bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two‐year, single‐centre, real‐life experience with permethrin 5% and benzyl benzoate 25% in 228 children with scabies: A retrospective report
Authors: Restano Lucia , Brusasco Marco , Cappadona Claudio , Monzani Nicola A. , Cavalli Riccardo
Published: October 2023

Background

Scabies are a significant health issue for institutions and represent a health burden in children. Topical treatments such as permethrin 5% are usually effective but lately, a loss of efficacy has been observed.

Objectives

To describe demographic data, topical treatment schemes (permethrin 5%; benzyl benzoate 25%) and outcomes in children with scabies over the past 2 years.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated records of children aged 0 to 14 years with scabies treated in our outpatient clinic from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2022.

Results

Two hundred and thirty‐one records were evaluated. Permethrin 5% (P5%) was used as first‐line treatment in 103 children with a success rate of 81.5%; benzyl benzoate 25% (BB25%) was successful in 94.3% of 123 patients. Three patients were lost for follow up and two received other therapies. Mean days of application using P5% increased from 4.1 to 6.8 in 2 years, whereas BB25% showed an opposite trend, from 10 days to 4.7. With the same days of application, the success rate with BB25% was higher (repeated cycle of 2 treatment days, 7 days apart [2 + 2]: 93.3% for BB25% vs. 82.9% for P5%; 3 + 3‐day regime: 91.9% for BB25% vs. 83% for P5%). Twenty‐three out of 26 patients who still had active scabies after the first cycle cleared with a second treatment cycle, with the same topical treatment, or with a different agent. Mild to moderate skin irritation was the only side effect observed (18.4%), more frequently associated with BB25% (81%).

Conclusions

During the observational period, the use of permethrin decreased while regimen duration increased, probably due to a perceived lack of efficacy. Conversely the use of benzyl benzoate both as first‐line treatment and after permethrin failure increased, despite being more correlated to local inflammation. Both 2 + 2 and 3 + 3 regimes for P5% and BB25% may be considered as suitable first‐line treatment of scabies in children.
Evaluating uncertainty to improve a common monitoring method and guide management decisions for diamond‐backed terrapins
Authors: Bradke Danielle R. , Crawford Brian A. , Kaylor Michelle , Maerz John C.
Published: October 2023

Designing monitoring with adequate certainty to evaluate management actions can be challenging, especially for elusive species in relatively inaccessible habitats. The diamond‐backed terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is considered a high priority species for management in all states within its range. Among key threats to terrapin populations is bycatch mortality in crab pots, prompting states throughout the species' range to consider crabbing regulations and creating a need for a monitoring approach able to evaluate the success of any new crabbing regulations to benefit terrapins. Because terrapins occupy extensive and often difficult to access estuarine habitat, it is hard to collect sufficient data to estimate population responses accurately and precisely for management. To assist state managers with decisions regarding monitoring bycatch reduction regulations, we modeled 12 years of terrapin capture‐recapture data. We used estimates from those models to simulate capture‐recapture data pre‐ and post‐implementation of bycatch reduction that resulted in a 0.20 absolute increase in mean apparent survival probability. Results indicated weak reliability of a monitoring approach using only manual seining of tidal creeks to detect a real management effect, with a positive management effect detected at the 95% certainty level only 34% of the time. When we considered 85% and 75% certainty thresholds, we detected a positive effect on survival among 61% and 75% of simulations, respectively. Low within‐year recapture probability and the effect of tide amplitude on terrapin availability indicate there is low feasibility of improving monitoring precision at a single site, requiring monitoring of more sites to improve confidence in the detection of the management effect. The number of sites monitored depends on the acceptable level of certainty. We recommend that researchers and management entities that use seining assess the level of certainty they require to evaluate management actions and increase the number of sites sampled to meet that level of certainty. Additionally, the use of multiple monitoring methods and integrated models should be explored to reduce uncertainty and to allow for easier monitoring of more populations over broader spatial scales.
Hydrogels for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction: Design and Therapeutic Strategies
Authors: Liang Jiaheng , Lv Ronghao , Li Maorui , Chai Jin , Wang Shuo , Yan Wenjun , Zheng Zijian , Li Peng
Published: October 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become the leading global burden of diseases in recent years and are the primary cause of human mortality and loss of healthy life expectancy. Myocardial infarction (MI) is the top cause of CVDs‐related deaths, and its incidence is increasing worldwide every year. Recently, hydrogels have garnered great interest from researchers as a promising therapeutic option for cardiac tissue repair after MI. This is due to their excellent properties, including biocompatibility, mechanical properties, injectable properties, anti‐inflammatory properties, antioxidant properties, angiogenic properties, and conductive properties. This review discusses the advantages of hydrogels as a novel treatment for cardiac tissue repair after MI. The design strategies of various hydrogels in MI treatment are then summarized, and the latest research progress in the field is classified. Finally, the future perspectives of this booming field are also discussed at the end of this review.
The Coordination Nanocages‐Integrated Polymer Brush Networks for Flexible Microporous Membranes with Exceptional H2/CO2 Separation Performance
Authors: Liu Yuan , Xue Binghui , Chen Jiadong , Lai Yuyan , Yin Panchao
Published: October 2023

