bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the prevalence of the most common psychiatric disorders in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using the patient health questionnaire: results of the cross-sectional “DIA2PSI” study
Authors: Claro Angelo Emilio , Palanza Clelia , Mazza Marianna , Corsello Andrea , Rizzi Alessandro , Tartaglione Linda , de Waure Chiara , Marano Giuseppe , Piciollo Simone , Muti Schuenemann Giovanna Elsa Ute , Rigoni Marta , Muti Paola , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Janiri Luigi , Sani Gabriele , Pitocco Dario
Published: November 2022

Aims

Common Psychiatric Disorders (CPDs) are associated with the development of overweight and obesity, the strongest risk factors for the onset and maintenance of Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2D). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the prevalence of CPDs in patients with T2D in Italy.

Methods

This is a monocentric cross-sectional study; n = 184 T2D patients were screened for CPDs using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). Primary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of CPDs. To assess association between CPDs and risk factors, we have utilized univariable logistic regression models.

Results

64.1% were men, median age was 67 (59–64) and median BMI 27 (25–30) kg/m2. The 42.9% tested positive for one or more mental disorders, 25.6% for depression. Patients with higher BMI (p = 0.04) had an increased likelihood of testing positive to the PHQ. Patients who had implemented lifestyle changes (p < 0.01) and were aware that mental health is linked to body health (p = 0.07) had a reduction in the likelihood of testing positive.

Conclusions

Prevalence of CPDs in T2D patients is higher than in the general population. Since CPDs favor the onset and subsistence of T2D, integrated diabetic-psychiatric therapy is required for improvement or remission of T2D in patients with comorbid CPDs.
Prähospitales Atemwegsmanagement in zwei deutschen Städten
Authors: Reinert Lukas F. , Herdtle Steffen , Hohenstein Christian , Behringer Wilhelm , Arrich Jasmin
Published: November 2022

Hintergrund und Fragestellung

In der prähospitalen Notfallmedizin ist ein erweitertes Atemwegsmanagement eine wichtige Fähigkeit für Notärzte und Notärztinnen . Sein Erfolg bestimmt die Komplikationen und die Sterblichkeit der Patient(inn)en. Ziel der Studie war es, das prähospitale erweiterte Atemwegsmanagement der bodengebundenen Rettungsdienste in zwei vergleichbaren deutschen Städten zu charakterisieren.

Material und Methoden

Retrospektive Analyse eines prähospitalen Atemwegsmanagementregisters (intubationsregister.de) im Jahr 2018, mit einem Vergleich der Patientenfaktoren, der Intubationssituation, der Charakteristika des Rettungsteams und des Rettungsdiensts in zwei mittelgroßen Städten in Deutschland.

Ergebnisse

Trotz ähnlicher Demografien und vergleichbarer Strukturen der Rettungsdienste fanden sich relevante Unterschiede in der Intubationssituation, dem Ausbildungsgrad der Notärzte und Notärztinnen, der Art der verwendeten Muskelrelaxanzien, der Verfügbarkeit der Videolaryngoskopie, dem Erfolg des ersten Intubationsversuchs und Komplikationen.

Diskussion

Eine strukturierte Erhebung des prähospitalen Atemwegsmanagements und ein Vergleich zwischen den Rettungsdiensten unterschiedlicher Städte können relevante Unterschiede aufzeigen und neue Ansatzpunkte für eine verbesserte Patientenversorgung bieten. Weitere Untersuchungen sind notwendig, um die Ergebnisse zu bestätigen und weitere Fragestellungen anschließen zu können.
A limiting analysis on regularization of singular SDP and its implication to infeasible interior-point algorithms
Authors: Tsuchiya Takashi , Lourenço Bruno F. , Muramatsu Masakazu , Okuno Takayuki
Published: November 2022

We consider primal-dual pairs of semidefinite programs and assume that they are singular, i.e., both primal and dual are either weakly feasible or weakly infeasible. Under such circumstances, strong duality may break down and the primal and dual might have a nonzero duality gap. Nevertheless, there are arbitrary small perturbations to the problem data which would make them strongly feasible thus zeroing the duality gap. In this paper, we conduct an asymptotic analysis of the optimal value as the perturbation for regularization is driven to zero. Specifically, we fix two positive definite matrices, $$I_p$$

I
p

and $$I_d$$

I
d

, say, (typically the identity matrices), and regularize the primal and dual problems by shifting their associated affine space by $$\eta I_p$$

η

I
p

and $$\varepsilon I_d$$

ε

I
d

, respectively, to recover interior feasibility of both problems, where $$\varepsilon $$
ε
and $$\eta $$
η
are positive numbers. Then we analyze the behavior of the optimal value of the regularized problem when the perturbation is reduced to zero keeping the ratio between $$\eta $$
η
and $$\varepsilon $$
ε
constant. A key feature of our analysis is that no further assumptions such as compactness or constraint qualifications are ever made. It will be shown that the optimal value of the perturbed problem converges to a value between the primal and dual optimal values of the original problems. Furthermore, the limiting optimal value changes “monotonically” from the primal optimal value to the dual optimal value as a function of $$\theta $$
θ
, if we parametrize $$(\varepsilon , \eta )$$

