bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic Epithelial Changes in Laryngotracheal Stenosis
Authors: Lina Ioan A. , Tsai Hsiu‐Wen , Berges Alexandra J. , Ospino Rafael A. , Davis Ruth J. , Motz Kevin M. , Collins Samuel , Ghosh Baishakhi , Sidhaye Venkataramana , Gelbard Alexander , Hillel Alexander T.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Characterize and quantify epithelium in multiple etiologies of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) to better understand its role in pathogenesis.

Study Design

Controlled in vitro cohort study.

Methods

Endoscopic brush biopsy samples of both normal (non‐scar) and scar were obtained in four patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) and four patients with iatrogenic LTS (iLTS). mRNA expression of basal, ciliary, and secretory cell markers were evaluated using quantitative PCR. Cricotracheal resection tissue samples (n = 5 per group) were also collected, analyzed using quantitative immunohistochemistry, and compared with rapid autopsy tracheal samples.

Results

Both iSGS and iLTS‐scar epithelium had reduced epithelial thickness compared with non‐scar control epithelium (P = .0009 and P = .0011, respectively). Basal cell gene and protein expression for cytokeratin 14 was increased in iSGS‐scar epithelium compared with iLTS or controls. Immunohistochemical expression of ciliary tubulin alpha 1, but not gene expression, was reduced in both iSGS and iLTS‐scar epithelium compared with controls (P = .0184 and P = .0125, respectively). Both iSGS and iLTS‐scar had reductions in Mucin 5AC gene expression (P = .0007 and P = .0035, respectively), an epithelial goblet cell marker, with reductions in secretory cells histologically (P < .0001).

Conclusions

Compared with non‐scar epithelium, the epithelium within iSGS and iLTS is morphologically abnormal. Although both iSGS and iLTS have reduced epithelial thickness, ciliary cells, and secretory cells, only iSGS had significant increases in pathological basal cell expression. These data suggest that the epithelium in iSGS and iLTS play a common role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in these two etiologies of laryngotracheal stenosis.

Setting

Tertiary referral center (2017–2020).

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 132:2194–2201, 2022
Novel Thiol‐Ene Photo Resins for Stereolithography with Enhanced Mechanical and Optical Properties
Authors: Hoffmann Andreas , Kreuels Klaus , Gillner Arnold
Published: February 2022

Stereolithography is a lithography‐based additive manufacturing technology, in which liquid photoreactive resins are solidified by ultraviolet or visible light in a layer‐wise approach. Additive manufacturing technologies are used in personalized medicine, for example, for the production of otoplastics, dentistry, prosthetics but also in tissue engineering. Here, biocompatibility of the produced parts is mandatory. In this work a chemistry is further investigated which is rarely used in stereolithography—thiol‐ene click chemistry. Polymers made by thiol‐ene chemistry have various promising optical, mechanical, biological, and chemical properties for medical applications. In this work new photo resins based on thiol‐ene click chemistry are developed and the resulting polymers are analyzed to determine the suitability of these materials as thiol‐ene photo resins. Furthermore, the influence of crosslinker functionality in systems with equal degree of crosslinking and the concept of prepolymerization of two bifunctional components for thiol‐ene photo resins will be presented in this study.
An investigation on the approximate controllability of impulsive neutral delay differential inclusions of second order
Authors: Vijayakumar Velusamy , Nisar Kottakkaran Sooppy , Shukla Anurag , Hazarika Bipan , Samidurai Rajendran
Published: February 2022

This paper mainly focuses on the approximate controllability for second‐order impulsive neutral differential inclusions with infinite delay. By using the results related to cosine and sine function of operators, Dhage's fixed point theorem, and their outcome when combined with the properties of differential inclusions, our primary discussions are proved. Finally, we provided an example for the illustration of the theory obtained.
Influence and compensation of patient motion in electromagnetic tracking based quality assurance in interstitial brachytherapy of the breast
Authors: Dürrbeck Christopher , Gulde Sarah , Abu‐Hossin Nadin , Fietkau Rainer , Strnad Vratislav , Bert Christoph
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Electromagnetic tracking (EMT) is a versatile and viable technique for various quality assurance (QA) tasks in interstitial brachytherapy (iBT). As the duration of EMT measurements in iBT is on the order of minutes, they can be strongly affected by patient motion, especially breathing, which gives rise to motion artefacts. Since the centrepiece of EMT‐related QA in iBT is to assess the geometry of the iBT implant or applicator, the absence of adequate motion compensation techniques could impede the use of EMT for QA purposes. A common way to compensate for this is to reference the data to either external or internal reference sensors (ERS, IRS) which are fixated on the patient's body or inside the applicator and therefore move with the patient. The purpose of the presented study is to provide a quantitative and in‐depth analysis on the use of reference sensors for motion compensation.

