bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mediation effects of lean mass and fat mass on the relationship between body mass index and handgrip strength
Authors: Bim Mateus Augusto , de Pinto André de Araújo , Claumann Gaia Salvador , Pelegrini Andreia
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aimed to assess the mediation effects of lean mass and fat mass on the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and handgrip strength (HGS) in adolescents.

Method

The sample included 118 adolescents (60 girls) aged 10–14 years. Body composition, determined from lean mass (LM) and fat mass (FM), was measured by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. HGS was measured using a digital dynamometer. Moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity and sexual maturation, treated as covariates, were evaluated by accelerometry and pubic hair development, respectively. Spearman correlation and simple mediation analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results

A positive relationship was observed between BMI and HGS (rho = .364, p < .001), BMI and LM (rho = .466, p < .001), LM and HGS (rho = .784, p < .001), BMI and FM (rho = .907, p < .001), and FM and HGS (rho = .291, p = .001). LM was the only significant mediator of the relationship between BMI and HGS.

Conclusion

Only LM mediated the association between BMI and HGS, almost entirely explaining the relationship. The findings reinforce the need to include LM measurements in routine strength testing. Furthermore, strategies focused on LM development may be promising in preventing low muscle strength in adolescents.
Electrochemical Oxidative Sulfenocyclization of Alkenoic Acids with Disulfides for the Synthesis of Lactones
Authors: Zhang Kailin , Wang Jijin , Wang Xuecheng , Zhao Jincan
Published: October 2023

A direct electrochemical oxidative sulfenocyclization of alkenoic acids with disulfides for the synthesis of substituted lactone derivatives has been developed under metal‐free and oxidant‐free conditions. The simple undivided cell with platinum/platinum electrode setups offers broad substrate scope and good functional group compatibility, affording a series of thio‐substituted lactones in moderate to good chemical yields. Furthermore, the mechanism has been investigated by control experiments and cyclic voltammetry.
Baizhu‐Baishao herb pair ameliorates functional constipation and intestinal microflora disorder in rats
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Wang Xiaoting , Wang Ziyan , Guan Jiaqi
Published: October 2023

Background

In China, Rhizoma atractylodis macrocephalae‐Paeonia lactiflora Pall (Biazhu‐Baishao, BZBS) is a classic herb pair used to treat intestinal stress syndrome, ulcerative colitis and other diseases. However, the mechanism of BZBS in the treatment of functional constipation (FC) has been little studied and remains unclear. In this study, a behavioral investigation, colon tissue morphology, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) and intestinal microflora analysis have been used to illuminate the potential mechanism of the effects of BZBS on FC in a rat model.

Methods

A FC rat model was constructed and BZBS was given as treatment. Observations and recordings were made of the fecal moisture content, the defecation time of the first black stool, and the rate of intestinal propulsion. Elisa was used to detect the expression levels of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) in the colon. To ascertain the composition of the microbial community, a high throughput 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing technique was employed.

Results

Oral administration of BZBS significantly ameliorated several key excretion parameters, including the time to first black stool defecation, stool water content, and the propulsion rate in the small intestine in FC rats. It increased the expression of SP, VIP and 5‐HT in the colon. 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that BZBS changed the microbial community structure, decreased the Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, increased the relative abundance of Blautia and Fusicatenibacter, and decreased the relative abundance of Ruminococcus and Roseburia.

Conclusions

BZBS effectively alleviates FC and improves dysbacteriosis.
Partial differential equation‐based multiagent systems formation‐containment control with α‐leader input delay
Authors: Chen Hao , Wang Zhengjie , Wang Yue , Xu Genqi
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates the formation‐containment problem for a multiagent system, where the agents are classified into containment followers, formation leaders, anchor leader, and
‐leader. The
‐leader stabilizes formation leaders to desired formation deployment, while formation leaders adopt local state feedback distributed control law without desired formation position and the anchor leader fixes to its desired position. The containment followers adopted consensus distributed control law and converge to the convex hull spanned by the leader agents. Formation leaders' distributed control law parameters are proposed based on the discrete form of the desired partial differential equation (PDE) formation deployment, which is stabilized by the
‐leader agent and transited by communication topology. Based on its neighbor leader agent's delay state,
‐leader control law designed an integral‐type delay‐compensated control law by the backstepping method and the equivalence principle. In order to prove the rightness and existence of delay‐compensated control law, the well‐posedness of kernel functions are given by
semigroup perturbation theory and solutions in the sense of distribution. Finally, a simulation example is given to verify the theoretical results.
Suprapubic catheter change: Evaluating YouTube videos as a resource for teaching junior doctors
Authors: Milton Thomas , Stapleton Peter , Noll Darcy , Satheakeerthy Shrirajh , Hewitt Joseph , Couchman Ashani
Published: October 2023

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to assess the current level of experience and teaching practices for SPC change at our institution and, second, to assess the quality of YouTube videos as an educational tool for teaching SPC change.

Methods

A survey was conducted of 40 JMOs at our institution regarding SPC change. The first 20 YouTube videos on SPC change were included for analysis. A JAMA and DISCERN score was calculated for each video. Using linear regression, the association between collected variables and the assigned JAMA and DISCERN scores were determined.