(
ε
,
η
)

as $$(\varepsilon , \eta )=t(\cos \theta , \sin \theta )$$

(
ε
,
η
)
=
t
(
cos
θ
,
sin
θ
)

and let $$t\rightarrow 0$$

t
→
0

. Finally, the analysis leads us to the relatively surprising consequence that some representative infeasible interior-point algorithms for SDP generate sequences converging to a number between the primal and dual optimal values, even in the presence of a nonzero duality gap. Though this result is more of theoretical interest at this point, it might be of some value in the development of infeasible interior-point algorithms that can handle singular problems.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of paraoxonase-1 activity in asthma
Authors: Bassu Stefania , Mangoni Arduino A. , Argiolas Dario , Carru Ciriaco , Pirina Pietro , Fois Alessandro G. , Zinellu Angelo
Published: November 2022

Human serum paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is a critical antioxidant defence system against lipid oxidation. Decreased PON-1 activity has been associated with systemic oxidative stress in several disease states. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of plasma/serum concentrations of PON-1 in asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease. The electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched from inception to February 2022. In total, 8 studies in 355 asthmatic patients and 289 healthy controls were included in the meta-analysis. Serum PON-1 concentrations were significantly lower in asthmatic patients (SMD = −1.58, 95% CI −2.53 to −0.63; p = 0.001). The pooled SMD values were not substantially altered in sensitivity analysis. There was no publication bias. There were non-significant differences in PON-1 concentrations in patients with severe vs. mild-to-moderate asthma (SMD =  − 0.39, 95% CI − 1.00 to 0.22, p = 0.21). Our meta-analysis has shown that serum PON-1 concentrations are significantly lower in patients with asthma, suggesting the presence of an impaired antioxidant defense in this group.
Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in children with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Gan Yi , Feng Yawei , Zhou Xiaoqin , Li Heng , Wang Guirong , Aini Maidina , Shu Junhua , Tu Danna
Published: November 2022

Kawasaki disease (KD) has replaced rheumatic fever as the main cause of acquired heart disease in Japanese, American, and Chinese children. Polymorphisms in angiotensin-converting enzyme may be associated with susceptibility to KD, but the association of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) with vascular endothelial injury in KD and the possibility for prognosis of vascular injury in KD by evaluating changes in serum ACE2 have not yet been assessed. Thus, this study aimed to investigate ACE2 levels in patients with KD to further explore the relationship between ACE2 and vascular injury in KD. Blood samples were collected from 49 children with KD before intravenous immunoglobulin treatment and 28 healthy children in the same period as the control group. Clinical data were collected from the patients and serum ACE2 levels of all participants were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum ACE2 levels were significantly higher in the KD group than in the control group, and were negatively correlated with platelet levels in patients with KD. Serum ACE2 levels are related to the pathogenesis of KD and may be used as a potential serum marker for KD diagnosis.
Modeling ecosystems of reference frameworks for assurance: a case on privacy impact assessment regulation and guidelines
Authors: Ruiz Alejandra , Martin Yod-Samuel , Martinez Jabier , Quintans Jacobo , Mockly Guillaume , Gyrard Amelie , Crepax Tommaso
Published: November 2022

To assure certain critical quality properties (e.g., safety, security, or privacy), supervisory authorities and industrial associations provide reference frameworks such as standards or guidelines that in some cases are enforced (e.g., regulations). Given the pace at which both technical advancements and risks appear, there is an increase in the number of reference frameworks. As several frameworks might apply for same systems, certain overlaps appear (e.g., regulations for different countries where the system will operate, or generic standards in conjunction with more concrete standards for a given industrial sector or system type). We propose the use of modelling for alleviating the complexity of these reference frameworks ecosystems, and we provide a tool-supported method to create them for the benefit of different stakeholders. The case study is based on privacy data protection, and more concretely on privacy impact assessment processes. The European GDPR regulates the movement and processing of personal data, and, contrary to available software engineering privacy guidelines, articles in legal texts are usually difficult to translate to the underlying processes, artefacts and roles that they refer to. To facilitate the mutual comprehension of legal experts and engineers, in this work we investigate how mappings can be created between these two domains of expertise. Notably, we rely on modelling as a central point. We modelled the legal requirements of the GDPR on data protection impact assessments, and then, we selected the ISO/IEC 29134, a mainstream engineering guideline for privacy impact assessment, and, taking a concrete sector as example, the EU Smart Grid Data Protection Impact Assessment template. The OpenCert tool was used for providing technical support to both the modelling and the creation of the mapping models in a systematic way. We provide a qualitative evaluation from legal experts and privacy engineering practitioners to report on the benefits and limitations of this approach.
The calcium-antagonist activity of the material released by olive pollen (PMR), tested on Ca2+-cytosolic of PE/CA-PJ15 cells
Authors: Vitali Alberto , Del Pino Alberto Marco , Regni Luca , Costanzi Eva , Bravi Elisabetta , Marconi Ombretta , Proietti Primo , Palmerini Carlo Alberto
Published: November 2022