Methods

First, the need for adequate motion compensation is identified both qualitatively and quantitatively using a phantom subjected to simulated breathing motion. An evaluation routine is developed to assess the influence of motion compensation using reference sensors on the acquired EMT data. The evaluation metric is based on the observed displacement of the EMT sensor from its mean position while dwelling at a dwell position (DP) for a dwell time of 1 s. After that, the routine is applied to a cohort of 54 breast cancer patients treated with iBT, and the quality of an ERS based compensation approach is assessed. In a subgroup of four patients, an IRS is inserted into the iBT implant and IRS‐based compensation is compared to the ERS‐based approach. Moreover, a correlation analysis of the ERS and IRS approach is performed, also including respiratory signals derived from the trajectories of the different reference sensors.

Results

It was found that motion compensation with ERS effectively reduced the mean sensor displacement per DP to median values as low as 0.11 mm in both phantom and patient measurements, which is below the precision of the EMT system (0.48 mm). Compensation using the IRS yielded comparable results and was as good as compensation with ERS. The results obtained from both approaches showed a strong correlation. Also the respiratory signals calculated from the different reference sensors were well correlated in most cases.

Conclusion

These results indicate that motion compensation with ERS can effectively remove motion artefacts in EMT data. While compensation with an IRS leads to comparable results, the IRS occupies one catheter whose geometry hence cannot be assessed. The use of ERS has proven to be both effective and practical in clinical routine.
Framelet tensor sparsity with block matching for spectral CT reconstruction
Authors: Yu Xiaohuan , Cai Ailong , Wang Linyuan , Zheng Zhizhong , Wang Yizhong , Wang Zhe , Li Lei , Yan Bin
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Spectral computed tomography (CT) based on the photon‐counting detection system has the capability to produce energy‐discriminative attenuation maps of objects with a single scan. However, the insufficiency of photons collected into the narrow energy bins results in high quantum noise levels causing low image quality. This work aims to improve spectral CT image quality by developing a novel regularization based on framelet tensor prior.

Methods

First, similar patches are extracted from highly correlated interchannel images in spectral and spatial domains, and stacked to form a third‐order tensor after vectorization along the energy channels. Second, the framelet tensor nuclear norm (FTNN) is introduced and applied to construct the regularization to exploit the sparsity embedded in nonlocal similarity of spectral images, and thus the reconstruction problem is modeled as a constrained optimization. Third, an iterative algorithm is proposed by utilizing the alternating direction method of multipliers framework in which efficient solvers are developed for each subproblem.

Results

Both numerical simulations and real data verifications were performed to evaluate and validate the proposed FTNN‐based method. Compared to the analytic, TV‐based, and the state‐of‐the‐art tensor‐based methods, the proposed method achieves higher numerical accuracy on both reconstructed CT images and decomposed material maps in the mouse data indicating the capability in noise suppression and detail preservation of the proposed method.

Conclusions

A framelet tensor sparsity–based iterative algorithm is proposed for spectral reconstruction. The qualitative and quantitative comparisons show a promising improvement of image quality, indicating its promising potential in spectral CT imaging.
The acceptability of two remote monitoring modalities for patients waiting for services in a physiotherapy outpatient clinic
Authors: Renard Marianne , Gaboury Isabelle , Michaud François , Tousignant Michel
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Access to public rehabilitation services for patients with non‐urgent conditions ‐ which suffer mainly from musculoskeletal disorders ‐ is problematic around the world. Remote rehabilitation services are recognized as effective means to increase accessibility. Patient acceptability is an important element in the successful implementation of such clinical innovations and has not yet been studied thoroughly in this context. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the acceptability of two remote consultation modalities ‐ phone and teleconsultation ‐ for patients waiting for public outpatient non‐urgent rehabilitation services.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative descriptive study nested within a randomized clinical trial in which participants received either phone or teleconsultation follow‐ups with a physiotherapist after a first systematic face‐to‐face evaluation. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with participants of both groups selected with purposive sampling. Sekhon's acceptability metaframework was used and interviews were transcribed and coded with thematic analysis.

Ethic approval

The research protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Board of the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux – Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS) (#2019–2919).

Results

Twenty participants were recruited. Results show both follow‐up modalities have a good level of acceptability for participants; however, teleconsultation stands out because its visual dimension offers higher quality human contact and satisfactorily meets greater needs for support.

Conclusion

Systematic in‐person assessment and advice combined with telephone or teleconsultation follow‐up can contribute to diversifying the services offered in physiotherapy outpatient clinics. Offering a range of service modalities with different resource requirements may shorten wait times. Such an approach seems to be well accepted by patients, especially with teleconsultation.

