bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teduglutide in amyloidosis‐associated intestinal failure
Authors: Luhn Clara , Agis Hermine , Hütterer Elisabeth , Simonitsch‐Klupp Ingrid , Dawoud Christopher , Stift Anton , Harpain Felix
Published: August 2023

Key Clinical Message

Amyloidosis is a heterogeneous disease characterized by tissue deposition of abnormally folded fibrillary proteins that can manifest itself by a wide variety of symptoms depending on the affected organs. GI involvement among amyloidosis patients is common. Its clinical manifestation often presents with nonspecific symptoms such as weight loss, diarrhea, and malabsorption. With no specific treatment existing for GI amyloidosis, therapy focuses on impeding amyloid deposition and managing the patients' symptoms with supportive measures. Here, we present an AL‐amyloidosis patient with GI involvement and intestinal failure (IF) who was successfully treated with the glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (GLP‐2) analogue teduglutide. Over the course of treatment with teduglutide, the patient was able to achieve independence from parenteral nutrition and experienced a significant improvement in quality of life (QoL) as stool frequency and consistency improved, urinary output was stabilized and body weight as well as body composition improved over the course of teduglutide therapy. With no longer being exposed to the burden and associated risks of parenteral nutrition, we were able to reduce the potential morbidity and mortality rate as well as to improve the patient's overall QoL. Intestinal tissue biopsy workup revealed a histopathological correlate for the clinical response; Congo‐Red‐positive intestinal depositions almost completely disappeared within 6 months of teduglutide therapy. Implementing intestinotrophic GLP‐2 analogue teduglutide may enrich the spectrum of treatment options for amyloidosis patients with IF who are dependent on parenteral support.
Nonoperative treatment of a conjoined tendon avulsion tear of latissimus dorsi and teres major in a high performing, middle‐aged, artistic gymnast: Diagnostic and classificational challenges, and clinical result
Authors: Pedersen Roar , Johnsen Myhrvold Kerstin Anine , Myhrvold Ståle Bergman
Published: August 2023

Key Clinical Message

A middle‐aged female veteran artistic gymnast sustained an avulsion injury of the latissimus dorsi and teres major. The case reveals possible pitfalls in the current classification system and illustrates how a nonoperative approach, in contrast to recommended guidelines, was adequate for an excellent clinical outcome.
Alkylamine‐Functionalized Carbon Supports to Enhance the Silver Nanoparticles Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO
Authors: Mattarozzi Francesco , van den Akker Karen , Peerlings Matt L. J. , Vink‐van Ittersum Maaike E. T. , Visser Nienke L. , van de Poll Rim C. J. , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Ngene Peter , de Jongh Petra E.
Published: August 2023

Silver electrocatalysts enable the conversion of CO2 to CO, thereby facilitating the transition to a carbon neutral society. To lower the cost of the expensive metal, silver nanostructures are often supported on carbon. This substrate offers great electrical conductivity, but it enhances the selectivity towards the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. In this work, carbon supports were functionalized with linear alkylamines of different chain lengths, to understand its effect on electrochemical performance. Alkylamines interact with the carbon surface and confer hydrophobic properties to the carbon support as well as making the local environment less acidic. These properties led not only to a suppression of the hydrogen evolution, but also to a remarkable enhancement in CO production. Despite the low silver weight loading (0.0016 mgAg cm−2), hexylamine‐functionalized carbon‐based catalysts achieved a CO to H2 ratio of 2.0, while the same material without the alkylamine functionalization only reached a ratio of 0.3, at −1.3 V vs RHE. This demonstrates the potential of hydrophobic functionalization for enhancing the CO selectivity of carbon‐supported catalysts.
Toward a fundamental understanding of the heterogeneous multiphysics behaviors of silicon monoxide/graphite composite anodes
Authors: Gao Xiang , Li Suli , Xue Jiachen , Hu Dianyang , Xu Jun
Published: August 2023

Silicon monoxide (SiO) (silicon [Si] mixed with silicon dioxide [SiO2])/graphite (Gr) composite material is one of the most commercially promising anode materials for the next generation of high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries. The major bottleneck for SiO/Gr composite anode is the poor cyclability arising from the stress/strain behaviors due to the mismatch between two heterogenous materials during the lithiation/delithiation process. To date, a meticulous and quantitative understanding of the highly nonlinear coupling behaviors of such materials is still lacking. Herein, an electro–chemo–mechanics‐coupled detailed model containing particle geometries is established. The underlying mechanism of the regulation between SiO and Gr components during electrochemical cycling is quantitatively revealed. We discover that increasing the SiO weight percentage (wt%) reduces the utilization efficiency of the active materials at the same 1 C rate charging and enhances the hindering effects of stress‐driven flux on diffusion. In addition, the mechanical constraint demonstrates a balanced effect on the overall performance of cells and the local behaviors of particles. This study provides new insights into the fundamental interactions between SiO and Gr materials and advances the investigation methodology for the design and evaluation of next‐generation high‐energy‐density batteries.
Hydrogenation of CO2 by a Bifunctional PC(sp3)P Iridium(III) Pincer Complex Equipped with Tertiary Amine as a Functional Group
Authors: Gelman‐Tropp Stanislav , Kirillov Evgueni , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie , Gelman Dmitri
Published: August 2023