Inhalation of olive pollen (Olea europaea L.) is one of the main causes of allergy in Mediterranean countries and some areas of North America. The response to allergens consists in the production of inflammatory cytokines which is mediated by the deregulation of Ca2+ signals. In this study, the biological activity of the material released in olive pollen hydration (PMR) was tested on Ca2+ cytosolic of PE/CA-PJ15 cells (PJ-15). Ca2+ cytosolic was determined by fluorometric assay with the cell line PE/CA-PJ15 (PJ-15) labeled with the fluorescent probe FURA 2 AM. The material released in olive pollen hydration (PMR) was analyzed by HPLC for the determination of phenolic acids. PMR was subjected to fractionation by gel filtration, and the fractions with Ca2+-chelating activity were tested with SDS-PAGE and the single bands characterized by proteomic analysis. PMR showed high Ca2+-chelating activity and is able of blocking the increase Ca2+-cytosolic produced by thapsigargin (TG). PMR then restored Ca2+ homeostasis in PJ-15 cells deregulated by the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPases inhibitor. It is therefore possible that PMR can antagonize the effects of allergens on Ca2+ cytosolic. The analytical characterization of the material released by the pollen highlighted in the pollen allergen Ole e 3 and in the p-coumaric acid the possible culprits of the Ca2+-antagonist activity of PMR. Furthermore, the sequence of Ole e 3 could provide information for the possible construction of a synthetic peptide to be used in an allergy-targeted Ca2+-antagonist therapy.
On the SCD semismooth* Newton method for generalized equations with application to a class of static contact problems with Coulomb friction
Authors: Gfrerer Helmut , Mandlmayr Michael , Outrata Jiří V. , Valdman Jan
Published: November 2022

In the paper, a variant of the semismooth$$^{*}$$

∗

Newton method is developed for the numerical solution of generalized equations, in which the multi-valued part is a so-called SCD (subspace containing derivative) mapping. Under a rather mild regularity requirement, the method exhibits (locally) superlinear convergence behavior. From the main conceptual algorithm, two implementable variants are derived whose efficiency is tested via a generalized equation modeling a discretized static contact problem with Coulomb friction.
Properties and applications of the Apéry set of good semigroups in $$\mathbb {N}^d$$
Authors: Guerrieri L. , Maugeri N. , Micale V.
Published: November 2022

In this article, we discuss some applications of the construction of the Apéry set of a good semigroup in $$\mathbb {N}^d$$

N

d

given in (Commun Algebra 49(10):4136–4158, 2021). In particular, we study the duality of a symmetric and almost symmetric good semigroup, the Apéry set of non-local good semigroups and the Apéry set of value semigroups of plane curves.
Sustainable Bio-Based Materials from Minimally Processed Red Seaweeds: Effect of Composition and Cell Wall Structure
Authors: Cebrián-Lloret Vera , Martínez-Abad Antonio , López-Rubio Amparo , Martínez-Sanz Marta
Published: November 2022

This study reports on the use of whole seaweed biomass to obtain bio-based films for food packaging applications. Specifically, four different species of agarophytes (Gelidium corneum, Gracilaria chilensis, Gracilaria tenuistipitata and Gracilariopsis longissima) were minimally processed by melt blending and compression molding, and the effect of their composition and cell wall structure on the final performance of the films was investigated. The seaweed biomass was mainly composed of carbohydrates (35–50%), but significant amounts of proteins and ashes were also detected. Temperature-resolved SAXS experiments and microscopy analyses evidenced that a higher temperature of 130 ℃ is required to promote the release of agar from the tougher cell walls from G. corneum and G. tenuistipitata. The higher cellulose content of G. corneum (ca. 15%) resulted in films with higher mechanical resistance and water vapor barrier capacity, while the higher agar content of G. chilensis improved the elongation capacity of the films. The results from this work evidence the potential of red seaweed biomass to generate food packaging materials in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way.
How to charge while driving: scheduling point-to-point deliveries of an electric vehicle under overhead wiring
Authors: Boysen Nils , Briskorn Dirk , Schwerdfeger Stefan
Published: November 2022

Electrifying road-based long-haul transportation is an intricate task. Given the current state of battery technology, either the driving ranges of electric commercial vehicles (ECVs) are too short or high-capacity batteries are costly and so heavy that payloads are limited. An old, yet recently revitalized, charging infrastructure currently evaluated on multiple test tracks around the globe alternatively suggests charging of electric trucks while driving. Analogously to trams, trolley buses, or trains, ECVs are powered by an electric motor connected to overhead wires via a movable contact arm and supported by a battery or an extra conventional drive, which steps in on non-electrified road segments. This paper is dedicated to the routing of a single ECV executing full-truckload point-to-point deliveries along a highway main line where charge-while-drive infrastructure is fixedly installed along some but not all parts of the road. We formulate the resulting optimization problem, investigate computational complexity, and provide suitable solution procedures based on decomposition. Once all this is available, we explore the induction effect of charge-while-drive technology, i.e., the amount of charging detours required to gather enough energy for the next job. Our results show that the induction effect can be considerable and may lead to substantial extra traffic compared to conventional charge-while-park technology.
Thermal properties and decomposition mechanism of disubstituted fused 1,2,4-triazoles considered as potential anticancer and antibacterial agents
Authors: Worzakowska Marta , Sztanke Małgorzata , Sztanke Krzysztof
Published: November 2022