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03991858
Low‐temperature silane coupling agent modified biomimetic micro/nanoscale roughness hierarchical structure superhydrophobic polyethylene terephthalate filter media
Authors: Dong Wei , Zhou Shian , Qian Fuping , Li Qing , Tang Gang , Xiang Tengfei , Long Hong‐ming , Chun Tiejun , Lu Jinli , Han Yunlong
Published: February 2022

A hierarchical structure similar to “lotus leaf surface” has attracted widespread attention due to its excellent hydrophobic properties. Herein, using low‐temperature sol–gel method prepared superhydrophobic SiO2 particles with biomimetic lotus leaf micro/nanoscale hierarchical structure (BRHS), which were formed in situ on the surface of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber, and endowing PET‐based composite filter media (P‐Filter) superhydrophobic property. After different TEOS@MTES@ KH550 (TMK) modification treatments, SiO2 particles were wrapped on the P‐Filter, and the microscopic pore structure was changed significantly. When the mass ratio of TEOS/MTES (TM) reached 4/2, KH550 modified SiO2 nanoparticles displayed the widest particle size distribution. In this case, the PET (TMK@PET‐4) fibers exhibited rough morphology of BRHS, the contact angle (WCA) reached 160.9 ± 2.8°, and the shedding angle (WSA) was 5.9 ± 2.5°, which reaching a superhydrophobic state. Also, the TMK@PET‐4 filter material demonstrated best comprehensive filtration performance for PM 0.3 (η: 99.12%, ΔP: 58 Pa, QF: 0.0816), 36.96% higher than the original PET filter, and had excellent mechanical stability and self‐cleaning properties. Therefore, the presented simple method has a guiding significance in producing superhydrophobic P‐Filter, a potential value for the research and development of bag‐type dust removal materials in high‐humidity environments.
Low‐content metal‐organic framework enhanced interface effect to improve the insulation properties of polyimide‐based composite films
Authors: Hui Huailiang , Li Yanpeng , Feng Yu , Li Jialong , Zhao He , Zhu Congcong , Yue Dong , Yin Jinghua , Liu Xiaoxu
Published: February 2022

Polymer‐based nanodielectrics are widely used in microelectronics, aerospace and electrical insulation fields because of their excellent insulation and mechanical properties, but the strategies and mechanisms to improve their insulation strength need to be further studied. Herein, introducing MOFs (UiO‐66) particles into polyimide (PI) matrix obtained the unexpected discovery that MOFs with 3D porous structure did not degrade the insulation strength and mechanical stretching of composite films, conversely, remarkably increased the breakdown strength (Eb) and mechanical strength at low doping concentration. With only 1 wt% doped of UiO‐66, the maximum Eb of UiO‐66/PI composite film is 458.6 kV/mm, which is about 64% higher than PI (279.8 kV/mm). To study the mechanism of performance improvement, the interface structure was characterized by synchrotron radiation small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and the interface influence factor is introduced to modify the classical dielectric model. It was found that the hydroxyl groups on UiO‐66 can form hydrogen bonds with the PI molecular chain, and this strong interaction at the interface is the main reason for the performance improvement of low‐content doped composites. This study provides a strategy for improving the insulation properties of composites at low doping and offers some insights into the application of MOFs in high performance dielectrics.
On the design of test molds based on unidirectional saturated flows to measure transverse permeability in liquid composite molding
Authors: Yang Bin , Huang Wei , Causse Philippe , Béguin Cédric , Wang Jihui , Trochu François
Published: February 2022

Impregnating fibrous preforms through thickness has become a main feature of some liquid composite molding process variants. Thus, the evaluation of transverse permeability is critical to optimize the fabrication and reduce manufacturing defects. Some problems connected with the design of testing devices need to be addressed to perform a reliable characterization. In this study, the efficiency of a typical one‐dimensional testing device to measure transverse permeability is evaluated numerically and experimentally. The paper introduces a novel methodology to identify the optimal mold configuration and evaluate the flow pattern inside the mold cavity. A dimensionless number called the “fill coefficient” is also proposed to evaluate quantitatively the effect of the mold structure on the transverse flow pattern. The measured transverse permeability is shown to increase with lower fill coefficients for saturated and unsaturated flows. The intrinsic transverse permeability is obtained when the fill coefficient is equal to one. The proposed methodology is verified by experiments performed in an existing tool. This confirms that the measured transverse permeability can be significantly affected by the above mentioned factors.
Association between tramadol use and seizures: A nationwide case–case‐time‐control study
Authors: Park Sohee , Lee Hyesung , Kim Ju Hwan , Jeon Ha‐Lim , Shin Ju‐Young
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Tramadol may lower the seizure threshold; however, there is no conclusive evidence to confirm this. This study aimed to determine whether the use of tramadol is associated with the occurrence of seizures.

Methods

We conducted a case–case‐time‐control (CCTC) study by identifying patients who had received tramadol and seizure diagnosis in a nationwide healthcare database in South Korea between 2003 and 2015. Each case was matched for age and sex to one future case to adjust for time trends in exposure without selection bias from the use of an external control group. The use of tramadol was assessed during a risk period of 1–30 days, and two reference periods, 61–90 days and 91–120 days, preceding the first diagnosis of seizures. We calculated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) by dividing the OR in cases (case‐crossover) by the OR in future cases (control‐crossover). We performed a dose–response analysis using the average daily dose.

Results

We identified 2523 incident cases with matched future cases (mean age, 45.4 years; 50% men). The aOR for seizure with tramadol use was 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98–1.43) in the CCTC analysis, with a case‐crossover OR of 1.19 (0.98–1.43) and control‐crossover OR of 1.27 (1.03–1.56). The dose–response analysis showed a similar trend in the main analysis: a low‐dose aOR of 0.80 (0.50–1.28) and a high‐dose aOR of 0.92 (0.41–2.11).