Reversible hydrogen storage in the form of stable and mostly harmless chemical substances such as formic acid (FA) is a cornerstone of a fossil fuels‐free economy. In the past, we have reported a primary amine‐functionalized bifunctional iridium(III)‐PC(sp3)P pincer complex as a mild and chemoselective catalyst for the additive‐free decomposition of neat formic acid. In this manuscript, we report on the successful application of a redesigned complex bearing tertiary amine functionality as a catalyst for mild hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid. The catalyst demonstrates TON up to 6×104 and TOF up to 1.7×104 h−1. In addition to the practical value of the catalyst, experimental and computational mechanistic studies provide the rationale for the design of improved next‐generation catalysts.
Ring Strain Energy of Diheteropnictogeniranes El2Pn (Pn=N, P, As, Sb)– Accurate versus Additive Approaches
Authors: Espinosa Ferao Arturo , Rey Planells Alicia
Published: August 2023

Accurate ring strain energy (RSE) values for sixty‐six parent pnictogeniranes having two other identical p‐block elements, El2Pn, have been reported. A decrease in RSE was observed to correlate with an increase in the p character of the AO used in endocyclic bonds, which is particularly remarkable on descending the groups 15 and 16. The latter also parallels higher ‐NICS(1) values, which seems not to be related with an increase in aromaticity, as pointed out by other NICS‐related criteria, but to atom‐centred diatropic currents mostly arising from the presence of lone pairs. Only in case of pnictogenaditrieliranes Tr2Pn (Tr=B, Al, Ga), the decrease of ‐NICS(1) is related to a lower Hückel‐type 2π‐electron aromaticity on descending group 13. The use of an additive methodology based on atom‐strain contributions enables estimation of RSEs for a large majority of all possible three‐membered rings containing group 13–16 elements with modest accuracy (RMSE=4.371 kcal/mol), that could be remarkably improved by using bond‐strain contributions (RMSE=1.183 kcal/mol) instead.
Germanium(II) Dithiolene Complexes
Authors: Tran Phuong M. , Wang Yuzhong , Lahm Mitchell E. , Wei Pingrong , Molnar Christopher J. , Schaefer Henry F. , Robinson Gregory H.
Published: August 2023

The 1 : 2 reaction of the imidazole‐based dithiolate (2) with GeCl2 • dioxane in THF/TMEDA gives 3, a TMEDA‐complexed dithiolene‐based germylene. Compound 3 is converted to monothiolate‐complexed (5) and N‐heterocyclic carbene‐complexed (7) germanium(II) dithiolene complexes via Lewis base ligand exchange. A bis‐dithiolene‐based germylene (8), involving a 3c–4e S‐Ge‐S bond, has also been synthesized through controlled hydrolysis of 7. The bonding nature of 3, 5, and 8 was investigated by both experimental and theoretical methods.
Operando Laboratory‐based X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy: Guidelines for Newcomers in the Field
Authors: Genz Nina S. , Kallio Antti‐Jussi , Meirer Florian , Huotari Simo , Weckhuysen Bert M.
Published: August 2023

The new possibility to perform operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the laboratory expands the potential field of applications towards a broad research community. These applications are multidisciplinary at heart and benefit from joint expertise from different fields, most importantly chemistry, physics, geology, and instrumentation. Hence, a development of collaboration networks that combine skills and knowhow from different fields is highly beneficial in this endeavor. As operando laboratory‐based XAS constitutes a highly interesting, advanced, and powerful characterization technique, we provide in this article practical guidelines for newcomers in the field, who would like to employ it. Here, we will describe ten important steps towards a successful operando laboratory‐based XAS experiment, which are not only useful for the catalysis community, but for a much wider audience from other research fields, such as environmental chemistry as well as battery and fuel cell research.
Innovative moments with young patients treated for depression: An analysis of post‐therapy interviews
Authors: Mende Fritz , Batista João , O'Keeffe Sally , Midgley Nick , Braga Rui , Gonçalves Miguel M. , Henriques Margarida Rangel
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Innovative moments (IMs) pinpoint new and more adaptative meanings that emerge in clients' discourse during psychotherapy. Studies with adult clients have found a greater proportion of IMs in recovered compared to unchanged cases, but similar studies have yet to be conducted with adolescents.

Aims

The paper aims (1) to study retrospectively the emergence of IMs in therapy, using a post‐therapy interview, in adolescents that underwent psychotherapy for depression, and (2) to characterize the themes present in IMs identified retrospectively in the interviews.

Method

Semi‐structured post‐treatment interviews conducted with 24 adolescents on the experience of taking part in a clinical trial of youth depression, were coded using the Innovative Moments Coding System. After identifying IMs, a thematic analysis identified the prominent themes within them.

Results

Higher presence of IMs were found in recovered compared to unchanged cases. Two main themes emerged in the IMs, changes that occurred with therapy and attributions of changes. Recovered cases presented more IMs centred on the self, whereas unchanged cases identified more non‐specific changes.

