bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Interaction of Dietary Patterns and Genetic Variants on the Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Zhang Shiwen , Chen Shiyun , He Kaiyin , Liu Jiazi , Su Xin , Li Wanlin , Ma Junrong , Cheng Chen , Ouyang RuiQing , Mu Yingjun , Zheng Lu , Cai Jun , Feng Yonghui , Zeng Fangfang , Peng Longyun , Ye Yanbin
Published: September 2023

Scope

Diabetes is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which in turn is the most common and serious complication of diabetes. This study analyzes dietary patterns and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 543 diabetes patients with new‐onset cardiovascular events and 461 diabetic patients without.

Methods and results

SNPs are determined and analyzed using real time PCR and gene chip method. Factor analysis and logistic regression are used to determine dietary patterns and evaluate the level of associations and interaction effects, respectively. The legumes and edible fungi pattern and vegetable pattern show a significant negative correlation with complication risk. ADIPOQ rs37563 and legumes and edible fungi pattern have a significant interactive effect on disease, and patients with a high score of C polymorphism genotype (GC + CC) have a lower risk of disease. 5‐10‐Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801131 and vegetable pattern have a borderline interaction effect on disease, and those patients with TT genotype have a lower risk of disease.

Conclusion

These findings provide new insights into the role of the interactive protection of dietary patterns and SNPs. And participants with specific alleles show a lower risk of cardiovascular complications.
Vitamin D Modulates Lipid Composition of Adipocyte‐Derived Extracellular Vesicles Under Inflammatory Conditions
Authors: Payet Thomas , Valmori Marie , Astier Julien , Svilar Ljubica , Sicard Flavie , Tardivel Catherine , Ghossoub Rania , Martin Jean‐Charles , Landrier Jean‐François , Mounien Lourdes
Published: September 2023

Scope: Adipocyte‐derived extracellular vesicles (AdEVs) convey lipids that can play a role in the energy homeostasis. Vitamin D (VD) has been shown to limit the metabolic inflammation as it decreases inflammatory markers expression in adipose tissue (AT). However, VD effect on adipocytes‐derived EVs has never been investigated.

Methods and results: Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the AdEVs lipid composition by LC‐MS/MS approach in 3T3‐L1 cells treated with VD or/and pro‐inflammatory factor (tumor necrosis factor α [TNFα]). Among all lipid species, four are highlighted (glycerolipids, phospholipids, lysophospholipids, and sphingolipids) with a differential content between small (sEVs) and large EVs (lEVs). This study also observes that VD alone modulates EV lipid species involved in membrane fluidity and in the budding of membrane. EVs treated with VD under inflammatory conditions have different lipid profiles than the control group, which is more pronounced in lEVs. Indeed, 25 lipid species are significantly modulated in lEVs, compared with only seven lipid species in sEVs.

Conclusions: This study concludes that VD, alone or under inflammatory conditions, is associated with specific lipidomic signature of sEVs and lEVs. These observations reinforce current knowledge on the anti‐inflammatory effect of VD.
Design, fabrication, and dynamic mechanical responses of fiber‐reinforced composite lattice materials
Authors: Xiong Jian , Gong Cheng , Wu Qianqian , Ma Li , Yang Jinshui , Wu Linzhi
Published: September 2023

Fiber‐reinforced composites are a popular lightweight materials used in a variety of engineering applications, such as aerospace, architecture, automotive, and marine construction, due to their attractive mechanical properties. Constructing lattice materials from fiber‐reinforced composites is an efficient approach for developing ultra‐lightweight structural systems with superior mechanical properties and multifunctional benefits. In contrast to corrugated, foam, and honeycomb core materials, composite lattice materials can be manufactured with various architectural designs, such as woven, grid, and truss cores. Moreover, lattice materials with open‐cell topology provide multifunctional advantages over conventional closed‐cell honeycomb and foam structures and are thus highly desirable for developing aerospace systems, hypersonic vehicles, long‐range rockets and missiles, ship and naval structures, and protective systems. The objective of this study is to review and analyze dynamic mechanical behavior performed by different researchers in the area of composite lattice materials and to highlight topics for future research.
Fast high‐resolution electric properties tomography using three‐dimensional quantitative transient‐state imaging‐based water fraction estimation
Authors: Cencini Matteo , Lancione Marta , Pasquariello Rosa , Peretti Luca , Pirkl Carolin M. , Schulte Rolf F. , Buonincontri Guido , Arduino Alessandro , Zilberti Luca , Biagi Laura , Tosetti Michela
Published: September 2023

