bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adenoviral vectors for cardiovascular gene therapy applications: a clinical and industry perspective
Authors: JT Schwartze , M Havenga , WAM Bakker , AC Bradshaw , SA Nicklin
Published: May 2022

Despite the development of novel pharmacological treatments, cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality remain high indicating an unmet clinical need. Viral gene therapy enables targeted delivery of therapeutic transgenes and represents an attractive platform for tackling acquired and inherited cardiovascular diseases in the future. Current cardiovascular gene therapy trials in humans mainly focus on improving cardiac angiogenesis and function. Encouragingly, local delivery of therapeutic transgenes utilising first-generation human adenovirus serotype (HAd)-5 is safe in the short term and has shown some efficacy in drug refractory angina pectoris and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Despite this success, systemic delivery of therapeutic HAd-5 vectors targeting cardiovascular tissues and internal organs is limited by negligible gene transfer to target cells, elimination by the immune system, liver sequestration, off-target effects, and episomal degradation. To circumvent these barriers, cardiovascular gene therapy research has focused on determining the safety and efficacy of rare alternative serotypes and/or genetically engineered adenoviral capsid protein-modified vectors following local or systemic delivery. Pre-clinical studies have identified several vectors including HAd-11, HAd-35, and HAd-20–42-42 as promising platforms for local and systemic targeting of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In the past, clinical gene therapy trials were often restricted by limited scale-up capabilities of gene therapy medicinal products (GTMPs) and lack of regulatory guidance. However, significant improvement of industrial GTMP scale-up and purification, development of novel producer cell lines, and issuing of GTMP regulatory guidance by national regulatory health agencies have addressed many of these challenges, creating a more robust framework for future adenoviral-based cardiovascular gene therapy. In addition, this has enabled the mass roll out of adenovirus vector-based COVID-19 vaccines.

Key messages

First-generation HAd-5 vectors are widely used in cardiovascular gene therapy.

HAd-5-based gene therapy was shown to lead to cardiac angiogenesis and improved function.

Novel HAd vectors may represent promising transgene carriers for systemic delivery.

Novel methods allow industrial scale-up of rare/genetically altered Ad serotypes.

National regulatory health agencies have issued guidance on GMP for GTMPs.
Risk of incident obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes: a population-based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Alshehri Ziyad , Subramanian Anuradhaa , Adderley Nicola J. , Gokhale Krishna M. , Karamat Muhammad Ali , Ray Clare J. , Kumar Prem , Nirantharakumar Krishnarajah , Tahrani Abd A.
Published: May 2022

Aims/hypothesis

People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnoea. However, it is not known whether people with type 1 diabetes are also at an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea. This study aimed to examine whether people with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of incident obstructive sleep apnoea compared with a matched cohort without type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We used a UK primary care database, The Health Improvement Network (THIN), to perform a retrospective cohort study between January 1995 and January 2018 comparing sleep apnoea incidence between patients with type 1 diabetes (exposed) and without type 1 diabetes (unexposed) (matched for age, sex, BMI and general practice). The outcome was incidence of obstructive sleep apnoea. Baseline covariates and characteristics were assessed at the start of the study based on the most recent value recorded prior to the index date. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios, based on a complete-case analysis.

Results

In total, 34,147 exposed and 129,500 matched unexposed patients were included. The median follow-up time was 5.43 years ((IQR 2.19–10.11), and the mean BMI was 25.82 kg/m2 (SD 4.33). The adjusted HR for incident obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes vs those without type 1 diabetes was 1.53 (95% CI 1.25, 1.86; p<0.001). Predictors of incident obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes were older age, male sex, obesity, being prescribed antihypertensive or lipid-lowering drugs, atrial fibrillation and depression.

Conclusions/interpretation

Individuals with type 1 diabetes are at increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea compared with people without diabetes. Clinicians should suspect obstructive sleep apnoea in patients with type 1 diabetes if they are old, have obesity, are male, have atrial fibrillation or depression, or if they are taking lipid-lowering or antihypertensive drugs.

Graphical abstract
Interdisziplinäre Schnittstellen bei der zweiten Leichenschau – Probleme und Optimierungsmöglichkeiten
Authors: Küppers Lisa , Ritz-Timme Stefanie , Hartung Benno
Published: May 2022

Hintergrund

Vor Feuerbestattung, Auslandsüberführung oder Körperspende ist in fast allen deutschen Bundesländern eine zweite Leichenschau gesetzlich vorgeschrieben. Deren Aufgabe ist es, unerkannte nichtnatürliche Todesfälle zu identifizieren und der Kriminalpolizei zu melden. Das Prozedere bei abklärungsbedürftigen Fällen erfolgt in 2 Schritten. Hier ergeben sich für den Arzt der Kremationsleichenschau interdisziplinäre Schnittstellen zum Arzt der ersten Leichenschau bzw. zu den Ermittlungsbehörden.

Ziel der Arbeit

Probleme an den Schnittstellen der zweiten Leichenschau sollten identifiziert und Optimierungsmöglichkeiten abgeleitet werden.

