bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dra. Rosa María Britton,
Authors: Bloise Navarro Briseida
Published: February 2023

La trayectoria de Rosa María Britton, transcurre entre la medicina y la literatura. Participó de la modernización del Instituto Oncológico de Panamá y como directora de la Fundación Pro-Biblioteca Nacional, realizó una extraordinaria gestión cultural.

    Este artículo hace un recorrido por las distintas ejecutorias de su participación en la vida pública del país que la llevó a ser reconocida como una figura distinguida por sus méritos.  Se listan algunos de sus escritos, los cuales le generaron un público lector permanente. Sus obras han sido traducidas al inglés, francés, italiano y sueco.

    Se hizo merecedora en seis ocasiones del premio de literatura más importante del país: el Premio Ricardo Miró.

    Publicó dieciocho obras y fue invitada como oradora por universidades norteamericanas en reiteradas ocasiones para compartir esa experiencia literaria. Es la escritora panameña que más nos ha representado en ferias a nivel internacional.
Micro- and Nanoplastics pollution in the aquatic environments in Russia and detection problems
Authors: Kazak E. S. , Filimonova E. A. , Preobrazhenskaya A. E.
Published: February 2023

Recently, there are more and more investigations devoted to plastic pollution of the natural environment. In this case an active attention is paid to microplastic particles (MPs) less than 5 mm size and nanoplastic particles (NPs) less than 100 nm in size. MP and NP particles are found practically everywhere: in waters and bottom sediments of the World Ocean, river, lake and groundwater, beach sediments and even in snow and ice of the Arctic and Antarctic, in foodstuff, bottled water, in living organisms at all stages of the food chain. Plastic pollution of the natural environment has already become as global as climate change. This article presents the results of the analysis and summary of the current published literature devoted to the problems of MP and NP pollution of natural waters, mainly on the territory of the Russian Federation. For the first time, a schematic map of MP distribution in surface waters of Russia is constructed. A summary table on MP concentrations in surface water, groundwater, bottled mineral and tap water, bottom sediments of rivers, seas and oceans of the world is presented. It is clearly shown that there is a shortage of studies of MP and NP contamination in groundwater, although their content is also quite high.In addition, the paper touches upon the problem of measuring the MP and NP content and determining its composition, highlights the features, advantages, disadvantages and limitations of all the main detection methods. The summarized schemes of water and soil sampling and preparation for the following MP determination are presented. A reasonable conclusion is made that at the present moment there is no one optimum method, and only a combination of methods allows to identify MP and NP contamination in the best way.
Studies of the kinetics of the reaction of dissolution of gypsum-anhydrite rocks in water of the initial stages
Authors: Alexey L. Lebedev A. L. , Irina V. Avilina I. V.
Published: February 2023

Experimental studies of the kinetics of dissolution of gypsum-anhydrite rocks in water (25 °C; P = 0,1 MPa) made it possible to formulate a process model in the form of a system of equations for the kinetics of dissolution of gypsum and anhydrite (of the first and second order, respectively). The calculated values turned out to be more comparable with the experimental data, taking into account the common-ion effect on the solubility of gypsum and anhydrite, and changes in their values of the specific reaction surface.
Elbrus volcano without glacial cover
Authors: Koronovsky N. V. , Myshenkova M. S.
Published: February 2023

The article considers the distribution of different ages volcanic formations of Elbrus volcano, PaleoElbrus and autonomous eruption centers within the modern volcanic structure of Elbrus and its environs. The proposed generation sequence of these volcanogenic formations is shown, which was established using the geomorphological method by the morphology of the lava flows’ surface, as well as by the ratio of volcanogenic formations to each other, with Quaternary deposits of other genetic types, and with landforms.
Political Humor in Abdur Arsyad's Stand-up Comedy
Authors: Prahastiwi Adventyna
Published: February 2023

The study aimed to identify types of political humor in Abdur Arsyad’s stand-up comedy by applying the Script-Based Semantic Theory of Humor (SSTH) and describing the language games to support humor. This research is a qualitative descriptive study. The data consisted of Abdur Arsyad’s stand-up comedy video published on Youtube. The data method collection used listening and note-taking techniques. The result showed that political humor in Abdur Arsyad’s stand-up comedy can be classified into (1) humor to criticize political figures and political groups, and (2) humor that describes bad conditions in society: political repression, education, corruption, and social inequality. Two language games are used, namely sound games and meaning games.
Using Prediction Markets as a Tool for Classroom and Civic Engagement
Authors: McGee Zachary , Hall Precious
Published: February 2023

In the post-COVID classroom, some challenges remain the same as pre-COVID: keeping students actively engaged in the course and seeking ways to help them understand how to apply course content to real-world scenarios. In an effort to address this enduring barrier, we implement a prediction market focused on the 2022 congressional midterm elections in our introductory and upper-level political science courses. Using original survey data, obtained through the administration of pre and post surveys, we discuss the impact of the market on behavior, knowledge, and attitude. We will also explain how we accomplished this continuous semester project using both the prediction market and classroom assignments with the goal of providing useful tips for anyone seeking alternative methods of engagement and different ways by which to achieve it in either introductory or upper level courses.
Development of a Modelica Model for the Texas A&M Smart and Connected Homes Testbed
Authors: Firsich Thomas , Yang Zhiyao , O’Neill Zheng
Published: February 2023

