bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Omitting routine gastric residual checks may help to accelerate enteral feeds and postnatal growth in stable preterm infants
Authors: Terek Demet , Celik Mahmut , Ergin Firat , Erol Elif , Altun Koroglu Ozge , Yalaz Mehmet , Akisu Mete , Kultursay Nilgun
Published: October 2021

Background

The prefeed gastric residual check (GRC) when increasing the amounts of feeds given via orogastric and nasogastric tubes as a precaution for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and intestinal intolerance is a routine procedure. However, it is mostly misleading, and recently, there has been a tendency not to check prefeed residuals.

Methods

We changed our nutrition protocol at the end of 2018 to start minimal enteral feeds (MEFs) and increase feeds without GRCs. We investigated the effects on the incidence of NEC, complications, time to reach full feeds, and growth parameters

Results

We compared the results of 60 preterm infants at ≤35 weeks’ gestational age (group 1: 2016–2017, cared for with GRC) and 77 preterm infants (group 2: 2019, without routine GRCs). No differences in incidence of NEC and complications were observed. Group 2 started enteral feeds 3 days earlier, reached total feeds 6 days earlier (P < 0.01), and had higher weight (P < 0.01) and head circumference gain (P < 0.01). Extrauterine growth restriction was significantly less for head circumference and also insignificantly less for weight and height.

Conclusion

We conclude that starting MEFs earlier and omitting routine GRCs in clinically stable preterm infants accelerate enteral feeds and growth parameters.
A mass spectrometer‐based pore‐water sampling system for sandy sediments
Authors: Chua Emily J. , Short Robert Timothy , Cardenas‐Valencia Andres M. , Savidge William , Fulweiler Robinson W.
Published: October 2021

Highly permeable sandy sediments dominate the productive continental shelves and likely play a key role in global biogeochemical cycles. Despite their prominence, we currently have a poor understanding of how sandy sediments function and how they will respond to climate change. This knowledge gap is largely due to the difficulty in accurately sampling sandy sediments, as no method yet exists for measuring a range of analytes while accounting for advective pore‐water flow in these dynamic environments. To help address this, we developed a new pore‐water sampler that, when coupled to a portable mass spectrometer, can measure a suite of dissolved gases (e.g., O2, N2, Ar, CO2, and CH4) in sandy sediments. Here, we present a series of laboratory experiments to validate and calibrate the instrument, as well as proof‐of‐concept submersion and field tests. Our results show that with some design improvements, our system will be capable of sustained (hourly to diel) in situ measurements in sandy sediments. This new approach has the potential to provide a large volume of high‐quality data in any aquatic system with sandy sediments and thus greatly advance our understanding of biogeochemical processes occurring in these environments.
On irreducible products of characters
Authors: Jin Ping , Yang Yong
Published: October 2021

We are concerned with two conjectures of Isaacs, and prove several results that generalize some of the related theorems of Isaacs and of Fukushima.
Traffic light signals and healthy food choice: Investigating gender differences
Authors: Meng Yan , Chan Eugene Y.
Published: October 2021

Nutrition labels conveying nutrition information using traffic light signals are becoming common, but traffic light signals' effectiveness to help consumers make healthy food decisions is still debated. In the current research, we propose gender differences in the usage of traffic light signals. In Study 1, we presented male and female participants with a nutrition label that we manipulated as either unhealthy or healthy by changing the nutrient amounts, and the nutrition label either had a green or red color frame surrounding it. Although both men and women responded equally to information conveyed in text form, men were more likely to rely on the color to help them assess the target food product's healthiness. We replicated this result in Study 2: Holistic thinking mediated the men's reliance on color labeling schemes when deciding to buy a targeted food product. These results suggest there are differences in the consumer groups (segmented by gender) for whom traffic light signals on food packaging would be beneficial in playing a role in healthy food decision‐making. For policymakers, our findings indicate that target consumers need to be considered in nutrition labeling generally.
“My place is your place” ‐ Understanding how psychological ownership influences peer‐to‐peer service experiences
Authors: Pino Giovanni , Nieto‐García Marta , Zhang Carol X.
Published: October 2021

This study aims to contribute to the growing literature on peer‐to‐peer services by investigating the relationships among three relevant aspects of such services, namely customers' identification with service providers, customers' feelings of psychological ownership toward the service setting (i.e., the providers' resources), and customers' interaction with service providers. Two empirical studies that investigate real peer‐to‐peer hospitality service experiences demonstrate that identification with service providers engenders a sense of psychological ownership of the service setting, which, in turn, enhances customers' attitudinal and behavioral loyalty. Notably, this effect occurs only when customers engage in cooperative interactions with their service providers.
Controlling Graphene Wrinkles through the Phase Transition of a Polymer with a Low Critical Solution Temperature
Authors: Kwon Minho , Yang Jiyeon , Kim Hanyoung , Joo Hyeyoung , Joo Sang‐Woo , Lee Young Sil , Lee Hye Jung , Jeong Seung Yol , Han Jong Hun , Paik Hyun‐jong
Published: October 2021

