bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The intestinal and biliary microbiome in autoimmune liver disease—current evidence and concepts
Authors: Liwinski Timur , Heinemann Melina , Schramm Christoph
Published: May 2022

Autoimmune liver diseases are a group of immune-mediated liver diseases with three distinct entities, including autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The interplay of genetic and environmental factors leads to the breakdown of self-tolerance, resulting in hyper-responsiveness, and auto-aggressive immune activation. Emerging evidence links autoimmune liver diseases with alterations of the commensal microbiome configuration and aberrant immune system activation by microbial signals, mainly via the gut-liver axis. Thus, the microbiome is a new frontier to deepen the pathogenetic understanding, uncover biomarkers, and inspire innovative treatments. Herein, we review the current evidence on the role of the microbiome in autoimmune liver diseases from both clinical and basic research. We highlight recent achievements and also bottlenecks and limitations. Moreover, we give an outlook on future developments and potential for clinical applications.
Conservation of coral reef fishes: a field-hardy method to cryopreserve spermatogonial cells
Authors: Bouwmeester Jessica , Daly Jonathan , Henley E. Michael , Parenti Lynne R. , Pitassy Diane E. , Hagedorn Mary
Published: May 2022

The biodiversity of marine fishes is threatened globally by climate change and other anthropogenic activities, particularly in coral reef ecosystems. We present a simple, field-hardy method to cryopreserve marine fish gonads, targeting spermatogonial cells (undifferentiated diploid germ cells) with the ultimate goal of permitting recovery of threatened species and populations via gonadal diploid germ cell transplantation technologies. The use of a simplified cryopreservation extender based on L-15 medium resulted in minimal decline in spermatogonial cell viability post-thaw. Moreover, we compared post-cryopreservation viability of sperm and spermatogonial cells from gonads cryopreserved with freshly prepared cryoprotectant and with cryoprotectant prepared in advance and stored at −20 °C. We found no significant difference, suggesting that these solutions may be prepared in advance and frozen, ready for later use. We urge conservation, academic, and regulatory agencies to cryobank fish gonads as part of their sample collection processes to support the biodiversity and security of valuable marine fish resources, alongside other restoration efforts.
Different exercise training modalities similarly improve heart rate variability in sedentary middle-aged adults: the FIT-AGEING randomized controlled trial
Authors: Navarro-Lomas Ginés , Dote-Montero Manuel , Alcantara Juan M. A. , Plaza-Florido Abel , Castillo Manuel J. , Amaro-Gahete Francisco J.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the influence of different exercise training modalities on heart rate variability (HRV) in sedentary middle-aged adults; and to study whether changes in health-related outcomes (i.e., body composition and cardiometabolic risk) are associated with those hypothetical HRV changes in sedentary middle-aged adults.

Methods

A total of 66 middle-aged adults (53.6 ± 4.4 years old; 50% women) were enrolled in the FIT-AGEING study. We conducted a 12-week randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to 4 groups: (a) a control group (no exercise); (b) a physical activity recommendation from the World Health Organization group (PAR); (c) a high-intensity interval training group (HIIT); and (d) a high-intensity interval training group adding whole-body electromyostimulation (HIIT + EMS).

Results

All exercise training modalities induced changes in HRV parameters (all P ≤ 0.001) without statistical differences between them (all P > 0.05). We found associations between changes in body composition and cardiometabolic risk and exercise-related changes in HRV.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that different exercise interventions (i.e., PAR, HIIT and HIIT + EMS) induced an enhancement of HRV in sedentary middle-aged adults. Our findings support the notion that exercise-related changes in HRV are associated with changes in body composition and cardiometabolic risk after the intervention program

Clinical trial registry

NCT03334357 (ClinicalTrials.gov). November 7, 2017 retrospectively registered.
Psychosocial developmental milestones of young adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Maurice-Stam Heleen , van Erp Loes M. E. , Maas Anne , van Oers Hedy A. , Kremer Leontien C. M. , van Dulmen-den Broeder Eline , Tissing Wim J. E. , Loonen Jacqueline J. , van der Pal Helena J. H. , Beek Laura R. , de Vries Andrica C. H. , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M. , Ronckers Cécile M. , Bresters Dorine , Louwerens Marloes , van der Heiden-van der Loo Margriet , Huizinga Gea A. , Grootenhuis Martha A. ,   on behalf of the Dutch LATER study group
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The study aimed to compare the psychosocial development of young adult survivors of childhood cancer (YACCS) with a norm group of young adults from the general population.

Methods

From 2017 to 2020, 558 YACCS (18–30 years, 51% female, 10.9% CNS cancer) who participated in the Dutch Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (DCCSS) LATER cohort (diagnosed 1963–2001) part 2 completed the Course of Life Questionnaire (CoLQ), assessing the achievement of milestones. Items were grouped into the scales autonomy, psychosexual, and social development. Differences between YACCS and norm group were examined with ANOVA and Cohen’sd(CoLQscales) and with logistic regression analysis and odds ratio (OR) (CoLQitems), for the total group and YACCS of CNS cancer.

