bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The utility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in athletes and physically active individuals with or without persistent symptoms after COVID-19
Authors: Brito Gisele Mendes , Prado Danilo Marcelo Leite do , Rezende Diego Augusto , de Matos Luciana Diniz Nagem Janot , Loturco Irineu , Vieira Marcelo Luiz Campos , de Sá Pinto Ana Lúcia , Alô Rodrigo Otávio Bougleux , de Albuquerque Lorena Christine Araújo , Bianchini Flavia Riva , Pinto Ana Jéssica , Roschel Hamilton , Lemes Ítalo Ribeiro , Gualano Bruno ,   Coalition SPORT-COVID-19
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) may capture potential impacts of COVID-19 during exercise. We described CPET data on athletes and physically active individuals with or without cardiorespiratory persistent symptoms.

Methods

Participants’ assessment included medical history and physical examination, cardiac troponin T, resting electrocardiogram, spirometry and CPET. Persistent symptoms were defined as fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, dizziness, tachycardia, and exertional intolerance persisting >2 months after COVID-19 diagnosis.

Results

A total of 46 participants were included; sixteen (34.8%) were asymptomatic and thirty participants (65.2%) reported persistent symptoms, with fatigue and dyspnea being the most reported ones (43.5 and 28.1%). There were a higher proportion of symptomatic participants with abnormal data for slope of pulmonary ventilation to carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2 slope; p<0.001), end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure at rest (PETCO2 rest; p=0.007), PETCO2 max (p=0.009), and dysfunctional breathing (p=0.023) vs. asymptomatic ones. Rates of abnormalities in other CPET variables were comparable between asymptomatic and symptomatic participants. When assessing only elite and highly trained athletes, differences in the rate of abnormal findings between asymptomatic and symptomatic participants were no longer statistically significant, except for expiratory air flow-to-percent of tidal volume ratio (EFL/VT) (more frequent among asymptomatic participants) and dysfunctional breathing (p=0.008).

Discussion

A considerable proportion of consecutive athletes and physically active individuals presented with abnormalities on CPET after COVID-19, even those who had had no persistent cardiorespiratory symptomatology. However, the lack of control parameters (e.g., pre-infection data) or reference values for athletic populations preclude stablishing the causality between COVID-19 infection and CPET abnormalities as well as the clinical significance of these findings.
Mechanism underlying the acceleration of pitting corrosion of B30 copper–nickel alloy by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Li Huan , Sun Mingxian , Du Min , Zheng Zhenxu , Ma Li
Published: April 2023

Despite its excellent corrosion resistance, B30 copper–nickel alloy is prone to pitting, particularly when exposed to microorganisms. The mechanism underlying the acceleration of pitting in this alloy is not fully understood. In this study, the acceleration of pitting corrosion in B30 copper–nickel alloy caused by a marine microorganism named Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) was investigated using surface analysis and electrochemical techniques. P. aeruginosa significantly accelerated the pitting in B30 copper–nickel alloy, with a maximum pitting depth of 1.9 times that of the abiotic control and a significant increase in pitting density. This can be attributed to extracellular electron transfer and copper–ammonia complex production by P. aeruginosa, accelerating the breakdown of the passivation film.
Advances in cold-adapted enzymes derived from microorganisms
Authors: Liu Yehui , Zhang Na , Ma Jie , Zhou Yuqi , Wei Qiang , Tian Chunjie , Fang Yi , Zhong Rongzhen , Chen Guang , Zhang Sitong
Published: April 2023

Cold-adapted enzymes, produced in cold-adapted organisms, are a class of enzyme with catalytic activity at low temperatures, high temperature sensitivity, and the ability to adapt to cold stimulation. These enzymes are largely derived from animals, plants, and microorganisms in polar areas, mountains, and the deep sea. With the rapid development of modern biotechnology, cold-adapted enzymes have been implemented in human and other animal food production, the protection and restoration of environments, and fundamental biological research, among other areas. Cold-adapted enzymes derived from microorganisms have attracted much attention because of their short production cycles, high yield, and simple separation and purification, compared with cold-adapted enzymes derived from plants and animals. In this review we discuss various types of cold-adapted enzyme from cold-adapted microorganisms, along with associated applications, catalytic mechanisms, and molecular modification methods, to establish foundation for the theoretical research and application of cold-adapted enzymes.
Antibiotic resistance gene sequencing is necessary to reveal the complex dynamics of immigration from sewers to activated sludge
Authors: Gibson Claire , Kraemer Susanne A. , Klimova Natalia , Guo Bing , Frigon Dominic
Published: April 2023