The emergence of polymers with intrinsic microporosity provides solutions for flexible gas separation membranes with both high gas permeability and selectivity. However, their applications are significantly hindered by the costly synthetic efforts, limited availability of chemical systems, and narrow window of microporosity sizes. Herein, flexible mixed matrix membranes with tunable intrinsic microporosity can be facilely fabricated from the coordination assembly of polymer brushes and coordination nanocages. Polymer brushes bearing isophthalic acid side groups can coordinate with Cu2+ to assemble into polymer networks crosslinked by 2 nm nanocages. The semi‐flexible feature of the polymer brush and the high crosslinking density of the network prevent the network from collapsing during solvent removal and the obtained aerogels demonstrate hierarchical structure with dual porosity from the crosslinked polymer network and coordination nanocage, respectively. The porosity can be facilely tuned via the amount of Cu2+ by regulating the network crosslinking density and nanocage loadings, and finally, optimized gas separation that surpasses Robeson upper bound for H2/CO2 can be achieved. The coordination‐driven assembly protocol paves a new avenue for the cost‐effective synthesis of polymers with intrinsic microporosity and the fabrication of flexible gas separation membranes.
A novel method for the extraction and characterization of metabolites from Basidiomycota: Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm., 1871 as a case study
Authors: Benvenuti Mirko , Piazza Simone Di , Salis Annalisa , Cecchi Grazia , Zotti Mirca , Scarfì Sonia , Damonte Gianluca
Published: October 2023

In recent years, the interest in the exploitation of fungal metabolites has grown considerably, given their application in numerous sectors involving human health. However, their identification and characterization by conventional analytical approaches is generally limited to single families of molecules per method of analysis. This constitutes a limiting factor of primary importance in the study of both the metabolic pattern of a single fungal sample and the discovery of its possible applications. In this work, a reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry method for the profile determination of primary and secondary metabolites produced by the oyster‐mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.) P. Kumm., 1871, has been developed. By using a concomitant extraction in three different polarity‐decreasing solvents, namely methanol, ethanol, and acetonitrile, this method allowed the simultaneous analysis of all extracted metabolites belonging to the widest possible range of chemical families, giving an advantage for both qualitative and quantitative determination of known and unknown compounds. The method appears to be valuable and robust for the study of complex matrices like raw fungi extract such as those of Pleurotus ostreatus cultivated on different substrates and/or exposed to multiple stressors.
Generalized filtered lifting line theory for arbitrary chord lengths and application to wind turbine blades
Authors: Martínez‐Tossas Luis A. , Sakievich Philip , Churchfield Matthew J. , Meneveau Charles
Published: October 2023

The filtered lifting line theory is an analytical approach used to solve the equations of flow subjected to body forces with a Gaussian distribution, such as used in the actuator line model. In the original formulation, the changes in chord length along the blade were assumed to be small. This assumption can lead to errors in the induced velocities predicted by the theory compared to full solutions of the equations. In this work, we revisit the original derivation and provide a more general formulation that can account for significant changes in chord along the blade. The revised formulation can be applied to wings with significant changes in chord along the span, such as wind turbine blades.
Final Conclusions II: Establishing a New Monetary Order as a Foundation for a New Type of Societies
Authors: Byttebier Koen
Published: October 2023

After more than two (= industrial capitalism) to four (= mercantile and industrial capitalism combined) centuries of capitalism, the balance sheet is far from rosy, at least for those who, averse to ideology, are willing to take a sober and honest look at what capitalism has brought about.
The Presence of an Aberrant Right Hepatic Artery Did Not Influence Surgical and Oncological Outcomes After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Ricci Claudio , Alberici Laura , Minghetti Margherita , Ingaldi Carlo , Grego Davide Giovanni , D’Ambra Vincenzo , De Dona Ermenegilda , Casadei Riccardo
Published: October 2023

Background

The presence of an aberrant right hepatic artery (a‐RHA) could influence the oncological and postoperative results after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

A systematic review and metanalysis were conducted, including all comparative studies having patients who underwent PD without (na‐RHA) or with a‐RHA. The results were reported as risk ratios (RRs), mean differences (MDs), or hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95 CI). The random effects model was used to calculate the effect sizes. The endpoints were distinguished as critical and important. Critical endpoints were: R1 resection, overall survival (OS), morbidity, mortality, and biliary fistula (BL). Important endpoints were: postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), post pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH), length of stay (LOS), and operative time (OT).

Results

Considering the R1 rate no significant differences were observed between the two groups (RR 1.06; 0.89 to 1.27). The two groups have a similar OS (HR 0.95; 0.85 to 1.06). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were similar between the two groups, with a RR of 0.97 (0.88 to 1.06) and 0.81 (0.54 to 1.20), respectively. The biliary fistula rate was similar between the two groups (RR of 1.09; 0.72 to 1.66). No differences were observed for non‐critical endpoints.

