bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empagliflozin protects mice against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis
Authors: Radlinger Bernhard , Ress Claudia , Folie Sabrina , Salzmann Karin , Lechuga Ana , Weiss Bernhard , Salvenmoser Willi , Graber Michael , Hirsch Jakob , Holfeld Johannes , Kremser Christian , Moser Patrizia , Staudacher Gabriele , Jelenik Tomas , Roden Michael , Tilg Herbert , Kaser Susanne
Published: December 2022

Aims/hypothesis

Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Their role in the prevention of diet-induced metabolic deteriorations, such as obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease, has not been defined yet. In this study we set out to test whether empagliflozin prevents weight gain and metabolic dysfunction in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.

Methods

C57Bl/6 mice were fed a western-type diet supplemented with empagliflozin (WDE) or without empagliflozin (WD) for 10 weeks. A standard control diet (CD) without or with empagliflozin (CDE) was used to control for diet-specific effects. Metabolic phenotyping included assessment of body weight, food and water intake, body composition, hepatic energy metabolism, skeletal muscle mitochondria and measurement of insulin sensitivity using hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamps.

Results

Mice fed the WD were overweight, hyperglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic and insulin resistant after 10 weeks. Supplementation of the WD with empagliflozin prevented these metabolic alterations. While water intake was significantly increased by empagliflozin supplementation, food intake was similar in WDE- and WD-fed mice. Adipose tissue depots measured by MRI were significantly smaller in WDE-fed mice than in WD-fed mice. Additionally, empagliflozin supplementation prevented significant steatosis found in WD-fed mice. Accordingly, hepatic insulin signalling was deteriorated in WD-fed mice but not in WDE-fed mice. Empagliflozin supplementation positively affected size and morphology of mitochondria in skeletal muscle in both CD- and WD-fed mice.

Conclusions/interpretation

Empagliflozin protects mice from diet-induced weight gain, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in a preventative setting and improves muscle mitochondrial morphology independent of the type of diet.

Graphical abstract
Efficacy of autologous stromal vascular fraction injection in the treatment of androgenic alopecia
Authors: El-Khalawany Mohamed , Rageh Mahmoud A. , Elnokrashy Ibrahim , Ibrahim Shady Mahmoud Attia
Published: December 2022

Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a common condition associated with loss of terminal hair on the scalp in a specific pattern in both males and females. Management of AGA is usually challenging as the approved therapeutic options are limited. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy of non-enzymatic stromal vascular fraction (SVF) as a new promising treatment for AGA. From April to December 2021, this prospective study included 30 patients with AGA who were enrolled from the University Hospitals' dermatology outpatient clinics. Patients received a single session of autologous SVF injection and were then followed up for 6 months. There was an increase in hair shaft caliber from 0.037 ± 0.01 mm before treatment with SVF to 0.056 ± 0.02 mm after 6 months of treatment. Also, hair count/cm2 increased from 130.87 ± 14/cm2 to 151.93 ± 22.36/cm2 and terminal to vellus hair ratio increased from 77.06 ± 10.47% to 81.45 ± 11.98% at the end of the study. No significant difference was recorded between male and female groups as regard response to treatment. We concluded that SVF is an effective line of treatment for AGA with significant improvement regarding hair density, hair diameter, global photography, and patient satisfaction.
Platycodin D inhibits the proliferation and migration of hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts and promotes apoptosis through a caspase-dependent pathway
Authors: Yu Zhencheng , Li Yun , Fu Rao , Xue Yaxin , Zhao Danyang , Han Dong
Published: December 2022

Abnormal fibroblast proliferation and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition lead to the formation of hypertrophic scars (HSs). However, there is no satisfactory method to inhibit the occurrence and development of HSs. In our study, platycodin D (PD), a natural compound extracted from Platycodon grandiflorus, inhibited HSs formation both in vitro and in vivo. First, qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to confirm PD dose-dependently downregulated the expression of Col I, Col III and α-SMA in human hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts (HSFs) (p < 0.05). Second, cck-8, transwell and wound healing assays verified PD suppressed the proliferation (p < 0.05) and migration of HSFs (p < 0.05), and inhibited the differentiation of HSFs into myofibroblasts. Moreover, PD-induced HSFs apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry and the apoptosis was activated through a caspase-dependent pathway. The rabbit ear scar model was used to further confirm the inhibitory effect of PD on collagen and α-SMA deposition. Finally, Western blot analysis showed that PD reduced TGF-β RI expression (p < 0.05) and affected matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) protein levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study showed that PD inhibited the proliferation and migration of HSFs by inhibiting fibrosis-related molecules and promoting apoptosis via a caspase-dependent pathway. The TGF-β/Smad pathway also mediated the inhibition of HSFs proliferation and HSFs differentiation into myofibroblasts. Therefore, PD is a potential therapeutic agent for HSs and other fibrotic diseases.
Aggressive migration in acidic pH of a glioblastoma cancer stem cell line in vitro is independent of ASIC and KCa3.1 ion channels, but involves phosphoinositide 3-kinase
Authors: Cortés Franco Klaus-Daniel , Brakmann Ilka C. , Feoktistova Maria , Panayotova-Dimitrova Diana , Gründer Stefan , Tian Yuemin
Published: December 2022

