bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neonatal and Adolescent Adipocytokines as Predictors of Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescence
Authors: Buck Catherine O. , Li Nan , Eaton Charles B. , Kelsey Karl T. , Cecil Kim M. , Kalkwarf Heidi J. , Yolton Kimberly , Lanphear Bruce P. , Chen Aimin , Braun Joseph M.
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study aimed to examine associations of changes in leptin and adiponectin concentrations from birth to age 12 years with adolescent adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in the Health Outcomes and Measures of Environment (HOME) Study, a prospective birth cohort (Cincinnati, Ohio; N = 166).

Methods

Adiposity and cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed at age 12 years using anthropometry, dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry, and fasting serum biomarkers. Cardiometabolic risk scores were calculated by summing age‐ and sex‐ standardized z scores for individual cardiometabolic risk factors.

Results

Most serum adipocytokine concentrations at birth were not associated with adiposity or cardiometabolic risk outcomes. Leptin and adiponectin concentrations at age 12 years were associated with all outcomes in the expected direction. Adolescents with increasing (β: 4.2; 95% CI: 3.2 to 5.2) and stable (β: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2 to 3.2) leptin concentrations from birth to age 12 years had higher cardiometabolic risk scores than adolescents with decreasing concentrations (reference group). Adolescents with increasing (e.g., fat mass index = β: −1.04; 95% CI: −1.27 to −0.80) and stable (β: 0.66; 95% CI: −0.92 to −0.40) adiponectin/leptin ratios had more favorable adiposity outcomes than adolescents with decreasing ratios.

Conclusions

In this cohort, changes in leptin concentrations and adiponectin/leptin ratios over childhood were associated with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk scores, indicating that adipocytokine concentrations are potential biomarkers for predicting excess adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in adolescence.
Development of prolonged drug delivery system using electrospun cellulose acetate/polycaprolactone nanofibers: Future subcutaneous implantation
Authors: Ahmad Wsoo Mohammed , Izwan Abd Razak Saiful , Shahir Shafinaz , Ahmed Abdullah Al‐Moalemi Hafedh , Rafiq Abdul Kadir Mohammed , Hasraf Mat Nayan Nadirul
Published: May 2021

Implantable drug delivery systems (IDDSs) play a vital role in treating chronic diseases by reducing dosing frequency and enhancing drug efficacy due to targeted delivery. In the present study, an IDDS was developed from electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofiber membranes. The implant core consists of a drug‐loaded CA nanofiber (CA + Vit.D3) enclosed in a rate limiting of the PCL membrane (CA + Vit.D3/PCL). The CA and PCL nanofibrous membranes were characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. This research also investigated in‐vitro cytotoxicity and whether the PCL membrane prolonged drug delivery or led to enhanced mechanical properties. A smooth, beadless surface morphology was observed with fiber diameters of 325 ± 101 nm and 333 ± 79 nm for CA and PCL, respectively. In‐vitro drug release and tensile testing showed that surrounding the core's implants with a PCL membrane improved mechanical properties and kinetic drug release. The modulus and tensile strength of CA + Vit.D3/PCL were 161 ± 14 and 13.07 ± 2.5 MPa, respectively—these values were significantly higher than those obtained for CA + Vit.D3 (132 ± 52 MPa and 8.16 ± 2.36 MPa, respectively). The drug release pattern exhibited by CA + Vit.D3 was burst release, which fits the first‐order kinetic model. In contrast, CA + Vit.D3/PCL exhibited slow drug release, which fits the zero‐order kinetic model. In conclusion, based on the outcomes and facility of the technologies outlined in this article, electrospun CA and PCL nanofibers are suitable for developing long‐term IDDSs.
Facile synthesis and application of aluminum oxide nanoparticle based biodegradable film
Authors: Kumar Harish , Gehlaut Avneesh Kumar , Gupta Himanshu , Gaur Ankur , Kamsonlian Suantak , Kumar Devender
Published: May 2021

This study focuses on the synthesis of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (AlO‐NPs) hydrogel through in situ method and formation of biopolymer nanocomposite film. UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analyzer, and energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum were performed for the characterization of AlO‐NPs. TEM micrograph demonstrates the presence of AlO‐NPs in the range of 50–100 nm in the hydrogel network made from sugarcane bagasse carboxymethyl cellulose (SB‐CMC) and synthetic carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The successful absorptions peak at 210 nm while conducting UV–Vis spectroscopy suggests existence of AlO‐NPs. The antibacterial properties of AlO‐NPs were analyzed using the disc plate diffusion technique against Gram‐negative bacteria: Escherichia coli (ATCC 433); and Gram‐positive bacteria: Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 1688). AlO‐NPs present in CMCs films reduce moisture content, solubility; elongation at break and increases films' tensile strength.
Elucidating the nature of linguistic processing in insight
Authors: Zhang Ze , Niki Kazuhisa , Luo Jing
Published: May 2021

