bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of autonomic system imbalance in neurogenic pulmonary oedema
Authors: Yang Aobing , Liu Bin , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2022

Neurogenic pulmonary oedema (NPE) is a life‐threatening complication that develops rapidly and dramatically after an injury to the central nervous system (CNS). The autonomic system imbalance produced by severe brain damage may play an important role in the development of NPE. Activation of the sympathetic nervous system and inhibition of the vagus nerve system are essential prerequisites for autonomic system imbalance. The more severe the damage, the more pronounced the phenomenon. Sympathetic hyperactivity is associated with increased release of catecholamines from peripheral sympathetic nerve endings, which can cause dramatic changes in haemodynamics and cause pulmonary oedema. On the other hand, the abnormal inflammatory response caused by vagus nerve inhibition may also play an important role in the pathogenesis of NPE. The perspective of autonomic system imbalance seems to perfectly integrate the existing pathogenesis of NPE and can explain the entire development progression of NPE.
Ant colony based fish crowding degree optimization algorithm for magnetic resonance imaging segmentation in sports knee joint injury assessment
Authors: Song Ziyu , Yang Bowen
Published: March 2022

The aim was to analyse the application value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the injury evaluation of posterolateral corner (PLC) caused by sports, and the ant colony‐based crowding degree of fish swarm optimization algorithm for image segmentation optimization of MRI images. The crowding degree of fish swarm was introduced to construct the ant colony optimization algorithm (ACOA), and the maximum and minimum ant system (MMAS) and ant colony algorithm based on variation features (VF‐based ACA) were introduced to compare with ACOA. Besides, ACOA was applied to the MRI diagnosis of 98 patients with PLC injuries. Then the number of Degree I, Degree II, and Degree III in PLC patients were compared. The results showed that the iteration times and running time of the optimal solution were obtained by ACOA when the number of cities was 10, which were compared with those obtained by MMAS and VF‐based ACA with no great differences (P > 0.05), and the iteration times and running time of ACOA were greater than those of MMAS and VF‐based ACA when the number of cities was 50 (P < 0.05). There were 73 patients with PLC injuries involved 2 or more structures, 11 patients with PLC injuries only involved the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), and 7 patients with PLC injuries only involved the popliteal tendon (PLT). The injury rates of LCL, medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and PLT were 87.02%, 51.33%, 72.45%, 41.75%, and 84.06%, respectively. The number of patients with PLC injuries combined with Grade I of LCL, PCL, ACL, PCL, biceps femoris tendon, and PLT was higher than that of patients with Grade II and III (P < 0.05). In conclusion, ACOA was much better than MMAS and VF‐based ACA in dealing with complex work, which effectively improved the ergodicity of search and reduced the running time. There were more common in PLC injuries combined with LCL, PCL, ACL, PCL, and PLT, MRI images based on ACOA could clearly show the degree of ligament and tendon injuries.
Reduced methane emissions in former permafrost soils driven by vegetation and microbial changes following drainage
Authors: Keuschnig Christoph , Larose Catherine , Rudner Mario , Pesqueda Argus , Doleac Stéphane , Elberling Bo , Björk Robert G. , Klemedtsson Leif , Björkman Mats P.
Published: March 2022

In Arctic regions, thawing permafrost soils are projected to release 50 to 250 Gt of carbon by 2100. This data is mostly derived from carbon‐rich wetlands, although 71% of this carbon pool is stored in faster‐thawing mineral soils, where ecosystems close to the outer boundaries of permafrost regions are especially vulnerable. Although extensive data exists from currently thawing sites and short‐term thawing experiments, investigations of the long‐term changes following final thaw and co‐occurring drainage are scarce. Here we show ecosystem changes at two comparable tussock tundra sites with distinct permafrost thaw histories, representing 15 and 25 years of natural drainage, that resulted in a 10‐fold decrease in CH4 emissions (3.2 ± 2.2 vs. 0.3 ± 0.4 mg C‐CH4 m−2 day−1), while CO2 emissions were comparable. These data extend the time perspective from earlier studies based on short‐term experimental drainage. The overall microbial community structures did not differ significantly between sites, although the drier top soils at the most advanced site led to a loss of methanogens and their syntrophic partners in surface layers while the abundance of methanotrophs remained unchanged. The resulting deeper aeration zones likely increased CH4 oxidation due to the longer residence time of CH4 in the oxidation zone, while the observed loss of aerenchyma plants reduced CH4 diffusion from deeper soil layers directly to the atmosphere. Our findings highlight the importance of including hydrological, vegetation and microbial specific responses when studying long‐term effects of climate change on CH4 emissions and underscores the need for data from different soil types and thaw histories.
Applying Local Indicators of Spatial Association to Analyze Longitudinal Data: The Absolute Perspective
Authors: Tao Ran , Chen Yuzhou
Published: March 2022

Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA) are a class of spatial statistical methods that have been widely applied in various scientific fields. When applying LISA to make longitudinal comparisons of spatial data, a common way is to run LISA analysis at each time point, then compare the results to infer the distributional dynamics of spatial processes. Given that LISA hinges on the global mean value that often varies across time, the LISA result generated at time Ti reflects the spatial patterns strictly with respect to Ti. Therefore, the typical comparative cross‐sectional analysis with LISA can only characterize the relative distributional dynamics. However, the relative perspective alone is inadequate to comprehend the full picture, as the patterns are not directly associated with the changes of the spatial process’s intensity. We argue that it is important to obtain the absolute distribution dynamics to complement the relative perspective, especially for tracking how spatial processes evolve across time at the local level. We develop a solution that modifies the significance test when implementing LISA analysis of longitudinal data to reveal and visualize the absolute distribution dynamics. Experiments were conducted with Mongolian livestock data and Rwanda population data.
Exploring the socioeconomic drivers of COVID‐19 mortality across various spatial regimes
Authors: Grekousis George , Lu Yi , Wang Ruoyu
Published: March 2022

Identifying the socioeconomic drivers of COVID‐19 deaths is essential for designing effective policies and health interventions. However, how the significance and impact of these factors varies across different spatial regimes has been scantly explored. In this ecological cross‐sectional study, we apply the spatial lag by regimes regression model to examine how the socioeconomic and health determinants of COVID‐19 death rate vary across (a) metropolitan vs. non‐metropolitan, (b) shelter‐in‐place vs. no‐shelter‐in‐place order, and (c) Democratic vs. Republican US counties. A total of 20 variables were studied across 3108 counties in the contiguous US for the first year of the pandemic (6 February 2020 to 5 February 2021). The results show that the COVID‐19 death rate not only depends on a complex interplay of the population demographic, socioeconomic and health‐related characteristics, but also on the spatial regime that the residents live, work and play. Household median income, household size, percentage of African Americans, percentage aged 40–59 and heart disease mortality are significant to metropolitan but not to non‐metropolitan counties. We identified lack of insurance access as a significant driver across all regimes except for Democratic. We also showed that the political orientation of the governor might have impacted COVID‐19 death rates due to the public response (i.e., shelter‐in‐place vs. no‐shelter‐in‐place order). The proposed analysis allows for understanding the socioeconomic context in which public health policies can be applied, and importantly, it presents how COVID‐19 death related factors vary across different spatial regimes.
Epidemiology Helicobacter pylori infection in children in the Tyva Republic (Russia)
Authors: Polivanova Tamara Vladimirovna , Malaty Hoda , Vshivkov Vitaliy Alekseevich
Published: March 2022

Background

Tyva Republic is a small mountainous area at the geographical center of Asia in southern Siberia, with a high incidence of gastric cancer. Aim: We examined the prevalence of H. pylori and associated risk factors among children in Tyva. Methods: Cross‐sectional study was conducted among Tuvan children who had upper gastrointestinal symptoms and underwent upper gastroscopy with gastric biopsies. Informed consent was obtained from the parents and assent from the children. Demographic information, ethnicity, parents’ education and employment status, and family size were collected. H. pylori infection was diagnosed by histologic examination. Results: There were 270 children between the ages 7 and 17 years (mean 13.4 ± 2.7); 64% girls; 147e Tuvan and 123 Caucasians. The overall prevalence of H. pylori was high and similar between boys and girls (55 vs. 57%, respectively, p = 0.42). The infection was highest in Tuvan children (67%. vs. 43%, respectively (OR = 2.4; 95%CI = 1.9.4–3), p = 0.05. H. pylori prevalence increased with age from 44% among 7 to 10 years and 64% among those 14 to 17 (OR = 3.0; 95%CI = 1.6–5.8), p = 0.0.005; the pattern was consistent among both ethnic groups. The prevalence of the infection among Caucasian children was inversely correlated with the level of mother's education (44%, vs. 61%) (i.e., for with and without a college education the OR = 2.3; 95%CI = 1.2–3.7), p = 0.02. Neither the total number of children nor adults living in the same household correlated with H. pylori prevalence. Conclusions: Strategies to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer in Tyva will need to start in childhood.
Direct monitoring of immediate release of Zn from zinc‐doped bioactive glass
Authors: Galusková Dagmar , Kaňková Hana , Švančárková Anna , Buňová Lenka , Galusek Dušan
Published: March 2022

Zinc‐doped bioactive glass prepared by conventional melting was tested in simulated body fluid (SBF) to quantitatively determine zinc ion release at the early stage of dissolution of bioactive glass. The analysis of the leaching solution was performed in a flow‐through arrangement, with the reaction cell connected directly to the nebulizer of the ICP OES. Possible formation of zinc silicate and zinc phosphate as alteration products precipitating from SBF solution along with hydroxyapatite was evaluated using the PHREEQC modeling code. Direct monitoring in the first 10‐min interval of contact of the glass with SBF contributed to determination of the immediate quantity of zinc leached from the glass and confirmed burst release of zinc from material, with a maximum after ∼4.5 min of contact with the SBF.
Study on the relationship between the degradation degrees of glutinous rice starch extruded with different α‐amylases and the qualities of Chinese rice wine
Authors: Guan Zhongjing , Zhang Zhuoyi , Ren Xiaoru , Bian Shichao , Xu Enbo , Jin Zhengyu , Jiao Aiquan
Published: March 2022

