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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Extended live-cell barcoding approach for multiplexed mass cytometry

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 11;11(1):12388. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91816-w.

ABSTRACT

Sample barcoding is essential in mass cytometry analysis, since it can eliminate potential procedural variations, enhance throughput, and allow simultaneous sample processing and acquisition. Sample pooling after prior surface staining termed live-cell barcoding is more desirable than intracellular barcoding, where samples are pooled after fixation and permeabilization, since it does not depend on fixation-sensitive antigenic epitopes. In live-cell barcoding, the general approach uses two tags per sample out of a pool of antibodies paired with five palladium (Pd) isotopes in order to preserve appreciable signal-to-noise ratios and achieve higher yields after sample deconvolution. The number of samples that can be pooled in an experiment using live-cell barcoding is limited, due to weak signal intensities associated with Pd isotopes and the relatively low number of available tags. Here, we describe a novel barcoding technique utilizing 10 different tags, seven cadmium (Cd) tags and three Pd tags, with superior signal intensities that do not impinge on lanthanide detection, which enables enhanced pooling of samples with multiple experimental conditions and markedly enhances sample throughput.

PMID:34117319 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-91816-w

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Environmental and diagenetic controls on the morphology and calcification of the Ediacaran metazoan Cloudina

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 11;11(1):12341. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90768-5.

ABSTRACT

Cloudina is a globally distributed Ediacaran metazoan, with a tubular, funnel-in-funnel form built of thin laminae (ca. 1-10 μm). To what degree local environmental controlled morphology, and whether early diagenesis controlled the degree of calcification of Cloudina, is debated. Here we test these hypotheses by considering assemblages from four, coeval localities from the Upper Omkyk Member, Nama Group, Namibia, from inner ramp to mid-ramp reef across the Zaris Subbasin. We show that sinuosity of the Cloudina tube is variable between sites, as is the relative thickness of the tube wall, suggesting these features were environmentally controlled. Walls are thickest in high-energy reef settings, and thinnest in the low-energy, inner ramp. While local diagenesis controls preservation, all diagenetic expressions are consistent with the presence of weakly calcified, organic-rich laminae, and lamina thicknesses are broadly constant. Finally, internal ‘cements’ within Cloudina are found in all sites, and pre-date skeletal breakage, transport, as well as syn-sedimentary botryoidal cement precipitation. Best preservation shows these to be formed by fine, pseudomorphed aragonitic acicular crystals. Sr concentrations and Mg/Ca show no statistically significant differences between internal Cloudina cements and botryoidal cements, but we infer all internal cements to have precipitated when Cloudina was still in-situ and added considerable mechanical strength, but may have formed post-mortem or in abandoned parts of the skeleton.

PMID:34117286 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-90768-5

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Detailed head localization and incidence of skin cancers

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 11;11(1):12391. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91942-5.

ABSTRACT

Skin cancers are the most common neoplasms; frequently, they localize on the face. The aim of paper is to present the incidence of skin tumors in a single center from 2017 to 2019, describe trends in its frequency and find relations between neoplasms and sex, type of cancer, and its size. An analysis of histopathological files from the surgical department between 2017 and 2019 was calculated. These items were selected: sex, age, type of skin cancer, subtype of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), grading of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), localization and dimensions of the tumor. The study sample consisted of 387 cases. BCC was the most common cancer and its nodular type was the most frequent. In older patients, the vertical dimension of excised carcinoma was significantly larger. Moreover, this connection was detected only in women compared to men. There were statistically significant differences between dimensions of the skin cancer and sex. In men group, skin cancers had statistically higher vertical dimensions and larger surface areas. On the face and head, BCC more often localizes in the nasal area, while SCC on the auricle. It has been demonstrated that the older the patient, the larger the vertical dimension of the tumor. As such, tumor size is larger in men than in women, as women usually see their physicians sooner than men: cosmetic concerns are more important to them.

PMID:34117314 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-91942-5

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Dynamic self-assembly of compartmentalized DNA nanotubes

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 11;12(1):3557. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23850-1.