A novel method for controlling reduced graphene oxide (rGO) wrinkles through a phase transition in a solution using a low critical solution temperature (LCST) polymer dispersant has been developed. The polymer dispersant is designed by control of architecture and composition using reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization. Synthesized poly(2‐(dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate‐block‐styrene) (PDbS) can be successfully functionalized on the rGO surface via noncovalent functionalization. PDbS‐functionalized rGO (PDbS–rGO) exhibits good dispersibility in an aqueous phase at room temperature and forms wrinkles on the PDbS–rGO surface because of phase transition at the LCST of the polymer dispersant. The formation of PDbS–rGO wrinkles is controlled by varying the aggregation number of the polymer dispersant on the PDbS–rGO surface that strongly depends on temperature. This is confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy (ID’/IG ratios are 0.560, 0.579, and 0.684, which correspond to 45, 70, and 95 °C, respectively). In addition, the mechanism of wrinkle control is proved by gold nanoparticles that are grown in polymer dispersant on the PDbS–rGO surface.
Framework of extended BKP equations possessing N‐wave solutions in (2+1)‐dimensions
Authors: Cheng Li , Ma Wen‐Xiu
Published: October 2021

A universal property in terms of Hirota differential operators is presented, with an aim to construct Hirota bilinear equations possessing Pfaffian formulations in (2+1)‐dimensions. It is then shown that there exist linear combination solutions of exponential waves to various extended Hirota bilinear equations. Applications are made for the (2+1)‐dimensional generalized Hirota–Satsuma–Ito (HSI) equation, the special fourth‐order (2+1)‐dimensional nonlinear equation, and the fifth‐order Korteweg–de Vries (KdV) equation, thereby presenting their particular Pfaffian and multiple wave solutions.
Non‐uniqueness of solution for non‐instantaneous impulsive Hilfer–Hadamard fractional‐order system
Authors: Zhang Xianmin
Published: October 2021

We discuss the non‐uniqueness of solution for the non‐instantaneous impulsive fractional order system (NIFrOS) involving Hilfer–Hadamard fractional derivative. For two NIFrOSs, we find their equivalent systems by reconstructing some functions to built the connection between the two NIFrOSs. And then we seek out an approximate solution and a particular solution of the NIFrOS by considering fractional derivative in its equivalent system. Finally, by computing the error between the approximate solution and exact solution, we discover that the equivalent integral equation of the NIFrOS is a integral equation with some arbitrary constants, which uncovers the non‐uniqueness of solution of the NIFrOS.
Restriction of Dietary Advanced Glycation End Products Induces a Differential Plasma Metabolome and Lipidome Profile
Authors: Berdún Rebeca , Jové Mariona , Sol Joaquim , Cai Weijing , He John C. , Rodriguez‐Mortera Reyna , Martin‐Garí Meritxell , Pamplona Reinald , Uribarri Jaime , Portero‐Otin Manuel
Published: October 2021

Scope

Diets with low content in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) lead to beneficial properties in highly prevalent age‐related diseases. To shed light on the mechanisms behind, the changes induced by a low AGE dietary intervention in the circulating metabolome are analyzed.

Methods and Results

To this end, 20 non‐diabetic patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis are randomized to continue their usual diet or to one with a low content of AGEs for 1 month. Then, plasmatic metabolome and lipidomes are analyzed by liquid‐chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The levels of defined AGE structures are also quantified by ELISA and by mass‐spectrometry. The results show that the low AGE diet impinged significant changes in circulating metabolomes (166 molecules) and lipidomes (91 lipids). Metabolic targets of low‐AGE intake include sphingolipid, ether‐lipids, and glycerophospholipid metabolism. Further, it reproduces some of the plasma characteristics of healthy aging.

Conclusion

The finding of common pathways induced by low‐AGE diets with previous metabolic traits implicated in aging, insulin resistance, and obesity suggest the usefulness of the chosen approach and supports the potential extension of this study to other populations.
Characterization of amine proton exchange for analyzing the specificity and intensity of the CEST effect: from humans to fish
Authors: Wermter Felizitas C. , Bock Christian , Dreher Wolfgang
Published: October 2021

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) at about 2.8 ppm downfield from water is characterized besides other compounds by exchanging amine protons of relatively high concentration amino acids and is determined by several physiological (pH, T) and experimental (B0, B1, tsat) parameters. Although the weighting of the CEST effect observed in vivo can be attributed mainly to one compound depending on the organism and organ, there are still several other amino acids, proteins and molecules that also contribute. These contributions in turn exhibit dependences and thus can lead to possible misinterpretation of the measured changes in the CEST effect. With this in mind, this work aimed to determine the exchange rates of six important amino acids as a function of pH and temperature, and thus to create multi‐pool models that allow the accurate analysis of the CEST effect concerning different physiological and experimental parameters for a wide variety of organisms. The results show that small changes in the above parameters have a significant impact on the CEST effect at about 2.8 ppm for the chosen organisms, i.e. the human brain (37 °C) and the brain of polar cod (1.5 °C), furthermore, the specificity of the CEST effect observed in vivo can be significantly affected. Based on the exchange rates ksw(pH, T) determined for six metabolites in this study, it is possible to optimize the intensity and the specificity for the CEST effect of amino acids at about 2.8 ppm for different organisms with their specific physiological characteristics. By adjusting experimental parameters accordingly, this optimization will help to avoid possible misinterpretations of CEST measurements. Furthermore, the multi‐pool models can be utilized to further optimize the saturation.
Effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation and laughter therapy on mental health and treatment outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kiyak Sibel , Kocoglu‐Tanyer Deniz
Published: October 2021