In view that enzymatic extrusion can change the degradation degree of raw materials, this paper studied the regulation rules of four indexes of degradation degree of enzymatically extruded glutinous rice flour and the correlation between these indexes and the quality indexes of brewed Chinese rice wine. The results showed that at appropriate water content, dextrose equivalent (DE) and water solubility index (WSI) were linearly related to the enzyme content in extrusion with thermostable α‐amylase (TS‐αA) and mesophilic α‐amylase (MS‐αA), respectively. But water absorption index (WAI) was not significantly affected by enzyme content. The percentages of each degree of polymerisation (DP) (1–7) and that of the sum of the rest DPs called other DP were the fundamental reasons for different DE values, WSI, WAI and quality indexes of Chinese rice wine. DP1 was significantly positively correlated with alcohol degree, and negatively correlated with total acid. DP2–DP7 (except DP4) was significantly positively correlated with amino acid nitrogen. Besides, other DP was significantly positively correlated with total sugar and total acid. The percentages of DP1, DP2–DP7 and other DP could be respectively adjusted by changing enzyme content in extrusion with MS‐αA, MS‐αA/TS‐αA and TS‐αA to control the related quality indexes of Chinese rice wine.
Dialogues or polemics: Social science expertise and welfare reform in Quebec
Authors: Noël Alain
Published: March 2022

The development of social assistance and poverty reduction policies has been informed by social scientific knowledge. Social scientists, however, are not of one mind on such matters. They tend to be divided along disciplinary and ideological lines and may even foster political divisions and conflicts. This article draws on the author's experience as an academic policy adviser to the Quebec government to analyse from up close the institutional context that facilitates knowledge utilisation in the policy process. Two reform processes are considered: the first one, between 1995 and 1998, was less collaborative and led to divisions, and the second, between 1997 and 2009, involved more interactions with the civil service and proved more fruitful. In both cases, experts were divided, as were politicians and civil servants, but their capacity to reach a consensus was fostered, in the second case, by better support and collaboration from the government.
“Thrombus‐first” or “thrombus‐last” approach for surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus
Authors: Ishiyama Yudai , Kondo Tsunenori , Yoshida Kazuhiko , Iizuka Junpei , Tanabe Kazunari , Takagi Toshio
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To compare the perioperative outcomes between thrombectomy first then nephrectomy (“thrombus‐first”) and vice‐versa (“thrombus‐last”) approaches for patients with renal cell carcinoma and inferior vena cava thrombus.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 130 patients who underwent nephrectomy and thrombectomy at two institutions between 1992 and 2020. The cohort was classified into the thrombus‐first and thrombus‐last groups according to the techniques used. Outcomes including the operative time, blood loss, and complications, especially the occurrence of intraoperative tumor embolism of pulmonary artery and postoperative pulmonary embolism, were compared.

Results

The thrombus‐first and thrombus‐last groups comprised 48 and 82 patients, respectively. Characteristics such as age, performance status, Charlson Comorbidity Index, renal function, and level of tumour thrombus were comparable between the two groups. Approximately 41% of the patients had distant metastasis. There were four cases (3.1%) of intraoperative tumor embolism, all from the thrombus‐last group. Three patients overall (2.3%) experienced pulmonary embolism postoperatively with two in the thrombus‐last group (2.4%) and one in the thrombus‐first group (2.1%) (P > 0.999). The surgical time (291.0 min vs 369.0 min, P < 0.001) and the blood loss (1323.0 vs 2100.0 mL, P < 0.001) were significantly smaller for the thrombus‐first group than for the thrombus‐last group. Occurrence of complications was 25.0% and 43.9% in thrombus‐first and thrombus‐last groups, respectively (P = 0.029), and 8.3% and 23.2% for events graded ≥3 (P = 0.035).

Conclusion

In surgery for renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus, performing thrombectomy before nephrectomy may serve to lessen complications, blood loss, and surgical time compared to nephrectomy before thrombectomy.
Information and avoidance behaviour: The effect of air pollution disclosure on labour supply in China
Authors: SHEN Yu , SUN Wenkai
Published: March 2022

Although many studies have documented the negative impact of pollution on labour supply, few have investigated how it is affected by pollution information disclosure. This article analyses the question by using the exogenous shock of the launch of China's air pollution information disclosure programme. By using the difference‐in‐differences method and survey data for migrant workers, the authors find that such disclosure significantly decreased the working hours of outdoor workers. These findings highlight the importance of information disclosure, which could result in changes in workers' behaviour. Moreover, they indicate that measuring the cost of pollution without addressing the problem of information asymmetry may lead to bias.
Fetal inflammatory response at the fetomaternal interface: A requirement for labor at term and preterm*
Authors: Menon Ramkumar
Published: March 2022