Conclusion

The presence of a‐RHA does not affect negatively the short‐term and long‐term clinical outcomes of PD.
Functional similarity of ABP 959 and eculizumab in simulated serum models of aHUS and NMOSD
Authors: McBride Helen J. , Frazer-Abel Ashley , Thiemann Sandra , Lehto Sonya G. , Hutterer Katariina M. , Liu Jennifer
Published: October 2023

ABP 959 is being developed as a biosimilar to Soliris® (eculizumab) reference product (RP), which was approved under orphan designation for a group of rare diseases including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG), and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Development of biosimilars for therapeutics approved for rare disease indications must provide scientific rationale based on the totality of evidence (TOE). To support the TOE and the scientific justification for extrapolation to all approved indications for eculizumab RP, including but not limited to aHUS and NMOSD, we utilized simulated ex-vivo pharmacodynamic (PD) assessments to compare the complement component 5 (C5) inhibitory activity of ABP 959 and the RP. Hemolysis activity of CH50 and AH50, and Wieslab CP, AP, and LP endpoints represent the three complement activation pathways (classical, alternative, and lectin), all of which share the terminal pathway and require C5 for activity. These endpoints were evaluated in normal serum, simulated aHUS serum, and simulated NMOSD serum to provide a robust comparison. The results support the conclusion that ABP 959 and eculizumab RP exhibit highly similar inhibition of C5 function regardless of the type of serum used. This work presents a full comparison of the effect of C5 inhibition across five complement functional assays. Using this approach to confirm functional similarity of ABP 959 with eculizumab RP contributes to the TOE for biosimilarity and provides support for extrapolation based on inhibition of C5 function to other rare disease indications approved for eculizumab RP.
Grubenpapillen-Makulopathie: Inzidenz und klinischer Verlauf
Authors: Chan Caroline , Fries Fabian Norbert , Käsmann-Kellner Barbara , Seitz Berthold , Abdin Alaa Din
Published: October 2023

Ziel

Ziel dieser Fallserie ist es, den klinischen Verlauf von Patienten mit Grubenpapillen-Makulopathie zu untersuchen.

Methoden

Es wurde die Krankenakten aller Patienten ausgewertet, bei denen in den letzten 10 Jahren eine Grubenpapille diagnostiziert wurde. Eine Grubenpapillen-Makulopathie wurde diagnostiziert, wenn sich lokalisierte intraretinale oder/und subretinale Flüssigkeit vom Sehnerv zur Makula ausgebreitet hatte. Zu den Zielgrößen gehörten Veränderungen der bestkorrigierten Sehschärfe (BCVA), der zentralen Netzhautdicke (RT), der nasalen parafovealen und perifovealen RT.

Ergebnisse

Bei 18 Patienten (9 weiblich, 9 männlich, Durchschnittsalter: 33 ± 23 Jahre) wurde eine Grubenpapille diagnostiziert. Bei 6 Patienten (33,3 %) lag eine Ansammlung von Netzhautflüssigkeit vor (1 intraretinal, 1 subretinal, 4 intra- und subretinal). Eine Pars-plana-Vitrektomie mit Entfernung der peripapillären Glaskörpertraktion und ILM-Peeling wurde bei 5 Patienten indiziert und bei 4 Patienten durchgeführt. Ein Patient unterzog sich stattdessen einer Nano-Puls-Laserbehandlung. Die Patienten mit Grubenpapillen-Makulopathie waren im Durchschnitt 47 ± 16 Jahre alt. Die mittlere bestkorrigierte Sehschärfe (BCVA) (dezimal) der Patientengruppe verbesserte sich von 0,3 ± 0,2 vor der Behandlung auf 0,5 ± 0,2 3 Monate nach der Behandlung (p = 0,03). Bei allen Patienten mit Grubenpapillen-Makulopathie, die mit Pars-plana-Vitrektomie behandelt wurden, verbesserte sich der Visus. Die mittlere zentrale Netzhautdicke (RT) sank von 796 ± 214 vor der Behandlung auf 324 ± 57 3 Monate nach der Behandlung (p = 0,005). Die mittlere nasale parafoveale RT sank von 683 ± 87 vor der Behandlung auf 372 ± 41 (p = 0,0003), und die mittlere nasale perifoveale RT sank von 547 ± 89 vor der Behandlung auf 360 ± 48 (p = 0,007). Bei 4 Augen war nach einem mittleren Follow-up von 3 Monaten eine vollständig trockene Makula erreicht. Bei der langfristigen Verlaufskontrolle (2,5 ± 1,2 Jahre) trat an den vitrektomierten Augen kein Rezidiv auf.

Schlussfolgerung

In dieser Fallserie wurde festgestellt, dass bei mehr als einem Drittel der Patienten mit Grubenpapillen eine Makulopathie auftritt, die wahrscheinlich durch eine Disruption des Kuhnt-Intermediärgewebes verursacht wird. In allen Fällen war eine interventionelle Therapie indiziert, 4 davon wurden operiert und führte zu einer signifikanten Verbesserung der Funktion und der anatomischen Netzhautstrukturen.
Diagnosis and management of congenital type D esophageal atresia
Authors: Feng Cuizhu , Li Long , Zhang Yanxia , Zhao Yong , Huang Jinshi
Published: October 2023