Methoden

Es handelt sich um eine retrospektive Evaluation anhand von Daten aus den Jahren 2016–2019, die bei Zweifeln an einem natürlichen Tod im Rahmen der zweiten Leichenschau erhoben worden waren.

Ergebnisse

Eine Freigabe nach Rücksprache mit dem erstleichenschauenden Arzt war insbesondere bei Formfehlern sowie im Leichenschauschein nichterklärten Zeichen medizinischer Eingriffe/Verletzungen möglich. Die Obduktionsquoten waren bei an die Ermittlungsbehörden gemeldeten Fällen mit Unfall‑/Gewaltereignissen niedrig. Obduktionen wurden primär bei Fragestellungen mit medizinischem Kontext angeordnet.

Diskussion

Verzögerungen bei der zweiten Leichenschau ließen sich durch einfache Maßnahmen bei der Erstleichenschau vermeiden. Zur Vorbeugung von Konflikten an der Schnittstelle zu den Ermittlungsbehörden wären einheitliche Kriterien erstrebenswert, die eine Überprüfung der Todesart auslösen. Zu diskutieren sind auch ein Indikationskatalog für Obduktionen sowie eine Vereinheitlichung der Definition der Todesarten. Fälle mit medizinischem Kontext haben für die Ermittlungsbehörden besondere Relevanz.
Quantifying the portfolio of larval responses to salinity and temperature in a coastal-marine invertebrate: a cross population study along the European coast
Authors: Šargač Zoran , Giménez Luis , González-Ortegón Enrique , Harzsch Steffen , Tremblay Nelly , Torres Gabriela
Published: May 2022

Species’ responses to climate change may vary considerably among populations. Various response patterns define the portfolio available for a species to cope with and mitigate effects of climate change. Here, we quantified variation in larval survival and physiological rates of Carcinus maenas among populations occurring in distant or contrasting habitats (Cádiz: Spain, Helgoland: North Sea, Kerteminde: Baltic Sea). During the reproductive season, we reared larvae of these populations, in the laboratory, under a combination of several temperatures (15–24 °C) and salinities (25 and 32.5 PSU). In survival, all three populations showed a mitigating effect of high temperatures at lower salinity, with the strongest pattern for Helgoland. However, Cádiz and Kerteminde differed from Helgoland in that a strong thermal mitigation did not occur for growth and developmental rates. For all populations, oxygen consumption rates were driven only by temperature; hence, these could not explain the growth rate depression found at lower salinity. Larvae from Cádiz, reared in seawater, showed increased survival at the highest temperature, which differs from Helgoland (no clear survival pattern), and especially Kerteminde (decreased survival at high temperature). These responses from the Cádiz population correspond with the larval and parental habitat (i.e., high salinity and temperature) and may reflect local adaptation. Overall, along the European coast, C. maenas larvae showed a diversity of responses, which may enable specific populations to tolerate warming and subsidise more vulnerable populations. In such case, C. maenas would be able to cope with climate change through a spatial portfolio effect.
Projected wave climate of Bass Strait and south-east Australia by the end of the twenty-first century
Authors: Liu Jin , Meucci Alberto , Young Ian R.
Published: May 2022

A high-resolution third-generation wave model based on unstructured grids, WAVEWATCH III (WW3), was used to study the projected future wave climate of Bass Strait and south-east Australia under two different greenhouse gas emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5). The wave model, forced with winds from the Australian ACCESS-CM2 Global Climate Model, shows good agreement with coastal long-term buoy observations and an independent WW3 hindcast dataset over the historical period 1985–2014. The projected mean significant wave height ($$H_{s}$$

H
s

) for SSP5-8.5 by the end of the twenty-first century (2071–2100) shows a robust increase for the majority of the domain, but a decrease in nearshore regions, mainly due to projected decreases in local wind speed. The increase in $$H_{s}$$

H
s

for SSP1-2.6 is relatively small. Seasonal variations show that $$H_{s}$$

H
s

(SSP5-8.5) is primarily influenced by Southern Ocean swell in spring and winter and local winds prevail in summer and autumn. Hs percentiles show a stronger increase in extreme wave climate for SSP5-8.5 than for SSP1-2.6. Extreme value $$H_{s}$$

H
s

for SSP1-2.6 shows a projected decrease in western regions of the domain and an increase in the east. Extreme value $$H_{s}$$

