bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AuraGain™ versus i‐gel™ for bronchoscopic intubation under continuous oxygenation: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Svendsen Christine N. , Rosenstock Charlotte V. , Glargaard Gine L. , Strøm Camilla , Lange Kai H. W. , Lundstrøm Lars H.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

After failed mask ventilation and tracheal intubation, guidelines issued by the Difficult Airway Society recommend placing a second generation supraglottic airway device to secure oxygenation. Ultimately, a secure airway can be obtained by tracheal intubation through the supraglottic airway device using a bronchoscope. In this randomised trial, we compared the AuraGain™ with the i‐gel™ as conduit for bronchoscopic intubation under continuous oxygenation performed by a group of anaesthesiologists with variable experience in a general population of patients.

Method

We randomised one hundred patients who were equally allocated to flexible bronchoscopic intubation through the i‐gel™ or the AuraGain™. In a random order, 25 anaesthesiologists each performed four intubations, two using the i‐gel™ and two using the AuraGain™. Our primary outcome was ‘total time for airway management’; i.e. total time from manually reaching the SAD to successful FBI confirmed at the end of the first inspiratory downstroke on the capnography curve.

Results

In total, 87% (95% CI, 79%–92%) of the patients were successfully intubated through the allocated supraglottic airway device. There was no difference in total time for airway management between the i‐gel™ and the AuraGain™ (199 vs. 227 s, p = .076). However, there was a difference in time for placement of the i‐gel™, compared to the AuraGain™, (37 vs. 54 s, p < .001). There were nine failed intubations in the AuraGain™ group compared to four in the i‐gel™ group (p = .147).

Conclusion

We found no difference in total time for airway management between using the i‐gel™ and using the AuraGain™.
Agglomeration bonus and endogenous group formation
Authors: Bareille François , Zavalloni Matteo , Viaggi Davide
Published: February 2022

Agglomeration bonus schemes are envisioned to incentivize the connectivity of habitat conservation across landowners. Assuming full cooperation among landowners at the landscape scale, the bulk of the literature theoretically finds that agglomeration bonus schemes are more cost effective in achieving biodiversity conservation than spatially homogenous payments. However, it may be rational for landowners not to cooperate all together but, rather, to cooperate within smaller groups. Here, we analyze the cost effectiveness of agglomeration bonus schemes when such partial cooperation is allowed, that is, when cooperation is endogenously chosen. We introduce a spatially explicit ecological‐economic model within a coalition formation game to assess how landowners form stable coalition structures and how this affects biodiversity conservation under a wide range of (i) degrees of spatial cost autocorrelation, (ii) bonuses and flat‐rate payments, (iii) species dispersal rates, and (iv) coordination costs. We find that agglomeration bonus schemes are more cost effective than homogenous payments only for low public expenditures. This condition is not identified if full cooperation is assumed. We find, however, that full cooperation never emerges and hence that such an assumption leads to an overestimation of the cost effectiveness of agglomeration bonus schemes. Moreover, we find that the cost effectiveness of agglomeration bonus schemes increases when the spatial cost autocorrelation and species dispersal rate decrease. Finally, coordination costs do not affect the cost effectiveness of the agglomeration bonus scheme but they have implications for its design because of their impact on coalition formation.
Melatonin regulates trophoblast pyroptosis, invasion and migration in preeclampsia by inhibiting HtrA1 transcription through the microRNA‐520c‐3p/SETD7 axis
Authors: Liu Zhaochun , Chen Bin , Chang Jing , Feng Lulu , Zhao Xia
Published: February 2022

Objective

Melatonin has an inhibitory effect on preeclampsia (PE). This study was launched to explore the way that melatonin regulated trophoblast migration, invasion, and pyroptosis in PE and to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of PE.

Methods

Expression levels of melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2), microRNA (miR)‐520c‐3p, SETD7, and HtrA1 in placental tissues and HTR8/SVneo cells were measured by RT‐qPCR and Western blot. Scratch, Transwell, and Western blot assays were performed to detect migration, invasion, and pyroptosis of hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)‐treated HTR8/SVneo cells. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay was utilized to verify the targeting relationship between miR‐520c‐3p and SETD7. ChIP experiment was conducted to detect the enrichment of H3K4me3 and SETD7 in HtrA1 promoter.

Results

Low expression of MT1, MT2, and miR‐520c‐3p and high expression of SETD7 and HtrA1 were observed in the placental tissues of PE patients and H/R‐treated HTR8/Svneo cells. A high concentration of melatonin promoted migration and invasion and inhibited pyroptosis of PE cell models. Knockdown of miR‐520c‐3p, overexpression of SETD7, or overexpression of HtrA1 impaired migration and invasion and accelerated pyroptosis of H/R‐treated HTR8/SVneo cells, but these outcomes could be reversed by treatment with 1000 μM melatonin. miR‐520c‐3p targeted SETD7 which promoted histone methylation in the promoter region of HtrA1.