This study was performed to describe the current clinical practice and outcomes of type D esophageal atresia. We retrospectively analyzed 10 patients who were diagnosed with type D esophageal atresia and underwent esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula repair in the Capital Institute of Pediatrics and Beijing Children’s Hospital from January 2017 to May 2022. Ten patients include three newborns and seven non-newborns. Seven (70%) cases were misdiagnosed as type C esophageal atresia before the first operation. Three neonatal children underwent thoracoscopic distal tracheoesophageal fistula ligation and esophageal anastomosis: the proximal tracheoesophageal fistula was simultaneously repaired with thoracoscopy in one of these children, and the proximal tracheoesophageal fistula was not detected under thoracoscopy in the other two children. Among the seven non-neonatal children, one underwent repair of the proximal tracheoesophageal fistula through the chest and the other six underwent repair through the neck. Nine patients were cured, and one died of complications of severe congenital heart disease. Type D esophageal atresia lacks specific clinical manifestations. Misdiagnosis as type C esophageal atresia is the main cause of an unplanned reoperation. Patients without severe malformations have a good prognosis.
Incidence of depression in patients with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Zareini Bochra , Sørensen Katrine Kold , Blanche Paul , Falkentoft Alexander C. , Fosbøl Emil , Køber Lars , Torp-Pedersen Christian
Published: October 2023

Background

Estimating how type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects the rate of depression in cardiovascular disease (CVD) can help identify high-risk patients. The aim is to investigate how T2D affects the rate of depression according to specific subtypes of CVD.

Methods

Incident CVD patients, free of psychiatric disease, with and without T2D, were included from nationwide registries between 2010 and 2020. We followed patients from CVD diagnosis until the first occurrence of depression, emigration, death, 5 years, or end of study (December 31, 2021). We used time-dependent Poisson regression to estimate the incidence rates and rate ratios (IRR) of depression following subtypes of CVD with and without T2D. The model included age, sex, comorbidities, calendar year, T2D duration, educational level, and living situation as covariates.

Results

A total of 165,096 patients were included; 45,845 had a myocardial infarction (MI), 63,691 had a stroke, 19,959 had peripheral artery disease (PAD), 35,568 had heart failure (HF), and 979 were diagnosed with 2 or more CVD subtypes (= > 2 CVD’s). Baseline T2D in each CVD subtype ranged from 11 to 17%. The crude incidence rate of depression per 1000 person-years (95% confidence intervals) was: MI + T2D: 131.1 (109.6;155.6), MI: 82.1 (65.3;101.9), stroke + T2D: 287.4 (255.1;322.6), stroke: 222.4(194.1;253.6), PAD + T2D: 173.6 (148.7;201.4), PAD:137.5 (115.5;162.5), HF + T2D: 244.3 (214.6;276.9), HF: 199.2 (172.5;228.9), =  > 2 CVD’s + T2D: 427.7 (388.1;470.2), =  > 2 CVD’s: 372.1 (335.2;411.9). The adjusted IRR of depression in MI, stroke, PAD, HF, and =  > 2 CVD’s with T2D compared to those free of T2D was: 1.29 (1.23;1.35), 1.09 (1.06;1.12), 1.18 (1.13;1.24), 1.05 (1.02;1.09), and 1.04 (0.85;1.27) (p-value for interaction < 0.001).

Conclusion

The presence of T2D increased the rate of depression differently among CVD subtypes, most notable in patients with MI and PAD.
Testing and modelling of a 2.5 MW wind turbine gearbox: Influence of lubricant formulation
Authors: Fernandes Carlos M. C. G. , Ferreira Rui , Seabra Jorge H. O. , Cruz João M. , Bernardes Ricardo
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of different ISO VG 320 oil formulations used in a 2.5 MW wind turbine gearbox. Two commercially available lubricants, a mineral oil and a polyalphaolefin (PAO) lubricant, were tested under realistic operating conditions using a customized test rig.

Measurements showed that the overall efficiency of the mineral lubricant was higher than that of the PAO lubricant, but the difference was only 0.1% in degree of efficiency. Detailed oil analysis revealed that the mineral lubricant generated more wear particles.

A power loss model was also implemented to predict the efficiency of the gearbox, and the results of the model were found to be in agreement with the experimental results. The study concluded that the mineral oil presented higher efficiency than the PAO oil due to its lower viscosity within the narrow operating temperature range imposed on the gearbox. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the observed differences in efficiency may be attributed, in part, to measurement uncertainties and the fact that the mineral lubricant has 10% lower viscosity at the operating temperature compared to the PAO lubricant.
Quo Vadis modeling?
Authors: Michael Judith , Bork Dominik , Wimmer Manuel , Mayr Heinrich C.
Published: October 2023