A majority of infertile women experience emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression. Nurses need nonpharmacological methods rather than drugs to address women's emotional distress during the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation exercises and laughter therapy on the mental health and treatment outcomes of women receiving IVF treatment. This parallel‐group, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a private IVF center. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG;n = 71) and control group (CG;n = 70). The IG received progressive muscle relaxation and laughter therapy for 40 min in each session for 3–4 sessions, whereas the CG received routine care. Data were obtained from the patient information form, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, and medical records. The questionnaire was completed at recruitment (T1) and oocyte pick‐up day (T2). In the evaluation performed on the day of the oocyte pick‐up, depression and trait anxiety scores of the IG were found to be lower than those in the CG, and the effect size was small. Group × time interaction was significant for depression (large effect size) and trait anxiety (small effect size). The estradiol levels, the number of oocytes, transfer status, and pregnancy rates (according to a blood test) were similar between groups. Women receiving IVF treatment who received progressive muscle relaxation and laughter therapy demonstrated psychological changes; however, the treatment did not affect medical outcomes.
Homozygous WASHC4 variant in two sisters causes a syndromic phenotype defined by dysmorphisms, intellectual disability, profound developmental disorder, and skeletal muscle involvement
Authors: Gangfuß Andrea , Czech Artur , Hentschel Andreas , Münchberg Ute , Horvath Rita , Töpf Ana , O'Heir Emily , Lochmüller Hanns , Stehling Florian , Kiewert Cordula , Sickmann Albert , Kuechler Alma , Kaiser Frank J. , Kölbel Heike , Christiansen Jon , Schara‐Schmidt Ulrike , Roos Andreas
Published: October 2021

Recessive variants in WASHC4 are linked to intellectual disability complicated by poor language skills, short stature, and dysmorphic features. The protein encoded by WASHC4 is part of the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein and SCAR homolog family, co‐localizes with actin in cells, and promotes Arp2/3‐dependent actin polymerization in vitro. Functional studies in a zebrafish model suggested that WASHC4 knockdown may also affect skeletal muscles by perturbing protein clearance. However, skeletal muscle involvement has not been reported so far in patients, and precise biochemical studies allowing a deeper understanding of the molecular etiology of the disease are still lacking. Here, we report two siblings with a homozygous WASHC4 variant expanding the clinical spectrum of the disease and provide a phenotypical comparison with cases reported in the literature. Proteomic profiling of fibroblasts of the WASHC4‐deficient patient revealed dysregulation of proteins relevant for the maintenance of the neuromuscular axis. Immunostaining on a muscle biopsy derived from the same patient confirmed dysregulation of proteins relevant for proper muscle function, thus highlighting an affliction of muscle cells upon loss of functional WASHC4. The results of histological and coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering microscopic studies support the concept of a functional role of the WASHC4 protein in humans by altering protein processing and clearance. The proteomic analysis confirmed key molecular players in vitro and highlighted, for the first time, the involvement of skeletal muscle in patients. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Efficient improvement of W05‐based dyes by inserting auxiliary electron acceptors for dye‐sensitized solar cells: A theoretical investigation
Authors: Zhao Cai‐bin , Li Lin , Jin Ling‐xia , Ge Hong‐guang , Ma Jian‐qi , Wang Wen‐liang
Published: October 2021

To develop efficient sensitizers, five novel metal‐free dyes were designed based on one of the best dyes W05 by inserting auxiliary electron acceptors. The photovoltaic performance of new dyes was studied by density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) calculations in order to shed light on how the auxiliary electron acceptor influences on the photovoltaic performances. Results illustrated that the insertion of auxiliary electron acceptors can narrow the HOMO‐LUMO gap, red‐shift the light absorption band, and enhance the sunlight harvesting. By estimating three important photovoltaic parameters, the photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of W05 was estimated to be about 8.96%, in good agreement with its experimental value of 9.22%, indicating that the scheme calculated the photovoltaic parameters is reliable. Interestingly, the estimated PCE values for designed dyes are superior to that of W05, suggesting that the molecular design is reasonable. Especially 5, its PCE was predicted to be as high as 14.07%, indicating that 5 is a promising sensitizer candidate for DSSC applications.
Applying and improving AlphaFold at CASP14
Authors: Jumper John , Evans Richard , Pritzel Alexander , Green Tim , Figurnov Michael , Ronneberger Olaf , Tunyasuvunakool Kathryn , Bates Russ , Žídek Augustin , Potapenko Anna , Bridgland Alex , Meyer Clemens , Kohl Simon A. A. , Ballard Andrew J. , Cowie Andrew , Romera‐Paredes Bernardino , Nikolov Stanislav , Jain Rishub , Adler Jonas , Back Trevor , Petersen Stig , Reiman David , Clancy Ellen , Zielinski Michal , Steinegger Martin , Pacholska Michalina , Berghammer Tamas , Silver David , Vinyals Oriol , Senior Andrew W. , Kavukcuoglu Koray , Kohli Pushmeet , Hassabis Demis
Published: October 2021