Thermal resistance is a very important parameter when assessing the therapeutic usefulness of potential pharmaceutics. Therefore, the thermal behaviour and the decomposition mechanism in the atmosphere of helium and synthetic air of disubstituted fused 1,2,4-triazoles—which may be potential anticancer and antibacterial agents—were studied with a use of simultaneous thermal analysis: thermogravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DTG/DSC) coupled online with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. It was confirmed that the thermal stability of the tested compounds is directly depended on their structure and thus on the number of chlorine atoms as substituents. The pyrolysis process of disubstituted fused 1,2,4-triazoles in inert conditions runs in two main, non-well-separated stages connected with the emission of NH3, HCN, acetonitrile, aromatics with an OH group, aromatics with a NH2 groups, H2O, CO2 and alkene fragments. However, the thermal stability of those compounds in synthetic air atmosphere is comparable or lower than their thermal stability in helium atmosphere. The decomposition of the tested compounds runs through at least three main stages, resulting in the emission of the same type of volatiles as in inert conditions plus the additional emission of CO and some carbonyl fragments for compounds with no or one chlorine atom as a substituent. The results indicate a simultaneous cleavage of C–N, N–N and C–O bonds during heating of the tested disubstituted fused 1,2,4-triazoles in inert conditions and additional combustion process of pre-formed residues in oxidative conditions.
Inter-municipal vs. Inter-governmental Cooperation: Their Impact on International Aid
Authors: Zambrano-Gutiérrez Julio C. , Avellaneda Claudia N.
Published: November 2022

This study combines the type of partners and the number of partnerships’ purposes to assess municipal partnerships’ effectiveness in bringing international aid. First, the study test whether inter-municipal cooperation (homogenous partners) is more effective than inter-governmental cooperation (heterogeneous partners) in increasing international aid at the local level. Second, the study tests whether partnerships with the sole purpose of raising international aid (single purpose) are more effective than partnerships with additional purposes (multiple purposes). Using panel data with 2,431 municipal-year observations, results confirm that inter-governmental partnerships with multiple purposes are the most effective partnership to increase international aid.
Experience Goods, Umbrella Branding, and Reputation
Authors: Niinimäki J.-P.
Published: November 2022

This paper examines umbrella brands—brand stretching or brand extension—in a model of experience goods and an infinite number of periods. A monopoly firm has short-run incentives to compromise on product quality so as to save costs, as buyers can observe quality only ex post. The paper shows that the overlapping structure of product launching strengthens umbrella branding, mitigates moral hazard, and makes easier the building of a good reputation and its maintenance. The overlapping structure generates switching costs between strategies.
Protective efficacy of dietary natural antioxidants on microplastic particles-induced histopathological lesions in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Authors: Sayed Alaa El-Din H. , Hana Mervat N. , Hamed Mohamed , Abdel-Latif Hany M. R. , Lee Jae-Seong , Soliman Hamdy A. M.
Published: November 2022

Microplastic particles (MPs) are a common environmental pollutant easily ingested by fish in aquaculture. The current study evaluated the protective efficacies of some antioxidant, e.g., lycopene, citric acid, and chlorella, against the toxic effects of MP ingestion by Clarias gariepinus using histopathological biomarkers. Five experimental groups were established, a control group receiving only a standard diet, a group exposed to 500 mg/kg MP concomitant with the standard diet, and three antioxidant groups exposed to MPs plus either lycopene (500 mg/kg), citric acid (30 g/kg), or chlorella (50 g/kg) in the standard diet. After 15 days, fish were sacrificed for histological and histochemical examinations. Histological analysis of the kidney for group 2 (fed 500 mg/kg MPs alone) revealed distributed tissue dissociation, regional glomerular hypertrophy or shrinkage, melanomacrophage accumulation, and expansion of Bowman’s space, while liver tissue exhibited dilation and rupture of the central vein wall, hemorrhage, cytoplasmic vacuolation, and cellular necrosis or apoptosis. Fish exposed to MPs also exhibited connective tissue fiber accumulation around renal blood vessels, renal tubules, the central hepatic vein, hepatic blood sinusoids, and serosal, muscle, and submucosal layers of the intestine. In addition, MP exposure reduced carbohydrate (mainly glycogen) contents in the brush borders and basement membranes of renal tubules, glomeruli, and intestinal tissues as well as in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. These signs of renal, hepatic, and intestinal histopathology were fully or partially reversed by dietary lycopene, chlorella, or citric acid. Enhancing dietary antioxidants is an effective strategy for preventing MP toxicity in Clarias gariepinus in aquaculture.
Three-dimensional arterial spin labeling-guided dose painting radiotherapy for non-enhancing low-grade gliomas
Authors: Zhu Zihong , Gong Guanzhong , Wang Lizhen , Su Ya , Lu Jie , Yin Yong
Published: November 2022

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility and dosimetric characteristics of dose painting for non-enhancing low-grade gliomas (NE-LGGs) guided by three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL).

Materials and methods

Eighteen patients with NE-LGGs were enrolled. 3D-ASL, T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (T2 Flair) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance images were obtained. The gross tumor volume (GTV) was delineated on the T2 Flair. The hyper-perfusion region of the GTV (GTV-ASL) was determined by 3D-ASL, and the GTV-SUB was obtained by subtracting the GTV-ASL from the GTV. The clinical target volume (CTV) was created by iso-tropically expanding the GTV by 1 cm. The planning target volume (PTV), PTV-ASL were obtained by expanding the external margins of the CTV, GTV-ASL, respectively. PTV-SUB was generated by subtracting PTV-ASL from PTV. Three plans were generated for each patient: a conventional plan (plan 1) without dose escalation delivering 95–110% of 45–60 Gy in 1.8–2 Gy fractions to the PTV and two dose-painting plans (plan 2 and plan 3) with dose escalating by 10–20% (range, 50–72 Gy) to the PTV-ASL based on plan 1. The plan 3 was obtained from plan 2 without the maximum dose constraint. The dosimetric differences among the three plans were compared.