The Texas A&M Smart and Connected Homes Testbed was developed to enable testing and fair comparison of different smart home technologies and grid-interactive capabilities. Having an accurate building model allows researchers to design and optimize smart home systems before implementing them into the experimental testbed. The Modelica Buildings library gives researchers the flexibility to prototype buildings and energy systems to apply to their research projects. This study develops a Modelica model using the Buildings library for the building envelope of the testbed homes using data from the home manufacturer. The A/C system model is developed from the device’s rated performance data. Each model goes through independent testing before implementation in the complete building model. In the future, real data from the lab homes will be used to tune these models to ensure accurate performance before a final model is made for testing.
Extending a Multicopter Analysis Tool using Modelica and FMI for Integrated eVTOL Aerodynamic and Electrical Drivetrain Design
Authors: Podlaski Meaghan , Vanfretti Luigi , Niemiec Robert , Gandhi Farhan
Published: February 2023

This paper describes how the Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI) standard for model-based systems engineering can be used to expand the capabilities of aerodynamic multicopter analysis tools to perform integrated design of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) systems. The proposed eVTOL system, which consists of a drivetrain and battery, was developed using Modelica and exported to MATLAB/SIMULINK using model exchange to interact with a domain-specific tool specializing in calculating the aerodynamics of the aircraft. This shows the value of FMI to extend the capabilities of tools for multicopter aerodynamic analysis to design eVTOL using integrated multi-domain system simulation.
Power System Real-Time Simulation using Modelica and the FMI
Authors: De Castro Marcelo , Laera Giuseppe , Fachini Fernando , Dorado-Rojas Sergio A. , Vanfretti Luigi , Ahmed Shehab , Mishra Chetan , Jones Kevin D. , Gardner R. Matthew
Published: February 2023

Real-time digital simulation of power systems is incredibly important for the testing of appropriate control and protection strategies in the power system industry. However, the case in which one single model can be used in offline simulations and then for testing in realtime studies is rare, if existing at all, due to the lack of adequate standard development in the power industry or the adoption of successful standards elsewhere. A direct consequence of this lack of portability is the large amount of time and resources spent in re-implementation and validation of models for real-time simulation of power grids. The present study proposes the usage of Modelica and the FMI standard in order to address this issue. To test the proposed approach, power system models are built offline using the OpenIPSL library and are exported as FMUs. Real-time simulations of two typical power system models are performed using dSPACE SCALEXIO™, proving that the proposed framework using Modelica and the FMI can greatly contribute to the enhancement of today’s current practice in the power industry by providing portability and tractability between offline and real-time power system models.
Symmetry-breaking bifurcations for compartmental reaction kinetics coupled by two bulk diffusing species with comparable diffusivities in 2-D
Authors: Pelz Merlin , Ward Michael J.
Published: February 2023

For a 2-D coupled PDE-ODE bulk-cell model, we investigate symmetry-breaking bifurcations that can emerge when two bulk diffusing species are coupled to two-component nonlinear intracellular reactions that are restricted to occur only within a disjoint collection of small circular compartments, or “cells,” of a common small radius that are confined in a bounded 2-D domain. Outside of the union of these cells, the two bulk species with comparable diffusivities and bulk degradation rates diffuse and globally couple the spatially segregated intracellular reactions through Robin boundary conditions across the cell boundaries, which depend on certain membrane reaction rates. In the singular limit of a small common cell radius, we construct steady-state solutions for the bulk-cell model and formulate a nonlinear matrix eigenvalue problem that determines the linear stability properties of the steady-states. For a certain spatial arrangement of cells for which the steady-state and linear stability analysis become highly tractable, we construct a symmetric steady-state solution where the steady-states of the intracellular species are the same for each cell. As regulated by the ratio of the membrane reaction rates on the cell boundaries, we show for various specific prototypical intracellular reactions, and for a specific two-cell arrangement, that our 2-D coupled PDE-ODE model admits symmetry-breaking bifurcations from this symmetric steady-state, leading to linearly stable asymmetric patterns, even when the bulk diffusing species have comparable or possibly equal diffusivities. Overall, our analysis shows that symmetry-breaking bifurcations can occur without the large diffusivity ratio requirement for the bulk diffusing species as is well-known from a Turing stability analysis applied to a spatially uniform steady-state for typical two-component activator-inhibitor systems. Instead, for our theoretical compartmental-reaction diffusion bulk-cell model, our analysis shows that the emergence of stable asymmetric steady-states can be controlled by the ratio of the membrane reaction rates for the two species. Bifurcation theoretic results for symmetric and asymmetric steady-state patterns obtained from our asymptotic theory are confirmed with full numerical PDE simulations.
The role of normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) in the preservation of ex-vivo liver before transplantation: A review
Authors: Shen Chuanyan , Cheng Hongwei , Zong Tingting , Zhu Hongli
Published: February 2023