The microenvironment of proliferative and aggressive tumours, such as the brain tumour glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is often acidic, hypoxic, and nutrient deficient. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proton-sensitive Na+ channels that have been proposed to play a role in pH sensing and in modulation of cancer cell migration. We previously reported that primary glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs), which grow as multicellular tumour spheroids, express functional ASIC1a and ASIC3, whereas ASIC2a is downregulated in GSCs. Using a 2.5D migration assay, here we report that acidic pH dramatically increased migration of GSCs of the pro-neural subtype. Pharmacological blockade as well as CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene knock-out of ASIC1a or stable overexpression of ASIC2a, however, revealed that neither ASIC1a nor ASIC3, nor downregulation of ASIC2a, mediated the aggressive migration at acidic pH. Therefore, we tested the role of two other proteins previously implicated in cancer cell migration: the Ca2+-activated K+ channel KCa3.1 (KCNN4) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). While pharmacological blockade of KCa3.1 did also not affect migration, blockade of PI3K decreased migration at acidic pH to control levels. In summary, our study reveals a strongly enhanced migration of GSCs at acidic pH in vitro and identifies PI3K as an important mediator of this effect.
The infinite-horizon investment–consumption problem for Epstein–Zin stochastic differential utility. I: Foundations
Authors: Herdegen Martin , Hobson David , Jerome Joseph
Published: December 2022

The goal of this article is to provide a detailed introduction to infinite-horizon investment–consumption problems for agents with preferences described by Epstein–Zin (EZ) stochastic differential utility (SDU). In the setting of a Black–Scholes–Merton market, we seek to describe all parameter combinations that lead to a well-founded problem in the sense that the problem is not just mathematically well posed, but the solution is also economically meaningful. The key idea is to consider a novel and slightly different description of EZ SDU under which the aggregator has only one sign. This new formulation clearly highlights the necessity for the coefficients of relative risk aversion and of elasticity of intertemporal complementarity (the reciprocal of the coefficient of intertemporal substitution) to lie on the same side of unity.
Local reports of climate change impacts in Sierra Nevada, Spain: sociodemographic and geographical patterns
Authors: García-del-Amo David , Mortyn Peter Graham , Reyes-García Victoria
Published: December 2022

While we know that climate change is having different impacts on various ecosystems and regions of the world, we know less how the perception of such impacts varies within a population. In this study, we examine patterns of individual variation in climate change impacts reports using data from a sample (n = 238) drawn from 33 mountainous municipalities of Sierra Nevada, Spain. Sierra Nevada inhabitants report multiple climate change impacts, being the most frequently reported changes in snowfall and snow cover, abundance of terrestrial fauna, freshwater availability, and extreme temperatures. Reports of climate change impacts vary according to informants’ sociodemographic characteristics and geographical location. People with life-long bonds with the environment and higher connection and dependence upon ecosystem services report more climate change impacts than other informants, as do people with lower level of schooling. We also found that reports of climate change impacts vary according to geographic areas, which reinforces the idea that climate change generates differentiated impacts even at small geographical scales. Understanding intracultural variation in reports of climate change impacts not only gives an enriched picture of the human dimensions of climate change but might also help design more targeted mitigation and adaptation responses.
Better Fiscal Rules for a More Integrated EMU
Authors: Jaillet Pierre , Pfister Christian
Published: December 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and the pressure it has created on member states’ public finances have led European authorities to suspend the EU’s fiscal rules. In fact, these rules had long been criticised by academics and had only been abided by exceptionally. Beyond the rules themselves, the lessons one can draw from the past 20 years also give good reason to revise the EU overall coordination framework.
Digitalisierte Präzisionsdüngung und EU-Agrarsubventionen im deutschen Recht: Ökologisch effektive Umsetzung von Farm-to-Fork-Strategie und Umweltvölkerrecht?
Authors: Heyl Katharine , Ekardt Felix , Roos Paula , Garske Beatrice
Published: December 2022

Die ökologisch motivierte Farm-to-Fork-Strategie als Kernstück des europäischen Green
Deals zielt darauf ab, die Lebensmittelproduktion entlang der gesamten Wertschöpfungskette nachhaltig
zu gestalten. Zur Erreichung dieses Ziels soll u.a. die digital basierte Präzisionsdüngung eine
zentrale Rolle spielen. Operationalisiert wird dies in der bundes- und landesrechtlichen Umsetzung des
EU-Agrarsubventionsregimes, der Gemeinsamen Agrarpolitik. Digitale Optionen der Düngung sind zur Erreichung
der Farm-to-Fork-Ziele und der – rechtsverbindlichen – umweltvölkerrechtlichen Ziele des
Paris-Abkommens und der Biodiversitätskonvention jedoch nur geeignet, wenn sie mit einer teils verschärften,
teils neu zu schaffenden EU-Mengensteuerung für fossile Brennstoffe und Tierhaltung insgesamt verbunden
werden, die über die Ziele der EU-Kommission im European Green Deal noch deutlich hinausgehen müsste.
Gelänge dies, würde die Digitalisierung der Landwirtschaft als technische Strategie in Richtung
mehr Umweltschutz gelenkt, statt gar noch zu einer ökologisch kontraproduktiven Intensivierung der
Landnutzung beizutragen.
Selecting a voting method: the case for the Borda count
Authors: Saari Donald G.
Published: December 2022