Conclusion

Melatonin may inhibit HtrA1 transcription through the miR‐520c‐3p/SETD7 axis to promote trophoblast invasion and migration and reduce trophoblast pyroptosis in PE.
Staff mental health while providing care to people with intellectual disability during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Sheerin Fintan , Allen Andrew P. , Fallon Marianne , McCallion Philip , McCarron Mary , Mulryan Niamh , Chen Yaohua
Published: February 2022

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has placed enormous strain on health systems around the world, undermining the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers. Supporting people with intellectual disabilities may be particularly challenging for workers, as some people with intellectual disabilities may have a limited understanding of the pandemic, and find it challenging to adhere to the restrictions imposed by public health guidelines such as social distancing, lockdowns and change in usual routine and activities. In addition, many people with intellectual disabilities have increased vulnerability to more negative effects of COVID‐19, with significantly higher mortality rates. Although there is emerging research on the mental health of healthcare staff during this time, there has been little specific work on the mental health of staff working with people with intellectual disability, particularly a lack of qualitative research.

Methods

The current study employed semi‐structured interviews with 13 healthcare workers (12 women and 1 man) who were working with people with intellectual disability during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The interview data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings

The participants spoke in depth about the challenges of the working environment, the impact of providing care during the pandemic on staff mental health, supporting staff mental health and wellbeing and learning for the future.

Conclusions

Systematic efforts are required to protect the mental health of this staff cohort, as well as encouraging resilience and successful coping among staff themselves.
A randomized controlled trial of 6‐month dental home visits on 24‐month caries incidence in preschool children
Authors: Babar Muneer Gohar , Andiesta Niekla Survia , Bilal Sobia , Yusof Zamros Yuzadi Mohd , Doss Jennifer Geraldine , Pau Allan
Published: February 2022

Objectives

This paper reports on the effect of 6‐month dental home visits compared to no dental home visits on 24‐month caries incidence in 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds.

Methods

5‐ to 6‐year‐olds attending kindergartens were randomized to receive either 6‐month dental home visits and education leaflets (Intervention group) or education leaflets alone (Control group) over 24 months. To detect a 15% difference in caries incidence with a significance level of 5% and power of 80%, 88 children were calculated to be needed in the Intervention group and 88 in the Control. Baseline clinical data included oral examinations at the kindergartens. Follow‐up visits were made on the 6th, 12th and 18th month. At the end of the 24 months, both the Intervention and Control groups were visited for oral examinations. The primary outcome was caries incidence, measured by the number and proportion of children who developed new caries in the primary molars after 24 months. The secondary outcome was the number of primary molars that developed new caries (d‐pms). Frequency distributions of participants by baseline socio‐demographic characteristics and caries experience were calculated. The chi‐square test was used to test differences between the caries experience in the Intervention and Control groups. The t test was used to compare the mean number of primary molars developing new caries between the Intervention Group and the Control Group. The number of children needed to treat (NNT) was also calculated.

Results

At the 24‐month follow‐up, 19 (14.4%) developed new caries in the Intervention Group, compared to 60 (60.0%) in the Control Group (p = .001). On average, 0.2 (95% CI = 0.1–0.3) tooth per child in the Intervention Group was observed to have developed new caries compared to 1.1 (95% CI = 0.8–1.3) tooth per child in the Control Group (p = .001). The number of children needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one child from developing new caries was 2.2.

Conclusions

The present study has demonstrated that 6‐month home visits to families of 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds are effective in caries prevention in 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds of low‐income families in a middle‐income country where access to health services, including oral health promotion services, is limited.
Post‐socialist geopolitical uncertainties: Researching memories of childhood with ‘child as method’
Authors: Burman Erica , Millei Zsuzsa
Published: February 2022

This article engages continuing discussions in childhood studies on (re)inserting the study of childhood into wider socio‐political matrices of power and practices. We present as a potent analytical strategy to do this work ‘child as method’, developed by one of the authors. After describing ‘child as method’, we draw on the Recollect/Reconnect project, in which scholars and artists who grew up during the last decades of the Cold War recalled their childhood memories. We focus on ‘the child’ and ‘childhood’ as a position of geopolitical address, formulated by narrators to the reader as revealing emergent post‐socialist subjectivities and conditions.
Incidence of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis in patients with a maxillary overdenture: A sub‐analysis of two prospective studies with a 10‐year follow‐up period
Authors: Onclin Pieter , Slot Wim , Vissink Arjan , Raghoebar Gerry M. , Meijer Henny J. A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Though studies on maxillary overdentures show satisfying results on implant survival, patient‐related outcomes and prosthetic complications, the epidemiology of peri‐implant diseases in this specific group of patients has hardly been reported. While the general patient‐level prevalence of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis are estimated at ~45% and ~20%, respectively, the risk of developing these diseases within a specific period is less clear. To fully appreciate the epidemiology of peri‐implant diseases, more long‐term data on incidence of peri‐implant diseases are needed.

Purpose

The purpose of this sub‐analysis of two prospective studies was to assess the incidence of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis in fully edentulous patients with implant‐retained maxillary overdentures during a 10‐year follow‐up period.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and sixteen patients treated with implant‐supported maxillary overdentures were available from two clinical trials. Data on biological complications, clinical and radiographical parameters were collected for 106 patients at 5‐year, for 82 patients at 10‐year follow‐up. The incidence was calculated following the consensus of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri‐Implant Diseases and Conditions. Extent and severity then were calculated to enable an appropriate epidemiological description of peri‐implantitis.

Results

The patient‐level incidence of peri‐implant mucositis was 37.7% after 5 years and 64.6% after 10 years whereas the patient‐level incidence of peri‐implantitis was 10.4% after 5 years and 19.5% after 10 years. After 10 years, the extent of peri‐implant mucositis and peri‐implantitis is 52.8% and 43.8%, respectively. In terms of severity, 26.5% of all affected implants suffered from >3 mm bone loss and 17.6% of all affected implants was lost.