ABSTRACT

Bottom-up synthetic biology aims to engineer artificial cells capable of responsive behaviors by using a minimal set of molecular components. An important challenge toward this goal is the development of programmable biomaterials that can provide active spatial organization in cell-sized compartments. Here, we demonstrate the dynamic self-assembly of nucleic acid (NA) nanotubes inside water-in-oil droplets. We develop methods to encapsulate and assemble different types of DNA nanotubes from programmable DNA monomers, and demonstrate temporal control of assembly via designed pathways of RNA production and degradation. We examine the dynamic response of encapsulated nanotube assembly and disassembly with the support of statistical analysis of droplet images. Our study provides a toolkit of methods and components to build increasingly complex and functional NA materials to mimic life-like functions in synthetic cells.

PMID:34117248 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-23850-1

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

An open tool for creating battery-electric vehicle time series from empirical data, emobpy

Sci Data. 2021 Jun 11;8(1):152. doi: 10.1038/s41597-021-00932-9.

ABSTRACT

There is substantial research interest in how future fleets of battery-electric vehicles will interact with the power sector. Various types of energy models are used for respective analyses. They depend on meaningful input parameters, in particular time series of vehicle mobility, driving electricity consumption, grid availability, or grid electricity demand. As the availability of such data is highly limited, we introduce the open-source tool emobpy. Based on mobility statistics, physical properties of battery-electric vehicles, and other customizable assumptions, it derives time series data that can readily be used in a wide range of model applications. For an illustration, we create and characterize 200 vehicle profiles for Germany. Depending on the hour of the day, a fleet of one million vehicles has a median grid availability between 5 and 7 gigawatts, as vehicles are parking most of the time. Four exemplary grid electricity demand time series illustrate the smoothing effect of balanced charging strategies.

PMID:34117257 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-021-00932-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Family history of early onset acute lymphoblastic leukemia is suggesting genetic associations

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 11;11(1):12370. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90542-7.

ABSTRACT

Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has an origin in the fetal period which may distinguish it from ALL diagnosed later in life. We wanted to test whether familial risks differ in ALL diagnosed in the very early childhood from ALL diagnosed later. The Swedish nation-wide family-cancer data were used until year 2016 to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for familial risks in ALL in three diagnostic age-groups: 0-4, 5-34 and 35 + years. Among 1335 ALL patients diagnosed before age 5, familial risks were increased for esophageal (4.78), breast (1.42), prostate (1.40) and connective tissue (2.97) cancers and leukemia (2.51, ALL 7.81). In age-group 5-34 years, rectal (1.73) and endometrial (2.40) cancer, myeloma (2.25) and leukemia (2.00, ALL 4.60) reached statistical significance. In the oldest age-group, the only association was with Hodgkin lymphoma (3.42). Diagnostic ages of family members of ALL patients were significantly lower compared to these cancers in the population for breast, prostate and rectal cancers. The patterns of increased familial cancers suggest that BRCA2 mutations could contribute to associations of ALL with breast and prostate cancers, and mismatch gene PMS2 mutations with rectal and endometrial cancers. Future DNA sequencing data will be a test for these familial predictions.

PMID:34117277 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-90542-7

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Immunogenicity and Safety of a Tetravalent Dengue Vaccine Administered Concomitantly or Sequentially With Tdap Vaccine: Randomized Phase IIIb Trial in Healthy Participants 9-60 Years of Age in the Philippines

Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2021 Jun 10. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000003220. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Incorporating dengue vaccination into existing childhood vaccination programs could increase vaccine coverage. This study assessed the safety and immunogenicity of concomitant versus sequential administration of the combined tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and the tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV).

METHODS: This phase IIIb, randomized, open-label, multicenter study was conducted in the Philippines in individuals 9-≤60 years of age (NCT02992418). Participants were to receive 3 CYD-TDV doses 6 months apart, the first dose administered either concomitantly or sequentially (28 days post-Tdap). Antibody levels were measured at baseline and 28 days post-first doses of Tdap vaccine and CYD-TDV, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (pertussis, tetanus), micrometabolic inhibition test-toxin neutralization assay (diphtheria) and plaque reduction neutralization test (dengue). Immunogenicity was assessed for all participants, and statistical analysis reported for baseline dengue seropositive participants. Safety was assessed throughout.

RESULTS: Among 688 randomized participants, 629 (91.4%) were baseline dengue seropositive (concomitant group, n = 314 and sequential group, n = 315). After the first dose, non-inferiority of immune responses between concomitant and sequential vaccination was achieved; between-group geometric mean antibody concentration ratios were close to 1 for anti-PT, anti-FHA, anti-PRN and anti-FIM, between-group differences in percent achieving seroprotection (titers ≥0.1 IU/mL) were 0.26% (diphtheria) and 0.66% (tetanus), and between-group geometric mean antibody titer ratios were close to 1 for dengue serotypes 1-4. Safety profiles in both study groups were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS: CYD-TDV and Tdap vaccine administered concomitantly or sequentially in baseline dengue seropositive participants elicited comparable immunogenicity and safety profiles.