Of importance when selecting a voting method is whether, on a regular basis, its outcomes accurately capture the intent of voters. A surprise is that very few procedures do this. Another desired feature is for a decision approach to assist groups in reaching a consensus (Sect. 5). As described, these goals are satisfied only with the Borda count. Addressing these objectives requires understanding what can go wrong, what causes voting difficulties, and how bad they can be. To avoid technicalities, all of this is illustrated with examples accompanied by references for readers wishing a complete analysis. As shown (Sects. 1–3), most problems reflect a loss of vital information. Understanding this feature assists in showing that the typical description of Arrow’s Theorem, “with three or more alternatives, no voting method is fair,” is not accurate (Sect. 2).
Social Anxiety and Suicidality in Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Leigh Eleanor , Chiu Kenny , Ballard Elizabeth D.
Published: December 2022

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people every year. Identifying risk factors provides opportunities to intervene, and social anxiety may represent one such factor. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to review the evidence of associations between social anxiety and suicidality in youth (10–25 years). Embase, PsycInfo, and Medline were searched to identify relevant articles. Meta-analysis was conducted to examine the mean effect sizes of concurrent and prospective associations between social anxiety and three indices of suicidality in adolescents aged 10–25 years. Meta-analyses of 16 studies showed that social anxiety was associated cross-sectionally with suicide attempt (r = 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.15), suicidal ideation (r = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.41), and suicide risk (r = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.41), and prospectively at trend level with suicidal ideation (r = 0.62, 95% CI: -0.03, 0.90). An examination of the prospective associations with suicide attempt and risk was not possible due to a lack of studies. Several studies suggested that results could not be solely attributed to depressive symptoms. A high level of heterogeneity was observed in each meta-analysis. Moderation analysis was possible for gender and publication year only; neither was significant. Findings provide further evidence of a link between social anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth but are limited by the small number of studies of mixed quality. This review supports future research into social anxiety symptoms as potential risk factors and treatment targets for suicidal youth.
Synthesis, Characterization, Thermodynamic Analysis and Quantum Chemical Approach of Branched N, N′-bis(p-hydroxybenzoyl)-Based Propanediamine and Triethylenetetramine for Carbon Steel Corrosion Inhibition in Hydrochloric Acid Medium
Authors: Abbas Mohamed A. , Arafa E. I. , Bedair Mahmoud A. , Ismail Amr S. , El-Azabawy Olfat E. , Baker Sharbat A. , Al-Shafey Hussin I.
Published: December 2022

The influence of branched N, N′-bis(p-hydroxybenzoyl) containing propylenediamine (PDA) and triethylenetetramine (TETA) composites for corrosion inhibition of carbon steel in acidic solution (1 M HCl) was investigated using several quantum chemical, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization as electrochemical techniques. The investigated molecules were posteriorly characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) while the surfaces of carbon steel test coupons were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The obtained results revealed that the two amino compounds, N, N′-bis(p-hydroxybenzoyl) propanediamine (N, N′-HBPDA) and N, N′-bis(p-hydroxybenzoyl) triethylenetetramine (N, N′-HBTETA), have significant efficiency toward steel corrosion attack and its inhibition performance was significantly boosted by increasing concentration of di- and tetramine containing inhibitors. The two inhibitors achieved a maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency of 99.1% as indicated from polarization measurements. The isotherm feature of Langmuir adsorption appeared to be proper factor for associating the experimental gains with an applicable mechanism of inhibition process. The free energy ∆Gads was calculated to be − 27.5, 29.1 kJ/mol based on the adsorption isotherm model, indicating physical adsorption on the carbon steel surface. Further, images of the morphological analysis exhibited various features of attack owing to the aggressive medium and the employed concentration of the inhibitor. These synthesized amines supplied many favorable scores in the fabrication of functional mixed-type inhibitors. The computational studies reveal that N, N′-HBPDA and N, N′-HBTETA molecules could absorb via several lone pairs and π clouds, confirming their ability to be good corrosion inhibitors.
The Economics of Developing and Emerging Markets
Authors: van Marrewijk Charles , Brakman Steven , Swart Julia
Published: December 2022

This textbook presents an innovative new perspective on the economics of development, including insights from a broad range of disciplines. It starts with the current state of affairs, a discussion of data availability, reliability, and analysis, and an historic overview of the deep influence of fundamental factors on human prosperity. Next, it focuses on the role of human interaction in terms of trade, capital, and knowledge flows, as well as the associated implications for institutions, contracts, and finance. The book also highlights differences in the development paths of emerging countries in order to provide a better understanding of the concepts of development and the Millennium Development Goals. Insights from other disciplines are used help to understand human development with regard to other issues, such as inequalities, health, demography, education, and poverty. The book concludes by emphasizing the importance of connections, location, and human interaction in determining future prosperity.
Alleged Violations of Sovereign Rights and Maritime Spaces in the Caribbean Sea (Nicar. v. Colom.), Judgment (I.C.J.)
Authors: Ishii Yurika
Published: December 2022