Microbial community composition has increasingly emerged as a key determinant of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) content. However, in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (AS-WWTPs), a comprehensive understanding of the microbial community assembly process and its impact on the persistence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains elusive. An important part of this process is the immigration dynamics (or community coalescence) between the influent and activated sludge. While the influent wastewater contains a plethora of ARGs, the persistence of a given ARG depends initially on the immigration success of the carrying population, and the possible horizontal transfer to indigenously resident populations of the WWTP. The current study utilized controlled manipulative experiments that decoupled the influent wastewater composition from the influent microbial populations to reveal the fundamental mechanisms involved in ARG immigration between sewers and AS-WWTP. A novel multiplexed amplicon sequencing approach was used to track different ARG sequence variants across the immigration interface, and droplet digital PCR was used to quantify the impact of immigration on the abundance of the targeted ARGs. Immigration caused an increase in the abundance of over 70 % of the quantified ARGs. However, monitoring of ARG amplicon sequence variants (ARG-ASVs) at the immigration interface revealed various immigration patterns such as (i) suppression of the indigenous mixed liquor ARG-ASV by the immigrant, or conversely (ii) complete immigration failure of the influent ARG-ASV. These immigration profiles are reported for the first time here and highlight the crucial information that can be gained using our novel multiplex amplicon sequencing techniques. Future studies aiming to reduce AMR in WWTPs should consider the impact of influent immigration in process optimisation and design.
Neonatal infection in Sub-Saharan Africa: a cross-sectional pilot study on bacterial pathogens and maternal risk factors
Authors: Blumenröder Simone , Wilson Damas , Ndaboine Edgard , Mirambo Mariam M. , Mushi Martha F. , Bader Oliver , Zimmermann Ortrud , Mshana Stephen E. , Groß Uwe
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Although child morbidity and mortality could be reduced in Sub-Saharan Africa during the last years both remain high. Since neonatal infections play a major role, we conducted a cross-sectional pilot study in the lake region of Western Tanzania in order to analyze not only the prevalence of neonatal infection with its bacterial etiology including antimicrobial resistance pattern but also to detect potential maternal risk factors.

Methods

We screened 156 women for potential risk factors and examined their neonates for clinical signs of an infection including microbiological verification. All women were interviewed for medical history and their socio-economic background. High-vaginal swabs (HVS) of pregnant women and blood cultures of sick infants were investigated for bacterial pathogens using culture followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) or polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR)-based assays. Antimicrobial resistances were determined using a disk diffusion test and verified by VITEK 2. Maternal malaria, blood glucose, and hemoglobin levels were determined by rapid tests and helminth infections by stool microscopy.

Results and discussion

Our results showed a prevalence of 22% for neonatal infections. In total, 57% of them had culture-positive bloodstream infections with Gram-negative bacteria being the most prevalent. All these expressed resistance against ampicillin. The prevalence of maternal infection with helminths or Plasmodium was low, indicating that anti-worming strategies and intermittent preventive treatment of malaria for pregnant women (IPTp) are effective. The study identified maternal urinary tract infection (UTI) and an elevated blood glucose level as potential maternal risk factors for early neonatal infection, an elevated blood glucose level, and maternal anemia for a late-onset infection.

Conclusion

Our study, therefore, indicates that monitoring maternal UTI in the last trimester as well as levels of maternal hemoglobin and blood glucose might be important to predict and eventually manage neonatal infections. As Gram-negative bacteria with resistance to ampicillin were most prevalent in culture-proven neonatal sepsis, WHO recommendations for calculated antibiosis in the sick young infant should be discussed.
Recent advances in the combination of cellular therapy with stem cells and nanoparticles after a spinal cord injury
Authors: García Elisa , Sánchez-Noriega Samantha , González-Pacheco Guadalupe , González-Vázquez Alejandro Naat , Ibarra Antonio , Rodríguez-Barrera Roxana
Published: April 2023

Background

Currently, combined therapies could help to reduce long-term sequelae of spinal cord injury (SCI); stem cell therapy at the site of injury in combination with other therapies has shown very promising results that can be transferred to the clinical field. Nanoparticles (NPs) are versatile technologies with applications to medical research for treatments of SCI since they could deliver therapeutic molecules to the target tissue and may help to reduce the side effects of non-targeted therapies. This article's purpose is to analyze and concisely describe the diverse cellular therapies in combination with NPs and their regenerative effect after SCI.

Methods

We reviewed the literature related to combinatory therapy for motor impairment following SCI that has been published by Web of Science, Scopus, EBSCO host, and PubMed databases. The research covers the databases from 2001 to December 2022.

Result

Animal models of SCI have shown that the combination of NPs plus stem cells has a positive impact on neuroprotection and neuroregeneration. Further research is required to better understand the effects and benefits of SCI on a clinical level; therefore, it is necessary to find and select the most effective molecules that are capable of exacerbating the neurorestorative effects of the different stem cells and then try them out on patients after SCI. On the other hand, we consider that synthetic polymers such as poly [lactic-co-glycolic acid] (PLGA) could be a candidate for the design of the first therapeutic strategy that combines NPs with stem cells in patients with SCI. The reasons for the selection are that PLGA has shown important advantages over other NPs, such as being biodegradable, having low toxicity levels, and high biocompatibility; In addition, researchers could control the release time and the biodegradation kinetics, and most importantly, it could be used as NMs on other clinical pathologies (12 studies on www.clinicaltrials.gov) and has been approved by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDA).