Conclusion

We could not identify a significant association between transient use of tramadol and incidence of seizures in clinical practice.
Effect ofFKM‐g‐acrylamidereactive compatibilizer on mechanical, thermal and aging behaviors of fluoroelastomer (FKM)/silicone rubber (MVQ) blend
Authors: Khanra Sipra , Kumar Abhay , Ganguly Debabrata , Ghorai Sanjoy Kumar , Chattopadhyay Santanu
Published: February 2022

The study presents the preparation of acrylamide grafted fluoroelastomer (FKM‐g‐acrylamide) by melt mixing process and its evaluation as a reactive compatibilizer for fluoroelastomer (FKM) and methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ) blend system (at different compositions) in terms of mechanical properties, thermal stability, aging behavior, and morphological aspects. Mechanical properties investigation discloses almost 20% increment in tensile strength after the incorporation of 3 parts per hundred rubber of FKM‐g‐acrylamide into the FKM/MVQ blend. The shifting of theTgsof both the rubber phases toward each other along with the decrease of the heat capacity value (Cp) attest the effective compatibilization role of the compatibilizer. However, no significant changes in the thermal stability of the blends are observed after incorporation of the prepared compatibilizer. The heat and oil aging behavior shows remarkable percentage retention of the mechanical properties for the compatibilized blend system compared to the uncompatibilized one. The morphological study indicates the abrupt reduction of the FKM domain size (2000–180 nm) in the MVQ matrix for the compatibilized blend.
Preparation and characterization of pH‐sensitive carboxymethyl cellulose‐based hydrogels for controlled drug delivery
Authors: Pourkhatoun Mina , Kalantari Maryam , Kamyabi Ata , Moradi Ali
Published: February 2022

A novel biopolymer‐based hydrogel with pH‐responsive behavior was synthesized by free radical polymerization of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid onto carboxymethylcellulose. The effects of initiator concentration, crosslinker concentration, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid total volume and acrylic acid percentage on water absorbency were studied using central composite design with the response surface method (RSM). The results indicate that the maximum water absorbency in distilled water is 103 g g−1 and the optimum conditions determined using RSM are: initiator concentration, 0.006105 mol L−1; crosslinker concentration, 0.009035 mol L−1; acrylic acid and methacrylic acid total volume, 2 mL; acrylic acid percentage, 50%, in a system of 35 mL total volume. The optimized hydrogel was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, and its pH‐responsive behavior was also evaluated using acidic and basic solutions for its possible use in control drug delivery. In this respect, ofloxacin was used as a drug model and experimental data showed that the hydrogel is a possible candidate for injectable drug delivery. © 2022 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Advances in Chiral Gold Nano‐Assemblies and Their Bioapplication Based on Optical Properties
Authors: Zhao Li , Zhou Yi , Niu Guiming , Gao Fucheng , Sun Zhiwei , Li Hui , Jiang Yanyan
Published: February 2022

Chirality plays mysterious and essential roles in maintaining key biological and physiological processes. The chirality of inorganic nanoparticles has emerged as a popular research field during the last decade. Various chiral inorganic nanoparticles have been reported, such as magnetic, semiconductor, and noble metal nanoparticles, highlighting their importance in both basic research and potential practical applications. Among them, chiral gold nanoparticles and their assemblies have been widely used in biomedical research owing to their diverse morphologies, unique optical properties, and good biocompatibility. This review is a comprehensive overview of chiral gold nano‐assemblies. First, the methodology to prepare chiral gold nano‐assemblies according to their different types is introduced from the perspective of assembling templates. Then, the optical properties of chiral gold nano‐assemblies are reviewed in detail, and their biological applications such as biosensors, bioimaging, and biocompatible therapy reagents are presented. Finally, the challenges and prospects of chiral gold nano‐assemblies are discussed. It is envisioned that chiral gold nano‐assemblies will play increasingly more impactful roles in biomedicine.
Evaluation of the Detonation Characteristics of Aluminized DNAN‐Based Melt‐Cast Explosive by the Detonation Cylinder Test
Authors: Yang Yang , Duan Zhuoping , Li Shurui , Zhang Liansheng , Han Yong , Huang Hui , Huang Fenglei
Published: February 2022