Results

The survey showed that 18 (45%) of JMOs had done an SPC change. None had received formal teaching. The consensus was that the quality of the YouTube videos was poor. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the score assigned to videos by each scoring system (Pearson's r 0.81, p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant association between video quality as measured by either of the scoring systems and number of views. No association between any video characteristic and JAMA and DISCERN score was found.

Conclusion

An SPC change is often a requirement of JMOs; however, this skill is not formally taught. The quality of YouTube videos describing an SPC change is poor.
Multiple testing of composite null hypotheses for discrete data using randomized p‐values
Authors: Ochieng Daniel , Hoang Anh‐Tuan , Dickhaus Thorsten
Published: October 2023

P‐values that are derived from continuously distributed test statistics are typically uniformly distributed on (0,1) under least favorable parameter configurations (LFCs) in the null hypothesis. Conservativeness of a p‐value P (meaning that P is under the null hypothesis stochastically larger than uniform on (0,1)) can occur if the test statistic from which P is derived is discrete, or if the true parameter value under the null is not an LFC. To deal with both of these sources of conservativeness, we present two approaches utilizing randomized p‐values. We illustrate their effectiveness for testing a composite null hypothesis under a binomial model. We also give an example of how the proposed p‐values can be used to test a composite null in group testing designs. We find that the proposed randomized p‐values are less conservative compared to nonrandomized p‐values under the null hypothesis, but that they are stochastically not smaller under the alternative. The problem of establishing the validity of randomized p‐values has received attention in previous literature. We show that our proposed randomized p‐values are valid under various discrete statistical models, which are such that the distribution of the corresponding test statistic belongs to an exponential family. The behavior of the power function for the tests based on the proposed randomized p‐values as a function of the sample size is also investigated. Simulations and a real data example are used to compare the different considered p‐values.
New Phenylthiazoles: Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation as Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Anti‐COVID‐19 Candidates
Authors: Shahin Inas G. , Mohamed Khaled O. , Taher Azza T. , Elsebaei Mohamed M. , Mayhoub Abdelrahman S. , Kassab Asmaa E. , Elshewy Ahmed
Published: October 2023

The combination of antibacterial and antiviral agents is becoming a very important aspect of dealing with resistant bacterial and viral infections. The N‐phenylthiazole scaffold was found to possess significant anti‐MRSA, antifungal, and anti‐COVID‐19 activities as previously published; hence, a slight refinement was proposed to attach various alkyne lipophilic tails to this promising scaffold, to investigate their effects on the antimicrobial activity of the newly synthesized compounds and to provide a valuable structure–activity relationship. Phenylthiazole 4 m exhibited the most potent anti‐MRSA activity with 8 μg/mL MIC value. Compounds 4 k and 4 m demonstrated potent activity against Clostridium difficile with MIC values of 2 μg/mL and moderate activity against Candida albicans with MIC value of 4 μg/mL. When analyzed for their anti‐COVID‐19 inhibitory effect, compound 4 b emerged with IC50=1269 nM and the highest selectivity of 138.86 and this was supported by its binding score of −5.21 kcal mol−1 when docked against SARS‐CoV‐2 M pro. Two H‐bonds were formed, one with His164 and the other with Met49 stabilizing phenylthiazole derivative 4 b, inside the binding pocket. Additionally, it created two arene‐H bonds with Asn142 and Glu166, through the phenylthiazole scaffold and one arene‐H bond with Leu141 via the phenyl ring of the lipophilic tail.
Continuous blood purification in patients with pheochromocytoma crisis: A case report
Authors: Zhong Meinong , Zhu Yuanqiang , Wang Shaofang , Fang Hengying , Chen Guili
Published: October 2023

Key Clinical Message

Pheochromocytoma crisis accompanied by multi‐organ failure necessitates prompt and comprehensive interventions, including VA‐ECMO, CRRT, and others. Successful laparoscopic tumor resection promotes favorable outcomes and recovery.

Pheochromocytoma crisis is commonly associated with high mortality, high surgical risk, and rapidly fatal complications. This article presented successful treatments and nursing experiences in a patient with pheochromocytoma who developed cardiogenic shock and multiple organ failure. We report a case study of a 32‐year‐old female patient who experienced pheochromocytoma crisis accompanied by multiple organ failure. Initial assessment of bedside echocardiography revealed an extremely low left ventricular ejection fraction of 8%. The patient was promptly resuscitated though tracheal intubation and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO), in conjunction with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), alpha‐blockers, beta‐blockers, and other pharmacological interventions to manage blood pressure and heart rate. These interventions resulted in a remarkable increase in the left ventricular ejection fraction of 67%. However, the patient subsequently developed severe sepsis, which may have been caused by the intubation procedure, necessitating the discontinuation of VA‐ECMO while maintaining CRRT. Close monitoring of plasma catecholamine metabolite level, hemodynamic index, inflammatory marker, liver and kidney functions, and electrolytes during CRRT support allows for evaluating the efficacy of these measures and assessing the impact of CRRT on pheochromocytoma crisis. Eventually, the patient successfully underwent laparoscopic resection of a large pheochromocytoma, leading to favorable prognosis and a successful recovery. Continuous blood purification therapy can effectively eliminate catecholamines and their byproducts from the plasma, stabilize hemodynamics, improve heart, liver, and kidney functions, significantly reduce inflammatory cytokine levels significantly, and extend the surgical window for patients.
Traumatic subconjunctival lens dislocation
Authors: Motamed Shariati Mehrdad , Hosseini Seyedeh Maryam , Hashemi Javaheri Zeinab
Published: October 2023