Human parturition at term and preterm is an inflammatory process synchronously executed by both fetomaternal tissues to transition them from a quiescent state t an active state of labor to ensure delivery. The initiators of the inflammatory signaling mechanism can be both maternal and fetal. The placental (fetal)‐maternal immune and endocrine mediated homeostatic imbalances and inflammation are well reported. However, the fetal inflammatory response (FIR) theories initiated by the fetal membranes (amniochorion) at the choriodecidual interface are not well established. Although immune cell migration, activation, and production of proparturition cytokines to the fetal membranes are reported, cellular level events that can generate a unique set of inflammation are not well discussed. This review discusses derangements to fetal membrane cells (physiologically and pathologically at term and preterm, respectively) in response to both endogenous and exogenous factors to generate inflammatory signals. In addition, the mechanisms of inflammatory signal propagation (fetal signaling of parturition) and how these signals cause immune imbalances at the choriodecidual interface are discussed. In addition to maternal inflammation, this review projects FIR as an additional mediator of inflammatory overload required to promote parturition.
Interactions among common non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory viruses and influence of the COVID‐19 pandemic on their circulation in New York City
Authors: Yuan Haokun , Yeung Alice , Yang Wan
Published: March 2022

Background

Non‐pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and voluntary behavioral changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic have influenced the circulation of non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory infections. We aimed to examine interactions among common non‐SARS‐CoV‐2 respiratory virus and further estimate the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on these viruses.

Methods

We analyzed incidence data for seven groups of respiratory viruses in New York City (NYC) during October 2015 to May 2021 (i.e., before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic). We first used elastic net regression to identify potential virus interactions and further examined the robustness of the found interactions by comparing the performance of Seasonal Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models with and without the interactions. We then used the models to compute counterfactual estimates of cumulative incidence and estimate the reduction during the COVID‐19 pandemic period from March 2020 to May 2021, for each virus.

Results

We identified potential interactions for three endemic human coronaviruses (CoV‐NL63, CoV‐HKU, and CoV‐OC43), parainfluenza (PIV)‐1, rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). We found significant reductions (by ~70–90%) in cumulative incidence of CoV‐OC43, CoV‐229E, human metapneumovirus, PIV‐2, PIV‐4, RSV, and influenza virus during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In contrast, the circulation of adenovirus and rhinovirus was less affected.

Conclusions

Circulation of several respiratory viruses has been low during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which may lead to increased population susceptibility. It is thus important to enhance monitoring of these viruses and promptly enact measures to mitigate their health impacts (e.g., influenza vaccination campaign and hospital infection prevention) as societies resume normal activities.
Occurrence, infestation rate, and spatiotemporal distribution of the African pea crab (Afropinnotheres monodi) inhabiting Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from southern Portugal
Authors: Santos Agatha C. N. , Vasconcelos Paulo , Pereira Fábio , Piló David , Carvalho André N. , Gaspar Miguel B.
Published: March 2022

The present study aimed to analyze the occurrence and prevalence, infestation rate and intensity, host–guest colonization pattern, morphometric relationships, and spatiotemporal distribution of the African pea crab (Afropinnotheres monodi) inhabiting the shell of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Algarve coast and Ria Formosa lagoon (southern Portugal). Sampling campaigns were performed with a trimestral periodicity in 2018–2019 and comprised 13 collecting sites distributed in the Ria Formosa, along the Algarve coast, and in an offshore mussel farm. Altogether, 10,109 individuals of M. galloprovincialis in a broad range of sizes (9.0–91.2 mm in shell length) were sampled, among which 571 host mussels (14.6–73.6 mm in shell length) contained a total of 598 individuals of A. monodi, corresponding to an infestation rate of 5.6% (prevalence rate of 5.9% due to multiple occurrences). The sample of pea crabs also covered an extensive range of sizes (1.7–14.5 mm in carapace width) and included eight juveniles, 163 males, and 427 females (82 hard females and 345 soft females, of which 128 were non‐ovigerous and 217 ovigerous). Overall, hard (13.9%) and soft (58.5%) females prevailed over males (27.6%), corresponding to female‐biased sex ratio of 1 male:2.6 females. In terms of infestation intensity, 95.4% of host mussels contained a single pea crab, with multiple infestations (two or three crabs inside a single mussel) being more frequent in the lagoon than along the coast. Morphometric relationships between host shell length and pea crab carapace width were highly correlated (r values ranged .218–.631), although there were no significant differences between sexes or female demographic categories and maturity stages. Overall, the present study provided further insights into the colonization of M. galloprovincialis by A. monodi.
A cross‐sectional study of the interaction between night shift frequency and age on hypertension prevalence among female nurses
Authors: Zhao Bin , Li Jing , Li Yun , Liu Jie , Feng Di , Hao Yuming , Zhen Yanjie , Hao Xiaoran , Xu Menghui , Chen Ximin , Yang Xiulan , Zuo Aifang , Jia Rufu , Zhang Ruiqin , Fan Ailing , Wang Yun , Yuan Meijin , Tong Li , Chen Shuling , Cui Jing , Zhao Meizhu , Cui Wei
Published: March 2022