Models are the key tools humans use to manage complexity in description, development, and analysis. This applies to all scientific and engineering disciplines and in particular to the development of software and data-intensive systems. However, different methods and terminologies have become established in the individual disciplines, even in the sub-fields of Informatics, which raises the need for a comprehensive and cross-sectional analysis of the past, present, and future of modeling research. This paper aims to shed some light on how different modeling disciplines emerged and what characterizes them with a discussion of the potential toward a common modeling future. It focuses on the areas of software, data, and process modeling and reports on an analysis of the research approaches, goals, and visions pursued in each, as well as the methods used. This analysis is based on the results of a survey conducted in the communities concerned, on a bibliometric study, and on interviews with a prominent representative of each of these communities. The paper discusses the different viewpoints of the communities, their commonalities and differences, and identifies possible starting points for further collaboration. It further discusses current challenges for the communities in general and modeling as a research topic in particular and highlights visions for the future.
Glycerol-Based Green RP-HPLC Method for Simultaneous Determination of Methionine and Paracetamol in Pharmaceutical Tablets
Authors: Habib Ahmed , Mabrouk Mokhtar M. , Fekry Marwa , Mansour Fotouh R.
Published: October 2023

Methionine and paracetamol are combined in dosage forms due to the ability of methionine to compensate the deficiency in glutathione in hepatic patients. In this work, an innovative simple time-saving green RP-HPLC method using glycerol as a solely green mobile phase with water for the first time was developed for the simultaneous determination of methionine and paracetamol in their standard and in Hepamol® tablets. The chromatographic conditions were optimized using factorial design with the aid of Minitab 17® Software. The method was performed on a C18 column at 38 °C, and a mobile phase consisting of glycerol and phosphate buffer (pH 2.4) (40:60, v/v), using diode array detector at 210 nm. The mixture was separated in 5 min. The developed method was validated in accordance with ICH requirement over linearity ranges of 10–90 μg/mL for both drugs, and LODs were 3.33 μg/mL for both methionine and paracetamol. Glycerol has high safety, low UV cut-off point, low flammability, and its viscosity can be manipulated when diluted with water. The procedure was compared to the reported reversed phase liquid chromatography method in the terms of their greenness with the green analytical procedure index and the analytical eco-scale. This work breaks new ground for scientists to use glycerol in greener RP-HPLC applications.
Consumption Modelling Using Categorisation-Enhanced Mental Accounting
Authors: Chudziak Szymon
Published: October 2023

Credibly representing category-of-goods mental accounting in an intertemporal optimisation framework is notoriously difficult, as this modelling approach imposes interrelations between the demand for different categories through first-order conditions. This breaks the principle of nonfungibility, contrary to the rationale of mental-accounting theory. Proofs that using intertemporal optimisation is futile in modelling this kind of behaviour are provided, and an alternative is developed: a procedural-behavioural merger of mental accounting and categorisation theories. The merger is necessary to enhance mental-accounting theory, which by itself does not inform about how mental budgets are formed, what they include and how money is spent from various accounts. A classification of six basic consumer types was devised, basing on the differences between their mental-accounting systems and variations of changes of expenditure in response to fluctuations of net disposable income and other possible stimuli. Representing the consumer problem as a behavioural procedure including spending on nondurable and frequently-bought durable goods as well as decisions whether or not to purchase very expensive durable goods, such as houses and flats, allows to model real-world features such as infrequent purchases and rare debt-taking. The devised working-life cycle models of consumer behaviour are consistent with microeconomic evidence on consumption, including those features that are not accounted for by various versions of the permanent income or buffer-stock models.
Sample Size Requirements to Test Subgroup-Specific Treatment Effects in Cluster-Randomized Trials
Authors: Wang Xueqi , Goldfeld Keith S. , Taljaard Monica , Li Fan
Published: October 2023

Cluster-randomized trials (CRTs) often allocate intact clusters of participants to treatment or control conditions and are increasingly used to evaluate healthcare delivery interventions. While previous studies have developed sample size methods for testing confirmatory hypotheses of treatment effect heterogeneity in CRTs (i.e., targeting the difference between subgroup-specific treatment effects), sample size methods for testing the subgroup-specific treatment effects themselves have not received adequate attention—despite a rising interest in health equity considerations in CRTs. In this article, we develop formal methods for sample size and power analyses for testing subgroup-specific treatment effects in parallel-arm CRTs with a continuous outcome and a binary subgroup variable. We point out that the variances of the subgroup-specific treatment effect estimators and their covariance are given by weighted averages of the variance of the overall average treatment effect estimator and the variance of the heterogeneous treatment effect estimator. This analytical insight facilitates an explicit characterization of the requirements for both the omnibus test and the intersection–union test to achieve the desired level of power. Generalizations to allow for subgroup-specific variance structures are also discussed. We report on a simulation study to validate the proposed sample size methods and demonstrate that the empirical power corresponds well with the predicted power for both tests. The design and setting of the Umea Dementia and Exercise (UMDEX) CRT in older adults are used to illustrate our sample size methods.
Urinary stem cell-derived exocrine circRNA ATG7 regulates the SOCS1/STAT3 signaling pathway through miR-4500, inhibits M1 macrophage polarization, and alleviates the progression of diabetes nephropathy
Authors: Sun Yang , Zhao Yanhong , Lu Yongxin , Li Hongmei , Xiang Jin , Yang Dongmei , Wang Jinrui , Gao Xinglian , Wang Yian
Published: October 2023

Objective

The etiopathogenesis of diabetes nephropathy (DN) has not yet been fully clarified. Finding effective treatments to prevent renal failure in DN patients has become the main focus of research in recent years. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been shown to play a momentous role in DN progression. Based on this, we aimed to investigate the potential mechanism by which urine-derived stem cell (USC)-derived exosome circRNA ATG7 (Exo-ATG7) mediates DN progression.

