bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations between body flexibility and sarcopenia
Authors: Gao Peng , Gan Da , Li Shanshan , Kang Qingcong , Wang Xiaoyan , Zheng Weifang , Xu Xiaochen , Zhao Xueyin , He Wei , Wu Joyce , Lu Ying , Hsing Ann W. , Zhu Shankuan
Published: December 2022

Background

The associations between body flexibility and sarcopenia were not well understood. This study aimed to explore the cross‐sectional and longitudinal associations of flexibility with sarcopenia.

Methods

Our study selected participants aged 50–80 from the WELL‐China cohort and the Lanxi cohort. Participants from the urban area of the Lanxi cohort were followed up 4 years later. Body flexibility was measured by the sit‐and‐reach test. Muscle mass was evaluated by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Muscle strength was evaluated using handgrip strength. Sarcopenia was defined as having both low muscle mass and low muscle strength. We used multivariable logistic regressions to assess the cross‐sectional associations of body flexibility with low muscle mass, low muscle strength and sarcopenia. We also used multivariable logistic regressions to explore the associations of baseline flexibility and 4‐year changes in flexibility with incident low muscle mass, low muscle strength and sarcopenia.

Results

A total of 9453 participants were enrolled in the cross‐sectional study, and 1233 participants were included in the longitudinal analyses. In the cross‐sectional analyses, compared with low body flexibility, high body flexibility was inversely associated with low muscle mass (odds ratio [OR], 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50–0.68; P < 0.001), low muscle strength (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.55–0.69; P < 0.001) and sarcopenia (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.41–0.65; P < 0.001), and these associations did not differ in different age groups, sex or physical activity levels. In the longitudinal analyses, compared with participants with low body flexibility, participants with high body flexibility had lower risk of the incident low muscle strength (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.38–0.74; P < 0.001) and sarcopenia (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21–0.61; P < 0.001), but not incident low muscle mass (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.33–1.06; P = 0.076). Every 1‐cm increase in flexibility during 4 years was associated with reduced risk of incident low muscle mass (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–1.00; P = 0.025), low muscle strength (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.94–0.98; P = 0.002) and sarcopenia (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93–0.99; P = 0.007).

Conclusions

High flexibility was associated with reduced risk of incident low muscle strength and sarcopenia. Increases in flexibility were associated with reduced risk of incident low muscle mass, low muscle strength and sarcopenia. Flexibility exercises and monitoring the dynamic change of flexibility might be helpful in preventing sarcopenia among adults aged 50 years or over.
Pyruvate dehydrogenase B regulates myogenic differentiation via the FoxP1–Arih2 axis
Authors: Jiang Xuan , Ji Siyu , Yuan Fenglai , Li Tushuai , Cui Siyuan , Wang Wei , Ye Xianlong , Wang Rong , Chen Yongquan , Zhu Shenglong
Published: December 2022

Background

Sarcopenia, the age‐related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, diminishes life quality in elderly people. Improving the capacity of skeletal muscle differentiation is expected to counteract sarcopenia. However, the mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle differentiation are complex, and effective therapeutic targets are largely unknown.

Methods

The human Gene Expression Omnibus database, aged mice and primary skeletal muscle cells were used to assess the expression level of pyruvate dehydrogenase B (PDHB) in human and mouse aged state. d‐Galactose (d‐gal)‐induced sarcopenia mouse model and two classic cell models (C2C12 and HSkMC) were used to assess the myogenic effect of PDHB and the underlying mechanisms via immunocytochemistry, western blotting, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, RNA interference or overexpression, dual‐luciferase reporter assay, RNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics.

Results

We identified that a novel target PDHB promoted myogenic differentiation. PDHB expression decreased in aged mouse muscle relative to the young state (−50% of mRNA level, P < 0.01) and increased during mouse and primary human muscle cell differentiation (+3.97‐fold, P < 0.001 and +3.79‐fold, P < 0.001). Knockdown or overexpression of PDHB modulated the expression of genes related to muscle differentiation, namely, myogenic factor 5 (Myf5) (−46%, P < 0.01 and −27%, P < 0.05; +1.8‐fold, P < 0.01), myogenic differentiation (MyoD) (−55%, P < 0.001 and −34%, P < 0.01; +2.27‐fold, P < 0.001), myogenin (MyoG) (−60%, P < 0.001 and −70%, P < 0.001; +5.46‐fold, P < 0.001) and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) (−70%, P < 0.001 and −69%, P < 0.001; +3.44‐fold, P < 0.001) in both C2C12 cells and HSkMC. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that PDHB knockdown suppressed pyruvate metabolism (P < 0.001) and up‐regulated ariadne RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (Arih2) (+7.23‐fold, P < 0.001) in cellular catabolic pathways. The role of forkhead box P1 (FoxP1) (+4.18‐fold, P < 0.001)‐mediated Arih2 transcription was the key downstream regulator of PDHB in muscle differentiation. PDHB overexpression improved d‐gal‐induced muscle atrophy in mice, which was characterized by significant increases in grip strength, muscle mass and mean muscle cross‐sectional area (1.19‐fold to 1.5‐fold, P < 0.01, P < 0.05 and P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The comprehensive results show that PDHB plays a sarcoprotective role by suppressing the FoxP1–Arih2 axis and may serve as a therapeutic target in sarcopenia.
Association of weight change and in‐hospital mortality in patients with repeated hospitalization for heart failure
Authors: Konishi Masaaki , Kaneko Hidehiro , Itoh Hidetaka , Matsuoka Satoshi , Okada Akira , Kamiya Kentaro , Sugimoto Tadafumi , Fujiu Katsuhito , Michihata Nobuaki , Jo Taisuke , Takeda Norifumi , Morita Hiroyuki , Tamura Kouichi , Yasunaga Hideo , Komuro Issei
Published: December 2022