Results

The total group of YACCS did not report a less favorable psychosocial development than the norm group. YACCS of CNS cancer scored lower than the norm group (p< 0.001) on the scales autonomy (d =− 0.36) and psychosexual (d= − 0.46). Additionally, on half of the items of autonomy (0.25≤ OR ≤0.34), psychosexual (0.30≤ OR ≤0.48), and social (0.23≤ OR ≤0.47) development, YACCS of CNS cancer were less likely (p< 0.01) than the norm group to have achieved the milestones.

Conclusion

Overall, psychosocial development of YACCS was as favorable as the norm, but YACCS of CNS cancer were at risk of an unfavorable psychosocial development in all domains. Monitoring psychosocial development should be included in the standards of psychosocial care, especially for CNS cancer patients and survivors, to be able to trace delay. Personalized interventions should be offered to improve the psychosocial development in an early stage.
Shape evolution of long flexible fibers in viscous flows
Authors: Norouzi MohammadJavad , Andric Jelena , Vernet Anton , Pallares Jordi
Published: May 2022

The present work studies numerically the dynamics and shape evolution of long flexible fibers suspended in a Newtonian viscous cellular flow using a particle-level fiber simulation technique. The fiber is modeled as a chain of massless rigid cylindrical segments connected by ball and socket joints; one-way coupling between the fibers and the flow is considered while Brownian motion is neglected. The effect of stiffness, equilibrium shape, and aspect ratio of the fibers on the shape evolution of the fibers are analyzed. Moreover, the influence of fiber stiffness and their initial positions and orientations on fiber transport is investigated. For the conditions considered, the results show that the fiber curvature field resembles that of the flow streamline. It is found that the stiffer fibers experience not only a quicker relaxation phase, in which they transient from their initial shape to their “steady-state shape,” but they also regain their equilibrium shape to a larger extent. The findings also demonstrate that even a small deviation of fiber shape from perfectly straight impacts significantly the early-stage evolution of the fiber shape and their bending behavior. Increasing the fiber aspect ratio, when other parameters are kept fixed, leads the fiber to behave more flexible, and it consequently deforms to a larger extent to adjust to the shape of the flow streamlines. In agreement with the available experimental results, the fiber transport studies show that either the fiber becomes trapped within the vortices of the cellular array or it moves across the vortical arrays while exhibiting various complex shapes.
Effects of melatonin prolonged-release on both sleep and motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease: a preliminary evidence
Authors: Liguori Claudio , Fernandes Mariana , Cerroni Rocco , Ludovisi Raffaella , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Stefani Alessandro , Pierantozzi Mariangela
Published: May 2022

Background

Sleep-related symptoms, especially insomnia, are frequently reported by patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can markedly affect motor symptoms and impair patients’ quality of life. Melatonin has been shown to improve sleep in PD patients. This pilot study aimed at evaluating the effects of a 3-month treatment with 2 mg melatonin prolonged-release (PR) on sleep and motor disability in PD patients.

Materials and methods

Twelve PD patients under stable antiparkinsonian treatment were enrolled in the study. Before treatment (T0), motor dysfunction was assessed with Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III) and sleep architecture with polysomnography. Subjective sleep quality was also assessed through Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime somnolence with Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Patients then started melatonin PR and all measures were repeated at the end of treatment after 3 months (T1).

Results

Sleep latency significantly decreased from T0 to T1, but no other significant differences were found in PSG parameters. Melatonin PR treatment significantly reduced the ESS scores from T0 to T1, while the PSQI scores presented a trend of improvement from T0 to T1. Motor dysfunction was not improved by melatonin PR, although there was a trend in decreasing UPDRS-III. Both clinical global improvement and patient clinical global impression documented an improvement in insomnia symptoms at T1.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that melatonin may improve sleep symptoms in PD patients, although further evidence is needed in larger controlled studies to confirm these results and explore the possible direct and indirect influence of sleep improvement on motor dysfunction.
Quantification and composition of pharmaceutical waste in New Zealand
Authors: Hanning Sara M. , Hua Changji , Baroutian Saeid , Burrell Rob , Taylor Matthew , Wright L. James , Svirskis Darren
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to quantify the amount of pharmaceutical waste produced in New Zealand, and determine the composition of pharmaceutical waste from community pharmacies in Auckland, New Zealand. Pharmaceutical waste collected in New Zealand is increasing, peaking at 542 tonne in 2019. Pharmaceutical waste collected from hospitals and pharmacies in Auckland increased by more than fourfold from 2016 to 2020. An audit of the types of pharmaceutical waste collected from community pharmacies revealed that the most common classes of drugs identified in this waste stream belonged to the nervous system, cardiovascular system and alimentary tract, and metabolism. Following examination of the contents of 12 pharmaceutical waste bins, 475 different pharmaceutical products were identified, highlighting the breadth of drugs in this waste stream. A range of dosage forms and hence materials were identified, which could present challenges for future waste treatment approaches. Hazardous drugs were identified including cytotoxic compounds, which should go into a separate waste stream for incineration. There is a need for similar data to be collected from multiple sites to fully appreciate the magnitude and composition of pharmaceutical waste. This will allow for the suitability of current practices for managing this hazardous waste stream to be evaluated.
Energy Decay in Thermoelastic Bodies with Radial Symmetry
Authors: Bazarra Noelia , Fernández José R. , Quintanilla Ramón
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we consider the energy decay of some problems involving domains with radial symmetry. Three different settings are studied: a strong porous dissipation and heat conduction, a weak porous dissipation and heat conduction and poro-thermoelasticity with microtemperatures. In all the three problems, the exponential energy decay is shown. Moreover, for each of them some finite element simulations are presented to numerically demonstrate this behavior.
Motivations and Barriers to Routine HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in New York City
Authors: Kobrak Paul , Remien Robert H. , Myers Julie E. , Salcuni Paul , Edelstein Zoe , Tsoi Benjamin , Sandfort Theodorus
Published: May 2022