Methods

Exosomes from USCs were isolated and identified. The DN rat model was established by intraperitoneally injecting 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. The protein expression levels were measured by Western blot and immunofluorescence. HE and Masson staining were used to evaluate renal injury, and the expression of related genes was detected by RT-qPCR.

Results

CircRNA ATG7 was significantly downregulated in the DN rat model, and the extracellular vesicles of USCs improved renal function and reduced inflammation in DN rats. However, after knocking down the USCs-derived exosome circRNA ATG7, improvement and therapeutic effect on renal function in DN rats were lost. In addition, overexpression of ATG7 facilitated the switching of macrophages from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, upregulation of circRNA ATG7 expression can alleviate renal damage in DN rats. Importantly, the USCs-derived exosome circRNA ATG7 promotes macrophage M2 polarization by regulating the SOCS1/STAT3 signaling pathway through miR-4500. In addition, animal experiments also confirmed that after knocking down ATG7 in USC cells, the extracted exosome-treated DN rats could weaken the therapeutic effect of USC exosomes.

Conclusion

Our research results indicate that USC-derived exosomal circRNA ATG7 facilitates macrophage phenotype switching from M1 to M2 through the SOCS1/STAT3 signaling pathway mediated by miR-4500, thereby inhibiting DN progression.
A Novel Method to Measure Equi-Biaxial Residual Stress by Nanoindentation
Authors: Greco A. , Sgambitterra E. , Furgiuele F. , Furfari D.
Published: October 2023

Background

The accurate measurement of residual stresses (RS) is crucial for predicting the performance of mechanical components, as RS can significantly impact fatigue life, fracture, corrosion, and wear resistance. Different experimental methods were developed to measure RS, including non-destructive techniques. Among these methods, instrumented nanoindentation has emerged as a promising approach to assess equi- or non-equi-biaxial RS states. This technique analyzes variations in the mechanical response of indentation on a stressed or stress-free component to estimate residual stresses. Previous studies proposed different approaches to establish a relationship between RS and indentation parameters, such as contact area, peak load, mean contact pressure, indentation work, etc. However, the correlation between RS and peak load variation, commonly assumed to be linear, showed limitations, particularly when dealing with compressive RS.

Objective

The aim of this work is to develop a hybrid procedure, based on finite element (FEM) simulations and experimental analyses, to measure the equi-biaxial residual stresses. In particular, it is based on the analysis of the nanoindentation peak load variation generated by the presence of residual stresses on a component.

Methods

To overcome the limitations of the linear assumption, nanoindentation experiments were combined with finite element analyses (FEA). FEA simulations were used to estimate the correlation between RS and peak load variation, providing a better understanding of the non-linear relationship. A proper experimental setup, consisting in a stress generating jig, was designed and manufactured to perform nanoindentations on a sample, made by aluminium alloy AA 7050 T451, subjected to external mechanical stress with the aim to validate the FEA model. FEA and the digital image correlation (DIC) technique were also used to verify that the induced stress field was the expected one.

Results

Obtained results revealed that the proposed method is a valid way to measure residual stresses. In fact, it offers an improved correlation between RS and peak load variation. In addition, by integrating nanoindentation experiments and FEA, a more accurate assessment of RS can be also achieved.

Conclusions

This research contributes to the development of a consistent methodology for RS measurement using instrumented nanoindentation.
Microplastic in long-term soil monitoring: first spatial and temporal data on plastics in agricultural topsoils
Authors: Weber Collin J. , Bastijans Jan-Eric , Lügger Katrin , Heller Christian
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Within the emerging field of soil related microplastic (MP) research, little is known about spatio-temporal variations of MP concentrations in soils. To overcome this current knowledge gap, we suggest the exploitation of long-term soil monitoring programmes (LTSM) and its archived soil samples, to gain first data on spatio-temporal variations within soil MP contamination.

Methods

We analysed 32 archived topsoil samples of 13 cropland and 3 control sites, including grassland and forest sites, which are part of the LTSM programme of the German federal state of Hesse. Analysed samples cover a time span of 10–16 years. MP (>300 µm) have been extracted via sodium chloride (NaCl, 1.2 g cm−3) density separation, Nile Red staining and fluorescent optical identification followed by ATR-FTIR analysis of individual MP.

Results

We found MP contamination (mean 34.66 ± 24.08 p kg−1) from mainly PE and synthetic rubber polymers. Furthermore, we were able to detect spatial MP contamination hotspots, with unexpected high MP concentrations in control grassland and forest LTSM sites. In case of temporal trends, we cannot conclude a general increase of MP concentrations over time. However, as we found MP in older and newer samples, MP contamination is likely to be ubiquitous in topsoils and has already been present in the environment for several decades.