Conclusion

The use of cellular therapy and NPs may be a worthwhile alternative for SCI therapy; however, it is expected that the data obtained from interventions after SCI reflect an important variability of molecules combined with NPs. Therefore, it is necessary to properly define the limits of this research to be able to continue to work on the same line. Consequently, the selection of a specific therapeutic molecule and type of NPs plus stem cells are crucial to evaluate its application in clinical trials.
Research advances in imaging markers for predicting hematoma expansion in intracerebral hemorrhage: a narrative review
Authors: Huang Yong-Wei , Huang Hai-Lin , Li Zong-Ping , Yin Xiao-Shuang
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Stroke is a major global health concern and is ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide, with the third highest incidence of disability. Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating form of stroke that is responsible for a significant proportion of stroke-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Hematoma expansion (HE), which occurs in up to one-third of ICH patients, is a strong predictor of poor prognosis and can be potentially preventable if high-risk patients are identified early. In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of previous research in this area and highlight the potential use of imaging markers for future research studies.

Recent advances

Imaging markers have been developed in recent years to aid in the early detection of HE and guide clinical decision-making. These markers have been found to be effective in predicting HE in ICH patients and include specific manifestations on Computed Tomography (CT) and CT Angiography (CTA), such as the spot sign, leakage sign, spot-tail sign, island sign, satellite sign, iodine sign, blend sign, swirl sign, black hole sign, and hypodensities. The use of imaging markers holds great promise for improving the management and outcomes of ICH patients.

Conclusion

The management of ICH presents a significant challenge, and identifying high-risk patients for HE is crucial to improving outcomes. The use of imaging markers for HE prediction can aid in the rapid identification of such patients and may serve as potential targets for anti-HE therapies in the acute phase of ICH. Therefore, further research is needed to establish the reliability and validity of these markers in identifying high-risk patients and guiding appropriate treatment decisions.
Prognostic biomarker CCR6 and its correlation with immune infiltration in cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Nurzat Yeltai , Dai Damao , Hu Julong , Zhang Feiyu , Lin Zaihuan , Huang Yang , Gang Liang , Ji Hang , Zhang Xiaowen
Published: April 2023

Background

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is an aggressive type of skin cancer. Even after standard treatment, the recurrence and malignant progression of CM were almost inevitable. The overall survival (OS) of patients with CM varied widely, making it critical for prognostic prediction. Based on the correlation between CCR6 and melanoma incidence, we aimed to investigate the prognostic role of CCR6 and its relationship with immune infiltration in CM.

Methods

We obtained RNA sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to analyze the CM expression. Functional enrichment analyses, immune infiltration analyses, immune checkpoint analyses, and clinicopathology analyses were performed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to identify independent prognostic factors. A nomogram model had been developed. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to estimate the relationship between OS and CCR6 expression.

Results

CCR6 was significantly upregulated in CM. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that CCR6 was correlated with immune response. Most immune cells and immune checkpoints were positively correlated with CCR6 expression. Kaplan–Meier analyses showed that high CCR6 expression was associated with a good outcome in CM and its subtypes. Cox regression showed that CCR6 was an independent prognostic factor in patients with CM (HR = 0.550, 95% CI = 0.332–0.912, p<0.05).

Conclusions

CCR6 is considered to be a new prognostic biomarker for patients with CM, and our study provides a potential therapeutic target for CM treatment.
Numerical and boundary condition effects on the prediction of detonation engine behavior using detailed numerical simulations
Authors: Sato Takuma , Van Beck Caleb , Raman Venkat
Published: April 2023

High-fidelity numerical simulations of an experimental rotating detonation engine with discrete fuel/air injection were conducted. A series of configurations with different feed-plenum pressures but with constant equivalence ratio were studied. Detailed chemical kinetics for the hydrogen/air system is used. A resolution study for the full rotating detonation engine (RDE) system simulation is also conducted. Two kinds of boundary conditions, a total pressure boundary and a constant mass flow rate boundary, are used to assess the effects of the inlet boundary. As mass flow rate is increased, the total pressure boundary causes more error in the axial pressure distribution while the constant mass flow rate gives a better solution for all cases ran. The simulations confirm experimental findings, and reproduce qualitative as well as some of the quantitative trends. These results demonstrate that a) fuel-air mixing is highly non-uniform within the detonation chamber, leading to variations in local equivalence ratio, b) the fuel and oxidizer injectors experience significant backflow as the detonation wave passes over, but recover at different rates which further augments the inefficiencies in mixing, and c) parasitic combustion in the mixing region makes the detonation wave weak by extending the reaction zone across the wave.
Observational study of pimecrolimus 1% cream for prevention of transcutaneous sensitization in children with atopic dermatitis during their first year of life
Authors: Murashkin Nikolay N. , Namazova-Baranova Leyla S. , Makarova Svetlana G. , Ivanov Roman A. , Grigorev Stepan G. , Fedorov Dmitri V. , Ambarchian Eduard T. , Epishev Roman V. , Materikin Alexander I. , Opryatin Leonid A. , Savelova Alena A.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Epidermal barrier dysfunction in children with atopic dermatitis can cause transcutaneous sensitization to allergens and allergic diseases. We evaluated the effectiveness of an early-intervention algorithm for atopic dermatitis treatment, utilizing pimecrolimus for long-term maintenance therapy, in reducing transcutaneous sensitization in infants.