Key Clinical Message

Traumatic crystallin lens dislocation is a common complication following open globe injuries. Wound repair, lensectomy, and prophylactic antibiotic administration are essentials in the management.
The benefit of pancreatic cancer surveillance in carriers of germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants
Authors: Laish Ido , Schechter Menachem , Dancour Alain , Lieberman Sari , Levi Zohar , Goldberg Yael , Kedar Inbal , Hasnis Erez , Half Elizabeth , Levi Gili Reznick , Katz Lior , Vainer Elez D. , Genzel Dor , Aharoni Maya , Chen‐Shtoyerman Rakefet , Abu‐Freha Naim , Raitses‐Gurevich Maria , Golan Talia , Bernstein‐Molho Rinat , Ben Yehoyada Merav , Gluck Nathan , Rosner Guy
Published: October 2023

Background

Surveillance of high‐risk individuals for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is recommended. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and outcomes of PDAC and its precursor lesions in BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PVs) carriers undergoing pancreatic surveillance.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter cohort study of pancreatic surveillance outcomes in Israeli BRCA1/2 carriers preferably with a family history of PDAC.

Results

A total of 180 asymptomatic carriers participated in the screening programs, including 57 (31.7%) with BRCA1 PVs, 121 (67.2%) with BRCA2 PVs, and 12 (6.6%) with PVs in BRCA1/2 and other genes, for a median follow‐up period of 4 years. Ninety‐one individuals (50.5%) fulfilled the International Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) criteria for surveillance whereas 116 (64.4%) fulfilled the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) criteria. There were four cases of adenocarcinoma and four cases of grade 1‐neuroendocrine tumor (G1‐NET). All were BRCA2 carriers, and two had no family history of PDAC. Three cancer patients were at resectable stages (IA, IIA, IIB) whereas one had a stage IIIB tumor. Of the G1‐NET cases, one had surgery and the others were only followed. Success rate for detection of confined pancreatic carcinoma was thus 1.6% (three of 180) in the whole cohort, 1.6% (two of 116) among individuals who fulfilled ACG criteria and 2.2% (two of 91) in those fulfilling CAPS criteria for surveillance.

Conclusions

Despite the low detection rate of PDAC and its' high‐risk neoplastic precursor lesions among BRCA1/2 carriers undergoing pancreatic surveillance, 75% of cancer cases were detected at a resectable stage.
The critical role of coastal protected areas in buffering impacts of extreme climatic conditions on bird diversity and their ecosystem services' provisioning in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Mokotjomela Thabiso Michael , Vukeya Loyd Rodney , Pamla Lwandiso , Scott Zimbini
Published: October 2023

In this study, we documented the diversity of bird species in the Eastern Cape coastal nature reserves (i.e., Hluleka, Dwesa, Silaka and Mkhambati nature reserves), and determined the potential role of each bird species in habitat maintenance using two functional traits (i.e., body mass and feeding mode) as the function's proxy. We applied the timed species count approach during bird observations, coupled with drive‐by surveys to maximise spatial coverage of each nature reserve over four years. To evaluate functional diversity, bird species were classified based on functional traits such as the adult body, and their potential ecological role derived from their feeding mode and habitat associations. Over 864 h, we accumulated 818 bird records containing 178 different bird species that were classified into 58 families with 32 species occurring in all nature reserves. Shannon–Wiener Diversity Indices showed very high overall species diversity across the nature reserves (H > 3.5) with no differences detected across sites. Although no significant correlations between vegetation changes measured through Normalised Difference vegetation Index (NDVI) in each nature reserve and the number of bird records, forest bird species were dominant (42.1%; N = 178) throughout years of observation and diversity remained high (H > 3.5). Bird species abundance only increased significantly across all nature reserves during 2018–2019. All four nature reserves had a similar distribution of bird functional traits with both high functional richness (FRic = 1), and divergence (FDiv = 0.8) and moderate evenness (FEve = 0.4). Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) demonstrated a positive correlation between bird sizes and functions with large birds mainly associated with predators and carrion. Small birds and medium birds had a similar composition of species in terms of functionality being seed dispersers across the nature reserves. A significant effect that insectivores and carrions displayed in MCA plots, suggest the availability of indirect pollination services. Despite extreme drought conditions across the country in 2019, NDVI levels remained largely consistent over time in these four reserves; and thus, they offer important refuge for birds during extreme climatic conditions such as drought.
Wetland productivity determines trade‐off between biodiversity support and greenhouse gas production
Authors: Åhlén David , Peacock Mike , Brodin Yngve , Hambäck Peter A.
Published: October 2023