In this study, we aimed to develop a fast and robust high‐resolution technique for clinically feasible electrical properties tomography based on water content maps (wEPT) using Quantitative Transient‐state Imaging (QTI), a multiparametric transient state‐based method that is similar to MR fingerprinting. Compared with the original wEPT implementation based on standard spin‐echo acquisition, QTI provides robust electrical properties quantification towards B1+ inhomogeneities and full quantitative relaxometry data. To validate the proposed approach, 3D QTI data of 12 healthy volunteers were acquired on a 1.5 T scanner. QTI‐provided T1 maps were used to compute water content maps of the tissues using an empirical relationship based on literature ex‐vivo measurements. Assuming that electrical properties are modulated mainly by tissue water content, the water content maps were used to derive electrical conductivity and relative permittivity maps. The proposed technique was compared with a conventional phase‐only Helmholtz EPT (HH‐EPT) acquisition both within whole white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid masks, and within different white and gray matter subregions. In addition, QTI‐based wEPT was retrospectively applied to four multiple sclerosis adolescent and adult patients, compared with conventional contrast‐weighted imaging in terms of lesion delineation, and quantitatively assessed by measuring the variation of electrical properties in lesions. Results obtained with the proposed approach agreed well with theoretical predictions and previous in vivo findings in both white and gray matter. The reconstructed maps showed greater anatomical detail and lower variability compared with standard phase‐only HH‐EPT. The technique can potentially improve delineation of pathology when compared with conventional contrast‐weighted imaging and was able to detect significant variations in lesions with respect to normal‐appearing tissues. In conclusion, QTI can reliably measure conductivity and relative permittivity of brain tissues within a short scan time, opening the way to the study of electric properties in clinical settings.
Cumulative BMI and incident prediabetes over 30 years of follow‐up: The CARDIA study
Authors: Schreiner Pamela J. , Bae Sejong , Allen Norrina , Liu Kiang , Reis Jared P. , Wu Colin , Ingram Katherine H. , Lloyd‐Jones Donald , Lewis Cora E. , Rana Jamal S.
Published: September 2023

Objective

This study examined how cumulative BMI (cBMI) is associated with incident prediabetes in a biracial observational cohort study followed from young adulthood to middle age.

Methods

Black and White men and women (n = 4190) from the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study, ages 18 to 30 years in 1985 to 1986 and free of prediabetes or diabetes at baseline, were followed for 30 years. Cox regression was used to determine how cBMI was associated with incident prediabetes after controlling for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Over 30 years of follow‐up, 46.2% of the sample developed prediabetes. Mean cBMI was 801.4 BMI‐years for those with prediabetes and 658.3 BMI‐years for those without (p < 0.0001). After multivariable adjustment, the hazard rate ratio for the highest cBMI quartile was 2.064 (95% CI: 1.793‐2.377) relative to the lowest quartile. The second and third quartiles did not differ from the first quartile, consistent with a nonlinear trend.

Conclusions

The cumulative burden of higher weight and longer duration was associated with incident prediabetes, but this association was statistically significant only after a higher threshold was reached. Strategies for prevention of prediabetes in middle age may focus on avoiding overweight in young adulthood to limit duration.
Mind‐Body Therapies in the Management of Otolaryngologic Disease: A State‐of‐the‐Art Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Kothari Dhruv S. , Nieri Chad A. , Tanenbaum Zachary G. , Linker Lauren A. , Rangarajan Sanjeet V.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To review and assess the peer‐reviewed literature on the utility of mind‐body therapy (MBT) as an adjunct treatment in the management of otolaryngologic disease.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane.

Review Methods

Randomized control trials (RCTs) of MBTs in the management of otolaryngologic disease from 2002 to 2022 were identified and included according to predefined criteria. Interventions requiring expensive equipment were excluded because the goal of MBT is to be cost‐conscious. All studies were subjected to a two‐stage blinded screening, extraction, and appraisal process. The outcomes of the intervention and control groups were compared.

Conclusion

RCTs of MBTs, including breathing exercises (4), aromatherapy (2), biofeedback (2), meditation, (2), and yoga (2), have been studied in several otolaryngologic conditions, including septoplasty/rhinoplasty (3), head and neck cancer (2), facial palsy (2), and tinnitus (2). Most studies were of moderate risk of bias on appraisal, and each MBT studied was found to significantly reduce subjective and objective distress associated with the otolaryngologic condition in question.

Implications for Practice

Despite a paucity of strong evidence supporting the universal use of MBTs, our review suggests that MBTs are cost‐effective and easily deployable complementary tools in the management of otolaryngologic disease. Future large, methodologically rigorous RCTs are needed to address the limitations of the included studies, such as improper blinding and inappropriate statistical analysis. As MBTs are studied further, a case for their current use can be made because of their low cost and minimal risk to patients.
Effect of hydrophobic nano‐silica/β‐nucleating agent on the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of polypropylene random copolymers
Authors: Chen Shiqi , Bai Luhan , Wang Xuanlun , Li Handong , Xu Ben Bin , Algadi Hassan , Guo Zhanhu
Published: September 2023

In this work, hydrophobic nano‐silica (SiO2) and β‐nucleating agent are incorporated into polypropylene random copolymer (PP‐R) matrix by melt blending. The effect of the content of nano‐SiO2/β‐nucleating agent on the crystallization and mechanical behaviors of PP‐R was investigated in detail. For a nano‐SiO2 content of 0.5 wt% and a β‐nucleating agent content of 0.5 wt%, the tensile strength and impact strength of the composite were in a more balanced position. Regarding isothermal and non‐isothermal crystallization experiments, nano‐SiO2/β‐nucleating agent significantly accelerated the nucleation and growth of crystallites with a synergistic nucleation effect. Also, the crystallization kinetics of PP‐R/nano‐SiO2/β‐nucleating agent, PP‐R/nano‐SiO2 and PP‐R/β‐nucleating agent composites were analyzed and compared using the Avrami equation. The results showed that the PP‐R/nano‐SiO2/β‐nucleating agent composites have better crystallization rate and shorter semi‐crystallization time. This study shows far‐reaching theoretical and practical implications for accelerating the development of new high‐performance PP‐R materials. © 2023 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Critical Analysis of Thermodiffusion‐Induced Unipolar Resistive Switching in a Metal‐Oxide‐Metal Memristive Device
Authors: Lange Kristof , Waser Rainer , Menzel Stephan
Published: September 2023