The relationship between language and thinking has long been a matter of debate and a research focus in studies on thinking and problem solving, including creativity. Previous behavioral studies have found that verbalization of one's internal thoughts does not participate in or even interfere with the creative insight process, thus suggesting that insight may take place nonverbally. In contrast to this hypothesis, the present study proposes a new one. That is, given that the basic categories or fundamental functions of key concepts or objects are critically changed or expanded during insightful thinking, the linguistic processing accompanying insight can be reflected as category‐related representation and recategorization processes, which can be critically mediated by the posterior middle temporal gyrus and the angular gyrus (pMTG/AG). Using constraint‐relaxation insight riddles as materials in a guided‐insight experimental design with external hints to trigger the insightful representational change, this preliminary neuroimaging study of 11 participants found the involvement of pMTG/AG during moments of induced insight, but did not find the activation of left ventral frontal areas which are typically involved in verbalizing of one's internal thoughts. Although this observation still cannot exclude the possibility of internal verbalization in insightful restructuring, it implies that linguistic processing in insight may take the more fundamental form of category‐related processing.
The origin of Vierordt's law: The experimental protocol matters
Authors: Glasauer Stefan , Shi Zhuanghua
Published: May 2021

In 1868, Karl Vierordt discovered one type of errors in time perception—an overestimation of short duration and underestimation of long durations, known as Vierordt's law. Here we reviewed the original study in its historical context and asked whether Vierordt's law is a result of an unnatural experimental randomization protocol. Using iterative Bayesian updating, we simulated the original results with high accuracy. Importantly, the model also predicted that a slowly changing random‐walk sequence produces less central tendency than a random sequence with the same durations. This was validated by a duration reproduction experiment from two sequences (random and random walk) with the same sampled distribution. The results showed that trial‐wise variation influenced the magnitude of Vierordt's law. We concluded that Vierordt's law is caused by an unnatural yet widely used experimental protocol.
Symptom response to mobilization and outcomes in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: A cohort study
Authors: Riley Sean P. , Harris Jonathan , O'Halloran Bryan J. , Showalter Christopher R. , Learman Kenneth E.
Published: May 2021

Objectives

The objectives of this study were the following: (1) to determine if there was a difference in outcomes between immediate responders to glenohumeral mobilizations at the initial evaluation, 2‐week, 4‐week, and 6‐month follow‐up as compared to those that do not respond in participants with subacromial pain syndrome; (2) to see if there were statistically significant differences in outcomes within these groups between these time frames of interest, and (3) to see if symptom response at the initial evaluation was predictive of a favorable recovery.

Methods

This was a prospective, single‐group observational design. Clinicians pragmatically identified positive responders as improving at least two points on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale and/or a 20° improvement in shoulder active range of motion (AROM) following shoulder mobilization at the initial evaluation. Data were collected for the subjective and objective variables of interest at the initial evaluation, 2‐week, 4‐week, and 6‐month follow‐up.

Results

The prevalence of responders at the initial evaluation was 99 (81.8%). There were no statistically significant between‐group differences for the variables of interest except for the Global Rating of Change (GRoC; f = 2.79, p = 0.006). The shoulder abduction AROM between‐group difference exceeded the minimal detectable change at 4 weeks. The pair‐wise comparison showed statistically significant differences for the outcomes of interest at each time point except for the GRoC between 4 weeks and 6 months. There was a statistically significant correlation between responders at the initial evaluation and shoulder abduction AROM at the 4‐week follow‐up (rpb (112) = 0.27, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Individuals with SAPS may benefit from shoulder mobilization independent of their within‐session response to shoulder mobilization at the initial evaluation. Future research should seek to differentiate if these improvements are related to the within‐session positive treatment response at the initial evaluation in individuals who are randomized to receive shoulder mobilization or not.
Previously uncharacterized interactions between the folded and intrinsically disordered domains impart asymmetric effects on UBQLN2 phase separation
Authors: Zheng Tongyin , Galagedera Sarasi K. K. , Castañeda Carlos A.
Published: May 2021

Shuttle protein UBQLN2 functions in protein quality control (PQC) by binding to proteasomal receptors and ubiquitinated substrates via its N‐terminal ubiquitin‐like (UBL) and C‐terminal ubiquitin‐associated (UBA) domains, respectively. Between these two folded domains are low‐complexity STI1‐I and STI1‐II regions, connected by disordered linkers. The STI1 regions bind other components, such as HSP70, that are important to the PQC functions of UBQLN2. We recently determined that the STI1‐II region enables UBQLN2 to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) to form liquid droplets in vitro and biomolecular condensates in cells. However, how the interplay between the folded (UBL/UBA) domains and the intrinsically disordered regions mediates phase separation is largely unknown. Using engineered domain deletion constructs, we found that removing the UBA domain inhibits UBQLN2 LLPS while removing the UBL domain enhances LLPS, suggesting that UBA and UBL domains contribute asymmetrically in modulating UBQLN2 LLPS. To explain these differential effects, we interrogated the interactions that involve the UBA and UBL domains across the entire UBQLN2 molecule using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. To our surprise, aside from well‐studied canonical UBL:UBA interactions, there also exist moderate interactions between the UBL and several disordered regions, including STI1‐I and residues 555–570, the latter of which is a known contributor to UBQLN2 LLPS. Our findings are essential for the understanding of both the molecular driving forces of UBQLN2 LLPS and the effects of ligand binding to UBL, UBA, or disordered regions on the phase behavior and physiological functions of UBQLN2.
Reducing opioid use for chronic non‐cancer pain in primary care
Authors: Bhattacharya Debi
Published: May 2021