Establishing wetlands for nutrient capture and biodiversity support may introduce trade‐offs between environmentally beneficial functions and detrimental greenhouse gas emissions. Investigating the interaction of nutrient capture, primary production, greenhouse gas production and biodiversity support is imperative to understanding the overall function of wetlands and determining possible beneficial synergistic effects and trade‐offs. Here, we present temporally replicated data from 17 wetlands in hemi‐boreal Sweden. We explored the relationship between nutrient load, primary producing algae, production of methane and nitrous oxide, and emergence rates of chironomids to determine what factors affected each and how they related to each other. Chironomid emergence rates correlated positively with methane production and negatively with nitrous oxide production, where water temperature was the main driving factor. Increasing nutrient loads reduced methanogenesis through elevated nitrogen concentrations, while simultaneously enhancing nitrous oxide production. Nutrient loads only indirectly increased chironomid emergence rates through increased chlorophyll‐a concentration, via increased phosphorus concentrations, with certain taxa and food preference functional groups benefitting from increased chlorophyll‐a concentrations. However, water temperature seemed to be the main driving factor for chironomid emergence rates, community composition and diversity, as well as for greenhouse gas production. These findings increase our understanding of the governing relationships between biodiversity support and greenhouse gas production, and should inform future management when constructing wetlands.
The effects of policy discourse on the governance of deforestation and forest degradation reduction in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Authors: Majambu Eliezer , Tsayem Demaze Moise , Sufo‐Kankeu Richard , Sonwa Denis Jean , Ongolo Symphorien
Published: October 2023

The international initiative to combat deforestation and forest degradation, known as REDD+, was put on the DRC agenda following actors' policy discourse aimed at convincing policy‐makers of its effectiveness. This paper uses discursive institutionalism (DI) as a theoretical and analytical framework to analyse a set of selected policy documents on REDD+ issue and to assess the effects of policy discourse on deforestation reduction governance in DRC. From an empirical standpoint, interviews with key actors involved in the DRC REDD+ processes and field observations show that four main types of discourse accompanied the adoption of REDD+ in the DRC: a discourse promoting REDD+ through its forest conservation component, as a policy instrument that would bring in significant financial resources to the DRC forest‐related state bureaucracies, a discourse that considers REDD+ as an efficient mean of reducing poverty while promoting sustainability through “green development”, a discourse presenting REDD+ as a way of reducing marginalisation of local communities and indigenous peoples by recognising their customary rights, and finally, a discourse promoting REDD+ as a tool for territorial planning and governance. In addition, the paper points out strong links between DRC REDD+ policy discourse and three types of governance approaches: organisational and fiduciary governance, territorial governance, local development and benefit sharing governance. Our analysis also shows that political discourse has played a significant role in the adoption of substantial policies aimed at reducing deforestation in DRC.
Efficacy of performance and mitigate pollution of CI engine: Delonix regia biodiesel with n‐butanol and exhaust gas recirculation
Authors: Thiruselvam K. , Ganesan S. , Senthil S.
Published: October 2023

The primary aim of this research study was to examine the effectiveness and environmental consequences of using Delonix regia biodiesel (DRB) in combination with butanol (BUT), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and diesel fuel (D) on a direct injection compression ignition engine operating at a constant speed. This study involved the formulation of five distinct biodiesel blends, namely DRB10% + D90%, DRB20% + D80%, DRB10% + BUT10% + D80%, DRB10% + BUT20% + D70%, and DRB20% + D80% + EGR10%. The inclusion of n‐butanol in a biodiesel blend serves to tackle the problem of inadequate combustion in fuel blends by alleviating the oxygen deficiency that occurs during the combustion process. The findings of the study revealed that the combination of DRB at 10%, BUT at 20%, and D at 70% produced in a significant reduction in specific fuel consumption (SFC) by 11.19% and brake thermal efficiency by 2.62%. Additionally, this combination led to a decrease in exhaust emissions of CO and Smoke, with the exception of HC and NOx, when compared to the use of diesel fuel. The control of HC and NOx emissions can be achieved through the implementation of an exhaust gas recirculation system. The results of this investigation suggest that Delonix regia biodiesel, in combination with a 20% concentration of n‐butanol, has potential as a viable alternative fuel choice that may be utilized without necessitating any engine modifications.
The efficacy of negative‐pressure wound therapy for head and neck wounds: A systematic review and update
Authors: Onderková Anna , Butler Peter E. M. , Kalavrezos Nicholas
Published: October 2023

Despite the established benefits of negative‐pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in various wound healing contexts, its application in head and neck surgical cases remains under‐explored. This study aimed to systematically review its effectiveness, safety, and comparative efficacy. Thirty‐one studies from a systematic literature search were identified and analyzed for wound healing response, overall success rate, improvements compared to conventional wound care, and variation in pressure settings, treatment lengths, and dressing change frequency. NPWT showed enhanced outcomes across diverse head and neck wounds, particularly complex post‐reconstructive wounds and severe infections. Despite the predominantly case report/series evidence and lack of standardized NPWT protocols, its benefits over conventional care were clear. NPWT emerges as a promising approach for head and neck wound management, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing complications. More randomized controlled trials are needed to solidify the evidence and standardize NPWT application protocols.
Influence of forest canopy structure and wind flow on patterns of sub‐canopy snow accumulation in montane needleleaf forests
Authors: Staines Jacob , Pomeroy John W.
Published: October 2023