Background

Although weight loss in heart failure (HF) is a detrimental condition known as cachexia, weight gain caused by fluid retention should also be considered harmful. However, studies with sufficient number of patients examining the impact of weight change and its interval on in‐hospital mortality in HF have not been conducted thus far. We sought to elucidate the association of weight change with in‐hospital mortality in patients with HF.

Methods

This retrospective observational study used data from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a nationwide inpatient health claims database in Japan. In total, 48 234 patients repeatedly hospitalized for HF (median 82 [74–87] years; 46.4% men) between 2010 and 2018 were included. Weight change was derived from body weight at the first and second admissions.

Results

The median weight change and interval between two hospitalizations were −3.1 [−8.3 to −1.8] % and 172 [67–420] days, with 66.9% of overall cohort experiencing any weight loss. As a result of multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression analysis, weight loss <−5.0% and weight gain >+5.0% were associated with increased in‐hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval]: 1.46 [1.31–1.62], P < 0.001 and 1.23 [1.08–1.40], P = 0.002, respectively) whereas mild weight loss and gain of 2.0–5.0% were not (OR [95% confidence interval]: 0.96 [0.84–1.10], P = 0.57 and 1.07 [0.92–1.25], P = 0.37, respectively), in comparison with patients with a stable weight (fluctuating no more than −2.0% to +2.0%) used as a reference. Restrictive cubic spline models adjusted for multiple background factors illustrated that higher mortality in patients with weight loss was observed across all subgroups of the baseline body mass index (<18.5, 18.5–24.9 and ≥25.0 kg/m2). In patients with short (<90 days) and middle (<180 days) intervals between the two hospitalizations, both weight loss and weight gain were associated with high mortality, whereas the association between weight gain and high mortality was attenuated in those with longer intervals.

Conclusions

Both weight loss and weight gain in patients with repeated hospitalization for HF were associated with high in‐hospital mortality, especially weight loss and short/middle‐term weight gain. Such patients should be treated with caution in a setting of repeated hospitalization for HF.
Ars2‐containing bispecific, Fab‐ and IgG1‐format BAR‐bodies to target DLBCL cells
Authors: Kiefer Maximilian , Thurner Lorenz , Bock Theresa , Cetin Onur , Kos Igor , Lesan Vadim , Kaddu‐Mulindwa Dominic , Bittenbring Joerg Thomas , Fadle Natalie , Regitz Evi , Hoth Markus , Neumann Frank , Preuss Klaus‐Dieter , Pfreundschuh Michael , Christofyllakis Konstantinos , Bewarder Moritz
Published: December 2022

Despite recent advances in the therapy of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (DLBCL), around 30% of patients develop refractory disease or relapse after first‐line treatment. Recently, Ars2 was reported as the auto‐antigenic target of the B‐cell receptor (BCR) in approximately 25% of activated B‐cell DLBCL cases. Ars2 could be used to specifically target B cells expressing Ars2‐reactive BCRs. However, the optimal therapeutic format to integrate Ars2 into has yet to be determined. To mimic therapeutic antibody formats, Ars2‐containing bispecific and IgG1‐like constructs (BCR antigens for reverse [BAR]‐bodies) were developed. Two bispecific BAR‐bodies connecting single‐chain antibodies against CD16 or CD3 to the BCR‐binding epitope of Ars2 were constructed. Both constructs showed strong binding to U2932 cells and induced effector cell‐dependent and selective cytotoxicity against U2932 cells of up to 44% at concentrations of 20 μg/ml. Additionally, IgG1‐format Ars2 BAR‐bodies were constructed by replacing the variable heavy‐ and light‐chain regions of a full‐length antibody with the Ars2 epitope. IgG1‐format Ars2 BAR‐bodies also bound selectively to U2932 and OCI‐Ly3 cells and induced selective cytotoxicity of up to 60% at 10 μg/ml. In conclusion, Ars2‐containing bispecific and IgG1‐format BAR‐bodies both are new therapeutic formats to target DLBCL cells.
Pathogenic variants of the coenzyme A biosynthesis‐associated enzyme phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase cause autosomal‐recessive dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Bravo‐Alonso Irene , Morin Matías , Arribas‐Carreira Laura , Álvarez Mar , Pedrón‐Giner Consuelo , Soletto Lucia , Santolaria Carlos , Ramón‐Maiques Santiago , Ugarte Magdalena , Rodríguez‐Pombo Pilar , Ariño Joaquín , Moreno‐Pelayo Miguel Ángel , Pérez Belén
Published: December 2022