Conclusion

Three of five fully edentulous patients with implant‐supported maxillary overdentures experience peri‐implant mucositis after 10 years. Peri‐implantitis occurs in one of five patients after 10 years. In spite of these incidence rates, implant survival remains high.
Influence of different zirconia surface treatments on biofilm formation in vitro and in situ
Authors: Jaeggi Marco , Gyr Sharon , Astasov‐Frauenhoffer Monika , Zitzmann Nicola U. , Fischer Jens , Rohr Nadja
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To determine whether the surface treatment of zirconia affects biofilm formation in an in vitro three‐species biofilm model and in situ.

Material and methods

Zirconia surfaces considered for the transmucosal portion of a zirconia implant were compared with polished pure titanium grade 4 (Tp). Disks 13 mm in diameter of either polished (Zp), polished and heat‐treated (Zpt), machined (Zm), machined and heat‐treated (Zmt) and sandblasted, etched and heat‐treated (Z14) zirconia were fabricated. Surface roughness and wettability of specimens was measured. Biofilm formation was evaluated by safranin staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using a three‐species model, and intraorally with 16 volunteers carrying oral splints in two independent experiments. Relative biofilm formation was compared with Kruskal–Wallis followed by Bonferroni post hoc test (α = 0.05).

Results

In vitro biofilm formation with optical density values on Zp (0.14 ± 0.01), Zpt (0.14 ± 0.02), Zm (0.13 ± 0.01) and Zmt (0.13 ± 0.01) was significantly lower than on Tp (0.21 ± 0.05) and Z14 (0.20 ± 0.04) (p < .05). In situ biofilm formation was significantly higher on Z14 (0.56 ± 0.45) (p < .05), while no significant differences in optical density were observed among Zp (0.25 ± 0.20), Zm (0.36 ± 0.34) and Tp (0.28 ± 0.22). SEM analysis supported quantitative findings.

Conclusions

In the in vitro, three‐species biofilm model differences in material and surface roughness affected biofilm formation. In situ biofilm formation was mainly affected by the surface roughness of the specimens. Polishing of zirconia is recommended to reduce biofilm formation, while heat treatment has no significant effect.
Obesity augments the disease burden in COVID‐19: Updated data from an umbrella review
Authors: Kristensen Nickolai M. , Gribsholt Sigrid B. , Andersen Anton L. , Richelsen Bjørn , Bruun Jens M.
Published: February 2022

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic calls for identification of risk factors, which may help to identify people at enhanced risk for severe disease outcomes to improve treatment and, if possible, establish prophylactic measures. This study aimed to determine whether individuals with obesity compared to individuals with normal weight have an increased risk for severe COVID‐19. We conducted a systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library and critically reviewed the secondary literature using AMSTAR‐2. We explored 27 studies. Findings indicate that individuals with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2), as compared to individuals without obesity, experience an increased risk for hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 1.40–2.45), admission to the intensive care unit (OR: 1.30–2.32), invasive mechanical ventilation (OR: 1.47–2.63), and the composite outcome ‘severe outcome’ (OR or risk ratio: 1.62–4.31). We found diverging results concerning death to COVID‐19, but data trended towards increased mortality. Comparing individuals with obesity to individuals without obesity, findings suggested younger individuals (<60 years) experience a higher risk of severe disease compared to older individuals (≥60 years). Obesity augments the severity of COVID‐19 including a tendency to increased mortality and, thus, contributes to an increased disease burden, especially among younger individuals.
Effects of elagolix on the pharmacokinetics of omeprazole and its metabolites in healthy premenopausal women
Authors: Nader Ahmed , Mostafa Nael M. , Kim Elaine , Shebley Mohamad
Published: February 2022

This study evaluated the effect of repeated doses of elagolix on the pharmacokinetics (PK) of omeprazole and its metabolites in healthy premenopausal female subjects. Adult premenopausal female subjects (N = 20) received a single oral dose of omeprazole (40 mg) on day 1 and day 11 and oral doses of elagolix (300 mg) twice‐daily on days 3–11. Serial blood samples for assay of omeprazole and its metabolites were collected for 24 h after dosing on days 1 and 11. PK parameters were calculated for omeprazole, 5‐hydroxyomeprazole and omeprazole sulfone; and were compared between day 1 and day 11. Pharmacogenetic testing was performed for CYP2C19 variant alleles and the results were used to compare the magnitude of elagolix–omeprazole drug–drug interaction (DDI) between the different genotype subgroups. Administration of elagolix 300 mg twice‐daily for 9 days increased omeprazole exposure by 1.8‐fold and decreased the metabolite‐to‐parent ratio for 5‐hydroxyomeprazole by ~60%. Conversely, there was an increase in the metabolite‐to‐parent ratio for omeprazole sulfone by 25%. Elagolix increased omeprazole exposures by 2‐ to 2.5‐fold in CYP2C19 extensive (EM) and intermediate (IM) metabolizer subjects, but decreased omeprazole exposures by 40% in poor metabolizer subjects. Exposures of 5‐hydroxyomeprazole decreased by 20%–30% in all genotype subgroups, and omeprazole sulfone exposures increased by ~3‐fold in EM and IM subjects. Elagolix is a weak inhibitor of CYP2C19 and exposure of CYP2C19 substrates may be increased upon coadministration with elagolix. Omeprazole may exhibit drug interactions due to multiple mechanisms other than CYP2C19‐mediated metabolism; complicating the interpretation of results from omeprazole DDI studies.
Missing Men: Second World War Casualties and Structural Change
Authors: Eder Christoph
Published: February 2022