Conclusion

This study suggests that it is possible to code IMs, identified retrospectively, based on post‐therapy interviews with adolescents. Meaningful differences were found between recovered compared to unchanged cases. Therapeutic recovery was associated with a higher focus on the self and more specificity in clients' representations of the change process.
Regulating the Innocuity of Urea Electro‐Oxidation via Cation‐mediated Adsorption
Authors: Li Chong , Wang Yongjie , Xu Shengshuo , Wang Xue , Yang Yizhou , Wang Hualing , Gong Ming , Yang Xuejing
Published: August 2023

Urea electrolysis is an emerging technology that bridges efficient wastewater treatment and hydrogen production with lower electricity costs. However, conventional Ni‐based catalysts could easily overoxidize urea into the secondary contaminant NOx−, and enhancing the innocuity of urea electrolysis remains a grand challenge to be achieved. Herein, we tailored the electrode‐electrolyte interface of an unconventional cation effect on the anodic oxidation of urea to regulate its activity and selectivity. Smaller cations of Li+ were discovered to increase the Faradaic efficiency (FE) of the innocuous N2 product from the standard value of ~15 % to 45 %, while decreasing the FEs of the over‐oxidized NOx− product from ~80 % to 46 %, pointing to a more sustainable process. The kinetic and computational analysis revealed the dominant residence of cations on the outer Helmholtz layer, which forms the interactions with the surface adsorbates. The Li+ hydration shells and rigid hydrogen bonding network interact strongly with the adsorbed urea to decrease its adsorption energy and subjection to C−N cleavage, thereby directing it toward the N2 pathway. This work emphasizes the tuning of the interactions within the electrode‐electrolyte interface for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of electrocatalytic processes.
A dual‐band polarization switchable antenna switch module for 5G new‐radio applications
Authors: Tsao Chien‐Ming , Hsu Heng‐Tung
Published: August 2023

In this paper, a dual‐band antenna switch module with switching capability targeting the inter‐band carrier aggregation at 5G new‐radio (NR) frequency range 2 (FR2) is presented. Inter‐band carrier aggregation has become increasingly prevalent in millimeter‐wave applications at Ka‐band frequencies as a means to secure sufficient bandwidth for improving the rate of data transmission. Antenna modules with polarization switching capability are considered as a critical component for maintaining proper transmission and reception of the signals at millimeter‐wave frequencies. The integrated system consists of a wideband single‐pole‐double‐throw (SPDT) switch and a dual‐band power amplifier (PA) that are realized on the Rogers RO3010 substrate. With the two double exponentially tapered slot antennas (DETSA) arranged in the mutually orthogonal configuration, the antenna switch module can provide linear polarization at ±45 degrees. A measured error‐vector‐magnitude (EVM) of −30.3 dB at 38 GHz using 200‐MHz standard 5G NR 256‐QAM orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation has demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed module to be implemented for millimeter‐wave applications.
Landscape heterogeneity provides co‐benefits to predator and prey
Authors: Kuntze Corbin C. , Pauli Jonathan N. , Zulla Ceeanna J. , Keane John J. , Roberts Kevin N. , Dotters Brian P. , Sawyer Sarah C. , Peery M. Zachariah
Published: August 2023

Predator populations are imperiled globally, due in part to changing habitat and trophic interactions. Theoretical and laboratory studies suggest that heterogeneous landscapes containing prey refuges acting as source habitats can benefit both predator and prey populations, although the importance of heterogeneity in natural systems is uncertain. Here, we tested the hypothesis that landscape heterogeneity mediates predator–prey interactions between the California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis)—a mature forest species—and one of its principal prey, the dusky‐footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes)—a younger forest species—to the benefit of both. We did so by combining estimates of woodrat density and survival from live trapping and very high frequency tracking with direct observations of prey deliveries to dependent young by owls in both heterogeneous and homogeneous home ranges. Woodrat abundance was ~2.5 times higher in owl home ranges (14.12 km2) featuring greater heterogeneity in vegetation types (1805.0 ± 50.2 SE) compared to those dominated by mature forest (727.3 ± 51.9 SE), in large part because of high densities in young forests appearing to act as sources promoting woodrat densities in nearby mature forests. Woodrat mortality rates were low across vegetation types and did not differ between heterogeneous and homogeneous home ranges, yet all observed predation by owls occurred within mature forests, suggesting young forests may act as woodrat refuges. Owls exhibited a type 1 functional response, consuming ~2.5 times more woodrats in heterogeneous (31.1/month ± 5.2 SE) versus homogeneous (12.7/month ± 3.7 SE) home ranges. While consumption of smaller‐bodied alternative prey partially compensated for lower woodrat consumption in homogeneous home ranges, owls nevertheless consumed 30% more biomass in heterogeneous home ranges—approximately equivalent to the energetic needs of producing one additional offspring. Thus, a mosaic of vegetation types including young forest patches increased woodrat abundance and availability that, in turn, provided energetic and potentially reproductive benefits to mature forest‐associated spotted owls. More broadly, our findings provide strong empirical evidence that heterogeneous landscapes containing prey refuges can benefit both predator and prey populations. As anthropogenic activities continue to homogenize landscapes globally, promoting heterogeneous systems with prey refuges may benefit imperiled predators.
Cardiac magnetic resonance left ventricular filling pressure is linked to symptoms, signs and prognosis in heart failure
Authors: Grafton‐Clarke Ciaran , Garg Pankaj , Swift Andrew J. , Alabed Samer , Thomson Ross , Aung Nay , Chambers Bradley , Klassen Joel , Levelt Eylem , Farley Jonathan , Greenwood John P. , Plein Sven , Swoboda Peter P.
Published: August 2023

Aims

Left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) can be estimated from cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). We aimed to investigate whether CMR‐derived LVFP is associated with signs, symptoms, and prognosis in patients with recently diagnosed heart failure (HF).