Method

This was a single-center cohort observational study that enrolled children aged 1-4 months with family history of allergic diseases, moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis, and sensitization to ≥ 1 of the investigated allergens. Patients who sought medical attention at atopic dermatitis onset (within 10 days) were group 1 “baseline therapy with topical glucocorticoids with subsequent transition to pimecrolimus as maintenance therapy”; patients who sought medical attention later were group 2 “baseline and maintenance therapy with topical glucocorticoids, without subsequent use of pimecrolimus”. Sensitization class and level of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E were determined at baseline, and 6 and 12 months of age. Atopic dermatitis severity was evaluated using the Eczema Area and Severity Index score at baseline and 6, 9 and 12 months of age.

Results

Fifty-six and 52 patients were enrolled in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Compared with group 2, group 1 demonstrated a lower level of sensitization to cow's milk protein, egg white and house dust mite allergen at 6 and 12 months of age, and a more pronounced decrease in atopic dermatitis severity at 6, 9 and 12 months of age. No adverse events occurred.

Discussion

The pimecrolimus-containing algorithm was effective in treating atopic dermatitis and prophylaxis of early forms of allergic diseases in infants.

Trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/NCT04900948, retrospectively registered, 25 May 2021.
Evaluation of the impact of pharmaceutical trainings and tools on the proper use of medicines in pediatrics
Authors: Charles F. , Castet-Nicolas A. , Amouroux C. , Moreau J. , Werner O. , Morin D. , Berland P. , Fila M. , de Barry G.
Published: April 2023

Introduction: After six years of medication errors’ (MEs) collection and analysis in a pediatric unit of a French University Hospital, the number of MEs was no longer decreasing. We then decided to set up pharmaceutical training and tools and evaluate their impact on the occurrence of ME.

Materials and methods: This monocentric prospective study was carried out in the form of audits of prescriptions, preparations, and administrations before and after intervention (A1 and A2). After the analysis of A1 results, feedback was given to the teams, some tools for the proper use of medication (PUM) were distributed, and A2 was conducted. Finally, A1 and A2 results were compared.

Results: Each audit included 202 observations. A total of 120 MEs were identified during A1 and 54 for A2 (p < 0.0001). The observation rate with at least 1 ME decreased from 39.11% to 21.29% (p < 0.0001), and no observation had more than two MEs during A2 in contrast to A1 (n = 12). Human factors were responsible for the majority of MEs. The audit feedback allowed professionals to feel concerned about ME. The PUM tools received an average satisfaction rating of 9/10. The staff had never participated in this type of training, and all felt it was useful to apply PUM.

Conclusion: This study showed a significant impact of pharmaceutical training and tools on the pediatric PUM. Clinical pharmaceutic actions allowed us to reach our objectives and satisfied all the staff. They must, therefore, be continued to limit human factors’ impact and thus contribute to the safety of drug management in pediatrics.
Ubiquitin-proteasome system-based signature to predict the prognosis and drug sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Jianxiang , Liu Liwen , Wang Zenghan , Hou Mingyang , Dong Zihui , Yu Jia , Sun Ranran , Cui Guangying
Published: April 2023

Background: Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is implicated in cancer occurrence and progression. Targeting UPS is emerging as a promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of UPS in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been entirely elucidated.

Methods: Differentially expressed UPS genes (DEUPS) were screened from LIHC-TCGA datasets. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and stepwise multivariate regression analysis were conducted to establish a UPS-based prognostic risk model. The robustness of the risk model was further validated in HCCDB18, GSE14520, and GSE76427 cohorts. Subsequently, immune features, clinicopathologic characteristics, enrichment pathways, and anti-tumor drug sensitivity of the model were further evaluated. Moreover, a nomogram was established to improve the predictive ability of the risk model.

Results: Seven UPS-based signatures (ATG10, FBXL7, IPP, MEX3A, SOCS2, TRIM54, and PSMD9) were developed for the prognostic risk model. Individuals with HCC with high-risk scores presented a more dismal prognosis than those with low-risk scores. Moreover, larger tumor size, advanced TNM stage, and tumor grade were observed in the high-risk group. Additionally, cell cycle, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, and DNA repair pathways were intimately linked to the risk score. In addition, obvious immune cell infiltration and sensitive drug response were identified in low-risk patients. Furthermore, both nomogram and risk score showed a significant prognosis-predictive ability.