In-depth qualitative interviews explored the experiences and understandings of men 18–39 years old who have sex with men that could facilitate or prevent HIV testing and routine HIV testing. For many men who tested frequently, testing and routine testing were motivated by awareness of the benefit of prompt treatment; public health and provider encouragement to test periodically; responsibility towards sexual partners; and wanting to share a recent HIV-negative test result when seeking sex online. For some men, any testing was impeded by anxiety around possible HIV diagnosis that made testing a stressful occasion that required time and energy to prepare for. This anxiety was often compounded by stigma related to sex between men, having condomless sex, or having HIV. Routine testing could be further stigmatized as some men felt judged by testing providers or partners if they asked for a test or said they tested frequently. We describe efforts to promote testing and routine testing by countering fear and stigma associated with HIV and testing.
Simple yet effective 3D ego-pose lift-up based on vector and distance for a mounted omnidirectional camera
Authors: Miura Teppei , Sako Shinji
Published: May 2022

Following the advances in convolutional neural networks and synthetic data generation, 3D egocentric body pose estimations from a mounted fisheye camera have been developed. Previous works estimated 3D joint positions from raw image pixels and intermediate supervision during the process. The mounted fisheye camera captures notably different images that are affected by the optical properties of the lens, angle of views, and setup positions. Therefore, 3D ego-pose estimation from a mounted fisheye camera must be trained for each set of camera optics and setup. We propose a 3D ego-pose estimation from a single mounted omnidirectional camera that captures the entire circumference by back-to-back dual fisheye cameras. The omnidirectional camera can capture the user’s body in the 360∘ field of view under a wide variety of motions. We also propose a simple feed-forward network model to estimate 3D joint positions from 2D joint locations. The lift-up model can be used in real time yet obtains accuracy comparable to those of previous works on our new dataset. Moreover, our model is trainable with the ground truth 3D joint positions and the unit vectors toward the 3D joint positions, which are easily generated from existing publicly available 3D mocap datasets. This advantage alleviates the data collection and training burden due to changes in the camera optics and setups, although it is limited to the effect after the 2D joint location estimation.
Efficient non-ergodic ground-motion prediction for large datasets
Authors: Lacour Maxime
Published: May 2022

An efficient numerical method for non-ergodic ground-motion inference and prediction is proposed that alleviates the large computational and memory requirements associated with the traditional approach based on Gaussian Processes described in Landwehr et al. (Bull Seismol Soc Am, https://doi.org/10.1785/0120160118, 2016). The method uses the latest developments in Gaussian Processes and Machine Learning from Wilson and Nickisch (in: International Conference on Machine Learning, pp 1775–1784, 2015) (SKI) and Gardner et al. (in: International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Statistics, pp. 1407–1416, 2018) (SKIP) and uses sparse approximations combined with efficient matrix decompositions to accurately approximate the large covariance matrices involved in the calculations. This efficient method can be used for both inference of hyperparameters of the non-ergodic ground-motion models and for forward predictions of non-ergodic median ground-motion. The application to predictions are presented. For large datasets of 100,000 to 1,000,000 ground motion values, the proposed method increases the computation speed by factors of 100 to 1000, reducing run times from days to minutes. In addition, the memory requirements are reduced from hundreds of GB to a few GB only, which makes the development of non-ergodic ground-motion models practical using traditional desktop computers.
A Network Approach to Compliance: A Complexity Science Understanding of How Rules Shape Behavior
Authors: Kuiper Malouke Esra , Chambon Monique , de Bruijn Anne Leonore , Reinders Folmer Chris , Olthuis Elke Hindina , Brownlee Megan , Kooistra Emmeke Barbara , Fine Adam , van Harreveld Frenk , Lunansky Gabriela , van Rooij Benjamin
Published: May 2022