To investigate the detonation characteristics of a new aluminized DNAN‐based melt‐cast explosive RDA‐2 (containing DNAN (2,4‐dinitroanisole), HMX (cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine) and aluminum), a series of cylinder tests were conducted. The LiF (lithium fluoride) explosive of a similar formulation was also tested to study the influence of aluminum on the detonation characteristics of RDA‐2. The cylinder wall expansion velocities were recorded by Photonic Doppler Velocimetry (PDV). From the experimental data, the detonation velocity, the Gurney energy, the detonation energy, and the CJ pressure of the explosives were calculated. Both the detonation velocity and CJ pressure results indicate that the aluminum seems to have no significant influence on the chemical reaction zone of RDA‐2. The experimental data shows that a large amount of aluminum reacts behind the CJ point. Finally, the parameters of the Jones‐Wilkins‐Lee (JWL) equation of the state of the detonation products were determined.
Fabrication of copper nanoparticle composite nanogel for high‐efficiency management of Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci on tobacco
Authors: Ma Xiaozhou , Zhu Xin , Qu Saijiao , Cai Lin , Ma Guanhua , Fan Guangjin , Sun Xianchao
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) can release copper ions (Cu2+) to control bacterial diseases on crops. However, the high concentration of the CuNPs applied in disease controlling can highly limit their application. In this work, by in situ reducing CuNPs in alginate nanogels and coated with cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), a CuNP composite nanogel was fabricated as a new nanopesticide with low copper content.

RESULTS

Data showed that the CTAC coating would affect the antibacterial activity and leaf surface adhesion of the nanogel, while CuNP content could also influence the membrane damage ability of the gel. The nanogel could depress the growth of bacteria by rupturing its membrane and show a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) as low as 500 μg mL−1, which only contain 58 μg mL−1 CuNP, and achieve a 64% of therapeutic efficiency (with 1000 μg mL−1 nanogel) in in vivo experiments, higher than that of commercial bactericide thiodiazole copper. Furthermore, the application of the nanogel can also perform a growth‐promoting effect on the plant, which may be due to the supplement of copper element provided by CuNP.

CONCLUSION

The CuNP composite nanogel fabricated in this work performed high leaf disease controllability and safety compared to the commercial bactericide thiodiazole copper. We hope this nanogel can provide a potential high‐efficiency nano‐bactericide that can be used in the leaf bacterial disease control.
Advancing drug safety science by integrating molecular knowledge with post‐marketing adverse event reports
Authors: Soldatos Theodoros G. , Kim Sarah , Schmidt Stephan , Lesko Lawrence J. , Jackson David B.
Published: February 2022

Promising drug development efforts may frequently fail due to unintended adverse reactions. Several methods have been developed to analyze such data, aiming to improve pharmacovigilance and drug safety. In this work, we provide a brief review of key directions to quantitatively analyzing adverse events and explore the potential of augmenting these methods using additional molecular data descriptors. We argue that molecular expansion of adverse event data may provide a path to improving the insights gained through more traditional pharmacovigilance approaches. Examples include the ability to assess statistical relevance with respect to underlying biomolecular mechanisms, the ability to generate plausible causative hypotheses and/or confirmation where possible, the ability to computationally study potential clinical trial designs and/or results, as well as the further provision of advanced features incorporated in innovative methods, such as machine learning. In summary, molecular data expansion provides an elegant way to extend mechanistic modeling, systems pharmacology, and patient‐centered approaches for the assessment of drug safety. We anticipate that such advances in real‐world data informatics and outcome analytics will help to better inform public health, via the improved ability to prospectively understand and predict various types of drug‐induced molecular perturbations and adverse events.
Systematic review of the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of MF59® adjuvanted seasonal influenza vaccines for the prevention of laboratory‐confirmed influenza in individuals ≥18 years of age
Authors: O Murchu Eamon , Comber Laura , Jordan Karen , Hawkshaw Sarah , Marshall Liam , O’Neill Michelle , Ryan Máirín , Teljeur Conor , Carnahan Annasara , Pérez Jaime Jesús , Robertson Anna Hayman , Johansen Kari , Jonge Jorgen de , Krause Tyra , Nicolay Nathalie , Nohynek Hanna , Pavlopoulou Ioanna , Pebody Richard , Penttinen Pasi , Soler‐Soneira Marta , Wichmann Ole , Harrington Patricia
Published: February 2022

The most effective means of preventing seasonal influenza is through vaccination. In this systematic review, we investigated the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of MF59® adjuvanted trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccines to prevent laboratory‐confirmed influenza. A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic databases and grey literature sources up to 7 February 2020. Randomised controlled trials and non‐randomised studies of interventions (NRSIs) were eligible for inclusion. The search returned 28,846 records, of which 48 studies on MF59® adjuvanted vaccines met our inclusion criteria. No efficacy trials were identified. In terms of vaccine effectiveness (VE), MF59® adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccines were effective in preventing laboratory‐confirmed influenza in older adults (aged ≥65 years) compared with no vaccination (VE = 45%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 23%–61%, 5 NRSIs across 3 influenza seasons). By subtype, significant effect was found for influenza A(H1N1) (VE = 61%, 95% CI 44%–73%) and B (VE = 29%, 95% CI 5%–46%), but not for A(H3N2). In terms of relative VE, there was no significant difference comparing MF59® adjuvanted trivalent vaccines with either non‐adjuvanted trivalent or quadrivalent vaccines. Compared with traditional trivalent influenza vaccines, MF59® adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccines were associated with a greater number of local adverse events (RR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.50–2.39) and systemic reactions (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.02–1.38). In conclusion, MF59® adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccines were found to be more effective than ‘no vaccination’. Based on limited data, there was no significant difference comparing the effectiveness of MF59® adjuvanted vaccines with their non‐adjuvanted counterparts.
Optimal output consensus of second‐order uncertain nonlinear systems on weight‐unbalanced directed networks
Authors: Zhang Jin , Liu Lu , Ji Haibo
Published: February 2022