Coenzyme A (CoA) is an essential cofactor involved in a range of metabolic pathways including the activation of long‐chain fatty acids for catabolism. Cells synthesize CoA de novo from vitamin B5 (pantothenate) via a pathway strongly conserved across prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In humans, it involves five enzymatic steps catalyzed by four enzymes: pantothenate kinase (PANK [isoforms 1–4]), 4′‐phosphopantothenoylcysteine synthetase (PPCS), phosphopantothenoylcysteine decarboxylase (PPCDC), and CoA synthase (COASY). To date, inborn errors of metabolism associated with all of these genes, except PPCDC, have been described, two related to neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), and one associated with a cardiac phenotype. This paper reports another defect in this pathway (detected in two sisters), associated with a fatal cardiac phenotype, caused by biallelic variants (p.Thr53Pro and p.Ala95Val) of PPCDC. PPCDC enzyme (EC 4.1.1.36) catalyzes the decarboxylation of 4′‐phosphopantothenoylcysteine to 4′‐phosphopantetheine in CoA biosynthesis. The variants p.Thr53Pro and p.Ala95Val affect residues highly conserved across different species; p.Thr53Pro is involved in the binding of flavin mononucleotide, and p.Ala95Val is likely a destabilizing mutation. Patient‐derived fibroblasts showed an absence of PPCDC protein, and nearly 50% reductions in CoA levels. The cells showed clear energy deficiency problems, with defects in mitochondrial respiration, and mostly glycolytic ATP synthesis. Functional studies performed in yeast suggest these mutations to be functionally relevant. In summary, this work describes a new, ultra‐rare, severe inborn error of metabolism due to pathogenic variants of PPCDC.
Understanding reasons for image rejection by radiologists and radiographers
Authors: Decoster Robin , Toomey Rachel , Smits Dirk , Haygood Tamara Miner , Ryan Marie‐Louise
Published: December 2022

Introduction

A core element of a radiographer's role is the decision on whether a radiograph is sufficient for diagnosis, or a repeat examination is needed. Studies illustrate the disagreement on the diagnostic value of radiographs between radiographers and radiologists, which may influence repeat examinations. This study investigates if parameters contributing to image quality are possible determinants to explain the difference between professions.

Methods

A total of 74 radiographers and radiologists from three different countries assessed three data sets (chest PA, hip HBL, c‐spine lateral), each containing 25 radiographs. All observers scored image quality in terms of anatomical visualisation, positioning, collimation, detector exposure and judged the diagnostic value using the ACR RadLex classification. All assessments were performed on a clinically relevant display. Visual grading characteristics were used to compare image quality evaluations between groups.

Results

Radiographers scored the visualisation of anatomical structures lower than radiologists though the difference was not statistically significant. A difference in classification using the RadLex categories – with radiographers rejecting more radiographs – was demonstrated. Only the subjective evaluation of the detector exposure correlated statistically with RadLex ratings. There was no difference between radiographers and radiologists when reviewing patient positioning and collimation.

Conclusion

Radiographers and radiologists agree on the visualisation of anatomical structures, but radiographers are more critical towards the diagnostic value. Within the criteria studied, the evaluation of anatomical structures does not explain the difference. Radiographs have a higher change of being rejected if the observer (subjectively) assessed the detector exposure as inappropriate. This correlation is stronger for radiographers.
Seasonally freeze–thaw changes on the Qinghai–Tibet plateau and their possible causes
Authors: Yan Feng , Wang Yanjiao , Lu Qi , Qiao Li
Published: December 2022

Known as the “roof of the world”, 50%–56% area of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) is covered by seasonal frozen ground (SFG), which has an important impact on local and global climate change, terrestrial ecosystems, and regional energy and hydrological cycles. In this study, long‐term observational data of air and soil water (precipitation and soil moisture) and heat [surface air temperature (SAT) and soil temperature (ST)] at 30 meteorological stations were used to study the temporal and spatial changes of SFG and their possible causes for the central‐eastern QTP (CEQTP). The results showed that latitude and altitude are the key factors affecting the spatial distributions of seasonal freeze–thaw activities of CEQTP. The stations with deeper freeze depths and more freeze days are mainly located in high‐altitude and high‐latitude regions, and those with shallower freeze depths and fewer freeze days are mainly located in the low‐altitude and low‐latitude regions of the southern QTP. This may be the reason that latitude and altitude are the key factors determining the temperature distribution on the CEQTP. SAT, ST, precipitation, and soil moisture are all significant correlations with the freeze depth, freeze days, freeze start date (FSD) and thaw end date (TED), and the abrupt change years of them are also consistent; they are the important factors affecting the freeze–thaw changes (FTCs) of SFG. Among them, ST is the key factor influencing the FTCs of SFG, and the variations of monthly average soil temperature (MAST) at 0–320 cm depths are the inverse of those of the monthly average freeze depth and freeze days during the year. Using the MAST data at 0–320 cm depths and the 0°C ST threshold, the soil freeze–thaw processes at different depths on the CEQTP are revealed. Affected by global warming, SAT and ST at different depths on the CEQTP have shown the upward trends since the 1980s. Additionally, precipitation and soil moisture have also increased substantially, especially since the late 1990s. Enhancement of warming and wetting conditions from the land surface to the deep soil have accelerated the thawing of SFG, and led to the delay of FSD and the advance of TED, which further caused the reduction of freeze depth and freeze days of SFG on the QTP, especially since the late 1990s.
Critical analysis ofCMIPspast climate model projections in a regional context: The Iberian climate
Authors: Soares Pedro M. M. , Lemos Gil , Lima Daniela C. A.
Published: December 2022