To understand how compliance develops both in everyday and corporate environments, it is crucial to understand how different mechanisms work together to shape individuals’ (non)compliant behavior. Existing compliance studies typically focus on a subset of theories (i.e., rational choice theories, social theories, legitimacy theories, capacity theories, and opportunity theories) to understand how key variables from one or several of these theories shape individual compliance. The present study provides a first integrated understanding of compliance, rooted in complexity science, in which key elements from these theories are considered simultaneously, and their relations to compliance and each other are explored using network analysis. This approach is developed by analyzing online survey data (N = 562) about compliance with COVID-19 mitigation measures. Traditional regression analysis shows that elements from nearly all major compliance theories (except for social theories) are associated with compliance. The network analysis revealed groupings and interconnections of variables that did not track the existing compliance theories and point to a complexity overlooked in existing compliance research. These findings demonstrate a fundamentally different perspective on compliance, which moves away from traditional narrow, non-network approaches. Instead, they showcase a complexity science understanding of compliance, in which compliance is understood as a network of interacting variables derived from different theories that interact with compliance. This points to a new research agenda that is oriented on mapping compliance networks, and testing and modelling how regulatory and management interventions interact with each other and compliance within such networks.
CNFs from softwood pulp fibers containing hemicellulose and lignin
Authors: Brännvall Elisabet , Aulin Christian
Published: May 2022

The energy demand to produce cellulose nanofibrils, CNFs, is high and additionally the cost of the starting material, the pulp, is substantial as high purity cellulose dissolving pulp is generally used. Pulps aimed for board and paper are produced at higher yield as they contain hemicelluloses and, in the case of unbleached pulp, lignin, and would be a more economical starting material for CNFs. It is of interest to understand how the presence of hemicellulose and lignin affects the fibrillation process and CNF properties. Kraft cooks of softwood were performed as well as kraft cooks with addition of polysulfide to increase the hemicellulose content. Part of the pulps were bleached to remove residual lignin, thus making it possible to compare pulps with and without lignin. Higher amount of hemicellulose had an obstructive effect on the enzymatic pre-treatment whereas lignin had no adverse effect on enzyme accessibility. Increased amount of charged groups improved the accessibility for enzymes. Both hemicellulose and lignin were carboxymethylated when pre-treatment by carboxymethylation was employed. However, carboxymethylation partly dissolved hemicelluloses. The tensile strength of CNF films was independent of the chemical composition of the pulp and the pre-treatment strategy. However, since the enzymatic pre-treatment decreased the cellulose DP more, CNF films from enzymatically pre-treated pulps had generally lower tensile strength.
Help-Seeking for Intimate Partner and Family Violence Among Tertiary Students in Australia: Nature, Extent, and Cross-Cultural Differences
Authors: Zark Laura , Toumbourou John W. , Satyen Lata
Published: May 2022

Intimate partner and family violence (IPFV) is highly prevalent among tertiary students in Australia and internationally. Yet, relatively little is known about the help-seeking patterns of student victim-survivors and how these patterns vary cross-culturally. This study examined formal help-seeking needs, behaviors, and barriers among women tertiary students in Australia who had experienced IPFV and cross-cultural differences therein. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from adult women studying at tertiary education institutions across Australia. Those who reported IPFV (physical, sexual, psychological, and/or financial) victimization during their adult lives were included in this study (N = 1,606). Descriptive statistics were calculated for the full sample and by cultural identity. A series of logistic regression analyses was conducted to assess associations between culture and help-seeking, unadjusted and adjusted for sociodemographic factors (gender identity, age, area, employment, and institution type). Less than half (48.7%) of participants had sought formal help, despite a larger proportion (66.2%) perceiving a need for such help. Two thirds (65.5%) of participants reported barriers to help-seeking, which were predominantly attitudinal or normative in nature. Cultural identity was significantly associated with help-seeking in the unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Cultural minority students were generally less likely to perceive a need for help and to seek help than the majority. Continued efforts are needed to promote and facilitate formal help-seeking for IPFV among tertiary students, and particularly among cultural minority students. Further work is needed to understand the factors that contribute to cultural inequalities in help-seeking and to inform culturally responsive support services for student victim-survivors.
De novo Nanopore Genome Sequencing of the Clinical Diutina catenulata Type-strain CBS565
Authors: Boden Sander , Morio Florent , Zhou Miaomiao , Gerrits van den Ende Bert , Hagen Ferry
Published: May 2022

Diutina catenulata is an ascomycetous yeast, that is regularly fluconazole-resistant and increasingly reported as the cause of invasive infection in humans. Here, we describe the de novo genome assembly of the clinical D. catenulata type-strain CBS565 and provide insights into the genome and compared it to an Illumina-sequenced environmental strain.
A contingency model of employees’ turnover intent in young ventures
Authors: Domurath Anne , Taggar Simon , Patzelt Holger
Published: May 2022

A defining characteristic of young ventures is that they are more likely to experience periods of change (of both a positive and negative nature) than are established organizations. This could result in a misalignment between employees’ expectations when hired and actual work experiences. Based on met expectations theory, we argue that employees’ experiences in young ventures result in greater turnover intent over time. We further theorize that the relationship between time and turnover intent is contingent on employees’ prior work experience at a start-up and venture growth rates. Using a unique longitudinal data set containing 1,151 survey responses from 458 employees of 67 ventures, we find that employees’ turnover intent increases over time and that this effect is particularly strong for employees with little prior start-up work experience and employees working in low-growth ventures. We discuss implications for the literature on employees in entrepreneurial firms.
Initial succession after wildfire in dry boreal forests of northwestern North America
Authors: Dawe Denyse A. , Parisien Marc-André , Van Dongen Angeline , Whitman Ellen
Published: May 2022