This article investigates the distributed optimal output consensus problem of second‐order uncertain nonlinear multiagent systems over weight‐unbalanced directed networks. Under the standard assumption that local cost functions are strongly convex with globally Lipschitz gradients, a novel distributed dynamic state feedback controller is developed such that the outputs of all the agents reach the optimal solution to minimize the global cost function which is the sum of all the local cost functions. The controller design is based on a two‐layer strategy, where a distributed optimal coordinator and a reference‐tracking controller are proposed to address the challenges arising from unbalanced directed networks and uncertain nonlinear functions respectively. A key feature of the proposed controller is that the nonlinear functions containing the uncertainties and disturbances are not required to be globally Lipschitz. Furthermore, by exploiting adaptive control technique, no prior knowledge of the uncertainties or disturbances is required either. Two simulation examples are finally provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
t‐BuOK‐Mediated Transition‐Metal‐Free Direct Olefination and Alkylation of Methyl N‐Heteroarenes with Primary Alcohols under Control of Temperature
Authors: Su Fangyao , Lai Miao , Zhao Mingqin , Song Mingzhou , Hu Xin , Zhang Junqin
Published: February 2022

Transition‐metal‐free, temperature‐controlled chemoselectivities of alkenylazaarenes and alkylazaarenes through t‐BuOK/18‐crown‐6 promoted functionalization reaction of methyl‐substituted N‐heteroarenes with primary alcohols has been established. Following the methodology, a variety of olefinated and alkylated N‐heteroarenes have been efficiently obtained. To understand the mechanism of the reactions, various control and kinetic experiments were carried out.
Antibacterial Copolypeptoids with Potent Activity against Drug Resistant Bacteria and Biofilms, Excellent Stability, and Recycling Property
Authors: Zhang Bo , Zhang Meng , Lin Min , Dong Xinzhe , Ma Xutao , Xu Yuanhong , Sun Jing
Published: February 2022

The preparation of a type of innovative cationic copolypeptoid antimicrobials containing various hydrophobic moieties that resemble both structure and membrane‐lytic antibacterial mechanism of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is reported. By finely tuning the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, the polypeptoids exhibit a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against both Gram‐positive bacteria and Gram‐negative bacteria with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) at only 2 µg mL−1, whereas they also show low haemolytic properties. In particular, high selectivity (>128) is achieved from the polymers with butyl moieties. Moreover, the polypeptoids can readily inhibit the formation of biofilms and effectively eradicate the bacteria embedded in the mature biofilms, which is superior to many natural AMPs and vancomycin. Unlike conventional antibiotics, the polypeptoids possess potent activity against drug‐resistant bacteria without visible resistance development after repeated usage. Notably, the polypeptoid antimicrobials not only have inherently fast bactericidal properties and excellent stability against incubation with human plasma, but also show excellent in vivo antibacterial effect. The prepared antimicrobials, coated onto magnetic nanospheres show recycling properties and enhanced antibacterial activity as combined with near‐infrared (NIR)‐induced photothermal antibacterial therapy.
Tailoring the Void Space Using Nanoreactors on Carbon Fibers to Confine SnS2 Nanosheets for Ultrastable Lithium/Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Cui Zhe , He Shu‐Ang , Zhu Jinqi , Gao Mengluan , Wang Hao , Zhang Hao , Zou Rujia
Published: February 2022

Herein, a rational design of SnS2 nanosheets confined into bubble‐like carbon nanoreactors anchored on N,S doped carbon nanofibers (SnS2@C/CNF) is proposed to prepare the self‐standing electrodes, which provides tunable void space on carbon fibers for the first time by introducing hollow carbon nanoreactors. The SnS2@C/CNF provides the stable support with greatly enhanced ion and electron transport, alleviates aggregation and volume expansion of SnS2 nanosheets, and promotes the formation of abundant exposed edges and active sites. The volume balance between SnS2 nanosheets and hollow carbon nanoreactors is reached to accommodate the expansion of SnS2 during cycles by controlling the thickness of SnO2 shells, which achieves the best space utilization. The doping of N,S elements enhances the wettability of the carbon nanofiber matrix to electrolyte and Li ions and further improves the electrical conductivity of the whole electrode. Thus, the SnS2@C/CNF benefits greatly in structural stability and pseudocapacitive capacity for improved lithium/sodium storage performance. As a result of these improvements, the self‐standing SnS2@C/CNF film electrodes exhibit the highly stable capacity of 964.8 and 767.6 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, and excellent capacity retention of 87.4% and 82.4% after 1000 cycles at high current density for lithium‐ion batteries and sodium‐ion batteries, respectively.
Transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) improves depression in AD patients on state‐of‐the‐art treatment
Authors: Matt Eva , Dörl Gregor , Beisteiner Roland
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Ultrasound‐based brain stimulation is a novel, non‐invasive therapeutic approach to precisely target regions of interest. Data from a first clinical trial of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) receiving 2‐4 weeks transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS) have shown memory and cognitive improvements for up to 3 months, despite ongoing state‐of‐the‐art treatment. Importantly, depressive symptoms also improved.