Night shift is a common work schedule. This study aimed to analyze the interaction between age and frequency of night shift on the hypertension prevalence. A census questionnaire was conducted in 512 medical institutions in 11 cities of Hebei Province. One lakh twenty‐one thousand nine hundred three female nurses were included in this study. Binary Logistic regression analysis was done by SPSS Version 26.0. The youngest age group without night shift was used as the reference group. The odds ratio was calculated by different combinations of interaction items. Interaction coefficients were calculated by an Excel table designed by Andersson. Compared with the 18–25 year old ones without night shift, there existed an additive interaction between the age of 36–45 and more than 5–10 night shifts per month on hypertension prevalence. Odds ratio, the relative excess risk of interaction, the attributable proportion of interaction, and the synergy index and their 95% confidence intervals were 2.923(2.292‐3.727), 0.631(0.309‐0.954), 0.216(0.109‐0.323), 1.488(1.158‐1.913). Additive interaction was also found between the age of 36–45 and more than 10 night shifts per month. OR, RERI, API, SI, and their 95% confidence intervals were 3.430(2.273‐5.175) 1.037(0.061‐2.013), 0.303(0.089‐0.516), and 1.746(1.093‐2.788). There also existed an additive interaction between the age of 46–65 and more than 5–10 night shifts per month on hypertension prevalence. OR, RERI, API, SI, and their 95% confidence intervals were 7.398(5.595‐9.781) 1.809(0.880‐2.739), 0.245(0.148‐0.341), and 1.394(1.199‐1.622).There existed interaction between specific age groups and night shift frequency on the prevalence of hypertension among female nurses.
ANGPTL4 regulate glutamine metabolism and fatty acid oxidation in nonsmall cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Xiao Song , Nai‐dong Wang , Jin‐Xiang Yan , Long Tian , Xiu‐Rong Lu , Hong Gao , Jie‐Cheng Yan , Fei Zhang
Published: March 2022

Angiopoietin‐like protein (ANGPTL) 4 is a key factor in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism in metabolic diseases. ANGPTL4 is highly expressed in various cancers, but the regulation of energy metabolism in tumours remains to be determined. This study explored the role of ANGPTL4 in aerobic glycolysis, glutamine consumption and fatty acid oxidation in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Two NSCLC cell lines (A549 and H1299) were used to investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in energy metabolism by tracer techniques and with Seahorse XF technology in ANGPTLs4 knockdown cells. RNA microarrays and specific inhibitors were used to identify targets in ANGPTLs4‐overexpressing cells. The results showed that knockdown of ANGPTLs4 could inhibit energy metabolism and proliferation in NSCLC. ANGPTLs4 had no significant effect on glycolysis but affected glutamine consumption and fatty acid oxidation. Knockdown of ANGPTLs4 also significantly inhibited tumour metastasis and energy metabolism in mice and had a weak effect on glycolysis. RNA microarray analysis showed that ANGPTLs4 significantly affected glutaminase (GLS) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT1). ANGPTLs4‐overexpressing cells were exposed to a glutamine deprivation environment, and cell proliferation and energy metabolism were significantly decreased but still differed from normal NSCLC cells. Treatment of ANGPTLs4‐overexpressing cells with GLS and CPT1 inhibitors simultaneously prevented the regulatory effects on cell proliferation and energy metabolism. ANGPTLs4 could promote glutamine consumption and fatty acid oxidation but not glycolysis or accelerate energy metabolism in NSCLC.
Olive phenols preserve lamin B1 expression reducing cGAS/STING/NFκB‐mediated SASP in ionizing radiation‐induced senescence
Authors: Frediani Elena , Scavone Francesca , Laurenzana Anna , Chillà Anastasia , Tortora Katia , Cimmino Ilaria , Leri Manuela , Bucciantini Monica , Mangoni Monica , Fibbi Gabriella , Del Rosso Mario , Mocali Alessandra , Giovannelli Lisa , Margheri Francesca
Published: March 2022

Senescence occurs upon critical telomere shortening, or following DNA damage, oncogenic activation, hypoxia and oxidative stress, overall referred to stress‐induced premature senescence (SIPS). In response to DNA damage, senescent cells release cytoplasmic chromatin fragments (CCFs), and express an altered secretome, the senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which contributes to generate a pro‐inflammatory and pro‐tumoral extracellular milieu. Polyphenols have gained significant attention owing to their anti‐inflammatory and anti‐tumour activities. Here, we studied the effect of oleuropein aglycone (OLE) and hydroxytyrosol (HT) on DNA damage, CCF appearance and SASP in a model of irradiation‐induced senescence. Neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) were γ‐irradiated and incubated with OLE, 5 µM and HT, 1 µM. Cell growth and senescence‐associated (SA)‐β‐Gal‐staining were used as senescence markers. DNA damage was evaluated by Comet assay, lamin B1 expression, release of CCFs, cyclic GMP‐AMP Synthase (cGAS) activation. IL‐6, IL‐8, MCP‐1 and RANTES were measured by ELISA assay. Our results showed that OLE and HT exerted a protective effect on 8 Gy irradiation‐induced senescence, preserving lamin B1 expression and reducing cGAS/STING/NFκB‐mediated SASP. The ability of OLE and HT to mitigate DNA damage, senescence status and the related SASP in normal cells can be exploited to improve the efficacy and safety of cancer radiotherapy.
Energy consumption computing of cold plasma‐assisted drying of apple slices (Yellow Delicious) by numerical simulation
Authors: Ranjbar Nedamani Azadeh , Hashemi Seyed Jafar
Published: March 2022