Vegetation structure is considered one of the most important factors shaping the spatial variation of snow accumulation under forest canopies. However, fine scale relationships between canopy density, snow interception, wind redistribution and sub‐canopy accumulation are poorly understood and difficult to observe, and their influence governing stand‐scale snow distributions that determine snow covered area depletion during melt is largely unknown. In this study, fine‐scale observations of forest structure and sub‐canopy snow accumulation were analysed over two mid‐winter snowfalls to a sub‐alpine forest in Marmot Creek Research Basin, Canadian Rockies, Alberta, to identify the impact of snow‐canopy interactions on spatial patterns of sub‐canopy snow accumulation. High spatial resolution (5 and 25 cm) snow accumulation estimates and canopy structure metrics were calculated from the combination of repeated UAV‐lidar observations with snow and photographic surveys, utilizing novel resampling methods including voxel ray sampling of lidar (VoxRS) to improve metric robustness and reduce bias. Over 50% of the spatial variance in forest snow accumulation was found at length scales less than 2 m, supporting the role of local scale canopy structure in governing variation in subcanopy snow accumulation. Additionally, subcanopy snow accumulation showed significant angular spread in relationships with overhead canopy structure; the vertical asymmetry coinciding with local windflow directions during snowfall. Detailed angular analysis showed nontrivial snow‐vegetation relationships that likely reflect multiple snowfall‐vegetation processes, including unloading and entrainment of intercepted snowfall during wind gusts and funnelling of entrained particles by downwind vegetation. These fine‐scale findings suggest several emergent processes which may influence snow accumulation at the scale of forest stands, with novel considerations for representing snow water equivalent distributions under dense evergreen canopies under varying environmental and canopy conditions. Similar studies over a broad range of conditions and forests will help refine and generalize the effects observed here for further snow hydrology and forestry applications.
Combined use of total glucosides of paeony and hydroxychloroquine in primary Sjögren's syndrome: A systematic review
Authors: Zhang Aiping , Chen Shilei , Lin Riyang
Published: October 2023

Objective

To assess the effectiveness and safety of the total glucosides of paeony (TGP) combined with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) by conducting a meta‐analysis.

Methods

Eight databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the use of TGP combined with HCQ for pSS, which are before May 10, 2022. Meta‐analyses were performed on disappeared clinical symptoms (dry mouth and dry eyes), Schirmer's test, saliva flow test, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), index of immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and adverse events (AEs). The Revman 5.4 software was used for this meta‐analysis.

Results

Seven RCTs which included 632 participants were identified. The pooled results showed significant differences in clinical symptoms disappear (dry mouth and dry eyes) (p = .0004), IgM (p < .00001), IgA (p < .00001), salivary flow rate (p < .00001) and Schirmer's test (p = .02) in the comparison of TGP combined with HCQ and HCQ alone. For the IgG and ESR, both pooled and subgroup analyses showed that TGP + HCQ was superior to HCQ alone. For the safety analysis, no significant differences in AEs (p = .39) was revealed. The more frequently seen adverse reactions were diarrhea, vomit and there was no severe adverse events were reported in TGP + HCQ group.

Conclusion

Therefore, TGP + HCQ can be considered to be a potentially valid and safe combination for the treatment of pSS in the clinic.
The association between social isolation, loneliness and psychological problems in young adults: A study during the acute phase of COVID‐19 in Italy
Authors: Senese Vincenzo Paolo , Catone Gennaro , Pezzella Anna , Almerico Luisa , Iorio Maristella , Maresca Marzia , Nasti Carla , Matascioli Nunzia , Pisano Simone
Published: October 2023

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, governments had to impose social isolation measures to safeguard the citizens' health. However, this could have affected psychological problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the psychological effects associated with social and emotional isolation during the acute phase of the COVID‐19 in Italy. To this purpose, the degree of social isolation and loneliness and the presence of psychological problems (externalising and internalising) were investigated online in a sample of 395 young adults (18–30 years; 57% women). Results confirmed the relevant association between social isolation, loneliness and psychological problems, in both internalising and externalising dimensions. Particularly, loneliness showed the strongest association. Moreover, consistently with surveys conducted during the COVID‐19‐era, data highlighted that men were more vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness than women. These results underline the need for adequate interpersonal support during moments of isolation to prevent negative effects on psychological problems.
Are silymarin and N‐acetylcysteine able to prevent liver damage mediated by multiple factors? Findings against ethanol plus LPS‐induced liver injury in mice
Authors: dos Santos Ana Caroline , França Tauani Caroline Santos , Venzon Larissa , Polli Vitor , Polleti Gustavo , Trembulak Erica , Pilati Sarah Freygang Mendes , da Silva Luísa Mota
Published: October 2023