It has been previously proposed that the SET and RESET processes in a unipolar switching metal‐oxide‐metal memristive device can be explained by thermodiffusion only. In order to validate this, time‐dependent finite element method simulations are performed in a purely theoretical study. To that end, a range of configurations regarding device geometry and various parameters is used. In particular, this includes simulations using different activation enthalpies for oxygen vacancy transport, different radii for the top electrode, and different time constants for the applied voltage or current. When the top electrode is smaller than the other layers by a sufficient margin, a temperature gradient emerges that in turn leads to a transport of oxygen vacancies toward the center of the oxide. This effect can be interpreted as a SET. In a system with low activation enthalpy for vacancy transport, i.e., 0.4 eV or less, the effect is volatile, while it is nonvolatile for activation enthalpies of 0.9 eV or more. However, in the latter case, a RESET is not possible. Therefore, further effects other than thermodiffusion must be taken into account in the description of unipolar resistive switching.
Research on the prediction of LOCA condition in nuclear power plants based on GRU recurrent neural network and its variants
Authors: Chen Fukun , Dong Xiaomeng , Luo Yicheng , Yang Ming , Liu Yong , Xu Anqi , Wang Jipu , Chen Sijuan
Published: September 2023

Considering the development of deep learning and the emergence of intelligent control demands in nuclear reactors, along with the presence of plant‐level real‐time information monitoring systems in most nuclear power plants, there is a considerable accumulation of sensor measurements from long‐term operation. This makes it feasible to conduct medium to long‐term predictions for various real‐time conditions in nuclear power plants. Therefore, this paper proposes the utilization of a gate‐based recurrent neural network called GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit) and its variants for parameter prediction of LOCA (Loss of Coolant Accident) scenarios. The main content of this paper consists of two parts: (1) Experimental verification is conducted to demonstrate that GRU has excellent capability in capturing long‐term sequential information and generalization ability, making it suitable for predicting accident conditions in nuclear power plants. Two accident trend prediction methods based on the GRU network are proposed for scenarios with limited data. The results show that these methods can effectively provide short‐term development trends for accident conditions. Additionally, by considering the feature extraction capacity of CNN, the fusion of CNN and GRU models is employed for parameter prediction under different sizes of broken area. The results indicate an improvement in the model's generalization ability. (2) In scenarios with limited and incomplete data, a more robust variant of GRU called GRU‐D model is utilized for both univariate and multivariate synchronous prediction of accident conditions with different missing values. Experimental results demonstrate that even with a data missing rate of 90%, the GRU‐D network exhibits excellent predictive accuracy and generalization ability in parameter prediction for the given conditions.
Defects Healing of the ZnO Surface by Filling with Au Atom Catalysts for Efficient Photocatalytic H2 Production
Authors: Mohite Santosh V. , Kim Shinik , Bae Jiyoung , J. Jeong Hee , Kim Tae Woong , Choi Jihoon , Kim Yeonho
Published: September 2023

Healed defects on photocatalysts surface and their interaction with plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted attention in H2 production process. In this study, surface oxygen vacancy (Vo) defects are created on ZnO (Vo‐ZnO) NPs by directly pyrolyzing zeolitic imidazolate framework. The surface defects on Vo‐ZnO provide active sites for the diffusion of single Au atoms and as nucleation sites for the formation of Au NPs by the in situ photodeposition process. The electronically healed surface defects by single Au atoms help in the formation of a heterojunction between the ZnO and plasmonic Au NPs. The formed Au/Vo‐Au:ZnO‐4 heterojunction prolongs photoelectron lifetimes and increases donor charge density. Therefore, the optimized photocatalysts of Au/Vo‐Au:ZnO‐4 has 21.28 times higher H2 production rate than the pristine Vo‐ZnO under UV–visible light in 0.35 m Na2SO4 and 0.25 m Na2SO3. However in 0.35 m Na2S and 0.25 m Na2SO3, the H2 production rate is 25.84 mmole h−1 g−1. Furthermore, Au/Vo‐Au:ZnO‐4 shows visible light activity by generating hot carries via induced surface plasmonic effects. It has 48.58 times higher H2 production rate than pristine Vo‐ZnO. Therefore, this study infers new insight for defect healing mediated preparation of Au/Vo‐Au:ZnO heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic H2 production.
Understanding Structure‐Activity Relationship in Pt‐loaded g‐C3N4 for Efficient Solar‐ Photoreforming of Polyethylene Terephthalate Plastic and Hydrogen Production
Authors: Nguyen Thi Kim Anh , Trần‐Phú Thành , Ta Xuan Minh Chau , Truong Thien N. , Leverett Josh , Daiyan Rahman , Amal Rose , Tricoli Antonio
Published: September 2023