The discrepancy between the number of patients awaiting liver transplantation and the number of available donors has become a key issue in the transplant setting. There is a limited access to liver transplantation, as a result, it is increasingly dependent on the use of extended criteria donors (ECD) to increase the organ donor pool and address rising demand. However, there are still many unknown risks associated with the use of ECD, among which preservation before liver transplantation is important in determining whether patients would experience complications survive after liver transplantation. In contrast to traditional static cold preservation of donor livers, normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) may reduce preservation injury, improve graft viability, and potentially ex vivo assessment of graft viability before transplantation. Data seem to suggest that NMP can enhance the preservation of liver transplantation to some extent and improve the early outcome after transplantation. In this review, we provided an overview of NMP and its application in ex vivo liver preservation and pre-transplantation, and we summarized the data from current clinical trials of normothermic liver perfusion.
Nanosystems for oxidative stress regulation in the anti-inflammatory therapy of acute kidney injury
Authors: Wang Yue , Jiang Hong , Zhang Longyao , Yao Peng , Wang Shaoqing , Yang Qian
Published: February 2023

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome that results from a rapid decline in renal structure or renal functional impairment with the main pathological feature of sublethal and lethal damage to renal tubular cells. However, many potential therapeutic agents cannot achieve the desired therapeutic effect because of their poor pharmacokinetics and short retention time in the kidneys. With the recent emergence and progress of nanotechnology, nanodrugs with unique physicochemical properties could prolong circulation time, enhance efficient targeted delivery, and elevate the accumulation of therapeutics that can cross the glomerular filtration barrier and indicate comprehensive application prospects in the prevention and treatment of AKI. In this review, various types of nanosystems (such as liposomes, polymeric nanosystems, inorganic nanoparticles and cell-derived extracellular vesicles) are designed and applied to improve the pharmacokinetics of drug formation, which could further relieve the burden on the kidneys caused by the final cumulative dose of drugs in conventional treatments. Moreover, the passive or active targeting effect of nanosystems can also reduce the total therapeutic dose and off-target adverse effects on other organs. Nanodelivery systems for treating AKI that alleviate oxidative stress-induced renal cell damage and regulate the inflammatory kidney microenvironment are summarized.
Recent advances in oridonin derivatives with anticancer activity
Authors: Sobral Pedro J. M. , Vicente André T. S. , Salvador Jorge A. R.
Published: February 2023

Cancer is a leading cause of mortality responsible for an estimated 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020, and its incidence has been rapidly growing over the last decades. Population growth and aging, as well as high systemic toxicity and chemoresistance associated with conventional anticancer therapies reflect these high levels of incidence and mortality. Thus, efforts have been made to search for novel anticancer drugs with fewer side effects and greater therapeutic effectiveness. Nature continues to be the main source of biologically active lead compounds, and diterpenoids are considered one of the most important families since many have been reported to possess anticancer properties. Oridonin is an ent-kaurane tetracyclic diterpenoid isolated from Rabdosia rubescens and has been a target of extensive research over the last few years. It displays a broad range of biological effects including neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity against a variety of tumor cells. Several structural modifications on the oridonin and biological evaluation of its derivatives have been performed, creating a library of compounds with improved pharmacological activities. This mini-review aims to highlight the recent advances in oridonin derivatives as potential anticancer drugs, while succinctly exploring their proposed mechanisms of action. To wind up, future research perspectives in this field are also disclosed.
Using impact chains for assessing local climate risk—A case study on impacts of extended periods of fluvial low waters and drought on a metropolitan region
Authors: Lückerath Daniel , Rome Erich , Milde Katharina
Published: February 2023

As the climate crisis accelerates, the resilience of Europe's aging critical infrastructure systems shifts more and more into focus. However, the rising interconnectedness of critical infrastructure systems and the dependency of their operation on multiple stakeholders makes approaches that target the resilience of isolated infrastructures insufficient and might even result in a decrease of the resilience of the whole system. This need for more resilience thinking in interconnected infrastructure systems has resulted in advances in risk analyses of supply chains and analyses of interdependencies in infrastructure systems from a Critical Infrastructure Protection/Resilience perspective. However, results from such analyses on the level of interconnected infrastructure systems have seldomly be broken down to the level of individual corporate value chains, a necessity as national/regional resilience efforts need to be supported on the local level. In this paper we therefore propose a novel approach for value chain climate risk and vulnerability analysis that combines a participatory, indicator-based approach with a semi-quantitative risk matrix approach to allow linking analyses from national to local scale and supports economic assessment of climate change impacts for individual businesses. This approach has been developed and prototypically applied in a case study in a German metropolitan area located at the Rhine River. The results allow to identify where along the dependency chains of interconnected infrastructure systems, hazards and impacts might manifest, which cascading (economic) impacts result on the level of individual infrastructure operators, and where resilience measures should be taken to be most effective and (cost) efficient.
On the path to net-zero: Establishing a multi-level system to support the complex endeavor of reaching national carbon neutrality
Authors: Köhnke Fiona , Steuri Bettina , El Zohbi Juliane , Görl Knut , Borchers Malgorzata , Förster Johannes , Thrän Daniela , Mengis Nadine , Oschlies Andreas , Jacob Daniela
Published: February 2023

Limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, as agreed in the 2015 Paris Agreement, requires global carbon neutrality by mid-century at the latest. The corresponding carbon budget is decreasing steadily and significantly. To phase out carbon emissions in line with the specified temperature target, countries are formulating their mitigation efforts in their long-term low greenhouse gas emission development strategies (LT-LEDS). However, there are no standardized specifications for preparing these strategies, which is why the reports published to date differ widely in terms of structure and scope. To consider the multiple facets of reaching net-zero from a systemic perspective as comprehensively as possible, the authors propose the Net-Zero-2050 System: A novel, transferrable systems approach that supports the development of national endeavors toward carbon neutrality. The Net-Zero-2050 System is defined by three interconnected components: The Carbon-Emission-Based System, the surrounding Framing System and a set of system boundaries. For both systems levels, IPCC approaches were used as a basis and were then adjusted and supplemented by Net-Zero-2050. We suggest applying the Net-Zero-2050 System—beyond the project environment—in carbon emission based contexts at different levels. Especially at the national level, this would improve the comparability of the different national strategies to achieve carbon neutrality.
Causal association between cardiovascular diseases and erectile dysfunction, a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Li Qingying , Long Qiang , Ren Baoming , Bing Sen
Published: February 2023

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD), heart failure, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and atrial fibrillation, are prevalent in the aged. However, the influence of CVD on ED is less investigated. This study was performed to clarify the causal association between CVD and ED.

Materials and methods

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) datasets targeting CHD, heart failure, IHD, and atrial fibrillation were downloaded to retrieve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Further, single-variable Mendelian randomization and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) were adopted to explore the causal association between CVD and ED.

Results

Genetically predicted CHD and heart failure were found to increase the risks of ED (OR = 1.09, P < 0.05 and OR = 1.36, P < 0.05, respectively). However, no causal association was disclosed among IHD, atrial fibrillation and ED (all P > 0.05). These findings remained consistent in sensitivity analyses. After controlling for body mass index, alcohol, low density lipoprotein, smoking and total cholesterol levels, the results of MVMR support the causal role of CHD on ED (P < 0.05). Similarly, the direct causal effect estimates of heart failure on ED were significant in MVMR analyses (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Using genetic data, this study revealed that genetically predicted CHD and heart failure may predict better ED compared with atrial fibrillation and IHD. The results should be interpreted with caution and the insignificant causal inference of IHD still needs further verification in future studies.
Individual and combined contributions of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity to cardiovascular disease risk: Results of a prospective study using the Kailuan cohort
Authors: Zheng Qiongbing , Wang Hui , Wang Xianxuan , Lan Youmian , Wu Weiqiang , Yu Xinran , Huang Zegui , Chen Zekai , Cai Zefeng , Lin Qi , Zhou Houshi , Zhu Yongdong , Liu Muyuan , Wu Kuangyi , Zheng Huancong , Wu Shouling , Chen Youren
Published: February 2023

Objective

We aimed to characterize the relationship of a combination of circulating non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-C) concentration and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study of the residents of the Kailuan community, with data from a total of 45,051 participants being included in the final analysis. The participants were allocated to four groups according to their non-HDL-C and baPWV status, each of which was categorized as high or normal. Cox proportional hazards models were used to explore the relationships of non-HDL-C and baPWV, individually and in combination, with the incidence of CVD.

Results

During the 5.04-year follow-up period, 830 participants developed CVD. Compared with the Normal non-HDL-C group independently, the multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD in the High non-HDL-C was 1.25 (1.08–1.46). Compared with the Normal baPWV group independently, the HRs and 95% CIs for CVD in the High baPWV was 1.51 (1.29–1.76). In addition, compared with the Normal both non-HDL-C and baPWV group, the HRs and 95% CIs for CVD in the High non-HDL-C and normal baPWV, Normal non-HDL-C and high baPWV, and High both non-HDL-C and baPWV groups were 1.40 (1.07–1.82), 1.56 (1.30–1.88), and 1.89 (1.53–2.35), respectively.