A large literature has documented the persistent effects of historic events. This paper studies the effects of a historical demographic shock, documenting persistent effects that are historically contingent. I exploit military Second World War (WWII) casualties in Austrian municipalities as a natural experiment for a negative population shock, and study the economic consequences until today. In the short run, WWII casualties lead to structural transformation: labour is reallocated from agriculture towards manufacturing. This effect persists for decades. But instead of more economic development in the long run, WWII casualties led to a lower concentration of jobs and lower wages today. A more detailed analysis shows that in high‐casualty municipalities, employment increased predominantly in low‐skill industries within manufacturing, and these municipalities missed out on the transition to the service sector around the turn of the century.
Long‐term seizure and psychiatric outcomes following laser ablation of mesial temporal structures
Authors: Kanner Andres M. , Irving Le Treice , Cajigas Iahn , Saporta Anita , Cordeiro Joacir Graciolli , Ribot Ramses , Velez‐Ruiz Naymee , Detyniecki Kamil , Melo‐Bicchi Manuel , Rey Gustavo , Palomeque Maru , King‐Aponte Tricia , Theodotou Christian , Ivan Michael E. , Jagid Jonathan R.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Postsurgical seizure outcome following laser interstitial thermal therapy (LiTT) for the management of drug‐resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) has been limited to 2 years. Furthermore, its impact on presurgical mood and anxiety disorders has not been investigated. The objectives of this study were (1) to identify seizure outcome changes over a period ranging from 18 to 81 months; (2) to investigate the seizure‐free rate in the last follow‐up year; (3) to identify the variables associated with seizure freedom; and (4) to identify the impact of LiTT on presurgical mood and anxiety disorders.

Methods

Medical records of all patients who underwent LiTT for MTLE from 2013 to 2019 at the University of Miami Comprehensive Epilepsy Center were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, epilepsy‐related, cognitive, psychiatric, and LiTT‐related data were compared between seizure‐free (Engel Class I) and non‐seizure‐free (Engel Class II + III + IV) patients. Statistical analyses included univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses.

Results

Forty‐eight patients (mean age = 43 ± 14.2 years, range = 21–78) were followed for a mean period of 50 ± 20.7 months (range = 18–81); 29 (60.4%) achieved an Engel Class I outcome, whereas 11 (22.9%) had one to three seizures/year. Seizure‐freedom rate decreased from 77.8% to 50% among patients with 24‐ and >61‐month follow‐up periods, respectively. In the last follow‐up year, 83% of all patients were seizure‐free. Seizure freedom was associated with having mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), no presurgical focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures, and no psychopathology in the last follow‐up year. Presurgical mood and/or anxiety disorder were identified in 30 patients (62.5%) and remitted after LiTT in 19 (62%).

Significance

LiTT appears to be a safe and effective surgical option for treatment‐resistant MTLE, particularly among patients with MTS. Remission of presurgical mood and anxiety disorders can also result from LiTT.
Vessel‐wall MRI in primary headaches: The role of neurogenic inflammation
Authors: Merli Elena , Rustici Arianna , Gramegna Laura Ludovica , Di Donato Marco , Agati Raffaele , Tonon Caterina , Lodi Raffaele , Favoni Valentina , Pierangeli Giulia , Cortelli Pietro , Cevoli Sabina , Cirillo Luigi
Published: February 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate if vessel‐wall magnetic resonance imaging (VW‐MRI) could differentiate among primary headaches disorders, such as migraine and cluster headache (CH), and detect the presence of neurogenic inflammation.

Background

The pathophysiology of primary headaches disorders is complex and not completely clarified. The activation of nociceptive trigeminal afferents through the release of vasoactive neuropeptides, termed “neurogenic inflammation,” has been hypothesized. VW‐MRI can identify vessel wall changes, reflecting the inflammatory remodeling of the vessel walls despite different etiologies.

Methods

In this case series, we enrolled seven patients with migraine and eight patients with CH. They underwent a VW‐MRI study before and after the intravenous administration of contrast medium, during and outside a migraine attack or cluster period. Two expert neuroradiologists analyzed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies to identify the presence of vessel wall enhancement or other vascular abnormalities.

Results

Fourteen out of 15 patients had no enhancement. One out of 15, with migraine, showed a focal parietal enhancement in the intracranial portion of a vertebral artery, unmodified during and outside the attack, thus attributable to atherosclerosis. No contrast enhancement attributable to neurogenic inflammation was observed in VW‐MRI, both during and outside the attack/cluster in all patients. Moreover, MRI angiography registered slight diffuse vasoconstriction in one of seven patients with migraine during the attack and in one of eight patients with cluster headache during the cluster period; both patients had taken triptans as symptomatic therapy for pain.