Conclusion: Overall, we established a novel UPS-based prognostic risk model in HCC. Our results will facilitate a deep understanding of the functional role of UPS-based signature in HCC and provide a reliable prediction of clinical outcomes and anti-tumor drug responses for patients with HCC.
Analysis of the consensus of double-layer chain networks
Authors: Gao Haiping , Zhu Jian , Dou Yan , Liu Qian , Gao Rui
Published: April 2023

The multi-layer network topology structures directly affect the robustness of network consensus. The different positions of edges between layers will lead to a great difference in the consensus of double-layer chain networks. Finding the optimal positions of edges for consensus can help to design the network topology structures with optimal robustness. In this paper, we first derive the coherence of double-layer chain networks with one and two connected edges between layers by graph theory. Secondly, the optimal and worst connection edges positions of the two types of networks are simulated. When there is one edge between layers, the optimal edge connection position is found at 1/2 of each chain, and the worst edge connection position is found at the end node of the chain. When there are two edges between layers, the optimal edges connection positions are located at 1/5 and 4/5 of each chain respectively, and the worst edges connection positions are located at the end node of the chain and its neighbor node. Furthermore, we find that the optimal edge connection positions are closely related to the number of single-layer network nodes, and obtain their specific rules.
Reputation-based electricity scheduling scheme for complex network of user electricity consumption
Authors: Tang Wenjun , Lin Xiaoming , Zhao Yuming , Zhou Mi , Wang Zhenshang , Xiao Yong , Wang Ji
Published: April 2023

With the emergence of various high-powered electrical equipment, the demand for electric energy has increased rapidly. Subsequently, it has highlighted some issues of electricity consumption, such as the adjustment of electricity consumption peak. Although many electricity scheduling schemes have been proposed to adjust and control user load of electricity consumption, the current regulation of user load is not accurate and effective because the load regulation of different regional grid users is a complex network system. In this paper, we propose a reputation-based user electricity scheduling scheme for the complex network of user electricity consumption, whose purpose is to accurately adjust the electricity consumption of related users to further improve the adjustment of electricity consumption peak. In our scheme, we first model a complex network of user electricity consumption. Then we construct a reputation calculation method for electricity users, where the calculated reputation of users is one of the basis for assigning scheduling tasks to users and calculating the price subsidy received by users who complete the scheduling tasks. Further, we use the machine learning method to train a computation model to calculate the adjustment coefficients of electricity load, and then the electricity scheduling tasks are adjusted based on the calculated adjustment coefficients. Finally, the corresponding electricity scheduling tasks are assigned to the selected electricity users respectively for adjusting the electricity consumption of these users. Experiment results show the effectiveness of our proposed scheme. Our scheme can effectively calculate the reputation values of users based on their historical data, and the corresponding electricity scheduling tasks are effectively assigned to related users to accurately adjust the electricity consumption of these users according to their reputation values and the real-time adjustment coefficients, so as to efficiently improve the adjustment of electricity consumption peak.
Effect of fungicidal contamination on survival, morphology, and cellular immunity of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Authors: Kaur Gurleen , Singh Amandeep , Sharma Rohit , Thakur Abhinay , Tuteja Shushant , Shyamli  , Singh Randeep
Published: April 2023

Pesticide residues have been reported in hive-stored products for long periods. Larvae of honey bees experience oral or contact exposure to these products during their normal growth and development inside the cells. We analyzed various toxicological, morphogenic, and immunological effects of residue-based concentrations of two fungicides, captan and difenoconazole, on the larvae of worker honey bees, Apis mellifera. Selected concentrations (0.08, 0.4, 2, 10, and 50 ppm) of both fungicides were applied topically at a volume of 1 µL/larva/cell as single and multiple exposures. Our results revealed a continuous, concentration-dependent decrease in brood survival after 24 h of treatment to the capping and emergence stages. Compared to larvae with a single exposure, the multiply exposed youngest larvae were most sensitive to fungicidal toxicity. The larvae that survived higher concentrations, especially multiple exposures, showed several morphological defects at the adult stage. Moreover, difenoconazole-treated larvae showed a significantly decreased number of granulocytes after 1 h of treatment followed by an increase after 24 h of treatment. Thus, fungicidal contamination poses a great risk as the tested concentrations showed adverse effects on the survival, morphology, and immunity of larval honey bees.
Mountain wetland soil carbon stocks of Huascarán National Park, Peru
Authors: Chimner Rodney A. , Resh Sigrid C. , Hribljan John A. , Battaglia Michael , Bourgeau-Chavez Laura , Bowser Gillian , Lilleskov Erik A.
Published: April 2023

