a highly sensitive manner.
Learning Together with YouTube? Adolescents’ Collective Use of Explanatory Audiovisual Content
2024-03-17

Although YouTube explanatory videos are a successful genre, there has been little research into the ways they form part of adolescents' collective learning practices. To address this gap, the article examines the social relations and forms of collective interaction by which young people come to use explanatory content on YouTube. Our study of German pupils aged between 14 and 20 examines how and to what extent they engage with, view, recommend, and communicate about user-generated audiovisual instructions and explanations that cover school subjects and hobbies. The results show that the potentials of YouTube for collectively using learning- and education-related content often remain untapped, especially with respect to homework and the curriculum. While YouTube videos occupy an important place as a source of information for hobbies and school subjects, they have not prompted much collective engagement.