We describe the operation and improvement of AlphaFold, the system that was entered by the team AlphaFold2 to the “human” category in the 14th Critical Assessment of Protein Structure Prediction (CASP14). The AlphaFold system entered in CASP14 is entirely different to the one entered in CASP13. It used a novel end‐to‐end deep neural network trained to produce protein structures from amino acid sequence, multiple sequence alignments, and homologous proteins. In the assessors' ranking by summed z scores (>2.0), AlphaFold scored 244.0 compared to 90.8 by the next best group. The predictions made by AlphaFold had a median domain GDT_TS of 92.4; this is the first time that this level of average accuracy has been achieved during CASP, especially on the more difficult Free Modeling targets, and represents a significant improvement in the state of the art in protein structure prediction. We reported how AlphaFold was run as a human team during CASP14 and improved such that it now achieves an equivalent level of performance without intervention, opening the door to highly accurate large‐scale structure prediction.
Structural Investigations in Electrochromic Vanadium Pentoxide Thin Films
Authors: Romanitan Cosmin , Tudose Ioan Valentin , Mouratis Kyriakos , Popescu Marian Catalin , Pachiu Cristina , Couris Stelios , Koudoumas Emmanouel , Suchea Mirela
Published: October 2021

Herein, the correlation between the texture coefficient and the electrochromism in vanadium pentoxide nanostructured films with orthorhombic symmetry obtained by spray pyrolysis technique is reported. From a microstructural point of view, X‐ray diffraction depicts that the size of the crystalline domains, evaluated from both Scherrer equation and Rietveld refinement, depends on the texture coefficient, which further implies that the dislocation density is related to the texture coefficient. From the applications point of view, a high texture coefficient is found to facilitate the insertion of charge, thus reaching a density of −73.30 and 70.76 mC cm−2 on coloration and bleaching, respectively. On the contrary, a small texture coefficient can provide an inserted charge density of only −4.38 and 3.79 mC cm−2 on coloration and bleaching. Moreover, a higher texture coefficient induces a higher transmittance contrast under an applied voltage of ±1 V, reaching 18.48% for the most textured sample. It is clear that the texture parameter is a key factor in the context of both microstructural parameters and electrochromic performances.
Growth Dynamics and Electron Reflectivity in Ultrathin Films of Chiral Heptahelicene on Metal (100) Surfaces Studied by Spin‐Polarized Low Energy Electron Microscopy
Authors: Baljozović Miloš , Fernandes Cauduro André L. , Seibel Johannes , Mairena Anaïs , Grass Stéphane , Lacour Jérôme , Schmid Andreas K. , Ernst Karl-Heinz
Published: October 2021

Interaction of electrons with chiral matter gives rise to interesting phenomena such as the chirality‐induced spin selectivity. The interdependence of reflectivity of spin‐polarized low energy electrons and the absolute handedness of chiral molecules is investigated. First, the growth of homochiral films of helical aromatic hydrocarbons, so‐called helicenes, on a Cu(100) surface is studied by means of low energy electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy in ultrahigh vacuum. As soon as the coverage exceeds one monolayer, double‐layer nucleation and growth is favored such that depletion in the first layer occurs. Spatially resolved work function measurements show that second‐layer patches have a lower work function than first‐layer areas. Reflectivity spectra of spin‐polarized electrons do not show any asymmetry between homochiral films of the enantiomers. Laterally resolved work function measurements do not confirm work function differences such as those reported earlier for photoelectron studies of chiral peptide films on ferromagnetic substrates.
Stability of the CNHi Complex and the Blue Luminescence Band in GaN
Authors: Reshchikov Michael Alexander , Andrieiev Oleksandr , Vorobiov Mykhailo , McEwen Ben , Shahedipour-Sandvik Shadi , Ye Dexian , Demchenko Denis O.
Published: October 2021

The dissociation of the CNHi complex in GaN is studied in detail using photoluminescence measurements and first‐principles calculations. The blue luminescence (BL2) band with a maximum at 3.0 eV is caused by electron transitions from an excited state located at 0.02 eV below the conduction band to the ground state of the CNHi donor with the 0/+ level 0.15 eV above the valence band. The dissociation releases hydrogen atom, and the remaining CN defect with the −/0 state at 0.92 eV above the valence band is responsible for the yellow band (YL1) with a maximum at about 2.2 eV. The dissociation of the CNHi complex can be caused by the photoinduced defect reaction mechanism under UV illumination at low temperature (≈20 K), leading to the bleaching of the BL2 band and simultaneous rise in the YL1 band. The bleaching is reversible. Alternatively, the complex dissociates after annealing at temperatures above 600 °C. The activation energy of this process (3–4 eV, depending on the annealing geometry) corresponds to the removal of hydrogen from the sample and not to the dissociation of the complex itself.
Open source software reliability model with nonlinear fault detection and fault introduction
Authors: Wang Jinyong
Published: October 2021