H
s

for SSP5-8.5 shows a decrease in the nearshore areas of Victoria. This study shows that projected wave climate changes in south-east Australia may have potential implications for Tasmanian and Victorian coastline stability.
FMNL2 regulates gliovascular interactions and is associated with vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular pathology in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Lee Annie J. , Raghavan Neha S. , Bhattarai Prabesh , Siddiqui Tohid , Sariya Sanjeev , Reyes-Dumeyer Dolly , Flowers Xena E. , Cardoso Sarah A. L. , De Jager Philip L. , Bennett David A. , Schneider Julie A. , Menon Vilas , Wang Yanling , Lantigua Rafael A. , Medrano Martin , Rivera Diones , Jiménez-Velázquez Ivonne Z. , Kukull Walter A. , Brickman Adam M. , Manly Jennifer J. , Tosto Giuseppe , Kizil Caghan , Vardarajan Badri N. , Mayeux Richard
Published: May 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors (CVRFs) during middle age and later and is frequently accompanied by cerebrovascular pathology at death. An interaction between CVRFs and genetic variants might explain the pathogenesis. Genome-wide, gene by CVRF interaction analyses for AD, in 6568 patients and 8101 controls identified FMNL2 (p = 6.6 × 10–7). A significant increase in FMNL2 expression was observed in the brains of patients with brain infarcts and AD pathology and was associated with amyloid and phosphorylated tau deposition. FMNL2 was also prominent in astroglia in AD among those with cerebrovascular pathology. Amyloid toxicity in zebrafish increased fmnl2a expression in astroglia with detachment of astroglial end feet from blood vessels. Knockdown of fmnl2a prevented gliovascular remodeling, reduced microglial activity and enhanced amyloidosis. APP/PS1dE9 AD mice also displayed increased Fmnl2 expression and reduced the gliovascular contacts independent of the gliotic response. Based on this work, we propose that FMNL2 regulates pathology-dependent plasticity of the blood–brain-barrier by controlling gliovascular interactions and stimulating the clearance of extracellular aggregates. Therefore, in AD cerebrovascular risk factors promote cerebrovascular pathology which in turn, interacts with FMNL2 altering the normal astroglial-vascular mechanisms underlying the clearance of amyloid and tau increasing their deposition in brain.
Prenatal paternal depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom burden in different risk samples: an explorative study
Authors: Zacher Magdalena , Wollanka Nele , Sauer Christina , Haßtenteufel Kathrin , Wallwiener Stephanie , Wallwiener Markus , Maatouk Imad
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Growing evidence implies that transition to parenthood triggers symptoms of mental burden not only in women but likewise in men, especially in high-risk pregnancies. This is the first study that examined and compared the prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom burden of expectant fathers who face different risk situations during pregnancy.

Methods

Prevalence rates of paternal depression (Edinburgh postnatal depression scale), anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder seven), and somatic symptom burden (somatic symptom scale eight) were examined in two risk samples and one control group in the third trimester of their partners’ pregnancy: risk sample I (n = 41) consist of expectant fathers whose partners were prenatally hospitalized due to medical complications; risk sample II (n = 52) are fathers whose partners were prenatally mentally distressed; and control group (n = 70) are those non-risk pregnancies.

Results

On a purely descriptive level, the data display a trend of higher symptom burden of depression, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in the two risk samples, indicating that expectant fathers, whose pregnant partners were hospitalized or suffered prenatal depression, were more prenatally distressed. Exploratory testing of group differences revealed an almost three times higher prevalence rate of anxiety in fathers whose partner was hospitalized (12.2%) compared to those non-risks (4.3%).

Conclusion

Results underline the need for screening implementations for paternal prenatal psychological distress, as well as specific prevention and treatment programs, especially for fathers in risk situations, such as their pregnant partners’ prenatal hospitalization.

The study was registered with the German clinical trials register (DRKS00020131) on 2019/12/09.
Amphetamine or skin cream? The impact of the sampling site on the concentration of controlled substances: a case report
Authors: Gessner L. , Madea B. , Maas A. , Krämer M.
Published: May 2022

This case report demonstrates the impact of different sampling sites on the quantification of narcotic substances. In 2020, officers secured a syringe containing a light-yellow paste-like substance, for which a drug pre-test indicated a positive result for amphetamine, inducing subsequent analyses of the sample by means of a gaschromatographic-mass spectrometric method (GC–MS) and liquid chromatography–(tandem) mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Depending on the sample location, different results were obtained, with amphetamine not being detected in each sample. Amphetamine was particularly found at the outlet of the syringe, while amphetamine detection on the inside of the syringe at the plunger seal was only possible occasionally and, moreover, in lower concentrations. Based on this and with regard to the comparatively small amphetamine concentrations, contamination of the syringe (especially on the tip of the syringe) was assumed. Hence, the results strengthened the importance of the implication of different sampling sites, when either homogenization of the sample is not feasible or is not performed for reasons of plausibility checks concerning possible contamination of the sample.
18F-FDG PET, cognitive functioning, and CSF biomarkers in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea before and after continuous positive airway pressure treatment
Authors: Fernandes Mariana , Mari Luisa , Chiaravalloti Agostino , Paoli Barbara , Nuccetelli Marzia , Izzi Francesca , Giambrone Maria Pia , Camedda Riccardo , Bernardini Sergio , Schillaci Orazio , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Placidi Fabio , Liguori Claudio
Published: May 2022

Introduction

Dysregulation of cerebral glucose consumption, alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, and cognitive impairment have been reported in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). On these bases, OSA has been considered a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to measure cognitive performance, CSF biomarkers, and cerebral glucose consumption in OSA patients and to evaluate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on these biomarkers over a 12-month period.

Methods

Thirty-four OSA patients and 34 controls underwent 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET), cognitive evaluation, and CSF analysis. A subgroup of 12 OSA patients treated with beneficial CPAP and performing the 12-month follow-up was included in the longitudinal analysis, and cognitive evaluation and 18F-FDG PET were repeated.