On April 21, 2022, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued a judgment finding the illegality of Colombia's measures and actions in the Nicaraguan exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the case Alleged Violations of Sovereign Rights and Maritime Spaces in the Caribbean Sea. The dispute primarily concerned the Court's jurisdiction based on the American Treaty on Pacific Settlement (Pact of Bogotá) Article XXXI and a coastal state's rights over its maritime zones under customary international law.
The Cost of Democracy: The Church of Ireland and Its Ritual Canons, 1871–1974
Authors: Ford Alan
Published: December 2022

In 1870, disestablishment suddenly turned the Church of Ireland from a state church into a democracy, governed by its “parliament,” the General Synod. The empowerment of the laity left it with a distinctive, indeed unique, feature among the churches of the Anglican communion—a set of disciplinary canons designed to exclude high-church ritualism from its worship. Passed in 1871, these canons, the most radical of which included a ban on the use of the cross, were used by evangelical pressure-groups to prosecute high-church clergy in the church courts. For the dominant low-church lay party, determined to defend the “Reformation heritage” of the Church of Ireland, they represented an essential bulwark against the threat of English high-church ritualism and a “slide towards Rome.” For many clergy and bishops, anxious to allow for a broader range of Anglican churchmanship, the canons unduly narrowed and impoverished the worship of the Church of Ireland. Because of the General Synod's majority voting mechanism, efforts to amend the canons proved fruitless. It was only in 1964 that the ban on the cross was removed, and not until 1974 that the canons as a whole were revised, ending over a hundred years of contention and division.
Assessing the readability and quality of online information on Bell's palsy
Authors: Raja H , Fitzpatrick N
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the readability and quality of current online information on Bell's palsy.

Method

A Google search using the terms ‘Bell's palsy’ and ‘facial palsy’ was performed separately. The first three pages of results were analysed. Readability was assessed using Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning-Fog Index and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook. Quality was assessed using the Discern tool. Spearman's correlation between quality and readability was calculated.

Results

A total of 31 websites met the inclusion criteria. The mean Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning Fox Index and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook scores were 52.45 (95 per cent confidence interval = 47.01–57.86), 10.50 (95 per cent confidence interval = 9.42–11.58), 12.76 (95 per cent confidence interval = 11.68–13.85) and 9.36 (95 per cent confidence interval = 8.52–10.20), respectively. The average Discern score was 44 (95 per cent confidence interval = 40.88–47.12). A negligible correlation was noted between the Discern and Flesch Reading Ease Score (rs = −0.05, p = 0.80).

Conclusion

Online information on Bell's palsy is generally of fair quality but is written above the recommended reading age guidance in the UK.
How to change consumer behaviours
Authors: Lahlou Saadi
Published: December 2022

Changing consumer behaviour has potential benefits for health, the economy and the environment. Change is possible, and behavioural change has been the purpose of much research; nevertheless we can still observe limited success, as in the case of food in public policies or individual diets. One reason is that models driving behavioural change interventions tend to neglect some important contextual factors. The three layers of components that channel behaviour (‘installations’ in the material, embodied and social realms) are described here and how this channelling can be hacked, modified and leveraged to foster behavioural change. Installations scaffold and control individual and collective behaviour at each step of the behavioural path with their three-layered and partly redundant structure. This redundancy makes the channelling resilient enough to train novices and to guide and repair behaviour. The three layers, physical affordances, embodied competences and social regulation are described in detail. To change eating behaviour, installations must be adapted at all steps of behaviour, from procurement to storage, preparation, meal and disposal. This adaptation can be done through the various layers in an opportunistic way, according to the agency of those who endeavour to change behaviour (e.g. budget, time, political power, etc.) Finally the steps necessary to design behavioural change interventions leveraging installations are listed.
Rostral-middle locus coeruleus integrity and subjective cognitive decline in early old age
Authors: Bell Tyler Reed , Elman Jeremy A. , Beck Asad , Fennema-Notestine Christine , Gustavson Daniel E. , Hagler Donald J. , Jack Amy J. , Lyons Michael J. , Puckett Olivia K. , Toomey Rosemary , Franz Carol E. , Kremen William S.
Published: December 2022

Objectives:

Abnormal tau, a hallmark Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology, may appear in the locus coeruleus (LC) decades before AD symptom onset. Reports of subjective cognitive decline are also often present prior to formal diagnosis. Yet, the relationship between LC structural integrity and subjective cognitive decline has remained unexplored. Here, we aimed to explore these potential associations.