It is important that opioids are not prescribed long‐term for chronic primary pain, owing to their adverse effects, risk of dependence and limited evidence of benefit. This article discusses strategies for tapering opioids in patients with chronic non‐cancer pain in primary care, emphasising the need for a multifaceted approach, incorporating both patient and prescriber behaviour change.
The p53/p21/p16 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways are involved in the ameliorative effects of maltol on D‐galactose‐induced liver and kidney aging and injury
Authors: Sha Ji‐yue , Li Jian‐hao , Zhou Yan‐dan , Yang Jia‐yu , Liu Wei , Jiang Shuang , Wang Ying‐ping , Zhang Rui , Di Peng , Li Wei
Published: May 2021

Successive evidence has established that maltol, a flavor‐enhancing agent, could provide resistance to oxidative stress‐induced tissue injury in various animal models though its benefits for aging‐induced liver and kidney injuries are still undetermined. In the present work, for demonstrating maltol's ameliorative effect and probable mechanism against aging‐induced liver and kidney injuries, D‐galactose (D‐Gal)‐induced animal in vivo and HEK293 cells in vitro models were established and results demonstrated that long‐term D‐Gal treatment increases the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in liver and kidney tissues, mitigates cell viability, and arrests the cycle. Interestingly, 4‐weeks maltol treatment at 50 and 100 mg/kg activated aging‐associated proteins including p53, p21, and p16 followed by inhibiting malondialdehyde (MDA)'s over‐production and increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, decreases in cytochrome P450 E1 (CYP2E1) and 4‐hydroxydecene (4‐HNE)'s immunofluorescence expression levels are confirmed. Furthermore, maltol improved oxidative stress injury by activating the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. In conclusion, the purpose of the present study was to estimate the mechanistic insights into maltol's role as an antioxidant in liver and kidney cell senescence and injury, which will reflect potential of therapeutic strategy for antiaging and aging‐related disease treatment.
An improved method for assessing the technical accuracy of optical tracking systems for orthopaedic surgical navigation
Authors: Herregodts Stijn , Verhaeghe Mathijs , De Coninck Bert , Forward Malcolm , Verstraete Matthias A. , Victor Jan , De Baets Patrick
Published: May 2021

Background

Optical tracking systems (OTSs) are essential components of many modern computer assisted orthopaedic surgery (CAOS) systems but patient movement is often neglected in the evaluation of the accuracy. The aim of this study was to develop a representative test to assess the accuracy of OTSs including patient movement and demonstrate the effect of pointer design and OTS choice.

Method

A mobile phantom with dynamic reference base (DRB) attached was designed and constructed. The point registration trueness and precision were evaluated for measurements with both a static and moving phantom.

Results

The trueness of the total target registration error (TTRE) was 1.4 to 2.7 times worse with a moving phantom compared to a static phantom.

Conclusion

The accuracy of OTSs for CAOS applications should be evaluated by measurements with a moving phantom as the evaluation of the TTRE with a static frame significantly underestimates the measurement error.
Oral manifestations of Covid‐19‐A literature review
Authors: Farid Huma , Khan Madiha , Jamal Shizrah , Ghafoor Robia
Published: May 2021

Initially, it was reported that coronavirus 2019 disease (Covid‐19) affects respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological systems, but the oral, olfactory and integumentary systems are also involved. This review discusses various oral manifestations of Covid‐19 reported in the literature along with possible underlying mechanisms. The reported manifestations include taste impairment, oral mucosal changes (petechiae, ulcers, plaque‐like lesions, reactivation of herpes simplex virus 1(HSV1), geographical tongue and desquamative gingivitis) and dry mouth. The prominent location for mucosal lesions are tongue, palate and labial mucosa. The exact pathogenesis of these oral symptoms is not known. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) cell receptors are expressed in abundance on oral mucosa allowing severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) to infect them. Gustatory impairment along with olfactory changes is now listed as a symptom of Covid‐19 by the World Health Organization, but further research is needed to confirm a link between reported additional oral symptoms and Covid‐19. Dental professionals may encounter individuals with Covid‐19 and be called upon to identify various oral manifestations of this disease.
The origins of time compression diseconomies
Authors: Srikanth Kannan , Anand Jaideep , Stan Mihaela
Published: May 2021

Research Summary

That capability development is subject to time compression diseconomies (TCD) is well‐known in the strategy literature. However, so far, there is limited attention paid to its origins, that is, why it exists, and demonstrating it empirically. In the context of fertility clinics in the United Kingdom, we show that faster experience accumulation is associated with lower success rates; that is, time compression in experience accumulation results in shallower learning curves. We also show that TCD is exacerbated for clinics that mainly treat complex cases and is mitigated for clinics that employ an integrator to coordinate across the different specialist functions involved in the treatment process. We propose differential learning rates as the mechanism that underlies TCD, and develop implications for firm capabilities and sources of competitive advantage.