Methods and results

This study recruited 454 patients diagnosed with HF who underwent same‐day CMR and clinical assessment between February 2018 and January 2020. CMR‐derived LVFP was calculated, as previously, from long‐ and short‐axis cines. CMR‐derived LVFP association with symptoms and signs of HF was investigated. Patients were followed for median 2.9 years (interquartile range 1.5–3.6 years) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as the composite of cardiovascular death, HF hospitalization, non‐fatal stroke, and non‐fatal myocardial infarction. The mean age was 62 ± 13 years, 36% were female (n = 163), and 30% (n = 135) had raised LVFP. Forty‐seven per cent of patients had an ejection fraction < 40% during CMR assessment. Patients with raised LVFP were more likely to have pleural effusions [hazard ratio (HR) 3.2, P = 0.003], orthopnoea (HR 2.0, P = 0.008), lower limb oedema (HR 1.7, P = 0.04), and breathlessness (HR 1.7, P = 0.01). Raised CMR‐derived LVFP was associated with a four‐fold risk of HF hospitalization (HR 4.0, P < 0.0001) and a three‐fold risk of MACE (HR 3.1, P < 0.0001). In the multivariable model, raised CMR‐derived LVFP was independently associated with HF hospitalization (adjusted HR 3.8, P = 0.0001) and MACE (adjusted HR 3.0, P = 0.0001).

Conclusions

Raised CMR‐derived LVFP is strongly associated with symptoms and signs of HF. In addition, raised CMR‐derived LVFP is independently associated with subsequent HF hospitalization and MACE.
Are biomarkers associated with sensitivity to physical activity?
Authors: Flegg D. , Lima L. V. , Woznowski‐Vu A. , Aternali A. , Gervais A. , Stone L. , Wideman T. H.
Published: August 2023

Background

Activity‐based treatments play an integral role in managing musculoskeletal conditions including low back pain. However, while therapeutic exercise has been shown to reduce pain in such conditions, certain individuals experience a paradoxical pain increase in response to exercise. The physiological processes underlying this sensitivity to physical activity (SPA) are not fully understood, however stress and inflammation have been shown to contribute to SPA. The present cross‐sectional study investigated whether physiological indicators of stress (cortisol) and inflammation (IL‐6) help explain SPA.

Methods

Twenty‐seven patients with chronic low back pain and 21 healthy controls completed a 1‐h exercise session of standardized physical tasks. SPA was calculated from the difference between post‐ and pre‐exercise pain levels. Participant's saliva was collected at several timepoints for cortisol and IL‐6 levels quantification. Their waking cortisol response was calculated to reflect their cortisol regulation. Reactivity of IL‐6 and cortisol was calculated to reflect changes in these measures during exercise.

Results

IL‐6 reactivity was significantly and positively correlated with SPA among participants with low back pain. In contrast, neither cortisol waking response nor cortisol reactivity was significantly correlated within the low back pain group. No significant differences in IL‐6 reactivity, cortisol reactivity or cortisol waking response were observed.

Conclusion

These findings are the first to link SPA to an objective biomarker among people with low back pain. These findings help describe the physiological mechanisms of SPA and can support new clinical research that targets the inflammatory response of patients with chronic low‐back pain and elevated SPA.

Significance

This study reveals a correlation between SPA and an objective salivary biomarker of IL‐6 in people with low back pain, improving our understanding of this clinically relevant subjective experience.
Hepatoprotective effects of Niudali (Callerya speciosa) root aqueous extracts against tetrachloromethane‐induced acute liver injury and inflammation
Authors: Zhang Yizi , Huang Jinwen , Gan Lishe , Wu Rihui , Jin Jingwei , Wang Tinghan , Sun Shili , Zhang Zhenbiao , Li Liya , Zheng Xi , Zhang Kun , Sun Lingli , Ma Hang , Li Dongli
Published: August 2023