Methods:

We examined 381 community-dwelling men (mean age = 67.58; SD = 2.62) in the Vietnam Era Twin Study of Aging who underwent LC-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging and completed the Everyday Cognition scale to measure subjective cognitive decline along with their selected informants. Mixed models examined the associations between rostral-middle and caudal LC integrity and subjective cognitive decline after adjusting for depressive symptoms, physical morbidities, and family. Models also adjusted for current objective cognitive performance and objective cognitive decline to explore attenuation.

Results:

For participant ratings, lower rostral-middle LC contrast to noise ratio (LCCNR) was associated with significantly greater subjective decline in memory, executive function, and visuospatial abilities. For informant ratings, lower rostral-middle LCCNR was associated with significantly greater subjective decline in memory only. Associations remained after adjusting for current objective cognition and objective cognitive decline in respective domains.

Conclusions:

Lower rostral-middle LC integrity is associated with greater subjective cognitive decline. Although not explained by objective cognitive performance, such a relationship may explain increased AD risk in people with subjective cognitive decline as the LC is an important neural substrate important for higher order cognitive processing, attention, and arousal and one of the first sites of AD pathology.
The Effects of a Single Relaxation Hypnosis Session on Mental Stress in Chronically Stressed Individuals
Authors: Karrasch Sarah , Bongartz Walter , Behnke Alexander , Matits Lynn , Kolassa Iris-Tatjana
Published: December 2022

Abstract. Background: Chronically stressed people often suffer from anxiety and depressive mood. Hypnosis is a technique that can induce a relaxation response and reduce negative stress symptoms. Objective: This explorative study investigated the impact of a single relaxation hypnosis session on stress-related psychological symptoms. Method: 47 suggestible, stressed individuals (87 % female) were randomized to a hypnosis group ( n = 23, 20-minute hypnosis) or a control group ( n = 24, 20-minute scientific documentary). Before and after the intervention, we assessed perceived stress, negative affect, anxiety, and depressive mood. Results: After the hypnosis intervention, depressive mood ( d = 0.36) and state anxiety ( d = 1.00) decreased, while negative affect remained stable ( d = 0.04). Perceived stress was reduced in both groups. Conclusion: A single relaxation hypnosis session decreased stress-related symptoms in chronically stressed individuals. Our results substantiated the stress-alleviating effects of hypnosis.
Mental health and inclusivity support and education in a UK dental school: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Lennox Chloe , Pandya Jay-Krishan , Lyttle Ross , Pandya Sohum , Penlington Chris , Bowes Charlotte
Published: December 2022

Aims To establish the current support and knowledge around mental health and equality, diversity and inclusion at a UK Dental School and make suggestions about improvements.

Objectives Conduct a survey of dental undergraduate students at Newcastle Dental School to elicit responses

Methods Bachelor of Dental Surgery and Bachelor of Oral and Dental Health Science students at Newcastle University were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey via email. Following electronic consent, an electronic questionnaire via an online form builder was distributed via email. Participants were asked questions on experiences and feelings towards wellbeing support, mental health and equality, diversity and inclusion topics, including improvements that could be made.

Results In total, 89 students participated. The majority of participants were white, women and heterosexual. Wellbeing support was present and generally accessible. Students were aware of mental health conditions but unsure how to manage them in a clinical setting. Students were generally unaware of barriers to care faced by LGBT+ and racialised minority patients. Students were mainly uncomfortable disclosing personal issues with their personal tutor. Students responded positively to some suggested improvements in support and education surrounding mental health and inclusivity.

Conclusion Our study highlighted the areas where Newcastle Dental School continues to provide high levels of support for students but also areas that may require attention through further study and focus groups, with an aim to increase diversity of respondents so that further exploration regarding the intersectionality of identity can be undertaken.
Dysfunctional Sars-CoV-2-M protein-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients recovering from severe COVID-19
Authors: Ogura Hideki , Gohda Jin , Lu Xiuyuan , Yamamoto Mizuki , Takesue Yoshio , Son Aoi , Doi Sadayuki , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Isobe Fumitaka , Fukuda Yoshihiro , Huang Tai-Ping , Ueno Takamasa , Mambo Naomi , Murakami Hiromoto , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Inoue Jun-ichiro , Shirai Kunihiro , Yamasaki Sho , Hirata Jun-Ichi , Ishido Satoshi
Published: December 2022

Although the importance of virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in virus clearance is evident in COVID-19, the characteristics of virus-specific CTLs related to disease severity have not been fully explored. Here we show that the phenotype of virus-specific CTLs against immunoprevalent epitopes in COVID-19 convalescents might differ according to the course of the disease. We establish a cellular screening method that uses artificial antigen presenting cells, expressing HLA-A*24:02, the costimulatory molecule 4-1BBL, SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins S, M, and N and non-structural proteins ORF3a and nsp6/ORF1a. The screen implicates SARS-CoV-2 M protein as a frequent target of IFNγ secreting CD8+ T cells, and identifies M198–206 as an immunoprevalent epitope in our cohort of HLA-A*24:02 positive convalescent COVID-19 patients recovering from mild, moderate and severe disease. Further exploration of M198–206-specific CD8+ T cells with single cell RNA sequencing reveals public TCRs in virus-specific CD8+ T cells, and shows an exhausted phenotype with less differentiated status in cells from the severe group compared to cells from the moderate group. In summary, this study describes a method to identify T cell epitopes, indicate that dysfunction of virus-specific CTLs might be an important determinant of clinical outcomes.
Using performance art to promote intergroup prosociality by cultivating the belief that empathy is unlimited
Authors: Hasson Yossi , Amir Einat , Sobol-Sarag Danit , Tamir Maya , Halperin Eran
Published: December 2022