Although wetlands contain a disproportionately high amount of earth’s total soil carbon, many regions are still poorly mapped and with unquantified carbon stocks. The tropical Andes contain a high concentration of wetlands consisting mostly of wet meadows and peatlands, yet their total organic carbon stocks are poorly quantified, as well as the carbon fraction that wet meadows store compared to peatlands. Therefore, our goal was to quantify how soil carbon stocks vary between wet meadows and peatlands for a previously mapped Andean region, Huascarán National Park, Peru. Our secondary goal was to test a rapid peat sampling protocol to facilitate field sampling in remote areas. We sampled soil to calculate carbon stocks of four wetland types: cushion peat, graminoid peat, cushion wet meadow, and graminoid wet meadow. Soil sampling was conducted by using a stratified randomized sampling scheme. Wet meadows were sampled to the mineral boundary using a gouge auger, and we used a combination of full peat cores and a rapid peat sampling procedure to estimate peat carbon stocks. In the lab, soils were processed for bulk density and carbon content, and total carbon stock of each core was calculated. We sampled 63 wet meadows and 42 peatlands. On a per hectare basis, carbon stocks varied strongly between peatlands (avg. 1092 MgC ha-1) and wet meadows (avg. 30 MgC ha-1). Overall, wetlands in Huascarán National Park contain 24.4 Tg of carbon with peatlands storing 97% of the total wetland carbon and wet meadows accounting for 3% of the wetland carbon in the park. In addition, our results show that rapid peat sampling can be an effective method for sampling carbon stocks in peatlands. These data are important for countries developing land use and climate change policies as well as providing a rapid assessment method for wetland carbon stock monitoring programs.
Technostress at work during the COVID-19 lockdown phase (2020–2021): a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Bahamondes-Rosado Maria Emilia , Cerdá-Suárez Luis Manuel , Dodero Ortiz de Zevallos Gino Félix , Espinosa-Cristia Juan Felipe
Published: April 2023

Technostress is a psychosocial phenomenon associated with the use of technologies to the detriment of health, the same one that during the pandemic was accelerated in the work considering home confinement. This work aims to systematize the main research on the impact of technostress at work during the severe confinement stage of the pandemic, between the years 2020 and 2021, with the purpose of identify and evaluate its main determining factors. A systematic review of the literature was carried out during COVID-19, using the words “technostress work COVID-19.” The works found focus mainly on analyzing the creators and inhibitors of technostress in workers, as well as the main consequences of the materialization of this technological risk associated with work performance during the stage of confinement by COVID-19. Techno invasion and techno overload were identified as the main techno stressors, with the main type of technostress appreciated in the literature being techno fatigue. Technostress is identified as a problem that had direct and relevant effects during the season of severe confinement and remote work at home due to COVID-19; highlighting techno fatigue as the most frequent type of stress, and techno stressors such as techno invasion and overload as the ones that presented the highest incidence.
The effects of adverse childhood experiences on depression and suicidal behaviors are partially mediated by neuroticism: A subclinical manifestation of major depression
Authors: Jirakran Ketsupar , Vasupanrajit Asara , Tunvirachaisakul Chavit , Maes Michael
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Neuroticism, a personality trait, can predict major depressive disorder (MDD). The current study aims to determine whether a) neuroticism is a feature of the acute state of MDD, including suicidal behaviors (SB); and b) adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with neuroticism in MDD.

Methods

This study included 133 participants, 67 healthy controls and 66 MDD patients, and assessed the Big 5 Inventory (BFI), ACEs using the ACE Questionnaire, and the phenome of depression using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) scores to assess current SB.

Results

Neuroticism was significantly higher in MDD than controls, and it explained 64.9% of the variance in the depression phenome (a latent vector extracted from HAM-D, BDI, STAI, and current SB scores). The other BFI domains had much less (extraversion, agreeableness) or no effect (openness, conscientiousness). One latent vector could be extracted from the phenome, lifetime dysthymia, lifetime anxiety disorders and neuroticism scores. Neglect (physical and emotional) and abuse (physical, neglect and sexual) account for approximately 30% of the variance in this latent vector. Partial Least Squares analysis showed that the effects of neglect on the phenome were partially mediated by neuroticism, whereas the effects of abuse were completely mediated by neuroticism.

Discussion

Neuroticism (trait) and the MDD phenome (state) are both manifestations of the same latent core, with neuroticism being a subclinical manifestation of MDD.
The relationship between physical activity and depression among community-dwelling adults in Wuhan, China
Authors: Wu Kai-Ge , Chen Si-Jing , Hu Ya-Ni , Mei Shu-Fang , Chen Wen-Cai , Huang Xian-E , Xu Zai-Feng , Li Ming-Chao , Zhong Bao-Liang , Liu Xiu-Jun
Published: April 2023

Background

While the association between physical activity (PA) and depression has been established, there is limited research on the effect of PA on the risk of depression among Chinese individuals. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between PA and depression among Chinese individuals.

Methods

We used a stratified random sampling approach to recruit participants from five urban districts in Wuhan, China. A total of 5,583 permanent residents aged 18 years or older completed questionnaires, which included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) to measure PA, and the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to evaluate depressive symptoms. To control for potential confounders, multiple logistic regression was employed to assess the association of PA with depression.