The Iberian Peninsula is a known climate change hotspot. In the last decades, the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) has allowed for thousands of Global Climate Model (GCM) simulations to be conducted, an important tool to assess and understand future changes in Earth's climate. The comparison of past future projections with observations provides a robust evaluation of the models’ skill according to different emission scenarios. Here, a comprehensive performance assessment of GCM‐simulated mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures, and accumulated precipitation is conducted for Iberia, by retrospectively comparing historical simulations and past future projections from CMIPs 1 to 6 with reference datasets. From means to extremes, and multi‐year intra‐annual cycles to inter‐annual trends, GCM simulations are compared with Iberia0.1 and E‐OBS observational gridded datasets, and ERA5 reanalysis. The matching between the variables’ distributions is assessed through the distribution added values (DAVs), a measure of gain or loss in performance between CMIPs. Results show relevant improvements in the description of the Iberian climate throughout the CMIP effort, for historical and past future periods. While the representation of intra‐annual cycles (inter‐annual trends) is enhanced after CMIP3 (CMIP2), GCMs from all CMIPs are generally able to depict the observed warming trend. Nevertheless, until 2021, a slight detrimental effect in the performance of CMIP6 models is found, in comparison with CMIP5 ones, with positive DAVs obtained only for past future temperature projections (less than 2%). A continuous monitorization of modelling accuracy for Iberia is needed, considering the increasing relevance of climate change information for adaptation strategies.
Regime shift increase in East Asia's summer extreme hot day frequency across the late 1990s
Authors: Lee Yong‐Han , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Hong Jin‐Sil , Shin Jongsoo , An Soon‐Il
Published: December 2022

Here we analysed the long‐term change in extreme hot days (EHDs) in East Asia during boreal summer (June–July–August) since 1979, where EHDs was defined as days exceeding or equalling the 90th percentile threshold of the climatological (1991–2020) daily and . EHDs frequency occurrence in East Asia during summer showed not only an increasing trend but also a distinct regime shift increase since the late 1990s. Based on this regime shift, we divided these years into two periods, P1 (1979–1998) and P2 (1999–2021), and found that different physical processes operated for each period's EHDs variability. P2's EHDs was related to the stationary wave originating from both the North Atlantic Ocean and the Indo‐Pacific warm pool, but these influences did not appear in P1. To investigate whether the observed regime shift increase was caused by natural variability or greenhouse gas concentration increases, we conducted a CO2 quadrupling experiment as well as a present‐day experiment with a fixed CO2 concentration using the Community Earth System Model with 28 ensemble members. We demonstrated that the regime shift increase of East Asian EHDs occurrences was due to increasing greenhouse gas concentrations. We further discussed the influence of Arctic sea ice reduction due to global warming on EHDs occurrences in East Asia.
Spatio‐temporal changes in the mean and extreme temperature indices for Serbia
Authors: Tošić Ivana , Tošić Milica , Lazić Irida , Aleksandrov Neda , Putniković Suzana , Djurdjević Vladimir
Published: December 2022

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of changes in mean and extreme temperature indices for Serbia using a high‐resolution daily gridded temperature data set during the period of 1951–2020. The annual and seasonal trends of the indices in the gridded fields were computed and tested for statistical significance using the nonparametric Mann–Kendall test and the Sen's slope estimator. The t‐test was applied to check the stability of means of temperature indices between two standard periods (1961–1990 and 1991–2020). A correlation analysis was used in order to investigate the connections of the large‐scale circulation patterns and the mean and extreme temperature indices. Results showed that a warming trend dominated for the last 70 years, with slightly more intense changes for the mean maximum temperatures (TXM) than for the mean minimum temperatures (TNM). An increase was recorded for indices based on the maximum temperature (TXM, hottest days, warm days, summer days) and minimum temperature (TNM, coldest nights, warm nights, tropical nights). The highest increase was observed for warm nights (7 days⋅decade−1) during the summer season. The negative change in cool days (−1.5 days⋅decade−1) and cool nights (−2 days⋅decade−1) was recorded in almost all seasons, being significant for the both annual and summer values. The correlation between the temperature indices and large‐scale circulation patterns revealed that the East Atlantic (EA) pattern had a highly positive correlation with warm temperature indices (hottest days, warm days, warm nights, summer days, and tropical nights) and a negative correlation with cold indices (coldest nights, cool days, cool nights, frost days, and ice days). The North Atlantic Oscillation, the most important teleconnection pattern during the winter months in Europe, had weaker influence on temperature indices in Serbia than the EA pattern, but stronger than the EA/Western Russia pattern.
Spatiotemporal variation of daily precipitation concentration and its potential relationship with climatic factors and land use types in the Haihe River basin, China
Authors: Ma Mengyang , Wang Qingming , Zhao Yong , Liu Rong , Li Enchong
Published: December 2022