Conclusions

These preliminary results suggest that VW‐MRI studies are negative in patients with primary headache disorders even during migraine attacks or cluster periods. The VW‐MRI studies did not detect signs of neurogenic inflammation in the intracranial intradural vessels of patients with migraine or CH.
Erenumab dosage for migraine prevention: An evidence‐based narrative review with recommendations
Authors: Tepper Stewart J. , Sheikh Huma U. , Dougherty Carrie O. , Nahas Stephanie J. , Winner Paul K. , Karanam Ananda Krishna , Blumenfeld Andrew M. , Abdrabboh Ahmad , Rasmussen Soeren , Weiss Jamie L. , Ailani Jessica
Published: February 2022

Background

Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies against the calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptor or its ligand have changed the landscape of treatment options for migraine. Erenumab is the first and only fully human monoclonal antibody designed to target and block the CGRP receptor. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for preventive treatment of migraine in adults. The recommended dose of erenumab is 70 mg monthly, with guidance that some patients may benefit from the 140 mg monthly dose. There is a need for information to guide clinical practice on the comparative efficacy and safety of these two dosing options.

Objective

To evaluate therapeutic and tolerability differences between erenumab 70 and 140 mg based on evidence from published literature.

Methods

This narrative review evaluates therapeutic and tolerability differences between erenumab 70 and 140 mg based on a literature search using PubMed interface, Embase and Ovid MEDLINE(R) databases. The key search terms included migraine, AMG 334, AMG334, erenumab, erenumab‐aooe, and Aimovig. The search was limited to English language articles or conference abstracts published up to May 2021.

Results

From the literature search, we retrieved 23 relevant articles/conference abstracts (19 articles [5 randomized, double‐blind studies] and 4 conference abstracts) for inclusion in this narrative review. Although the recommended starting dosage of erenumab is 70 mg, this narrative review of the literature indicates that some patients may benefit from a dosage of 140 mg erenumab once monthly—especially those with difficult‐to‐treat disease and prior treatment failures. The evidence indicates that erenumab at 140 mg has a numerically better efficacy than 70 mg across a broad spectrum of migraine outcomes, including preventing progression to chronic migraine.

Conclusion

Cumulative data from the literature support a therapeutic gain with an increase from erenumab 70 to 140 mg and a rationale for initiating 140 mg in selected patients.
High entropy oxide nanofiber by electrospun method and its application for lithium battery anode material
Authors: Su Jingyao , Cao Zhenzhu , Jiang Zhipeng , Chen Guohua , Zhu Yuxuan , Wang Liying , Li Guorong
Published: February 2022

Mg0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2Zn0.2O high entropy oxide (HEO) with outstanding cycling stability and high capacity retention indicates it is a promising anode material for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries. Rock salt HEO nanofiber has been prepared by electrospinning method. Polyacrylonitrile polymer facilitates the formation of nanowire morphology. The effect of calcination temperature on the phase composition and microstructure evolutions has been investigated. Pure rock salt phase can be obtained after firing at 850°C for 2 min. Calcination at higher temperature than 850°C will break the fiber into short segments and lead to the growth of grain. A reversible capacity of 365 mAh g−1 was achieved after 300 cycles at .2 A·g−1.
A review on the porous geopolymer preparation for structural and functional materials applications
Authors: Yu Haoyang , Xu Meng‐xue , Chen Chaoni , He Yan , Cui Xue‐min
Published: February 2022

Geopolymer (also called inorganic polymers) is a kind of amorphous gel material with a 3D structure consisting of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra. It has drawn international attention due to its environmental friendliness and excellent performance. This review covers raw materials, preparation methods, and applications of porous geopolymer materials with micropore, mesopore, or macropore. The preparation methods can be divided into five categories: (i) self‐forming method, (ii) direct foaming method, (iii) adding filler method, (iv) particles stacking method, and (v) other methods. In this paper, different raw materials and applications were combined with the preparation methods, and some general conclusions of porous geopolymer were summarized. The applications of porous geopolymer materials in building materials, adsorbents, porous ceramics, membrane separation, catalyst, pH regulator, and other fields were introduced as well.
Relative timing of respiratory syncytial virus epidemics in summer 2021 across the United States was similar to a typical winter season
Authors: Zheng Zhe , Warren Joshua L. , Artin Iris , Pitzer Virginia E. , Weinberger Daniel M.
Published: February 2022

We used a validated proxy of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity in the United States (Google search data) to evaluate the onsets of RSV epidemics in 2021 and 2016–2019. Despite the unusual out‐of‐season summer timing, the relative timing of RSV epidemics between states in 2021 shared a similar spatial pattern with typical winter RSV seasons. Our results suggest that the onset of RSV epidemics in Florida can serve as a baseline to adjust the initiation of prophylaxis administration and clinical trials in other states regardless of the seasonality of RSV epidemics.
Efficacy of an alcohol-based surface disinfectant formulation against human norovirus
Authors: Escudero-Abarca Blanca I. , Goulter Rebecca M. , Bradshaw Justin , Faircloth Jeremy , Leslie Rachel A. , Manuel Clyde S. , Arbogast James W. , Jaykus Lee-Ann
Published: February 2022

Aim

To evaluate the anti-noroviral efficacy of PURELL® surface sanitizer and disinfectant spray (PSS, an alcohol-based formulation) using human norovirus GII.4 Sydney [hNoV, by RT-qPCR and human intestinal enteroid (HIE) infectivity assay] and its cultivable surrogate, Tulane virus (TuV, infectivity assay), compared to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions.