Niudali (Callerya speciosa) is commonly grown in southeastern regions of China and consumed as a food ingredient. Although Niudali root extracts showed various biological activities, the hepatoprotective effects of Niudali root phytochemicals are not fully studied. Herein, we prepared two Niudali root aqueous extracts, namely, c and Niudali polysaccharides‐enriched extract (NPE), and identified an alkaloid, (hypaphorine) in NEW. The hepatoprotective effects of NWE, NPE, and hypaphorine were evaluated in an acute liver injury model induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in mice. Pathohistological examination and blood chemistry assays showed that treatment of NWE, NPE, and hypaphorine alleviated CCl4‐induced liver damage by lowering the liver injury score (by 75.51%, 80.01%, and 41.22%) and serum aspartate and alanine transaminases level (by 63.24%, 85.22%, and 49.74% and by 78.73%, 80.08%, and 81.70%), respectively. NWE, NPE, and hypaphorine also reduced CCl4‐induced hepatic oxidative stresses in the liver tissue by decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde (by 40.00%, 51.25%, and 28.75%) and reactive oxygen species (by 30.22%, 36.14%, and 33.54%) while increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (by 21.36%, 21.64%, and 8.90%), catalase (by 22.13%, 33.33%, and 5.39%), and glutathione (by 84.87%, 90.65%, and 80.53%), respectively. Mechanistic assays showed that NWE, NPE, and hypaphorine alleviated liver damage by mediating inflammatory biomarkers (e.g., pro‐inflammatory cytokines) via the signaling pathways of mitogen‐activated protein kinases and nuclear factor‐κB. Findings from our study extend the understanding of Niudali's hepatoprotective effects, which is useful for its development as a dietary intervention for liver inflammation.
Effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychological well‐being on people with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Rose Sin Yi Lin , Jing Jing Su , Hammoda Abu‐Odah , Jonathan Bayuo
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are highly prevalent in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and are strongly linked to accelerated cognitive decline and dementia onset. While mindfulness‐based interventions have shown promise in improving psychological well‐being in clinical and community settings, their efficacy for individuals in these pre‐dementia stages remains unclear. This meta‐analysis examined the effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on NPS and psychological outcomes in these preclinical cohorts.

Methods

Eligible studies were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, JBI EPB, Web of Science, and Cochrane library. Two independent researchers conducted the literature search and data extraction. Cochrane Risk‐of‐Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the methodological quality of included studies. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Intervention effects were estimated by Hedge's g and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 18 randomized controlled trials (including 974 participants from 21 studies) were included in the meta‐analysis. The results demonstrated statistically significant immediate post‐intervention effects of mindfulness‐based interventions on anxiety (g = −0.30, 95% CI −0.49 to −0.11), stress (g = −0.58, 95% CI −0.91 to −0.24), and quality of life (g = 0.50, 95% CI 0.12–0.87). However, no significant effects were found for depression, apathy, mindfulness, and stress‐related biomarkers. Follow‐up data analysis also did not reveal significant effects for depression and anxiety.

Conclusions

The findings of this meta‐analysis suggest that mindfulness‐based interventions may improve anxiety, stress, and quality of life in individuals with SCD and MCI. However, more rigorous randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and evaluation using physiological parameters are needed to establish more definitive conclusions. Future interventions could consider incorporating cognitive training and health education to address the specific needs of the pre‐dementia population.

Registration Number

PROSPERO: CRD42022359906.
The benefit and limitations of an online physical activity program in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic: A quantitative analysis of the virtual Latrobe Streetgames program
Authors: Kemel Paul N. , Porter Joanne E. , Coombs Nicole
Published: August 2023

Issue Addressed

The COVID‐19 pandemic led to the closure of many physical activity programs, with many online programs being created in place to maintain physical activity engagement. This study explored the outcomes of an online physical program on its participants.

Method

A validated survey was used to explore Virtual Streetgames (VSG) participants' perceptions about their physical, mental, and social health while participating in VGS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to evaluate the impact of the online format.

Results

Many VSG participants were not achieving their daily physical activity recommendations, with a considerable portion of individuals feeling frustrated at not being able to socialise. A substantial difference was seen between adults and adolescents, with increased adult activity rates for those adults participating in VSG. Despite this influence on physical well‐being, VSG did not seem to influence mental or social wellbeing.

Conclusions

The results give detail into how the COVID‐19 pandemic has influenced adolescent and young adult physical, mental, and social health, noting that the reduction of in‐person contact influenced motivation for exercise. Online physical activity programs may have some positive impact in improving adult physical activity rates, but they are not as effective as face‐to‐face programs in improving overall well‐being.

So What?

The findings of this study suggest that online physical activity programs may not be as effective as face‐to‐face programs in improving overall well‐being. Future research should explore ways to improve the social and motivational aspects of online physical activity programs to maximise their benefits for participants.
Perception of hypertension and adherence to hypertension treatment among patients attending a hospital in western Iran: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Baharvand Parastoo , Malekshahi Farideh , Babakhani Amirpourya
Published: August 2023

Background and Aims

Hypertension is the third leading cause of death in the world and is estimated to be increased by about 60% by 2025. Beliefs about hypertension can predict patient adherence to hypertension treatment. This study aims to investigate the perceptions of hypertension and adherence to hypertension treatment among patients in Khorramabad, Iran.

Methods

This is a descriptive/analytical study with a cross‐sectional design. Participants were 265 patients with a history of hypertension referred to a hospital in Khorramabad, Lorestan Province in western Iran in 2020, who were selected using a convenience sampling method. A demographic form, the brief illness perception questionnaire‐revised (BIPQ‐R), and Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS‐8) were used for collecting data. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS v.22 software using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation test, independent t‐test, one‐way ANOVA, and regression analysis.

Results

The mean scores of BIPQ‐R and MMAS‐8 were 49.05 ± 15.45 (out of 80) and 3.69 ± 1.62 (out of 8), respectively. There was a significant relationship between the mean scores of MMAS‐8 and BIPQ‐R in total (p < 0.001). Perceptions of illness consequences (B = 4.59, p = 0.005), personal control (B = 0.190, p = 0.047), and symptoms (B = 1.77, p = 0.005) could significantly predict treatment adherence of patients. In illness perception, there were significant differences among patients with different places of residence (p = 0.032), educational levels (p = 0.001), and employment status (p = 0.010). In treatment adherence, there were significant differences among patients with different places of residence (p = 0.042) and educational levels (p = 0.045).