In recent years, open source software (OSS) has been widely used and developed. The reliability of OSS has also become a hot research topic. Due to the complexity, dynamics, and uncertainty of the development and testing process of OSS, it is also a difficult task to accurately evaluate the reliability of OSS. In this paper, we consider the nonlinear changes of fault detection and fault introduction in the development and testing of OSS and propose a reliability model of OSS based on the nonlinear changes of fault detection and fault introduction. Experimental results show that the proposed model is more in line with the actual changes of fault detection and fault introduction in the processes of OSS development and testing. Compared with other models, the proposed model has better fitting and predictive performance. We also give a simple OSS optimal release method considering the testing‐effort and reliability changes in the processes of OSS development and testing. The proposed model and optimized release method can effectively assist OSS developers to evaluate software reliability and determine the optimal release time.
Effect of B2O3 on the Melt Structure and Viscosity of CaO–SiO2 System
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Liu Chengjun , Jiang Maofa
Published: October 2021

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been used to study the structure properties of CaO–SiO2 slags and CaO–SiO2–B2O3 slags with different basicity. The results show that the addition of B2O3 to the higher basicity system of CaO–SiO2 (basicity >1.12) increases the degree of polymerization (DOP) of the system and the complexity of network structures, theoretically leading an increase in the viscosity of the slag. In the CaO–SiO2–B2O3 ternary system, the structure of Si–BO (bridging oxygen)–B is more dominant than B–BO–B, indicating that the newly introduced B–O network structure will be randomly mixed with the initial Si–O network structure instead of forming enrichment zones. Moreover, with the addition of B2O3, the viscosities of CaO–SiO2 increase in higher basicity systems, but decrease in the lower basicity systems based on the viscosity measurement. The different effect of adding B2O3 on the viscosity of the CaO–SiO2 slag is consistent with the changing trend of the melt structure.
Gastro‐intestinal parasites of sympatric red panda and livestock in protected areas of Nepal
Authors: Sharma Hari Prasad , Achhami Bishnu
Published: October 2021

Background

Disease transmission among humans, domestic animals and wildlife can have profound consequences in human health, wildlife conservation and maintenance of biodiversity. The issue of disease transmission can be particularly important for threatened wildlife species, yet such information remains scarce due to logistic constraints and government regulation on animal handlings. The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is one of the globally threatened species challenged with habitat fragmentation and human disturbance. In Nepal, livestock grazing is recognised as one of the major threats to the red panda.

Aim

We aimed to provide the first empirical data on gastro‐intestinal parasites for sympatric livestock and red panda from two geographically isolated regions in Nepal.

Methods

In this study, we systematically sampled, and examined the faecal of livestock and red panda in two separate protected areas to provide the first empirical data on their gastro‐intestinal parasite, including the prevalence, parasite richness and load.

Results

We documented 11 parasite taxa (7 nematodes, 2 cestodes, 1 trematode and 1 coccidian), of which 8 are shared by both livestock and red panda. Furthermore, parasite prevalence, parasite load and parasite richness were generally higher in the livestock than the red panda.

Conclusion

The data provided from this systematic survey on parasites of sympatric livestock and red panda in wild raises the concern about the potential role of livestock mediating disease dynamics in the red panda. Our study suggests that cross‐transmission of parasites between livestock and red panda are likely, and the livestock may be a competent agent bringing disease to both red panda and human. Therefore, managing human‐livestock‐wildlife contact to reduce disease risk to all groups should be a key component in conservation planning of protected areas.
Retrospective evaluation of nimustine use in the treatment of feline lymphoma
Authors: Sakai Kosei , Hatoya Shingo , Furuya Masaru , Nabetani Tomoyo , Kanegi Ryoji , Shimamura Shunsuke , Tani Hiroyuki , Shimada Terumasa
Published: October 2021

Background

Nimustine, similar to lomustine, is an alkylating agent from the nitrosourea family. There have been some reports regarding lomustine treatment for tumour‐bearing cats. However, information regarding nimustine treatment for tumour‐bearing cats is limited.

Objectives

To retrospectively evaluate adverse events and clinical outcomes in tumour‐bearing cats receiving nimustine.

Methods

Information regarding diagnosis, treatment condition, adverse events, and clinical outcomes was collected in tumour‐bearing cats receiving nimustine through reviews of medical records.

Results

Nine cats with lymphoma were treated with nimustine in the primary therapy (n = 2) and in the rescue therapy (n = 7). Median starting dose of nimustine was 25 mg/m2 (range: 20–30 mg/m2) with dosing interval of three weeks and 1–11 administrations. Adverse events were mild gastrointestinal toxicity (grade 1) including diarrhoea (n = 2) and vomiting (n = 2) and mild myelosuppression (grade 1 or 2) including thrombocytopenia (n = 3) and neutropenia (n = 1). No severe adverse events were observed. Progression‐free survival durations among cats receiving nimustine in the primary therapy and in the rescue therapy were 274–688 days (median: 481 days) and 9–671 days (median: 102 days), respectively. Overall survival durations among cats receiving nimustine in the primary therapy and in the rescue therapy were 275–745 days (median: 510 days) and 14–671 days (median: 109 days), respectively.