This study investigated the effect of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) and silymarin (SIL) in the liver of mice exposed to ethanol and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Mice were divided into four groups (n = 6): naive, vehicle, NAC (200 mg/kg), and SIL (200 mg/kg). Treatments were given orally (po) once daily for 10 days. Liver injury was induced by administration of ethanol (30%, po) for 10 days, once daily, followed by a single administration of LPS (2 mg/kg, ip) 24 h before euthanasia. After the treatment period, animals were euthanized, and liver and blood samples were collected. NAC, but not SIL, prevented the increase in oxalacetic glutamic transaminase (OGT) and pyruvic glutamic transaminase (PGT) serum levels. NAC and SIL did not restore levels of reduced glutathione or hepatic malonaldehyde. The treatments with NAC or SIL showed no difference in the activity of glutathione S‐transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase compared to vehicle group. Myeloperoxidase and N‐acetylglucosaminidase activities are increased, as well as the IL‐6 and IL‐10 levels in the liver. The treatment with NAC, but not SIL, reduced the N‐acetylglucosamines activity and the IL‐6 and IL‐10 amount in the liver. Histological findings revealed microsteatosis in the vehicle group, which was not prevented by SIL but was partially reduced in animals receiving NAC. Unlike other liver injury models, NAC (200 mg/kg) or SIL (200 mg/kg) did not positively affect antioxidant patterns in liver tissue of animals exposed to ethanol plus LPS, but NAC treatment displays anti‐inflammatory properties in this model.
Neuromuscular ultrasound in leprosy: A scanning protocol
Authors: Pirola Renann , Visser Leo H. , Nasr‐Eldin Yasmin K. , Krzesniak‐Swinarska Monika , Wheat Stephen Wilkes , Cartwright Michael S.
Published: October 2023

The diagnosis of leprosy neuropathies has been traditionally based on clinical findings and electrodiagnostic studies, but ultrasound has emerged as a new tool for use in clinical practice. We conducted a literature search on the subject and developed a pragmatic ultrasound scanning protocol for patients with confirmed or suspected leprosy neuropathy. We suggest scanning the ulnar, median, superficial radial, common fibular and sural nerves at specific sites and assessing cross‐sectional area, vascularity, and epineural thickness. Our protocol is potentially useful in differentiating leprosy neuropathies from other demyelinating neuropathies, but its applicability and accuracy must be evaluated in different centers.
Plant exosomes fused with engineered mesenchymal stem cell‐derived nanovesicles for synergistic therapy of autoimmune skin disorders
Authors: Huang Rufan , Jia Bo , Su Dandan , Li Manchun , Xu Zhanxue , He Chao , Huang Yisheng , Fan Hang , Chen Hongbo , Cheng Fang
Published: October 2023

Existing therapeutics for autoimmune diseases remain problematic due to low efficacy, severe side effects, and difficulties to reach target tissues. Herein, we design multifunctional fusion nanovesicles that can target lesions for the treatment of autoimmune skin diseases. The grapefruit‐derived exosome‐like nanovesicles (GEVs) with anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects are first encapsulated with CX5461, an immunosuppressant with anti‐proliferative properties to form GEV@CX5461. In order to enhance therapeutic efficiency and safety, GEV@CX5461 are then fused with CCR6+ nanovesicles derived from membranes of engineered gingiva‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). The resulting FV@CX5461 not only maintain the bioactivity of GEVs, CX5461, and GMSC membranes but also home to inflamed tissues rich in chemokine CCL20 through the chemotaxis function of CCR6 on FVs. Moreover, FV@CX5461 reduce the secretion of inflammatory factors, calm down Th17 cell activation, and induce Treg cell infiltration. Finally, impressive therapeutic efficiency in both psoriasis and atopic dermatitis disease models is demonstrated using FV@CX5461 to reshape the unbalanced immune microenvironment. A nanotherapeutic drug delivery strategy is developed using fusion nanovesicles derived from plant and animal cells with high clinical potential.
Persistence of UBTF tandem duplications in remission in acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Harrop Sean , Nguyen Phillip C. , Byrne David , Wilson Clarissa , Ryland Georgina L. , Nguyen Tamia , Anderson Mary Ann , Khaw Seong Lin , Martin Michelle , Tiong Ing Soo , Sanij Elaine , Blombery Piers
Published: October 2023

UBTF tandem duplications are recurrent in adult and paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia and have been reported to be associated with a poor prognosis. Co‐mutations in WT1 and FLT3 are common while morphological dysplasia is frequent. The role of UBTF‐TDs in leukemogenesis is yet to be elucidated; however they have been proposed as early initiating events, making them attractive for assessment of MRD and a potential therapeutic target. We present two cases where the UBTF‐TD was observed in remission and discuss the implications of these findings in the clinicobiological understanding of this emerging entity.
Microbial pigments: Sources, current status, future challenges in cosmetics and therapeutic applications
Authors: Sharma Nitin , Shekhar Pratyush , Kumar Vikas , Kaur Harpreet , Jayasena Vijay
Published: October 2023