Coupling the hydrogen evolution reaction with plastic waste photoreforming provides a synergistic path for simultaneous production of green hydrogen and recycling of post‐consumer products, two major enablers for establishment of a circular economy. Graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) is a promising photocatalyst due to its suitable optoelectronic and physicochemical properties, and inexpensive fabrication. Herein, a mechanistic investigation of the structure‐activity relationship of g‐C3N4 for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) photoreforming is reported by carefully controlling its fabrication from a subset of earth‐abundant precursors, such as dicyandiamide, melamine, urea, and thiourea. These findings reveal that melamine‐derived g‐C3N4 with 3 wt.% Pt has significantly higher performance than alternative derivations, achieving a maximum hydrogen evolution rate of 7.33 mmolH2 gcat−1 h−1, and simultaneously photoconverting PET into valuable organic products including formate, glyoxal, and acetate, with excellent stability for over 30 h of continuous production. This is attributed to the higher crystallinity and associated chemical resistance of melamine‐derived g‐C3N4, playing a major role in stabilization of its morphology and surface properties. These new insights on the role of precursors and structural properties in dictating the photoactivity of g‐C3N4 set the foundation for the further development of photocatalytic processes for combined green hydrogen production and plastic waste reforming.
Hyperspectral Photoluminescence Imaging for Spatially Resolved Determination of Electrical Parameters of Laser‐Patterned Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Schultz Christof , Fenske Markus , Dion-Bertrand Laura-Isabelle , Gélinas Guillaume , Marcet Stéphane , Dagar Janardan , Bartelt Andreas , Schlatmann Rutger , Unger Eva , Stegemann Bert
Published: September 2023

Absolute calibrated hyperspectral photoluminescence (PL) imaging is utilized to access, in a simple and fast way, the spatial distribution of relevant solar cell parameters such as quasi‐Fermi level splitting, optical diode factor, Urbach energies E
u, and shunt resistances R
sh, without the need for electrical measurements. Since these metrics play a significant role in evaluating the process windows for electrical series interconnection by laser patterning, this approach is followed to systematically locate and quantify electrical losses that may occur as a result of the laser‐patterning process for monolithic series interconnection. It is shown that both picosecond and nanosecond laser pulses can be used for successful series interconnection. In both cases, only minor lateral material alterations occur, localized in a few μm wide region adjacent to the edges of the scribe lines. Furthermore, the acquisition and analysis of these hyperspectral PL datasets provide insights in the material removal process, from which it is concluded that the perovskite is rather resilient against the thermal impact of the laser.
Adverse childhood experiences: a meta‐analysis of prevalence and moderators among half a million adults in 206 studies
Authors: Madigan Sheri , Deneault Audrey‐Ann , Racine Nicole , Park Julianna , Thiemann Raela , Zhu Jenney , Dimitropoulos Gina , Williamson Tyler , Fearon Pasco , Cénat Jude Mary , McDonald Sheila , Devereux Chloe , Neville Ross D.
Published: September 2023

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including maltreatment and family dysfunction, is a major contributor to the global burden of disease and disability. With a large body of international literature on ACEs having emerged over the past 25 years, it is timely to now synthetize the available evidence to estimate the global prevalence of ACEs and, through a series of moderator analyses, determine which populations are at higher risk. We searched studies published between January 1, 1998 and August 5, 2021 in Medline, PsycINFO and Embase. Study inclusion criteria were using the 8‐ or 10‐item ACE Questionnaire (±2 items), reporting the prevalence of ACEs in population samples of adults, and being published in English. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022348429). In total, 206 studies (208 sample estimates) from 22 countries, with 546,458 adult participants, were included. The pooled prevalence of the five levels of ACEs was: 39.9% (95% CI: 29.8‐49.2) for no ACE; 22.4% (95% CI: 14.1‐30.6) for one ACE; 13.0% (95% CI: 6.5‐19.8) for two ACEs; 8.7% (95% CI: 3.4‐14.5) for three ACEs, and 16.1% (95% CI: 8.9‐23.5) for four or more ACEs. In subsequent moderation analyses, there was strong evidence that the prevalence of 4+ ACEs was higher in populations with a history of a mental health condition (47.5%; 95% CI: 34.4‐60.7) and with substance abuse or addiction (55.2%; 95% CI: 45.5‐64.8), as well as in individuals from low‐income households (40.5%; 95% CI: 32.9‐48.4) and unhoused individuals (59.7%; 95% CI: 56.8‐62.4). There was also good evidence that the prevalence of 4+ ACEs was larger in minoritized racial/ethnic groups, particularly when comparing study estimates in populations identifying as Indigenous/Native American (40.8%; 95% CI: 23.1‐59.8) to those identifying as White (12.1%; 95% CI: 10.2‐14.2) and Asian (5.6%; 95% CI: 2.4‐10.2). Thus, ACEs are common in the general population, but there are disparities in their prevalence. They are among the principal antecedent threats to individual well‐being and, as such, constitute a pressing social issue globally. Both prevention strategies and downstream interventions are needed to reduce the prevalence and mitigate the severity of the effects of ACEs and thereby reduce their deleterious health consequences on future generations.
Global QCD analysis and dark photons
Authors: Hunt-Smith N. T. , Melnitchouk W. , Sato N. , Thomas A. W. , Wang X. G. , White M. J. ,   on behalf of the Jefferson Lab Angular Momentum (JAM) collaboration
Published: September 2023