Conclusions

Nimustine was well tolerated and showed clinical outcomes similar to lomustine in cats with lymphoma. These findings suggest that nimustine might be an alternative to lomustine in the treatment of feline lymphoma.
Thinking probabilistically in the study of intonational speech prosody
Authors: Kurumada Chigusa , Roettger Timo B.
Published: October 2021

Speech prosody, the melodic and rhythmic properties of a language, plays a critical role in our everyday communication. Researchers have identified unique patterns of prosody that segment words and phrases, highlight focal elements in a sentence, and convey holistic meanings and speech acts that interact with the information shared in context. The mapping between the sound and meaning represented in prosody is suggested to be probabilistic—the same physical instance of sounds can support multiple meanings across talkers and contexts while the same meaning can be encoded in physically distinct sound patterns (e.g., pitch movements). The current overview presents an analysis framework for probing the nature of this probabilistic relationship. Illustrated by examples from the literature and a dataset of German focus marking, we discuss the production variability within and across talkers and consider challenges that this variability imposes on the comprehension system. A better understanding of these challenges, we argue, will illuminate how the human perceptual, cognitive, and computational mechanisms may navigate the variability to arrive at a coherent understanding of speech prosody. The current paper is intended to be an introduction for those who are interested in thinking probabilistically about the sound‐meaning mapping in prosody. Open questions for future research are discussed with proposals for examining prosodic production and comprehension within a comprehensive, mathematically‐motivated framework of probabilistic inference under uncertainty.

This article is categorized under:

Linguistics > Language in Mind and Brain

Psychology > Language
How Have Climate Emergency Declarations Helped Local Government Action to Decarbonise?
Authors: Dyson James , Harvey-Scholes Calum
Published: October 2021

Highlights

Commitments within local government CEDs chart a course for faster community-level decarbonisation with participatory democracy. To move forward faster, local approaches must be equitable, coordinated and sufficiently resourced and empowered.
Effective Communication on Local Adaptation: Considerations for Providers of Climate Change Advice and Support
Authors: Guida Kristen , Howarth Candice
Published: October 2021

Highlights

There is a reduction in adaptation action despite science continuing to produce actionable material. Climate change adaptation advice and support must be salient, credible and legitimate among other things.
Patient-specific resurfacing implant knee surgery in subjects with early osteoarthritis results in medial pivot and lateral femoral rollback during flexion: a retrospective pilot study
Authors: Moewis Philippe , Kaiser René , Trepczynski Adam , von Tycowicz Christoph , Krahl Leonie , Ilg Ansgar , Holz Johannes , Duda Georg N.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Metallic resurfacing implants have been developed for the treatment of early, small, condylar and trochlear osteoarthritis (OA) lesions. They represent an option for patients who do not fulfill the criteria for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or are too old for biological treatment. Although clinical evidence has been collected for different resurfacing types, the in vivo post-operative knee kinematics remain unknown. The present study aims to analyze the knee kinematics in subjects with patient-specific episealer implants. This study hypothesized that patient-specific resurfacing implants would lead to knee kinematics close to healthy knees, resulting in medial pivot and a high degree of femoral rollback during flexion.

Methods

Retrospective study design. Fluoroscopic analysis during unloaded flexion–extension and loaded lunge was conducted at > 12 months post-surgery in ten episealer knees, and compared to ten healthy knees. Pre- and post-operative clinical data of the episealer knees were collected using a visual analog scale (VAS), the EQ 5d Health, and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) questionnaires.

Results

A consistent medial pivot was observed in both episealer and healthy knees. Non-significant differences were found in the unloaded (p = 0.15) and loaded (p = 0.51) activities. Although lateral rollback was observed in both groups, it was significantly higher for the episealer knees in both the unloaded (p = 0.02) and loaded (p = 0.01) activities. Coupled axial rotation was significantly higher in the unloaded (p = 0.001) but not in the loaded (p = 0.06) activity in the episealer knees. Improved scores were observed at 1-year post-surgery in the episealer subjects for the VAS (p = 0.001), KOOS (p = 0.001) and EQ Health (p = 0.004).

Conclusion

At 12 month follow-up, a clear physiological knee kinematics pattern of medial pivot, lateral femoral rollback and coupled axial external femoral rotation during flexion was observed in patients treated with an episealer resurfacing procedure. However, higher femoral rollback and axial external rotation in comparison to healthy knees was observed, suggesting possible post-operative muscle weakness and consequent insufficient stabilization at high flexion.
Sports nutrition supplements and adverse events – a meta-epidemiological study of case reports specifically addressing causality assessment
Authors: Zeijlon Rickard , Hantelius Victor , Wallerstedt Susanna M. , Holmqvist Lina
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This meta-epidemiological study aimed to systematically review case reports regarding sports nutrition supplements and adverse events (AEs), specifically addressing the issue of causality assessments.