Empathy is important for resolving intergroup conflicts. However, people often tend to feel less empathy toward people who do not belong to their social group (i.e., outgroup members). We propose that this tendency is due, in part, to the belief that empathy is a limited resource. To overcome this issue, we develop an intervention synthesizing psychology and art to increase the belief that empathy is unlimited. In six studies (n = 2118), we find that the more people believe empathy is limited, the less outgroup empathy they experience. Moreover, leading people to believe that empathy is unlimited increase outgroup empathy, leads to greater support for prosocial actions toward outgroup members, and encourages more empathic behaviors toward outgroup members in face-to-face intergroup interactions. These intervention effects are observed across various intergroup contexts involving different ethnic, national, religious, and political groups. Thus, changing beliefs about empathy may improve intergroup relations, and conveying this belief through art may promote social change.
Observation of a robust and active catalyst for hydrogen evolution under high current densities
Authors: Zhang Yudi , Arpino Kathryn E. , Yang Qun , Kikugawa Naoki , Sokolov Dmitry A. , Hicks Clifford W. , Liu Jian , Felser Claudia , Li Guowei
Published: December 2022

Despite the fruitful achievements in the development of hydrogen production catalysts with record-breaking performances, there is still a lack of durable catalysts that could work under large current densities (>1000 mA cm−2). Here, we investigated the catalytic behaviors of Sr2RuO4 bulk single crystals. This crystal has demonstrated remarkable activities under the current density of 1000 mA cm−2, which require overpotentials of 182 and 278 mV in 0.5 M H2SO4 and 1 M KOH electrolytes, respectively. These materials are stable for 56 days of continuous testing at a high current density of above 1000 mA cm−2 and then under operating temperatures of 70 °C. The in-situ formation of ferromagnetic Ru clusters at the crystal surface is observed, endowing the single-crystal catalyst with low charge transfer resistance and high wettability for rapid gas bubble removal. These experiments exemplify the potential of designing HER catalysts that work under industrial-scale current density.
Innovative antibacterial electrospun nanofibers mats depending on piezoelectric generation
Authors: Khalil Alaa M. , Hassanin Ahmed H. , El-kaliuoby Mai. I. , Omran Nada , Gamal Mohammed , El-Khatib Ahmed. M. , Kandas Ishac , Shehata Nader
Published: December 2022

This paper introduces a new approach of testing piezoelectric nanofibers as antibacterial mat. In this work, both Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and PVDF embedded with thermoplastic polyurethane nanofibers are synthesized as nanofibers mat via electrospinning technique. Then, such mat is analyzed as piezoelectric material to generate electric voltage under different mechanical excitations. Furthermore, morphological and chemical characteristics have been operated to prove the existence of beta sheets piezoelectricity of the synthesized nanofibers mats. Then, the synthesized nanofibers surfaces have been cyclically stretched and exposed to bacteria specimen. It has been noticed that the generated voltage and the corresponding localized electric field positively affect the growth of bacteria and reduces the formation of K. penomenue samples bacteria colonies. In addition, the effect of both stretching frequency and pulses numbers have been studied on the bacteria count, growth kinetics, and protein leakage. Our contribution here is to introduce an innovative way of the direct impact of the generated electric field from piezoelectric nanofibers on the reduction of bacteria growth, without depending on traditional anti-bacterial nanoparticles. This work can open a new trend of the usability of piezoelectric nanofibers through masks, filters, and wound curing mats within anti-bacterial biological applications.
The effect of exposure on cattle thyroid after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident
Authors: Horikami Daiki , Sayama Naoya , Sasaki Jun , Kusuno Haruka , Matsuzaki Hiroyuki , Hayashi Akane , Nakamura Tatsuro , Satoh Hiroshi , Natsuhori Masahiro , Okada Keiji , Ito Nobuhiko , Sato Itaru , Murata Takahisa
Published: December 2022