Results

The volume ratio of the PTV-ASL to the PTV was (23.49 ± 11.94)% (Z = − 3.724, P = 0.000). Compared with plan 1, D2%, D98% and Dmean of PTV-ASL increased by 14.67%,16.17% and 14.31% in plan2 and 19.84%,15.52% and 14.27% in plan3, respectively (P < 0.05); the D2% of the PTV and PTV-SUB increased by 11.89% and 8.34% in plan 2, 15.89% and 8.49% in plan 3, respectively (P < 0.05). The PTV coverages were comparable among the three plans (P > 0.05). In plan 2 and plan 3, the conformity indexes decreased by 18.60% and 12.79%; while the homogeneity index increased by 1.43 and 2 times (P < 0.05). Compared with plan 1, the D0.1 cc of brain stem and Dmax of optic chiasma were slightly increased in plan 2 and plan 3, and the absolute doses met the dose constraint. The doses of the other organs at risk (OARs) were similar among the three plans (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The dose delivered to hyper-perfusion volume derived from 3D-ASL can increased by 10–20% while respecting the constraints to the OARs for NE-LGGs, which provides a basis for future individualized and precise radiotherapy, especially if the contrast agent cannot be injected or when contrast enhancement is uncertain.
YOLOP: You Only Look Once for Panoptic Driving Perception
Authors: Wu Dong , Liao Man-Wen , Zhang Wei-Tian , Wang Xing-Gang , Bai Xiang , Cheng Wen-Qing , Liu Wen-Yu
Published: November 2022

A panoptic driving perception system is an essential part of autonomous driving. A high-precision and real-time perception system can assist the vehicle in making reasonable decisions while driving. We present a panoptic driving perception network (you only look once for panoptic (YOLOP)) to perform traffic object detection, drivable area segmentation, and lane detection simultaneously. It is composed of one encoder for feature extraction and three decoders to handle the specific tasks. Our model performs extremely well on the challenging BDD100K dataset, achieving state-of-the-art on all three tasks in terms of accuracy and speed. Besides, we verify the effectiveness of our multi-task learning model for joint training via ablative studies. To our best knowledge, this is the first work that can process these three visual perception tasks simultaneously in real-time on an embedded device Jetson TX2(23 FPS), and maintain excellent accuracy. To facilitate further research, the source codes and pre-trained models are released at https://github.com/hustvl/YOLOP.
Mean Field Modeling of Grain Growth and Zener Pinning
Authors: Wu Kaisheng , Jeppsson Johan , Mason Paul
Published: November 2022

A mean-field model has been developed to simulate curvature-driven grain growth by exploring the evolution of grain size distribution under arbitrary thermal histories. The model was integrated into precipitation module TC-PRISMA, so that the pinning effect of the concurrently precipitated particles on the growing grains can be considered by a modified, location-specific Zener model. The developed model was validated against analytical calculations, and then applied to real alloy systems, fed with assessed grain boundary energy and mobility data. Its capabilities, limitations, and directions to improvements have been discussed.
Diversity in German-speaking medical ethics and humanities
Authors: Fiske Amelia , McLennan Stuart
Published: November 2022

Background

Bioethics can play an important role in addressing diversity both in and outside of academia, setting precedents for meaningful contributions to public discourse, research, teaching, training, and policy development. However, in order to do so, these conversations also need to reflect on the issue of diversity within the field of bioethics across the globe. This study aims to examine current gender representation and diversity at medical ethics and humanities institutes in Germany, the German-speaking areas of Switzerland, and Austria.

Methods

A total of forty-nine medical ethics and humanities institutes from Germany (n=42), the German-speaking areas of Switzerland (n=5), and Austria (n=2) were included in the study. Institutes websites were reviewed in the first week of March 2021 and the details of each staff member listed on the website recorded.

Results

Overall, a total of 964 staff members were identified at the forty-nine German-speaking medical ethics and humanities institutes. Just over half (530/964; 55%) of all staff were female. There were significant differences between gender in some staff positions: 64.6 per cent (31/48) of directors were male (χ2(1)=4.1, P=.04); 62.7 per cent (84/134) of student assistants were female (χ2(1)=8.6, P=.003); and 83.7 per cent (77/92) of administrative staff were female (χ2(1)=41.8, P<.001). There were no significant differences between staff gender for researchers and lecturers, or associated researchers. In addition, 65.5 per cent (19/29) of researchers and lecturers who had a professor title were male, but the difference between genders was not found to be significant. However, significantly more of the researchers and lecturers who had completed a habilitation were male (75.8% (25/33); χ2(1)=8.8, P=.003). When comparing the institute director’s gender presentation with staff gender presentation, it was found that male-led institutes had 53.4 per cent (286/536) female staff overall but had 52.7 per cent (136/258) male researchers and lecturers. However, the difference between genders were not found to be significant. On the other hand, female-led institutes had significantly more female staff overall (59.9% (223/372); χ2(1)=14.7, P<.001) and also significantly more female researchers and lecturers (58.9% (119/202; χ2(1)=6.4, P=.01).