Abstract

We perform a global QCD analysis of high energy scattering data within the JAM Monte Carlo framework, including a coupling to a dark photon that augments the Standard Model (SM) electroweak coupling via kinetic mixing with the hypercharge B boson. We first set limits on the dark photon mass and mixing parameter assuming that the SM is the true theory of Nature, taking into account also the effect on g – 2 of the muon. If instead we entertain the possibility that the dark photon may play a role in deep-inelastic scattering (DIS), we find that the best fit is preferred over the SM at 6.5σ, even after accounting for missing higher order uncertainties. The improvement in χ2 with the dark photon is stable against all the tests we have applied, with the improvements in the theoretical predictions spread across a wide range of x and Q2. The largest improvement corresponds to the fixed target and HERA DIS data, while the best fit yields a value of g – 2 which significantly reduces the disagreement with the latest experimental determination.
Safety Aspects and Procedural Characteristics of Ambulatory Diagnostic Cerebral Catheter Angiography
Authors: Behrens Lars , Adam Andreas , Rubeck Anna , Schiele Stefan , Müller Gernot , Abrishami Yalda , Berlis Ansgar , Maurer Christoph J.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Diagnostic cerebral catheter angiography is used to assess a variety of neurovascular pathologies especially in patients before and after endovascular neurointerventional treatment. In many centers diagnostic cerebral angiographies are performed with the patient staying for one night in the hospital because there are not yet sufficient data on the safety of ambulatory cerebral angiography. At the same time hospitals face a growing demand to perform ambulatory medical procedures.

Methods

A total of 426 ambulatory diagnostic cerebral angiographies were retrospectively analyzed. Technical details of the angiographies were analyzed to identify procedural risk factors.

Results

Out of 426 patients 14 (3.3%) had some form of complication, 3 developed minor transient neurological symptoms, 1 patient developed Quincke’s edema probably as an adverse reaction to contrast agent, 1 patient had an asymptomatic carotid dissection and 1 had a fall of unknown etiology. Of the 14 complications 8 were puncture site complications with 1 re-bleeding, 1 dissection, and 6 minor complications, 421 punctures were femoral, 3 radial and 2 brachial. Out of 333 patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after angiography 21 showed focal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesions but none of these lesions were symptomatic. The rate of DWI lesions was significantly higher in selectively angiography territories than in other territories. The use of a Simmons 2 catheter significantly increased the rate of DWI lesions (p = 0.047), whereas 3D rotational angiography did not (p = 0.55). The rate of DWI lesions per selectively accessed vessel was 4.6% with a higher rate in the anterior than in the posterior circulation.

Conclusion

Diagnostic cerebral catheter angiography can be safely performed in an ambulatory setting.
ADGRL1 is a glucose receptor involved in mediating energy and glucose homeostasis
Authors: Chhabra Kavaljit H. , Bathina Siresha , Faniyan Tumininu S. , Samuel Dennis J. , Raza Muhammad Ummear , de Souza Cordeiro Leticia Maria , Viana Di Prisco Gonzalo , Atwood Brady K. , Robles Jorge , Bainbridge Lauren , Davis Autumn
Published: September 2023

Aims/hypothesis

The brain is a major consumer of glucose as an energy source and regulates systemic glucose as well as energy balance. Although glucose transporters such as GLUT2 and sodium−glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) are known to regulate glucose homeostasis and metabolism, the identity of a receptor that binds glucose to activate glucose signalling pathways in the brain is unknown. In this study, we aimed to discover a glucose receptor in the mouse hypothalamus.

Methods

Here we used a high molecular mass glucose–biotin polymer to enrich glucose-bound mouse hypothalamic neurons through cell-based affinity chromatography. We then subjected the enriched neurons to proteomic analyses and identified adhesion G-protein coupled receptor 1 (ADGRL1) as a top candidate for a glucose receptor. We validated glucose–ADGRL1 interactions using CHO cells stably expressing human ADGRL1 and ligand–receptor binding assays. We generated and determined the phenotype of global Adgrl1-knockout mice and hypothalamus-specific Adgrl1-deficient mice. We measured the variables related to glucose and energy homeostasis in these mice. We also generated an Adgrl1Cre mouse model to investigate the role of ADGRL1 in sensing glucose using electrophysiology.

Results

Adgrl1 is highly expressed in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) in mice. Lack of Adgrl1 in the VMH in mice caused fasting hyperinsulinaemia, enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and insulin resistance. In addition, the Adgrl1-deficient mice had impaired feeding responses to glucose and fasting coupled with abnormal glucose sensing and decreased physical activity before development of obesity and hyperglycaemia. In female mice, ovariectomy was necessary to reveal the contribution of ADGRL1 to energy and glucose homeostasis.

Conclusions/interpretation

Altogether, our findings demonstrate that ADGRL1 binds glucose and is involved in energy as well as glucose homeostasis in a sex-dependent manner. Targeting ADGRL1 may introduce a new class of drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Graphical Abstract
Revision total knee arthroplasty results in financial deficits within the Swiss healthcare system
Authors: Jud Lukas , Gautschi Nora , Möller Soeren , Möller Klaus , Giesinger Karlmeinrad
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Revision total knee arthroplasty (RTKA) results in high costs with inadequately low reimbursement in different healthcare systems. Therefore, a financial analysis was performed comparing costs and reimbursements of primary total knee arthroplasty (PTKA) versus RTKA using financial and total knee arthroplasty‐register data from a large tertiary hospital, the Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen (KSSG), Switzerland.