Managerial Summary

As firms pursue new opportunities, it is intuitive to grow fast. Rapid growth has many advantages, including a quicker payback on investment as well as garner first mover advantages. However, there can also be a dark side to such high paced growth. By analyzing data on in‐vitro fertilization clinics in the United Kingdom, we show that clinics that grew the fastest were slower in improving their treatment success rates, while slower growing clinics improved more with increasing experience. This penalty of rapid growth is more severe for clinics that treat more complex cases, but it can be ameliorated by better coordination between specialist activities. Our research serves as a warning that faster is not always better.
Single‐Atomic Site Catalyst with Heme Enzymes‐Like Active Sites for Electrochemical Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Ding Shichao , Lyu Zhaoyuan , Fang Lingzhe , Li Tao , Zhu Wenlei , Li Suiqiong , Li Xin , Li Jin‐Cheng , Du Dan , Lin Yuehe
Published: May 2021

Heme enzymes, with the pentacoordinate heme iron active sites, possess high catalytic activity and selectivity in biosensing applications. However, they are still subject to limited catalytic stability in the complex environment and high cost for broad applications in electrochemical sensing. It is meaningful to develop a novel substitute that has a similar structure to some heme enzymes and mimics their enzyme activities. One emerging strategy is to design the Fe‐N‐C based single‐atomic site catalysts (SASCs). The obtained atomically dispersed Fe‐Nx active sites can mimic the active sites of heme enzymes effectively. In this work, a SASC (Fe‐SASC/NW) is synthesized by doping single iron atoms in polypyrrole (PPy) derived carbon nanowire via a zinc‐atom‐assisted method. The proposed Fe‐SASC/NW shows high heme enzyme‐like catalytic performance for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with a specific activity of 42.8 U mg−1. An electrochemical sensor based on Fe‐SASC/NW is developed for the detection of H2O2. This sensor exhibits a wide detection concentration range from 5.0 × 10−10 m to 0.5 m and an excellent limit of detection (LOD) of 46.35 × 10−9 m. Such excellent catalytic activity and electrochemical sensing sensitivity are attributed to the isolated Fe‐Nx active sites and their structural similarity with natural metalloproteases.
Nucleus‐Targeted Delivery of Multi‐Protein Self‐Assembly for Combined Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Tang Jiakun , Liu Ye , Qi Dongmei , Yang Lan , Chen Hui , Wang Chenhui , Feng Xuli
Published: May 2021

Protein therapy has the potential to revolutionize medicine, but the delivery of multiple proteins is challenging because it requires the development of a strategy that enables different proteins to be combined together and transported not only into cells, but also to the desired cell compartments, such as the nucleus. Here, an efficient intranuclear protein delivery nanoplatform based on modified ribonuclease A (RNase A) tuned self‐assembly is presented. RNase A bioreversibly modified with adamantane is functionalized with wind chime‐like lysine modified cyclodextrin (WLC) to generate RNase A‐WLC (R‐WLC). R‐WLC can not only enhance the cellular uptake of RNase A and accumulate it into the nucleus, but also works as nanovehicles to efficiently transport deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) into the nucleus, resulting in greatly improved antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo. This protein co‐assembly strategy can be applied to other functional proteins and has great prospects in the treatment of many diseases.
Science engagement as insight into the science identity work nurtured in community‐based science clubs
Authors: Burke Lydia E. Carol‐Ann , Navas Iannini Ana Maria
Published: May 2021

In this article, we explore how children of late elementary to middle school age, from low‐income communities in an East‐Central metropolitan area of Canada, described their interests in and attitudes toward science in an out‐of‐school science club program. We used the children's descriptions of emotional engagement to gain insights into the identity work being carried out in the science club. Our analysis was based on survey responses from 202 children enrolled for at least one academic year in the science club program at 21 different club sites and focus group commentary from a subset of 45 children attending 14 of the clubs. We added context to the children's perspectives by including commentary from semistructured interviews with nine science club staffers and insights from field notes made after club promotional events. Analysis revealed the enthusiasm of children and/or their families for science education prior to engaging with the clubs. The children's anticipation that club science would reflect their school‐based science experiences was quickly dispelled by the hands‐on nature of club activities and the positive relationships built with club staffers. Of concern was the finding that staff and children frequently reinforced a rigid dichotomy between school and club science. This distinction meant that, although children described themselves as improving their performance in school science, they often found it difficult to relate the fun enacted during club sessions to the learning that is required during school science classes. This finding is problematic given the club's focus on keeping children's options in formal and informal science education open for as long as possible. The paper concludes by using the insights provided by children and club staffers to propose ways of enhancing the club/school/home science connection to better support transfer of the positive outcomes of the club‐based science identity work.
Endoscope and image‐guided ventral bulla osteotomy in the dog: A cadaveric and patient study
Authors: Bhutta Mahmood F. , Morrison Linda R. , Kureshi Munir
Published: May 2021

Background: Surgery of the bulla in the dog can be difficult and associated with suboptimal resolution of disease and risk of complications, particularly in treatment of cholesteatoma. We explored use of image guidance and endoscopic assistance in ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO), initially with cadaveric studies and subsequently on dogs with cholesteatoma.