Conclusion

Treatment adherence of hypertensive patients in western Iran is at a low level, while their perception of hypertension is at a moderate level. Clinical physicians are recommended to pay attention to the perception of illness in these patients (especially unemployed and less educated patients living in rural areas) to improve their adherence to treatment and blood pressure control.
Dyslexia is not a gift, but it is not that simple
Authors: Johnson Rachelle M.
Published: August 2023

There has been relentless debate as to whether dyslexia is a gift, and specifically, if dyslexics are more creative than the average person, despite established research evidence that there is no difference in creativity between those with and without dyslexia. With this paper, I outline that this conversation is not that simple, and one must consider society's view of disability and the developmental experience of growing up in a society that devalues dyslexic people. I conclude by positing that while dyslexia is not a gift, it is a part of neurodiversity.

Highlights

This paper describes the nuances as to why, while dyslexia is not a gift, it is not that simple.

As dyslexics develop, they exist within an ableist society that devalues people who are struggling readers, disabled, and neurodivergent.

Dyslexia does not need to come with special gifts in order for dyslexics to hold value in society. Dyslexics are part of neurodiversity, and neurodiversity is valued.
Long‐term abuse of caffeine sodium benzoate induces endothelial cells injury and leads to coagulation dysfunction
Authors: Yu Tianwei , Wang Hongwei , Guo Rong , Liu Jianzhong , Tian Lili , Guga Suri , Li Weixin , Zhao Huiying , Suo Feiya , Yang Hao , Yan Quanzhi
Published: August 2023

Our hospital admitted a patient who had difficulty in coagulation even after blood replacement, and the patient had abused caffeine sodium benzoate (CSB) for more than 20 years. Hence, we aimed to explore whether CSB may cause dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells and its possible mechanism. Low, medium, and high concentrations of serum of long‐term CSB intake patients were used to treat HUVECs, with LPS as the positive control. MTT and CCK8 were performed to verify CSB's damaging effect on HUVECs. The expression of ET‐1, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, and E‐selectin were measured by ELISA. TUNEL assay and Matrigel tube formation assay were carried out to detect apoptosis and angiogenesis of HUVECs. Flow cytometry was applied to analyze cell cycles and expression of CD11b, PDGF, and ICAM‐1. Expression of PDGF‐BB and PCNA were examined by western blot. The activation of MAPK signaling pathway was detected by qRT‐PCR and western blot. Intracellular Ca2+ density was detected by fluorescent probes. CCK8 assay showed high concentration of CSB inhibited cell viability. Cell proliferation and angiogenesis were inhibited by CSB. ET‐1, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1, and E‐selectin upregulated in CSB groups. CSB enhanced apoptosis of HUVECs. CD11b, ICAM‐1 increased and PDGF reduced in CSB groups. The expression level and phosphorylation level of MEK, ERK, JUN, and p38 in MAPK pathway elevated in CSB groups. The expression of PCNA and PDGF‐BB was suppressed by CSB. Intracellular Ca2+ intensity was increased by CSB. Abuse of CSB injured HUVECs and caused coagulation disorders.
RNA processing and degradation mechanisms shaping the mitochondrial transcriptome of budding yeasts
Authors: Golik Pawel
Published: August 2023

Yeast mitochondrial genes are expressed as polycistronic transcription units that contain RNAs from different classes and show great evolutionary variability. The promoters are simple, and transcriptional control is rudimentary. Posttranscriptional mechanisms involving RNA maturation, stability, and degradation are thus the main force shaping the transcriptome and determining the expression levels of individual genes. Primary transcripts are fragmented by tRNA excision by RNase P and tRNase Z, additional processing events occur at the dodecamer site at the 3′ end of protein‐coding sequences. groups I and II introns are excised in a self‐splicing reaction that is supported by protein splicing factors encoded by the nuclear genes, or by the introns themselves. The 3′‐to‐5′ exoribonucleolytic complex called mtEXO is the main RNA degradation activity involved in RNA turnover and processing, supported by an auxiliary 5′‐to‐3′ exoribonuclease Pet127p. tRNAs and, to a lesser extent, rRNAs undergo several different base modifications. This complex gene expression system relies on the coordinated action of mitochondrial and nuclear genes and undergoes rapid evolution, contributing to speciation events. Moving beyond the classical model yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to other budding yeasts should provide important insights into the coevolution of both genomes that constitute the eukaryotic genetic system.
Was Harold Zurcher myopic after all? Replicating Rust's engine replacement estimates
Authors: Ferrall Christopher
Published: August 2023