PMID:34117198 | DOI:10.1097/INF.0000000000003220

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Highly sensitive active pixel image sensor array driven by large-area bilayer MoS2 transistor circuitry

Nat Commun. 2021 Jun 11;12(1):3559. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23711-x.

ABSTRACT

Various large-area growth methods for two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides have been developed recently for future electronic and photonic applications. However, they have not yet been employed for synthesizing active pixel image sensors. Here, we report on an active pixel image sensor array with a bilayer MoS2 film prepared via a two-step large-area growth method. The active pixel of image sensor is composed of 2D MoS2 switching transistors and 2D MoS2 phototransistors. The maximum photoresponsivity (Rph) of the bilayer MoS2 phototransistors in an 8 × 8 active pixel image sensor array is statistically measured as high as 119.16 A W-1. With the aid of computational modeling, we find that the main mechanism for the high Rph of the bilayer MoS2 phototransistor is a photo-gating effect by the holes trapped at subgap states. The image-sensing characteristics of the bilayer MoS2 active pixel image sensor array are successfully investigated using light stencil projection.

PMID:34117235 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-021-23711-x

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Agreement Between Clinical Examination and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Acute Knee Trauma With Hemarthrosis

Clin J Sport Med. 2021 Jun 9. doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000950. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hemarthrosis after knee trauma often indicates serious joint injury. Few studies have evaluated agreement between clinical examination and findings from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We aimed to describe the agreement between acute clinical examination and subacute MRI findings after acute knee trauma with hemarthrosis and the importance of the subspecialty of the examiner.

DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study. Agreement with MRI findings was evaluated by logistic regression.

SETTING: Helsingborg hospital.

PATIENTS: Thousand one hundred forty-five consecutive patients with hemarthrosis after knee trauma.

INTERVENTIONS: Clinical examination and MRI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: agreement between clinical examination and findings from MRI. We considered the radiologist’s report as the gold standard.

RESULTS: Median time (25th, 75th percentile) from injury to clinical examination was 2 (1, 7) days, and from injury to imaging was 8 (5, 15) days. The overall sensitivity and specificity of clinical examination versus MRI for major ligament injury or lateral patella dislocation (LPD) were 70% [95% confidence interval 67-73) and 66% (61-72), respectively. Orthopedic subspecialist knee had the highest agreement with anterior cruciate ligament rupture (adjusted odds ratios were 1.7 (95% confidence interval 1.2-2.3), 1.9 (1.2-3.0) and 5.9 (3.7-9.5) for orthopedic trainees, orthopedic subspecialists other, and orthopedic subspecialist knee, respectively]. For other ligament injuries and LPD, we did not find statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS: Clinical diagnosis after acute knee injury is relatively unreliable versus MRI findings even when performed by orthopedic specialists. However, the agreement is improved when the examination is performed by an orthopedic knee subspecialist.

PMID:34117155 | DOI:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000950

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Unintended Consequences and Workarounds of Electronic Medical Record Implementation in Clinical Nursing Practice

Comput Inform Nurs. 2021 Jun 11. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000785. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nurses have experienced unintended consequences and workarounds associated with health information technology implementation. However, examination of this occurrence is rare. This study aimed to examine the unintended consequences and workarounds produced by the implementation of electronic medical record systems in clinical nursing practice. A total of 143 nurses participated in a survey using statistically tested instruments. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a nonparametric test. The descriptive data were analyzed by meaning. The participants experienced unintended consequences and workarounds related to electronic medical record implementation at moderate or high levels based on the responses to questions scored on 5-point Likert scales. The unintended consequences were closely associated with workarounds. The degree of experience with unintended consequences and the use of workarounds differed significantly according to the level of education, job position, and years in nursing practice. The nursing examples of unintended consequences and workarounds were organized into four categories of unintended consequences. By presenting unintended consequences and workarounds together, this study enhances the understanding of the problems encountered in EMR implementation and the action of nurses. Nurses’ needs should be considered as an important resource in developing, redesigning, or purchasing and implementing health information technology in healthcare settings.

PMID:34117159 | DOI:10.1097/CIN.0000000000000785