Methods

Through a systematic literature search we identified all published case reports of AEs associated with sports nutrition supplements between 1 January 2008 and 1 March 2019. Data regarding AEs, suspected supplements, relevant causality assessment factors and the reporting of clinical reasoning and/or systematic causality assessment methods were extracted.

Results

In all, 72 publications were included, reporting 134 supplements and 37 different AEs in 97 patients (85% males; median age: 30 years [range: 14–60]). Information regarding previous health and regular prescription drugs was not presented in 30% (29/97) and 46% (45/97) of cases, respectively. In 23% (22/97) of the cases, no alternative cause was mentioned. Clinical reasoning was identified in 63% (61/97), and in 13% (8/61) of these, a systematic causality assessment method was applied. In cases with clinical reasoning, a theoretic rationale (92% vs 78%, P = 0.05), a description of previous cases (90% vs 72%, P = 0.021) and body fluid analysis (18% vs 3%, P = 0.027) were reported to a greater extent. Among cases with clinical reasoning, the application of a systematic causality assessment method captured additional important aspects: use of medication (100% vs 55%, P = 0.015), alcohol use (88% vs 43%, P = 0.020) and illicit drug use (88% vs 40%, P = 0.011).

Conclusions

In published case reports where sports nutrition supplements were suspected to have caused AEs, essential factors for causality assessment were left out in a non-negligible proportion. Clinical reasoning was identified in most cases whereas a systematic causality assessment method was applied in a minority. Factors of importance for causality assessment were reported to a greater extent in cases including clinical reasoning, and the application of a systematic causality assessment method captured additional aspects of importance.
Dual energy CT arthrography in shoulder instability: successful iodine removal with virtual non-contrast images and accurate 3D reformats of the glenoid for assessment of bone loss
Authors: Stern Christoph , Marcon Magda , Bouaicha Samy , Wieser Karl , Rosskopf Andrea B. , Sutter Reto
Published: October 2021

Objective

To evaluate the image quality of dual energy CT (DECT) of the shoulder after arthrography and of virtual non-contrast (VNC) 3D reformats of the glenoid and to compare glenoid measurements on VNC 3D reformats and on 2D CTs.

Materials and methods

DECT arthrography (80 kV/140 kV) was performed in 42 shoulders of 41 patients with instability using diluted iodinated contrast media (80 mg/ml). VNC images and VNC 3D reformats of the glenoid were calculated using image postprocessing. Dose parameters, CT values of intraarticular iodine and muscle, image contrast (iodine/muscle), and image quality (5-point scale: 1 = worst, 5 = best) were evaluated. Two independent readers assessed glenoid morphology and performed glenoid measurements on 2D and 3D images.

Results

Calculation of VNC images and VNC 3D reformats was successful in 42/42 shoulders (100%). The effective dose was mean 1.95 mSv (± 0.9 mSv). CT values of iodine and muscle were mean 1014.6 HU (± 235.8 HU) and 64.5 HU(± 8.6 HU), respectively, and image contrast was mean 950.2 HU (± 235.5 HU). Quality of cross-sectional images, VNC images, and VNC 3D reformats was rated good (median 4 (4–5), 4 (3–4), 4 (3–5), respectively). Detection of an osseous defect was equal on 2D and 3D images (13/42, P > 0.99) with no difference for measurement of the glenoid diameter with mean 28.3 mm (± 2.8 mm) vs. 28.4 mm (± 2.9 mm) (P = 0.5), width of the glenoid defect with 3.2 mm (± 2.1 mm) vs. 3.1 mm (± 2.3 mm) (P = 0.84), surface area with 638.5 mm2 (± 127 mm2) vs. 640.8 mm2 (± 129.5 mm2) (P = 0.47), and surface area of the defect with 46.6 mm2 (± 44.3 mm2) vs. 47.2 mm2 (± 48.0 mm2) (P = 0.73), respectively.

Conclusion

DECT shoulder arthrography is feasible and allows successful iodine removal with generation of VNC images and accurate VNC 3D reformats of the glenoid for assessment of bone loss.
Feasibility of intraoperative motor evoked potential monitoring during tethered cord surgery in infants younger than 12 months
Authors: Herta Johannes , Yildiz Erdem , Marhofer Daniela , Czech Thomas , Reinprecht Andrea , Rössler Karl , Novak Klaus
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Feasibility, reliability, and safety assessment of transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in infants less than 12 months of age.

Methods

A total of 22 patients with a mean age of 33 (range 13–49) weeks that underwent neurosurgery for tethered cord were investigated. Data from intraoperative MEPs, anesthesia protocols, and clinical records were reviewed. Anesthesia during surgery was maintained by total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA).

Results

MEPs were present in all patients for the upper extremities and in 21 out of 22 infants for the lower extremities. Mean baseline stimulation intensity was 101 ± 20 mA. If MEPs were present at the end of surgery, no new motor deficit occurred. In the only case of MEP loss, preoperative paresis was present, and high baseline intensity thresholds were needed. MEP monitoring did not lead to any complications. TIVA was maintained with an average propofol infusion rate of 123.5 ± 38.2 µg/kg/min and 0.46 ± 0.17 µg/kg/min for remifentanil.