Results

Significantly reduced glucose consumption was observed in the bilateral praecuneus, posterior cingulate cortex, and frontal areas in OSA patients than controls. At baseline, OSA patients also showed lower β-amyloid42 and higher phosphorylated-tau CSF levels than controls. Increased total tau and phosphorylated tau levels correlated with a reduction in brain glucose consumption in a cluster of different brain areas. In the longitudinal analysis, OSA patients showed an improvement in cognition and a global increase in cerebral 18F-FDG uptake.

Conclusions

Cognitive impairment, reduced cerebral glucose consumption, and alterations in CSF biomarkers were observed in OSA patients, which may reinforce the hypothesis of AD neurodegenerative processes triggered by OSA. Notably, cognition and brain glucose consumption improved after beneficial CPAP treatment. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of CPAP treatment on these AD biomarkers.
Results of robotic TAPP and conventional laparoscopic TAPP in an outpatient setting: a cohort study in Switzerland
Authors: Gerdes Stephan , Burger Reint , Liesch Georg , Freitag Barbara , Serra Michele , Vonlanthen René , Bueter Marco , Thalheimer Andreas
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Recently, robotic surgery has been increasingly performed in hernia surgery. Although feasibility and safety of robot-assisted inguinal hernia repair in an inpatient setting have been already shown, its role in outpatient hernia surgery has not yet been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to compare robot-assisted TAPP (r-TAPP) and conventional laparoscopic TAPP (l-TAPP) in an outpatient setting.

Methods

A prospective database of patients with inguinal hernia treated by l-TAPP or r-TAPP in an outpatient setting during a 1-year period was analyzed in a comparative cohort study. All patients underwent a check-up appointment with their surgeon within 3 days and 6 weeks postoperatively. Data on surgical time, perioperative complications, and postoperative pain were collected. Pain was recorded by using a Verbal Rating Scale (VRS).

Results

Overall, outpatient laparoendoscopic inguinal hernia repair was performed in 58 patients (29 l-TAPP; 29 r-TAPP). Mean age was 57 years (21–81), mean BMI 24.5 kg/m2 (19–33) with no differences between both groups. Most patients reported none or only a low postoperative pain level in both groups (89.6% in l-TAPP group; 100% in r-TAPP), while there was a trend for less pain after r-TAPP. In both groups, there was one case of postoperative hematoma, which was successfully treated by conservative means. No other complications occurred during follow-up in either group and there was no 30-day-readmission, no unplanned overstay or any 30-day mortality in the cohort.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted inguinal hernia surgery can be safely performed in an outpatient setting with a tendency to less pain when compared to the conventional laparoscopic technique. Cost-effectiveness and cost-coverage of outpatient robot-assisted inguinal hernia surgery must be further investigated in times of limited health cost resources and diagnosis-related medical reimbursements.
First report of molecular taxonomic analyses of European beaver metazoan parasites from Hungary
Authors: Szekeres Sándor , Czabán Dávid , Takács Nóra , Széll Zoltán , Gubányi András , Kontschán Jenő , Hornok Sándor , Sréter Tamás
Published: May 2022

European beaver (Castor fiber L. 1758) is the biggest rodent species living in Europe. Beavers are semi-aquatic animals; they are defecating directly into the water; thus, they have an important role in spreading parasites related to water (e.g., protozoa and flukes). The first specimens of this once extinct rodent species in Hungary turned up in Szigetköz (upper flow of the Hungarian Danube) in 1991 dispersed from Austria. The reintroduction to Hungary started in 1996, and the population slowly increased in number up to around 4000 individuals, but the knowledge about their parasites is lacking. This is the first report on the metazoan parasites of beavers in Hungary and their molecular taxonomy. In the 5-year study, 47 beavers were trapped in four locations and euthanized with permission. Three different metazoan parasites were collected: larvae and adults of Platypsyllus castoris beetles, nymphs and adults of Schizocarpus sp. mites and eggs and adults of Stichorchis subtriquetrus flukes. From these three parasite species, molecular taxonomic studies were also carried out. The low number of metazoan parasites species detected in Hungarian beavers compared to other European countries (e.g., Poland) might be attributed to host population bottleneck effect during reintroduction. As parasites represent a significant component of the biodiversity and ecosystem, the conservation efforts should focus not only on host species but also on their parasites.
To stitch or not to stitch: the skin closure of laparoscopic port sites, a meta-analysis
Authors: Aitchison Lucy P. , Chen Andy Z. L. , Toms Clare , Sandroussi Charbel , Yeo David A. , Steffens Daniel
Published: May 2022

Background

Previous meta-analyses examining skin closure methods for all surgical wounds have found suture to have significantly decreased rates of wound dehiscence compared to tissue adhesive; however, this was not specific to laparoscopic wounds alone.

This study aims to determine the best method of skin closure in patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgery in order to minimize wound complications and pain, while maximize cosmesis, time and cost efficiency.