Conclusions

There has been a significant push to address gender diversity in German-speaking academia, and this study finds overall good gender parity in medical ethics and humanities institutes. However, there has not been a similar openness to discussing issues of systemic racism or how other forms of inequality affect academic diversity. Taking diversity seriously requires opening up conversations around intersectionality, including difficult conversations around race and cultural background that have long been taboo in German-speaking countries.
Biosynthesis of Silver and Gold Nanoparticles and Their Efficacy Towards Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, Cytotoxicity, and Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Soliman Mohamed K. Y. , Salem Salem S. , Abu-Elghait Mohammed , Azab Mohamed Salah
Published: November 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the emergence of multidrug-resistant and the slow advent of novel and more potent antitumor and antimicrobial chemotherapeutics continue to be of the highest concern for human health. Additionally, the stability, low solubility, and negative effects of existing drugs make them ineffective. Studies into alternative tactics to tackle such tenacious diseases was sparked by anticancer and antibacterial. Silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) were created from Trichoderma saturnisporum, the much more productive fungal strain. Functional fungal extracellular enzymes and proteins carried out the activities of synthesis and capping of the generated nano-metals. Characterization was done on the obtained Ag-NPs and Au-NPs through UV–vis, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and SEM. Additionally, versus methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, the antibacterial activities of Ag-NPs and Au-NPs were assessed. In particular, the Ag-NPs were more effective against pathogenic bacteria than Au-NPs. Furthermore, antibiofilm study that shown Au-NPs had activity more than Ag-NPs. Interestingly, applying the DPPH procedure, these noble metallic NPs had antioxidant activity, in which the IC50 for Ag-NPs and Au-NPs was 73.5 μg/mL and 190.0 μg/mL, respectively. According to the cytotoxicity evaluation results, the alteration in the cells was shown as loss of their typical shape, partial or complete loss of monolayer, granulation, shrinking, or cell rounding with IC50 for normal Vero cell were 693.68 μg/mL and 661.24 μg/mL, for Ag-NPs and Au-NPs, respectively. While IC50 for cancer cell (Mcf7) was 370.56 μg/mL and 394.79 μg/mL for Ag-NPs and Au-NPs, respectively. Ag-NPs and Au-NPs produced via green synthesis have the potential to be employed in the medical industry as beneficial nanocompounds.
Impact of fasting on thyrotropin and thyroid status during Ramadan in 292 previously well controlled hypothyroid patients. IFTAR study
Authors: Elsherbiny Tamer Mohamed
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Fasting during Ramadan affects thyrotropin both in healthy subjects and hypothyroid patients on adequate levothyroxine replacement. Few studies have addressed this effect in hypothyroid patients with pre-Ramadan euthyroidism. This study aims to report the impact of fasting in a relatively large cohort.

Methods

This was a prospective study including hypothyroid patients who fasted Ramadan during the years 2018, 2019, and 2020 in Alexandria, Egypt. All patients were euthyroid. Patients chosen one of three levothyroxine regimens during Ramadan, regimen 1: 60 min before Iftar, regimen 2: 3–4 h after Iftar, 60 min before Suhor, regimen 3: before the start of next fast, 3–4 h after an early Suhor. Thyroid status was assessed in pre-Ramadan visit and reassessed in post-Ramadan visit within 6 weeks from the end of Ramadan.

Results

The study included 292 hypothyroid patients. Most patients were adherent, 249 patients (85.3%), one sixth of patients were non-adherent, 43 patients (14.7%). Post-Ramadan TSH was 2.13 ± 1.88 mIU/L versus 1.60 ± 0.96 mIU/L pre-Ramadan [P = 0.001]. Most patients were still euthyroid post-Ramadan, 233 patients (79.8%), while 59 patients (20.2%) were dysthyroid. Post-Ramadan TSH significantly correlated to pre-Ramadan TSH [P < 0.001]. Post-Ramadan TSH was significantly higher in non-adherent patients, 3.57 ± 3.11 mIU/L compared to adherent patients, 1.88 ± 1.44 mIU/L [P < 0.001].

Conclusion

Fasting Ramadan in well controlled hypothyroid patients resulted in a significant increase in post-Ramadan TSH, yet 80% the patients remain euthyroid after Ramadan. Post-Ramadan TSH and euthyroidism are related to adherence and pre-Ramadan TSH.
Exploring the longitudinal relationship between anger rumination and peer victimization when controlling for sadness rumination
Authors: Spyropoulou Elli , Giovazolias Theodoros
Published: November 2022