Wildfires in the boreal forest of North America are generally stand renewing, with the initial phase of recovery often governing the vegetation trajectory for decades. Here, we investigated post-fire vegetation changes in dry boreal forests of the Northwest Territories, Canada, during the first 5 years following the unusually severe 2014 wildfire season. We sampled post-fire tree regeneration and the understory plant community at 1, 3, and 5 years post-fire across different stand types within fires that burned in 2014. Post-fire trajectories of tree recruitment, understory cover by plant functional types, and plant diversity varied widely among sampled stands, as well as among years post-fire. Tree seedling density reached relative equilibrium by 3-years post-fire, whereas trends in understory plant cover and understory species assemblages suggested an ongoing change that will extend beyond 5 years of observation. In almost half of sampled stands, the composition of recruited trees differed from that of the pre-fire stand, suggesting a change in tree species dominance. An analysis of regional climate revealed a significant, albeit spatially variable, warming and drying trend that will further accelerate forest stand transformation through both climate drivers of plant community composition and indirectly through increasing fire activity. While the 2014 wildfires enhanced the structural and compositional heterogeneity of the region, they also triggered vegetation changes that are likely to be persistent. As such, this study exemplifies the speed and variability that characterizes post-fire stand development in a strongly moisture-limited part of North America.
A New Adaptive Beamforming of Multiband Fractal Antenna Array in Strong-Jamming Environment
Authors: El-Khamy Said E. , EL-Sayed Huda F. , Eltrass Ahmed S.
Published: May 2022

This paper proposes, for the first time, a new radiation pattern synthesis for fractal antenna array that combines the unique multi-band characteristics of fractal arrays with the adaptive beamforming requirements in wireless environment with high-jamming power. In this work, a new adaptive beamforming method based on discrete cbKalman filter is proposed for linear Cantor fractal array with high performance and low computational requirements. The proposed Kalman filter-based beamformer is compared with the Least Mean Squares (LMS) and the Recursive Least Squares (RLS) techniques under various parameter regimes, and the results reveal the superior performance of the proposed approach in terms of beamforming stability, Half-Power Beam Width (HPBW), maximum Side-Lobe Level (SLL), null depth at the direction of interference signals, and convergence rate for different Signal to Interference (SIR) values. Also, the results demonstrate that the suggested approach not only achieves perfect adaptation of the radiation pattern synthesis at high jamming power, but also keep the same SLL at different operating frequencies. This shows the usefulness of the proposed approach in multi-band smart antenna technology for mobile communications and other wireless systems.
Inkjet printing of plasma surface–modified wool and cotton fabrics with plant-based inks
Authors: Thakker Alka Madhukar , Sun Danmei , Bucknall David
Published: May 2022

In
this research paper, sustainable technologies that are plasma surface treatment and digital printing of wool and cotton fabrics with herbal inks are implemented for ecological outcomes. One of the significant objectives was to study the plasma surface modification and its implication on fabric absorbency, K/S values gained, and the fastness properties of the resultant herbal fabrics. The wash fastness to colour change was studied wherein plasma surface treatment remarkably improved wash fastness ratings from 1–2 to 3–4 obtained on inkjet printed wool and cotton fabrics. These findings were supported by data gained from optical tensiometer, ATR-FTIR, drop test and SEM justifying the enhanced wettability of the modified fabrics. The factorial experiment was designed for this segment of research, and it was further validated with ANOVA one-way test. The concluding parametric study with plasma surface modification yielded the probability value of 0.000463 and actual power of 0.99 which is reassuring. The ecological characterisation and assessment of functional properties of the herbal fabrics are suggested for the forthcoming study.
Concurrent Assessments of Individuals’ Affect and Contentment and the Correlation of these Estimates to Overall Happiness at Specific Moments
Authors: Kainulainen Sakari
Published: May 2022

A rich variety of concepts are used in the field of happiness research. Happiness often overlaps with concepts such as subjective well-being (SWB) and life satisfaction. These concepts are measured by countless different metrics. Comparing the results of studies is complicated by differences in both conceptual and empirical measurement. According to many theories and studies, the most important factors in the estimation of life satisfaction are affect and contentment. However, the relationship of these components to happiness or life satisfaction is not clear. This article evaluates the relationships of these components with life satisfaction. The data have been collected over the last ten years from Finland in different ways and in different populations. There are seven datasets (N = 20,855). Based on the results, affect systematically explains more about the variance of life satisfaction than contentment, but the difference between these correlations is small.
Radiomics in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumours (NETs)
Authors: Cozzi Diletta , Bicci Eleonora , Cavigli Edoardo , Danti Ginevra , Bettarini Silvia , Tortoli Paolo , Mazzoni Lorenzo Nicola , Busoni Simone , Pradella Silvia , Miele Vittorio
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The aim of this single-centre, observational, retrospective study is to find a correlation using Radiomics between the analysis of CT texture features of primary lesion of neuroendocrine (NET) lung cancer subtypes (typical and atypical carcinoids, large and small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma), Ki-67 index and the presence of lymph nodal mediastinal metastases.