Methods

A comprehensive search of EMBASE, Medline, Pubmed, and CENTRAL was conducted from inception to 1st May 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system was used to describe the quality of evidence. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. A summary relative risk (RR) was calculated for dichotomous outcomes where data could be pooled. (Prospero registration number: CRD42019122639).

Results

The literature search identified 11,628 potentially eligible studies. Twelve RCTs met inclusion criteria. There was no difference in wound complications (infection, dehiscence, and drainage) between sutures, tissue adhesives nor adhesive papertape. Low-quality evidence found transcutaneous suture had lower rates of wound complications compared with subcuticular sutures (RR 0.22, 95%: CI 0.05–0.98). There was no evidence of a difference in patient-evaluated cosmesis, prolonged pain, or patient satisfaction between the three groups. Closure with tissue adhesive and adhesive papertape was faster and cheaper than suture.

Conclusion

Tissue adhesive and adhesive papertape offer safe, cost and time-saving alternatives to closure of laparoscopic port sites compared to suture.
Long short-term cognitive networks
Authors: Nápoles Gonzalo , Grau Isel , Jastrzębska Agnieszka , Salgueiro Yamisleydi
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we present a recurrent neural system named long short-term cognitive networks (LSTCNs) as a generalization of the short-term cognitive network (STCN) model. Such a generalization is motivated by the difficulty of forecasting very long time series efficiently. The LSTCN model can be defined as a collection of STCN blocks, each processing a specific time patch of the (multivariate) time series being modeled. In this neural ensemble, each block passes information to the subsequent one in the form of weight matrices representing the prior knowledge. As a second contribution, we propose a deterministic learning algorithm to compute the learnable weights while preserving the prior knowledge resulting from previous learning processes. As a third contribution, we introduce a feature influence score as a proxy to explain the forecasting process in multivariate time series. The simulations using three case studies show that our neural system reports small forecasting errors while being significantly faster than state-of-the-art recurrent models.
Cost of postoperative complications of lower anterior resection for rectal cancer: a nationwide registry study of 15,187 patients
Authors: Kumamaru Hiraku , Kakeji Yoshihiro , Fushimi Kiyohide , Ishikawa Koichi Benjamin , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Hashimoto Hideki , Ono Minoru , Iwanaka Tadashi , Marubashi Shigeru , Gotoh Mitsukazu , Seto Yasuyuki , Kitagawa Yuko , Miyata Hiroaki
Published: May 2022

Purpose

To assess the increase in hospital costs associated with postoperative complications after lower anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer.

Methods

The subjects of this retrospective analysis were patients who underwent elective LAR surgery between April, 2015 and March, 2017, collected from a Japanese nationwide gastroenterological surgery registry linked to hospital-based claims data. We evaluated total and category-specific hospitalization costs based on the level of postoperative complications categorized using the Clavien–Dindo (CD) classification. We assessed the relative increase in hospital costs, adjusting for preoperative factors and hospital case volume.

Results

We identified 15,187 patients (mean age 66.8) treated at 884 hospitals. Overall, 71.8% had no recorded complications, whereas 7.6%, 10.8%, 9.0%, 0.6%, and 0.2% had postoperative complications of CD grades I–V, respectively. The median (25th–75th percentiles) hospital costs were $17.3 K (16.1–19.3) for the no-complications group, and $19.1 K (17.3–22.2), $21.0 K (18.5–25.0), $27.4 K (22.4–33.9), $41.8 K (291–618), and $22.7 K (183–421) for the CD grades I–V complication groups, respectively. The multivariable model identified that complications of CD grades I–V were associated with 11%, 21%, 61%, 142%, and 70% increases in in-hospital costs compared with no complications.

Conclusions

Postoperative complications and their severity are strongly associated with increased hospital costs and health-care resource utilization. Implementing strategies to prevent postoperative complications will improve patients’ clinical outcomes and reduce hospital care costs substantially.
A Pre-peak Elastoplastic Damage Model of Gosford Sandstone Based on Acoustic Emission and Ultrasonic Wave Measurement
Authors: Li Xu , Si Guangyao , Oh Joung , Canbulat Ismet , Xiang Zizhuo , Li Tianbin
Published: May 2022