Conclusion

In spinal cord release surgery, the use of intraoperative MEP monitoring is indicated regardless of the patient’s age. We could demonstrate the feasibility and safety of MEP monitoring in infants if an adequate anesthetic regimen is applied. More data is needed to verify whether an irreversible loss of robust MEPs leads to motor deficits in this young age group.
Quantifying the rarity of extreme multi-decadal trends: how unusual was the late twentieth century trend in the North Atlantic Oscillation?
Authors: Eade R. , Stephenson D. B. , Scaife A. A. , Smith D. M.
Published: October 2021

Climate trends over multiple decades are important drivers of regional climate change that need to be considered for climate resilience. Of particular importance are extreme trends that society may not be expecting and is not well adapted to. This study investigates approaches to assess the likelihood of maximum moving window trends in historical records of climate indices by making use of simulations from climate models and stochastic time series models with short- and long-range dependence. These approaches are applied to assess the unusualness of the large positive trend that occurred in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index between the 1960s to 1990s. By considering stochastic models, we show that the chance of extreme trends is determined by the variance of the trend process, which generally increases when there is more serial correlation in the index series. We find that the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5 + 6) historical simulations have very rarely (around 1 in 200 chance) simulated maximum trends greater than the observed maximum. Consistent with this, the NAO indices simulated by CMIP models were found to resemble white noise, with almost no serial correlation, in contrast to the observed NAO which exhibits year-to-year correlation. Stochastic model best fits to the observed NAO suggest an unlikely chance (around 1 in 20) for there to be maximum 31-year NAO trends as large as the maximum observed since 1860. This suggests that current climate models do not fully represent important aspects of the mechanism for low frequency variability of the NAO.
Influenza and RSV incidence during COVID-19 pandemic—an observational study from in-hospital point-of-care testing
Authors: Stamm Paul , Sagoschen Ingo , Weise Kerstin , Plachter Bodo , Münzel Thomas , Gori Tommaso , Vosseler Markus
Published: October 2021

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has forced the implementation of unprecedented public health measures strategies which might also have a significant impact on the spreading of other viral pathogens such as influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) . The present study compares the incidences of the most relevant respiratory viruses before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in emergency room patients. We analyzed the results of in total 14,946 polymerase chain reaction point-of-care tests (POCT-PCR) for Influenza A, Influenza B, RSV and SARS-CoV-2 in an adult and a pediatric emergency room between December 1, 2018 and March 31, 2021. Despite a fivefold increase in the number of tests performed, the positivity rate for Influenza A dropped from 19.32% (165 positives of 854 tests in 2018/19), 14.57% (149 positives of 1023 in 2019–20) to 0% (0 positives of 4915 tests) in 2020/21. In analogy, the positivity rate for Influenza B and RSV dropped from 0.35 to 1.47%, respectively, 10.65–21.08% to 0% for both in 2020/21. The positivity rate for SARS-CoV2 reached 9.74% (110 of 1129 tests performed) during the so-called second wave in December 2020. Compared to the two previous years, seasonal influenza and RSV incidence was eliminated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Corona-related measures and human behavior patterns could lead to a significant decline or even complete suppression of other respiratory viruses such as influenza and RSV.
A frameshift insertion in FA2H causes a recessively inherited form of ichthyosis congenita in Chianina cattle
Authors: Jacinto Joana G. P. , Häfliger Irene M. , Veiga Inês M. B. , Letko Anna , Gentile Arcangelo , Drögemüller Cord
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotype and to identify the genetic etiology of a syndromic form of ichthyosis congenita (IC) observed in Italian Chianina cattle and to estimate the prevalence of the deleterious allele in the population. Sporadic occurrence of different forms of ichthyosis including IC have been previously reported in cattle. However, so far, no causative genetic variant has been found for bovine IC. Nine affected cattle presenting congenital xerosis, hyperkeratosis and scaling of the skin as well as urolithiasis and cystitis associated with retarded growth were examined. Skin histopathology revealed a severe, diffuse orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis with mild to moderate epidermal hyperplasia. The pedigree records indicated a monogenic recessive trait. Homozygosity mapping and whole-genome sequencing allowed the identification of a homozygous frameshift 1 bp insertion in the FA2H gene (c.9dupC; p.Ala4ArgfsTer142) located in a 1.92 Mb shared identical-by-descent region on chromosome 18 present in all cases, while the parents were heterozygous as expected for obligate carriers. These findings enable the selection against this sub-lethal allele showing an estimated frequency of ~ 7.5% in Chianina top sires. A sporadic incidence of mild clinical signs in the skin of heterozygous carriers was observed. So far, pathogenic variants affecting the encoded fatty acid 2-hydroxylase catalyzing the synthesis of 2-hydroxysphingolipids have been associated with myelin disorders. In conclusion, this study represents the first report of an FA2H-related autosomal recessive inherited skin disorder in a mammalian species and adds FA2H to the list of candidate genes for ichthyosis in humans and animals. Furthermore, this study provides a DNA-based diagnostic test that enables selection against the identified pathogenic variant in the Chianina cattle population. However, functional studies are needed to better understand the expression of FA2H in IC-affected Chianina cattle.