Methods: For surgical approach we used cone beam CT with an optical image navigation system. For endoscopic surgery we used 4 mm and 2.7 mm diameter endoscopes and a camera viewing system, with micro‐instruments for dissection.

Results: Image guidance allowed us to accurately identify and approach the bulla in cadavers (n= 2) and patients (n= 2). The endoscope enabled us to define detailed endoscopic anatomy in cadaveric canine heads (n= 15), and in patients (n= 5) it enabled reliable and safe removal of pathological tissue.

Conclusion: Image and endoscopic assistance could be a significant advance to the reliability and safety of VBO. Our techniques may be applicable to other indications and species.
Two paths towards precision at a very high energy lepton collider
Authors: Buttazzo Dario , Franceschini Roberto , Wulzer Andrea
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We illustrate the potential of a very high energy lepton collider (from 10 to 30 TeV center of mass energy) to explore new physics indirectly in the vector boson fusion double Higgs production process and in direct diboson production at high energy. Double Higgs production is found to be sensitive to the anomalous Higgs trilinear coupling at the percent level, and to the Higgs compositeness ξ parameter at the per mille or sub-per mille level thanks to the measurement of the cross-section in the di-Higgs high invariant mass tail. High energy diboson (and tri-boson) production is sensitive to Higgs-lepton contact interaction operators at a scale of several tens or hundred TeV, corresponding to a reach on the Higgs compositeness scale well above the one of any other future collider project currently under discussion. This result follows from the unique capability of the very high energy lepton collider to measure Electroweak cross-sections at 10 TeV energy or more, where the effect of new physics at even higher energy is amplified. The general lesson is that the standard path towards precision physics, based on measurements of high-statistics processes such as single and double Higgs production, is accompanied at the very high energy lepton collider by a second strategy based on measurements at the highest available energy.
Multiple cellular compartments engagement in Nicotiana benthamiana-peanut stunt virus-satRNA interactions revealed by systems biology approach
Authors: Wrzesińska Barbara , Zmienko Agnieszka , Vu Lam Dai , De Smet Ive , Obrępalska-Stęplowska Aleksandra
Published: May 2021

Key message

PSV infection changed the abundance of host plant’s transcripts and proteins associated with various cellular compartments, including ribosomes, chloroplasts, mitochondria, the nucleus and cytosol, affecting photosynthesis, translation, transcription, and splicing.

Virus infection is a process resulting in numerous molecular, cellular, and physiological changes, a wide range of which can be analyzed due to development of many high-throughput techniques. Plant RNA viruses are known to replicate in the cytoplasm; however, the roles of chloroplasts and other cellular structures in the viral replication cycle and in plant antiviral defense have been recently emphasized. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the small RNAs, transcripts, proteins, and phosphoproteins affected during peanut stunt virus strain P (PSV-P)–Nicotiana benthamiana interactions with or without satellite RNA (satRNA) in the context of their cellular localization or functional connections with particular cellular compartments to elucidate the compartments most affected during pathogenesis at the early stages of infection. Moreover, the processes associated with particular cell compartments were determined. The ‘omic’ results were subjected to comparative data analyses. Transcriptomic and small RNA (sRNA)–seq data were obtained to provide new insights into PSV-P–satRNA–plant interactions, whereas previously obtained proteomic and phosphoproteomic data were used to broaden the analysis to terms associated with cellular compartments affected by virus infection. Based on the collected results, infection with PSV-P contributed to changes in the abundance of transcripts and proteins associated with various cellular compartments, including ribosomes, chloroplasts, mitochondria, the nucleus and the cytosol, and the most affected processes were photosynthesis, translation, transcription, and mRNA splicing. Furthermore, sRNA-seq and phosphoproteomic analyses indicated that kinase regulation resulted in decreases in phosphorylation levels. The kinases were associated with the membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus components.
Immiscible silicate liquids: K and Fe distribution as a test for chemical equilibrium and insight into the kinetics of magma unmixing
Authors: Borisov Alexander , Veksler Ilya V.
Published: May 2021

Silicate liquid immiscibility leading to formation of mixtures of distinct iron-rich and silica-rich liquids is common in basaltic and andesitic magmas at advanced stages of magma evolution. Experimental modeling of the immiscibility has been hampered by kinetic problems and attainment of chemical equilibrium between immiscible liquids in some experimental studies has been questioned. On the basis of symmetric regular solutions model and regression analysis of experimental data on compositions of immiscible liquid pairs, we show that liquid–liquid distribution of network-modifying elements K and Fe is linked to the distribution of network-forming oxides SiO2, Al2O3 and P2O5 by equation: $$\log K_{{\text{d}}}^{{\text{K/Fe}}} = \, 3.796\Delta X_{{{\text{SiO}}_{2} }}^{{{\text{sf}}}} + \, 4.85\Delta X_{{{\text{Al}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{3} }}^{{{\text{sf}}}} + \, 7.235\Delta X_{{{\text{P}}_{2} {\text{O}}_{5} }}^{{{\text{sf}}}} - \, 0.108,$$