Methods and Results

PSS efficacy was evaluated in suspension and on surfaces [stainless steel (SS)] using ASTM methods. Results were expressed as log10 reduction (LR) of genome equivalent copy number (GEC, for hNoV, assayed by RT-qPCR) and plaque forming units (PFU, for TuV, per infectivity assay). In suspension, PSS achieved a 2.9 ± 0.04 LR hNoV GEC irrespective of contact time (30 or 60 s) and soil load (2.5% or 5%). Under all treatment conditions, infectious TuV could not be recovered following exposure to PSS, corresponding to the assay limit of detection (3.1–5.2 log10 PFU). Infectious hNoV could not be detected in the HIE model after exposure to PSS. On SS and 2.5% soil, PSS produced a 3.1 ± 0.1 LR hNoV GEC, comparable to 500 ppm NaOCl for 60 s. With 5.0% soil, PSS produced a 2.5 ± 0.2 LR hNoV GEC, which was similar to 1000–5000 ppm NaOCl for 60 s.

Conclusions

PSS showed high anti-hNoV efficacy by RT-qPCR and in in vitro (TuV) and ex vivo (HIE) infectivity assays and performed similar to 1000–5000 ppm NaOCl for a 60-s contact time on SS with added soil.

Significance and Impact of Study

hNoV remains a significant cause of morbidity globally, partly due to its resistance to numerous surface disinfectants. RT-qPCR results from this study indicate PSS efficacy against hNoV is comparable to NaOCl efficacy. Infectivity assays leveraging TuV and the HIE model for hNoV support and confirm loss of virus infectivity. Collectively, these results indicate the product’s ability to inactivate hNoV quickly, which could be beneficial in settings having elevated risk for hNoV transmission.
Bacillus subtilisimpact on plant growth, soil health and environment: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Authors: Mahapatra Subhasmita , Yadav Radheshyam , Ramakrishna Wusirika
Published: February 2022

The increased dependence of farmers on chemical fertilizers poses a risk to soil fertility and ecosystem stability. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are at the forefront of sustainable agriculture, providing multiple benefits for the enhancement of crop production and soil health. Bacillus subtilis is a common PGPR in soil that plays a key role in conferring biotic and abiotic stress tolerance to plants by induced systemic resistance (ISR), biofilm formation and lipopeptide production. As a part of bioremediating technologies, Bacillus spp. can purify metal contaminated soil. It acts as a potent denitrifying agent in agroecosystems while improving the carbon sequestration process when applied in a regulated concentration. Although it harbours several antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), it can reduce the horizontal transfer of ARGs during manure composting by modifying the genetic makeup of existing microbiota. In some instances, it affects the beneficial microbes of the rhizosphere. External inoculation of B. subtilis has both positive and negative impacts on the endophytic and semi-synthetic microbial community. Soil texture, type, pH and bacterial concentration play a crucial role in the regulation of all these processes. Soil amendments and microbial consortia of Bacillus produced by microbial engineering could be used to lessen the negative effect on soil microbial diversity. The complex plant–microbe interactions could be decoded using transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics and epigenomics strategies which would be beneficial for both crop productivity and the well-being of soil microbiota. Bacillus subtilis has more positive attributes similar to the character of Dr. Jekyll and some negative attributes on plant growth, soil health and the environment akin to the character of Mr. Hyde.
Genomic characterization of high-risk Escherichia coli and Enterobacter hormaechei clones recovered from a single tertiary-care hospital in Pakistan
Authors: Mohsin Mashkoor , Hassan Brekhna , Khan Ali Usman , Ali Arslan , Swedberg Göte , Hasan Badrul
Published: February 2022

Aims

Spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales have become a global problem. We characterized extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales from urinary tract infections cases from Allied Hospital Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Methods and Results

Eleven (22%, 11/50) ESBL-producing Enterobacterales (Escherichia coli; n = 10 and Enterobacter hormaechei; n = 1) were recovered and processed through VITEK-2, PCR, rep-PCR followed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of ESBL-producing Ent. hormaechei and carbapenem-resistant E. coli isolates. Plasmid transferability of blaNDM-1-producers was assayed by conjugation experiments. All ESBL strains carried the blaCTX-M-15 gene. Of these blaCTX-M-15 producing E. coli, four also carried blaNDM-1 located on transferable plasmids. All E. coli strains belonged to ST448 and displayed similar genetic features including genes for antimicrobial resistance, heavy metal, biocides and virulence. Genomic features of a multidrug-resistant (MDR) Ent. hormaechei were also reported for the first time in Pakistan.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that blaNDM-1 producing E. coli ST448 is a multidrug, heavy metals and biocides-resistant strain. Therefore, the screening of these isolates may be effective in limiting the MDR bacteria spread in hospitalized patients and within the community.

Significance and Impact of this Study

Spread of multi-drug-resistant ESBL-producing bacteria in the clinical settings of Pakistan is a serious challenge and further limiting treatment options in the country. WGS could be used as a tool in the nationwide antibiotic surveillance programme to explore insights of spread and outbreak.
Potential impact of systematic and random errors in blood pressure measurement on the prevalence of high office blood pressure in the United States
Authors: Sakhuja Swati , Jaeger Byron C. , Akinyelure Oluwasegun P. , Bress Adam P. , Shimbo Daichi , Schwartz Joseph E. , Hardy Shakia T. , Howard George , Drawz Paul , Muntner Paul
Published: February 2022