Conclusion

High non-HDL-C concentration and high baPWV are independently associated with a higher risk of CVD, and individuals with high both non-HDL-C and baPWV are at a still higher risk of CVD.
Risk factor prediction of severe postoperative acute kidney injury at stage 3 in patients with acute type A aortic dissection using thromboelastography
Authors: Guan Xin-Liang , Li Lei , Li Hai-Yang , Gong Ming , Zhang Hong-Jia , Wang Xiao-Long
Published: February 2023

Objective

Perioperative blood transfusions and postoperative drainage volume not only are the commonly recognized risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) but also are indirect indicators of coagulopathy in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). However, standard laboratory tests fail to accurately reflect and assess the overall coagulopathy profile in patients with ATAAD. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between the hemostatic system and severe postoperative AKI (stage 3) in patients with ATAAD using thromboelastography (TEG).

Methods

We selected 106 consecutive patients with ATAAD who underwent emergency aortic surgery at Beijing Anzhen Hospital. All participants were categorized into the stage 3 and non-stage 3 groups. The hemostatic system was evaluated using routine laboratory tests and TEG preoperatively. We undertook univariate and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analyses to determine the potential risk factors for severe postoperative AKI (stage 3), with a special investigation on the association between hemostatic system biomarkers and severe postoperative AKI (stage 3). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to assess the predictive ability of hemostatic system biomarkers for severe postoperative AKI (stage 3).

Results

A total of 25 (23.6%) patients developed severe postoperative AKI (stage 3), including 21 patients (19.8%) who required continuous renal replacement therapy (RRT). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the preoperative fibrinogen level (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.03 to 3.00; p = 0.04), platelet function (MA level) (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.39; p = 0.001), and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.02; p = 0.02) were independently associated with severe postoperative AKI (stage 3). The cutoff values of preoperative fibrinogen and platelet function (MA level) for predicting severe postoperative AKI (stage 3) were determined to be 2.56 g/L and 60.7 mm in the ROC curve [area under the curve (AUC): 0.824 and 0.829; p < 0.001].

Conclusions

The preoperative fibrinogen level and platelet function (measured by the MA level) were identified as potential predictive factors for developing severe postoperative AKI (stage 3) in patients with ATAAD. Thromboelastography could be considered a potentially valuable tool for real-time monitoring and rapid assessment of the hemostatic system to improve postoperative outcomes in patients.
Comparison of in-hospital outcomes and long-term survival for valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement versus the benchmark native valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedure
Authors: Matta Anthony , Levai Laszlo , Roncalli Jerome , Elbaz Meyer , Bouisset Frederic , Nader Vanessa , Blanco Stephanie , Campelo Parada Francisco , Carrié Didier , Lhermusier Thibault
Published: February 2023

Background

In recent years, the number of patients with failed surgically implanted aortic bioprostheses and the number of candidates for valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (VIV-TAVR) have been increasing.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term survival outcomes of VIV-TAVR compared with the benchmark native valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (NV-TAVR).

Methods

A cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent TAVR in the department of cardiology at Toulouse University Hospital, Rangueil, France between January 2016 and January 2020. The study population was divided into two groups: NV-TAVR (N = 1589) and VIV-TAVR (N = 69). Baseline characteristics, procedural data, in-hospital outcomes, and long-term survival outcomes were observed.

Results

In comparison with NV-TAVR, there are no differences in TAVR success rate (98.6 vs. 98.8%, p = 1), per-TAVR complications (p = 0.473), and length of hospital stay (7.5 ± 50.7 vs. 4.4 ± 2.8, p = 0.612). The prevalence of in-hospital adverse outcomes did not differ among study groups, including acute heart failure (1.4 vs. 1.1%), acute kidney injury (2.6, 1.4%), stroke (0 vs. 1.8%, p = 0.630), vascular complications (p = 0.307), bleeding events (0.617), and death (1.4 vs. 2.6%). VIV-TAVR was associated with a higher residual aortic gradient [OR = 1.139, 95%CI (1.097–1.182), p = 0.001] and a lower requirement for permanent pacemaker implantation [OR = 0.235 95%CI (0.056–0.990), p = 0.048]. Over a mean follow-up period of 3.44 ± 1.67 years, no significant difference in survival outcomes has been observed (p = 0.074).

Conclusion

VIV-TAVR shares the safety and efficacy profile of NV-TAVR. It also represents a better early outcome but a higher non-significant long-term mortality rate.
Trends in using of antihypertensive medication among US CKD adults, NHANES 2001–2018
Authors: Li Fanghua , Sun Anbang , Wu Feng , Zhang Dongshan , Zhao Zhanzheng
Published: February 2023

Objective

Blood pressure (BP) control rates among adult patients taking antihypertensive medications in the United States have not improved over the last decade. Many CKD adults require more than one class of antihypertensive agent to reach the BP target recommended by the guidelines. However, no study has quantified the proportion of adult CKD patients taking antihypertensive medication who are on monotherapy or combination therapy.

Methods

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data during 2001-2018 was used, including adults with CKD taking antihypertensive medication (age ≥ 20 years, n = 4,453). BP control rates were investigated under the BP targets recommended by the 2021 KDIGO, the 2012 KDIGO, and the 2017 ACC/AHA guidelines.