Color serves as the initial attraction and offers a pleasing aspect. While synthetic colorants have been popular for many years, their adverse environmental and health effects cannot be overlooked. This necessitates the search for natural colorants, especially microbial colorants, which have proven and more effective. Pigment‐producing microorganisms offer substantial benefits. Natural colors improve product marketability and bestow additional benefits, including antioxidant, antiaging, anticancer, antiviral, antimicrobial, and antitumor properties. This review covers the various types of microbial pigments, the methods to enhance their production, and their cosmetic and therapeutic applications. We also address the challenges faced during the commercial production of microbial pigments and propose potential solutions.
Homogenization of daily temperatures using covariates and statistical learning—The case of parallel measurements
Authors: de Valk Cees , Brandsma Theo
Published: October 2023

A data driven method based on generalized additive modelling (GAM) has been developed for homogenizing daily minimum and maximum temperature (TN, TX) series using parallel measurements and covariates. The method is applied to two coastal and two inland stations in the Netherlands. Between 1950 and 1972, these stations were relocated from cities to airports, accompanied by parallel measurement of at least 5 years at the old and new sites. Separating these parallel measurements in training and test data, the method compares numerous models involving covariates like the wind vector, cloudiness, specific humidity and sea surface temperature, and selects a model for each station. The resulting models offer an improvement compared to models based on temperature and season only: seasonal dependence is largely replaced by dependence on physical quantities. However, quantitatively, the impact is not large in the cases studied. One of the reasons might be that some covariates have only been measured at specific times not coinciding with the occurrences of the temperature minima or maxima. Additional benefits of the method are robustness and estimation of the sampling error variance of the daily homogenized daily temperature values.
Time‐stretch Chromatic Confocal Microscopy for Multi‐Depth Imaging
Authors: Yang Xuefang , Zhang Han , Liu Zhexi , Fan Yubo , Yue Shuhua , Ma Dinglong , Chen Xun , Wang Pu
Published: October 2023

Chromatic confocal technology has enabled multispectral information detection without any axial mechanical scanning. Especially, the chromatic confocal sensor is well applied in industry, such as device defect detection and ranging. However, for 3D imaging, chromatic confocal microscopy (CCM) still suffers from insufficient speed due to the slow refresh rate of a traditional spectrometer. To address this problem, a time‐stretch chromatic confocal microscopy (TSCCM) is presented for multi‐depth imaging. A supercontinuum laser is stretched and then focused on the sample using a home‐built chromatic lens, which disperses the laser to a different depth. The time‐of‐flight signal is collected by a high‐speed photodiode and is recorded and analyzed by a 3 GHz digitizer. A novel approach is achieved to significantly improve the speed of multi‐depth imaging with an up to 1 MHz A‐scan rate and 5 Hz volumetric imaging speed, which is an order faster compared with previous work of spectrometer‐based chromatic confocal microscopy. Multi‐depth volumetric imaging of nude‐mouse skin is performed to show the potential for biomedical applications. In this method, with its high A‐scan rate and multi‐depth imaging capability, a virtual tissue “light detection and ranging (LIDAR)” may be achieved.
Learning from data in dentistry: Summary of the third annual OpenWide conference
Authors: Kalenderian Elsbeth , Zouaidi Kawtar , Yeager Jan , Urata Janelle , Yansane Alfa , Tokede Bunmi , Rindal D. Brad , Spallek Heiko , White Joel , Walji Muhammad
Published: October 2023

The overarching goal of the third scientific oral health symposium was to introduce the concept of a learning health system to the dental community and to identify and discuss cutting‐edge research and strategies using data for improving the quality of dental care and patient safety. Conference participants included clinically active dentists, dental researchers, quality improvement experts, informaticians, insurers, EHR vendors/developers, and members of dental professional organizations and dental service organizations. This report summarizes the main outputs of the third annual OpenWide conference held in Houston, Texas, on October 12, 2022, as an affiliated meeting of the American Dental Association (ADA) 2022 annual conference.
3D‐Printed Methane‐Producing Electrodes for Microbial Fuel Cells Developed Using Biogel Ink Containing Live Methanogens and White Charcoal
Authors: Umetsu Masaki , Watanabe Yosuke , Ueno Masato , Kobayashi Tatsuya , Furukawa Hidemitsu , Tada Chika
Published: October 2023

Methanogens are used as catalysts for cathodes in microbial fuel cells, to reduce CO2to CH4. However, the attachment of microbes to the electrodes via culturing is time‐consuming, and inadequate biofilm formation can lead to lesser surface area coverage, resulting in reduced methane formation. This study aims to improve the production efficiency and performance of methanogen cathodes developed using 3D printing of bioink containing live methanogens. A progressive cavity pump is used for the 3D gel‐printing of methanogens and micro‐sized white charcoal particles into the desired structure. Despite the absence of anaerobic conditions during printing, the 3D‐printed cathodes with higher concentrations of microbial inoculum in the bioink produce more methane gas. Even with an unconcentrated inoculum, the methanogens multiply 800‐fold during incubation, resulting in increased methane gas production. The predominant methanogens in the electrodes included the hydrogenotrophicMethanobacteriumspp. Therefore, the technique used in this study can be used to successfully develop 3D‐printed biocathodes catalyzed by methanogenic microbes with verifiable practical applicability. This study is the first to report the growth of methanogens and their methanogenic activity in 3D‐printed cathodes.
Perspective comes with time: What do long-term egg and juvenile indices say about Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass productivity?
Authors: Uphoff James H.
Published: October 2023