Methods

Twenty-seven patients (11 males and 16 females, aged between 48 and 81 years old—average age of 70,4 years) with histological diagnosis of pulmonary NET with known Ki-67 status and metastases who have performed pre-treatment CT in our department were included. All examinations were performed with the same CT scan (Sensation 16-slice, Siemens). The study protocol was a baseline scan followed by 70 s delay acquisition after administration of intravenous contrast medium. After segmentation of primary lesions, quantitative texture parameters of first and higher orders were extracted. Statistics nonparametric tests and linear correlation tests were conducted to evaluate the relationship between different textural characteristics and tumour subtypes.

Results

Statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were seen in post-contrast enhanced CT in multiple first and higher-order extracted parameters regarding the correlation with classes of Ki-67 index values. Statistical analysis for direct acquisitions was not significant. Concerning the correlation with the presence of metastases, one histogram feature (Skewness) and one feature included in the Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (ClusterShade) were significant on contrast-enhanced CT only.

Conclusions

CT texture analysis may be used as a valid tool for predicting the subtype of lung NET and its aggressiveness.
Taxonomy and phylogeny of the phlegmacioid clade Camptori (Cortinarius s.l., Basidiomycota) in Europe with description of four new species
Authors: Schmidt-Stohn Geert , Brandrud Tor Erik , Bellanger Jean-Michel , Saar Günter , Ballarà Josep , Armada François , Albert László , Frøslev Tobias Guldberg , Dima Bálint
Published: May 2022

In this study, we investigate the phylogeny and taxonomy of the /Camptori clade sensu Soop et al. (2019a). Based on combined nrDNA ITS phylogenetic, morphological, and ecological analyses, the clade includes six species in Europe, four of which are described here as new to science: Cortinarius malavalii, C. marklundii, C. violaceoserrulatus, and C. viridocaelestinus. We also provide a taxonomic revision of the two known species in the clade, C. camptoros and C. viridocoeruleus. In its current concept, the /Camptori clade is mostly represented in frondose woodlands of southern Europe and none of the species is found in the boreal coniferous zones of Northern Europe. Three species are strictly thermophilous Mediterranean-submediterranean species associated mainly with southern Quercus spp., whereas C. camptoros is found mainly in montane Abies forests, and C. marklundii reaches boreonemoral Tilia-Corylus sites in S Scandinavia and alpine Dryas sites in Spain. An identification key to the species is presented.
Association Between Giardia Genotype and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers Among Giardia-Infected Children: A Case–Control Study
Authors: Ismail Amira , Abdel-Magied Aida A. , Elhenawy Abeer A. , El-Nahas Hala A.
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Giardia duodenalis is the most common worldwide intestinal protozoal infection. The implication of free radicals in organ injury occurs through oxidative stress. Infections as Giardia may act as a triggering or promoting factor for oxidative stress, particularly in children with compromised immunity. Besides, the effect of Giardia genotype on oxidative stress status is yet to be explored. Therefore, we sought to compare the oxidative stress status between Giardia positive cases (case group) and Giardia negative cases (control group), and to explore the association between Giardia genotype and the level of oxidative stress markers in Giardia-infected children, especially those receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

Methods

Pediatric patients attending Mansoura University Children Hospital in the period from April 2015 to October 2016 were enrolled. Both case (n = 50) and control (n = 50) groups were further subdivided into immunosuppressive therapy recipients (ITR) and non-immunosuppressive therapy recipients (NITR). Genotyping of Giardia from positive stool samples by PCR was carried out, and oxidative stress markers were measured from venous blood samples.

Results

Giardia positive cases had higher levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA) and lower levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC). MDA highest level was associated with mixed genotypes A and B, while the highest TAC level was associated with Giardia genotype A in both ITR and NITR cases.

Conclusion

Elevated oxidative stress biomarkers in pediatric patients infected with specific Giardia genotypes should receive considerable attention, because if prompt treatment is not conducted, oxidative damage may occur in patients with giardiasis, especially those receiving immunosuppressive therapy.
Green starch/graphene oxide hydrogel nanocomposites for sustained release applications
Authors: Sayed Asmaa , Yasser Mai , Abdel-raouf Manar El-sayed , Mohsen Reham
Published: May 2022

Green nanocomposite hydrogels (ST-PHEMA/GO) comprised of starch and 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) reinforced with different ratios of graphene oxide (GO) were prepared via gamma radiation induced crosslinking polymerization. The chemical structure and morphology and the crystallinity were studied by FTIR FE-SEM, AFM, TEM and XRD, respectively. The swelling behavior of the claimed hydrogels was verified versus time and the pH-dependent swelling at three different irradiation dose:10, 20 and 30 kGy was also investigated. The results of the swelling study showed that the swelling capacity of the hydrogel networks varied with the changes of the pH of the solution, the GO content and the irradiation doses. Moreover, the swelling isotherm of all the prepared hydrogels followed a Fickian diffusion mechanism n < 0.5.