log

K

d

K/Fe

=

3.796
Δ

X

SiO
2

sf

+

4.85
Δ

X

Al
2

O
3

sf

+

7.235
Δ

X

P
2

O
5

sf

-

0.108
,

where $$K_{{\text{d}}}^{{\text{K/Fe}}}$$

K

d

K/Fe

is a ratio of K and Fe mole fractions in the silica-rich (s) and Fe-rich (f) immiscible liquids: $$K_{d}^{{\text{K/Fe}}} = \, \left( {X_{{\text{K}}}^{s} /X_{{\text{K}}}^{f} } \right)/ \, \left( {X_{{{\text{Fe}}}}^{s} /X_{{{\text{Fe}}}}^{f} } \right)$$

K

d

K/Fe

=

X

K

s

/

X

K

f

/

X

Fe

s

/

X

Fe

f

and $$\Delta X_{{\text{i}}}^{sf}$$

Δ

X

i

sf

is a difference in mole fractions of a network-forming oxide i between the liquids (s) and (f): $$\Delta X_{i}^{sf} = X_{i}^{s} - X_{i}^{f}$$

Δ

X

i

sf

=

X

i

s

-

X

i

f

. We use the equation for testing chemical equilibrium in experiments not included in the regression analysis and compositions of natural immiscible melts found as glasses in volcanic rocks. Departures from equilibrium that the test revealed in crystal-rich multiphase experimental products and in natural volcanic rocks imply kinetic competition between liquid–liquid and crystal–liquid element partitioning. Immiscible liquid droplets in volcanic rocks appear to evolve along a metastable trend due to rapid crystallization. Immiscible liquids may be closer to chemical equilibrium in large intrusions where cooling rates are lower and crystals may be spatially separated from liquids.
Laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation for splenic flexure colon cancer: short- and long-term outcomes
Authors: Ueda Kazuki , Daito Koji , Ushijima Hokuto , Yane Yoshinori , Yoshioka Yasumasa , Tokoro Tadao , Iwamoto Masayoshi , Wada Toshiaki , Makutani Yusuke , Kawamura Junichiro
Published: May 2021

Background

Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) for colon cancer is an essential procedure for improved oncologic outcomes after surgery. Laparoscopic surgery for splenic flexure colon cancer was recently adopted due to a greater understanding of surgical anatomy and improvements in surgical techniques and innovative surgical devices.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with splenic flexure colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic CME with CVL at our institution between January 2005 and December 2017.

Results

Forty-five patients (4.8%) were enrolled in this study. Laparoscopic CME with CVL was successfully performed in all patients. The median operative time was 178 min, and the median estimated blood loss was 20 g. Perioperative complications developed in 6 patients (13.3%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 9 days. According to the pathological report, the median number of harvested lymph nodes was 15, and lymph node metastasis developed in 14 patients (31.1%). No metastasis was observed at the root of the middle colic artery or the inferior mesenteric artery. The median follow-up period was 49 months. The cumulative 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 85.9% and 84.7%, respectively. The cancer-specific survival rate in stage I-III patients was 92.7%. Recurrence was observed in 5 patients (11.1%), including three patients with peritoneal dissemination and two patients with distant metastasis.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic CME with CVL for splenic flexure colon cancer appears to be oncologically safe and feasible based on the short- and long-term outcomes in our study. However, it is careful to introduce this procedure to necessitate the anatomical understandings and surgeon’s skill. The appropriate indications must be established with more case registries because our experience is limited.
Interventions to improve cancer survivorship among Indigenous Peoples and communities: a systematic review with a narrative synthesis
Authors: Gifford Wendy , Rowan Margo , Dick Peggy , Modanloo Shokoufeh , Benoit Maggie , Al Awar Zeina , Wazni Liquaa , Grandpierre Viviane , Thomas Roanne , Sikora Lindsey , Graham Ian D.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the evidence on the types of interventions that have been utilized by Indigenous Peoples living with cancer, and report on their relevance to Indigenous communities and how they align with holistic wellness.

Methods

A systematic review with narrative synthesis was conducted.

Results

The search yielded 7995 unique records; 27 studies evaluating 20 interventions were included. The majority of studies were conducted in USA, with five in Australia and one in Peru. Study designs were cross-sectional (n=13); qualitative (n=5); mixed methods (n=4); experimental (n=3); and quasi-experimental (n=2). Relevance to participating Indigenous communities was rated moderate to low. Interventions were diverse in aims, ingredients, and outcomes. Aims involved (1) supporting the healthcare journey, (2) increasing knowledge, (3) providing psychosocial support, and (4) promoting dialogue about cancer. The main ingredients of the interventions were community meetings, patient navigation, arts, and printed/online/audio materials. Participants were predominately female. Eighty-nine percent of studies showed positive influences on the outcomes evaluated. No studies addressed all four dimensions of holistic wellness (physical, mental, social, and spiritual) that are central to Indigenous health in many communities.