Precipitation concentration is a key climatic factor in the hydrologic system. The purpose of this study was to explore the spatiotemporal variation in precipitation concentration and its possible relationship with large‐scale atmospheric circulation and land use types. Based on daily precipitation recorded at 254 stations during 1961–2019 throughout the Haihe River basin (HRB), linear slope and Manner–Kendall trend analysis were used to analyse the spatial variations and trends of the annual daily precipitation concentration index (CI). The Pearson correlation coefficient and cross wavelet analysis were used to evaluate potential correlations between CI and eight climatic factors. Meteorological stations were classified into three land use types: urban type (UT), farmland type (FT), and natural type (NT) using hierarchical clustering, and the impacts of land use types on CI variations and trends were investigated. Annual CI in HRB showed a significant downward trend with a linear rate of −0.0058/decade, and about 210 of the 254 stations had a downtrend, in which 42 stations were at the significance level of 0.05 but did not reach the significance level of 0.01, and 52 stations are at the 0.01 significance level. The East Asian monsoon index (EASMI), South Asian monsoon index (SASMI), South China Sea monsoon index (SCSMI), and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) were positively correlated with CI, whereas the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Multivariate ENSO index (MEI), and Western Pacific index (WP) were negatively correlated. The Sunspot index (SS) had a significant resonance period of 9–14‐year with CI. EASMI and ENSO events were the dominant factors driving CI trends. The negative CI trends of UT were more significant than those of FT and NT, with linear slope gaps of −0.0041/decade (UT versus FT) and −0.0064/decade (UT vs. NT), respectively.
Climatological diagnostics and subseasonal‐to‐seasonal predictions of Madden–Julian Oscillation events
Authors: Wu Jie , Ren Hong‐Li , Jia Xiaolong , Zhang Peiqun
Published: December 2022

The Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) is the dominant mode of tropical intraseasonal variability, which serves as a primary source of subseasonal‐to‐seasonal (S2S) predictability. Noticeably, MJO is not always a regularly recurring cycle but is characterized by discrete episodes. In this study, considering the quasi‐consecutive actives and eastward propagating features, a standard metric is proposed to identify MJO events based on the real‐time multivariate MJO (RMM) index. The re‐identification of historical MJO events reveals that there were 5.4 MJO events each year since 1981, and the average duration of each event is about 31.5 days. More MJO events tend to occur in the boreal winter and spring, with stronger intensity, longer duration and faster propagating speed than those in the boreal summer. Furthermore, MJO events are more likely to initiate in Phases 2 and 5, with a longer lifetime than those initiating in other phases. The amplitude and propagation characteristics of MJO events are strongly modulated by the dominant modes of sea surface temperature interannual variability with a strong regional dependence. Based on hindcast datasets of six S2S models, the prediction skill for the MJO is evaluated in the perspective of individual events. The longest leading time of the skilful prediction for individual MJO events ranges from 11 to 17 days, far below the traditional recognition. This result could be attributed to the apparent prediction barrier of MJO initiation, that is, a rapid decrease in prediction skill when predictions are carried out before the initiation of MJO events. In addition, the prediction skills of MJO events depends on interannual variabilities, with relatively higher skills under the conditions of the El Niño and Indian Ocean basin warming. These findings may shed light on the complexity and challenges of profoundly understanding and skilfully predicting MJO events.
Performance evaluation of Standardized Copula‐based Drought Index with Reconnaissance Drought Index and Standardized Precipitation Temperature Index using severity–duration frequency curves over Balochistan, Pakistan
Authors: Ullah Hamd , Akbar Muhammad , Khan Firdos , Amjad Muhammad
Published: December 2022

Drought and aridity are good measures to study climate change that are measured using several indices. In this study, the performance of Standardized Copula‐based Drought Index (SCDI) is compared with Standardized Precipitation Temperature Index (SPTI) and Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) for measuring drought in Balochistan province of Pakistan. These standardized drought indices combine the outcomes of De‐Martone Aridity Index (DAI) and UNEP Aridity Index (UAI). SCDI is calculated using probability distributions and copula models that combine the outcomes of UAI and DAI utilizing data of precipitation, potential evapotranspiration (PE), and temperature. Climate data from nine including arid and humid metrological stations are used to study drought conditions in Balochistan province. SCDI outcomes are graphically and numerically compared with SPTI and RDI. Selected drought indices are compared based on frequency of drought and wet events occurred in moderate, severe, and extreme drought categories, which indicate that SCDI has maximum number of events in these categories. It gives better results due to the utilization of more climate data as compared to RDI and SPTI. Severity–duration frequency curves are used to find future projections which shows that drought severity and drought duration have increasing trend with the passage of time. The indices have more differences in results of arid stations. The results indicate that there are no significant chances of drought at lower time scales, but the chances increase with the increase in time scale. The SCDI may also be more useful for agricultural and hydrological droughts due to temperature and PE variables. This study's results will be helpful for climate planning in Balochistan province.
Expression of trefoil factor 2 and 3 and adrenomedullin in chronic periodontitis subjects with coronary heart disease
Authors: Mahendra Jaideep , Srinivasan Sruthi , Kanakamedala Anilkumar , D Nalini , Namasivayam Ambalavanan , Mahendra Little , Muralidharan Janani , Cherian Sanjay M , Ilango Paavai
Published: December 2022

Background

The current study aims to determine the expression of trefoil factor 2 (TFF2), trefoil factor 3 (TFF3), and adrenomedullin (ADM) in salivary samples of periodontitis patients with and without coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods

A total of 75 patients were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and divided into three groups of 25 patients each: generalized periodontitis (GP) only; GP+CHD; and CHD only. Demographic, periodontal, and cardiac parameters were recorded, and unstimulated saliva samples were collected and analyzed for the expression of TFF2, TFF3, and ADM.