Graphical abstract
Addressing Hypertension Outcomes Using Telehealth and Population Health Managers: Adaptations and Implementation Considerations
Authors: Drake Connor , Lewinski Allison A. , Rader Abigail , Schexnayder Julie , Bosworth Hayden B. , Goldstein Karen M. , Gierisch Jennifer , White-Clark Courtney , McCant Felicia , Zullig Leah L.
Published: May 2022

Purpose of Review

There is a growing evidence base describing population health approaches to improve blood pressure control. We reviewed emerging trends in hypertension population health management and present implementation considerations from an intervention called Team-supported, Electronic health record-leveraged, Active Management (TEAM). By doing so, we highlight the role of population health managers, practitioners who use population level data and to proactively engage at-risk patients, in improving blood pressure control.

Recent Findings

Within a population health paradigm, we discuss telehealth-delivered approaches to equitably improve hypertension care delivery. Additionally, we explore implementation considerations and complementary features of team-based, telehealth-delivered, population health management. By leveraging the unique role and expertise of a population health manager as core member of team-based telehealth, health systems can implement a cost-effective and scalable intervention that addresses multi-level barriers to hypertension care delivery.

We describe the literature of telehealth-based population health management for patients with hypertension. Using the TEAM intervention as a case study, we then present implementation considerations and intervention adaptations to integrate a population health manager within the health care team and effectively manage hypertension for a defined patient population. We emphasize practical considerations to inform implementation, scaling, and sustainability. We highlight future research directions to advance the field and support translational efforts in diverse clinical and community contexts.
Arterial function, biomarkers, carcinoid syndrome and carcinoid heart disease in patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours
Authors: Kostiainen Iiro , Karppinen Noora , Simonen Piia , Rosengård-Bärlund Milla , Lindén Riikka , Tarkkanen Maija , Gordin Daniel , Rapola Janne , Schalin-Jäntti Camilla , Matikainen Niina
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a life-threatening complication of carcinoid syndrome (CS) characterised by tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, there is an unmet need for earlier diagnosis of CHD. We cross-sectionally assessed the prevalence and potential predictive or diagnostic markers for CS and CHD in a contemporary cohort of patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (SI-NETs).

Methods

Biochemical characteristics, hepatic tumour load, measures of arterial and endothelial function, atherosclerosis, and transthoracic echocardiography were analysed in a prospective cross-sectional setting.

Results

Among the 65 patients studied, 29 (45%) had CS (CS+ ), and 3 (5%) CHD. CS+ was characterised by significantly higher hepatic tumour load, S-5-HIAA and fP-CgA, higher frequency of diarrhoea and flushing, and more frequent PRRT compared to CS− (for all, P < 0.05). Central systolic, central mean, and central end-systolic blood pressures were significantly higher in CS+ than in CS− (for all, P < 0.05). Subjects with grades 2–4 TR had higher hepatic tumour burden, fP-CgA, and S-5-HIAA compared to those with grades 0–1 TR, but measures of vascular function did not differ. fP-CgA (P = 0.017) and S-5-HIAA (P = 0.019) but not proBNP increased significantly according to the severity of TR.

Conclusion

Although CS is common, the prevalence of CHD was found to be lower in a contemporary cohort of SI-NET patients than previously anticipated. Measures of arterial or endothelial function or carotid atherosclerosis do not identify subjects with mild TR. Echocardiography remains the most sensitive means to diagnose CHD in CS patients with high tumour burden and elevated CgA and 5-HIAA.
F18-FDG PET/CT imaging early predicts pathologic complete response to induction chemoimmunotherapy of locally advanced head and neck cancer: preliminary single-center analysis of the checkrad-cd8 trial
Authors: Beck M. , Hartwich J. , Eckstein M. , Schmidt D. , Gostian A. O. , Müller S. , Rutzner S. , Gaipl U. S. , von der Grün J. , Illmer T. , Hautmann M. G. , Klautke G. , Döscher J. , Brunner T. , Tamaskovics B. , Hartmann A. , Iro H. , Kuwert T. , Fietkau R. , Hecht M. , Semrau S.
Published: May 2022

Aim

In the CheckRad-CD8 trial patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer are treated with a single cycle of induction chemo-immunotherapy (ICIT). Patients with pathological complete response (pCR) in the re-biopsy enter radioimmunotherapy. Our goal was to study the value of F-18-FDG PET/CT in the prediction of pCR after induction therapy.

Methods

Patients treated within the CheckRad-CD8 trial that additionally received FDG- PET/CT imaging at the following two time points were included: 3–14 days before (pre-ICIT) and 21–28 days after (post-ICIT) receiving ICIT. Tracer uptake in primary tumors (PT) and suspicious cervical lymph nodes (LN +) was measured using different quantitative parameters on EANM Research Ltd (EARL) accredited PET reconstructions. In addition, mean FDG uptake levels in lymphatic and hematopoietic organs were examined. Percent decrease (Δ) in FDG uptake was calculated for all parameters. Biopsy of the PT post-ICIT acquired after FDG-PET/CT served as reference. The cohort was divided in patients with pCR and residual tumor (ReTu).