Conclusion

Our findings underline the role of cropland topsoils as MP reservoirs, but raise questions on the MP storage in grassland and forest soils. Applying MP analytical tools to archived LTSM samples enables first insights within non-targeted spatial source analysis and temporal trends of soils MP pollution. If enhanced analytical methods will be applied to LTSM samples, it will be possible to gain more detailed insights within spatio-temporal MP dynamics in soils.
Complex secondary structure in small Rep_3 plasmids of Acinetobacter spp.
Authors: Petrova Nikola , Coma Matus , Pristas Peter , Kolesarova Mariana , Kiskova Jana
Published: October 2023

Bacterial plasmids are important mobile genetic elements which often carry specific genes important for bacterial successful survival under various inhospitable environmental conditions. Most of the previous research has focused on large plasmids providing these beneficial traits to their host cells. In this study, small cryptic plasmid pALK1 (3 051 bp) was isolated from metallotolerant and alkalitollerant strain Acinetobacter sp. K1. The plasmid encodes Rep_3 family replication protein and MobM mobilization protein but none pALK1-like plasmids were detected in other Acinetobacter strains of environmental and animal origin. The secondary structure of the pALK1 plasmid is characterized by the complexity of multiple sets of direct and inverted repeats in its nucleotide sequence. Comparative genomics was used to hypothesize the biological functions of these repeats in Acinetobacter spp., whereas several similar plasmids with a related organization of direct repeats and palindromes are known in this genus.
Sex Differences in Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Authors: Klevmoen Marianne , Mulder Janneke W.C.M. , Roeters van Lennep Jeanine E. , Holven Kirsten B.
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

This review aims to summarize the existing research on sex differences in familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) across the lifespan.

Recent Findings

From childhood onward, total- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in girls are higher than those in boys with FH. By the age of 30 years, women with FH have a higher LDL-C burden than men. In adulthood, women are diagnosed later than men, receive less lipid-lowering treatment, and consequently have higher LDL-C levels. An excessive atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk is reported in young female compared to male FH patients. The periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding contribute to treatment loss and increased cholesterol burden.

Earlier initiation of treatment, especially in girls with FH, and lifelong treatment during all life stages are important. Future research should aim to recruit both women and men, report sex-specific data, and investigate the impact of the female life course on cardiovascular outcomes. Future guidelines should include sex-specific aspects.

Graphical abstract
Novel Insights into Osteoclast Energy Metabolism
Authors: Ledesma-Colunga Maria G. , Passin Vanessa , Lademann Franziska , Hofbauer Lorenz C. , Rauner Martina
Published: October 2023

Purpose of Review

Osteoclasts are crucial for the dynamic remodeling of bone as they resorb old and damaged bone, making space for new bone. Metabolic reprogramming in these cells not only supports phenotypic changes, but also provides the necessary energy for their highly energy-consuming activity, bone resorption. In this review, we highlight recent developments in our understanding of the metabolic adaptations that influence osteoclast behavior and the overall remodeling of bone tissue.

Recent Findings

Osteoclasts undergo metabolic reprogramming to meet the energy demands during their transition from precursor cells to fully mature bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Recent research has made considerable progress in pinpointing crucial metabolic adaptations and checkpoint proteins in this process. Notably, glucose metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, and oxidative respiration were identified as essential pathways involved in osteoclast differentiation, cytoskeletal organization, and resorptive activity. Furthermore, the interaction between these pathways and amino acid and lipid metabolism adds to the complexity of the process. These interconnected processes can function as diverse fuel sources or have independent regulatory effects, significantly influencing osteoclast function.

Energy metabolism in osteoclasts involves various substrates and pathways to meet the energetic requirements of osteoclasts throughout their maturation stages. This understanding of osteoclast biology may provide valuable insights for modulating osteoclast activity during the pathogenesis of bone-related disorders and may pave the way for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies.
From Altered States to Metaphysics: The Epistemic Status of Psychedelic-induced Metaphysical Beliefs
Authors: Gładziejewski Paweł
Published: October 2023

Psychedelic substances elicit powerful, uncanny conscious experiences that are thought to possess therapeutic value. In those who undergo them, these altered states of consciousness often induce shifts in metaphysical beliefs about the fundamental structure of reality. The contents of those beliefs range from contentious to bizarre, especially when considered from the point of view of naturalism. Can chemically induced, radically altered states of consciousness provide reasons for or play some positive epistemic role with respect to metaphysical beliefs? In this paper, I discuss a view that has been underexplored in recent literature. I argue that psychedelic states can be rationally integrated into one’s epistemic life. Consequently, updating one’s metaphysical beliefs based on altered states of consciousness does not have to constitute an instance of epistemic irrationality.
The Metaverse: Virtual Metaphysics, Virtual Governance, and Virtual Abundance
Authors: Turner Cody
Published: October 2023