Energy consumption is a great challenge during fruit drying. New techniques such as cold plasma are used as pretreatment or the main treatment for food drying. In this work, apple drying with cold plasma was investigated with COMSOL simulation. Two treatments were designed: (a) traditional air drying at 60°C and 0.5 m/s airflow, and (b) cold plasma treatment at 100 W, and 60 Hz with laminar airflow at 60°C and 0.5 m/s. The samples were two apple slices with a 6 cm diameter and 0.3 cm thickness. Results show that plasma technology without airflow does not have an effective role in drying. But the combination of plasma and airflow drying reduced the drying time from the 9,600 s to 3,600 s. The plasma‐treated samples reached a constant moisture content faster than the air‐dried samples. The energy consumption of drying with plasma was 85‐fold lower than a traditional air‐drying method. The shrinkage of plasma‐treated samples was low and the total shrinkage was near the undried sample (0.008). Cold plasma probably can reduce the energy consumption, drying time, and final drying costs of fresh food drying.

Practical application

Drying with a combination of methods can reduce the processing time. In this work, the plasma technology was combined with air drying and the results show lower process time, lower shrinkage, and lower energy consumption. Plasma technology in combination with traditional air drying can reduce the drying time of food material from 9,600 s to 3,600s. The energy consumption of plasma drying was significantly lower than air drying. It can be concluded from these results that this drying method can be applied to study the drying of different types of food material.
Balancing vision with pragmatism: The geriatric emergency department guidelines‐realistic expectations from emergency medicine and geriatric medicine
Authors: Shih Richard D. , Carpenter Christopher R. , Tolia Vaishal , Binder Ellen F. , Ouslander Joseph G.
Published: March 2022

In 2014 the Geriatric Emergency Department (GED) Guidelines were published and endorsed by four major medical organizations. The multidisciplinary GED Guidelines characterize the complex needs of the older emergency department (ED) patient and current best practices with the goal of promoting more cost‐effective and patient‐centered care. The recommendations are extensive and the vast majority of EDs then and now do not have either the resources nor hospital administrative support to provide this additional service. At the 2021 American Academy of Emergency Medicine's Scientific Assembly, a panel of emergency medicine physicians and geriatricians discussed the GED Guidelines and the current realities of EDs' capacity to provide best practice and guideline recommended care of GED patients. This article is a synthesis of the panel's presentation and discussion. With the substantial challenges in providing guideline recommended care in EDs, this article will explore three high impact GED clinical conditions to highlight guideline recommendations, challenges and opportunities, and discuss realistically achievable expectations for non‐Geriatric ED accredited institutions. In 2014 the Geriatric Emergency Department Guidelines were published describing the current best practices for geriatric ED patients. Unfortunately, the vast majority of EDs worldwide do not provide the level of service recommended by the GED guidelines. The GED Guidelines can best be termed aspirational for U.S. EDs at the present time.
Challenges and opportunities in conducting research with older adults with dementia during COVID‐19 and beyond
Authors: Sharma Rashmi K. , Teng Andrew , Asirot Mary Grace , Taylor Jean O. , Borson Soo , Turner Anne M.
Published: March 2022

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) pandemic has created significant and new challenges for the conduct of clinical research involving older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). It has also stimulated positive adaptations in methods for engaging older adults with ADRD in research, particularly through the increased availability of virtual platforms. In this paper, we describe how we adapted standard in‐person participant recruitment and qualitative data collection methods for virtual use in a study of decision‐making experiences in older adults with ADRD. We describe key considerations for the use of technology and virtual platforms and discuss our experience with using recommended strategies to recruit a diverse sample of older adults. We highlight the need for research funding that supports the community‐based organizations on which improving equity in ADRD research participation often depends.
Hope pictured in drawings by patients newly diagnosed with advanced cancer
Authors: Hammer Kristianna , Højgaard Hildigunn Steinhólm , á Steig Bjarni , Wang August G. , Bergenholtz Heidi M. , Rosted Elizabeth E.
Published: March 2022

Background

Hope is an integral part of a dying person's needs and an important phenomenon that has not been satisfactorily explored. The tension between hope for a cure and the reality of being terminally ill is a paradox, which in the context of palliative cancer care, nurses and health care professionals must take into consideration.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the phenomenon of hope and to investigate the lived experiences of hope among newly diagnosed patients with advanced cancer.

Method

The study used a phenomenological‐visual method where drawings and post‐drawing interviews were used. The participants were six patients who recently had been offered specialised palliative care treatment. They were five women and one man with different cancer diagnoses and between 30 and 82 years of age (median 65 years). The data consisted of six drawings and individual post‐drawing interviews with the participants. The study was reported using the COREQ checklist.

Results

The study revealed one main concern ‘Being in hope’ and hope appeared in four different dimensions; internal, external, relational and transcendental. Hopelessness was present at all times.

Conclusion

Hope pictured in drawings was expressed through colour, shape, lines, symbols and metaphors, and hope incorporated internal, external, relational and transcendental aspects. Hope was constantly fighting against hopelessness and hope integrated with past, present and future.