Results

The depression group had significantly lower weekly PA levels, measured in metabolic equivalent of task-minutes per week (MET-min/w), compared to the non-depression group [1,770 (693–4,200) MET-min/w vs. 2,772 (1,324–4,893) MET-min/w, p < 0.001]. In the fully adjusted model, the moderate and high PA level groups had lower odds ratios (ORs) for depressive symptoms compared to the low PA level group [OR (95% confidence interval (CI)) = 0.670 (0.523–0.858), 0.618 (0.484–0.790), respectively]. Among males, moderate and high levels of PA were associated with lower risk of depression compared to low PA levels [OR (95% CI) = 0.417 (0.268–0.649), 0.381 (0.244–0.593), respectively]. However, this association was not observed in females [OR (95% CI) = 0.827 (0.610–1.121), 0.782 (0.579–1.056), respectively]. The study found a significant interaction between PA levels and gender in relation to depression (P for interaction = 0.019).

Conclusion

The findings suggest a negative association between PA and risk of depressive symptoms, indicating that moderate to high levels of PA may serve as a protective factor against depressive symptoms.
Recommendations to overcome barriers to the use of artificial intelligence-driven evidence in health technology assessment
Authors: Zemplényi Antal , Tachkov Konstantin , Balkanyi Laszlo , Németh Bertalan , Petykó Zsuzsanna Ida , Petrova Guenka , Czech Marcin , Dawoud Dalia , Goettsch Wim , Gutierrez Ibarluzea Inaki , Hren Rok , Knies Saskia , Lorenzovici László , Maravic Zorana , Piniazhko Oresta , Savova Alexandra , Manova Manoela , Tesar Tomas , Zerovnik Spela , Kaló Zoltán
Published: April 2023

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted much attention because of its enormous potential in healthcare, but uptake has been slow. There are substantial barriers that challenge health technology assessment (HTA) professionals to use AI-generated evidence for decision-making from large real-world databases (e.g., based on claims data). As part of the European Commission-funded HTx H2020 (Next Generation Health Technology Assessment) project, we aimed to put forward recommendations to support healthcare decision-makers in integrating AI into the HTA processes. The barriers, addressed by the paper, are particularly focusing on Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, where the implementation of HTA and access to health databases lag behind Western European countries.

Methods

We constructed a survey to rank the barriers to using AI for HTA purposes, completed by respondents from CEE jurisdictions with expertise in HTA. Using the results, two members of the HTx consortium from CEE developed recommendations on the most critical barriers. Then these recommendations were discussed in a workshop by a wider group of experts, including HTA and reimbursement decision-makers from both CEE countries and Western European countries, and summarized in a consensus report.

Results

Recommendations have been developed to address the top 15 barriers in areas of (1) human factor-related barriers, focusing on educating HTA doers and users, establishing collaborations and best practice sharing; (2) regulatory and policy-related barriers, proposing increasing awareness and political commitment and improving the management of sensitive information for AI use; (3) data-related barriers, suggesting enhancing standardization and collaboration with data networks, managing missing and unstructured data, using analytical and statistical approaches to address bias, using quality assessment tools and quality standards, improving reporting, and developing better conditions for the use of data; and (4) technological barriers, suggesting sustainable development of AI infrastructure.

Conclusion

In the field of HTA, the great potential of AI to support evidence generation and evaluation has not yet been sufficiently explored and realized. Raising awareness of the intended and unintended consequences of AI-based methods and encouraging political commitment from policymakers is necessary to upgrade the regulatory and infrastructural environment and knowledge base required to integrate AI into HTA-based decision-making processes better.
Circadian rhythms in pediatric craniopharyngioma
Authors: Kamara Dana , Crowley Stephanie J. , Crabtree Valerie McLaughlin , Hancock Donna , Li Yimei , Darji Himani , Semko Joshua , Wise Merrill S. , Merchant Thomas E. , Mandrell Belinda N.
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Craniopharyngioma is a brain tumor arising in the region of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Children and adolescents with craniopharyngioma have high survival rates, but often experience significant morbidity, including high rates of sleep disorders. Vulnerabilities to circadian disruption are present in this population, but little is known about circadian health.

Methods

We present exploratory circadian findings from a prospective trial at a single center. Data presented here are from the baseline timepoint. Fifty-three patients between the ages of 7 and 20 years provided salivary melatonin samples, following surgical resection and prior to completion of proton therapy, when indicated. We estimated dim light melatonin onset (DLMO) and collected additional sleep data from actigraphy, overnight polysomnography, and the multiple sleep latency test.

Results

Almost half of participants did not have a valid DLMO estimate during the sampling window, with most being above the threshold at the first sample timepoint. Those with greater disease severity variables (greater hypothalamic involvement and the presence of diabetes insipidus) were significantly more likely to have missed DLMO. For those with valid estimates, DLMO timing correlated with BMI and other sleep variables, including mean sleep latency values on the MSLT.