Results

Thirty-one patients were included. In ROC analysis, ΔSUVmax PT performed best (AUC = 0.89) in predicting pCR (n = 17), with a decline of at least 60% (sensitivity, 0.77; specificity, 0.93). Residual SUVmax PT post-ICIT performed best in predicting ReTu (n = 14), at a cutpoint of 6.0 (AUC = 0.91; sensitivity, 0.86; specificity, 0.88). Combining two quantitative parameters (ΔSUVmax ≥ 50% and SUVmax PT post-ICIT ≤ 6.0) conferred a sensitivity of 0.81 and a specificity of 0.93 for determining pCR. Background activity in lymphatic organs or uptake in suspected cervical lymph node metastases lacked significant predictive value.

Conclusion

FDG-PET/CT can identify patients with pCR after ICIT via residual FDG uptake levels in primary tumors and the related changes compared to baseline. FDG-uptake in LN + had no predictive value.

Trial registry

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03426657.
How contaminated with ammunition-derived lead is meat from European small game animals? Assessing and reducing risks to human health
Authors: Pain Deborah J. , Green Rhys E. , Taggart Mark A. , Kanstrup Niels
Published: May 2022

Small game animals are generally hunted with lead gunshot which often fragments causing elevated lead concentrations in meat and presenting health risks to frequent consumers and vulnerable groups. We reviewed three decades of European data on lead concentrations in the meat of gamebirds, rabbits and hares across countries with various restrictions on lead gunshot use. Mean meat lead concentrations decreased to a low level in Denmark, the only country in the study with a total ban on lead gunshot use. In contrast, elsewhere in Europe meat lead concentrations increased over time, an unexplained and previously undescribed finding. The only regulatory restriction associated with a decrease in meat lead concentrations was the Danish total ban on lead gunshot use. We calculated an arithmetic mean lead concentration in small game meat of 5.205 ppm w.w. (2011–2021) from across Europe. EU and UK regulators are considering banning lead ammunition for all hunting to protect human and wildlife health. The mean value we found for small game meat (2011–2021) was fourteen times higher than that used in a recent EU-wide risk assessment.
Understanding Bullying and Cyberbullying Through an Ecological Systems Framework: the Value of Qualitative Interviewing in a Mixed Methods Approach
Authors: Mishna Faye , Birze Arija , Greenblatt Andrea
Published: May 2022

Recognized as complex and relational, researchers endorse a systems/social-ecological framework in examining bullying and cyberbullying. According to this framework, bullying and cyberbullying are examined across the nested social contexts in which youth live—encompassing individual features; relationships including family, peers, and educators; and ecological conditions such as digital technology. Qualitative inquiry of bullying and cyberbullying provides a research methodology capable of bringing to the fore salient discourses such as dominant social norms and otherwise invisible nuances such as motivations and dilemmas, which might not be accessed through quantitative studies. Through use of a longitudinal and multi-perspective mixed methods study, the purpose of the current paper is to demonstrate the ways qualitative interviews contextualize quantitative findings and to present novel discussion of how qualitative interviews explain and enrich the quantitative findings. The following thematic areas emerged and are discussed: augmenting quantitative findings through qualitative interviews, contextualizing new or rapidly evolving areas of research, capturing nuances and complexity of perspectives, and providing moments for self-reflection and opportunities for learning.
Effects of geometrical and processing parameters on mechanical properties of auxetic polyurethane foams
Authors: Abedini Navid H. Z. , Nourani Amir , Mohseni Mahdi , Hosseini Nesa , Norouzi Sepideh , Bakhshayesh Parsa Riazi
Published: May 2022

This study aimed to investigate the influence of processing parameters on the mechanical properties of auxetic polyurethane foams including Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus. 12 different processing scenarios were considered using the method of Plackett–Burman in the design of experiments with three replicates for each one. Eventually, 36 foams were prepared with different densities and initial thicknesses, heating temperatures and times, applied compression ratios, and the rest times between two heating steps. The microstructures of the conventional and auxetic samples were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). All samples were subjected to tensile loading in one direction with two different strain values. The strains of the foams in two other directions were recorded using a digital image correlation method. Also, the required force to create each strain value was recorded. The results showed that depending on the changing parameters, Poisson’s ratio of about 42% and 58% of the samples reduced at the strains of 10% and 20%, respectively. Heating temperature and time, the initial thickness of the foam, and the applied compression ratio were proved to have significant effects on the variations of both Poisson’s ratio and Young’s modulus of the foams. It was concluded that the Poisson’s ratio of foams was reduced at higher heating temperature, time, and applied compression ratio and also a lower foam initial thickness. On the other hand, these changes increased Young’s modulus of the polyurethane foams. The strain energy of the auxetic samples showed higher amounts of energy compared to the other foams.