Results

The percentages of uncontrolled BP among US adults with CKD taking antihypertensive medication were 81.4% in 2001-2006 and 78.2% in 2013-2018. The proportion of monotherapy of antihypertensive regimen were 38.6, 33.3, and 34.6% from 2001 to 2006, 2007-2012, and 2013-2018, with no obvious difference. Similarly, there was no significant change in percentages of dual-therapy, triple-therapy, and quadruple-therapy. Although proportion of CKD adults not treated with ACEi/ARB decreased from 43.5% in 2001-2006 to 32.7% in 2013-2018, treatment of ACEi/ARB among patients with ACR > 300 mg/g had no significant change.

Conclusion

The BP control rates among US adult CKD patients taking antihypertensive medications have not improved from 2001 to 2018. Mono-therapy accounted for about one third of adult CKD patients taking antihypertensive medication and not changed. Increasing antihypertensive medication combination therapy may help improve BP control in CKD adults in the United States.
Development of a feasible and acceptable digital prehabilitation pathway to improve elective surgical outcomes
Authors: Linedale Ecushla C. , Bills Eleanor , Dimopoulos Anastasia , Yeoh Jackie , Nolan Mandy , Hume Vicki , Coles Sharyn , Andrews Jane M.
Published: February 2023

Objective(s)

To codesign and assess the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of a hospital-initiated, community delivered approach to health optimization (prehab) prior to planned surgery.

Design

Participatory codesign combined with a prospective, observational cohort study (April–July 2022).

Setting

A large metropolitan tertiary referral service with 2 participating hospitals.

Participants

All people referred for orthopaedic assessment for joint replacement surgery (hip or knee) triaged as category 2 or 3. Exclusions: category 1; no mobile number. Response rate 80%.

Intervention

My PreHab Program is a digitally enabled pathway that screens participants for modifiable risk factors for post-operative complications and provides tailored information to enable health optimization prior to surgery with the help of their regular doctor.

Outcome measures

Acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness, and engagement with the program.

Results

36/45 (80%) registered for the program (ages 45–85 yrs.), completed the health-screening survey and had ≥1 modifiable risk factor. Eighteen responded to the consumer experience questionnaire: 11 had already seen or scheduled an appointment with their General Practitioner and 5 planned to. 10 had commenced prehab and, 7 planned to. Half indicated they were likely (n = 7) or very likely (n = 2) to recommend My PreHab Program to others. The My PreHab Program scored an average 3.4 (SD 0.78) for acceptability, 3.5 (SD 0.62) for appropriateness, and 3.6 (SD 0.61) for feasibility, out of a score of 5.

Conclusion(s)

This digitally delivered intervention is acceptable, appropriate, and feasible to support a hospital-initiated, community-based prehab program.
Geological characteristics and gas-bearing evaluation of coal-measure gas reservoirs in the Huanghebei coalfield
Authors: Shao Yubao , Wang Huaihong , Guo Yinghai , Huang Xinglong , Wang Yongjun , Zhao Shushan , Zhu Yuzhen , Shen Lijun , Huang Xin , Song Yu , Wang Ming , Cui Kai , Yang Qidong
Published: February 2023

Bystudying the source reservoir geochemical characteristics, reservoir cap physical properties, gas-bearing characteristics and reservoir-forming types of the coal-measure gas (CMG) accumulation system, the potential of CMG resources in the Huanghebei Coalfield was determined, and the sedimentary reservoir control mechanism was analyzed, which is of great significance for the orderly development of CMG reservoirs. CMG in the Huanghebei Coalfield mainly includes abundant shale gas (SG; 2100.45 × 108 m3), coalbed methane (CBM; 137.89 × 108 m3) and a small amount of tight sandstone gas, limestone gas and magmatic rock gas. CMG rocks mainly include shale and coal seams of the marine–terrestrial transitional facies Taiyuan Formation and continental facies Shanxi Formation, providing a favorable material basis for CMG enrichment. The coal seams are largely mature to highly mature, with satisfactory hydrocarbon generation potential and reservoir connectivity. They are low-porosity, low-permeability, underpressurized and undersaturated reservoirs. The shale organic matter is primarily Type II, with a moderate organic matter abundance. The material is at the middle-to high-maturity stage, provides a suitable hydrocarbon generation potential, belongs to low-porosity and low-permeability reservoirs, and exhibits favorable fracturing properties. There are several stable and independent gas-bearing systems among the coal measures. The CMG accumulation combination types are mostly self-sourced gas reservoirs and self-sourced+other-source near-source gas reservoirs, followed by other-source gas reservoirs. CBM and SG play the role of vertical regulation and horizontal regulation, respectively.
Student perceptions of the community of inquiry framework and satisfaction: Examining the role of academic emotion and self-regulation in a structural model
Authors: Xue Jinyang , Xu Xiaohui , Wu Yuhang , Hu Ping
Published: February 2023