The determination of internal material damage is always an arduous challenge. Non-destructive monitoring methods show great potential in quantitatively determining the internal material properties, whereas most of the studies relying on external observations remain in a qualitative stage. They either violate the basic thermodynamic assumptions or are difficult to guide engineering practice. In this paper, following the theory of continuum mechanics, an elastoplastic damage model based on non-destructive monitoring methods (i.e., acoustic emission and ultrasonic wave velocity measurement) has been developed. To capture the continuous and precise damage evolution inside rock mass, P wave velocity obtained by ultrasonic wave measurement was utilised and then considered as an input for the proposed elastoplastic damage model. Triaxial loading test results on six Gosford sandstone samples were analysed first to characterise critical stresses along the stress–strain loading curves, such as crack closure stress, stable crack propagation stress and unstable crack propagation stress. The drop of ultrasonic wave velocity can be seen as an indicator to represent the damage evolution inside rock material. Damage initiation is also closely related to the confining stress and dilation induced volumetric expansion. The test results also suggested that the Drucker–Prager criterion is sufficient to describe the plastic yielding surface and the following material hardening. A non-associated plastic flow assumption was adopted, considering the essence of microcrack shearing in rock failure and the effect of hydrostatic pressure on plastic deformation. A modified Drucker–Prager plastic potential was also introduced to track the orientation of plastic increment with material hardening. A scalar damage variable was derived from ultrasonic wave measurement results to indirectly represent the deterioration of rock properties (modulus). The proposed model was used to match lab test results with high consistency, and the main features of rock behaviour in triaxial loading tests were successfully captured by the model. Finally, the damage evolution of rock samples was analysed, which indicates that damage is dependent on its conjugate force, namely damage energy release rate Y. This study proves that P wave velocity can be an effective approach to measure and forecast the internal damage evolution inside rock mass, which has broad prospects for engineering applications.
Artificial intelligence-based diagnostics of molar-incisor-hypomineralization (MIH) on intraoral photographs
Authors: Schönewolf Jule , Meyer Ole , Engels Paula , Schlickenrieder Anne , Hickel Reinhard , Gruhn Volker , Hesenius Marc , Kühnisch Jan
Published: May 2022

Objective

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a deep learning–based convolutional neural network (CNN) for the automated detection and categorization of teeth affected by molar-incisor-hypomineralization (MIH) on intraoral photographs.

Materials and methods

The data set consisted of 3241 intraoral images (767 teeth with no MIH/no intervention, 76 with no MIH/atypical restoration, 742 with no MIH/sealant, 815 with demarcated opacity/no intervention, 158 with demarcated opacity/atypical restoration, 181 with demarcated opacity/sealant, 290 with enamel breakdown/no intervention, 169 with enamel breakdown/atypical restoration, and 43 with enamel breakdown/sealant). These images were divided into a training (N = 2596) and a test sample (N = 649). All images were evaluated by an expert group, and each diagnosis served as a reference standard for cyclic training and evaluation of the CNN (ResNeXt-101–32 × 8d). Statistical analysis included the calculation of contingency tables, areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) and saliency maps.

Results

The developed CNN was able to categorize teeth with MIH correctly with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 95.2%. The overall SE and SP amounted to 78.6% and 97.3%, respectively, which indicate that the CNN performed better in healthy teeth compared to those with MIH. The AUC values ranging from 0.873 (enamel breakdown/sealant) to 0.994 (atypical restoration/no MIH).

Conclusion

It was possible to categorize the majority of clinical photographs automatically by using a trained deep learning–based CNN with an acceptably high diagnostic accuracy.

Clinical relevance

Artificial intelligence-based dental diagnostics may support dental diagnostics in the future regardless of the need to improve accuracy.
A representation learning framework for detection and characterization of dead versus strain localization zones from pre- to post-failure
Authors: Tordesillas Antoinette , Zhou Shuo , Bailey James , Bondell Howard
Published: May 2022

Experiments have long shown that zones of near vanishing deformation, so-called “dead zones”, emerge and coexist with strain localization zones inside deforming granular media. To date, a method that can disentangle these dynamically coupled structures from each other, from pre- to post- failure, is lacking. Here we develop a framework that learns a new representation of the kinematic data, based on the complexity of a grain’s neighborhood structure in the kinematic-state-space, as measured by a recently introduced metric calleds-LID. Dead zones (DZ) are first distinguished from strain localization zones (SZ) throughout loading history. Next the coupled dynamics of DZ and SZ are characterized using a range of discriminative features representing: local nonaffine deformation, contact topology and force transmission properties. Data came from discrete element simulations of biaxial compression tests. The deformation is found to be essentially dual in nature. DZ and SZ exhibit distinct yet coupled dynamics, with the separation in dynamics increasing in the lead up to failure. Force congestion and plastic deformation mainly concentrate in SZ. Although the 3-core of the contact network is highly prone to damage in SZ, it is robust to pre-failure microbands but is decimated in the shearband, leaving a fragmented 3-core in DZ at failure. We also show how loading condition and rolling resistance influence SZ and DZ differently, thus casting new light on controls on plasticity from the perspective of emergent deformation structures.

Graphic abstract
Local and tourist perceptions of coastal marine habitats in Cap de Creus (NE Spain)
Authors: Mallo Miguel , Ziveri Patrizia , Rossi Sergio , Reyes-García Victoria
Published: May 2022

Direct human pressure on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) adds to climate change impacts on marine habitats, especially in coastal biodiversity hot spots. Understanding MPA user perception towards the Coastal marine Habitats (CMHs) could improve awareness of the challenges that such areas have to face, eventually providing insights for the design of conservation and tourism management plans. We studied perception of ecosystem services, impacts and threats of CMHs by locals and tourists (n = 624) of Cap de Creus MPA (NW Mediterranean Sea). Overall, we found that perceptions of tourists and locals are similar. Respondents perceived that CMHs provide valuable regulating services, and they assigned less value to cultural services. Locals valued the food provision ecosystem service of CMHs significantly more than tourists, probably because of the historical importance of fisheries for subsistence. Respondents ranked marine pollution of inland origin, climate change and people’s behaviour towards nature as the most impactful and threatening to CMHs, and invasive marine species as the least. Respondents also perceived that climate change impacts would increase soon, whilst the impact of people’s behaviour towards nature would decrease. Tourists perceived mass tourism as significantly more impactful and threatening to CMHs than locals did. Overall, our study shows that conservation of CMHs is highly valued, so more effort needs to be directed toward this goal.
New specimens and molecular data provide validation of Apatemon jamiesoni n. sp. (Trematoda: Strigeidae) from water birds in New Zealand
Authors: Presswell Bronwen
Published: May 2022