Anger rumination is an unconstructive cognitive-emotion regulation strategy that bears negative adjustment outcomes in youth. Anger rumination is mostly examined as an outcome of prior peer victimization. Unidirectional links between maladaptive anger regulation and later peer difficulties have also been reported. Surprisingly, whether anger rumination and peer victimization are mutually related and reinforcing is poorly explored. The present study tested reciprocal associations between anger rumination and peer victimization in 367 5th graders (Mage = 10.53, SE = 0.16; 54.2% girls). To increase precision of findings sadness rumination was treated as a confounder. Self-reported data were obtained at two times, spaced 1 year. Cross-lagged analyses showed that peer victimization predicted increases in anger rumination but not vice versa, after controlling for sadness rumination. Victimized boys were found to be more at risk for endorsing anger rumination over time as compared to victimized girls. Directions for future research and implications for practice are discussed.
Assessment of compatibility of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 with neonatal intravenous medications
Authors: Salamat-Miller Nazila , Turner Mark A. , Bandekar Amey , Dixit Nitin , Jochim Emily , Mangum Barry , McPherson Christopher , Tenjarla Srini , Singh Sukhjeet , Hwang You Seok , Barton Norman
Published: November 2022

Background

Recombinant human (rh)IGF-1/IGFBP-3 protein complex, administered as a continuous intravenous infusion in preterm infants, is being studied for the prevention of complications of prematurity.

Methods

We conducted in vitro studies to evaluate the physical and chemical compatibility of rhIGF-1/IGFBP-3 with medications routinely administered to preterm neonates. In vitro mixing of rhIGF-1/IGFBP-3 drug product with small-molecule test medications plus corresponding controls was performed. Physical compatibility was defined as no color change, precipitation, turbidity, gas evolution, no clinically relevant change in pH/osmolality or loss in medication content. Chemical compatibility of small molecules was assessed using liquid chromatography (e.g., reverse-phase HPLC and ion chromatography), with incompatibility defined as loss of concentration of ≥ 10%. A risk evaluation was conducted for each medication based on in vitro compatibility data and potential for chemical modification.

Results

In vitro physical compatibility was established for 11/19 medications: caffeine citrate, fentanyl, fluconazole, gentamicin, insulin, intravenous fat emulsion, midazolam, morphine sulfate, custom-mixed parenteral nutrition solution (with/without electrolytes), parenteral nutrition solution + intravenous fat emulsion, and vancomycin (dosed from a 5 mg/mL solution), but not for 8/19 medications: amikacin, ampicillin, dopamine, dobutamine, furosemide, meropenem, norepinephrine, and penicillin G, largely owing to changes in pH after mixing. Small-molecule compatibility was unaffected post-mixing, with no loss of small-molecule content. For physically compatible medications, risk analyses confirmed low probability and severity of a risk event.

Conclusion

Co-administration of rhIGF-1/rhIGFBP-3 drug product with various medications was assessed by in vitro studies using case-by-case risk analyses to determine the suitability of the products for co-administration.
Regulatory Considerations on the use of Machine Learning based tools in Clinical Trials
Authors: Massella Maurizio , Dri Diego Alejandro , Gramaglia Donatella
Published: November 2022

Background

The widespread increasing use of machine learning (ML) based tools in clinical trials (CTs) impacts the activities of Regulatory Agencies (RAs) that evaluate the development of investigational medicinal products (IMPs) in clinical studies to be carried out through the use of data-driven technologies. The fast progress in this field poses the need to define new approaches and methods to support an agile and structured assessment process.

Method

The assessment of key information, characteristics and challenges deriving from the application of ML tools in CTs and their link with the principles for a trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) that directly affect the decision-making process is investigated.

Results

Potential issues are identified during the assessment and areas of greater interaction combining key regulatory points and principles for a trustworthy AI are highlighted. The most impacted areas are those related to technical robustness and safety of the ML tool, in relation to data used and the level of evidence generated. Additional areas of attention emerged, like the ones related to data and algorithm transparency.

Conclusion

We evaluate the applicability of a new method to further support the assessment of medicinal products developed using data-driven tools in a CT setting. This is a first step and new paradigms should be adopted to support policy makers and regulatory decisions, capitalizing on technology advancements, considering stakeholders’ feedback and still ensuring a regulatory framework on safety and efficacy.

Graphical Abstract
Effect of produced carbon dioxide on multiphase fluid flow modeling of carbonate acidizing
Authors: Mehrzad Amirali , Sedaee Behnam , Pourafshary Peyman
Published: November 2022

A two-scale continuum (TSC) numerical model is used at pore and Darcy scales to model and optimize the matrix acidizing dissolution process. During matrix acidizing process in carbonate reservoir, the solubility of carbon dioxide, as one of the hydrochloric acid/calcite reaction products, is limited, which leads to the formation of a separate gas phase in the reservoir based on pressure and temperature. The presence of this free gas has nonlinear effect on the fluid flow and phase distribution in porous media due to the alteration in the relative permeability of the injected/spent acid. Density and viscosity of the spent acid will also be changed. Ignoring these effects on TSC model can reduce the accuracy of the final results compared to similar laboratory studies. The significance of our study is to examine and apply the nonlinear effects of produced carbon dioxide on wormhole propagation, dissolution patterns, and breakthrough curves at different injection rates of the acid. The innovation presented in this study is the evaluation of the effect of the presence of the gaseous carbon dioxide produced during the hydrochloric acid and calcite reaction on the relative permeability of the injected acid. This effect has been numerically investigated and solved along with the governing equations of the matrix acidizing at different time steps. In our work, The TSC model is coupled with a nonlinear relative permeability model to consider the effect of free carbon dioxide. Density, viscosity, and solubility correlations are also coupled with TSC model to update fluid properties during acid propagation and acid/rock interactions. The final results show that the neglecting of free gas affects the accuracy of wormhole propagation estimation. The model shows better agreement with the experimental data to predict the rock dissolution patterns and wormhole breakthrough. By considering free gas, the model can track thicker wormholes due to the free gas blockage and the slower acid/rock reaction rate. Our approach showed that isothermal models are not accurate enough to predict the change in carbon dioxide solubility at higher temperatures. Reduction in solubility affects the acid's relative permeability and increases the volume of acid required for the breakthrough. Hence, the developed model improves our knowledge of wormhole propagation during carbonate acidizing.
Flight mechanical analysis of a solar-powered high-altitude platform
Authors: Hasan Yasim J. , Roeser Mathias S. , Hepperle Martin , Niemann Steffen , Voß Arne , Handojo Vega , Weiser Christian
Published: November 2022