Relevance to clinical practice

Drawings, as well as other visual representations, are suitable tools when trying to understand an ineffable phenomenon such as hope experienced by people newly diagnosed with cancer.
Advances in the pharmaceutical treatment options for canine osteoarthritis
Authors: Pye C. , Bruniges N. , Peffers M. , Comerford E.
Published: March 2022

Canine osteoarthritis is a significant cause of pain in many dogs and can therefore compromise animal welfare. As the understanding of the biology and pain mechanisms underpinning osteoarthritis grows, so do the number of treatments available to manage it. Over the last decade, there have been a number of advances in the pharmaceutical treatment options available for dogs with osteoarthritis, as well as an increasing number of clinical trials investigating the efficacy of pre‐existing treatments. This review aims to examine the current evidence behind pharmaceutical treatment options for canine osteoarthritis, including non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, piprants, monoclonal antibodies, adjunctive analgesics, structure modifying osteoarthritis drugs and regenerative therapies.
Circulating renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system activity in cats with systemic hypertension or cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ward Jessica L. , Guillot Emilie , Domenig Oliver , Ware Wendy A. , Yuan Lingnan , Mochel Jonathan P.
Published: March 2022

Background

Activity of the circulating renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) has not been comprehensively characterized in cats with systemic hypertension (SH) or cardiomyopathy (CM), and the effects of furosemide or amlodipine treatment on the RAAS have not been fully evaluated in cats.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To document RAAS activity in cats with SH or CM compared to healthy cats and determine how RAAS profiles change with furosemide or amlodipine treatment.

Animals

Sixty‐six client‐owned cats: 15 with SH (7 amlodipine‐treated, 8 untreated), 17 with advanced CM (7 furosemide‐treated, 10 not furosemide‐treated), and 34 healthy cats.

Methods

Equilibrium concentrations of RAAS peptides and aldosterone were quantified in serum samples by liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Variables were compared between groups using Kruskal‐Wallis analysis with post hoc Holms‐corrected Dunn's testing.

Results

Compared with healthy cats, cats with CM had higher concentrations of angiotensin I, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity (all P < .01), and these differences remained significant (P < .03) after considering subgroups of untreated or furosemide‐treated cats. Compared with healthy cats, untreated cats with SH showed no differences in RAAS biomarkers, whereas amlodipine‐treated cats had higher concentrations of angiotensins I, II, III, IV, and 1‐7, aldosterone, and plasma renin activity (all P < .03). Multivariable analysis determined that furosemide and amlodipine treatments were independent predictors of increased RAAS biomarker concentrations.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Cats with CM had increased RAAS activity, whereas cats with untreated SH did not. Furosemide and amlodipine both led to nonspecific activation of both classical and alternative RAAS pathways in cats.
Wild capybaras as reservoir of shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in urban Amazonian Region
Authors: Merker Breyer Gabriela , de Carli Sílvia , Vieira Inácio Natã , França Ribeiro Vânia Maria , Chaves da Silva Flavio Roberto , Daudt Cíntia , Maboni Siqueira Franciele
Published: March 2022

Capybaras are rodent widely distributed in South America, which inhabit lakeside areas including ecological parks and urban sites. Due to anthropological interaction, monitoring zoonotic pathogens in wildlife is essential for One Health. We investigated faecal samples from capybaras living in an urban area in Rio Branco (Acre, Brazil) for the presence diarrhoeagenic E. coli. Virulence factors from shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) were screened by PCR. We detected at least one virulence factor in 81% of the animals, being classified as STEC and EHEC pathotypes. The presence of zoonotic E. coli in capybaras is a warning due to the highly frequent anthropological interactions with wild animals in this area. Our findings highlight the importance of investigating wild animals as carriers of zoonotic E. coli, requiring further investigations into wildlife surveillance and epidemiological monitoring.
Student engagement in undergraduate medical education: A scoping review
Authors: Kassab Salah Eldin , El‐Sayed Walid , Hamdy Hossam
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Student engagement is defined as behavioural, cognitive and emotional aspects of students' academic experience in teaching, learning and research through interacting with other students, faculty and community. Despite the growing interest in the field of student engagement, medical education research in this area is still fragmented. This scoping review aims to contribute to the understanding of measurements, drivers and outcomes of medical student engagement.

Methods

The authors searched MEDLINE, PubMed, ProQuest, SCOPUS, ERIC, Science Direct and EBESCO for English articles published from 1990 until October 2021. In addition, we hand‐searched key medical education journals and references in recently published articles. Using specific selection criteria, two authors independently reviewed the articles for eligibility, followed by data extraction using both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Results

Of the 2136 retrieved articles, 51 studies were selected for the review, and 94% of them were published in the past 8 years. The prevailing measures of student engagement failed to cover the multidimensionality of the construct with more focus on the behavioural dimension. Quantitative methods represented two thirds of the studies with a higher frequency of cross‐sectional designs and using self‐reports. The identified drivers of medical students' engagement are directed mainly to modifying the context of the learning environment. These factors increased student engagement by fostering relevance of learning, positive student relationships with peers and faculty, and enhancing student agency, and sense of competence. Cognitive engagement appears to be a positive predictor of academic achievement, but the relationship with other dimensions of engagement is controversial.