Methods

All PTKA and RTKA performed between January 2012 and September 2019 at the KSSG were included. Financial and TKA‐register data for each case were collected, including detailed cost allocation, reimbursement, patients’ insurance status, type and indication for surgery and length of hospital stay. RTKA was further subdivided in one‐stage and two‐stage RTKA. Direct hospital costs were analyzed and compared to reimbursement in both groups. Cost‐coverage ratios were calculated.

Results

730 PTKA and 106 RTKA were included. The RTKA group contained 66 one‐stage and 40 two‐stage RTKA. Cost‐coverage ratio for PTKA and RTKA showed to be 110.9% and 81.3%, respectively. Cost‐coverage ratio was lower for two‐stage RTKA than for one‐stage RTKA with 74.1% and 92.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

RTKA leads to financial deficits especially for tertiary hospitals within the Swiss healthcare system. Restructuring of the reimbursements for PTKA and RTKA should be considered in favor of RTKA. Otherwise, tertiary hospitals will face a growing financial burden with the constantly increasing annual number of RTKA procedures, predominantly performed in this type of hospitals.

Level of evidence

III.
Prenylation of dimeric cyclo-l-Trp-l-Trp by the promiscuous cyclo-l-Trp-l-Ala prenyltransferase EchPT1
Authors: Li Wen , Xie Xiulan , Liu Jing , Yu Huili , Li Shu-Ming
Published: September 2023

Prenyltransferases (PTs) from the dimethylallyl tryptophan synthase (DMATS) superfamily are known as efficient biocatalysts and mainly catalyze regioselective Friedel-Crafts alkylation of tryptophan and tryptophan-containing cyclodipeptides (CDPs). They can also use other unnatural aromatic compounds as substrates and play therefore a pivotal role in increasing structural diversity and biological activities of a broad range of natural and unnatural products. In recent years, several prenylated dimeric CDPs have been identified with wide range of bioactivities. In this study, we demonstrate the production of prenylated dimeric CDPs by chemoenzymatic synthesis with a known promiscuous enzyme EchPT1, which uses cyclo-l-Trp-l-Ala as natural substrate for reverse C2-prenylation. High product yields were achieved with EchPT1 for C3-N1′ and C3-C3′ linked dimers of cyclo-l-Trp-l-Trp. Isolation and structural elucidation confirmed the product structures to be reversely C19/C19′-mono- and diprenylated cyclo-l-Trp-l-Trp dimers. Our study provides an additional example for increasing structural diversity by prenylation of complex substrates with known biosynthetic enzymes.

Key points

• Chemoenzymatic synthesis of prenylated cyclo-l-Trp-l-Trp dimers

• Same prenylation pattern and position for cyclodipeptides and their dimers.

• Indole prenyltransferases such as EchPT1 can be widely used as biocatalysts.

Graphical Abstract
Surgical Anatomy of Transversus Abdominis Muscle for Transversus Abdominis Release: A CT‐Based Study in Three Patient Groups
Authors: Afaque Md Yusuf , Qaseem Syed Mohammad Danish , Shah Mudasir Ashraf , Kujur Maikal , Rab Atia Zaka Ur , Rizvi Syed Amjad Ali
Published: September 2023

Background

The anatomy of the transversus abdominis muscle and its aponeurosis is important in transversus abdominis release surgery. We studied the CT anatomy of the transversus abdominis muscle medial to the linea semilunaris at different levels in the abdomen and measured the thickness of this muscle.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we analysed 150 abdominal computed tomography at L1, L3, and L5 vertebral levels corresponding to subxiphoid, umbilical, and suprapubic regions, respectively. The patients were divided into three groups based on age and sex: women aged 15–20 years (nulliparous), women aged 30–60 years (multiparous), and men aged 15–60 years, with each group having 50 patients. We compared the thickness of the TA muscle at the L1 level between men and women and between nulliparous and multiparous women.

Results

Transversus abdominis muscle was consistently present medial to the linea semilunaris at L1 vertebral level in the subxiphoid region (150/150). At the L3 vertebral level in the mid‐abdomen, only eight patients had the transversus abdominis muscle there (8/150, 5%). At the L5 vertebral level in the suprapubic region, no patient had the transversus abdominis muscle medial to the linea semilunaris. The mean thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle at the L1 level was 3.4 mm, and at the L3 level, it was 1.6 mm. There was no statistically significant difference in the transversus abdominis muscle thickness between the men and women; however, a significant difference was found between the nulliparous and multiparous women, with thinner TA muscle in later.