Conclusion

Studies we found represented a small number of Indigenous Nations and Peoples and did not meet relevance standards in their reporting of engagement with Indigenous communities. To improve the cancer survivorship journey, we need interventions that are relevant, culturally safe and effective, and honoring the diverse conceptualizations of health and wellness among Indigenous Peoples around the world.
Teleguidance-based remote navigation assistance for visually impaired and blind people—usability and user experience
Authors: Chaudary Babar , Pohjolainen Sami , Aziz Saima , Arhippainen Leena , Pulli Petri
Published: May 2021

This paper reports the development of a specialized teleguidance-based navigation assistance system for the blind and the visually impaired. We present findings from a usability and user experience study conducted with 11 blind and visually impaired participants and a sighted caretaker. Participants sent live video feed of their field of view to the remote caretaker’s terminal from a smartphone camera attached to their chest. The caretaker used this video feed to guide them through indoor and outdoor navigation scenarios using a combination of haptic and voice-based communication. Haptic feedback was provided through vibrating actuators installed in the grip of a Smart Cane. Two haptic methods for directional guidance were tested: (1) two vibrating actuators to guide left and right movement and (2) a single vibrating actuator with differentiating vibration patterns for the same purpose. Users feedback was collected using a meCUE 2.0 standardized questionnaire, interviews, and group discussions. Participants’ perceptions toward the proposed navigation assistance system were positive. Blind participants preferred vibrational guidance with two actuators, while partially blind participants preferred the single actuator method. Familiarity with cane use and age were important factors in the choice of haptic methods by both blind and partially blind users. It was found that smartphone camera provided sufficient field of view for remote assistance; position and angle are nonetheless important considerations. Ultimately, more research is needed to confirm our preliminary findings. We also present an expanded evaluation model developed to carry out further research on assistive systems.
Bank efficiency estimation in China: DEA-RENNA approach
Authors: Antunes Jorge , Hadi-Vencheh Abdollah , Jamshidi Ali , Tan Yong , Wanke Peter
Published: May 2021

The current study proposes a new DEA model to evaluate the efficiency of 39 Chinese commercial banks over the period 2010–2018. The paper also, in the second stage, investigates the inter-relationships between efficiency and some bank-specific variables (i.e. bank profitability, bank size, expenses management, traditional business and non-traditional business) under the Robust Endogenous Neural Network Analysis. The findings suggest that the sample of Chinese banks experiences a consistent increase in the level of bank efficiency up to 2015; the efficiency score is 0.915, after which the efficiency level declines and then experiences a slight volatility, while finally ending up with an efficiency score of 0.746 by the end of 2018. We also find that among different bank ownership types, the state-owned banks have the highest efficiency, the rural commercial banks are found to be least efficient and the foreign banks experience the strongest volatility over the examined period. The second-stage analysis shows that bank size exerts a positive influence on the development of non-traditional banking business and a proactive expense management, bank size and non-traditional businesses have a positive impact on efficiency levels, while bank profitability, traditional businesses and expenses management have negative influences on bank efficiency.
Checking the site categorization criteria and amplification factors of the 2021 draft of Eurocode 8 Part 1–1
Authors: Paolucci Roberto , Aimar Mauro , Ciancimino Andrea , Dotti Marco , Foti Sebastiano , Lanzano Giovanni , Mattevi Pietro , Pacor Francesca , Vanini Manuela
Published: May 2021

In this paper the site categorization criteria and the corresponding site amplification factors proposed in the 2021 draft of Part 1 of Eurocode 8 (2021-draft, CEN/TC250/SC8 Working Draft N1017) are first introduced and compared with the current version of Eurocode 8, as well as with site amplification factors from recent empirical ground motion prediction equations. Afterwards, these values are checked by two approaches. First, a wide dataset of strong motion records is built, where recording stations are classified according to 2021-draft, and the spectral amplifications are empirically estimated computing the site-to-site residuals from regional and global ground motion models for reference rock conditions. Second, a comprehensive parametric numerical study of one-dimensional (1D) site amplification is carried out, based on randomly generated shear-wave velocity profiles, classified according to the new criteria. A reasonably good agreement is found by both approaches. The most relevant discrepancies occur for the shallow soft soil conditions (soil category E) that, owing to the complex interaction of shear wave velocity, soil deposit thickness and frequency range of the excitation, show the largest scatter both in terms of records and of 1D numerical simulations. Furthermore, 1D numerical simulations for soft soil conditions tend to provide lower site amplification factors than 2021-draft, as well as lower than the corresponding site-to-site residuals from records, because of higher impact of non-linear (NL) site effects in the simulations. A site-specific study on NL effects at three KiK-net stations with a significantly large amount of high-intensity recorded ground motions gives support to the 2021-draft NL reduction factors, although the very limited number of recording stations allowing such analysis prevents deriving more general implications. In the presence of such controversial arguments, it is reasonable that a standard should adopt a prudent solution, with a limited reduction of the site amplification factors to account for NL soil response, while leaving the possibility to carry out site-specific estimations of such factors when sufficient information is available to model the ground strain dependency of local soil properties.
A Bioinformatics Investigation into the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter 2 Inhibitors in Diabetes Mellitus and Heart Failure Based on Network Pharmacology
Authors: Mai Ziling , Li Huanqiang , Chen Guanzhong , Chen Enzhao , Liu Liwei , Lun Zhubin , Lai Wenguang , Zhou Chunyun , Yu Sijia , Liu Jin , Chen Shiqun , Chen Jiyan , Liu Yong
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for the development of heart failure (HF). Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have demonstrated consistent benefits in the reduction of hospitalization for HF in patients with DM. However, the pharmacological mechanism is not clear. To investigate the mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors in DM with HF, we performed target prediction and network analysis by a network pharmacology method.