In his article ‘The Metaverse: Surveillant Physics, Virtual Realist Governance, and the Missing Commons,’ Andrew McStay addresses an entwinement of ethical, political, and metaphysical concerns surrounding the Metaverse, arguing that the Metaverse is not being designed to further the public good but is instead being created to serve the plutocratic ends of technology corporations. He advances the notion of ‘surveillant physics’ to capture this insight and introduces the concept of ‘virtual realist governance’ as a theoretical framework that ought to guide Metaverse design and regulation. This commentary article primarily serves as a supplementary piece rather than a direct critique of McStay’s work. First, I flag certain understated or overlooked nuances in McStay’s discussion. Then, I extend McStay’s discussion by juxtaposing a Lockean inspired argument supporting the property rights of Metaverse creators with an opposing argument advocating for a Metaverse user's ‘right to virtual abundance,’ informed by the potential of virtual reality technology to eliminate scarcity in virtual worlds. Contrasting these arguments highlights the tension between corporate rights and social justice in the governance of virtual worlds and bears directly on McStay’s assertion that there is a problem of the missing commons in the early design of the Metaverse.
Emerging Mueller matrix microscopy applications in biophysics and biomedicine
Authors: Diaspro Alberto , Bianchini Paolo , Callegari Fabio , Cuneo Lisa , Marongiu Riccardo , Le Gratiet Aymeric , Mohebi Ali , Scotto M. , Sheppard Colin J. R.
Published: October 2023

Polarized and wide-field light microscopy has been studied for many years to develop accurate and information-rich images within a focused framework on biophysics and biomedicine. Technological advances and conceptual understanding have recently led to significant results in terms of applications. Simultaneously, developments in label-free methods are opening a new window on molecular imaging at a low dose of illumination. The ability to encode and decode polarized light pixel by pixel, coupled with the computational strength provided by artificial intelligence, is the running perspective of label-free optical microscopy. More specifically, the information-rich content Mueller matrix microscopy through its 16 elements offers multimodal imaging, an original data set to be integrated with other advanced optical methods. This dilates the spectrum of possible and potential applications. Here, we explore the recent advances in basic and applied research towards technological applications tailored for specific questions in biophysics and biomedicine.
A full-set tooth segmentation model based on improved PointNet++
Authors: Yuan Li , Liu Xinyi , Yu Jiannan , Li Yanfeng
Published: October 2023

Segmentation of a complete set of teeth from three-dimensional (3D) intra-oral scanner images is a crucial step in tooth identification procedures. In large-scale disasters with many victims, teeth are often the preferred and reliable source for victim identification due to their hard and non-deformable characteristics. In this paper we present a study on the automatic segmentation of a complete set of teeth from intra-oral scanner images. We propose a tooth segmentation method based on an improved PointNet++ architecture. To address the problem of inadequate segmentation capability of the teeth-gingival boundary of PointNet++, we introduce a single-point preliminary feature extraction (SPFE) module to better preserve the subtle details that may be overlooked by the original PointNet++ model. In addition, a weighted-sum local feature aggregation (WSLFA) mechanism is proposed to replace the max pooling in PointNet++ to better perform feature aggregation. The experimental results on 52 testing datasets using the network trained on 160 annotated 3D intra-oral scanner images demonstrate that our improved PointNet++ method achieves a segmentation accuracy of 97.68%, and performs well under different dental conditions.
Performance of eco-friendly concrete: a safe direction to sustainable cities development
Authors: Shaban Wafaa Mohamed , Daef Kariman Samir
Published: October 2023

Constructing sustainable cities for the future usually encounters some challenges such as reducing the environmental footprint through using eco-friendly materials. Coarse recycled aggregate retrieved from demolished concrete structures is considered one of the eco-friendly building materials. This study aims to investigate the impact of strengthened recycled aggregate with pozzolan slurry on the different properties of concrete. Three various groups of pozzolan slurries; silica fume with fly ash, cement with fly ash, and nano-silica are used to strengthen the inferior properties of recycled aggregate. Findings showed that the proposed treatment method efficiently improved the quality of recycled aggregate. Also, this method achieved eco-friendly concrete with preferable mechanical behavior and greater resistivity against chloride diffusion. The wastage of compressive strength was 10–20%, flexural strength was 5–16%, and the elastic modulus was 13–30% of the recycled aggregate concrete in comparison with normal concrete at 28 days. By considering the application of recycled aggregate in the manufacture of new concrete, this study's results can serve as principles for achieving sustainable concrete infrastructure in the smart cities of the future.
Quantitative Risk and Portfolio Management
Authors: Winston Kenneth J.
Published: October 2023

A comprehensive modern introduction to risk and portfolio management for quantitatively adept advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students who will become practitioners in the field of quantitative finance. With a focus on real-world application, but providing a background in academic theory, this text builds a firm foundation of rigorous but practical knowledge. Extensive live data and Python code are provided as online supplements, allowing a thorough understanding of how to manage risk and portfolios in practice. With its detailed examination of how mathematical techniques are applied to finance, this is the ideal textbook for giving students with a background in engineering, mathematics or physics a route into the field of quantitative finance.
The Demand and Supply of Pandemic Populism: A Global Overview
Authors: Zulianello Mattia , Guasti Petra
Published: October 2023

This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and populism. We analyse the demand and supply sides of the populist phenomenon during the pandemic. On the demand side, we focus on the interplay between populist attitudes and COVID-19 restrictions by assessing the role of conspiracy theories, social media and alternative news media. On the supply side, we identify similarities and differences in the responses of populist actors globally. Hence, we focus on the main ideational varieties of the contemporary populist phenomenon (right-wing, left-wing and valence populism) while also distinguishing between populists in government and opposition. The analysis reveals that complexity is the defining feature of both the demand and supply sides of populism in times of pandemic.