As many schools remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, various courses have to be migrated online. Previous studies have showed that students’ satisfaction of the courses could reflect the quality of online learning, which is determined by students’ perception of online courses. Although the community of inquiry (CoI) framework provided an effective tool for measuring students’ perception in online learning, the mechanisms between the CoI and satisfaction, especially the role of academic emotion and self-regulation, still need to be investigated in the online context. The present study aimed to (1) explore the relationships among three elements of the CoI framework; and (2) explore the relationships between the CoI and satisfaction, as well as the mediating role of academic emotion and self-regulation. The data was collected from 461 university students who were taking online courses in China. The results of Structural Equation Modeling showed that teaching presence significantly and positively predicted social presence and cognitive presence; both positive and negative academic emotions played the mediating roles between teaching presence, social presence and satisfaction; self-regulation played the mediating role between teaching presence, cognitive presence and satisfaction. The present study provided empirical evidence for the dynamics among the CoI framework as well as mechanisms between CoI and satisfaction in the online education environment.
New insights on the cardiovascular effects of IGF-1
Authors: Macvanin Mirjana , Gluvic Zoran , Radovanovic Jelena , Essack Magbubah , Gao Xin , Isenovic Esma R.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Cardiovascular (CV) disorders are steadily increasing, making them the world’s most prevalent health issue. New research highlights the importance of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for maintaining CV health

Methods

We searched PubMed and MEDLINE for English and non-English articles with English abstracts published between 1957 (when the first report on IGF-1 identification was published) and 2022. The top search terms were: IGF-1, cardiovascular disease, IGF-1 receptors, IGF-1 and microRNAs, therapeutic interventions with IGF-1, IGF-1 and diabetes, IGF-1 and cardiovascular disease. The search retrieved original peer-reviewed articles, which were further analyzed, focusing on the role of IGF-1 in pathophysiological conditions. We specifically focused on including the most recent findings published in the past five years.

Results

IGF-1, an anabolic growth factor, regulates cell division, proliferation, and survival. In addition to its well-known growth-promoting and metabolic effects, there is mounting evidence that IGF-1 plays a specialized role in the complex activities that underpin CV function. IGF-1 promotes cardiac development and improves cardiac output, stroke volume, contractility, and ejection fraction. Furthermore, IGF-1 mediates many growth hormones (GH) actions. IGF-1 stimulates contractility and tissue remodeling in humans to improve heart function after myocardial infarction. IGF-1 also improves the lipid profile, lowers insulin levels, increases insulin sensitivity, and promotes glucose metabolism. These findings point to the intriguing medicinal potential of IGF-1. Human studies associate low serum levels of free or total IGF-1 with an increased risk of CV and cerebrovascular illness. Extensive human trials are being conducted to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and outcomes of IGF-1-related therapy.

Discussion

We anticipate the development of novel IGF-1-related therapy with minimal side effects. This review discusses recent findings on the role of IGF-1 in the cardiovascular (CVD) system, including both normal and pathological conditions. We also discuss progress in therapeutic interventions aimed at targeting the IGF axis and provide insights into the epigenetic regulation of IGF-1 mediated by microRNAs.
A numerical study on film condensation of steam with non-condensable gas on a vertical plate
Authors: Li Shanwei , Wei Min , Wang Xiaojia
Published: February 2023

The film condensation of steam is very common in several industrial areas, such as condensers in power plants, seawater desalination, and air-conditioning systems. In some studies, the non-condensable gas and liquid film are overlooked for the sake of simplicity. To provide an integral computational scheme, in the present study, the film condensation of steam in the presence of non-condensable gas on a vertical plate has been simulated using a two-dimensional CFD model combining a wall condensation model and volume of fluid (VOF) model. After verification, the proposed computational scheme is used to simulate the steam condensation process, with the mass fractions of non-condensable gas varying from 5% to 45%. The results indicate that the concentration of non-condensable gas in the boundary layer decreases gradually with the condensation process, resulting in a decline in the synergy between temperature and velocity field. It can also be found that the fluctuation of the liquid film can influence the concentration distribution of the non-condensable gas layer. For cases with high concentrations of steam, the thermal resistance of liquid film can reach more than 20% of the total thermal resistance, which should not be ignored.
Study on the influences of RPV deformation on CHF under IVR conditions
Authors: Wen Shuang , Gao Xinli , Zhang Rui , Fan Kebin , Jia Bin , Jing Jianping , Liu Fudong , Tian Xinlu
Published: February 2023