Conclusion

There is good transversus abdominis muscle bulk medial to the linea semilunaris for doing transversus abdominis muscle division in the upper abdomen. However, as we move towards the mid‐abdomen, we have TA aponeurosis or rarely TA muscle of little bulk.
Impairment of oculomotor functions in patients with early to advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Aust Elisa , Graupner Sven-Thomas , Günther René , Linse Katharina , Joos Markus , Grosskreutz Julian , Prudlo Johannes , Pannasch Sebastian , Hermann Andreas
Published: September 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can result into an incomplete locked in state (iLIS), in which communication depends on eye tracking computer devices. Oculomotor function impairments in ALS have been reported, but there is little research, particularly with respect to patients in iLIS. In the present study, we compared reflexive and executive oculomotor function by means of an eye tracking test battery between three groups: advanced ALS patients in iLIS (n = 22), patients in early to middle ALS stages (n = 44) and healthy subjects (n = 32). Patients with ALS showed significant deteriorations in oculomotor functions, with stronger impairments in iLIS. More specifically, ALS patients produced visually guided prosaccades with longer latencies and more frequent hypometria compared to healthy subjects. Longest latencies were obtained in iLIS patients, with a stronger prolongation for vertical than for horizontal prosaccades. ALS patients made more antisaccade errors and generated antisaccades with longer latencies. Smooth pursuit was also impaired in ALS. In the earlier ALS stages, bulbar onset patients presented stronger antisaccade and smooth pursuit deficits than spinal onset patients. Our findings reveal a relevant deterioration of important oculomotor functions in ALS, which increases in iLIS. It includes impairments of reflexive eye movements to loss of executive inhibitory control, indicating a progressing pathological involvement of prefrontal, midbrain and brainstem areas. The assessment of oculomotor functions may therefore provide clinically relevant bio- and progression marker, particularly in advanced ALS.
Risk factors for in-hospital mortality in geriatric patients aged 80 and older with axis fractures: a nationwide, cross-sectional analysis of concomitant injuries, comorbidities, and treatment strategies in 10,077 cases
Authors: Kerschbaum Maximilian , Klute Lisa , Henssler Leopold , Rupp Markus , Alt Volker , Lang Siegmund
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To investigate the association between treatment, comorbidities, concomitant injuries, and procedures with in-hospital mortality in patients aged 80 years or older with axis fractures.

Methods

Data were extracted from the German InEK (Institut für das Entgeltsystem im Krankenhaus) GmbH database (2019–2021) for patients aged 80 years or older with axis fractures and the in-hospital mortality rate was calculated. Differences in comorbidities and concomitant diseases and injuries were analyzed using the Chi-square test. In surgically treated patients, odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used to analyze potential risk factors for in-hospital mortality.

Results

Among 10,077 patients, the in-hospital mortality rate was 8.4%, with no significant difference between surgically (9.4%) and non-surgically treated patients (7.9%; p = 0.103). The most common comorbidities were essential hypertension (67.3%), atrial fibrillation (28.2%), and chronic kidney disease (23.3%), while the most common concomitant injuries were head and face wounds (25.9%), concussions (12.8%), and atlas fractures (11.6%). In surgically treated patients, spinal cord injury (OR = 4.62, 95% CI: 2.23–9.58), acute renal failure (OR = 3.20, 95% CI: 2.26–4.53), and acute bleeding anemia (OR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.64–2.59) were associated with increased in-hospital mortality (all p < 0.01). Screw-rod-system fixation of one segment (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.56–0.97) and intraoperative navigation (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.16–0.71) were identified as potential protective factors (both p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Comprehensive geriatric assessment and optimization of comorbidities during treatment are crucial. The indication for surgical treatment must be carefully individualized. Future studies should focus on the choice of surgical technique, perioperative blood management, and intraoperative navigation as potential protective factors.
Deep-karst aquifer spring-flow trends in a water-limited system, Grand Canyon National Park, USA
Authors: Chambless Hannah E. , Springer Abraham E. , Evans Max , Jones Natalie
Published: September 2023

Better characterization of the water resources of the Grand Canyon National Park (GRCA) and World Heritage Site, USA, will inform management decisions regarding a proposed water supply intake from Bright Angel Creek (BAC) and will inform the associated forecasts on water security related to climate change and the impact on spring-dependent species. Characterization of the water supply for GRCA was improved through multiyear hydrograph analyses at five springs discharging from the Redwall-Muav (R) aquifer: Roaring Springs, Emmett Spring, At Last Spring, Tapeats Spring, and Abyss River Spring. Comparison of snowmelt response timing and mean recession coefficients among the five springs show no significant differences, indicating similar timing of snowmelt-related discharge and flow regimes across 50 km of horizontal and 1,000 m of vertical distance through the aquifer system. The mean water volumes discharged during snowmelt and the mean annual discharge are significantly different between Roaring Springs, Emmett Spring, Tapeats Spring, and Abyss River Spring. Linear regression analyses indicate no annual trends in any of the evaluated aquifer characteristics for any spring, except for more stable baseflow between recessions at Tapeats Spring. Water budgets calculated for Roaring Springs are imbalanced, suggesting missing outflow components, a need to refine the recharge region through dye trace studies, and inaccurate precipitation and evapotranspiration data, requiring model improvement. Continued hydrograph comparisons, trend analyses, and water budgets for additional years and springs will be useful for future groundwater modeling and for forecasting impacts on the R aquifer.
Effect of tree shade on behavior and haircoat temperature of grazing dual-purpose cows in a hot and humid tropical environment
Authors: Pérez-Hernández Víctor Manuel , López-Ortiz Silvia , Pérez-Elizalde Sergio , Pérez-Hernández Ponciano , Castillo-Gallegos Epigmenio , Jarillo-Rodríguez Jesús
Published: September 2023