Rust (1987) studies the dynamic decision making under uncertainty made by Harold Zurcher to replace bus engines. In the decades since, the model has been applied, extended, and used as an example multiple times. This paper resolves some discrepancies in how data were transformed in the original and subsequent archives. Using a package that standardizes computation of estimated dynamic programming, it replicates the 12 original maximum likelihood estimates and the six main hypothesis tests of whether Zurcher's decisions were myopic or not. The discrepancy in the data processing results in modest differences in estimates and log‐likelihoods, but the p‐values are essentially the same because the differences are very similar across values of the discount factor in the tests.
The Association of Tryptophan and Its Metabolites With Incident Hip Fractures, Mortality, and Prevalent Frailty in Older Adults: The Cardiovascular Health Study
Authors: Carbone Laura , Bůžková Petra , Fink Howard A , Robbins John A , Barzilay Joshua I , Elam Rachel E , Isales Carlos
Published: August 2023

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and sufficient protein intake is important for skeletal health. We utilized stored serum from the Cardiovascular Health Study in 1992–1993 to examine the relationship between levels of the essential amino acid tryptophan (trp) and its oxidized and nonoxidized metabolites to risk for incident hip fractures and mortality over 12 years of follow‐up. We included 131 persons who sustained a hip fracture during this time period and 131 without a hip fracture over these same 12 years of follow‐up; 58% female and 95% White. Weighted multivariable Cox hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of incident hip fracture associated with a one standard deviation (SD) higher trp or its metabolites exposure. Relative risk regression was used to evaluate the cross‐sectional association of trp and its metabolites with frailty. Higher serum levels of trp were significantly associated with lower risk of incident hip fractures (HR = 0.75 per SD of trp (95% CI 0.57–0.99) but were not significantly associated with mortality or frailty status by Freid's frailty index. There were no statistically significant associations between any of the oxidized or nonoxidized products of trp with incident hip fractures (p ≥ 0.64), mortality (p ≥ 0.20), or cross‐sectional frailty status (p ≥ 0.13) after multiple testing adjustment. Randomized clinical trials examining whether increasing trp intake is beneficial for osteoporosis are needed. © 2023 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
A configuration‐based heatbath‐CI for spin‐adapted multireference electronic structure calculations with large active spaces
Authors: Ugandi Mihkel , Roemelt Michael
Published: August 2023

This work reports on a spin‐pure configuration‐based implementation of the heatbath configuration interaction (HCI) algorithm for selective configuration interaction. Besides the obvious advantage of being spin‐pure, the presented method combines the compactness of the configurational ansatz with the known efficiency of the HCI algorithm and a variety of algorithmic and conceptual ideas to achieve a high level of performance. In particular, through pruning of the selected configurational space after HCI selection by means of a more strict criterion, a more compact wavefunction representation is obtained. Moreover, the underlying logic of the method allows us to minimize the number of redundant matrix‐matrix multiplications while making use of just‐in‐time compilation to achieve fast diagonalization of the Hamiltonian. The critical search for 2‐electron connections within the configurational space is facilitated by a tree‐based representation thereof as suggested previously by Gopal et al. Usage of a prefix‐based parallelization and batching during the calculation of the PT2‐correction leads to a good load balancing and significantly reduced memory requirements for these critical steps of the calculation. In this way, the need for a semistochastic approach to the PT2 correction is avoided even for large configurational spaces. Finally, several test‐cases are discussed to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of the presented method.
Prevotella copri alleviates sarcopenia via attenuating muscle mass loss and function decline
Authors: Liu Xiaolei , Wu Jiqiu , Tang Jingyi , Xu Zhigang , Zhou Bailing , Liu Yang , Hu Fengjuan , Zhang Gongchang , Cheng Rui , Xia Xin , Chen Yilong , Wu Hongyu , Wang Daoming , Yue Jirong , Dong Biao , Fu Jingyuan , Yu Haopeng , Dong Birong
Published: August 2023

Background

The gut microbiome and fecal metabolites have been found to influence sarcopenia, but whether there are potential bacteria that can alleviate sarcopenia has been under‐investigated, and the molecular mechanism remains unclear.

Methods

To investigate the relationships between the gut microbiome, fecal metabolites and sarcopenia, subjects were selected from observational multi‐ethnic study conducted in Western China. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2014. The gut microbiome was profiled by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. Untargeted metabolomic analysis was performed to analyse the differences in fecal metabolites. We investigated bacterium with the greatest relative abundance difference between healthy individuals and sarcopenia patients, and the differences in metabolites associated with the bacteria, to verify its effects on muscle mass and function in a mouse model.

Results

The study included 283 participants (68.90% females, mean age: 66.66 years old) with and without sarcopenia (141 and 142 participants, respectively) and from the Han (98 participants), Zang (88 participants) and Qiang (97 participants) ethnic groups. This showed an overall reduction (15.03% vs. 20.77%, P = 0.01) of Prevotella copri between the sarcopenia and non‐sarcopenia subjects across the three ethnic groups. Functional characterization of the differential bacteria showed enrichment (odds ratio = 15.97, P = 0.0068) in branched chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism in non‐sarcopenia group. A total of 13 BCAA and their derivatives have relatively low levels in sarcopenia. In the in vivo experiment, we found that the blood BCAA level was higher in the mice gavaged with live P. copri (LPC) (P < 0.001). The LPC mice had significantly longer wire and grid hanging time (P < 0.02), longer time on rotor (P = 0.0001) and larger grip strength (P < 0.0001), indicating better muscle function. The weight of gastrocnemius mass and rectus femoris mass (P < 0.05) was higher in LPC mice. The micro‐computed tomography showed a larger leg area (P = 0.0031), and a small animal analyser showed a higher lean mass ratio in LPC mice (P = 0.0157), indicating higher muscle mass.