Discussion

These findings suggest that a subset of those with pediatric craniopharyngioma may experience a phase advance and that this may relate to poorer prognostic indicators. Furthermore, circadian timing correlates with other sleep and health factors. Further research with earlier sampling is needed to better understand circadian rhythms in pediatric craniopharyngioma and associations with other health and disease variables.
Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Powell Lisa Jordan , Mendly-Zambo Zsofia , Newman Lenore Lauri
Published: April 2023

Yeast derived-dairy (YDD) produced using cellular agriculture technologies is already available for purchase in the United States, though there has been little study of public understanding of these products. Our pilot study explored consumer perception and acceptance of YDD and yeast-derived agriculture (YDA). The study employed a questionnaire consisting of Likert scale, multiple-choice and open-ended questions, which was disseminated to vegans and the food-interested public in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 27.0, and qualitative data was collected and analyzed (in English) using thematic analysis. A binary logistic regression model indicated that among our participants, being vegan or 35 years of age or older negatively predicted having positive feelings towards YDA [chi-square (10) = 29.086, p = 0.001]. Vegans were less likely to try or purchase YDD than non-vegans. Consumers in our study shared concerns regarding the health and safety of YDD with many viewing it as non-vegan and a highly processed product. Although vegans receive a disproportionate amount of media attention with regards to cellular agriculture, our pilot study suggests this group may be unlikely to accept or consume YDA or YDD. Rather, our preliminary work indicates non-vegans and individuals under the age of 35 may be a more receptive market. Across groups, confusion about YDA processes may be a barrier to adoption.
Gemology, Mineralogy, and Spectroscopy of Gem-Quality Diopside from Pakistan and Russia: New Insights for the Chromogenic Mechanism and Possible Origin
Authors: Wang Zixuan , He Xiaoqing , Xu Bo , Ren Jing
Published: April 2023

Green diopside is currently popular in the jewelry market due to its attractive color and excellent transparency. Gem-quality diopsides are mainly sourced from Pakistan, Italy, Russia, and other places. The color, geographic origin, and formation mechanism are the main factors affecting the value of gemstones, which can be determined by examining their gemology and composition characteristics. This study systematically characterizes the standard gemology of green diopsides from Pakistan and Russia and compares them with the blue diopsides produced within the skarn process and the diopsides from the nearby region in Russia from previous studies by gemological microscopy, spectral testing (infrared, Raman and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy), and chemical analyses (electron probe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry). The results show that the spectral characteristics and phase composition of the green diopside samples from Pakistan and Russia have excellent uniformity and similarity. The high Cr, Fe, V, and Ni contents are the reasons why they appear as green. Meanwhile, the elemental characteristics of the diopside are effective tools for distinguishing different origins of different diopsides. The Russian green diopsides have higher contents of Sr, Sc, Zr, and rare earth elements (REE), indicating that they are related to alkaline ultrabasic rocks, and the source of the diopside sample from Pakistan is metamorphic rock.
An Extensive Review and Analysis of Islanding Detection Techniques in DG Systems Connected to Power Grids
Authors: Abu Sarhan Mohammad
Published: April 2023

Nowadays, the integration of distributed generators with the main utility grid is highly increasing due to the benefits which can be obtained, such as increasing the system efficiency and reliability. Apart from that, many technical and safety issues appear in the system due to this integration. One of these issues is the islanding condition, which has to be detected effectively and quickly before having any detrimental effects on the protection, stability, and security of the system. This study provides a detailed overview of several islanding detection approaches, which are divided into traditional methods, including local and remote methods, and modern methods, including methods based on signal processing and computational intelligence. Moreover, a comparison between each method based on various criteria, such as non-detected zone, quality factor, response time, implementation cost, degrading power quality, reliability, suitability for the type of distributed generators, suitability for multi-distributed generators system, and sensitivity to cyber-attacks, is carried out. Therefore, this review will offer a solid background in order to help researchers interested in this field distinguish between islanding detection methods and their relative advantages and disadvantages, as well as to be able to choose the most suitable islanding detection method among the others to be implemented in the network.
Effect of Vertical Confinement and Blade Flexibility on Cross-Flow Turbines
Authors: Kara-Mostefa Mohamed-Larbi , Chatellier Ludovic , Thomas Lionel
Published: April 2023

Both scientific and industrial communities have a growing interest in marine renewable energies. There is a wide variety of technologies in this domain, with different degrees of maturity. This study focuses on two models of a mast-free vertical axis Darrieus tidal turbine with the objective of characterizing the effect of vertical confinement, rotor configuration, and fluid–structure interactions on their performances in free-surface flows. The first model comprised four straight rigid blades maintained by circular flanges on both ends of the rotor and the second model is equipped with free-ended interchangeable blades attached to a single upper flange. Two configurations of the second model mounted with either rigid or flexible blades were used, first for comparison with the dual-flange turbine, then in order to address the effect of fluid–structure interactions on the turbine performances. While the single-flange models exhibit a significantly lower efficiency at all operating points, it is observed that the use of flexible blades tends to enhance turbine performances at low Reynolds numbers. The flow topology obtained from PIV measurement at selected operating points is discussed with respect to the performance of each turbine model in order to highlight the role of the dynamic stall and blade–vortex interactions.