Methods

We selected targets of SGLT2 inhibitors and DM status with HF from databases and studies. The “Drug-Target” and “Drug-Target-Disease” networks were constructed using Cytoscape. Then the protein–protein interaction (PPI) was analyzed using the STRING database. Gene Ontology (GO) biological functions and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were performed to investigate using the Bioconductor tool for analysis.

Results

There were 125 effective targets between SGLT2 inhibitors and DM status with HF. Through further screening, 33 core targets were obtained, including SRC, MAPK1, NARS, MAPK3 and EGFR. It was predicted that the Rap1 signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications and other signaling pathways were involved in the treatment of DM with HF by SGLT2 inhibitors.

Conclusion

Our study elucidated the possible mechanisms of SGLT2 inhibitors from a systemic and holistic perspective based on pharmacological networks. The key targets and pathways will provide new insights for further research on the pharmacological mechanism of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of DM with HF.
Corneal transplant during COVID-19 pandemic: the Italian Eye Bank national report
Authors: Aiello Francesco , Genzano Besso Federico , Pocobelli Giulio , Gallo Afflitto Gabriele , Colabelli Gisoldi Rossella Anna Maria , Nucci Carlo , Ponzin Diego ,   on behalf of Italian Society Eye Bank Group (SIBO)., Bonci Paola , Calabrò Giuseppe , Ceccuzzi Roberto , Corneli Massimiliano , Genitti Germano , Giannarini Claudio , Mistò Raffaela , Pocobelli Augusto , Tortori Achille , Venzano Davide
Published: May 2021

To investigate the impact of Coronavirus Disease-2019 lockdown on the Italian Eye Bank organization. In this national retrospective, multicentric, cohort study, data from the Italian Eye Bank during both the lockdown and the first month after the lockdown period were retrieved. We compared the Italian Eye Bank metrics with the same timeframe of 2019 and 2018. Data from 13 out of 13 (100%) Italian Eye Banks were included in the analysis. A statistically significant reduction in the number of donor corneas retrieved in 2020 was found as compared to the same period in 2019 and in 2018, respectively (2020 = 1284; 2019 = 3088; 2018 = 3221; ANOVA: p < 0.0001). Only 534 corneas have been distributed by Eye Banks during the COVID-19-lockdown period (2020 = 534; 2019 = 1220; 2018 = 1237. ANOVA: p < 0.0001). Similarly, the number of wasted corneas due to postponed or cancelled surgeries was 421, resulting in a considerable increase as compared to the previous 2 years (2020 = 421; 2019 = 67; 2018 = 84; ANOVA: p = 0.0035). Overall, 45 donor corneas were rejected in accordance with the guidance of the Italian National Health Institute Italian National Transplant Centre (CNT). SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has profoundly affected every social and medical field, including the Eye Bank procurement and distribution programs. The current data collected from all the Italian Eye Banks highlights the present and the forthcoming difficulties that the Eye Bank community is going to experience, as for the ongoing pandemic.
Fatigue crack growth behaviour of wire and arc additively manufactured ER70S-6 low carbon steel components
Authors: Ermakova Anna , Mehmanparast Ali , Ganguly Supriyo , Razavi Nima , Berto Filippo
Published: May 2021

The new emerging Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology has significant potential to improve material design and efficiency for structural components as well as reducing manufacturing costs. Due to repeated and periodic melting, solidification and reheating of the layers, the WAAM deposition technique results in some elastic, plastic and viscous deformations that can affect material degradation and crack propagation behaviour in additively manufactured components. Therefore, it is crucial to characterise the cracking behaviour in WAAM built components for structural design and integrity assessment purposes. In this work, fatigue crack growth tests have been conducted on compact tension specimens extracted from ER70S-6 steel WAAM built components. The crack propagation behaviour of the specimens extracted with different orientations (i.e. horizontal and vertical with respect to the deposition direction) has been characterised under two different cyclic load levels. The obtained fatigue crack growth rate data have been correlated with the linear elastic fracture mechanics parameter $$\varDelta K$$

Δ
K

and the results are compared with the literature data available for corresponding wrought structural steels and the recommended fatigue crack growth trends in the BS7910 standard. The obtained results have been found to fall below the recommended trends in the BS7910 standard and above the data points obtained from S355 wrought material. The obtained fatigue growth trends and Paris law constants from this study contribute to the overall understanding of the design requirements for the new optimised functionally graded structures fabricated using the WAAM technique.