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is currently developing an unmanned experimental solar-powered fixed-wing high-altitude platform designed to be stationed in the stratosphere for several days and to carry payload for earth observation missions. This paper deals with a flight mechanical analysis of the aircraft within the preliminary design phase. For this purpose, it briefly describes all disciplines involved in the preliminary design and gives an insight into their methods used. Subsequently, it presents an assessment of the aircraft in terms of stability and control characteristics. Doing so, it first deals with a dynamic stability investigation using a non-linear 6-degrees-of-freedom flight dynamic model with a simple quasi-stationary approach to account for flexibility, in which the aerodynamic derivatives are given for different airspeed-dependent flight shapes. The investigations show that the aircraft is naturally stable over the complete flight envelope. It does not have a typical short period mode. Instead, the corresponding mode involves altitude and airspeed changes to a large extent. At low airspeeds, the Dutch roll and spiral modes couple and form two non-classical modes. Second, it presents a control surface design evaluation process for the aircraft based on a flight mechanical requirement. This requirement addresses the necessary control authority to counteract the aircraft’s responses due to gust encounters to not exceed afore-defined limits and to prevent the aircraft from entering a flight condition that it cannot be recovered from.
Biotechnological studies on Arthrospira platensis biomass cultivated in enriched culture with chelated leather waste and chelated glycinate
Authors: Jacob Rania H. , Afify Adel S. , Shanab Sanaa M. M. , Shalaby Emad A. , Hafez Rehab M.
Published: November 2022

The current work aims to evaluate the growth rate, molecular patterns and biological activities of Arthrospira platensis cultivated in culture enriched with different chelated minerals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Mg) of leather protein hydrolysates (LPHs) and glycine in addition to determine the phytochemical contents of Arthrospira platensis cultivated in modified Zarrouk medium. Also, the work study the protein profile with molecular variations (using SDS-PAGE, Comet assay, and SCOT-PCR) in collected biomasses when compared with control (cyanobacteria cultivated in Zarrouk medium). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and mineral content of each treatment were also determined. The obtained Results showed that a significant increment of growth rate of A. platensis in glycinate treatments was observed especially with Cu-glycinate more than control medium. Additionally, T11 has high O.D. than other chelated minerals but control medium had the highest O.D. than LW-chelated minerals. All A. platensis treated with the glycine-chelates possessed both conserved and additional proteins in their SDS-PAGE banding patterns. Moreover, A. platensis treated by chelated minerals with leather waste hydrolysate induced high discrimination than their analogues chelated with glycine. Six ScoT primers were applied and produced 323 amplicons with an average of 68% polymorphism/primer. SDS and Scot dendrogram revealed that among all treatments, control and Mg-glycine-chelated treatment were closely related. All A. platensis samples treated by chelated minerals with leather waste hydrolysate possessed more polymorphic bands than monomorphic ones (either as proteins or DNA), despite that no significant DNA damage (as % tDNA) was detected on A. platensis treated with either chelated treatment.
Study of the relation between plasma level of von Willebrand factor and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Kassab Heba Sadek , Morsy Eman Youssif , Abdirahman Abdiwahab Noor , Amin Noha Gaber
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major preventable health complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Hyperglycemia represents the main mechanism in the pathogenesis of DR leading eventually to endothelial dysfunction. vWF is a marker of endothelial dysfunction, but its relation to DR is not yet well-established.

Methods

The present study included 60 patients with T2DM divided into three equal groups according to the presence and the stage of retinopathy. Each patient was subjected to full history taking, physical examination including fundus examination, and laboratory investigations including glycemic and lipid profile, urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR), and plasma vWF level.

Results

Plasma vWF was significantly higher in patients with DR than in patients without retinopathy. vWF was positively correlated to age, HbA1c, diabetes duration, and UACR in DR groups and the total sample. Univariate regression analysis revealed that HbA1c, vWF, BMI, diabetes duration, and UACR were independent risk factors for DR, while multivariate regression analysis showed none of them to be an independent risk factor for DR. A vWF cut-off value of > 180 could differentiate patients with DR from patients without DR with a sensitivity of 97.5%, specificity of 75%, and AUC 0.937*.

Conclusions

vWF level is higher in patients with DR reflecting the role of endothelial dysfunction in the development of DR. Moreover, it is one of the risk factors affecting DR in univariate but not in multivariate analysis. A cut-off value of vWF level was set to differentiate between patients with and without DR.