Conclusions

The results indicated that there were lower levels of both P. copri and BCAA in sarcopenia individuals. In vivo experiments, gavage with LPC could attenuate muscle mass and function decline, indicating alleviating sarcopenia. This suggested that P. copri may play a therapeutic potential role in the management of sarcopenia.
Submillimeter fMRI Acquisition Techniques for Detection of Laminar and Columnar Level Brain Activation
Authors: Yun Seong Dae , Küppers Fabian , Shah N. Jon
Published: August 2023

Since the first demonstration in the early 1990s, functional MRI (fMRI) has emerged as one of the most powerful, noninvasive neuroimaging tools to probe brain functions. Subsequently, fMRI techniques have advanced remarkably, enabling the acquisition of functional signals with a submillimeter voxel size. This innovation has opened the possibility of investigating subcortical neural activities with respect to the cortical depths or cortical columns. For this purpose, numerous previous works have endeavored to design suitable functional contrast mechanisms and dedicated imaging techniques. Depending on the choice of the functional contrast, functional signals can be detected with high sensitivity or with improved spatial specificity to the actual activation site, and the pertaining issues have been discussed in a number of earlier works. This review paper primarily aims to provide an overview of the subcortical fMRI techniques that allow the acquisition of functional signals with a submillimeter resolution. Here, the advantages and disadvantages of the imaging techniques will be described and compared. We also summarize supplementary imaging techniques that assist in the analysis of the subcortical brain activation for more accurate mapping with reduced geometric deformation. This review suggests that there is no single universally accepted method as the gold standard for subcortical fMRI. Instead, the functional contrast and the corresponding readout imaging technique should be carefully determined depending on the purpose of the study. Due to the technical limitations of current fMRI techniques, most subcortical fMRI studies have only targeted partial brain regions. As a future prospect, the spatiotemporal resolution of fMRI will be pushed to satisfy the community's need for a deeper understanding of whole‐brain functions and the underlying connectivity in order to achieve the ultimate goal of a time‐resolved and layer‐specific spatial scale.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 1
Age as a modifier of the effects of sarcopenia on survival among colon cancer patients after surgery
Authors: Lin Wen‐Li , Wu Li‐Min , Huang Wen‐Tsung , Guo How‐Ran , Chen Jyh‐Jou
Published: August 2023

Background

Studies have been conducted to evaluate whether sarcopenia is a predictor for survival in patients with colon cancer postsurgery, but findings have been inconsistent, and effects of age were seldom evaluated.

Methods

We recruited 133 patients with resectable colon cancer who underwent surgery between January 2014 and December 2017 at a teaching hospital to evaluate the effects of sarcopenia on survival, after adjusting for age and other potential predictors, including visceral adiposity (VA).

Results

Preoperative sarcopenia was associated with worse overall survival (OS: 62.3% vs. 83.8%, p = 0.04) and longer hospital stay (20.6 vs. 14.9 days, p < 0.01) while VA was not. Cox proportional hazards regressions showed that sarcopenia was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 2.91 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08−7.86) after adjustment for other independent risk factors, but was not associated with disease free survival. In stratified analyses, we found that sarcopenia was an independent factor for worse OS (adjusted HR = 1.94; 95% CI: 1.11−3.38) among patients >70 years, but not among patients ≤70 years (HR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.55−4.55).

Conclusions

Age appeared to be a modifier of the effects of sarcopenia on OS among colon cancer patients postsurgery.
Use of N‐(4‐aminophenyl)piperidine derivatization to improve organic acid detection with supercritical fluid chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Saw Yih Ling , Boughton John R. , Wroniuk Faith L. , Mostafa Mahmoud Elhusseiny , Pellegrinelli Peter J. , Calvez Samantha A. , Kaplitz Alexander S. , Perez Lark J. , Edwards James L. , Grinias James P.
Published: August 2023

The analysis of organic acids in complex mixtures by LC‐MS can often prove challenging, especially due to the poor sensitivity of negative ionization mode required for detection of these compounds in their native (i.e., underivatized or untagged) form. These compounds have also been difficult to measure using supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC)‐MS, a technique of growing importance for metabolomic analysis, with similar limitations based on negative ionization. In this report, the use of a high proton affinity N‐(4‐aminophenyl)piperidine derivatization tag is explored for the improvement of organic acid detection by SFC‐MS. Four organic acids (lactic, succinic, malic, and citric acids) with varying numbers of carboxylate groups were derivatized with N‐(4‐aminophenyl)piperidine to achieve detection limits down to 0.5 ppb, with overall improvements in detection limit ranging from 25‐to‐2100‐fold. The effect of the derivatization group on sensitivity, which increased by at least 200‐fold for compounds that were detectable in their native form, and mass spectrometric detection are also described. Preliminary investigations into the separation of these derivatized compounds identified multiple stationary phases that could be used for complete separation of all four compounds by SFC. This derivatization technique provides an improved approach for the analysis of organic acids by SFC‐MS, especially for those that are undetectable in their native form.