Nuclear plant accidents can be a risk for thyroid cancer due to iodine radioisotopes. Near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, cattle were exposed to radiation after the accident occurred in May 2011. Here we estimated the total radiation exposure to cattle thyroid and its effects on thyroid function. Until October 2016, the estimated external exposure dose in Farm A was 1416 mGy, while internal exposure dose of 131I, 134Cs, and 137Cs were 85, 8.8, and 9.7 mGy in Farm A and 34, 0.2, and 0.3 mGy in Farm B, respectively. The exposed cattle had thyroid with relatively lower weight and lower level of stable iodine, which did not exhibit any pathological findings. Compared with the control, the plasma level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was higher in Farm A cattle born before the accident, while the plasma thyroxine (T4) was higher in Farm A cattle born after the accident, suggesting that exposed cattle showed slight hyperactivation of the thyroid gland. In addition, Farm A cattle have higher level of cortisol, one of the anterior pituitary gland-derived hormones. However, we did not observe a causal relationship between the radiation exposure and cattle thyroid.
Anosognosia in hoarding disorder is predicted by alterations in cognitive and inhibitory control
Authors: van Roessel Peter J. , Marzke Cassandra , Varias Andrea D. , Mukunda Pavithra , Asgari Sepehr , Sanchez Catherine , Shen Hanyang , Jo Booil , Gunaydin Lisa A. , Williams Leanne M. , Rodriguez Carolyn I.
Published: December 2022

Insight impairment contributes significantly to morbidity in psychiatric disorders. The neurologic concept of anosognosia, reflecting deficits in metacognitive awareness of illness, is increasingly understood as relevant to psychopathology, but has been little explored in psychiatric disorders other than schizophrenia. We explored anosognosia as an aspect of insight impairment inn = 71 individuals with DSM-5 hoarding disorder. We used a standardized clutter severity measure to assess whether individuals with hoarding disorder underreport home clutter levels relative to independent examiners. We then explored whether underreporting, as a proxy for anosognosia, is predicted by clinical or neurocognitive behavioral measures. We found that individuals with hoarding disorder underreport their clutter, and that underreporting is predicted by objective severity of clutter. In ann = 53 subset of participants, we found that underreporting is predicted by altered performance on tests of cognitive control and inhibition, specifically Go/No-Go and Stroop tests. The relation of underreporting to objective clutter, the cardinal symptom of hoarding disorder, suggests that anosognosia may reflect core pathophysiology of the disorder. The neurocognitive predictors of clutter underreporting suggest that anosognosia in hoarding disorder shares a neural basis with metacognitive awareness deficits in other neuropsychiatric disorders and that executive anosognosia may be a transdiagnostic manifestation of psychopathology.
Prospective multicenter study of heart rate variability with ANI monitor as predictor of mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19
Authors: Aragón-Benedí Cristian , Caballero-Lozada Andres Fabricio , Perez-Calatayud Angel Augusto , Marulanda-Yanten Angela Maria , Oliver-Fornies Pablo , Boselli Emmanuel , De Jonckheere Julien , Bergese Sergio D. ,   ANI-COVID-19 Research Group, Martinez-Ubieto Javier , Pascual-Bellosta Ana , Ortega-Lucea Sonia , Fernandez Juan Pablo Quintero , Camacho Miguel Ángel Martínez , Gaviria-Villarreal Leidy , Mantilla Jorge Mejia , Lopez-Arribas Irene , Centeno-Perez Alejandro , Merino-Ruiz Margarita , Fernandez-Garcia Raquel , Fajardo-Perez Mario , Ledochowski Stanislas
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the most critically ill patients with COVID-19 have greater autonomic nervous system dysregulation and assessing the heart rate variability, allows us to predict severity and 30-day mortality. This was a multicentre, prospective, cohort study. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the 30-day mortality. The heart rate variability and more specifically the relative parasympathetic activity (ANIm), and the SDNN (Energy), were measured. To predict severity and mortality multivariate analyses of ANIm, Energy, SOFA score, and RASS scales were conducted. 112 patients were collected, the survival group (n = 55) and the deceased group (n = 57). The ANIm value was higher (p = 0.013) and the Energy was lower in the deceased group (p = 0.001); Higher Energy was correlated with higher survival days (p = 0.009), and a limit value of 0.31 s predicted mortalities with a sensitivity of 71.9% and a specificity of 74.5%. Autonomic nervous system and heart rate variability monitoring in critically ill patients with COVID-19 allows for predicting survival days and 30-day mortality through the Energy value. Those patients with greater severity and mortality showed higher sympathetic depletion with a predominance of relative parasympathetic activity.
Calibration of the angle measurement error caused by the industrial reducer performance test instrument torsional deformation
Authors: Yu Zhen , Hao Zongrui
Published: December 2022

The measurement of the stiffness of a precision reducer is essential to estimating the reducer. Since the angular sensor’s measurement results include the angle measurement error caused by the instrument’s torsional deformation, it cannot be used as the actual torsional deformation of the reducer. This paper analyzes the instrument’s torsional deformation characteristics to reduce the angle measurement error. Based on the analysis, a new method of calibrating the angle measurement error based on the improved B-spline curve fitting-gradient descent and particle swarm optimization -radial basis function neural network (IBSCF-GDPSO-RBF) method is proposed. The method can eliminate the angle measurement error caused by the instrument’s torsional deformation. The steps of the IBSCF-GDPSO-RBF method are presented, and the angular measurement error compensation is executed under load conditions. The experiment shows that the instrument deformation caused angle measurement error after compensation is within ± two angular seconds. This paper’s innovation proposes the error calibration method based on the IBSCF-GDPSO-RBF method. It provides a reference for measuring and evaluating the actual torsional rigidity of the Rotary Vector (RV) reducer under any load.
Childhood asthma is associated with development of type 1 diabetes and inflammatory bowel diseases: a Danish nationwide registry study
Authors: Liljendahl Mie Sylow , Sevelsted Astrid , Chawes Bo L. , Stokholm Jakob , Bønnelykke Klaus , Andersen Zorana Jovanovic , Bisgaard Hans
Published: December 2022