After the reactor core melt, the thermal impact of high temperature molten mixture to the lower head of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) will cause the shape change of cooling channel constituted by reactor pressure vessel outer surface and other supporting structures. This phenomenon may lead to local heat transfer deterioration and then cause the failure of in-vessel retention (IVR). Therefore, it is necessary to study the reactor pressure vessel deformation under in-vessel retention conditions. This paper proposes a numerical method for the CHF of the outer wall of reactor pressure vessel using ANSYS and FLUENT. The geometry of coolant channel is modeled by ANSYS with the coupling of temperature and mechanical field analysis in ANSYS, and the critical heat flux (CHF) of reactor pressure vessel outer surface is further predicted by FLUENT. With the comparing between test data and calculation, the calculation methods are verified. The results show that the CHF will be decreased by the deformation of PRV caused by the core melt.
Cardiovascular disease, associated risk factors, and risk of dementia: An umbrella review of meta-analyses
Authors: Brain Jacob , Greene Leanne , Tang Eugene Y. H. , Louise Jennie , Salter Amy , Beach Sarah , Turnbull Deborah , Siervo Mario , Stephan Blossom C. M. , Tully Phillip J.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have been associated with an increased risk of dementia; yet the evidence is mixed. This review critically appraises and synthesises current evidence exploring associations between dementia risk and CVD and their risk factors, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and arterial stiffness.

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched to identify systematic reviews with meta-analyses investigating the association between at least one of the CVDs of interest and dementia risk. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews was used to assess methodological quality.

Results

Twenty-five meta-analyses published between 2007 and 2021 were included. Studies largely consisted of cohorts from North America and Europe. Findings were variable, with coronary heart disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation consistently associated with increased risk for all-cause dementia, but results were inconsistent for Alzheimer's disease. Hypertension was more frequently associated with dementia during mid-life compared to late life. Findings concerning cholesterol were complex, and while results were inconsistent for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol, there appeared to be no associations between triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. All meta-analyses investigating hypercholesterolaemia showed significant increases in dementia risk. There was a paucity of research on the association between arterial stiffness and dementia risk.

Conclusion

Targeted CVD dementia prevention strategies could reduce dementia prevalence. Future research should determine the underpinning mechanisms linking heart and brain health to determine the most effective strategies for dementia risk reduction in CVD populations.
Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of Cyclommatus stag beetles (Coleoptera: Lucanidae): Insights into their evolution and diversification in tropical and subtropical Asia
Authors: Zhu Xue Li , Yuan Jiao Jiao , Zhou Li Yang , Bartolozzi Luca , Wan Xia
Published: February 2023

Cyclommatus stag beetles (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) are very interesting insects, because of their striking allometry (mandibles can be longer that the whole body in large males of some species) and sexual dimorphism. They mainly inhabit tropical and subtropical forests in Asia. To date, there has been no molecular phylogenetic research on how these stag beetles evolved and diversified. In this study, we constructed the first phylogenetic relationship for Cyclommatus using multi-locus datasets. Analyses showed that Cyclommatus is monophyletic, being subdivided into two well-supported clades (A and B). The clade A includes the island species from Southeast Asia, and the clade B is formed by the continental species. The divergent time estimates showed these beetles split from the outgroup around 43.10 million years ago (Mya) in the late Eocene, divided during the late Oligocene (around 24.90 Mya) and diversified further during the early and middle Miocene (around 18.19 Mya, around 15.17 Mya). RASP analysis suggested that these beetles likely originated in the Philippine archipelago, then dispersed to the other Southeast Asian archipelagoes, Indochina Peninsula, Southeast Himalayas, and Southern China. Moreover, relatively large genetic distance and stable morphological variations signified that the two clades reach the level of inter-generic differences, i.e., the current Cyclommatus should be separated in two genera: Cyclommatus Parry, 1863 including the clade A species, and Cyclommatinus Didier, 1927 covering the clade B species. In addition, the evidence we generated indicated these beetles’ diversification was promoted probably by both long-distance dispersal and colonization, supporting an “Upstream” colonization hypothesis. Our study provides insights into the classification, genetics and evolution of stag beetles in the Oriental region.
Lipidomics and proteomics: An integrative approach for early diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Tiwari Virendra , Shukla Shubha
Published: February 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and considered to be responsible for majority of worldwide prevalent dementia cases. The number of patients suffering from dementia are estimated to increase up to 115.4 million cases worldwide in 2050. Hence, AD is contemplated to be one of the major healthcare challenge in current era. This disorder is characterized by impairment in various signaling molecules at cellular and nuclear level including aggregation of Aβ protein, tau hyper phosphorylation altered lipid metabolism, metabolites dysregulation, protein intensity alteration etc. Being heterogeneous and multifactorial in nature, the disease do not has any cure or any confirmed diagnosis before the onset of clinical manifestations. Hence, there is a requisite for early diagnosis of AD in order to downturn the progression/risk of the disorder and utilization of newer technologies developed in this field are aimed to provide an extraordinary assistance towards the same. The lipidomics and proteomics constitute large scale study of cellular lipids and proteomes in biological matrices at normal stage or any stage of a disease. The study involves high throughput quantification and detection techniques such as mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, nuclear mass resonance spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy etc. The early detection of altered levels of lipids and proteins in blood or any other biological matrices could aid in preventing the progression of AD and dementia. Therefore, the present review is designed to focus on the recent techniques and early diagnostic criteria for AD, revealing the role of lipids and proteins in this disease and their assessment through different techniques.