Methods

We analyzed changes in Beck Depression Inventory (BDI‐II) and functional connectivity (FC) changes with functional magnetic resonance imaging in 18 AD patients.

Results

We found significant improvement in BDI‐II after TPS therapy. FC analysis showed a normalization of the FC between the salience network (right anterior insula) and the ventromedial network (left frontal orbital cortex).

Discussion

Stimulation of areas related to depression (including extended dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) appears to alleviate depressive symptoms and induces FC changes in AD patients. TPS may be a novel add‐on therapy for depression in AD and as a neuropsychiatric diagnosis.
Beyond witnesses: Moving health workers towards analysis and action on social determinants of health
Authors: Olirus Owilli Alex , Voller Vanessa K. , Martin Wanda , Compton Roslyn M. , Westerhaus Michael
Published: February 2022

Although critical knowledge of social determinants of health empowers health professionals to confront the causes of inequitable health outcomes, healthcare professionals continue to feel powerless when faced with upstream social and structural issues. Using a case of the social medicine course conducted in Northern Uganda, and the 2016/2017 Uganda medical interns’ movement, we examine the significance of social medicine education in enhancing healthcare professionals’ skills set to address a structural force—medical internship policy. Data sources included key informants, policy documents, blogs, Facebook posts, and YouTube Videos. Data were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Healthcare workers drawing on critical skills and knowledge from the social medicine course training could perform self‐ and problem‐analysis centered within power dynamics; identify avenues to communicate issues of concern; implement constructive dialog and collaborate with stakeholders to influence and halt a medical internship policy discourse through protest on streets and legal channels. Social medicine training and principles empower health workers to function as actors with the required skills and knowledge to initiate and sustain tactical, effective, and meaningful health advocacy directed towards altering social determinants of health that perpetuate social disadvantage with subsequent impact on population health outcomes.
New developments in the biology of fibroblast growth factors
Authors: Ornitz David M. , Itoh Nobuyuki
Published: February 2022

The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family is composed of 18 secreted signaling proteins consisting of canonical FGFs and endocrine FGFs that activate four receptor tyrosine kinases (FGFRs 1–4) and four intracellular proteins (intracellular FGFs or iFGFs) that primarily function to regulate the activity of voltage‐gated sodium channels and other molecules. The canonical FGFs, endocrine FGFs, and iFGFs have been reviewed extensively by us and others. In this review, we briefly summarize past reviews and then focus on new developments in the FGF field since our last review in 2015. Some of the highlights in the past 6 years include the use of optogenetic tools, viral vectors, and inducible transgenes to experimentally modulate FGF signaling, the clinical use of small molecule FGFR inhibitors, an expanded understanding of endocrine FGF signaling, functions for FGF signaling in stem cell pluripotency and differentiation, roles for FGF signaling in tissue homeostasis and regeneration, a continuing elaboration of mechanisms of FGF signaling in development, and an expanding appreciation of roles for FGF signaling in neuropsychiatric diseases.

This article is categorized under:

Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Neurological Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development

Cancer > Stem Cells and Development
The Digital Citizen
Authors: Lynn Theo , Rosati Pierangelo , Conway Edel , Curran Declan , Fox Grace , O’Gorman Colm
Published: February 2022

To fully function in a society permeated by digital technologies requires individuals and households to have both the access and skills to use these technologies effectively. Unfortunately, access to digital infrastructure and skills is not equal. This chapter begins with a discussion on the nature of the digital divide and digital literacy. It then considers how digital technologies are changing how, where and when people work, and the opportunities for rural communities that the sharing economy and gig economy present. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how extant international frameworks and composite indices measure access, competences, and use of digital technologies by individuals and households, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive measurement approach.
Digital Technologies and Civil Society
Authors: Lynn Theo , Rosati Pierangelo , Conway Edel , Curran Declan , Fox Grace , O’Gorman Colm
Published: February 2022

Civil society refers to social institutions outside of the confines of households, the market and the state. Such institutions provide a wide range of facilities and services in communities and society, generate employment, and create significant economic value through direct, indirect and induced expenditure. Notwithstanding this, voluntary, social and community organisations are rarely included in indices seeking to measure digital progress in society. Digital technologies can transform how civil society organisations operate and interact with their stakeholders. This chapter defines civil society, discusses the role they play in society, and the opportunities and challenges for digital adoption and use in civil society.
Emergent symmetry in Brownian SYK models and charge dependent scrambling
Authors: Agarwal Lakshya , Xu Shenglong
Published: February 2022