Objective

Three hypotheses about poor recruitment and collapse of Striped Bass Morone saxatilis in Chesapeake Bay during the 1970s and 1980s (excessive larval mortality related to water quality, recruitment overfishing, or a combination) emerged from intense investigations during the mid-1980s into the early 1990s. Stock collapse during the 1970s and 1980s and recovery in 1995 were largely attributed to fishing mortality and this premise largely drives management. Stock and larval habitat assessments were not available before the early 1980s and habitat assessments were discontinued after recovery. I used egg and juvenile index time-series that extended back to 1955 to test these three hypotheses about changes in productivity.

Methods

Long-term (1955–2019) indices of recruitment (juvenile index [JI]), spawning dispersion in time and space (Ep, proportion of plankton net samples with eggs), and an index of relative larval survival (RLS = JI/Ep) for spawning areas in Maryland’s portion of Chesapeake Bay were used to investigate whether larval survival patterns were stable (supported the overfishing hypothesis) or changed (supported the larval mortality hypothesis).

Result

Baywide Ep estimates were within similar higher ranges during 1957–1981 and 1989–2019, and were low enough to affect recruitment during 1982–1988. While there was a strong relationship of baywide Ep to spawning stock biomass (SSB) estimated by the stock assessment during recovery (1982–1995), estimates of Ep went from depleted to a high level earlier than SSB estimates. Estimates of postrecovery Ep and SSB were both high, but did not have a relationship. A decline in SSB that began in 2012 was not evident with Ep. A shift to low JIs in the early 1970s was followed by a decline in baywide Ep after 1979. Estimates of RLS were higher in 1960s, declined in the early to mid-1970s, were mostly low into the early 1990s, and became higher afterward. Recovery of Ep after 1988 was accompanied by recovery of larval survival a few years later. Strong correlations of juvenile indices of Striped Bass, White Perch Morone americana, and Yellow Perch Perca flavescens further supported the larval survival hypothesis; these anadromous fish share larval nurseries in space and time, but have different life histories and fisheries that make simultaneous overfishing unlikely.

Conclusion

Deterioration of larval survival initiated the collapse of Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass and improvement contributed to recovery. The hypothesis that collapse and recovery was solely driven by fishing was not supported, but excessive fishing pressure lowered Ep and SSB and contributed to poor recruitment during 1982–1988. Long-term climate patterns and warming, deterioration and improvement in acidic deposition, concurrent increases in freshwater salinization and alkalinization, and shifts in agriculture and watershed management indicated shifts in larval habitat suitability were plausible.
Bycatch reduction devices exclude diamondback terrapins and maintain blue crab catch in two Virginia tidal creeks
Authors: Reinsel Madeline B. , Gibson Michael A. , Klesch Natalie M. , Chambers Randolph M.
Published: October 2023

Objective

The diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin is frequently caught as bycatch in both commercial and recreational blue crab Callinectes sapidus fisheries throughout its range along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America. Bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) are plastic or wire rectangles mounted in the entrance funnels of crab traps, designed to exclude terrapins while still allowing crabs to enter. In this study conducted in two tidal creeks in Virginia, USA, we assessed the effectiveness of four BRD designs, including two novel oval designs, against control traps with no BRDs.

Methods

We tested four replicates of each of the five trap treatments (1.75-inch oval BRD, 2-inch oval BRD, 1.75-inch rectangular BRD, 2-inch rectangular BRD, and a control trap without a BRD) in each tidal creek, for a total of 20 traps per creek and 40 traps total. We fitted traps with wire chimneys that extended above the high tide water line to allow trapped terrapins to surface for air. For eight weeks during summer 2021, we baited traps with Atlantic Menhaden Brevoortia tyrannus each day, beginning on Monday. Tuesday–Friday, we emptied traps of any animals inside, and recorded terrapin sex, terrapin carapace length, terrapin carapace width, and terrapin shell height, as well as blue crab carapace length.

Result

We found that all four BRD designs were highly effective at excluding terrapins and maintaining crab catch when compared to control traps. We found a significant difference (p = 0.003) in catch per unit effort (CPUE) of diamondback terrapins among treatments, with the control group (those without BRDs) having the highest CPUE (0.97 ± 0.18). All traps fitted with BRDs decreased terrapin capture significantly compared to the control group. Oval BRDs excluded more terrapins than their rectangular counterparts with the same height dimension, although these differences were not significant. We found no significant difference in CPUE of blue crabs among treatments (p = 0.392), or in the size of legal crabs caught in each treatment (p = 0.216).

Conclusion

This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of both rectangular and oval-shaped BRDs to exclude terrapins and maintain crab catch in Virginia waters, where BRDs are not currently required.