A study published in 2016 reported on an undescribed species of Apatemon (Strigeidae) from New Zealand that was previously well known from its larval stages. Only a single specimen from a mallard duck was available at the time, which was described and given the provisional name Apatemon sp. “jamiesoni”. Specimens also obtained from a spotted shag were not in good enough condition to form the basis of a new species description. A black-backed gull has since been discovered with specimens of this strigeid, their identity confirmed by genetic similarity, allowing formal description and naming of this species. This paper provides a description of the new specimens from the black-backed gull, along with a comparison with the specimens from other bird hosts, reprises some data from Blasco-Costa et al. (Parasitol Res 115:271–289, 2016) and presents formally the name Apatemon jamiesonin. sp. This species differs from all other species of Apatemon in its small size, particularly that of the ovary and testes. It is most similar to A. jamesi from which it differs in the size of the oral and ventral suckers.
Enhanced Removal of Diesel Oil Using New Magnetic Bentonite-Based Adsorbents Combined with Different Carbon Sources
Authors: Ewis Dina , Mahmud Nafis , Benamor Abdelbaki , Ba-Abbad Muneer M. , Nasser Mustafa , El-Naas Muftah
Published: May 2022

In this work, new magnetic bentonite-based adsorbents combined with different carbon sources, namely, reduced graphene oxide and multiwall carbon nanotubes, were synthesized via co-precipitation method. The synthesized adsorbents were characterized using XRD, TGA, SEM, EDX, TEM, and BET analysis techniques. The adsorbents were then used to remove oil from aqueous solutions of water-in-oil emulsion by performing batch adsorption experiments. The experimental data were fitted to three isotherm models including Langmuir, Freundlich, and Sips models using non-linear regression and were compared using Akaike Information Criterion statistical model. The data analysis showed that Sips model best fits the experimental data for the adsorption of oil onto both adsorbents. The maximum adsorption capacity of oil from sips model were 81.65 mg/g and 77.12 mg/g for Fe3O4/Bent/rGO and Fe3O4//Bent/MWCNTs, respectively. The obtained kinetics data were fitted to pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models. Pseudo-second order kinetic model best fitted the kinetic data of both adsorbents. Overall, both adsorbents showed high removal efficiency reaching equilibrium in less than 50 min indicating that both adsorbents can be successfully utilized in industrial adsorption process.

Graphical abstract
Enhancing the anti-ageing, antimicrobial activity and mechanical properties of surface-coated paper by Ag@TiO2-modified nanopigments
Authors: Samir Marwa , Geioushy Ramadan A. , El-Sherbiny Samya , Fouad Osama A.
Published: May 2022

In this work, the effect of using Ag-doped TiO2nanopigments on optical, mechanical and antimicrobial properties of coated paper was explored. Furthermore, the long-term antimicrobial activity of the coated paper was examined for up to 25 years. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles have been synthesized and doped with different percentages of Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using a simple wet chemical approach. The Ag@TiO2modified nanopigments were in the form of nanorods with an average size of about 20 nm as observed from TEM images. Increasing Ag content from 0.01 to 1.0% showed an increase in the mechanical properties of coated paper in terms of tensile, stretching, tensile energy absorption and burst while preserving the optical properties. Moreover, the antimicrobial inhibition activity increased with increasing the Ag content. The 1% Ag@TiO2showed a long-lasting antimicrobial effect againstStaphylococcus aureus(S. aureus) Gram-positive bacteria even after 25 years of ageing (93.4% inhibition). Investigation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and reaction mechanism of antimicrobial activity over Ag/TiO2under visible light is proposed. These results suggest that Ag/TiO2NPs can be potentially used as a disinfection coating for paper and improving its mechanical properties.

Graphical abstract
Science and poetry: poems as an educational tool for biology teaching
Authors: Calderón Moya-Méndez Natalia , Zwart Hub
Published: May 2022