Abstract

In this work, we introduce a symmetry-based approach to study the scrambling and operator dynamics of Brownian SYK models at large finite N and in the infinite N limit. We compute the out-of-time-ordered correlator (OTOC) in the Majorana model without charge conservation and the complex model with charge conservation, and demonstrate that in both models taking the random average of the couplings gives rise to emergent symmetry structures. The random averaging exactly maps the operator dynamics of the Majorana model and the complex model to the imaginary time dynamics of an SU(2) spin and an SU(4) spin respectively, which become solvable in the large N limit. Furthermore, the symmetry structure drastically reduces the size of the Hilbert space required to calculate the OTOC from exponential to linear in N, providing full access to the operator dynamics at all times for large finite N. In the case of the complex model with charge conservation, using this approach, we obtain the OTOC within each charge sector both numerically at finite N and analytically in the large N limit. We find that the time scale of the scrambling dynamics for all times and in each sector is characterized by the charge density. Furthermore, after proper rescaling, the OTOC corresponding to different finite charge densities collapses into a single curve at large finite N. In the large N limit, the rescaled OTOCs at finite density are described by the same hydrodynamic equation as in the Majorana case.
Gomastahs, Peons, Police and Chowdranies: The Role of Indian Subordinate in the Functioning of the Lock Hospitals and the Indian Contagious Diseases Act, 1805 to 1889
Authors: Rama Gopalakrishnan Divya
Published: February 2022

Recent scholarship on the social history of health and medicine in colonial India has moved beyond enclavist or hegemonic aspects of imperial medicine and has rather focused on the role of Indian intermediaries and the fractured nature of colonial hegemony. Drawing inspiration from this scholarship, the article highlights the significance of the Indian subordinates in the lock hospital system in the nineteenth century Madras Presidency. This study focuses on a class of Indian subordinates called the “gomastah”, who were employed to detect clandestine prostitution in Madras to control the spread of venereal disease. It also underlines the role of other native and non-native subordinates such as Dhais, Chowdranies and Matrons, the ways in which they became indispensable for the smoother operation of the Contagious Diseases Act and the lock hospitals on a day-to-day basis. By emphasising how Indian subordinates were able to bring in caste biases within colonial governmentality, adding another layer to the colonial prejudices and xenophobia against the native population, it underlines the fact that there was not a one-way appropriation or facilitation of the coloniser’s knowledge or biases by the colonised intermediaries. Rather, it argues for an interaction between them, and highlights the complexities of caste hierarchies and prejudice within the everyday colonial governmentality. Moreover, the article focuses on the consequent chaos and inherent power struggle between different factions of colonial staff.
Trends in Adoption of Laparoscopic Appendicectomy in a Developing Country: Closing the Gap
Authors: Naidoo Maheshwar , Thirayan Varun , Kong Victor , Govindasamy Vishendran , Dasrath Ash , Mills Bob , Bruce John , Laing Grant , Clarke Damian
Published: February 2022

Background

This study reviews our use of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy over the last decade to track the trends in their usage in a middle‐income country.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on patients with intraoperative confirmed acute appendicitis from January 2013 to December 2019 at Grey's Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Results

Eight hundred fifty‐one cases of AA were included. 724 (85%) patients underwent open surgery; 435 (60%) via a midline incision and 194 (27%) via a local incision. 127 (15%) patients underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy. A significant rend was noted for an increasing proportion of surgery performed by laparoscopy compared to open surgery (p = 0.02). Patients who underwent open surgery compared to laparoscopy presented with greater peritonism (48.5% vs. 28%, p < 0.001), delay from symptom onset (3 vs. 2 days, p < 0.001), more frequently from rural areas (94% vs. 86%, p = 0.002) and with higher AAST scores (46.7% AAST ≥ 4, vs. 14.9%, p < 0.001). This former group had significantly greater morbidity (42% vs. 35%, p < 0.001) with higher Clavien‐Dindo scores, were more likely to require ICU admission (8.3% vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001) and have longer hospital stay (4 days vs. 2 days, p < 0.001); no statistically significant difference in mortality was observed (1.1% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.75).

Conclusions

There has been a steady increase in the uptake of laparoscopic appendicectomy and decrease in open approaches in our centre. There is still a high rate of patients with advanced disease, and it is unlikely that this cohort will be suitable for laparoscopic surgery. If we hope to increase the uptake of laparoscopic surgery for acute appendicitis even further, we must focus on identifying patients with early and low‐grade disease.
Synthesis of polymer-vesicle latex particles through an ATRP-based approach
Authors: Loiko Olessya P. , Heuts Johan P. A. , van Herk Alex M.
Published: February 2022

The synthesis of polymer-vesicle latex particles by using extruded vesicles of dimethyldioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DODAB) via an atom transfer radical polymerization–based approach is reported. Cryo-TEM characterization revealed the growth of polymer from one side of the vesicle, and the final morphology of the resulting particles was affected by monomer feed composition. Protrusions or nanocapsules were synthesized when MMA:BA:EGDMA or MMA were used, respectively. Furthermore, it was found that the co-oligomer composition and chain length affect the resulting morphologies of the particles.

Graphical abstract