The authors examined the proportion of US adults that would have their high blood pressure (BP) status changed if systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were measured with systematic bias and/or random error versus following a standardized protocol. Data from the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; n = 5176) were analyzed. BP was measured up to three times using a mercury sphygmomanometer by a trained physician following a standardized protocol and averaged. High BP was defined as SBP ≥130 mm Hg or DBP ≥80 mm Hg. Among US adults not taking antihypertensive medication, 32.0% (95%CI: 29.6%,34.4%) had high BP. If SBP and DBP were measured with systematic bias, 5 mm Hg for SBP and 3.5 mm Hg for DBP higher and lower than in NHANES, the proportion with high BP was estimated to be 44.4% (95%CI: 42.6%,46.2%) and 21.9% (95%CI 19.5%,24.4%). Among US adults taking antihypertensive medication, 60.6% (95%CI: 57.2%,63.9%) had high BP. If SBP and DBP were measured 5 and 3.5 mm Hg higher and lower than in NHANES, the proportion with high BP was estimated to be 71.8% (95%CI: 68.3%,75.0%) and 48.4% (95%CI: 44.6%,52.2%), respectively. If BP was measured with random error, with standard deviations of 15 mm Hg for SBP and 7 mm Hg for DBP, 21.4% (95%CI: 19.8%,23.0%) of US adults not taking antihypertensive medication and 20.5% (95%CI: 17.7%,23.3%) taking antihypertensive medication had their high BP status re‐categorized. In conclusions, measuring BP with systematic or random errors may result in the misclassification of high BP for a substantial proportion of US adults.
NAD+ ameliorates endotoxin‐induced acute kidney injury in a sirtuin1–dependent manner via GSK‐3β/Nrf2 signalling pathway
Authors: He Simeng , Gao Qiaoying , Wu Xiaoyang , Shi Jia , Zhang Yuan , Yang Jing , Li Xiangyun , Du Shihan , Zhang Yanfang , Yu Jianbo
Published: February 2022

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a substantial worldwide public health concern with no specific and effective therapies in clinic. NAD+ is a pivotal determinant of cellular energy metabolism involved in the progression of AKI; however, its mechanism in kidney injury remains poorly understood. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is an NAD+‐dependent deacetylase associated with renal protection and acute stress resistance. In this study, we have investigated the role of NAD+ in AKI and the potential mechanism(s) involved in its renoprotective effect. NAD+ was notably decreased and negatively correlated with kidney dysfunction in AKI, restoring NAD+ with NMN significantly ameliorates LPS‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis and attenuates renal damage. We also found that the protection of NAD+ is associated with SIRT1 expressions and performs in a SIRT1‐dependent manner. Inhibition of SIRT1 blunted the protective effect of NAD+ and up‐regulated the activity of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) that was concomitant with mitigated Nrf2 nuclear accumulation, thereby exacerbates AKI. These findings suggest that NAD+/SIRT1/GSK‐3β/Nrf2 axis is an important mechanism that can protect against AKI which might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of AKI.
Information technology and the spatial reorganization of firms
Authors: Kang Youngho , Suh Jeongmeen
Published: February 2022

This study investigates how the adoption of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system affects firms' spatial organization. We first provide a conceptual framework that explains how a firm reallocates different types of labor across establishments in different locations by adopting an ERP system, to lower internal coordination costs. Guided by this framework, we empirically find that ERP adopters increase production activities in non‐headquarter (HQ) establishments, while they decrease these activities in their HQ. An ERP system also enhances both HQ and retail/wholesale activities in an HQ. Additional tests confirm the robustness of these results.
General Purpose Technologies as Systematic Risk in Global Stock Markets
Authors: HSU PO‐HSUAN , WANG HUIJUN , YANG WEI
Published: February 2022

General purpose technologies (GPTs)—a class of technologies with pervasive impacts on the economy and spillover across countries—are a source of nondiversifiable risk in international equity markets. An empirical GPT factor from patent data can explain a substantial fraction of the cross‐sectional variation of global stock returns using the new econometric methodology developed by Kan, Robotti, and Shanken (2013). Moreover, the GPT factor is distinct from total factor productivity and other macrofactors in our tests. Our results suggest that a considerable degree of financial market integration may be attributable to technology diffusion as an underlying mechanism.
Amyloid processing in COVID‐19‐associated neurological syndromes
Authors: Ziff Oliver J. , Ashton Nicholas J. , Mehta Puja R. , Brown Rachel , Athauda Dilan , Heaney Judith , Heslegrave Amanda J. , Benedet Andrea Lessa , Blennow Kaj , Checkley Anna M. , Houlihan Catherine F. , Gauthier Serge , Rosa‐Neto Pedro , Fox Nick C. , Schott Jonathan M. , Zetterberg Henrik , Benjamin Laura A. , Paterson Ross W.
Published: February 2022

SARS‐CoV‐2 infection can damage the nervous system with multiple neurological manifestations described. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying COVID‐19 neurological injury. This is a cross‐sectional exploratory prospective biomarker cohort study of 21 patients with COVID‐19 neurological syndromes (Guillain–Barre Syndrome [GBS], encephalitis, encephalopathy, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis [ADEM], intracranial hypertension, and central pain syndrome) and 23 healthy COVID‐19 negative controls. We measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum biomarkers of amyloid processing, neuronal injury (neurofilament light), astrocyte activation (GFAp), and neuroinflammation (tissue necrosis factor [TNF] ɑ, interleukin [IL]‐6, IL‐1β, IL‐8). Patients with COVID‐19 neurological syndromes had significantly reduced CSF soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP)‐ɑ (p = 0.004) and sAPPβ (p = 0.03) as well as amyloid β (Aβ) 40 (p = 5.2 × 10−8), Aβ42 (p = 3.5 × 10−7), and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio (p = 0.005) compared to controls. Patients with COVID‐19 neurological syndromes showed significantly increased neurofilament light (NfL, p = 0.001) and this negatively correlated with sAPPɑ and sAPPβ. Conversely, GFAp was significantly reduced in COVID‐19 neurological syndromes (p = 0.0001) and this positively correlated with sAPPɑ and sAPPβ. COVID‐19 neurological patients also displayed significantly increased CSF proinflammatory cytokines and these negatively correlated with sAPPɑ and sAPPβ. A sensitivity analysis of COVID‐19‐associated GBS revealed a non‐significant trend toward greater impairment of amyloid processing in COVID‐19 central than peripheral neurological syndromes. This pilot study raises the possibility that patients with COVID‐19‐associated neurological syndromes exhibit impaired amyloid processing. Altered amyloid processing was linked to neuronal injury and neuroinflammation but reduced astrocyte activation.