Results

Among the demographic variables, the means for age, weight, and body mass index were significantly different between the groups on statistical analysis. Plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and the expression of TFF2 were highest in the GP+CHD group, and ADM was highest in the CHD group, with P values of < 0.01 as compared to the other groups. TFF2, TFF3, and ADM were also correlated with the demographic and periodontal parameters.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates significantly elevated levels of TFF2 in CHD and GP patients, and a higher expression of ADM in CHD patients only, suggesting the possibility of an underlying inflammatory mechanism.
Characterization of quail egg powders obtained by liquid egg drying and foam‐mat drying
Authors: Moreira Camila Alves , Zotarelli Marta Fernanda , de Lima Marieli
Published: December 2022

Background

Quail eggs have nutritional, therapeutic, and functional potential but are still not widely consumed globally. Their availability in powder form can contribute to expanding their consumption worldwide. However, drying can significantly affect their properties. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study comparing the effect of drying methods on the rehydration capacity and functional properties of whole quail egg powder. In this context, this work aimed to obtain powdered quail eggs by convective oven drying and freeze drying of eggs in liquid and foam form, to evaluate the effect of each drying method on their physical, rehydration, and functional characteristics.

Results

The powder obtained by freeze‐drying eggs in the liquid form (L‐FD) showed the most desirable foaming capabilities; however, it produced less stable emulsions. The powder obtained by convective oven drying of eggs in liquid form (L‐CONV) had the worst rehydration and foaming capabilities but produced firmer gels and had good emulsifying capacity. Finally, the powders obtained by foam‐mat drying yielded very stable foams and emulsions.

Conclusion

The methods for quail egg powder production that were evaluated performed well. The results point to the strong potential of quail egg powder as an ingredient. Liquid freeze‐dried (L‐FD) eggs stood out for their rehydration capacity. Each powder had different functional properties, so the choice of the best method depends on the intended application of the powder as specific characteristics and functional properties are suitable for preparing each food. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Modic type 2 changes are fibroinflammatory changes with complement system involvement adjacent to degenerated vertebral endplates
Authors: Heggli Irina , Laux Christoph J. , Mengis Tamara , Karol Agnieszka , Cornaz Frédéric , Herger Nick , Aradi‐Vegh Borbala , Widmer Jonas , Burkhard Marco D. , Farshad‐Amacker Nadja A. , Pfammatter Sibylle , Wolski Witold E. , Brunner Florian , Distler Oliver , Farshad Mazda , Dudli Stefan
Published: December 2022

Background

Vertebral endplate signal intensity changes visualized by magnetic resonance imaging termed Modic changes (MC) are highly prevalent in low back pain patients. Interconvertibility between the three MC subtypes (MC1, MC2, MC3) suggests different pathological stages. Histologically, granulation tissue, fibrosis, and bone marrow edema are signs of inflammation in MC1 and MC2. However, different inflammatory infiltrates and amount of fatty marrow suggest distinct inflammatory processes in MC2.

Aims

The aims of this study were to investigate (i) the degree of bony (BEP) and cartilage endplate (CEP) degeneration in MC2, (ii) to identify inflammatory MC2 pathomechanisms, and (iii) to show that these marrow changes correlate with severity of endplate degeneration.

Methods

Pairs of axial biopsies (n = 58) spanning the entire vertebral body including both CEPs were collected from human cadaveric vertebrae with MC2. From one biopsy, the bone marrow directly adjacent to the CEP was analyzed with mass spectrometry. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between MC2 and control were identified and bioinformatic enrichment analysis was performed. The other biopsy was processed for paraffin histology and BEP/CEP degenerations were scored. Endplate scores were correlated with DEPs.

Results

Endplates from MC2 were significantly more degenerated. Proteomic analysis revealed an activated complement system, increased expression of extracellular matrix proteins, angiogenic, and neurogenic factors in MC2 marrow. Endplate scores correlated with upregulated complement and neurogenic proteins.

Discussion

The inflammatory pathomechanisms in MC2 comprises activation of the complement system. Concurrent inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis, and neurogenesis indicate that MC2 is a chronic inflammation. Correlation of endplate damage with complement and neurogenic proteins suggest that complement system activation and neoinnervation may be linked to endplate damage. The endplate‐near marrow is the pathomechanistic site, because MC2 occur at locations with more endplate degeneration.

Conclusion

MC2 are fibroinflammatory changes with complement system involvement which occur adjacent to damaged endplates.
The Application of Ultrasound Image‐Based Radiomics in the Diagnosis of Mild Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Lyu Shuyi , Zhang Yan , Zhang Meiwu , Zhu Jiazhen , Yu Jianjun , Zhang Baisong , Gao Libo , Wei Huilin
Published: December 2022

Objectives

The ultrasound diagnosis of mild carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is challenging. Radiomics can identify image information that the human eye cannot recognize. The purpose of our study was to explore the value of ultrasound image‐based radiomics in the diagnosis of mild CTS.