Asthma and autoimmune disorders might be affected by opposing immune mechanisms, T helper cells type 2 (Th2) and T helper cells type 1 (Th1) immunity, respectively. Knowledge on comorbidity can increase understanding of the underlying etiologies. We aim to examine the association between childhood asthma and subsequent risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) in Danish children. Children of Danish origin born during 1991–1996 were included and childhood asthma, defined as a minimum of two collected prescriptions of inhalation corticosteroids age 5–7 years, was linked to hospitalisations with either T1D or IBD after age 8. Associations between childhood asthma and incidence of T1D and IBD were analysed using sex- and year stratified Cox regression. A total of 366,200 children were included in the study, 4.9% had asthma, which increased the risk of both T1D and IBD, hazard ratios of 1.32 (1.08–1.61) and 1.27 (1.09–1.48). In this large nationwide Danish study, we found that children with asthma have increased risk of developing immune diseases T1D and IBD. This contradicts the Th1 vs Th2 paradigm and points towards shared disease mechanisms and risk factors.
Adaptive changes in sensorimotor processing in patients with acute low back pain
Authors: Boendermaker Bart , Buechler Roman , Michels Lars , Nijs Jo , Coppieters Iris , Hotz-Boendermaker Sabina
Published: December 2022

In low back pain (LBP), primary care and secondary prevention of recurrent and persistent LBP are not always successful. Enhanced understanding of neural mechanisms of sensorimotor processing and pain modulation in patients with acute LBP is mandatory. This explorative fMRI study investigated sensorimotor processing due to mechanosensory stimulation of the lumbar spine. We studied 19 adult patients with acute LBP (< 4 weeks of an acute episode) and 23 healthy controls. On a numeric rating scale, patients reported moderate mean pain intensity of 4.5 out of 10, while LBP-associated disability indicated mild mean disability. The event-related fMRI analysis yielded no between-group differences. However, the computation of functional connectivity resulted in adaptive changes in networks involved in sensorimotor processing in the patient group: Connectivity strength was decreased in the salience and cerebellar networks but increased in the limbic and parahippocampal networks. Timewise, these results indicate that early connectivity changes might reflect adaptive physiological processes in an episode of acute LBP. These findings raise intriguing questions regarding their role in pain persistence and recurrences of LBP, particularly concerning the multiple consequences of acute LBP pain. Advanced understanding of neural mechanisms of processing non-painful mechanosensations in LBP may also improve therapeutic approaches.
Olfactory discrimination and identification as prognostic markers of fitness-to-drive in older drivers
Authors: Touliou Katerina , Maglaveras Nicos , Bekiaris Evangelos
Published: December 2022

The necessity for reliable, standardized and validated fitness to drive assessment tools for older drivers have been highlighted and discussed for over three decades. Existing neuropsychological tests of driving performance are focusing mostly on visuo-spatial attention and executive functioning rather than other senses. Over the last decade, olfactory deterioration has been found to be associated with cognitive decline and predicting transition from mild cognitive impairment to dementia. The AGILE fitness to drive battery is standardized for older drivers. In this study it was adapted to include the olfactory Sniff’ and Stick’s test. The aim was to investigate the value of relevant deficits as predictive markers of driving ability in three driving groups (older drivers with: (a) no impairment (controls), (b) with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and (c) MCI and other chronic conditions, i.e., comorbidities). So far, no other study has investigated the predictive value of olfactory deficits in driving ability. The findings revealed that discrimination is important for the first year of the examination and as the decline progresses, identification becomes the better olfactory marker. The latter is also evident in the literature. Hence, the results showed that less indicators are required compared to the initial battery. The olfactory markers were dominant over the neuropsychological tests, apart from alertness, for predicting the older driver’s fitness to drive regardless of the presence of cognitive impairment and other chronic conditions.
Adaptive optical phase estimation for real-time sensing of fast-varying signals
Authors: Wang Liu , Xie Fang , Zhang Yong , Xiao Min , Liu Fang
Published: December 2022

Optical phase tracking is an important technique for use in high-precision measurement applications, including optical frequency metrology and ground- or space-based gravitational wave observation, and coherent optical communications. When measuring fast-varying real-time signals, the response time limitations of the measurement system’s phase-locked loop cause the best operating point to be mismatched, and the measurement then becomes nonlinear. To make these measurements possible, this work proposes a time delay loop that theoretically enables optimal homodyne detection. When the time delay loop is combined with an extended Kalman filter, the estimated measurement accuracy is improved by 2.4 dB when tracking a fast-varying random signal with a velocity of 107 rad/s. This phase estimation improvement also increases as the interference angle deviates further from the optimal measurement point. The proposed method shows potential for use in real-time sensing and measurement applications.