Conclusions

Student engagement in undergraduate medical education is an important, yet under‐researched construct. The research that does exist suggests engagement to be malleable, something that can be modified by different types of interventions taking into consideration the context of education and practice. Further research is required, however, to address the gaps identified in this review.
A reassessment of the genus Barclaya (Nymphaeaceae) including three new species
Authors: Jacobsen Niels , Ganapathy Herman , Ipor Isa , Jensen Karen R. , Komala Thirumalai , Mangsor Khairul N. A. , Nordin Farah Alia , Othman Ahmad Sofiman , Rusly Rosazlina , Siow Joshua , Wongso Suwidji , Ørgaard Marian
Published: March 2022

We present a reassessment of the genus Barclaya. This includes description, typification and distribution in tropical SE Asia of the eight species recognized. The two long time known and accepted species, B. longifolia and B. motleyi. The identity of B. rotundifolia has been clarified. Two species, B. hirta and B. kunstleri have been resurrected. Additionally, three new species, B. panchorensis, B. rugosa and B. wellyi are described. A chromosome number of 2n = 36 has been ascertained for all studied Barclaya species. The habitats are described, and their conservation status given. For each species, its habitat is described, and its conservation status given. Finally, six of the species have been found to be night‐blooming.
Oral microbiome of electronic cigarette users: A cross‐sectional exploration
Authors: Yang Irene , Rodriguez Jeannie , Young Wright Christa , Hu Yi‐Juan
Published: March 2022

Objective

Electronic cigarettes have increased in popularity globally. Vaping may be associated with oral symptoms and pathologies including dental and periodontal damage, both of which have an underlying microbial etiology. The primary aim of this pilot study, therefore, was to compare the oral microbiome of vapers and non‐vapers.

Subjects and Methods

This secondary data analysis had a cross‐sectional comparative descriptive design and included data for 36 adults. Bacterial 16S rRNA genes were extracted and amplified from soft tissue oral swab specimens and taxonomically classified using the Human Oral Microbiome Database.

Results

Data for 18 vapers and 18 non‐vapers were included in this study. Almost 56% of the vapers also smoked conventional cigarettes. Beta diversity differences were identified between vapers and non‐vapers. Vapers had a significantly higher relative abundance of an unclassified species of Veillonella compared with non‐vapers. Dual users had higher alpha diversity compared with exclusive vapers. Beta diversity was also associated with dual use. Multiple OTUs were identified to be associated with dual use of e‐cigarettes and conventional cigarettes.

Conclusions

Vapers exhibit an altered oral microbiome. Dual use of electronic cigarettes and conventional cigarettes is associated with the presence of several known pathogenic microbes.
Point‐of‐care tools to support optometric care provision to people with age‐related macular degeneration: A randomised, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Gocuk Sena A , McKendrick Allison M , Downie Laura E
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision impairment. This randomised placebo‐controlled trial investigated whether point‐of‐care tools can improve optometrists' AMD knowledge and/or care provision.

Methods

Australian optometrists (n = 31) completed a demographics survey and theoretical AMD case study multiple‐choice questions (MCQs) to assess their confidence in AMD care provision and AMD knowledge. Participants were then randomly assigned to one of three point‐of‐care tools (online ‘Classification of Age‐related macular degeneration and Risk Assessment Tool’ (CARAT), paper CARAT, or ‘placebo’) to use when providing care to their subsequent 5–10 AMD patients. Participants self‐audited the compliance of their AMD care to best practice for these patients, and a similar number of consecutive patients seen prior to enrolment. Post‐intervention, participants retook the AMD knowledge MCQs and confidence survey.

Results

A total of 29 participants completed the study. At the study endpoint, clinical confidence relative to baseline improved with the paper CARAT, relative to placebo, for knowledge of AMD risk factors, asking patients about these factors and referring for medical retinal sub‐specialist care. There were no between‐group differences for the change in AMD knowledge scores. Considering record documentation for patients with any AMD severity, there were no significant between‐group differences for documenting patient risk factors, AMD severity, clinical examination techniques or management. In a sub‐analysis, the change from baseline in compliance for documenting discussions about patient smoking behaviours for early AMD patients was higher with use of the online CARAT relative to placebo (p = 0.04). For patients with intermediate AMD, the change from baseline in documenting the risk of progression to late AMD was greater among practitioners who used the paper CARAT, relative to placebo (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that point‐of‐care clinical tools can improve practitioner confidence and aspects of the documentation of AMD clinical care by optometrists as assessed by self‐audit.
Leadless AV pacemaker after RF ablation for treatment of bundle branch reentrant ventricular tachycardia: A case report
Authors: Ducceschi Valentino , De Divitiis M. , Vernoni I. , Sifola C.
Published: March 2022

In the present article we report the case of a patient at high risk of infection wearing a subcutaneous ICD (S‐ICD) due to previous system extractions, hospitalized for symptomatic BBR VT and underwent radiofrequency catheter (RF) ablation. Afterwards, to prevent the possible progression of the infra‐His conduction disease to a complete block, it was decided to implant a pacemaker system. Since the high infectious risk, and the patient's firm refusal to implant another transvenous system given the previous extractions he underwent in the past, it was decided to implant a leadless pacemaker with atrioventricular synchrony.