Methods

This retrospective study included 126 wrists in the CTS group and 88 wrists in the control group. The radiomics features were extracted from the cross‐sectional ultrasound images at the entrance of median nerve carpal tunnel, and the modeling was based on robust features. Two radiologists with different experiences diagnosed CTS according to two guidelines. The area under receiver (AUC) operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of the two radiologists and the radiomics model.

Results

According to guideline one, the AUC values of the two radiologists for CTS were 0.72 and 0.67, respectively; according to guideline two, the AUC were 0.73 and 0.68, respectively. The radiomics model achieved the best accuracy when 16 important robust features were selected. The AUC values of training set and test set were 0.92 and 0.90, respectively.

Conclusions

The radiomics label based on ultrasound images had excellent diagnostic efficacy for mild CTS. It is expected to help radiologists to identify early CTS patients as soon as possible, especially for inexperienced doctors.
New Hydrogels Based on Agarose/Phytagel and Peptides
Authors: Nita Loredana Elena , Croitoriu Alexandra , Serban Alexandru M. , Bercea Maria , Rusu Alina G. , Ghilan Alina , Butnaru Maria , Mititelu‐Tartau Liliana , Chiriac Aurica P.
Published: December 2022

Short aromatic peptide derivatives, i.e., peptides or amino acids modified with aromatic groups, such as 9‐fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc), can self‐assemble into extracellular matrix‐like hydrogels due to their nanofibrillar architecture. Among different types of amino acids, lysine (Lys) and glycine (Gly) are involved in multiple physiological processes, being key factors in the proper growth of cells, carnitine production, and collagen formation. The authors have previously successfully presented the possibility of obtaining supramolecular gels based on Fmoc‐Lys‐Fmoc and short peptides such as Fmoc‐Gly‐Gly‐Gly in order to use them as a substrate for cell cultures. This paper investigates how the introduction of a gelling polymer can influence the properties of the network as well as the compatibility of the resulting materials with different cell types. A series of hydrogel compositions consisting of combinations of Fmoc‐Lys‐Fmoc and Fmoc‐Gly‐Gly‐Gly with Agarose and Phytagel are thus obtained. All compositions form structured gels as shown by rheological studies and scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis evidences the formation of H‐bonds between the polysaccharides and amino acids or short peptides. Moreover, all gels exhibit good cell viability on fibroblasts as demonstrated by a live‐dead staining test and good in vivo biocompatibility, which highlights the great potential of these biomaterials for biomedical applications.
Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Oxidized Bacterial Nanocellulose with Different Carboxyl Content
Authors: Tian Huaixiang , Li Wei , Chen Chen , Yu Haiyan , Yuan Haibin
Published: December 2022

Oxidized bacterial nanocellulose (OBC) is reported to prevent microbial growth, but its antibacterial characteristics and mechanism are still unclear. Here, the antibacterial mechanism of OBC is explored by detecting and assessing the interaction of OBC with different carboxyl content on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results show that OBC has strong antibacterial activity and antibiofilm activity against S. aureus and E. coli, which is positively correlated with the carboxyl content of OBC. After OBC treatment, the bacteria adhesion is inhibited and the cell membrane is destroyed leading to increased permeability. Further investigation reveals that the concentration of cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c‐di‐GMP) that induced biofilm formation is significantly decreased to 1.81 pmol mg−1 after OBC treatment. In addition, OBC inactivates mature biofilms, with inactivation rates up to 79.3%. This study suggests that OBC has excellent antibacterial and antiadhesion properties, which can increase the cell membrane permeability and inhibit c‐di‐GMP formation. In addition, OBC also has a strong inactivation effect on mature biofilm, which can be used as an effective antibiofilm agent.
Random Branching and Cross‐linking of Polymer Chains, Analytical Functions for the Bivariate Molecular Weight Distributions
Authors: Bachmann Rolf , Klinger Marcel , Meyer Jan
Published: December 2022

Cross‐linking and branching of primary polymer molecules are investigated using the Galton–Watson (GW) process. Starting with the probability generating function (pgf) of the primary molecular weight distribution (MWD), analytical expressions are derived for the bivariate pgfs g(nbr, s) of branched polymers which depend also on the number of branch points nbr. The bivariate MWDs n(nbr, i) (i: number of molecular units) are then derived as Taylor expansions in s. All three cases of random branching: X‐shaped (cross‐linking), T‐shaped (only one end takes part in the branching process), and H‐shaped (both ends can take part in the branching process) are treated. An extension of the formalism does not require the construction of the pgf and allows the direct use of the MWD of the primary chains. However, using pgfs allows to go past the gel point and to determine the MWD and content of the sol. Explicit expressions are given for special distributions: the mono modal, the most probable, the Schulz‐Zimm, the Poisson, and the Catalan distribution for the cases of X‐shaped and T‐shaped branching.
M2‐like macrophage‐derived exosomes facilitate metastasis in non‐small‐cell lung cancer by delivering integrin αVβ3
Authors: Huang Lamei , Wang Fang , Wang Xueping , Su Chaoyue , Wu Shaocong , Yang Chuan , Luo Min , Zhang Jianye , Fu Liwu
Published: December 2022