In this article we present the results of a biology teaching module offered at university bachelor level for law students and social sciences students in Lima, Peru. The objective was to trigger philosophical reflection on the notion of nature (cognitive dimension) and to assess if and to what extent the use of poetry contributes to the students’ understanding of nature by adding emotional and conative (desire for action) dimensions. We accounted three dialectical moments of natural sciences and nature poetry in history and discussed their meaning in the context of biology teaching nowadays. We also highlighted the importance of poems as semiotic resources for science learning and explored bibliographic accounts of similar studies. Our results indicate that nature poetry fosters a holistic view of nature, allowing students to combine knowledge with value concerns, and cognitive with conative and emotional dimensions. Also, poetry allows them to connect or confront scientific information with traditional indigenous knowledge. Finally, we found that poetry afforded students a sense of freedom to present and discuss their personal experiences with nature. We concluded that this module can be used as a supplementary educational tool in biology courses and those meant to inspire action and reflection in the face of global environmental challenges.
Recommendations for cardiovascular magnetic resonance and computed tomography in congenital heart disease: a consensus paper from the CMR/CCT working group of the Italian Society of Pediatric Cardiology (SICP) and the Italian College of Cardiac Radiology endorsed by the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM) Part I
Authors: Secinaro Aurelio , Ait-Ali Lamia , Curione Davide , Clemente Alberto , Gaeta Alberto , Giovagnoni Andrea , Alaimo Annalisa , Esposito Antonio , Tchana Bertrand , Sandrini Camilla , Bennati Elena , Angeli Emanuela , Bianco Francesco , Ferroni Francesca , Pluchinotta Francesca , Rizzo Francesca , Secchi Francesco , Spaziani Gaia , Trocchio Gianluca , Peritore Giuseppe , Puppini Giovanni , Inserra Maria Cristina , Galea Nicola , Stagnaro Nicola , Ciliberti Paolo , Romeo Placido , Faletti Riccardo , Marcora Simona , Bucciarelli Valentina , Lovato Luigi , Festa Pierluigi
Published: May 2022

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and computed tomography (CCT) are advanced imaging modalities that recently revolutionized the conventional diagnostic approach to congenital heart diseases (CHD), supporting echocardiography and often replacing cardiac catheterization. Nevertheless, correct execution and interpretation require in-depth knowledge of all technical and clinical aspects of CHD, a careful assessment of risks and benefits before each exam, proper imaging protocols to maximize diagnostic information, minimizing harm. This position paper, written by experts from the Working Group of the Italian Society of Pediatric Cardiology and from the Italian College of Cardiac Radiology of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology, is intended as a practical guide for applying CCT and CMR in children and adults with CHD, wishing to support Radiologists, Pediatricians, Cardiologists and Cardiac Surgeons in the multimodality diagnostic approach to these patients. The first part provides a review of the most relevant literature in the field, describes each modality's advantage and drawback, making considerations on the main applications, image quality, and safety issues. The second part focuses on clinical indications and appropriateness criteria for CMR and CCT, considering the level of CHD complexity, the clinical and logistic setting and the operator expertise.
Structural Organization of Human Full-Length PAR3 and the aPKC–PAR6 Complex
Authors: Le Le T. M. , Drakulic Srdja , Nyengaard Jens R. , Golas Monika M. , Sander Bjoern
Published: May 2022

The tripartite partition defect (PAR) polarity complex, which includes the proteins PAR3, atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), and PAR6, is a major regulator of cellular polarity. It is highly conserved and expressed in various tissues. Its largest component, PAR3, controls protein–protein interactions of the PAR complex with a variety of interaction partners, and PAR3 self-association is critical for the formation of filament-like structures. However, little is known about the structure of the PAR complex. Here, we purified non-filamentous PAR3 and the aPKC–PAR6 complex and characterized them by single-particle electron microscopy (EM). We expressed and purified an oligomerization-deficient form of PAR3, PAR3V13D,D70K, and the active aPKC–PAR6 dimer. For PAR3, engineering at two positions is sufficient to form stable single particles with a maximum dimension of 20 nm. aPKC–PAR6 forms a complex with a maximum dimension of 13.5 nm that contains single copies of aPKC. Thus, the data present a basis for further high-resolution studies of PAR proteins and PAR complex formation.
Can Liposomes Survive Inkjet Printing? The Effect of Jetting on Key Liposome Attributes for Drug Delivery Applications
Authors: Alva Carolina , Vidakovic Ivan , Lorber Barbara , Schachner-Nedherer Anna-Laurence , Zettl Manuel , Khinast Johannes , Prassl Ruth , Hsiao Wen-Kai
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Inkjet printing has the potential to enable novel personalized and tailored drug therapies based on liposome and lipid nanoparticles. However, due to the significant shear force exerted on the jetted fluids, its suitability for shear-sensitive materials such as liposomes, has not been verified. We have conducted a proof-of-concept study to examine whether the particle concentration and size distribution of placebo liposomes are affected by common inkjet/dispensing technologies.

Methods

We have subjected three types of liposome-containing fluids (“inks”) to two different commercial dispensing/jetting technologies, which are relevant to most drug printing approaches. The liposome jetting processes were observed in real-time using strobographic imaging techniques. The phospholipid concentrations and particle size distributions were determined before and after jetting via enzymatic colorimetric and dynamic light scattering methods, respectively.

Results

Our results have shown that the jetting dynamics of the liposome inks are well predicted by the established inkjet printing regime map based on their physical properties and the jetting conditions. Importantly, although significant shear forces were confirmed during jetting, the liposome concentrations and particle size distributions in the collected samples remain largely unaffected.

Conclusion

These findings, we believe, provide the essential proof-of-concept to encourage further development in this highly topical research area.