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Wnt4 regulates bone metabolism through IKK‐NF‐κB and ROCK signaling under occlusal traumatic periodontitis
Authors: Xu Weizhe , Lu Qian , Qu Moyuan , Fan Rong , Leng Sha , Wang Liu , Liu Linyi , Yang Fan , Zhou Xuedong , Huang Dingming , Zhang Lan
Published: February 2022

Background and objective

Occlusal trauma is one of the most important local contributing factors of periodontitis. It has been reported that Wnt4, a noncanonical Wnt ligand, can inhibit osteoclast formation and inflammation and promote bone formation in vivo. However, the prospects of Wnt4 application in occlusal trauma and periodontitis have not yet been described. This study aimed to investigate the function and the corresponding mechanism of Wnt4 to regulate bone metabolism in occlusal trauma and periodontitis.

Material and methods

Osteogenic‐induced MC3T3‐E1 cells were treated with or without Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg. LPS) under cyclic uniaxial compressive stress. After treatment with mouse recombinant protein Wnt4 (rWnt4), the expression of osteogenic markers and activation of the IKK‐NF‐κB signaling pathway were evaluated in vitro. To investigate whether Wnt4 can promote osteogenesis via the ROCK signaling pathway, the expression of RhoA was evaluated in vitro. Finally, we evaluated the change in bone quantity and the activation of the IKK‐NF‐κB and ROCK signaling in mice with occlusal trauma and periodontitis to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of rWnt4 injection.

Results

Stimulation of traumatic force and Pg. LPS stimulation suppressed the expression of osteoblast markers, but their expression was rescued after rWnt4 treatment in vitro. In addition, the inhibition of the ROCK signaling pathway induced by force loading was reversed when rWnt4 was applied in vitro. Micro‐CT, H&E, and TRAP staining of the mandibles showed increased bone loss in the occlusal trauma‐aggravated periodontitis group, whereas it was rescued after rWnt4 injection. The expression levels of IκBα and p65 were upregulated in occlusal trauma and periodontitis‐bearing mice, whereas the expression levels of Runx2 and RhoA were downregulated. After rWnt4 injection, remarkably upregulation of Runx2 and RhoA expression was observed in occlusal trauma and periodontitis‐ bearing mice.

Conclusion

Wnt4 not only inhibits IKK‐NF‐κB signaling but also activates ROCK signaling to inhibit osteoclast formation and promote bone regeneration in occlusal trauma and periodontitis‐bearing mice.
Incidence of Vitis fruit‐induced clinical signs and acute kidney injury in dogs and cats
Authors: Dijkman M. A. , van Roemburg R. G. , De Lange D. W. , Hugen S. , Robben J. H.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

To determine the incidence of clinical signs and Vitis fruit‐induced acute kidney injury in dogs and cats with a Vitis fruit ingestion reported to the Dutch Poisons Information Center, and a description of the therapies instituted by the veterinarians.

Materials and Methods

All cases of Vitis fruit ingestions in dogs and cats reported to the center between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 were included in this study. Veterinarians and pet owners were contacted by phone or email to obtain follow‐up information. Information was collected using a standardised data collection sheet.

Results

Ninety‐five dogs and 13 cats with proven Vitis fruit ingestion were included. Fourteen dogs and two cats developed clinical signs: emesis (11/16, 68.8%), lethargy (5/16, 31.3%), diarrhoea (3/16, 18.8%), anorexia (3/16, 18.8%), tremor (2/16, 12.5%) and restlessness (1/16, 6.3%). The overall incidence for developing clinical signs was 14.7% in dogs and 15.4% in cats. One (1/95, 1%) dog developed acute kidney injury after ingestion of Vitis fruit. No cats developed acute kidney injury. Induction of emesis and/or administration of activated charcoal was instituted in 72 of 82 (88%) and eight of 11 (73%) of asymptomatic dogs and cats and six of 14 (43%) and two of two (100%) of symptomatic dogs and cats, respectively. Overall, emesis was induced in 72 of 95 (76%) dogs (100% success rate) and removed Vitis fruits in the majority of cases (98% when induced <4 hours after ingestion and 83% when induced 4 to 12 hours after ingestion). Emesis was induced in seven of 13 (54%) cats (86% success rate) and removed Vitis fruits in 83% of the cases.

Clinical Significance

In this study, a significant proportion (around 15%) of dogs and cats developed clinical signs after ingestion of Vitis fruits, which were predominantly related to the gastrointestinal tract. Symptomatic acute kidney injury was rare. Our findings suggest the use of decontamination measures, i.e. induction of emesis, may be warranted up to 12 hours after ingestion.