Metastasis is the most prevalent cause of cancer deaths, and immunological components of the tumor microenvironment, especially tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs), play a vital role in cancer metastasis. However, the underlying mechanisms of TAMs on non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) metastasis remain largely unexplored. Herein, we demonstrated that M2‐like TAMs facilitate the migration and invasion of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo through intercellular delivery of M2‐like macrophage‐derived exosomes (M2‐exos). Importantly, we found that M2‐exos had considerably higher levels of integrin (ITG) αV and β3. The impact of M2‐like macrophage‐mediated invasion and migration of NSCLC cells was clearly decreased when ITG αVβ3 was blocked. Mechanistically, exosomal ITG αVβ3 produced from M2‐like macrophages successfully triggered the focal adhesion kinase signaling pathway in recipient cells, boosting the migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells. Clinically, we found that metastatic NSCLC patients had greater ITG αV and β3 expression, which was associated with a worse prognosis. This study reveals a novel mechanism by which M2‐exos significantly increased NSCLC cell migration and invasion by delivering integrin αVβ3. Exosomal ITG αVβ3 can be used as a potential prognostic marker, and blocking ITG αVβ3 could be a viable treatment option for preventing tumor metastasis.
Factors influencing competitive balance across European football top tier leagues
Authors: Gasparetto Thadeu , Mishchenko Dmitry , Zaitsev Egor
Published: December 2022

The study aims to examine the factors impacting the competitive balance (CB) in 22 of Europe's top‐tier football leagues from 2004 to 2021. Three types of influence factors are selected: financial, economic, and sportive. The dataset has a total of 374 observations, comprising 22 countries over 17 seasons. Competitive Balance is measure by three indicators for robustness check. Six Ordinary Least Squares regression models are carried out. Our outputs evidence that play‐offs for relegation, average age, talent concentration, and standard deviation of team values showed negative effect while number of teams in the league, Elo rank, local currency to Euro rate, and Gini index have positive effect. The best level of balance is achieved with a percentage of relegated of 20.9%. Our study explains the change in CB in terms of tournament format, financial indicators, and a wide range of economic variables that have not previously been presented. The empirical results offered here may be useful for UEFA and domestic league organizers in order to improve the competitive level in the European football.
Bifurcation, geometric constraint, chaos, and its control in a railway wheelset system
Authors: Li Junhong , Cui Ning
Published: December 2022

In this paper, an improved railway wheelset system is presented. The dynamical behaviors of the system are investigated, including dissipativity and invariance of the system, stability of zero‐equilibrium point, and the bifurcation characteristics of railway wheelset system at zero equilibrium point. Furthermore, the chaotic behaviors of the motion of railway wheelset and the dynamical behaviors of the railway wheelset system under geometric constraint are studied. It shows that the railway wheelset system has complex dynamical phenomena owing to nonlinear factor and the railway wheelset system may have different complex dynamical behaviors with different nonlinear parameters. In addition, the motion of railway wheelset also has chaotic behaviors under geometric constraint. Finally, the chaos control of the railway wheelset system is achieved by using linear feedback control method. The numerical simulations are carried out in order to analyze the complex phenomena of the railway wheelset system.
On non‐local elliptic equations with sublinear nonlinearities involving an eigenvalue problem
Authors: Chen Ching‐yu , Kuo Yueh‐cheng , Wang Kuan‐Hsiang , Wu Tsung‐fang
Published: December 2022

A non‐local elliptic equation of Kirchhoff‐type

for
with Dirichlet boundary conditions is investigated for the cases where
. It is well known that with the non‐local effect removed and
, a branch of positive solutions bifurcates from infinity at
and no positive solution exists whenever
for some
(see K. J. Brown, Calc. Var. 22, 483‐494, 2005),where
is the principal eigenvalue of the linear problem
. As a consequence of the non‐local effect, our analysis has found no bifurcation from infinity, and at least one positive solution is always permitted for
. Moreover, regions with three positive solutions are found for small value of
. Comparisons are also made of the results here with those of the elliptic problem in the absence of the non‐local term under the same prescribed conditions using numerical simulations.
Molecular Mechanisms Associated with Protecting IEC‐6 Cells from Acrylamide‐Induced Tight Junction Damage by Ganoderma atrum Polysaccharide
Authors: Lu Jiawen , Yang Ying , Varga Elisabeth , Marko Doris , Yu Qiang , Xie Jianhua , Li Chang , Chen Yi
Published: December 2022

Scope

The previous in vivo studies show Ganoderma atrum polysaccharide (PSG‐F2) has a protective effect against the acrylamide (AA)‐induced intestinal oxidative damage in rats. Now, this study aims to explore the protective mechanism with IEC‐6 cell model.

Methods and results

Based on RNA Sequencing (RNA‐Seq), the study screens MAPK signaling pathway as one of the most crucial pathways for pretreatment with PSG‐F2  against AA‐induced damage in IEC‐6 cells. In total, six key MAPK signaling pathway‐related proteins (p‐P38/P38, p‐ERK/ERK, and p‐JNK/JNK), and three tight junction key proteins (Zonula Occludens protein‐1, Claudin‐1, and Occludin) are detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence, which verify the RNA‐Seq data. Moreover, PD98059 interference inhibits critical proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway, thus uncovering the precise molecular mechanisms of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway involve in the protective effects of PSG‐F2 against AA‐induced intestinal barrier damage.

Conclusion

These findings confirm that PSG‐F2 can be used as a daily dietary supplement to protect the intestinal cells from damage caused by thermal processing hazards AA.