We evaluated the behavior and skin temperature of dual-purpose cattle that grazed pastures having high (HC), low (LC), and no (NC) tree cover during the rainy and dry seasons in the hot and humid tropics of Mexico. We observed twenty-four adult cows (eight per treatment) over 24 days during each season, recording skin temperature and the time related to different daily activities. Across treatments, cows spent the same amount of time foraging during the rainy season (P > 0.05), but cows under HC spent less time during the dry season (P < 0.0001). During the rainy season, cows under HC showed more motivation to continue grazing than becoming restless or beginning rumination (P < 0.001) or roaming more than in other treatments (P < 0.001). During the dry season, cows under HC and LC also had less probability of initiating rest than NC (P < 0.001). Cows under HC had greater motivation to transition from grazing to roaming and less incentive to pass from rumination to rest than cows under LC and NC (P < 0.001). The frequency of water consumption was greater during the dry season (P < 0.001) and consistently high under NC (P < 0.0001). Skin temperature did not differ among treatments during the rainy season (P = 0.261), but during the dry season, it was greater under NC (P < 0.001). Tree cover improves cow behaviors by increasing the impetus to graze and perform daily activities, which contributes to reduced skin temperature during hotter seasons.
Individuality-enhanced and multi-granularity consistency-preserving graph neural network for semi-supervised node classification
Authors: Liu Xinxin , Yu Weiren
Published: September 2023

Semi-supervised node classification is an important task that aims at classifying nodes based on the graph structure, node features, and class labels for a subset of nodes. While most graph convolutional networks (GCNs) perform well when an ample number of labeled nodes are available, they often degenerate when the amount of labeled data is limited. To address this problem, we propose a scheme, namely, Individuality-enhanced and Multi-granularity Consistency-preserving graph neural Network (IMCN), which can alleviate the problem of losing individual information within the encoder while providing a reliable supervised signal for learning purposes. First, one simple encoder based on node features only is integrated to enhance node individuality and amend node commonality learned by the GCN-based encoder. Then, three constraints are defined at different levels of granularity, encompassing node embedding agreement, semantic class alignment, and node-to-class distribution identity. They can maintain the consistency between the individuality and commonality of nodes and be leveraged as latent supervised signals for learning representative embeddings. Finally, the trade-off between the individuality and commonality of nodes captured by two encoders is taken into consideration for node classification. Extensive experiments on six real-world datasets have been conducted to validate the superiority of IMCN against state-of-the-art baselines in handling node classification tasks with scarce labeled data.

Graphical abstract
Spatial patterns of phylogenetic and species diversity of Fennoscandian vascular plants in protected areas
Authors: Matten Damaris M. , Mienna Ida M. , Bieker Vanessa C. , Mishler Brent D. , Moen Victoria S. , Nygaard Malene , Vuorinen Katariina E. M. , Bendiksby Mika , Martin Michael D. , Speed James D.M.
Published: September 2023

Protected areas are one of the main strategic means for conserving biodiversity. Yet, the design of protected areas usually neglects phylogenetic diversity, an important diversity measure. In this paper we assess the phylogenetic diversity and species richness of vascular plants in Fennoscandian protected areas. We evaluate how much species richness and phylogenetic diversity is found within and outside protected areas, and the differences in plant diversity between different categories of protected areas. We also assess the differences in the diversity-area relationship of the different protected area categories in terms of both species richness and phylogenetic diversity. We build a multi-locus phylogeny of 1,519 native vascular plants of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. We estimate the phylogenetic diversity and species richness by combining the phylogeny with publicly available occurrence data and the currently protected area system of Fennoscandia. Our results indicate that protected areas in Fennoscandia hold more plant diversity when larger, and that phylogenetic diversity increases faster with area than species richness. We found evidence for more plant diversity outside of protected areas of the different countries of Fennoscandia than inside of protected areas, but no evidence for plant diversity differences between areas with different protection status. Hence, our results indicate that the current protected area system in Fennoscandia is no more effective in conserving phylogenetic diversity and species richness of vascular plants than a random selection of localities. Our results also indicate that planning conservation strategies around phylogenetic diversity, rather than species richness, might be a first step to protect vascular plant diversity more effectively.
Construction and initial validation of the scale “Goals for Future Design of the 2030 Agenda”
Authors: Santilli Sara , Ginevra Maria Cristina , Di Maggio Ilaria , Soresi Salvatore , Nota Laura
Published: September 2023

Sustainable development goals are used as guidance for future career and life design. The importance of including young people in the sustainability process is recognized also by recent vocational guidance literature. Nevertheless, the assessment of the Sustainable Development Goals itself presents a challenge. For these reasons, we validated a specific assessment instrument to investigate adolescents’ propensity to point out how much each of the 2030 Agenda goals for sustainable development may affect their future design. This article reports the development and psychometric requisites of the “Goals for Future Design of the 2030 Agenda.” The scale recalls the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The study involved 554 high school students. Initial exploratory factor analysis factorial structure showed a four-factor structure of the 17-item scale: (1) social/health, (2) environment/nature, (3) human rights/equal economic development, and (4) policy and democracy. A single-factor second-order structure also emerged from the confirmatory factor analysis. The results support the use of the scale in vocational guidance and career counselling activities to promote adolescents’ life design in a sustainable and inclusive way.